Word definitions

[sondra]

Hello,

I wanted to ask a question about the following definition of the word 'lump'.

"A piece of something hard or solid.''

If something is hard, it is solid and if something is solid, it is hard. Why it is that sometimes words are defined by other words that have one and the same meaning.

Thanks

[Barb_D]

Solid things are not always hard. A sponge is a well defined shape that is not hard. A couch cushion is solid but not hard. This applies to millions of other things. Something that has a well defined shaped is solid.

[sondra]

So in this sentence; 'Supper had congealed on the plate.' It means that supper became either thick, hard or it gained a well defined shape.
Am I right?

Thanks

[Barb_D]

Thank you for that visual.
If you picked up the plate and tilted it sideways, things would not move around.

[sondra]

You are welcome. The meaning is clear to me now. Thanks:)