Confusing Words Clarified: Group C; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, Polysemes, etc.
(lists of "C" sections that are organized into what for some people are confusing groups of words)
Three words that every student of language should understand are homonyms, synonyms, and antonyms.
Homonyms are words that sound alike, but have different meanings. Synonyms are words that are related in meaning but do not sound alike (begin and commence, for example).
Antonyms are direct opposites in meaning, as hot and cold; white and black.
With homonyms, the following set of to, too, and two are all pronounced exactly alike, but by no means are they interchangeable in writing. To be sure that you choose the correct spelling for any on these, you must know the meanings of all three so you will not make wrong choices with a feeling of vagueness and uncertainty.
Efforts have been made to help you grasp the meanings of these and other words that may be confusing so you can utilize them with greater accuracy in your communication.
Your comments and suggestions are always welcome by writing to: E-mail Contact (just click it for an e-mail form) or by typing, [email protected], as the address in your e-mail heading.
If you have any problems understanding the pronunciation symbols, go to this Pronunciation Chart for clarifications.
In the privacy of his cubicle, Professor Lucas tried to develop a different use for an object with a cubical shape.
2. A prompt or signal to do something: The actress did not need a single cue during her performance of the long play.
2. In computer science, a sequence of storage computer data awaiting processing: Three jobs remain in the printer queue.
3. A pendent (dangling, hanging, or suspended) braid of hair on the back of the head; a pigtail: Darla wore her long blond ringlets in a queue which helped her endure the heat of the day.
Raquel stood in a queue in front of the billiard parlor waiting for a cue that there was a cue available for her and Amos with a table so they could go in to play.
Walking across the street, Phil tripped on the curb. This really upset him so he had to remind himself to breathe deeply so he could curb his anxiety, because although he could have broken his foot, he didn't.
2. To preserve food; especially, meat or fish, usually by smoking, drying, or salting it, or to be preserved by one of these methods: The farmer will cure the pork for the restaurants.
The local curé often worked with the local doctor to help cure the ill parishioners.
The parishioners would take food staples to the curé, promising to cure a fish for him later in the winter.
Rolando and Lorena were curious about the curious stone structure which they found on the hillside; so, they took a photograph of it to the university lab for analysis.
2. The movement of electricity: The meter on the wall measures the amount of current used in Sheldon's household.
The currant bushes grew next to the river current which was helpful in washing the berries when Lila was harvesting them.
Noah's uncle cursed because something went wrong and he felt he was curst by the fates at that particular time.
As a customer, Santiago went to the shop to talk with the costumer about the costumes which he wanted for the costume party.
While Lana was holed up in the tornado shelter, her cousin speculated which would be worse; to be caught in a tornado, a hurricane, or a cyclone because any one of them can cause a great deal of damage.
2. An impression made with a seal: The signet was unbroken, assuring the reader no one had pried into the contents of the letter.
Grady noticed that the ring which he used for a signet had a cygnet worked into the design which made a handsome wax signet on the letters which he was sending out.
2. In psychology, an object or image that an individual unconsciously uses to represent repressed thoughts, feelings, or impulses: The tall tree was a symbol for the patient representing strength and independence.
There was a directional symbol posted in the auditorium. Kate noticed that the symbol for QUIET was a cymbal with a line stroked through it.
Lana's friend, who grew up on the island of Cyprus, told Eloise that the island was once covered with cypress trees and that reforestation efforts were being undertaken to bring them back.
