Confusing Words Clarified: Group M; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, Polysemes, etc. +
(lists of "M" sections that are organized into what for some people are confusing groups of words)
If you have any problems understanding the pronunciation symbols, go to this Pronunciation Chart for clarifications.
"Think GLOBAL, buy LOCAL" is an example of balancing the concepts of macrocosm and microcosm.
2. The female head of a house of prostitution: The madam of the brothel also ran a bar to serve wine, beer, and liquor.
3. When capitalized, used to designate rank or position of a woman in a business or governmental context: Madam Chairperson began the meeting punctually.
One can get into some very sticky social situations by addressing an older woman of great dignity as "madame" if she is not aware of the nuances between being addressed as "madam" and being referred to as a "madam".
Janine's mother made a skirt which complimented her purse.
2. Assured of success by having the right qualities to be or to do something: Chris was made to be an actor.2. An unmarried young woman: The young maid was imaginative and she often imagined what her future would be like.
The maid had made the bed before she vacuumed the floor.
2. That which attracts: The seashore was a magnet for holiday vacationers who knew that they could enjoy the sunshine every day in the summer.
The presence of the famed industrial magnate was a powerful magnet for other industrialists to attend the symphony fund raising event.
2. Armour, a defensive covering made of metal, or the hard covering of an animal: When going to battle, knights often wore mail to protect themselves.
The turtle has a hard shell, like mail, that helps to protect it from harm; so, the mail of the turtle protects it from predators.
2. Characteristic of men, or being masculine: Many sports that were considered appropriate only for a male player are now being played by women.
The man's wife was complaining that there was nothing in the postbox except more male mail.
Because he was expecting some delicately contentious mail, the often flirtatious male in the office commented he’d better put on his mail before opening his daily mail.
A secretary was talking with a colleague, "I hate junk mail."
Her fellow worker responded with, "Me, too, and there's one now," as she nodded toward her boss as he was just entering the office [referring to him as, "junk male"].
A woman likes a male best who has a will of his own . . . made out in her name.
The audience was waiting for the big or main event of the evening.
2. Exerted to the utmost; sheer: Leo's main or brute strength was never to give up.The man found a shaggy mare in the country side of Maine and with might and main, he tried to trim her mane.
"What is the principal part of a horse?"
"The principal part? The mane, of course.
A male lion is the only cat with a mane.
"Lion researchers have observed that many male lions with short manes had suffered from injury or sickness; while by contrast, dark-maned males tended to be older than the others, have higher testosterone levels, heal well after being wounded, and sire more surviving cubs; all of which made them more desirable mates and formidable foes."
"A mane, it seems, signals vital information about a male lion's fighting ability and health to mates and rivals."
The ornamental garden was a complex maze of shrubbery and trees.
The farmer set up a labyrinth in his cornfield and invited people to participate in what the newspaper referred to as the maize maze.
2. The greater number, by at least one, when counting the total of something: The majority, or most of the students of the class, decided to go to the football game instead of staying in the library.
2. A group which is comprised of a smaller number than another group the combination of which represents the total size of the something: A minority attending the public meeting did not want the new bridge to be built.
2. The number of votes needed to elect an official that is not 50% of the total votes cast but is more than the total votes cast for either of two or more other candidates: Shanna was elected by a narrow plurality of five.
The majority of the city population had reached their majority and could therefore participate in elections; as a result, their candidate received a plurality of votes. The minority population looked forward to gaining their majority in the next year or two.
Chad was unable to carry the melody of the song which was in fact a medley of popular tunes. Someone joked that he seemed to be suffering from an unknown malady.
2. A grassy public park, typically for pedestrian use: Shanna strolled down the mall and enjoyed the beauty of the flowering trees.
The gangster's moll decided to go to the mall for the New Year's sales; however, she immediately went back home because she noticed that the mall was packed with so many people and she didn't want anyone to maul her during the excitement of the sales.
Is it really possible that some people feel that a man's laughter can be more disturbing than manslaughter?
2. When capitalized, the capital and largest city of the Philippines; located in Southern Luzon: Manila is a city and it should not be confused with another term known as Manila paper or Manilla paper.
How could anyone possibly confuse a manila, manilla envelope with a vanilla envelope, you may ask?
Well, it seems that a reporter on the radio mixed up the two by referring to a vanilla envelope and someone called in to report the obvious error to the program's moderators the next day and stated that there is a big difference between manila, manilla paper and a non-existent vanilla paper; unless someone had produced an envelope with vanilla flavor.
2. Social conduct: Tamika tried to imitate the manner and demeanor of a famous actress.
3. Good and appropriate behavior: The politeness or manner of Patricia's new neighbor was very friendly.
2. The house on an estate: The manor at the site was large and gracious.
Bernhart wanted to be polite with his guests when they came to his luxurious house; so, he decided to establish an etiquette for his mansion which he called "a manor with a good manner" because he wanted people to know that his manor's manners were superior.
2. Something that covers, envelops, or conceals: Looking up into the sky was like looking at a dark blue mantle overspreading the earth.
A tragedy almost happened when the glamorous opera star, wearing an elegant mantle, leaned against the mantel of the fireplace and her mantle almost caught on fire.
2. A surname: Fred noticed there were many people in the telephone directory with the last name of Manuel.
Helena's nephew, Manuel, has always liked to do manual work; especially, fixing engines which was easy for him because he always utilized the instruction manual.
Confusing Words: Homonyms, Homophones, and Homographs; explained and demonstrated.
Confusing Words: Units, Groups A to Z.
Confusing Words: Vocabulary Quizzes Listed.
