Friday, February 28, 2014

analyst, annalist

Analyst or analyst most commonly means a psychiatric doctor ( psychoanalyst ), or, in a more general sense,  someone who examines a problem by breaking it down into parts and defining the functions of each one--
He has been seeing the same analyst for years now, but he doesn't seem to be getting any better.
"My analyst told me, that I was right out of my head, but I said 'dear doctor, I think that it's you instead'..."
An analyst would approach the problem by first taking the machine apart.
He learned to be a mere analyst in a high school literature class, but he doesn't seem to like anything he reads.

Annalist or annalist ( rhymes with analyst ) means someone who keeps a record or chronicle of events ( annals )--
The name of the annalist who kept this chronicle isn't recorded in the book.
He keeps a record the most popular web page from each day, and hopes to be remembered as the annalist of the internet.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"His analyst has suggested that he treat his own life as an annalist would, by keeping a record of the important events of each day."

Note--not to be confused with "Anna, list", maning a female given name ( Anna ), told to keep or make a series or sequence of names or items ( list )--
Anna, list ten things you did during your vacation.
OR, a ship called the "Anna" could tilt to one side ( list )--
Does the "Anna" list?

Thursday, February 27, 2014

liken, lichen

Liken or liken is an informal word meaning to compare, or to see a similarity to someone or something--
It's not a good idea to liken her to her sister--she thinks they don't even look alike.
He gets annoyed if we liken his music to something we've heard on the radio.

Lichen or lichen ( rhymes with liken ) means a small plant, something like a fungus or an alga, that grows on trees or rocks the way moss does--
He painted several studies, trying to show the colors of the lichen on the rocks.
That looks like a green and yellow hill from a distance, but it's really a large rock covered in lichen.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"If I could write a poem, I would liken the yellow lichen on the rocks to a bouquet of flowers."

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

propriety, proprietary

Propriety or propriety means adherence to a code of correct conduct, good behavior or manners--
"But with propriety, society will say "Marie"..."
Many people think that strapless gowns in church are an offense to propriety.
Propriety may also mean justice or right thinking--
For the sake of propriety, we ought to make sure that he has competent counsel at trial.

Proprietary or proprietary describes something having to do with ownership or legal rights to property--
The firm has been in the mail order business for decades, and has a proprietary interest in the new web site.
He has a proprietary interest in the business, and spends a lot of his time thinking about ways to improve it.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"A man with a proprietary interest in the firm should have a sense of propriety; his brother shouldn't be on the payroll."

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

fellow, felloe

Fellow or fellow means a man or boy; a guy--
Hello there, little fellow. Where are your parents?
Tell the fellow at the next table to be quiet!
Fellow may also mean a graduate student, or a member of an academic society--
He will be a graduate fellow for the next two years.
Fellow may also describe people who are in the same state or condition--
He chats on line with his fellow sufferers.

Felloe or felloe ( rhymes with fellow ) means the rim of a wheel, into which the spokes are inserted--
The felloe is bent, and one of the spokes keeps coming loose.
The number of holes in the felloe should equal the number of spokes.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Ask the fellow at the garage if he thinks he can straighten out the felloe so the spoke will stay in place."

Monday, February 24, 2014

spelled, spelt

Spelled or spelled is the past tense ( yesterday, or some time ago ) of "spell", meaning to arrange the letters in the proper order to form a word, or to to express a word or words letter by letter--
You spelled that wrong. There's no apostrophe when "its" is possessive, meaning belonging to it.
He spelled every word correctly, and got an "A" on the spelling test.
Spelled may be used figuratively--
He didn't understand, so she spelled it out for him.
Spelled may also be the past tense of "spell", meaning to signify or amount to--
He knew the leak in the boat spelled disaster.
Spelled may also be the past tense of "spell", meaning to relieve from work or duty for a span of time--
The guard was getting tired, but then a fellow soldier spelled him until dawn.

Spelt or spelt means a kind of wheat, generally used as a health food--
Spelt may be hulled and boiled for porridge.
She was on a gluten-free diet, but now she eats spelt and millet.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"She wanted some spelt from the market, but she spelled it wrong, and he didn't know what to buy."

Note--"spelt" may be British English for "spelled". In America this would be archaic, affected, or just wrong, in any formal writing.

Friday, February 21, 2014

anesthetic, anaesthetic, an aesthetic, an esthetic

Anesthetic or anesthetic ( one word, sometimes spelled anaesthetic ) means a substance used to produce physical insensibility or insensitivity, such as ether, choloroform, or narcotics--
He fought the anesthetic stubbornly, but he lost consciousness anyway.
The dentist uses a topical anesthetic before injecting novocaine.

Anesthetic may also describe the state of being physically insensible or insensitive, or something that causes this state--
It may take several minutes to produce an anesthetic state.
His dentist uses an anesthetic gas, and it hasn't worn off yet.

An aesthetic or an aesthetic ( two words, sometimes spelled an esthetic ) describes something that relates to the sense of the beautiful, or characterized by a love of beauty--
These curtains offend my aesthetic sensibilities. Let's get rid of them.
He is attending a lecture that promises to help him develop an aesthetic sensibility in general, and an appreciation of modern art in particular.

An aesthetic may also mean a philosophical theory of the beautiful, especially what is accepted as beautiful in a particular place, or at a particular time--
He is working on defining an aesthetic for the modern age.
The student wrote an aesthetic for the digital age, and it was published in one of the journals.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"As the anesthetic began to work, he was sure he felt an aesthetic appreciation of the ceiling tiles in the operating room--or maybe it was only the gas."

Thursday, February 20, 2014

troop, troupe

Troop or troop means a group or set of soldiers, police officers, or scouts--
The local boy scout troop is selling snacks to raise money for a camping trip.
Some of the soldiers were wounded while still on the troop transport.
Troop may also be a verb ( action word ), meaning to move in a group, or to march in something like a military style--
The students lined up to troop out onto the field.

Troupe or troupe ( rhymes with troop ) means a group or set of actors or performers--
The troupe played in each little town, usually to an enthusiastic audience.
When he was sixteen, he ran away and joined a circus troupe.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The troop of motorcycle cops becomes a performing troupe once a year, when they put on a show to benefit the Police Athletic League."

Note--"trooper" means a member of a troop. "Trooper" is most commonly used to mean a state police or highway patrol officer--
He was pulled over by a state trooper, but he didn't get a ticket.
"Trouper" means a member of an acting or performing group, especially one who continues with a performance under adverse conditions--
She went on tonight even though she's been sick. She's a real trouper!
Note # 2-- "troops" usually means soldiers or members of the armed forces in general--
There's been civil unrest there; our government is thinking of sending troops.
"Troops" may also be the third person singular ( he, she, it ) form of the verb ( action word ) "troop", meaning to march in a military style--
The way he troops about the house, I almost feel like saluting him.
Note # 3--not to be confused with "trope", meaning a literary device, in which words are used in sense other than literal--
He was still learning the language, and each trope made a stumbling block.
He refused to understand the trope, and was sure that pearly teeth ought to be round.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

famous, infamous

Famous or famous means widely known, renowned, or celebrated--
"Let us now praise famous men..."
He wanted to be a famous actor, so he moved to Hollywood.

Infamous or infamous ( one word ) means widely known for crime or bad behavior; having a bad reputation; disreputable; notorious--
The public hoped that the police would catch the person who had committed the infamous crime.
The murder is still infamous, even though it happened thirty years ago.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He dreamed of being rich and famous, but he became an infamous con artist instead."

Note--"in famous" (  two words ), might make a part of a sentence, meaning on the inside of, or within ( in ) well-known or celebrated ( famous )--
He likes to write down quotations that he reads in famous books.
You can look for the symbolism in famous works of art.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

useless, use less

Useless or useless ( one word ) means having no practical value, or unfit for its intended purpose--
This TV is useless without the remote--I can't even turn it on.
This drill is useless without the chuck; the bit won't stay in.
Useless may be used figuratively--
He felt useless watching everyone busily working.
It's useless to say you're sorry, when you do this every time we make plans.

Use less or use less ( two words ) means to consume, or to perform some task with ( use ) in a smaller quantity ( less )--
The suds wouldn't be so hard to rinse out if you would use less detergent.
If we keep the heat turned down while we're out, we'll use less electricity.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Our efforts to spend less money will be useless unless we also try to use less gas and electricity."

Monday, February 17, 2014

nook, nuque, nuke

Nook or nook means a little place, corner or recess--
This alcove will make a nice reading nook if we put an armchair in it.
There is a nook in the upstairs hallway just right for a table and chair.
The low branches of the trees make a shady nook for a picnic.

Nuque or nuque means the back of the neck--
He jumped when he felt something creeping up his nuque.
She left one curl loose on her nuque, as if it had come undone by accident.

Nuke or nuke is a slang term for "nuclear"--
There's an anti-nuke rally downtown today.
Nuke also means to heat something in the microwave--
You don't have to eat that pizza cold--just nuke it.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"We can nuke some cocoa and sit in the nook by the fire, while you put an icepack on your aching nuque."

Friday, February 14, 2014

pairing, paring

Pairing or pairing means a coupling; a set of two--
This restaurant offers a new wine pairing every day.
This was an inspired pairing!
Pairing may also be a verb ( action word ), meaning to put things together in sets of two--
Pairing red wine with seafood gives some people a headache.
Pairing beer with this dish was a great idea.
The young people will be pairing off soon, and their group won't be the same.

Paring or paring ( rhymes with pairing ) means the peel of a fuit, vegetable, or something else--
There was nothing left in the kitchen but a dried up potato paring.
He slipped on an apple paring and sprained his ankle.
Paring may also be a verb, meaning to  peel a fruit or vegetable--
When you're done paring those potatoes, start on the carrots.
She's still busy paring apples for the pie.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Pairing the chicken stew with cider garnished with an apple paring tasted as good as it looked."

Note--the plural ( more than one ) of "paring", used as a noun ( thing or idea ) is "parings"--
Mom said we should clean up these potato parings.
The plural ( more than one ) of "pairing", used as a noun ( thing or idea ) is "pairings"--
We enjoy the wine and food pairings recommended by the chef.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

caster, castor

Caster or caster means one of the wheels or swivels on the bottom of a piece of furniture or equipment--
We can't move this; it has a broken caster.
Stop pushing, the caster is stuck on something.
Caster may also mean someone or something that casts, meaning to throw or fling--
He is an expert caster; you can learn a lot about fishing from him.

Castor or castor means a beaver--the small furry creature that builds a dam. Castor may also mean the pelt of a beaver, or the oil obtained from beavers for use as a medicine or toiletry--
The children looked pale, so she gave them some castor oil and put them to bed early.
Castor oil is still used to make medicines and perfumes.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The lid from a bottle of castor oil was just the right size for a caster, so she put it under the table leg."

Note--"cast or" ( two words ) means a cast--a throw, the actors in a play, or plaster left to harden in a particular shape--considered with some other alternative ( or )--
Are you going to cast or are you just going to stand there?
Are you a member of the cast or crew?
Is that a cast or just a bandage on your arm?

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

below, be low

Below or below ( one word ) means beneath or under, literally or figuratively--
Put this on the shelf below the TV.
We were hoping to keep the cost below $1,000.
For the latest results, see the graph below.
His grades are below average.
Below also means beneath the deck of a boat--
The captain went below; he'll be back in aminute.

Be low or be low ( two words ) means to exist, take place or continue ( be ) close to the ground, or under a certain standard or limit ( low ), literally or figuratively--
The top shelf should be low, so it won't cover the window.
The volume should be low, so that the neighbors can't hear your phone messages.
His funds must be low; he won't have a drink with us.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The lights must be low; if we can't dim them we'll put them below the stage."

Note--"bellow" means to yell or to make a loud sound like the "moo" of a cow--
Thye new sitter is all right, but I wish she wouldn't bellow at the children like that.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

minx, minks

Minx or minx means an impudent, flirtatious, or saucy young woman--
The little minx has been trying to get that old man to buy her jewelry.
The old man has been running around with a little minx of a chorus girl.

Minks or minks ( rhymes with minx ) is the plural ( more than one ) of "mink", meaning the small furry creature often used to make luxury fur coats--
The minks used to make fur coats may also become dog food.
He is raising minks in a shed out back--he hopes to sell them to a furrier.
Minks may also mean more than one fur ( mink ) coat or wrap--
She has two minks; I don't know why she wants a nutria, too.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The little minx got him to buy her minks and jewels, and now the old man is planning to marry her."

Monday, February 10, 2014

relapse, relaps

Relapse or relapse means to become ill after getting partially better; or to slip back into some former state in general--
We hope he won't relapse; he seemed to be so much better.
The speaker waited for the crowd to relapse into silence.

Relapse is also a noun ( thing or idea ), meaning the state of being ill, after seeming to recover--
He's back in the hospital; he's had a relapse.
He was doing so well; this relapse has been a shock.

Relaps or relaps ( rhymes with relapse ) is the third person singular ( he, she , it ) form of "relap", meaning to pass by on a track for the second or third ( and so on )  time--
He has lapped the favorite; if he relaps him, he's sure to win.
If she relaps him in this race, she may set a new record.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"If that runner relaps him again, he is sure to relapse into depression."

Friday, February 7, 2014

official, officious

Official or official describes something that comes from a person in authority, or from the office or bureau in charge--
When he read the official notice, he realized that he had been promoted.
The official report stated that the fire was accidental.
The investigator isn't here in his official capacity.

Official also means a person employed or charged with a particular set of duties or with a particular scope of authority--
He retired after thirty years of service as an official of the school district.
The official at the driver's license facility told her to come back on Monday.
The official refused to comment when questioned by reporters.

Officious or officious means meddlesome; always ready to interrupt with advice or direction--
Her officious manner annoyed everyone at the meeting.
His officious comments kept us from getting anything done.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The school board official seemed out of his depth; he made several officious remarks that bordered on silly."

Thursday, February 6, 2014

look out, lookout

Look out or look out ( two words ) means watch, or be careful--
Look out for that tree!
Look out! You nearly knocked the table over!

Look out or look out ( two words ) also means to watch or gaze through something, such as a window--
When we look out the window, he always waves at us.
If you look out of the porthole, you can still see the shore.

Lookout or lookout ( one word ) means a person standing watch to warn of the approach of an enemy--
The lookout whistled, and they all ran away.
He won't be able to make the climb, but he can be our lookout.

Lookout may also mean a watch kept to give a warning--
You'll be on lookout until dawn.
They were on lookout duty together every night.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Look out of the window, and see what made the lookout sound the alarm."

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

valuable, invaluable

Valuable or valuable means costly or expensive; worth a large sum of money, or worth a great deal, literally or figuratively--
Be careful; that's a valuable painting!
His old friend proved to be a valuable professional contact.
Were wasting valuable time.

Invaluable or invaluable means beyond price; so precious that no amount of money could replace it, literally or figuratively--
This ancient piece is invaluable; we're going to donate it to the museum.
Thank you! Your help has been invaluable!

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Their attempts to restore the valuable piece were unsuccessful, but the lessons they learned were invaluable."

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

overtime, over time

Overtime or overtime ( one word ) means exceeding 40 hours in a week, or eight hours in a day, or some other set time schedule--
We are working overtime this weekend, so we won't be at the game.
He doesn't mind the overtime, since he is paid time-and-a-half for it.

Over time or over time ( two words ) means as the days, months, or years pass--
This stain will fade over time; you will need to apply it again in a few years.
Ths stiffness in your leg should diminish over time.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He put all his overtime pay in a separate account, and over time it amounted to a large sum."

Monday, February 3, 2014

punctually, punctiliously

Punctually or punctually describes the actions or behavior of someone or something that is prompt or on time--
He arrived punctually, and had to wait for the latecomers.
That bell rings punctually at noon every day; it's never a minute late.

Punctiliously or punctiliously describes the actions of someone who pays attention to the smallest detail or "punctilio" ( a fine point ), most commonly meaning a fine point of a code of behavior--
He observed all of the firm's regulations punctiliously, and never gave his employer an excuse to reprimand him.
If we all follow these rules punctiliously, we shouldn't have any more of these arguments.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He followed the meeting's agenda punctiliously, and made sure that it ended punctually, at 5 p.m."

Note--"punctuality" is a noun ( thing or idea ), meaning promptness, or observance of the time set for meetings or engagements--
The school rewarded his perfect record of punctuality with a certificate of achievement.
"Punctual", meaning prompt or on time, is an adjective (describes a person or a thing)--
He was always punctual; he never kept her waiting.