Monday, March 31, 2014

layout, lay out, outlay

Layout or layout ( one word ) means arrangement or plan--
They didn't like the layout of the house, so they're still looking.
Layout also means the arrangement of items on the page of a newspaper or magazine--
He works in the layout department; she's a copyeditor.
Layout is also an informal term meaning a home and its furnishings, a business, or a setup in general--
Whe he saw the fancy layout he felt out of place.

Lay out or lay out ( two words ) means to set or arrange--
I asked him to lay out the clothes he wants to wear to school tomorrow.
Let the cloth lay out in the sun; it will get rid of the mildew.
Lay out may also be the past tense ( yesterday, or some time ago ) of "lie", meaning to rest or recline ( lay ), out of doors, exposed, or beyond a certain limit ( out )--
He lay out in the sun, and now he's burnt.
Lay out may also mean set or situated beyond a certain  limit--
The ball lay out of his reach, and he fell when he tried to catch it.

Lay out also means to arrange a body for burial--
They will lay him out tomorrow for the funeral on the day after.
Lay out may also be an informal expression meaning to spend or contibute a sum of money--
People lay out a lot of money to stay in this hotel; they expect it to be comfortable.

Outlay or outlay means expense or money spent--
His outlay for entertainment was lavish; they ate out several nights a week.
His outlay for clothes is too much; he should learn to shop for bargains.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The outlay for this layout must have been fabulous; they lay out a tea service in the garden."

Friday, March 28, 2014

adventurous, adventuress

Adventurous or adventurous describes someone who likes to try new things and go to new places, or who doesn't mind taking risks--
She is adventurous, and likes to do anything new or different.
The last time he felt adventurous he went sky-diving.

Adventurous also describes an activity that is risky, or that only the brave or hardy would attempt--
He wants to do something adventurous while on vacation, like mountain-climbing.
He wants a relaxing weekend, but she wants to do something aventurous.

Adventuress or adventuress is an old-fashioned word for a scheming woman or gold-digger--
The young man's parents were sure that she was nothing more than an adventuress, interested in his money.
The charming adventuress had him wrapped around her little finger.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The clever adventuress kept him busy with adventurous activities, so he wouldn't have time to think."

Thursday, March 27, 2014

beautify, beatify

Beautify or beautify means to make pretty or prettier--
This magazine article promises an easy way to beautify your home.
Planting flowers along the roadside will beautify the whole town.

Beatify or beatify means to elevate to a sacred status, worthy of religious veneration--
There will be a special ceremony to beatify a misionary who died for his faith.
If the church decides to beatify someone, the next step is sainthood, called canonization.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The service to beatify him will look plain, unless they beautify it with flowers and candles."

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

a gate, agate

A gate or a gate ( two words ) means one ( a ) swinging piece of a fence or wall ( gate ), that opens and closes, like a door--
We don't need to climb the fence; there's a gate at the side of the house.
When he saw a gate he liked to climb on it and swing back and forth.

Agate or agate  ( one word ) means a stone that is similar to marble--
Children's marbles were once made of agate.
He gave her a blue agate pendant for her birthday.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"This wrought iron fence has a gate decorated with round pieces of agate."

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

worthless, worth less

Worthless or worthless ( one word ) means having no value at all, or not useful in any way--
The vase is broken in dozens of pieces; it's worthless now.
The author admitted the fraud, and now all of the research based on his work is worthless.

Worth less or worth less ( two words ) means having a value not as great as, comparatively--
The vase on TV sold for thousands, but ours has a crack in it, and it's worth less.
This model is worth less than the more popular one--you can check the used car ads if you don't believe me.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"I knew this antique would be worth less after being refinished, but a dealer just told me that it's worthless now."

Monday, March 24, 2014

tracked, tract

Tracked or tracked is the past tense ( yesterday, or some time ago ) of "track", meaning to follow or pursue, using footprints or pawprints--
He once tracked a wounded deer for two days.
He tracked his quarry patiently, and was usually successful.
Tracked may also be used figuratively--
We lost touch over the years, but we tracked him down and invited him to the reunion.

Tracked is also the past tense of "track", meaning to leave a trail of footprints, pawprints, or prints in general--
You tracked mud all over the carpet!
The dog tracked water all over the floor.

Tract or tract ( rhymes with tracked ) means a piece of land, measured and defined by a deed--
Each tract in this development is at least an acre.
They bought an unimproved tract of land, and hope to build a house on it.

Tract also means a pamphlet or leaflet--
Did you read this political tract they're handing out at the shopping center?
Here's another tract promising eternal damnation to everyone who doesn't belong to this church.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"This religious tract claims that a prophet has tracked a mythological beast all the way to Hollywood."

Friday, March 21, 2014

assort, sort, a sort

Assort or assort ( one word, double 's' )  means to arrange or distribute according to kind or type--
Let's straighten these out, and then we'll assort them among the work bins.
Open all the packages, and assort the candy among the treat bags.
Assort also means to associate or to have social relations with--
He is on probation, and is forbidden to assort with known criminals.

Sort or sort means to classify or separate according to type or kind--
Can you sort these according to size?
Make sure to sort the laundry before putting it in the washer.

A sort or a sort ( two words, single 's' ) means one ( a ) of a type, kind, or classification ( sort )--
He put together a sort of video security device, using an old camera and a motion detector.
It's hard to describe, other then to say that it's a sort of  wallet or clutch.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"We were told to sort these according to shape, and then to assort them among a set of trays moving along a sort of assembly line."

Note--"sorted" is the past tense ( yesterday, or some time ago ) of "sort", meaning to classify or separate by type or kind--
This is a sorted pile of laundry.
"Assorted" is the past tense of "assort", meaning to distribute according to type, also used as an adjective ( describes something ), meaning of mixed types or kinds--
Buy a bag of assorted candy when you go to the store.
Note # 2--not to be confused with "sordid", meaning filthy, low, or squalid, literally or figuratively--
Don't let him choose the movie; he'll come back with a sordid melodrama.
Note # 3--the two words "as sort",  meaning for example ( as ) separate according to type ( sort ), might be used together in a sentence--
They were given directions such as "sort these by size".

Thursday, March 20, 2014

fold, foaled

Fold or fold means to bend something, such as cloth or paper, in half, or over on itself in some other shape--
Fold the paper in half, so it will fit in the bag.
She doesn't like the way I fold the laundry.

Fold also means a pen or enclosure for sheep or other animals--
Our dog will drive the sheep into the fold.
Fold may also mean a flock of sheep, or a flock in general, literally or figuratively--
The dog watched over the fold while the shepherd slept.
Their pastor refers to the church as "the fold".

Foaled or foaled ( rhymes with fold ) is the past tense ( yesterday, or some time ago ) of "foal", meaning, when said of a horse, to give birth--
She foaled last night, while we were asleep.
Our mare had some problems the last time she foaled.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The mare foaled last night in this cold weather; make sure to fold a blanket over her."

Note--the past tense of "fold", meaning to bend something over on itself,  is "folded"--
She took the laundry off the line and folded it.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

wax, whacks

Wax or wax means the substance produced by bees, or a similar substance, used to make candles, crayons, or other items, or as a polish--
She is trying to melt wax to make a candle, so it looks a bit messy.
The figures were made of wax, and they melted in the sun.

Wax may also mean to polish or shine--
Don't go in there, he has just started to wax the floor.
I'm going to wax the car; do you want to help?

Wax is also an old-fashioned term meaning to increase or grow larger--
He says he's just going to sit and watch the moon wax and wane.

Whacks or whacks ( rhymes with wax ) is the third person singular ( he, she, it ) form of "whack", meaning to hit or strike--
He whacks his thumb with the hammer every time he tries to put a nail in the wall.

Whacks may also be the plural ( more than one ) form of "whack", meaning a blow or a punch--
"Lizzie Borden took an axe, and gave her mother forty whacks..."

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The old woman gave the wax figure a couple of whacks with her umbrella before she realized it wasn't real."

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

braise, brays, braze

Braise or braise means to prepare food by frying it in a little bit of fat, and then cooking it in a bit of liquid--
Braise the chicken by frying it on both sides and then cooking it in a few tablespoons of water for 20 minutes.
Braise the vegetables by frying them in a little butter, and then cooking in a little water.

Brays or brays ( rhymes with braise ) is the third person singular ( he, she, it ) form of "bray", meaning to make a noise like a donkey, or, said of a donkey, to make a noise--
The dog barks every time the donkey brays.
He says he's singing; she thinks he brays like a donkey.
Bray may also be the plural ( more than one ) of "bray", meaning the cry of a donkey--
The donkey's brays could be heard on the other side of the fields.

Brays is also the third person singular ( he, she, it ) form of "bray", meaning to crush fine, as in a mortar, or to spread ink on a slate before putting it on a a plate for the press--
He usually brays that before adding it to the mixture.
He brays the ink before using it, to check for lumps or particles.

Braze or braze ( rhymes with braise ) means to coat with brass, or to decorate with brass--
Then we'll braze this and it will look like a small statue.
Braze also means to join two pieces of metal by heating them and soldering them together--
If we take this to a forge they can braze it  back together.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"She left the chicken to braise, when she heard the donkey's brays, and when she came back it was a golden color, as if she had decided to braze it instead of cooking it."

Monday, March 17, 2014

everyday, every day

Everyday or everyday ( one word ) means suitable for daily use; regular; garden variety--
This is too fancy for everyday use; let's save it for a special occasion.
She doesn't want everyday china and special occasion china, just the one set of dishes.

Every day or every day ( two words ) means in each 24 hour span of time--
He sits at the door and waits for the mail carrier every day--even on Sunday.
She has to work every day except Monday, so she doesn't have much time for socializing.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"She wears the same everyday dress every day--or it seems like the same dress."

Friday, March 14, 2014

odious, otiose

Odious or odious means distasteful, offensive, or disgusting--
He found cleaning the bathroom an odious task, especially when he put it off until it was very dirty.
The woman seems odious to me, but I'll try to be polite for your sake.

Otiose or otiose means slothful, indolent, or useless--
They were raised to be both arrogant and otiose; they considered work of any kind demeaning.
When the money runs out, his otiose ways will change for the better.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He found their otiose and irresonsible way of life odious; he couldn't wait to get back to work."

Thursday, March 13, 2014

owed, ode

Owed or owed is the past tense of "owe", meaning to be in debt to, or under an obligation to repay--
She owed me ten dollars, but she only paid back five.
I have owed him a letter for months now.

Ode or ode ( rhymes with owed ) means a poem. Ode once meant a particular type of poem, intended to be sung; now it more generally means a poem, or a poem expressing exalted feeling or strong emotion --
He has been trying to memorize "Ode on a Grecian Urn".
Don't interrupt him; he's composing an ode in honor of the Monday holiday.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He offered the clerk his "Ode in Praise of Waffles", but the clerk said he still owed $11.50."

Note--not to be confused with "eau de" ( almost rhymes with owed ), French for "water of "--
If the eau de toilette is too strong, try the eau de cologne.

Note # 2--"-ode" may also be a suffix ( added at the end of a word ), meaning a path or way--
He still has an old television with a cathode ray tube.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

protein, protean

Protein or protein means the dietary substance, an organic compound found in plants and animals--
If you eat plenty of whole grains and legumes, you should get enough protein to be healthy.
She is tired all the time; it could be a protein deficiency.

Protean or protean means changeable; able to change shape or form--
This amoeba is called protean because it can change its shape.
Proteus was a Greek god of the sea, and could change his shape, so protean now means shape-changing.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"When he goes on a low protein diet, he's like a different person; it's a protean transformation."

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

overact, overreact

Overact or overact, said of actors or entertainers, means to emote, or to project more emotion than is realistic--
He tends to overact, even on the stage; he'll really have to tone it down for the camera.
Try not to overact, it makes the whole scene unconvincing.

Overreact or overreact means to blow things out of proportion, possibly by showing more emotion than the situation warrants--
I wish she wouldn't overreact every time some little thing goes wrong--I think she needs a psychiatrist.
Let's hope he doesn't overreact the way he did the last time we were late--he got hysterical, remember?

Now that you know that, you can say--
"I'm afraid she'll overreact if I tell her not to overact--you tell her, but be tactful."

Monday, March 10, 2014

also, all so

Also or also ( one word ) means in addition to, or besides--
I'll have a cup of coffee, also.
Not only were they late, but they were also rude.
It's not only useful, but also beautiful.

All so or all so ( two words ) means the entirety; the whole quantity or amount; everyone ( all ), to such an extreme or in such an amount; thus or in this manner ( so )--
We were all so upset that no one noticed it.
They were all so tired, that no one minded sleeping on the floor.
These people are all so rude!
It's all so sudden!
"It's all so beautiful..."

Now that you know that, you can say--
"We were all so distracted that we forgot our bags, and also our tickets."

Friday, March 7, 2014

crude, crewed

Crude or crude means unrefined or raw, literally or figuratively--
The price of crude oil often makes the headlines.
He was a crude and boorish person, and often gave offense to those around him.

Crewed or crewed is the past tense ( yesterday, or some time ago ) of "crew", meaning to hire or employ a group of people, for work, sport, or military purposes--
He crewed his ship with only the hardiest of sailors.
Crewed may also be the past tense of "crew", meaning to serve as a member of a work, sport, or military group--
The sailor had crewed under this captain before, and knew what to expect.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The men who crewed the oil tankers were a crude lot, but they got along together fairly well."

Thursday, March 6, 2014

of course, off course

Of course or of course means assuredly, certainly, or in the natural order of things--
Of course you're welcome to stay to dinner.
He forgot to return the call, of course.

Off course or off course means headed in the wrong direction, or deviating from a planned route, literally or figuratively--
Captain, the ship seems to be off course--we should have sighted land by now.
His life has been off course since he dropped out of school.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"We were due at noon, but of course we will arrive a few hours later, since the ship was off course."

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

resign, reassign, re-sign

Resign or resign ( z sound ) means to give up a position or job--
He threatened to resign if he didn't get a raise in salary.
The officer wanted to resign his commission, but he had no civilian job prospects.
Resign also means to submit without resistance, in a mental way--
He'll just have to resign himself to the fact that she's gone.

Reassign or reassign means to appoint to a specific duty or post ( assign ), again or anew ( re-)--
He thinks they will reassign him to an overseas post.
If they agree to reassign him, he'll be working closer to home.
Reassign or reassign may also mean allocate or allot ( assign ), again or anew ( re-)--
I hope the clerk can reassign the rooms; we were promised a view.

Re-sign or re-sign ( s sound ) means to write one's name ( sign ) again ( re-), thereby agreeing to the terms and conditions of a contract--
We have altered the contract; you'll need to re-sign where indicated.
Now read the terms and conditions and re-sign the form.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He won't re-sign with us unless we reassign him, otherwise he'll resign."

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

tendon, tenon

Tendon or tendon means a cord of tissue that connects a muscle to a bone--
A tendon is one of the parts of the human body.
She strained a tendon and was on crutches for months.
Tendon may also mean a strand used to reinforce concrete--
This piece of concrete has a tendon running through it; it will be tough to dig up.

Tenon or tenon means a projection on the end of a piece of wood, used to join it to another piece of wood with a mortise, like a tab in a slot--
Each piece of wood is joined with a mortise and tenon; it's very sturdy.
An Amish barn may use mortise and tenon construction.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He climbed the ladder to check on a mortise and tenon joint, then he slipped and tore a tendon in his shoulder--the same joint he had injured before."

Monday, March 3, 2014

dragon, drag on, drag in

Dragon or dragon ( one word ) means the mythological beast, possibly fire-breathing--
He plays a computer game in which he is the knight who slays the dragon and rescues the fair maiden.
We all like to see the dragon during the Chinese New Year festival.

Drag on or drag on ( two words ) means to pull heavily or slowly; to draw along the ground or floor ( drag ) over or atop a space, place, or substance ( on ) --
We're supposed to carry the bride's train, so it doesn't drag on the floor.
We shouldn't let the flag drag on the ground.
Drag on may be used figuratively, to describe an event that passes slowly or tediously--
The meeting seemed to drag on for hours.
The afternoon seems to drag on when you watch the clock.

Drag in or drag in ( two words ) means to pull heavily or slowly; to draw along the ground or floor ( drag ) within a space, place, or substance ( in ) --
Don't let your coat drag in the mud!
Pick that up, so it doesn't drag in the puddle.
Drag in may be used figuratively, meaning to introduce irrelevant matter into a discussion--
He always has to drag in that proposition we voted down months ago.
Do you have to drag in that old argument every time we have something to discuss?

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The parade seemed to drag on while we waited for the dragon, moving slowly so that its tail wouldn't drag in the mud."

Note--not to be confused with "dragging", a participle of "drag", meaning to pull heavily or slowly along the floor or ground--
Tell him to stop that; he's dragging it in the mud.