Tuesday, March 31, 2015

tighten, titan

Tighten or tighten means to secure, fix, or fasten more securely--
Will you tighten the screws, so the door doesn't hang crooked?
Don't pull on it; you'll only tighten the knot.

Titan or titan ( rhymes with titan ) means a giant; or a thing or business of great size or power--
He was a titan of industry; and often spoke to large crowds.
In the child's eyes, he was a titan, and sometimes a hero.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He tried not to move, for fear that the titan would tighten his grasp, and crush him."

Monday, March 30, 2015

we, wee, whee

We or we is the first person plural pronoun, standing for the speaker and at least one other person, as the subject of ( the actor in ) a sentence or part of a sentence--
We are going to the store; do you want anything?
It will be late when we get home.

Wee or wee ( rhymes with we ) is an old-fashioned word meaning tiny, or very small--
The old man liked to tell the children tales of the wee folk, who live underground.
"In the wee small hours of the morning..."

Whee or whee ( rhymes with we ) is a shout of physical excitement or glee, as expressed by a child--
Whee! Let's go down the slide again!
I like the merry-go-round! Whee!

Now that you know that, you can say--
"We always shout "whee" when we sled down the wee hill out back; to the children it's exciting."

Friday, March 27, 2015

staff, staph

Staff or staff means the set of employees who work in an office, or for a business--
Several members of our staff have been with us for years.
The captain is part of the general's staff.
Staff may also mean to supply a firm with employees or a person with assistants--
Our agency can staff your business with competent professionals.

Staff may also mean a flagpole, or a walking stick--
The flag should reach the top of the staff.
The old man leaned on his staff, and began to speak.

Staff also means the five lines used for the arrangement of musical notes--
This line of the staff is "G".

Staff also mean a type of rough plaster, used for temporary work--
The ornamental work can be done with staff, in only a day or two.

Staph or staph ( rhymes with staff ) is short for "staphylococcus", a type of bacteria--
According to his chart, he has a staph infection.
We'll need to clean this area thoroughly; it may be contaminated with staph.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Two members of our staff are home with staph infections; we should hire a temp."

Thursday, March 26, 2015

fort, forte

Fort or fort means a strong and fortified place, occupied by troops, and surrounded by walls or other defenses--
The kids are building a pillow fort in the living room,  just like we used to do.
Our spies have learned that the enemy plans to attack our fort tonight.

Forte or forte ( usually pronounced "for Tay", sometimes pronounced to rhyme with fort ) means a strong point, or figuratively, an area of competence or expertise--
Leadership isn't his forte, but he's very useful in technical matters.
We have several voulunteer positions; what's your forte?

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Motivation seems to be his forte; his employees are convinced that the firm is a fort to be defended."

Note--"forty" means the number 40--
We'll be home in forty minutes.
Fifty minus ten equals forty.  [ 50-10=40 ]

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

mood, mooed

Mood or mood means an emotional state, or the emotional quality of a work of art or music--
Don't talk to him; he's in a bad mood.
The mood of the piece is lively and cheerful; you are playing it like a dirge.

Mooed or mooed ( rhymes with mood ) is the past tense of "moo", meaning, when said of a cow, to low or make a noise--
The poor cow mooed at every passing car; she didn't like the city.
The cow mooed each morning to wake up everyone on the farm.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"His mood was hostile, until the old cow mooed at him and made him laugh."

Note--not to be confused with "mewed", the past tense ( yesterday, or some time ago ) of "mew", meaning, said of a cat or kitten, to make a crying or high-pitched noise--
The cat mewed loudly when she saw the can of food.

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

plural, pleural

Plural or plural describes a word form used to refer to more than one person or thing--
"They" is plural; "he" is singular.
The plural of "goose" is "geese".
Plural may describe a verb form with more than one subject--
That's "we are"; the subject is plural, so the verb should be plural.
Plural may mean more than one, in a general sense--
Utah banned plural marriage so that it could become a state.

Pleural or pleural ( rhymes with plural ) is a medical term that describes something related to the pleura, or membranes around the lungs--
He has pleural pneumonia; he'll be out of work for a few weeks.
His pleural infection is serious; he's not getting any better.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The pleural infection is proving resistant to a plural dose of antibiotics."

Monday, March 23, 2015

nowhere, know where

Nowhere or nowhere means not any place; a pretend or non-existent place or state, or, figuratively,  a state of anonymity or obscurity, or of failure to move ahead or succeed--
"He's a real nowhere man, sitting in his nowhere land..."
We looked everywhere; the tickets are nowhere to be found.
He was thirty, and getting nowhere .
This argument is getting us nowhere.

Know where or know where means to have knowledge or perception as to the location of some place or thing--
"Do you know where you're going to?"
He doesn't know where he left his keys.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"If you don't know where you lost them, all this searching will get us nowhere."

Note--"no, where?" is a negative response to a question concerning the location of a place or thing--
Do you know where we're going on Saturday?
No, where?

Friday, March 20, 2015

mask, masque

Mask or mask means a covering for the face, worn to conceal one's identity, as part of a holiday costume, or as professional or sporting gear--
He bought a clown mask for the party, but he needs the rest of the costume.
The doctor still had his surgical mask on, and she didn't recognize him.

Mask may mean to conceal or hide the identity of, literally or figuratively--
His face wore a cheerful expression, meant to mask his true feelings.
That spray will mask the odor, but we'll still have to clean the basement.

Masque or masque ( rhymes with mask ) means an elaborate stage entertainment, or the drama written to accompany it--
This masque was written to entertain the queen and her court.
The original masque had a musical interlude, but I think we can skip that.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"This masque contains a pantomime, in which every player wears a different mask."

Thursday, March 19, 2015

minister, minster

Minister or minister means a parson, a preacher, or, in some countries, the head of a government department--
They will be married at home, by the minister of their church.
In the United States, we have a Secretary of State; in Britain, they have a Foreign Minister.

Minster or minster, most commonly used in England,  means a large or important church, such as a cathedral--
You can see the spire of the minster from the top of that hill.
The old minster lay in ruins, looking like the scene of a medieval romance.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The old minister has been preaching at this minster every Sunday for more than forty years."

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

mark, marque

Mark or mark means a visible sign, symbol, or impression--
It left a small mark on his arm, but that may go away.
Put a mark next to each incorrect answer.
Mark may also means a target or goal to be reached--
"here you miss, Or there exceed the mark..."

Marque or marque ( rhymes with mark ) means seizure, usually of a ship, as a wartime reprisal or official action--
"To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal..."
The original letter of marque given to Captain Kidd is reproduced here.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The letter of marque was more than a mark of distinction; his share in the seized ships made himwealthy."

Note--"bookmark" means a piece of paper left in the book, with the top sticking out, so that the reader can pick up the book and turn to the page--
Can I use this receipt for a bookmark, or do you need it for something?

Note # 2 --"marc" is a kind of brandy --
They sat at the café drinking marc all afternoon.

Note # 3-- Mark is also a male given name --
Have you seen Mark lately?

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

affront, a front

Affront or affront ( one word ) means a display of disrespect; an insult--
Their foul-mouthed arguments were an affront to everyone in the neighborhood.
It's an affront to good taste, and it should be removed.
Affront may also mean to offend through disrespect or insolence--
Remove your hat, unless you mean to affront the king!

A front or a front ( two words ) means the facing side, or the foremost part, of something--
She always leaves a lamp in a front window; I don't know why.
We are looking for a house with a front porch.

A front may also mean something that serves as a show, a display or disguise--
They were all miserable, but they put on a front of good cheer.
This business may serve as a front for an illegal betting parlor.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Shouting out a front window is an affront to peace and quiet!"

Note--affronté is a term used in heraldry, meaning facing out, toward the viewer--
There is a red stag affronté on his family crest.

Note # 2--"effrontery" means impudence; shameless boldness--
Young man, I ought to suspend you for your effrontery.

Monday, March 16, 2015

remark, remarque

Remark or remark means a casual comment or observation--
If you make one more smart remark, you'll be grounded for a month!
He meant it as a clever remark, but they were all offended.

Remark may also mean to make a casual comment or observation--
He feels a need to remark on everything she cooks.
His every remark was quoted in the press.

Remarque or remarque means a small sketch or insignia engraved in the margin of a plate, often removed later--
If you see this remarque, you'll know it's authentic.
The remarque was only put on a few test plates; there are other ways to tell where this was made.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The only remark he made about the plate was that he couldn't find a remarque on it."

Friday, March 13, 2015

relieve, relive

Relieve or relieve means to ease or alleviate; to lighten a burden or duty--
Your assignment is to relieve the sentry at midnight.
We should each tell a story; it would relieve the monotony.

Relive or relive means to experience something again; to revisit in memory or imagination--
He was afraid to fall asleep, for fear that he would relive the accident in his dreams.
He has a tendency to relive the past; he's been seeing a therapist.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"I hate to ask him to relive that awful night, but it might relieve his anxiety."

Thursday, March 12, 2015

jinks, jinx

Jinks or jinks, most commonly used in the expression "high jinks",  means pranks or antics; horseplay--
The principal was not amused by their high jinks.
No high jinks while driving, understand?

Jinx or jinx ( rhymes with jinks )  means a person or thing that brings bad luck or ruins plans--
Don't let him near the fire; he's a jinx.
Jinx may also mean to bring bad luck or to ruin plans--
Don't tell, you'll jinx it.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The students planned the high jinks in order to remove a jinx, one that supposedly caused bad grades."

Note--"Jinx" is also a girl's given name--
"Hi, Jinx!"

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

severe, sever

Severe or severe means harsh or stern--
The reprimand was severe, but the punishment was trivial.
The general resorted to severe measures to restore order.
Severe may also mean serious or critical--
He just got over a severe case of the flu.
The accident caused severe but temporary financial difficulties.

Sever or sever means to separate; to cut or break off a part from the whole, literally or figuratively--
The next cut will sever the branch from the tree; stand back.
It will be difficult to sever our ties to this old house.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The shock was severe; he plans to sever his relationship with the firm."

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

vessel, vestal

Vessel or vessel means a container, such as a cup or bowl, used to hold liquid or some other substance--
This ancient vessel was used for serving wine.
The empty shell can be used as a vessel for water.

Vessel also means one of the tubes or ducts that carry fluids through a body--
He's in the hospital; he ruptured a blood vessel.
Who can name a type of blood vessel?

Vessel also means a boat or a ship--
A small motor vessel ferries people to the island and back.
This vessel can carry up to a hundred people.

Vessel may also be used figuratively, to mean a person who holds or passes on something spiritual--
The old preacher considers himself a vessel of divine inspiration.
To her students, the old school teacher seemed a vessel of learning.

Vestal or vestal means chaste or pure, as were the devotees of the Roman goddess Vesta--
He painted her as a vestal virgin, tending the sacred fire in the temple.
The long white dress seemed like a vestal robe.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"A vestal virgin entered, carrying a vessel of oil for the lamps."

Monday, March 9, 2015

judicial, judicious

Judicial or judicial means decreed by a court, as an official writ or opinion--
He disagrees with the judicial opinion, so he's writing a letter to the editor.
There will be a judicial proceeding, with attorneys and a judge, but no jury.

Judicial also describes something related to a judge or a court--
He looks very severe in his judicial robes.

Our government has three branches--legislative, executive, and judicial.

Judicious or judicious describes actions or speech that are mature and prudent--
He's judicious; he never speaks without thinking.
Choose your words carefully; be judicious, and don't say more than you need to.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The old judge was judicious when writing a judicial opinion; he never went to extremes or displayed anger."

Friday, March 6, 2015

material, materiel

Material or material means the substance out of which something is made, physically or intellectually--
The new factory will be used to process the raw material into fiber for clothing.
He is looking for material for a new book.

Material also means pertaining to the physical or financial, instead of the spiritual or intellectual--
She thinks only of material gain, while he thinks about religion.

Material may also mean likely to make a difference in the outcome of a case; essential--
He has been summoned as a material witness.

Materiel or materiel ( from the French, also spelled matériel ), when used in English, means war supplies; arms, ammunition, and equipment--
The troops can walk; we need a plan to move the materiel.
Our army will confiscate all war materiel.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"We need oil to use as raw material for plastic, which we need for war materiel."

Thursday, March 5, 2015

atoll, a toll

Atoll or atoll ( one word ) means a ring-shaped coral reef, or a group of coral islands, with a lagoon in the center--
It's a beautiful atoll; we can go snorkeling in the lagoon.
They are going to spend their vacation on an atoll in the South Pacific.

A toll or a toll ( two words ) means a fee paid for the right to cross a bridge or use a highway--
The highway is quicker, but you have to pay a toll.
Is there a toll to cross the bridge? How much is it?

A toll may also mean one ring of a large bell--
He summoned them to the castle with a toll of the bell.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"There is a toll to cross the bridge to the atoll, but the only other way to get there is by boat."

Note-- "a tole" ( rhymes with a toll ) means a painting on tinware, or a piece of painted tinware--
She is working on a tole pitcher.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

flecks, flex

Flecks or flecks is the plural ( more than one ) of "fleck", meaning a small mark, spot, or patch of color--
His coat is dark gray with flecks of white all through it.
It's made to look like granite, but with flecks of gold in it.

Flex or flex ( rhymes with flecks ) means to bend, said of a part of the body--
When anyone is looking, he likes to roll up his sleeve and flex his muscles.
Now flex your arm while the nurse puts the cuff on.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He can't flex his ankle, and it's dotted with flecks of purple; it may be sprained."

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

awake, a wake

Awake or awake ( one word ) means not asleep, or alert and ready for action--
If he's not awake, don't disturb him.
Is the baby still awake?
You'll have to stay awake until late to get the job done.

Awake is also an old-fashioned word for "wake", meaning to wake up--
When they awake, they are usually grumpy.

A wake or a wake ( two words ) means a service held for the dead, particularly the viewing of the corpse, or sitting up with the corpse before burial--
He wants to borrow a black tie; he has to go to a wake.
There will be a wake on Monday night, and a service and burial on Tuesday.

A wake may also mean the trail of waves left behind by a ship or boat, often used figuratively--
Slow down; we're leaving a wake, and it's prohibited here.
The storm left a wake of destruction.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"She plans to stay awake all night; she wants a wake like the ones she remembers from long ago."

Monday, March 2, 2015

inner city, inter-city

Inner city or inner city most commonly means blighted or impoverished parts of a city--
Abandoned properties are a serious problem for inner city neighborhoods.
The mayor should ask the council to vote for increased funding for the inner city.

Inter-city or inter-city describes something that takes place between two or more cities--
There is an inter-city bus line that will get you there in about an hour.
The annual football game is part of a long history of inter-city rivalry.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Young people from the inner city will participate in an inter-city competition."