knob, nob

Knob or knob means a ( usually ) round piece attached to a door or drawer for a handle --
The knob fell off, and we can't open the door.
One knob is missing; we'll have to buy a new set that will match the holes.

Nob or nob ( rhymes with knob ) means a wealthy person --
They called this Nob Hill because the wealthy built mansions here.
He's a nob; he only speaks to other millionaires.

Now that you know that, you can say --
"This door knob was plated with gold when the old nob lived here."

contemptible, contemptuous

Contemptible or contemptible describes something low or disgraceful; deserving scorn or disdain ( contempt ) --
He showed a complete lack of concern; it was contemptible.
His attitude is contemptible; if I were his boss I'd fire him.

Contemptuous or contemptuous means showing or expressing scorn or disdain ( contempt ) --
The public admired the new statue, but the critics were contemptuous.
He doesn't actually comment on any topic; he is merely contemptuous of the opinions of others.

Now that you know that, you can say --
"Of course she was contemptuous; his behavior was contemptible."

Noel, no el, no L

Noel or Noël ( always capitalized ) is the French word for Christmas, often used in English carols, or on cards, etc. --
This card is in French; it says "Joyeux Noël".
The choir is learning "The First Noel".

No el or no el means not one ( no ) elevated train or subway-elevated train ( el ) --
There will be no el today; we'll have to take the bus.
We waited for an hour, and no el was in sight.

No L, no l, No "L", no "L", No "l", or no "L" means not one ( no ) letter "L", the 12th letter of the alphabet (  L ) --
There is no "L" in "Merry Christmas"; why did you cut this out?
There is no "l" in "wood"; you used the wrong word.

Now that you know that, you can say --
 "There is no "L" in Christmas, but there is one in "Noel".  We can talk about it while we walk, because there is no el."

Note-- "no ell" means not one, or not any ( no ) extension of or addition to a building, at a right angle to the main building ( ell ) --
This is the wrong building; our hotel has no ell.

hedonism, heathenism

Hedonism or hedonism means an interest in only pleasure or comfort; a devotion to pleasure as a philosophical good  --
His only religion is hedonism; he works at enjoying himself as if it were a duty.
The food is plain and not very good; she thinks good cooking smacks of hedonism.

Heathenism or heathenism means the worship of multiple gods, or nature as a god --
The more narrow-minded Christians still believe that anything that isn't Christianity is heathenism.
The minister discouraged the love of nature; to him it seemed like heathenism.

Now that you know that, you can say --
"The old man calls their gourmet cooking hedonism, and their love of travel heathenism; the worship of nature in place of the God of the Bible."

parka, park a

Parka or parka ( one word ) means a heavy winter jacket with a hood --
It's cold out; you'll need your parka.
He wants a parka with fake fur around the hood.

Park a or park a ( two words ) means to put a vehicle where it can be left or stored when not in use ( park ) [ a ] --
He's just learning to drive; he doesn't know how to park a car.
There isn't enough space to park a car here; we'll have to drive around the block.

Now that you know that, you can say --
"It's too hard to park a car when I wear a parka, so I wear a heavy sweater."

profusion, perfusion

Profusion or profusion means a large quantity, an abundance --
I can tell you didn't proofread your work by the profusion of errors.
There has been a profusion of messages and calls; we haven't had time to answer them all.

Perfusion or perfusion means spreading liquid over something, or pumping liquid through something --
The new equipment will produce a much more even perfusion of color on the fabric.
A pump will be used during the operation, to imitate natural perfusion.

Now that you know that, you can say --
"The clinic has received a profusion of inquiries regarding the new perfusion device."

resemblance, semblance

Resemblance or resemblance means similarity or likeness --
There's a strong resemblance; they must be related.
The resemblance to a famous work may become a legal issue.

Semblance or semblance means aspect, appearance or likeness --
Let's try to maintain a semblance of order.
It has the semblance of an old gothic mansion.

Now that you know that, you can say --
"The semblance of an old artifact is superficial; look closer and you'll see a resemblance to a modern household object."

leftover, left over

Leftover or leftover ( one word ) describes the remains of a meal, or something similar --
We have some leftover meatloaf in the freezer.
We can use the leftover potatoes to make soup.

Left over or left over ( two words ) means departed ( left ) more than ( over ) --
They left over a week ago.
Their plane left over an hour ago.

Left over ( two words ) also means remaining ( left ) in addition to, or after counting ( more ) --
There should be two pieces left over.
He left over half of these unfinished.

Now that you know that, you can say --
"The leftover stew will still be good if some is left over."

inequity, in equity

Inequity or inequity ( one word ) means unfairness or injustice --
We should redress this inequity before it becomes a legal problem.
He believes that he is a victim of inequity, particularly in our admissions policy.

In equity or in equity ( two words ) means [ in ] a petition to a court to impose fairness, or to stop harmful behavior, when no law has been broken  ( equity ) --
In civil cases people sue for financial judgments; in equity cases they may seek some other remedy.
In law, he doesn't have a case, but in equity, a judge may offer to settle the problem with a court order.

In equity may also mean [ in ] the value of a mortgaged property, or of shares of stock, above what is still owed ( equity ) --
They don't want to sell the house until they have $50,000 in equity.
He has over $20,000 in equity; he should sell his shares if he needs money.

Now that you know that, you can say --
"In equity cases, a judge may use the powers of the court to redress inequity."

Note -- "iniquity" means wickedness or sin --
He believes that his problems are a punishment for his iniquity.

asteroid, astroid

Asteroid or asteroid means one of the small celestial bodies that revolve around the sun, also called a minor planet --
He wants to ask NASA to name an asteroid after his dog.
He hopes to see an asteroid, so he's trained his telescope between Mars and Jupiter.

Astroid or astroid is a term from geometry, meaning a shape like a diamond, but with each side a curve toward the center --
When you pull on the ends of the strings, the shape will be an astroid.
She wears a large pendant, a gemstone astroid.

Now that you know that, you can say --
"This is a photo of an asteroid in space, in the shape of an astroid."

Note --"a steroid" means [ a ] natural or synthesized organic compound,  including some hormones, now used as a prescription drug ( steroid ) --
The doctor prescribed a steroid for the inflammation.

adjust, add just

Adjust or adjust ( one word ) means to move or change the position of something, to make it work better, to make it more comfortable, attractive, or useful --
"Do not attempt to adjust the picture. We are controlling transmission."
She wants to adjust the thermostat, but he likes it as it is.

Adjust may also mean to determine an amount, or to settle a claim --
It may take several weeks to adjust your insurance claim.
We hope both parties can adjust their differences, and reach an agreement.

Add just or add just ( two words ) means to include more of something, or to introduce a substance to what is already there ( add ) merely, as in a small quantity ( just ) --
Add just a pinch of nutmeg.
This paint will match if you add just a bit of gray.

Now that you know that, you can say --
"Add just a bit more cocoa, and adjust the sugar accordingly."

astringent, a stringent

Astringent or astringent ( one word ) means a substance used to contract bodily tissues or openings --
An astringent will help to stop the bleeding; you don't need stitches.
This herb is often used to make an astringent lotion.

Astringent may be used figuratively, to describe something sour or acidic --
His colleagues were rarely amused by his astringent comments.

A stringent or a stringent ( two words ) describes something ( a ) strict, severe, or rigorous ( stringent ) --
This company has a stringent code of conduct for employees.
We have a stringent sick leave policy; you should talk to the manager.

Now that you know that, you can say --
"The clinic has a stringent rule against recommending products, but any astringent should help."

bit, bitt

Bit or bit means a small quantity, a morsel, literally or figuratively --
Would you like a bit more cake?
We'll be home in a bit.
He has a bit part in the new play.

Bit is also the past tense of "bite", meaning to cut or tear with the teeth, to sink the teeth into --
A mosquito bit him, and he can't stop scratching.
That dog nearly bit him!

Bit may also mean the mouthpiece of the bridle of a horse --
Just put the bit between his teeth; he'll get used to it.
He is champing at the bit.

Bit may also mean the cutting or boring piece of a drill --
You'll need a larger bit to make a hole for this bolt.
Use the chuck to change the drill bit.

Bit may also mean a unit of information, as in a computer program --
One bit of information is a single digit.
A bit is equal to a "1" or an "0".

Bitt or bitt ( rhymes with bit ) means one of a pair of posts sticking out of a dock, or the deck of a ship, used for securing lines or cables --
Secure the lines on the bitt, like this.
The cable will be wrapped around the bitt like a figure "8".

Now that you know that, you can say --
"Stay here a bit, and release the lines from the bitt when I give the signal."

regent, reagent

Regent or regent means a university officer --
He is a regent of the university; we should tell him about the problems in the dorm.
He gave up his post as regent when his son became a student here.

Regent also means someone who rules in the place of a king or queen, while the king or queen is absent, incapacitated, or too young --
When the young king was old enough to rule, the regent refused to give up the throne.
The duke will rule as regent until the king returns.

Reagent or reagent means a substance used to produce a chemical reaction --
This reagent will help us to make a synthetic version.
We can used this reagent to test for the presence of the toxin.

Now that you know that, you can say --
"He developed a well-known reagent while working in our research department; now he is a regent of the university."

in law, in-law

In law or in law ( two words ) [ in ] the body of rules or regulations written or enacted by a government ( law ) --
In law, the king is head of their government, but the generals have all of the power.
He learned to argue like that in law school.

In-law or in-law ( one hyphenated word ) means a relation by marriage, usually combined with a term for the specific relation --
He's looking for a gift for his mother-in-law.
She went shopping with her sister-in-law.

Now that you know that, you can say --
"In  law, his mother-in-law will have custody of the children, but they will live with him."

Note -- "inlaw" ( one word ) is an archaic ( no longer in use ) legal term, meaning to restore an outlaw to the protection of the law --
The magistrate agreed to inlaw him, because of the service he had rendered to the duke.

old age, age-old

Old age or old age means the retirement years; the years after age 65 --
He's saving money for his old age.
We have to eat healthy food now so that we won't be decrepit in our old age.

Age-old or age-old means traditional, or from time immemorial --
No one knows the origin of these age-old customs.
The yule log is an age-old practice, still common in rural areas.

Now that you know that, you can say --
"In his old age, he liked to remember some of the age-old things his parents had taught him about the land, and how to care for it."

Note--"old adage" means an old saying or proverb --
He can quote an old adage for every situation.

inconstant, in constant

Inconstant or inconstant ( one word ) means variable or fickle, not dependable --
"O, swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon, That monthly changes in her circle orb..."
He often tired of her inconstant temperament.

In constant or in constant ( two words ) describes a state or condition ( in ) that is regular, unchanging, or faithful ( constant ) --
"In constant sorrow through his days..."
They lived in constant fear that someone would find out their awful secret.

Now that you know that, you can say --
"She lived in constant dread of his inconstant moods."

scroll, scrawl

Scroll or scroll means a roll of paper or some other material, with writing or a picture on it --
The archaelogist found an ancient scroll, written in an unknown language.
 He brought home a silk scroll with a painting of birds on it.

Scroll may also mean to move a digital image up, down, left, or right on the screen --
Scroll down to continue reading.
Scroll to the left using your mouse; just drag the arrow at the bottom of the page.

Scroll may be used to describe something shaped like a roll of paper --
It looks like the scroll on a violin.

Scrawl or scrawl means hurried or sloppy handwriting --
His scrawl is nearly impossible to decipher.
No one could imitate his distinctive scrawl.

Scrawl also means to write carelessly or sloppily --
When I'm in a hurry I scrawl across the page, but I can't always decipher it later.

Now that you know that, you can say --
"This scroll has nothing on it but an illegible scrawl, left here long ago."

whittle, wittol

Whittle or whittle means to cut small pieces from a stick with a knife, usually to make a shape of some kind --
He won't do anything but sit on the porch and whittle; I don't know what's wrong with him.
He's trying to whittle a bird, but it doesn't look like much yet.

Whittle may also be used figuratively, to means chipping or paring away at a task or problem --
You will get a lot done if you whittle away at the job, a few minutes each day.

Wittol or wittol ( rhymes with whittle ) means a husband of an unfaithful wife, one who knows about and  puts up with his wife's infidelity --
They called him a wittol behind his back, but spoke politely to his face.
The old wittol doesn't care what his wife does, as long as she doesn't make a show of it.

Now that you know that, you can say --
"He's become an old wittol, who only wants to sit in the sun and whittle."

injection, interjection

Injection or injection means introducing a liquid into the body with a hypodermic needle --
One quick injection and you'll be safe from the flu for another year.
He'll become drowsy a few minutes after the injection.

Injection may also mean the introduction of something new or unexpected, figuratively --
He hoped that an injection of humor might save the situation.

Interjection or interjection means an emotional outburst or remark, or a word used alone, to express emotion, that doesn't otherwise alter the meaning of what is said or written --
His every sentence is preceded by an unprintable interjection.
That interjection seems out of character; our heroine wouldn't say "OMG!"

Now that you know that, you can say --
"He's had an injection of painkillers, and now his only words are the interjection "uh-oh".

here with, herewith

Here with or here with ( two words ) means in this place or at this point ( here ) in the company of, or in possession of ( with ) --
We left him here with the packages; where do you think he is now?
Put your coat here with mine.

Herewith or herewith ( one word ) means included with this, or by means of this --
I herewith send you a copy of the accident report.
My check for the balance is enclosed herewith.

Now that you know that, you can say --
"He stayed here with some old friends; please find herewith a copy of his will. "

feeble, febrile

Feeble or feeble means weak or debilitated, literally or figuratively --
He is getting old and feeble; he needs help to get around.
He made a feeble protest, but went along in the end.

Febrile or febrile means feverish, related to or caused by fever, physically or mentally--
A temperature that high can cause a febrile seizure.
His suspicions are the product of his febrile imagination.

Now that you know that, you can say --
"He is still feeble after a week in the hospital with an unknown febrile illness."