devise, device

Devise or devise ( rhymes with size ) means to invent or contrive--
He hoped to devise a new means of detecting metal.
They are trying to devise a scheme for passing the exam without studying.

Device or device ( rhymes with nice )  means a contraption, or a gadget or machine of some kind--
Have you seen the new solar-powered device for charging the phone?
He hoped to invent a new device for detecting metal.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"If we could devise a better recharging device, we could make a fortune."

celebrity, celerity

Celebrity or celebrity means fame or renown--
Celebrity was his only ambition; he didn't much care how he achieved it.
He soon found that celebrity wasn't the adventure he had hoped for.

Celebrity may also mean a famous person--
He enjoyed being a celebrity, and was always happy to see his fans.
A crowd gathered to get a glimpse of the celebrity.

Celerity or celerity means speed or swiftness--
He carried out all of his duties with celerity and enthusiasm.
He moved with celerity and caught the falling dish.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The celebrity moved with celerity to the waiting limousine, and avoided the crowd."

satin, sat in

Satin or satin ( one word )  means the smooth shiny fabric made of silk or of synthetic material--
Her dress was of satin, embroidered with seed pearls and beads.
We are looking for some red satin to make a costume.

Satin is also used to describe something smooth and shiny--
"Out cattin', my satin doll..."
We want some paint with a satin finish.

Sat in or sat in ( two words ) is the past tense ( yesterday, or some time ago ) of "sit", meaning to rest on one's behind "in", meaning in the same space as--
He sat in someone's lunch, and needs to go home to change.
He sat in a puddle; we need to get him some dry clothes.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"She sat in some coffee, and now her satin dress has a big stain."

Note--"sateen" is a cotton or linen fabric with a smooth, shiny finish--
This sateen will make nice curtains.
Note # 2--"Satan" ( one word, always capitalized ) ) is a proper name, meaning the lord of hell or of evil--
 "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world..."
Not to be confused with "sat an" ( two words ), "sat", the past tense of "sit", meaning to rest upon, "an", meaning one of something that begins with a vowel ( open-mouthed ) sound--
I looked out the window, and there sat an eagle, right on the fence!

carbon, carbine

Carbon or carbon ( car bunn or car bin ) means one of the basic elements that make the physical world around us--
Diamonds and graphite are made of pure carbon.
Carbon, combined with other elements, is part of many organic compounds.
Carbon or carbon also describes the paper once used to make copies with a typewriter--
Make two carbon copies and sign the original.

Carbine or carbine ( car bean or car bine ) means a short rifle or musket--
Each soldier had a carbine slung over his shoulder, and a pouch of ammunition.
He practiced with the carbine until he was a good shot.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The carbon residue on the barrel means that this carbine has been fired recently."

murderous, murderess, murder us

Murderous or murderous ( one word ) describes something revealing, hiding, or displaying intent to murder--
"We rarely have visitors", said the old crone with a murderous leer.
She shot him a murderous look, but he went right on talking.

Murder us or murder us ( two words, rhymes with murderous ) means the unlawful killing ( murder ) of two or more persons, one of whom is the speaker ( us ) --
Junior's been watching too much TV; he thinks the old woman next door plans to murder us.
He dreamed that our cousin plans to murder us for our inheritance.

Murderess or murderess means a female murderer--
The old murderess had buried several of her victims in the petunia bed.
The trial of the attractive young murderess caused a sensation.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"She doesn't look like a murderess, but that murderous look made me wonder if she plans to murder us."

voracious, veracious

Voracious or voracious means craving mass quantities of food--
He always returned form jogging with a voracious appetite.
He had a voracious appetite for barbecue, and would light the grill even in the rain.

Veracious or veracious means truthful, said of a person, or having the habit of telling the truth--
He seems veracious, but we'll have to check out his account of what happened.
This witness may be veracious, but the story is far-fetched.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He was veracious when describing his voracious appetite, as we saw when we sat down to eat."

Note-- "veracity" means truthfulness--
The lie detector test confirmed the veracity of his statement.
"Voracity" means an insatiable appetite--
The voracity of his appetite was legendary at the all-you-can-eat restaurant.

disease, decease

Disease or disease means illness or sickness--
They didn't find a cure for the disease, but the patient recovered without it.
There is a vaccination for this disease, and the doctor recommends that we get one.

Decease or decease is an old-fashioned word for death--
After the decease of their mother, nothing seemed the same.
They found his will shortly after his decease.

 Now that you know that, you can say--
"The family was convinced that the disease had caused his decease."

Note-- "decrease" means to become or make less or to diminish--
The company offered to keep him on, with a decrease in salary.
Note # 2-- "deceased" means dead--
Are your parents living, or are they deceased?
"Deceased" may also mean a dead person--
Write the name of the deceased here.