PAIRS AND SNARES II

The Word's The Thing

Dr. Louis D. Appel

 

The words in each pair or group below are often confused. Can you give a simple definition of each one that shows the difference between them?

 

1. PRONE - SUPINE

2. PROSTRATE - PROSTATE

3. PEDAL - PEDDLE

4. COMPLEMENT - COMPLIMENT

5. CAPITAL - CAPITOL

6. OPTOMETRIST - OPTHALMOLOGIST

7. DEFER - DETER - DEMUR - DEMURE

8. COUNCIL - COUNSEL - CONSUL

9. PRINCIPAL - PRINCIPLE

10. LAY - LIE

 

Answers:

 

1. PRONE - Lying flat with  face downward 

    SUPINE - Lying on the back

 

2. PROSTRATE - Either lying flat on your back or stretched out with your face on the ground, as in submission or adoration 

    PROSTATE - Human male gland

 

3. PEDAL - Foot-operated lever for propelling a bicycle

    PEDDLE - Try to sell something (by going door-to-door)

 

4. COMPLEMENT -  Complete or to enhance by being perfectly suitable

    COMPLIMENT - A polite expression of praise or admiration

 

5. CAPITAL - Upper case letter, accumulated wealth, or the seat of a state's or country's government

    CAPITOL - The building in which a legislative body of government meets (small c) or with a capital C - the building in Washington, D.C. where the U.S. Congress meets

 

6. OPTOMETRIST - An "eye doctor" (not medical doctor) who can examine your eyes and prescribe glasses

   OPTHALMOLOGIST - A medical doctor who can treat or do surgery for eye conditions

 

7. DEFER - Delay or postpone or submit to another in respect to their judgement or authority

    DETER - Discourage someone from doing something, prevent from happening 

    DEMUR - Object, show reluctance, raise doubts

    DEMURE - Reserved, modest, shy  (said of a woman)

 

8. COUNCIL - A body of people elected to manage the affairs of a city, district, etc.

    COUNSEL - Advice or guidance, or one who gives it - as legal counsel

    CONSUL - An official appointed by a government to live in a foreign city to protect and promote the government's citizens and interests there

 

9. PRINCIPAL - Chief, most important, head of a school 

    PRINCIPLE -  A rule, law, guideline - as honesty

 

10. LAY - Set or put something down 

      LIE - Assume a horizontal position (Lie down)*

      Past tense of LAY - LAID (I laid the book on the table.)

      Past tense of LIE - LAY (I lay down because I felt sick.) 

      *LIE can also mean to make a false statement. The past tense of LIE in this sense is LIED.