PAIRS AND SNARES XXIX 

The words in each group can be easily confused.  Can you give a simple definition of each one that shows the difference between them?

1. IMPUTE - IMPUGN

2. TAIGA - TUNDRA

3. SYZYGY - SYNERGY

4. LOAM - LOESS

5. BALUSTER - BALUSTRADE - BANISTER

Answers:

1. IMPUTE - Assign responsibility or blame to someone or something - often unfairly

    IMPUGN - To question or attack someone's opinion or character

2. TAIGA - Coniferous forest of the high northern latitudes

    TUNDRA - Treeless plain above the taiga in the arctic regions having a permanently frozen layer below the surface soil 

3. SYZYGY - The nearly straight-line configuration of three celestial bodies , such as the sun, moon, and earth in a solar or lunar eclipse

   SYNERGY - The combined power of a group of people or things working together that is greater than the power that would be achieved by each working separately

4. LOAM - LOESS - Both are rich, fertile soils. Loam contains roughly equal parts of sand, silt, and clay. Loess is commonly defined as an accumulation of wind-blown silt.

5.  BALUSTER - Short, decorative pillars or columns holding up a railing

    BALUSTRADE - The railing supported by the balusters, and a protection against falling - as on a balcony

    BANISTER -  The balustrade of a staircase, handrail