PAIRS AND SNARES XXXIX

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

1. PEON - PAEAN

2. CHAFE - CHAFF 

3. SACHET - SASHAY

4. HANSOM - HANDSOME

5. CORPORAL - CORPOREAL

6. BARBELL - DUMBBELL

7. FLUVIAL - ALLUVIAL 

8. PIASTER - PILASTER

Answers:

1. PEON - A low-ranking, unskilled worker

    PAEAN - A song or praise or triumph

 

2. CHAFE - Annoy, irritate

     CHAFF - Grain husks, trash

 

3. SACHET - A small perfumed bag used to scent clothes 

    SASHAY - Strut, An ostentatious, exaggerated walk

 

4. HANSOM - A lightweight, two-wheeled, horse-drawn carriage

    HANDSOME - (Of a man) Good-looking, Substantial/considerable

 

5. CORPORAL - A military rank, Relating to the physical body (corporal punishment)

    CORPOREAL - Relating to one's physical body as opposed to their spirit (corporeal appetites)

 

6. BARBELL -  A long straight bar with weights attached at both ends - raised and lowered using both hands

    DUMBBELL - A shorter bar with weights at both ends, raised and lowered with one hand

 

7. FLUVIAL - Of or found in a river / The flow, shape, and processes of a river

    ALLUVIAL - Describing sediment (alluvium) deposited by a river or stream outside its normal banks - as in fields 

 

8. PIASTER -  A monetary unit of several Middle Eastern countries

    PILASTER -  A rectangular column, especially one projecting from a wall