PAIRS AND SNARES III

The Word's The Thing

Dr. Louis D. Appel 

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

1. AFFECT - EFFECT

2. BRIDAL - BRIDLE

3. OFFICIAL - OFFICIOUS

4. ORDNANCE - ORDINANCE

5. AMORAL - IMMORAL

6. PERSECUTE - PROSECUTE

7. PLAINTIVE - PLAINTIFF

8. PRECEDE - PROCEED

9. FLAGRANT - FRAGRANT

10. MARITAL - MARTIAL

11. ARDENT - ARDUOUS

12. PARSIMONIOUS - PUSILLANIMOUS

Answers:

 

1. AFFECT - Usually a verb - to change or impact

    EFFECT - Usually a noun - the result of a change

 

2. BRIDAL - Relating to the bride 

    BRIDLE - Headgear used to control a horse

 

3. OFFICIAL - Person with some kind of authority

    OFFICIOUS - Using authority in a petty or trivial way

 

4.  ORDNANCE - Military weapons and ammunition

     ORDINANCE - Law or religious ritual

 

5. AMORAL - Without feeling, having no concern for morals

    IMMORAL - Deliberately rejecting moral standards 

 

6. PERSECUTE - Harass with intent to harm

    PROSECUTE - To bring legal action against  

 

7. PLAINTIFF - One who initiates a law suit

    PLAINTIVE - Sounding sad and mournful

 

8. PRECEDE - To come, be, or go before

    PROCEED - Start an action or continue after a pause 

 

9. FLAGRANT - Conspicuously offensive 

    FRAGRANT - Having a sweet or pleasant smell

 

10. MARITAL - Relating to marriage 

      MARTIAL - Relating to war

 

11. ARDENT - Enthusiastic, passionate

      ARDUOUS - Difficult, tiring

 

12. PARSIMONIOUS - Miserly, cheap

      PUSILLANIMOUS - Cowardly, timid