PAIRS AND SNARES VIII

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. PERIGEE - APOGEE

2. LOSE - LOOSE

3. EMINENT - IMMINENT 

4. PAST - PASSED - PASTIME

5. WEATHER - WHETHER

6. STATIONARY - STATIONERY

7. ALLUDE - ILLUDE - ELUDE - OCCLUDE

Answers:

1. PERIGEE - The point in the moon's or a satellite's orbit that is closest to the Earth

    APOGEE - The point in the moon's or a satellite's orbit that is farthest from Earth 

2. LOSE - To misplace something

                  To be defeated in a competition

    LOOSE - Not firmly fixed in place

                    In a garment - too big - not fitting closely, baggy 

 

3. EMINENT - Famous, highly respected

    IMMINENT - About to happen

 

4. PAST - Belonging to a former time or place 

                 Past presidents

                 Beyond

                 Go past the fire station, then turn right

    PASSED - To have moved 

                      The tornado passed through the town.

                       We passed the fire station ten minutes ago. 

   PASTIME - A hobby or activity done for pleasure

                        Baseball is our national pastime.

5. WEATHER - Outside air conditions

    WHETHER - Choice word - whether or not

6. STATIONARY - Fixed in place, standing still

    STATIONERY - Writing paper

 

7. ALLUDE - Refer to, mention 

    DELUDE - Trick, deceive

    ILLUDE - Same as "delude" - trick, deceive

    ELUDE - Evade, escape, avoid 

    OCCLUDE - Block, obstruct

    An illusion is a distortion of the senses - as a mirage in the desert.

    A delusion implies a belief that is mentally unsound.