PAIRS AND SNARES XIII

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

1. MAZE - MAIZE

2. LEECH - LEACH

3. FORAY - FOYER

4. WHO'S - WHOSE

5. EXHORT - EXTORT

6. DESERT - DESSERT

7. SYMBOLIC - SYMBIOTIC

8. TRANSPARENT - TRANSLUCENT

9. INEXPLICABLE - INEXTRICABLE

10. BREACH - BREECH - BROACH - BROOCH

Answers:

 

1. MAZE - Paths and hedges designed as a puzzle through which one has to find a way

                   Confusing, complex set of directions or circumstances

   MAIZE - Corn [A field of dense corn stalks could be a corn (maize) maze.] 

 

2. LEECH - Parasite, One who extorts or sponges off others

    LEACH - Use a liquid (rainwater) to filter through something

 

3. FORAY -  A sudden raid or attack into enemy territory

    FOYER - An entrance hall or lobby

 

4. WHO'S - Contraction for WHO IS

    WHOSE - Indicating possession (Whose book is this?)

 

5.  EXHORT - Urge, encourage

     EXTORT - Blackmail, make someone give something (usually money) through force or threat

 

6. DESERT - (stressonym)

    DES' ert: Noun: Vast area of arid, dry land with little vegetation

    de SERT':  Verb: To abandon, leave behind

   DESSERT - Sweet course at the end of a meal

   [JUST DESERTS/DESSERTS - deserved punishment: Originally JUST DESERTS, but due to widespread confusion, JUST DESSERTS is also considered correct - and preferred - to distinguish it from DESERT (DES' ert).]

 

7. SYMBOLIC - Representative of, as red for passion

    SYMBIOTIC - A mutually beneficial relationship between two unlike organisms

 

8. TRANSPARENT - Allowing light to pass through and able to see through

    TRANSLUCENT - Allowing light to pass through, but unable to see through

 

9. INEXPLICABLE - Can't be explained or accounted for

    INEXTRICABLE -  Impossible to disengage or separate

 

10. BREACH - Break through a barrier or defense, violate an agreement or code of conduct

     BREECH - Back part of a gun, relating to a baby when the rear end, legs, or feet present first - rather than the head. Breeches are also short trousers, from waist to knee, worn by men from (roughly) 1600-1800, but are now chiefly used in horseback riding and ceremonial dress. For hundreds of years, young boys wore dresses until they were "breeched" at ages two to eight. The expression "Too big for his britches" refers to breeches.

     BROACH - Raise a (difficult or sensitive) subject for discussion

     BROOCH - A decorative ornament fastened to the clothing by a pin and catch