PAIRS AND SNARES XL 

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

1. STEER - STERE 

2. ARECA - AREPA

3. AWAY - AWEIGH 

4. PARLAY -PARLEY

5. MANTEL -MANTLE 

6. VOILA - VIOLA - VOILE 

7. MACARON - MACAROON

Answers:  

1. STEER - Guide, control / young, neutered male cattle  

    STERE - A metric unit of volume = one cubic meter, commonly used to measure stacked timber or firewood

  

2. ARECA -A tropical Asian palm tree

    AREPA -  A corn pancake eaten in Colombia and Venezuela

 

3. AWAY - At a distance

    AWEIGH - (of an anchor) Raised just clear of the sea floor / The start of a voyage 

 

4. PARLAY - Transform something into something of greater value / turn initial winnings from a previous bet into a greater amount by gambling 

   PARLEY - A conference between opposing sides in a dispute

 

5. MANTEL - A shelf over a fireplace / mantelpiece

    MANTLE - The layer of the earth between the crust and core / a cloak or cape - and metaphorically a symbolic role of authority

 

6. VOILA - "Ta da!" "There you go/are!" An expression to mark completion and draw attention to something that can be seen (literally - "See there!")

    VIOLA - A stringed instrument in the violin family, but larger and tuned differently

    VOILE -  A thin, semi-transparent fabric of cotton, wool, or silk

 

7. MACARON - MACAROON - Both are cookies. 

    Macarons are delicate, almond flour, cream-filled sandwich cookies.

    Macaroons are dense, shredded coconut drop coookies.