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homonym: msg#00006

culture.language.word-of-the-day

Subject: homonym

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The Word of the Day for June 7 is:

homonym \HAH-muh-nim\ noun
1 : homophone
2: homograph
*3 : one of two or more words spelled and pronounced alike but different in
meaning (as the noun "quail" and the verb "quail")

Example sentence:
Asked for an example of homonyms, Cal suggested "nail" -- as in the one on
his finger and the one hammered through wood.

Did you know?
A lot of people are confused by homonyms, homophones, and homographs.
Thinking about the endings of the words may help you keep them straight.
"Homophones" are words that sound the same, but that have different meanings or
spellings (like "to," "two," and "too"). "Homographs" are spelled alike, but
differ in meaning or pronunciation (like the "bow" in your hair and the "bow"
of a ship). "Homonym" can be a synonym of either "homophone" or "homograph,"
but some writers prefer to use it only for words that are both homophones and
homographs (like the game of "pool" and a "pool" of water).






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