Confusing Words Clarified: Group C; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, etc. +(lists of "C" sections that are organized into what for some people are confusing groups of words)Three words that every student of language should understand are homonyms, synonyms, and antonyms. Homonyms are words that sound alike, but have different meanings. Synonyms are words that are related in meaning but do not sound alike (begin and commence, for example). Antonyms are direct opposites in meaning, as hot and cold; white and black.
With homonyms, the following set of to, too, and two are all pronounced exactly alike, but by no means are they interchangeable in writing. To be sure that you choose the correct spelling for any on these, you must know the meanings of all three so you will not make wrong choices with a feeling of vagueness and uncertainty. Efforts have been made to help you grasp the meanings of these and other words that may be confusing so you can utilize them with greater accuracy in your communication. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome by writing to: E-mail Contact (just click it for an e-mail form) or by typing, words@wordinfo.info, as the address in your e-mail heading. If you have any problems understanding the pronunciation symbols, go to this Pronunciation Chart for clarifications.cast, caste
cast (KAST)
1. To toss, pitch, throw, or fling something: "He cast stones in an effort to make them skip on the surface of the lake."
2. To assign a theatrical performer to a part in a drama: "My sister was chosen to be in the cast of the play." 3. To form into a given shape by pouring something into a mold; such as liquid metal, plaster, clay, etc.: "We were pouring clay into the cast which would result in the shape of a man." caste (KAST)
A social class, rank, or order: "The former caste system in India tended to prevent people from getting an education and better jobs."
caster, castor, castor oil
caster (KAS tuhr)
1. A small wheel on a swivel, attached under a piece of furniture or other heavy object to make it easier to move: "It's a good thing that the sofa had a castor on each of its six legs because it was much easier to move it across the room."
2. Someone who throws something: "He was a caster of nets in the ocean so he could catch fish." castor (KAS tuhr)
1. A British spelling of caster or a swiveling roller fastened under an article of furniture or portable machines to make them movable: "A castor on certain segments of furniture facilitate the movement of such structures."
2. An oily odorous secretion of beavers; used in medicine and perfumery: "I was surprised to learn that my wife's perfume was made from the unpleasant odor of the castor from beavers." castor oil (KAS tuhr OIL)
A viscous fixed oil, colorless or pale yellow, extracted from the seeds of the castor-oil plant which is used as a cathartic and lubrication; and also, used in paint and varnish as well as medically: "When some people have bowel problems they might take castor oil as a cathartic which causes the emptying of the bowels."
casual, causal
casual (KAZH oo uhl)
Occurring by chance, without predictable regularity, occasional, offhand or unfeeling remark: "During the summer vacation, he worked as a casual farmhand on his neighbor’s farm."
causal (KAW zuhl)
Relating to any event or circumstances that brings about a result, expected or unexpected: "The heavy rains had the causal effect of raising the level in the river."
cataclasm, cataclysm
cataclasm (KAT uh klaz uhm)
Disruption; breaking down: "This winter's heavy ice and snow resulted in a cataclasm of electrical and phone lines in several parts of the country."
cataclysm (KAT uh kliz" uhm)
1. A sudden and violent upheaval or disaster that causes great changes in society: "The revolution could result in a worldwide cataclysm."
2. A terrible and devastating natural disaster; such as, a flood: "An earthquake can cause a great cataclysm; especially, in a densely populated area." catholic, Roman Catholic
catholic (KATH uh lik, KATH lik)
Comprehensive or broad in interests, tastes, or sympathies: "Extensive reading and attending lectures at the university gave her a catholic understanding of the issues."
Roman Catholic (ROH man KATH uh lik; ROH man KATH lik)
A member of the Roman Catholic church; relating to the structure and organization of the Roman Catholic church, a hierarchy of priests and bishops, etc.: "The head of the Roman Catholic church is the pope."
caudal, caudle, coddle
caudal (KAWD'l)
Relating to or situated towards the end of the body: "The rooster has large brightly coloured feathers at the caudal end of his body."
caudle (KAWD'l)
A warm drink for invalids made of bread, eggs, sugar and spices: "The nurse mixed a warm caudle to give to the ill person who came to the hospital."
coddle (KOD'l)
1. To treat someone with too much care or kindness; to pamper: "She has a tendency to coddle her children too much."
2. To cook slowly in liquid that is just below the boiling point: "On Sunday mornings he liked to coddle an egg or two for breakfast." cause, caws
cause (KAWS)
1. A strong social position or movement which adherents believe must be defended: "The young man stood proudly behind the cause of his friends to raise money for charity during school hours."
2. Something or someone that produces an effect, result, or condition: "The exact cause of the accident is still not known." 3. To make something happen or exist: "If he swerved the car, that could have been the cause of the accident." caws (KAWS)
The cry or "song" of such birds as crows or ravens which are loud and raucous: "The ravens at the Tower of London greeted the day with loud caws and much wing flapping."
cease, seas, seize
cease (SEES)
To stop doing something: "Mr. Chips cautioned the students to cease their talking and do their work."
seas (SEEZ)
Large bodies of water, salt or fresh, that are more or less land locked: "Their boat was overwhelmed by the heavy seas."
seize (SEEZ)
To grasp, to take possession of, to capture: "The publisher was enthusiastic, as he told the author that his new novel would seize the imagination of the public."
cede, seed
cede (SEED)
To yield or to transfer, typically through a written document or treaty: "The lawyer stated that by signing the papers on his desk, I would cede my property to my cousin."
seed (SEED)
1. A small object produced by a plant from which a new plant can grow: "The farmer was very proud because he had a new machine to help seed the fields."
2. The beginning of something which continues to develop or grow: "Her comment planted a seed of doubt in his mind." -ceed, -sede, -cede
-ceed (SEED)
A suffix from Latin cedere, "to go": "Only three words end with suffix -ceed: exceed, proceed, and succeed."
-sede (SEED)
A suffix from Latin sedere "to sit": "Only one word ends with -sede: supersede (never supercede)."
-cede (SEED)
A suffix from Latin cedere, "to go": "All of the following words end with -cede: accede, antecede, cede, concede, intercede, precede, recede, and secede."
ceil, seal
ceil (SEEL)
1. To provide or to cover the upper interior surface of a room: "The plasterer created a decorative new ceil in the dining room during renovations."
2. To line a ship's bottom and sides with planking: "They had to construct a proper ceil for the ship so it could withstand the forces of the sea." seal (SEEL)
1. A die or signet having a raised or incised emblem used to stamp an impression on a receptive substance; such as, wax, paper, or even lead: "He had a special seal for his books with his name impressed in the front page."
2. A marine animal or any of various aquatic carnivorous mammals found chiefly in the Northern Hemisphere and having a sleek, torpedo-shaped body and limbs that are modified into paddle-like flippers: "It was noisy but interesting to hear and to see the seal colonies near the beach." 3. To close tightly or hermetically: "They will seal the blacktop driveway with a new coating to make it more water proof." ceiling, sealing
ceiling (SEEL ing)
1. The top of a room or any overhanging structural area: "The painter applied green paint to the ceiling in the living room."
2. An upper limit, especially as set by a regulation: "The government set a wage ceiling for the next year." sealing (SEEL ing)
1. A design, initial, or other device which is placed on an official letter or document: "The prince used a red sealing wax to close his letters."
2. Something that closes or fastens tightly or securely: "When packing to move, she used sealing tape which was reinforced with string to ensure the boxes would not come open." A sign in a munitions factory stated: "If you insist on smoking in this building, be prepared to leave this world through a hole in the ceiling." celery, salary
celery (SEL uh ree)
A plant (Apium graveolens) the stalks of which are typically ribbed, green and are eaten either cooked or raw: "For her daily lunch, she always included several celery sticks because she liked the crunchy texture."
salary (SAL uh ree, SAL ree)
Compensation or wages paid for services: "She supplemented her small salary by getting a second job."
cell, cells; sell, sells
cell, cells (SEL, SELZ)
1. A small room in a prison: "The author provided a realistic description of the prison cell in which his protagonist had lived for many years."
2. Small, hollow places: "Honey combs are made up of connecting cells joined to each other." 3. A unit of living matter: "With the fine new microscope, the scientist could study the cell matter of the plant." 4. The container which holds the material to produce electricity: "The mechanic had to add water to each battery cell so the car would start again." sell, sells (SEL, SELZ)
1. To exchange something for money: "She was desperate for money when she agreed to sell her mother’s jewelery."
2. To make things available to be purchased: "This is one of the few stores which sells that type of equipment." 3. To persuade someone to accept or to approve of something or someone: "You will really have to sell yourself at the interview to get that job." cellar, seller
cellar (SEL ur)
1. A room for storage, usually below ground or beneath a building: "At the end of the summer, she had 1,000 containers of food stored in the cellar to feed her family through the winter."
2. The lowest level or standing; especially, in the relative standing of athletic teams: "The new player had the cellar position on the team; so, the only way to go was up." seller (SEL ur)
1. Someone who exchanges a product or service for money; a vendor: "The street seller pushed his cart along the beach, selling ice cream and sodas."
2. An item that is purchased in large numbers and in a specified manner: "The store stocked 500 copies of the book based on the review which said it would be a best seller!" For a long time, he has been known as a "basement salesman" or a cellar seller.
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