Confusing Words Clarified: Group M; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, etc. +

A picture or chart that shows the rivers, mountains, streets, etc. regarding a particular area: "Can you find where we are on the map?"

1. A short period of sleep; especially, during the day: "He woke up from his nap rested and refreshed so he could focus on his project much better."
2. To be in a state of mind in which those involve are not prepared to deal with something because they aren't paying attention: "When the problem appeared again, the government was not prepared to deal with it; in other words, officials were taking a nap instead of being alert to the situation."
3. A soft layer of threads on the surface of a piece of cloth, a carpet, etc.: "The fine nap of the wet cloth felt wonderful when I wiped my face after taking my nap."

A female horse which is old enough to breed: "I bought a new mare for my riding stable."

An elected or appointed official who serves as chief magistrate of a city: "My uncle was elected mayor of the city three times in a row."

Referring to circumstances relating to being married: "After we were married, we bought our marital home."

1. An individual who manages or organizes the ceremonies of a gathering: "The marshal of the parade rode in the car leading the bands and walkers."
2. An officer of the law (appointed or elected) with duties similar to a sheriff in terms of enforcing the law: "The marshal accompanied the prisoner to court to stand before the judge."
3. The senior head of a civic department; such as, a fire department: "The fire marshal organized the fire fighters when the factory caught fire."

Of or relating to the military, war, or military life: "He seemed suited to the martial life because he liked order and precision."

1. A victim or recipient of ridicule or bullying: "The angry students thought the new student would be an easy mark for teasing."
2. A distinguishing impression or trait of something: "When he completed his university education, he had the mark of a gentleman and a scholar."
3. A landmark or guidepost for travellers: "The tall building on the corner was the mark we were looking for because we wanted to turn left at that point."
4. A label or indication of quality or price: "The mark on this jacket indicated it was on sale."
5. To highlight or to make note of something: "I will mark the date in my calendar when we are going out for dinner."
6. To determine the value of something: "The teacher was determined to mark all the students' essays on the weekend."
7. A man's name: "My friend, Mark, is going to drive the car tonight when we go out."

A product brand: "The company made exceptionally good quality marque of saddles for the equestrian school."

A large canopy or tent for an outdoor event or exhibition: "We decided to have a marquee in the garden for our wedding reception."

A male of hereditary nobility: "The marquis lived in the large house by the river."

To join in a close and typically permanent relationship usually through a ceremony: "We decided to marry during the summer."

A woman’s name: "My Aunt Mary is coming to visit next week."

High spirited, joyful: "The merry group of children played in the playground."

Any of a number of weasel like animals: "We watched the marten dive into the crack in the rock to hide."

1. A European Swallow with distinctive features; such as, a forked tail: "We loved to watch the martin dart across the sky in search of insects."

"We built a martin house for the flock that came each spring."
2. A person’s name; usually, the first name of a male or a family name: "My friend, Martin, is coming for a visit in two weeks."

1. A disguise or covering for the face: "For the party, I decided to wear a mask that looked like a harlequin."
2. The image or copy of a face made by a mold: "That's the mask of the famous composer; it was made after he died."
3. A covering for the face to protect it from harm: "When we went to see the factory, we were asked to wear a mask to prevent us from breathing the fumes."
4. To conceal or to hide: "He wore long sleeves to mask the fact he was carrying a stick."
5. To reconfigure or to modify the size or shape of something: "The photographer agreed to mask the photograph so it had a narrow border around it."

An entertainment typical of the 16th and 17th centuries in which the characters wore masks and a story was of an allegorical nature: "The jesters planned a masque for the entertainment of the king."

1. The rubbing or kneading of one’s tissues or flesh for relaxation or health reasons: "I go for a massage every week and my stiff muscles are soothed."
2. To manipulate or to organize information: "I will need to massage my research data for my thesis."

1. The theme or idea of a communication: "The message in the book on conservation was that the rivers are in danger of pollution."
2. Information that is communicated by writing, signals, etc.: "Please give a message to my mother that I will be home late."

Accumulated or gathered: "The bands massed in the park before the start of the parade."

A tall vertical spar, sometimes sectioned, that rises from the keel or deck of a sailing vessel to support the sails and the standing and running rigging: "The tree that the builder used for the mast was a special pine grown in North America."

1. Large when compared to what is typical: "The doctor gave the patient a massive injection of antibiotics."
2. Solid, ponderous, heavy: "The pyramids were built of massive stone blocks."

A written letter or communication: "When I went away to school, I wrote a missive home to my friends every week."

Strong ability and personality: "Her masterful personality and ability earned her the promotion she wanted."

Worthy of authority through knowledge or superior skill. "She played the complex piano composition with masterly precision."

1. Noun: Someone who is like another in one or more specified qualities: "He was a good match for her because they shared the same interests."
2. Verb: To be suited to someone or something: "The curtains match the carpet perfectly."

"My mother wanted to match me up with her friend's daughter and it turned out to be a good match because we are going to get married."

A short, thin piece of wood or thick paper with a special tip that produces fire when it is scratched against something else: "He tried to light a match so he could start the fire."

1. Having real significance or consequence: "The material facts of the investigation were presented to the judge."
2. Tangible or physically present: "The material of my new dress is dark green."

"The food bank provided material support to the family."

3. That which can be refined into a more finished form: "Her research provided new material for the biography of the painter which she was writing."
4. Information which is the object of study: "The course outline for my class indicated the material that would be covered each week."

Equipment used by a group or organization: "We will try out the camping materiel on the weekend."

French version for equipment or hardware: "Matériel is an alternate spelling for material."

1. Questionable, possible, perhaps: "Maybe it will rain tonight."
2. An expression indicating uncertainty: "Maybe I'm being too optimistic, but I really think we can get this project completed."
3. Used to give a response that is neither yes nor no: "So do you want to come with us or not?" "Well, maybe."
4. Used to introduce advice or suggestions: "Maybe you should ask her what she means before you jump to conclusions."
5. Indicates an approximate estimation; such as, of frequency or a number: "The forests in this region are no more than 60, maybe 70, years old."

A phrase used to express the possibility of something: "Your answer may be correct, after all."

"I may be wrong, but I think the store is closed by now."