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

1. The fruit from one of several trees which is smooth skinned and with a large seed or pit in the middle: "We have a plum tree in the garden which yields delicious yellow fruit."
2. A color that is dark reddish or purple in tone: "Her winter coat was a lovely plum color and looked nice with the white fur collar."

1. A weight on the end of a line, used to determine water depth: "The captain of the ship dropped the plumb to determine the water depth in the river."
2. A weight on the end of a line, used especially by masons and carpenters to establish a true vertical: "The builders brought a plumb with them to help them to ensure that the construction was accurate."

1. To sit, fall, or to lie down in a sudden, awkward, or relaxed way: "She came home and plumped down on the couch in the living room."
2. To shake or to hit something; such as, a pillow, to make it fuller, softer, or rounder: "When he got into bed, he tried to plump up his pillow."

Having a full, rounded shape; chubby: "Until he was about ten years old, he was a plump little boy."

"We ate a plump, juicy peach with our lunch."

1. To move an object or person forward using sticks to propel the object or person: "The riverboat operator used a long pole to move the raft across the river."

"The champion skier used light weight poles on the slopes."
2. The inside front row starting position for a race: "The favored horse had the pole position for the race."
3. Either end of the axis of a sphere; such as, the earth: "The arctic explorers planted a flag at the pole to mark their discovery."
4. Either of the two ends of an electric battery: "The directions said to place the positive pole of the battery pointing towards the top of the flashlight."
5. That part of a magnet that is most powerful or magnetized: "For our experiment, we placed the positive pole of the magnet against the metal container."

1. The flat striking end of a heavy instrument; such as, a hammer: "The carpenter used the poll of her hammer to drive the nails into the lumber."
2. The location where votes are cast and or counted in an election: "My voting poll is just across the street."

"My uncle was assigned to my poll when it was time to count the votes after the election."

3. The questioning of individuals typically selected randomly to obtain information or to determine the opinions of the population: "I was contacted by telephone to complete a poll regarding the upcoming election."
4. A process of an election whereby people are requested to indicate their choice individually: "The poll on the decision to break for coffee was done by a show of hands."

1. To perfect, to shine, to make glossy or refined: "I will use a soft cloth to polish the furniture."
2. Cultured, not coarse or rude: "Her speech reflected the polish of her fine education and training."
3. A preparation which is used to clean or to shine furniture, etc.: "I used the polish on the silver plate that my grandmother gave me."

Relating to, or referring to, Poland, the Poles, their language, or their culture: "Chopin was a famous Polish composer and pianist."

1. That which has been crushed into a pulp: "The tomato pomace which the farmers made is great in tomato sauce."
2. The residue of material from which the liquid has been removed: "There was a layer of pomace at the bottom of the grape press."

A volcanic stone that is filled with air spaces and is very light, often ground to use as a polishing agent: "There was a pumice stone on exhibition that was from Mt. Vesuvius in Southern Italy."

"The stone finishers used a fine pumice to polish the stone once it had been cut."

1. To beat; to pummel: "The rowdy boys on the playground tried to pommel a group of older boys."
2. The high, round part on the upper front part of a saddle; a saddlebow: "The cowgirl wrapped her lasso around the pommel on her saddle."

To beat, or the act of beating, as with the fists; to pommel: "The angry crowd wanted to pummel the thief who was trying to get away after knocking the old lady down and taking her purse."

Inadequate, inferior, characterized by poverty, without material possession: "The critics agreed that the singer at the concert was a poor choice."

"The living conditions for the refugees in the large city were poor."

"The children felt very poor because they did not have the latest TV model."

1. To study intently, to meditate upon something in a steady manner: "The scholarship candidate was determined to pore over her notes before the examination."

"I sat quietly in the comfortable chair in order to pore over the sad news from home."

2. The very small openings in the surface of a plant or animal through which matter may pass: "She used a special soap to clean the pores on her skin."

1. To rain hard and consistently: "The weather prediction is that there will be a down pour which will last for about three hours."
2. To flow or to dispense from a container: "The maid was careful to pour the tea from the pot into the new cups."
3. To give uninhibited expression to: "The two friends agreed to meet and to pour out their concerns to each other."
4. To come continuously: "Compliments about the new fashion designs seemed to pour in every day."

Any of a number of quick growing trees which are part of the willow family: "The gardener planted a row of poplar trees along the side of the driveway hoping they would grow quickly and provide shade."

1. Inexpensive and available to the majority of the population: "The pink sunglasses were very popular among the girls at the local school."
2. Plain, easily understood: "The historian wrote a popular book about local events in the village."
3. Widely accepted or encountered: "It is a popular myth that the moon is made of green cheese."

The people, the masses in a location: "The populace in the mountainous area of the country enjoy skiing in the winter."

Having a large number of individuals living in the same location; densely inhabited; crowded: "The stadium was populous during the soccer playoffs."

1. The entire number of people or inhabitants in an area: "The population of sheep exceeds the population of people in some agricultural countries."
2. A collection of individuals having common characteristics: "The majority of the population in the city lived in single home dwellings."
3. A sampling of individuals which have been selected for statistical measurement: "The poll results reflected the interests of the population in the rural areas of the country."

1. Someone who believes in the rights and wisdom of the common people: "Her poetry was populist in nature and appealed to the students at the university."
2. A political party which claims to represent the best interests of the common people: "He ran for governor on a populist ticket appealing to the farmers and shop keepers in the area for their vote."

The act of studying intensely: "She was poring over her lesson plans carefully in anticipation of her first day of teaching."

1. The act of dispensing a fluid or substance from a container: "The scientist was very careful as he was pouring the green fluid from one container to another."
2. The results of a heavy rainstorm: "After a spectacular show of lightning and thunder, it was pouring rain during the afternoon."
3. The act of giving vent to intense emotions and feelings or expressing one's thoughts forcefully: "She was pouring out her grief to her friend as they sat on the bench in the park."

1. An individual share or part: "Would you like to have a portion of pie for dessert?"
2. A dowry or inheritance: "The heiress' portion of her father's estate was considerable, and as a result, many suitors sought her hand."
3. An individual's lot or fate: "Because he broke a window at school, the silly boy's portion was to clean up the playground after school for the next two weeks."

A drink or a mixture of liquids: "The doctor mixed a potion for her patient to drink which she said would help his cough."

To strike repeatedly with force: "Because I did not have a hammer, I used a rock to pound the nail into the board."

The British money unit: "The cashier gave me a pound note as change for my souvenir purchase which I made at the end of my trip to England."

An enclosure for animals: "I went to the pound to find a new kitten for my niece."

Weight; such as, ounces: "A pound is known as 16 ounces avoirdupois and 12 ounces troy weight."

Feasible, possible: "In theory, it is practicable for me to run the marathon today but in reality, I need more practice."

1. Actively engaged in an action or occupation: "She worked as a practical nurse at the hospital."
2. Not theoretical, but useful: "She had a practical knowledge of auto mechanics that she obtained by working in the garage."

1. Dealing with the problems that exist in a specific situation in a reasonable and logical way instead of simply depending on ideas and theories: "The teachers pragmatic view of education came from years of working in public schools."
2. Relating to issues or matters of fact, often to the exclusion of intellectual or artistic elements: "Her approach to the curriculum at school was strictly pragmatic, dealing with the basic subjects of math, science, etc."

1. To do or to perform habitually or customarily; to make a habit of: "Everyone should practice courtesy in social situations."
2. To do or to perform (something) repeatedly in order to acquire or to polish a skill: "It takes a lot of practice for a tennis player to become successful as a professional."
3. To work at, especially as a profession: "She wants to practice law after she graduates from the university."

Chiefly British: To do or to perform something habitually or repeatedly: "He wants to practise his skills as a computer technician so he can make his living in this vocation."

1. To make a favorable judgment or comment: "The critic gave high praise for the new portrait in the art gallery."
2. To glorify or to worship: "The hymn was designed to praise the new church building."

1. To make a request in a humble manner: "The minister prays before and after each religious ceremony."
2. To implore: "The student standing before the school official certainly prays that she is not in trouble."

1. The act of hunting or killing for food: "The wolf preys on smaller animals for food."
2. To raid, to seize, or to commit robbery: "The street ruffian often preys on children going to school, stealing their lunch money."