Roger\'s Reference

Roger’s Reference

Roger J Burke

Foreword: “Roger’s Reference: The Complete Homonym/Homophone Dictionary” is  copyright 2000 by Roger J. Burke. All rights reserved worldwide. The author has made his best effort to produce and distribute a high quality, informative and helpful e-book. However, he accepts no liability of any kind for any losses or damages caused or alleged to be caused, directly or indirectly, from using the information contained in this book. Produced and printed in Australia. No part of this publication may be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted, or reproduced in any way, including but not limited to digital copying and printing, without prior agreement and written permission of the publisher. For information, address: Educational Multimedia Publishing (EMP), P.O. Box 890 Morayfield Queensland 4056 Australia First edition – July, 2000 Second Edition – February, 2001 Third Edition – January, 2002 Fourth Edition - February, 2003 Fifth Edition – February, 2005 Sixth Edition – February, 2008 Seventh Edition – February, 2009 ISBN 0-9579618-2-0.

INTRODUCTION Words that sound the same are referred to as ‘homonyms’ and/or ‘homophones’. The phrase 'words that sound the same' means precisely that: when pronounced, the two (or more) words are phonetically the same. There is, naturally, regional variation in the way groups pronounce many words; this reference work cannot possibly address such differences. For example, in some areas, the sound of the words 'UTTER' and 'UDDER' may be viewed as the same; whereas, every dictionary I've referenced clearly shows that not to be the case. Hence, I rely only on the published phonetics for each word. To compile this reference work, five major dictionaries that encompass the broad range of native English speakers have been used, so far: • • • • •

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Current English, 1973, Oxford University Press. Chamber’s Twentieth Century Dictionary, 1961 W. & R. Chambers Ltd. The New Lexicon Webster’s Dictionary of the English Language, 1987 Lexicon Publications, New York. The MacQuarie Dictionary, 3rd Ed., 1997 MacQuarie University, NSW, Australia. Webster's Treasury of Synonyms, Antonyms and Homonyms, 1st Ed., 1952, Avenel Books, New York, USA.

In addition, as I've progressed with this project, I have also used the facilities at www.dictionary.com and www.onelook.com both of which have provided valuable assistance with word phonetics. For the purposes of this publication, the Oxford definition for homonym has been chosen: words with the same FORM (that is, the spelling) but different sense (that is, the word has a number of distinct meanings); all of the respective homonym pairs sound the same - for example, 'BAT' (a flying fox) and 'BAT' (a wooden stick used in ball games). For the definition of homophone, the MacQuarie definition is preferred: words that SOUND the same, whether spelt the same or not, but having different meanings. For all such words, the pronunciation has been checked across the

above dictionaries before it has been included as a valid homonym or homophone. There are some word pairs that often appear in word lists, as homonyms or homophones, such as AFFECT/EFFECT, JEWEL/JOULE, ERR/AIR and others. Close scrutiny of dictionaries, however, clearly shows that those words are not pronounced the same way – there are slight but distinct differences. Hence, to cater for those words that are commonly confused with others – either because of spelling or sound -- I have included a list of Commonly Confused Words. So, there are two sections to Roger’s Reference: 1. A list of Commonly Confused Words; and 2. A Homonym/Homophone Dictionary. The first section caters for those who often confuse certain words, abbreviations and combination words, with others. For example, some may confuse "WHERE" and "WE'RE", the second being a shortened version of "WE ARE". Many people are continually stopped by "ITS" (meaning ‘OF IT’) and "IT'S" (short for ‘IT IS’). And, of course, "AFFECT" and "EFFECT", and similar words, are continual problems for many. Where appropriate, the section on confused words may contain some homophones that are also shown in the second section, the main dictionary. For example, "HE'LL" (short for "HE WILL/SHALL") can be confused with "HEEL" and "HEAL"; so, all three appear in this list, as do selected others. The second section, the Homonym/Homophone Dictionary, shows all words in the database, with meanings, and cross-referenced to all other words phonetically the same. Each letter of the alphabet forms a distinct section, except for X, Y and Z which are grouped, and the words within each section are arranged, in alphabetical order, into two major columns. Each homonym or homophone word is in bold type and, when applicable, homophones are shown adjacent, on the same line, in normal type. The meaning(s) for each homonym or homophone word is(are) placed below each. The extracts below, from the dictionary, illustrate how to read any entry: cant 1. a bevel; an oblique face. 2. a push/toss/movement that upsets or tilts. 3. (nautical) swing round. 4. a peculiar language of a class/sect etc.; jargon. 5. hypocrisy; insincerity.

cast 'caste' & 'karst' 1. throw. 2. reckon; calculate. 3. actors in a play/movies. 4. form into some shape. 5. the casual lift in a cart. 6. undigested food vomited by a hawk. 7. a twist; an inclination. 8. a tinge/shade/type/quality. For clarity, different meanings are numbered. Within each meaning, there are often different choices for synonyms and phases, separated by semi-colons. And, where there is a choice of words to use within a phrase or sentence, those choices are delineated with a slash (/) between them. Very occasionally, a homonym or homophone may appear twice, immediately followed by a 1 or 2 in parentheses. This signifies that the word may be pronounced in one of two ways, depending upon preferences. The pronunciation is always in accordance with the associated homophone. Spelling throughout conforms to the American standard; where appropriate, however, alternative and/or British spellings are shown in parentheses beside the word. You will note that the dictionary contains all relevant plurals of words. This is especially important with regard to homophones, some of which do not have – indeed, cannot sensibly have – a plural form. In addition, with regard to verbs, relevant tenses are included. Those of us who have difficulty with spelling will find this aspect very useful. While these changes necessarily result in the duplication of many of the root words, (e.g. WAIT/WEIGHT, WAITS/WEIGHTS, WAITING/WEIGHTING, WAITED/WEIGHTED) the final result is a more complete reference dictionary. Now with over 8800 entries (and still growing), Roger’s Reference Dictionary is by far the most complete dictionary of homonyms and homophones now available. So, while it is not possible to please everybody all of the time, I hope that this edition will find even more favor with all students, teachers, language lovers and word gamers. Contributions from readers are greatly appreciated, including notification of any errors or omissions. A free copy is your reward.

Sincerely,

Roger J. Burke. Educational Multimedia Publishing (EMP) http://rogersreference.com

1. Roger’s Reference: Commonly Confused Words

Commonly Confused Words Word and Meaning with Commonly Confused Words indented on next line abrade = wear down/off 'abraid' & 'upbraid'

burger = sandwich with meat 'burgher'

ensure = make sure to get 'insure'

abraid = awake/arouse 'abrade' & 'upbraid'

burgher = German/Dutch citizen 'burger'

errant = doing wrong/straying 'arrant'

accede = agree 'exceed'

can't = can not 'cant'

erupt = burst out 'irrupt'

accept = take the offer 'except'

cant = insincere 'can't'

essay = written composition 'assay'

addition = sum/increase 'edition'

caries = decayed animal tissue 'carries'

exalt = praise/glorify 'exult'

advice = notification/opinion 'advise'

carries = bears/transports 'caries'

exceed = go beyond/is greater 'accede'

advise = help/recommend 'advice'

cirrus = type of high clouds 'serous'

except = exclude/apart 'accept'

affect = cause/impress 'effect'

clench = press/grasp firmly 'clinch'

exercise = physical exertion 'exorcise'

aisle = passage between pews 'I'll' & 'isle'

clinch = settle/make conclusive 'clench'

exorcise = drive out evil spirit 'exercise'

allay = make less/alleviate 'ally'

confidant = bosom friend/lover 'confident'

extant = still existing 'extent'

allude = refer to 'elude'

confident = self-assured/bold 'confidant'

extent = area/amount/degree 'extant'

allusive = being indirect 'elusive' & 'illusive'

corespondent = accused adulterer 'correspondent'

exult = feel great joy 'exalt'

ally = unite/join 'allay'

correspondent = journalist 'corespondent'

eyed = looked at 'I'd' & 'ide'

appose = apply/confront 'oppose'

cosher = pamper/coddle 'kosher'

faker = one who swindles 'fakir'

appraise = judge quality of 'apprise'

disburse = pay out money 'disperse'

fakir = Hindu beggar/ascetic 'faker'

apprise = inform/teach 'appraise'

discomfit = disconcert/embarrass 'discomfort'

forbear = control/abstain from 'forebear'

arrant = notorious 'errant'

discomfort = uneasiness/worry 'discomfit'

forebear = ancestor 'forbear'

assay = test ore for metal 'essay'

disperse = scatter/break up 'disburse'

gored = pierced with horns 'gourd'

bazaar = a marketplace 'bizarre'

edition = a published text 'addition'

gorilla = large primate of Africa 'guerilla'

biannual = twice per year 'biennial'

effect = result/meaning 'affect'

gourd = cup from fruit husk 'gored'

biennial = every two years 'biannual'

elude = avoid/escape from 'allude'

grisly = horrifying/terrifying 'gristly'

bizarre = weird/strange/odd 'bazaar'

elusive = hard to catch 'allusive' & 'illusive'

gristly = very tough (of meat) 'grisly'

bouillon = broth/soup 'bullion'

emigrate = leave one's own country 'immigrate'

guerrilla = secret, irregular army 'gorilla'

bullion = gold/silver bars 'bouillon'

eminent = distinguished 'immanent' & 'imminent'

handmade = made by hand 'handmaid' Page 1 of 3

Commonly Confused Words Word and Meaning with Commonly Confused Words indented on next line handmaid = female servant 'handmade'

irrupt = burst in 'erupt'

merlon = part of a parapet 'merlin'

heal = recover health 'he'll' & 'heel'

isle = a small island 'I'll' & 'aisle'

metamer = an isomeric compound 'metamere'

he'd = he would/he had 'heed'

it's = it is 'its'

metemere = segment of caterpillar 'metamer'

heed = take note of 'he'd'

its = possessive of 'it' it's

millenary = about the millennium 'millinery'

heel = back of foot 'he'll' & 'heal'

jewel = precious stone 'joule'

millinery = women's hat making 'millenary'

he'll = he will/he shall 'heel' & 'heal'

joule = unit of energy 'jewel'

moor = tie up ship/open ground 'more'

I'd = I would/I had 'ide' & 'eyed'

kosher = clean, for Jewish faith 'cosher'

mordant = incisive/corrosive 'mordent'

ide = a fish like carp 'I'd' & 'eyed'

lends = loans out something 'lens'

mordent = a notation in music 'mordant'

I'll = I will 'isle' & 'aisle'

lens = light focusing device 'lends'

more = additional/greater 'moor'

illusive = deceptive 'allusive' & 'elusive'

lesser = smaller in size 'lessor'

mutual = having same relationship 'mutule'

immanent = inherent/actual 'eminent' & 'imminent'

lessor = one who grants lease 'lesser'

mutule = part of a Doric cornice 'mutual'

immigrate = enter country to stay 'emigrate'

liable = responsible for/bound by 'libel'

oppose = resist/against 'appose'

imminent = about to happen 'eminent' & 'immanent'

libel = any false statement 'liable'

ordinance = decree/order 'ordnance'

incite = stir to action; urge on 'insight'

lightening = making less weight 'lightning'

ordnance = heavy guns/artillery 'ordinance'

inequity = unfairness/injustice 'iniquity'

lightning = electric storm in cloud 'lightening'

panda = a black/white bear of China 'pander'

iniquity = great wickedness 'inequity'

loath = unwilling/reluctant 'loathe'

pander = a pimp or procurer 'panda'

insight = understanding/knowledge 'incite'

loathe = abhor/detest 'loath'

parish = a church district 'perish'

insolate = expose to the sun 'insulate'

mandatary = a country with mandate 'mandatory'

pecten = comblike part of an animal 'pectin'

insulate = prevent/isolate 'insolate'

mandatory = compulsory 'mandatary'

pecten = like teeth of comb 'pectin'

insure = take out insurance 'ensure'

material = consisting of matter 'materiel'

pectin = cellulose of ripe fruit 'pecten'

interment = a burial 'internment'

materiel = equipment & supplies 'material'

pectin = substance added to jelly 'pecten'

internment = detention in prison 'interment'

mattrass = a glass container 'mattress'

perish = die/ruin 'parish'

interstate = common to states 'intestate'

mattress = casing for bed 'mattrass'

personal = of/by oneself 'personnel'

intestate = die, with no valid will 'interstate'

merlin = a small falcon 'merlon'

personnel = employees 'personal' Page 2 of 3

Commonly Confused Words Word and Meaning with Commonly Confused Words indented on next line pidgin = any mixed language 'pigeon'

tens = sets of ten 'tends'

weal = wound from whip 'we'll' & 'wheel'

pigeon = common type of bird 'pidgin'

their = possessive of 'they' 'they're' & 'there'

wear = put on clothes 'we're' & 'where'

plait = interlace hair/rope etc 'plate'

there = at that place 'they're' & 'their'

weave = interlace thread 'we've'

plate = a flat shallow dish 'plait'

they're = they are 'their' & 'there'

we'd = we would/we had 'weed'

premier = first in position 'premiere'

tonight = during this night 'tonite'

weed = unwanted plant/flower 'we'd'

premiere = first public performance 'premier'

tonite = a high explosive 'tonight'

we'll = we will/we shall 'wheel' & 'weal'

prescribe = order/lay down rule 'proscribe'

tuba = brass musical instrument 'tuber'

we're = we are 'wear' & 'where'

profit = gain/benefit 'prophet'

tuber = underground stem of plant 'tuba'

we've = we have 'weave'

prophet = one who foretells 'profit'

upbraid = reproach/chide 'abrade' & 'abraid'

wheel = circular disc on axle 'we'll' & 'weal'

proscribe = condemn/forbid 'prescribe'

valance = fancy border/curtain 'valence'

where = at what place 'we're' & 'wear'

residence = place to live 'residents'

valence = chemical term 'valance'

who's = who is 'whose'

residents = occupants of place 'residence'

vary = undergo change 'very'

whose = possessive case of 'who' 'who's'

season = one of 4 parts of year 'seisin'

vellum = a fine parchment 'velum'

wort = a herbaceous plant 'wart'

seisin = possession of freehold 'season'

velum = a membrane 'vellum'

yore = olden times 'you're' & 'your'

serous = pertains to serum 'cirrus'

veracious = truthful 'voracious'

you'll = you will/you shall 'yule'

stationary = immobile/at rest 'stationery'

verses = many lines of poetry 'versus'

your = possessive of 'you' 'you're' & 'yore'

stationery = writing paper 'stationary'

versus = opposed/against 'verses'

you're = you are 'yore' & 'your'

surplice = a white vestment 'surplus'

very = extremely/absolutely 'vary'

yule = Christmas time 'you'll'

surplus = remainder/excess 'surplice'

vice = an evil practice 'vise'

tacet = is silent 'tacit'

virtu = knowledge of art/curios 'virtue'

tacit = unspoken/not stated 'tacet'

virtue = having moral value 'virtu'

talesman = jury person 'talisman'

vise = a tool for gripping 'vice'

talisman = magical figurine 'talesman'

voracious = greedy for food 'veracious'

tends = minds/watches over 'tens'

wart = hard lump on skin 'wort' Page 3 of 3

2. Roger’s Reference Main Dictionary

• • • • • • • • • • • •

‘A’ words ‘B’ words ‘C’ words ‘D’ words ‘E’ words ‘F’ words ‘G’ words ‘H’ words ‘I’ words ‘J’ words ‘K’ words ‘L’ words

• • • • • • • • • • • •

‘M’ words ‘N’ words ‘O’ words ‘P’ words ‘Q’ words ‘R’ words ‘S’ words ‘T’ words ‘U’ words ‘V’ words ‘W’ words ‘X, Y & Z’ words

'A' Words 1 a

'eh'

indefinite article, used before nouns.

aback 1. (nautical) with sails pressed onto a mast by the wind. 2. disagreeably astonished i.e. taken aback.

abate 1. (obsolete) demolish. 2. (legal) put an end to; lessen; deduct.

abated 1. (obsolete) demolished. 2. (legal) put an end to; lessened; deducted

abatement 1. (obsolete) a demolishment. 2. (legal) a reduction/lessening.

abatements 1. (legal) reductions; lessenings. 2. (obsolete) demolishments.

abates 1. (legal) puts an end to; lessens; deducts. 2. (obsolete) demolishes.

abating 1. (legal) putting an end to; lessening; deducting. 2. (obsolete) demolishing

abduction 1. carry away person/thing by force. 2. (medical) a muscular action. 3. (logic) a syllogism whose major premise is certain but whose minor premise is probable.

abductor 1. one who carries off by force; a kidnapper. 2. a muscle that draws away.

abide 1. bear patiently; tolerate. 2. remain; continue to be.

abided 1. bore patiently; tolerated. 2. remained; continued to be.

abides 1. bears patiently; tolerates. 2. remains; continues to be.

abiding 1. bearing patiently; tolerating. 2. remaining; continuing to be.

ablative 1. (grammar) denoting case e.g. the ablative case. 2. a substance which erodes/disintegrates when heated.

aboard 1. on a ship/car/train etc. 2. (archaic) to accost/approach. 3. gone astray.

about 1. all around; at a certain point. 2. concerning; in relation to. 3. change a ship's course.

abrade

'abraid'

wear down or off.

abraded

'abraided'

worn down or off.

abrades

'abraids'

wears down or off.

abrading

'abraiding'

wearing down or off.

abraid

'abrade'

to awake/rouse.

abraided

'abraded'

awoken; roused.

abraiding

'abrading'

awakening; rousing.

abraids

'abrades'

awakes; rouses.

absolute 1. free from imperfection/restriction/limitation. 2. arbitrary; despotic; supreme. 3. (legal) unconditional; having full effect.

absorb 1. wholly engross. 2. take up/suck up liquid (e.g. into a sponge).

absorbed 1. was wholly engrossed in something. 2. took up/sucked up liquid (e.g. into a sponge).

absorbing 1. being wholly engrossed in something. 2. taking up/sucking up liquid (e.g. into a sponge).

absorbs 1. wholly engrosses. 2. takes up/sucks up liquid (e.g. into a sponge).

absorption 1. preoccupation; total concentration. 2. assimilation; sucking up or drawing in a liquid.

abstract 1. a summary. 2. theoretical; conceptual; abstruse.

2 abstraction 1. an abstract quality or character; an idea. 2. a withdrawal from worldly things.

abstractions 1. abstract qualities or characters/ideas. 2. withdrawals from worldly things.

abundance 1. an overflowing quantity or supply. 2. in solo whist, a call of nine tricks.

acaroid 1. a resin extruded from an Australian grasstree. 2. resembling an acarid (i.e. a mite, a tick).

acceptor 1. one who, or thing that, accepts. 2. a horse that has qualified to enter a race.

acceptors 1. those who, or things, that accept. 2. horses that have qualified to enter a race.

accidence

'accidents'

that part of grammar concerning word inflexion.

accidents

'accidence'

a number of mishaps/unforeseen events.

acclamation

'acclimation'

applause.

acclimation

'acclamation'

adaptation; getting used to climate etc

accolade 1. a sign/recognition. 2. in music, a vertical line or brace.

accommodate 1. reconcile/settle dispute. 2. find lodging. 3. adjust (of eyes).

accommodated 1. lodged. 2. reconciled. 3. eyes adjusted to a specific reading distance.

accommodates 1. reconciles/settles a dispute. 2. finds lodging. 3. adjusts (of the eyes).

accommodating 1. reconciling. 2. lodging. 3. adjusting (of eyes).

accommodation 1. ability of eyes to adjust. 2. lodging. 3. reconciliation.

accommodations 1. lodgings. 2. reconciliations.

account

1. count; calculate. 2. estimation (of person/thing). 3. report; narration.

accounted 1. counted; calculated. 2. estimated. 3. reported; narrated.

accounting 1. counting; calculating. 2. estimating. 3. reporting; narrating.

accounts 1. counts; calculates. 2. estimates. 3. reports; narrations.

accusative 1. (grammar) pertaining to the objective case. 2. with an accusing manner.

ace 1. the one on dice/card. 2. a winning tennis serve. 3. a skilled airman. 4. (slang) a hairsbreadth.

acephalous 1. headless. 2. verse wanting the regular 1st syllable.

aces 1. (slang) hairsbreadths. 2. skilled airmen. 3. winning tennis serves. 4. the one on dies/cards.

acid 1. a corrosive chemical compound e.g. nitric acid. 2. (colloquial) a term for the drug LSD.

acorn 1. the seed or fruit of the oak. 2. (nautical) a small, cone-shaped, ornamental piece of wood on the masthead.

acorns 1. seeds or fruit of the oak. 2. (nautical) small, cone-shaped, ornamental pieces of wood on mastheads.

acquit 1. declare a person 'not guilty' at court. 2. settle a debt.

acquits 1. declares a person 'not guilty' at court. 2. settles a debt.

acquitted 1. declared a person 'not guilty' at court. 2. settled a debt.

acquitting 1. declaring a person 'not guilty' at court. 2. settling a debt.

3 acre

admits

1. a unit of land measurement, 4840 square yards. 2. (colloquial) the buttocks/anus.

active 1. working; effective; energetic. 2. pertaining to transitive/intransitive verbs.

acute 1. sharp; severe; crucial. 2. (geometry) an angle of less than 90 degrees. 3. (grammar) having a particular accent.

ad

'add'

abbreviation for advertisement.

adamant 1. a thing impenetrably hard. 2. refuse compliance.

add

'ad'

accumulate; put with; join; unite; combine.

adder

adders 1. viper snakes. 2. those who add; machines for adding.

address 1. the place where you live. 2. a speech. 3. adjust golf club before playing stroke. 4. act of dispatching a ship.

adulterine 1. (rhetorical) spurious; false. 2. (rhetorical) pertaining to adultery.

adverse 1. opposed to/not favorable. 2. (botany) facing the main axis.

advert 1. turn attention to; refer to; make remark. 2. abbreviation for 'advertisement'.

'adherence'

1. an officer assigned to help a commanding officer. 2. a large Indian stork or crane.

adjutants 1. large Indian storks or cranes. 2. officers assigned to help commanding officers.

admiral 1. a chief commander of a navy. 2. a type of butterfly. 3. a type of cone-shell.

admirals 1. chief commanders of navy. 2. a type of butterflies. 3. a type of cone-shells.

'adds'

tool for cutting away surface of wood.

aerial

'ariel'

1. of/about the air; lofty; airy; of aircraft. 2. a metal/wire antenna.

aerie

'airy'

1. the nest of a bird of prey, e.g the eagle. 2. (poetry) visionary; spiritual.

afear

'affeer'

to frighten.

affair

supporters; followers.

1. allow access/entrance. 2. accept as valid/true.

1. allowing access/entrance. 2. accepting as valid/true.

'adherents'

adjutant

admit

admitting

'adze'

steady devotion/support/allegiance.

adherents

1. allowed access/entrance. 2. accepted as valid/true.

afeared

join/sum.

adherence

admitted

adze

1. a viper snake. 2. one who adds; a machine for adding.

adds

1. allows access/entrance. 2. accepts as valid/true.

'affeered'

afraid. 1. an event/operation; a function/business. 2. an illicit sexual relationship with a married person.

affairs 1. events; operations; functions; businesses. 2. illicit sexual relationships with married persons.

affect 1. practice; use; assume. 2. attack; move; touch.

affectation 1. artificial display/pretension in behavior. 2. declared occupation/employment.

affectations 1. declared occupations/employments. 2. artificial displays/pretensions in behavior.

affected 1. artificially assumed/displayed. 2. attacked by disease; moved by feelings.

affecting 1. practicing; using; assuming. 2. attacking; moving; touching.

4 a trouble/sickness; an affliction.

affects 1. practices; uses; assumes. 2. attacks; moves; touches.

affeer

'afear'

to assess.

affeered

'afeared'

troubles; sicknesses; afflictions.

air

'heir', 'ere', 'eyre' & 'are'

1. the stuff we breathe. 2. appearance; mien; gesture. 1. (colloquial) a scatterbrained or frivolous person. 2. (military) a secure area used for supply/troop drops.

affluent 1. wealthy. 2. tributary stream.

afford

airheads

1. have the means. 2. yield supply of (of things).

afforded 1. had the means. 2. (of things) yielded supply of.

1. (military) secure areas used for supply/troop drops. 2. (colloquial) scatterbrained or frivolous persons.

airless

'heirless'

stuffy; still; without air.

affording 1. having the means. 2. (of things) yielding supply of.

airs

1. has the means. 2. (of things) yields supply of.

affront

'heirs' & 'eyres'

appearances; gestures etc.

airy

affords

'aerie'

light; breezy; fresh.

ais

'ays' & 'eyes'

a number of three-toed South American sloths.

1. an offensive act/insult; show open disrespect. 2. confront; meet face to face.

affronts

aisle

aggravate 1. increase gravity of burden/offence. 2. exasperate a person.

aggravated 1. increased the gravity of a burden/offence. 2. exasperated a person.

aggravates 1. increases the gravity of a burden/offence. 2. exasperates a person.

'isle'

passage between rows of pews.

aisles

1. offensive acts; insults; shows open disrespect. 2. confronts; meets face to face.

'isles'

passages between rows of pews.

ait

'ate' & 'eight'

1. a small island. 2. Scotch form of oat.

ajar 1. slightly open. 2. in a discordant state.

alamode 1. according to fashion. 2. a wispy, glossy silk.

ale

'ail'

an alcoholic drink.

aggravating 1. increasing the gravity of a burden/offence. 2. exasperating a person.

ales

'ails'

alcoholic drinks.

alien

aggregate 1. collect/bring to the total; sum up. 2. broken stone used in making concrete.

1. foreign. 2. transfer ownership.

alight

aggregates 1. broken stones used in making concrete. 2. collects; brings to a total; sums up.

1. dismount. 2. on fire; kindled; lighted up.

alimonies

agin 1. (colloquial) against; opposed to. 2. (colloquial) again.

'ay', 'eye' & 'I'

the three-toed South American sloth.

ail

'ales'

airhead

confirmed; assessed.

ai

ails

'ale'

1. allowances due to spouses. 2. nourishments.

alimony 1. nourishment. 2. allowance due to one spouse.

5 all

'awl' & 'orle'

alters

the whole amount.

amate

1. calm; quell; alleviate. 2. dilute; mix with; alloy.

1. (Spenser) to match. 2. (archaic) to dismay or daunt.

allayed 1. calmed; quelled; alleviated. 2. diluted; mixed with; alloyed.

allaying 1. calming; quelling; alleviating. 2. diluting; mixing with; alloying

allays 1. calms; quells; alleviates. 2. dilutes; mixes with; alloys.

'alligation'

unproved assertion/citation.

allegations

'alligations'

unproved assertions/citations. 1. a narrow passage/back lane. 2. a favorite marble or taw.

alleys 1. narrow passages; back lanes. 2. favorite marbles or taws.

'allegation'

a conjunction/joining together.

alligations

'allegations'

conjunctions; joinings together.

allowance 1. permission/tolerance. 2. supply in limited quantity.

allowances 1. permissions; tolerances. 2. a supply in limited quantities.

allowed

'aloud'

permitted; admitted.

alms

'arms'

donations to the poor.

'allowed'

loudly; not in a whisper. 1. a high tone (of voice or musical instrument). 2. a stop/rest/halt.

'alter'

a flat topped block for making offerings.

'alters'

flat topped blocks for making offerings (usually in religious ceremonies).

alter

1. cautionary traffic lights. 2. translucent fossil resins.

ambo 1. a raised desk used when reading sermons. 2. (colloquial) an ambulance officer.

amend

'amende'

add to; modify; alter.

amende

'amend'

amove 1. (Spenser) to rouse or stir up. 2. (legal) to remove.

amoved 1. (Spenser) roused or stirred up. 2. (legal) removed.

amoves 1. (Spenser) rouses or stirs up. 2. (legal) removes.

amoving 1. (Spenser) rousing or stirring up. 2. (legal) removing.

amygdala 1. (obsolete) an almond. 2. part of the limbic system of the brain.

ana 1. miscellaneous information e.g. gossip/tabletalk. 2. (medical) in equal quantities; of each.

'annalist'

analysts

'annalists'

those people skilled in analysis.

analyze

'annalize'

separate; examine; determine.

anaphora

alt

altars

ambers

a person skilled in analysis.

1. together; with. 2. at full length; lengthwise. 3. (archaic) on account.

altar

1. translucent fossil resin. 2. cautionary traffic light.

analyst

along

aloud

amber

an apology/a retraction.

alley

alligation

'altars'

changes in character/position/dimensions etc.

allay

allegation

change in character/position.

'altar'

1. the repetition of a word or phrase as a literary device. 2. part of the liturgy of the Greek Orthodox Church.

anarchist 1. one who advocates anarchy/promotes disorder. 2. (colloquial) a match, for lighting a fire etc.

anarchists

6 1. those who advocate anarchy/promote disorder. 2. (colloquial) matches, for lighting fires etc.

anchor

'anker'

1. the weight used to secure a vessel to the sea bottom. 2. (colloquial) a supportive person who can be relied upon.

ancient 1. very old; an old thing or person. 2. (obsolete) an ensign; a flag.

ancon 1. the elbow. 2. a console for use as a door cornice support. 3. a short-legged sheep.

ancones 1. elbows. 2. consoles for use as door cornice supports. 3. short-legged sheep.

angel 1. a heavenly messenger from God. 2. (slang) a financial backer. 3. (history) an old English gold coin. 4. a radar echo from an invisible target.

angels 1. heavenly messengers from God. 2. (slang) financial backers. 3. (history) old English gold coins. 4. radar echoes from invisible targets. 5. a code meaning aircraft altitude

anker

'anchor'

a measure of liquid.

annalist

'analyst'

a writer of tales/stories.

annalists

'analysts' 'analyze'

record in annals.

ant

'aunt'

a type of insect.

ante

'anti' 'ante'

against; opposed.

ants

ape 1. tailless monkey. 2. imitate; mimic.

apes 1. imitates; mimics. 2. tailless monkeys.

apostrophe 1. exclamatory address. 2. the possessive case; the sign of omission of a letter.

apostrophes 1. exclamatory addresses. 2. possessive cases; signs of omission of letters.

appal 1. (obsolete) pale or flat. 2. horrify; is awful.

appalled 1. (obsolete) went pale or flat. 2. horrified; was awful.

appalling 1. (obsolete) going pale or flat. 2. horrifying; awful.

appals 1. (obsolete) goes pale or flat. 2. horrifies; is awful.

apparent 1. obvious; conspicuous; able to be seen. 2. (Shakespeare) heir-apparent.

appeal 1. make earnest request. 2. prove attractive. 1. made an earnest request. 2. proved to be attractive.

appealing 1. making earnest request. 2. proving attractive.

appeals

the stake in a card game.

anti

'appetite'

a common mineral, calcium fluorophosate.

appealed

writers of stories/tales.

annalize

apatite

'aunts'

a type of insects.

anvil 1. an iron/steel block on which metal objects are hammered. 2. (anatomy) the incus, one of the bones of the middle ear.

anvils 1. iron/steel blocks on which metal objects are hammered. 2. (anatomy) incudes, bones of middle ears.

1. makes an earnest request. 2. proves to be attractive.

appetite

'apatite'

a desire for food; satisfy a want.

application 1. employment of means to accomplish a task. 2. a request made verbally/in writing.

applications 1. requests made verbally/in writing. 2. employment/uses of means.

applied 1. employed; used. 2. requested verbally/in writing.

7 applies 1. makes a submission for a job/position. 2. administers; devotes; makes use of.

apply 1. administer; devote; make use of. 2. make a submission for a job/position.

applying 1. employing; using. 2. requesting verbally/in writing.

appointments 1. engagements; assignations. 2. outfits; furnishings; equipments.

appose 1. confront; examine. 2. apply (e.g. a seal or stamp).

apposed 1. confronted; examined. 2. applied (e.g. a seal or stamp).

apposes 1. confronts; examines. 2. applies (e.g. a seal or stamp).

apposing 1. confronting; examining. 2. applying (e.g. a seal or stamp).

appreciate 1. be sensitive to; esteem highly. 2. rise in money value.

appreciated 1. was sensitive to; esteemed highly. 2. rose in money value.

appreciates 1. is sensitive to; esteems highly. 2. rises in money value.

appreciating 1. being sensitive to; esteeming highly. 2. rising in money value.

appreciation 1. judgment; perception. 2. rise in money value.

apprehend 1. lay hold of; seize. 2. understand; consider; recognize.

apprehended 1. laid hold of; seized. 2. understood; considered; recognized.

apprehending 1. laying hold of; seizing. 2. understanding; considering; recognizing.

apprehends 1. lays hold of; seizes. 2. understands; considers; recognizes.

apprehension 1. the act of arresting; seizing.

2. a perception/sense of understanding. 3. a feeling of fear; an uncertainty.

apprise

'apprize'

inform; tell; give notice to.

apprised

'apprized'

informed; told; gave notice to.

apprises

'apprizes'

informs; tells; gives notice to.

apprising

'apprizing'

informing; telling; giving notice to.

apprize

'apprise'

value; appreciate in value.

apprized

'apprised'

valued; appreciated in value.

apprizes

'apprises'

values; appreciates in value.

apprizing

'apprising'

valuing; appreciating in value.

approve 1. confirm; ratify; grant. 2. (legal) increase the value of

approved 1. confirmed; ratified; granted. 2. (legal) increased the value of

approves 1. confirms; ratifies; grants. 2. (legal) increases the value of.

approving 1. confirming; ratifying; granting. 2. (legal) increasing the value of

apps

'apse'

abbreviation for computer application programs.

apron 1. garment worn to protect clothes. 2. hard surface area on airfield.

aprons 1. garments worn to protect clothes. 2. hard surface areas on airfields.

apse

'apps'

(architecture) a vaulted semi-circular recess.

apt 1. inclined/disposed/prone to do something. 2. quick to learn. 3. suitable for the purpose. 4. (archaic) prepared; ready; willing.

arabesque 1. a fantastic sculpture/ornament. 2. a musical piece; a particular pose in ballet.

arbalest (arbalist) 1. a medieval crossbow. 2. an early instrument to measure altitude of sun/stars.

arbalests (arbalists)

8 1. medieval crossbows. 2. early instruments to measure altitude of sun/stars.

arbor (arbour) 1. a tree/beam; an axis. 2. (obsolete) a grass plot/grassy seat.

arc

'ark'

1. part of circumference of circle. 2. electrical bridge formed between two poles.

arch

'arks'

1. electrical bridges between poles. 2. parts of the circumference of a circle.

are (1)

'r'

plural present indicative of 'to be'.

are (2)

'air','ere', 'heir' & 'eyre'

a unit of metric measurement, 100 square meters.

ariel

'aerial'

a type of gazelle.

ark

'arc'

1. a chest/box. 2. covered floating vessel of Noah.

arks

'arcs'

1. chests; boxes. 2. covered floating vessels, like Noah's.

armature 1. arms/armor, in general. 2. essential part of dynamo.

armatures 1. arms/armors, in general. 2. essential parts of dynamos.

armlet 1. a black mourning band worn on the sleeve. 2. a little arm of a river/sea/lake.

armlets 1. black mourning bands worn on sleeves. 2. little arms of rivers/sea/lakes.

armor (armour) 1. defensive covering. 2. diver's suit. 3. heraldic insignia.

arms

1. dressing oneself up. 2. marshalling; disposing; impaneling.

arrays 1. dresses oneself up. 2. marshals; disposes; impanels.

arrest 1. a stop/check/legal seizure. 2. catch attention of.

arrested

1. curved structure. 2. chief; pre-eminent. 3. facetiously serious.

arcs

arraying

1. stopped/checked for an offence; legally seized. 2. caught attention of.

arresting 1. stopping; checking; a legal seizing. 2. catching attention of.

arrests 1. stops; checks; legal seizures. 2. catches attention of.

arson 1. (obsolete) a saddlebow. 2. the crime of illegal burning of any property/thing.

as

'ass'

ancient Roman copper coin.

ascent

'assent'

a climb/rise; an upward movement.

ascents

'assents'

climbs; rises; upward movements.

ash 1. tree with gray bark. 2. residue after combustion. 3. the name of the old English letter 'ae'.

ashen 1. of an ash tree; made of ash. 2. deathly pale (usually of a person).

ashes 1. residues after combustion. 2. trees with gray bark.

ashy 1. of ash; made of ashes. 2. ashen in color (of a person).

ask 'alms'

1. upper limbs of body. 2. weapons/ammunition, in genral.

array 1. marshal; dispose; impanel. 2. dress oneself up.

arrayed 1. dressed oneself up. 2. marshaled; disposed; impaneled.

1. seek; beseech; inquire. 2. (dialectic) a newt.

asks 1. seeks; beseeches; inquires. 2. (dialectic) many newts.

asp 1. a type of tree. 2. a type of venomous snake.

asperate make/become rough.

'aspirate'

9 asperation

'aspiration'

making/becoming rough.

astragalus

aspic 1. a venomous snake. 2. a savory meat-jelly. 3. the wide-leaved lavender.

aspirate

'asperate'

1. articulate with an h-sound. 2. inhale.

aspiration

'asperation'

1. high hope; eager desire. 2. the full breathing of a word when pronounced.

aspirations 1. high hopes; eager desires. 2. the full breathing of words when pronounced.

aspro 1. (colloquial) an associate professor. 2. (colloquial) a male prostitute.

asps 1. a type of trees. 2. a type of venomous snakes.

ass

'as'

1. a long eared mammal, related to horse; a donkey. 2. (colloquial) the posterior/buttocks/bottom.

assent

'ascent' 'ascents'

concurrences; sanctions.

assistance

'assistants'

help; aid.

assistants

1. a bone of the ankle. 2. a genus of leguminous shrub.

astringent 1. unpleasantly dry/hard (of wines). 2. (medical) contracting; constricting.

ate

'assistance'

helpers.

assize 1. a statute of measures and prices. 2. (Scottish) trial by jury.

assizes 1. statutes of measures and prices. 2. (Scottish) trials by jury.

assoil 1. (archaic) acquit; release; dispel. 2. make dirty; sully.

assoiled 1. (archaic) acquitted; released; dispelled. 2. made dirty; sullied.

assoiling 1. (archaic) acquitting; releasing; dispelling.. 2. making dirty; sullying.

assoils 1. (archaic) acquits; releases; dispels. 2. makes dirty; sullies.

assumption 1. a supposition/presumption.

'eight' & 'ait'

consumed; ingested.

atlas 1. a book of maps etc. 2. the vertebra that supports the head. 3. silk-satin made in the East.

atlases 1. books of maps etc. 2. vertebrae that support heads. 3. silk-satins made in the East.

attend 1. visit; accompany. 2. pay attention to; apply oneself to; care for.

attendance

'attendants'

waiting on; attending to; being present.

attendant 1. a servant; an employee. 2. (rhetorical) an accompaniment; a companion.

attendants

a concurrence/sanction.

assents

2. (biblical) the bodily rise of the Virgin Mary to heaven.

'attendance'

things/persons who are present/accompany/wait on.

attended 1. visited; accompanied. 2. paid attention to; applied oneself to; cared for.

attending 1. visiting; accompanying. 2. paying attention to; applying oneself to; caring for.

attends 1. visits; accompanies. 2. pays attention to; applies oneself to; cares for.

attention 1. mental concentration. 2. care; mend; service; notice. 3. (military) a formal position of readiness. 4. used as a warning e.g. Attention!

attercop 1. (dialectic) an ill-natured person. 2. (obsolete) a spider.

attercops 1. (obsolete) spiders. 2. (dialectic) ill-natured persons.

attrition 1. (theology) an imperfect act of contrition. 2. a wearing away; an exhaustion; a loss of strength.

auger

'augur'

10 a tool for drilling.

augers

yes; affirmative answer.

'augurs'

tools for drilling.

aught

'auger'

anticipate; forebode.

augurs

'augers'

anticipates; forebodes.

aunt

'ant'

an uncle's wife.

aunts

'ants'

uncles' wives.

aural

'oral'

1. relating/pertaining to the ear. 2. relating/pertaining to the air.

aureole

'oriole'

a halo of light around a planet/star; a corona.

autarchy

'autarky'

absolute power.

autarky

'autarchy'

self-sufficiency.

avail

'avale'

to be of use/benefit/service.

avale

'avail'

to lower/come down/alight.

avaunt 1. (Shakespeare) a term of dismissal. 2. (Spenser) a boast.

away

'a-weigh'

not here; gone; not at this place.

awe 1. reverential fear or wonder. 2. a float board of a waterwheel.

a-weigh

'away'

up anchor; raising of the anchor.

awful 1. inspiring awe/wonder. 2. (slang) very bad/ugly/atrocious.

awl

'all' & 'orle'

small hand tool for pricking.

axel

'axle' & 'axil'

a type of spinning jump by an ice skater.

axil

'axle' & 'axel'

the angle between a leaf stem and the branch.

axis 1. a straight line about which a thing rotates. 2. a white-spotted deer of India.

axle

'axel' & 'axil'

the connecting shaft between two or more wheels.

ay (aye)

'eyes' & 'ais'

yeses; affirmative answers.

'ought'

anything.

augur

ays (ayes)

'eye', 'I' & 'ai'

'B' Words 11 b

'be' & 'bee'

the 2nd letter of the alphabet.

baa

'bar' & 'barre' 'bard' & 'barred'

the sound made by sheep.

baas

'bars'

many cries of sheep.

babbler 1. one who talks incessantly. 2. a bird like a thrush.

babblers 1. those who talk incessantly. 2. birds like thrushes.

babe 1. an infant; a baby; a young child. 2. a self-reflection in pupil of another's eye.

babes 1. infants; babies; young children. 2. self-reflections in the pupils of others' eyes.

bach

'batch'

(colloquial) a bachelor.

bachelor 1. an unmarried man. 2. a young knight following the banner of another. 1. unmarried men. 2. young knights following the banner of another.

badgers 1. gray-coated nocturnal animals. 2. hawkers of provisions. 3. teases; worries; annoys.

baffle 1. perplex; confuse. 2. hinder/bar passage of/to. 3. a plate/grill used to deflect loose material/sound/light/gas etc

baffled 1. perplexed. 2. barred; hindered.

baffles 1. perplexes; confuses. 2. bars; hinders. 3. plates/grills used to deflect loose material/sound/light/gas etc.

baffling 1. perplexing; confusing. 2. hindering/blocking/barring passage. 1. a coarse Oriental fabric. 2. (nautical) behind; astern.

bag

back 1. the hinder part of the body. 2. assist with money or argument. 3. move away from the front. 4. shallow vat used in brewing.

backed 1. assisted with money or argument. 2. moved away from the front.

backing 1. assisting with money or argument. 2. moving away from the front.

backs 1. assists with money or argument. 2. moves away from the front. 3. shallow vats used in brewing. 4. the hinder parts of bodies.

'baken'

hog's flesh, particularly the back and side.

bad

1. tease; worry; annoy. 2. gray-coated nocturnal animal. 3. hawker of provisions.

baft

bachelors

bacon

'bad'

beseech; ask; request.

badger

the cry of sheep.

baaed

evil; not good.

bade

'bade'

1. receptacle of flexible material with opening. 2. (nautical) drop away from course. 3. hang loosely. 4. steal. 5. (school slang) claim to be first. 6. cut wheat with hook.

bagatelle 1. a trifle/thing of little consequence. 2. a light piece of music. 3. a game using balls and a cue.

bagatelles 1. trifles; things of little consequence. 2. light pieces of music.

bagged 1. (nautical) dropped away from a course. 2. (school slang) claimed to be first. 3. cut wheat with a hook. 4. hung loosely. 5. put into receptacles of flexible material.

12 6. stole.

bait

bagging 1. (nautical) dropping away from a course. 2. (school slang) claiming to be first. 3. cutting wheat with a hook. 4. hanging loosely. 5. putting into receptacles of flexible material. 6. stealing.

bags 1. (nautical) drops away from a course. 2. (school slang) claims to be first. 3. cuts wheat with a hook. 4. hangs loosely. 5. receptacles of flexible material with opening. 6. steals.

baguette 1. (architecture) a small rounded molding. 2. a gem cut into a long rectangular shape.

baguettes

'bale'

1. security for prisoner's appearance. 2. outer line of castle's fortification. 3. bar separating horses in open stable. 4. one of cross-pieces on stumps. 5. half-hoop handle of kettle. 6. (archaic) confine. 7. throw out water; jump out from a plane.

bailed

'baled'

1. (archaic) confined. 2. secured a prisoner's appearance. 3. thrown out liquid, usually from a boat; jumped from a plane with a parachute.

bailer

'bailor' & 'baler'

the ball that hits the bails at cricket.

bailey

'bailie'

outer wall of castle.

bailie

'bailey'

Scottish municipal magistrate.

bailing

'baling'

1. (archaic) confining. 2. securing a prisoner's appearance. 3. throwing out liquid, usually from a boat; jumping from plane with a parachute.

bailor

'bailer' & 'baler'

one who delivers goods to another.

bails

baited

'bated'

1. caused to bite. 2. halted for rest/refreshment.

baiting

'bating'

1. causing to bite. 2. halting for rest/refreshment.

baits

'bates'

1. causes to bite. 2. allurements; temptations. 3. halts for rest/refreshments.

baize

'bays' & 'beys'

a coarse woolen stuff used for coverings.

baken

'bacon'

(obsolete) past participle of 'bake'

1. (architecture) small rounded moldings. 2. gems cut into long rectangular shapes.

bail

'bate'

1. cause to bite. 2. an allurement; a temptation. 3. halt for rest/refreshment.

'bales'

1. securities for a prisoner's appearance. 2. the outer lines of a castle's fortification. 3. bars separating horses in an open stable. 4. the cross-pieces on the stumps in cricket.. 5. half-hoop handles of a kettle. 6. (archaic) confines. 7. throws out water from a vessel/boat; jumps out from a plane with a parachute.

balance 1. weighing apparatus. 2. difference between debits and credits.

balanced 1. obtained differences between debits and credits. 2. used weighing apparatus.

balances 1. differences between debits and credits. 2. weighing apparatuses.

balancing 1. obtaining differences between debits and credits. 2. using weighing apparatus.

bald

'bawled' & 'balled'

smooth; lacking hair or fur.

balderdash 1. (obsolete) a mixed liquid. 2. idle/senseless talk.

bale

'bail'

1. evil; destruction; woe; pain. 2. make up into package with cord or metal hoop. 3. (archaic) a funeral pyre.

baled

'bailed'

made up into package.

baler

'bailer' & 'bailor'

a machine for scooping up water.

bales

'bails'

1. evils; destructions; woes; pains. 2. makes up grass/hay/things into a package with a cord or metal hoop.

baling making up into bundles.

balk 1. ridge left un-ploughed.

'bailing'

13 2. stumbling block. 3. sanctuary area on billiard table. 4. tie-beam of a house. 5. headline of fishing net.

ball

'bawl'

1. solid or hollow sphere. 2. social assembly for dancing. 3. (slang) muddle.

balled

'bald' & 'bawled'

(slang) ruined; made worse; destroyed.

balling

'bawling'

(slang) muddling; ruining etc.

balls

'bawls'

1. solid or hollow spheres. 2. social assemblies for dancing. 3. (slang) muddles.

balm

'barm'

fragrance.

balmy

'barmy'

fragrant; soft; soothing; mild.

ban 1. curse. 2. prohibit; interdict. 3. viceroy of districts in Hungary/Croatia.

band

'banned'

1. a thing that restrains/binds together. 2. organized company of people with common object. 3. mark with stripes.

bandy 1. throw/pass to and fro. 2. curved hockey stick. 3. Indian cart or buggy. 4. wide apart at the knees.

bang

'bhang'

1. loud noise. 2. cut hair straight across at front.

banger 1. one who bangs things/makes noise by banging. 2. (slang) a noisy old car. 3. (slang) a sausage for eating.

banian 1. a loose shirt/gown/jacket worn in India. 2. a Hindu trader of a particular caste.

bank 1. build up earth/snow; a slope; an inclination. 2. (of car or plane) travel with one side higher. 3. establishment for custody of money. 4. galley-rower's bench.

banked 1. (of car or plane) traveled with one side higher. 2. put money into safe custody 3. built up earth/snow; sloped; inclined.

banker

1. proprietor of private bank. 2. laborer. 3. horse that jumps on and off banks too large to clear. 4. bench for trimming bricks or stone.

bankers 1. benches for trimming bricks/stones. 2. horses that jump on/off banks too large to clear. 3. laborers. 4. proprietors of private banks.

banking 1. (of car or plane) traveling with one side higher. 2. putting money into safe custody. 3. building up earth/snow; sloping; inclining.

banks 1. (of car or plane) travels with one side higher. 2. puts money into safe custody. 3. builds up earth/snow; slopes; inclinations. 4. galley-rowers' benches.

banned

'band'

excluded from; ostracized.

banns

'bans'

notice of marriage.

bans

'banns'

1. curses. 2. prohibits; interdicts. 3. viceroys.

bar

'baa' & 'barre'

1. long piece of rigid material. 2. slip of silver below clasp of medal. 3. barrier of any shape. 4. (music) vertical line across stave. 5. (legal) a plea stopping an action or claim. 6. a counter across which drinks are handed. 7. a large European sea-fish. 8. unit of pressure. 9. (Scottish) an amusing story.

barb 1. beardlike feelers of barbel. 2. chin-piece of nun's head-dress. 3. re-curved point of arrow. 4. (figurative) stinging rebuke; unpleasant remark. 5. breeds of horses/pigeons imported from Barbary.

barbel

'barbell'

large European fish.

barbell

'barbel'

steel bar for weight lifting.

bard

'barred' & 'baaed'

1. early/lyric poet. 2. armor for war-horse.

bare

'bear'

1. empty; scanty; mere. 2. uncover; unsheathe;reveal.

14 2. a unit measuring probability of interaction between nuclear particles.

barely 1. only just; not quite. 2. scantily; nakedly. 3. openly; explicitly.

bares

barnacle 'bears'

uncovers; unsheathes; reveals.

barge 1. flat bottomed boat. 2. lurch or rush heavily.

baring

'bearing'

revealing; uncovering.

barish

'bearish'

somewhat bare. 1. outer sheath of tree trunk. 2. tan. 3. (archaic) quinine. 4. abrade (one's knuckles/shins). 5. three-masted vessel. 6. usual cry of dogs. 7. (slang) cough.

barked 1. (slang) coughed. 2. abraded (one's knuckles/shins). 3. the usual cry of dogs.

barker

1. pincers used to coerce horse for shoeing. 2. (slang) spectacles. 3. arctic geese. 4. cirriped clinging to ship's bottom.

baron

'barren'

1. one of lowest order of nobility. 2. a great merchant in a commodity. 1. permanent buildings for lodging soldiers. 2. hoots; jeers.

barracuda 1. a sea pike/predacious fish. 2. (colloquial) in New Zealand, a long raised loaf of bread.

barrage 1. a dam/damming. 2. large volume of cannon shells.

barratry 1. (nautical) fraud by the captain of the ship. 2. purchase/sale of a Church or State office.

barre

1. noisy assailant. 2. (slang) a pistol/cannon. 3. traveling-show tout.

'bar' & 'baa'

a horizontal rail used for ballet practice.

barred

barkers 1. (slang) pistols; cannons. 2. noisy assailants. 3. traveling-show touts.

barking 1. (slang) coughing. 2. abrading (one's knuckles/shins). 3. the usual crying of dogs.

barks 1. the outer sheaths of a tree trunk. 2. tans. 3. (archaic) quinines. 4. abrades (one's knuckles/shins). 5. three-masted vessels. 6. the usual cries of dogs. 7. (slang) coughs.

barley 1. a type of grain. 2. (Scottish) a truce/breathing space.

'balm'

froth on fermenting malt liquor.

barmy

barnacles

barracks

bark

barm

1. a crustacean attached to ship's bottom. 2. a pincer, as a restraint, for a horse's nose.

'balmy'

1. frothy. 2. wrong in the head/cracked.

barn 1. a building for storing hay/grain/livestock.

'bard' & 'baaed'

1. composed of many lengths of rigid material. 2. prevented; restrained; excluded.

barrel 1. a tube/cylinder/chamber/beer container etc. 2. (colloquial) a hat.

barrels 1. tubes; cylinders; chambers; beer containers etc. 2. (colloquial) hats.

barren

'baron'

empty; without life.

barrister 1. a legal practitioner in court. 2. a tropical climbing plant of eastern Australia.

barrow 1. a grave-mound/hillock. 2. box on wheels for carrying loads. 3. castrated boar. 4. infant's long sleeveless flannel garment.

barrows 1. infant's long sleevless flannel garments. 2. boxes on wheels for carrying loads. 3. castrated boars. 4. grave-mounds; hillocks.

bars

'baas'

1. long pieces of rigid material.

15 2. slips of silver below the clasp of a medal. 3. barriers of any shape. 4. (music) vertical lines across a stave. 5. (legal) pleas stopping an action or a claim. 6. the counters across which drinks are handed. 7. many large European sea-fish. 8. units of atmospheric pressure. 9. (Scottish) amusing stories.

barytone 1. a form of bass viol, with sympathetic strings. 2. (Greek antiquity) having a grave accent on the last syllable.

base

'bass'

1. that on which anything stands or depends. 2. correlative of acid. 3. area where army is situated. 4. starting number for system of numeration. 5. morally low/selfish/mean. 6. menial

based

'baste'

situated/positioned upon/at.

bash 1. beat; strike; smash; collide. 2. (slang) a party/festive occasion.

bashes 1. beats; strikes; smashes; collides. 2. (slang) party/festive occasions.

basil

'bassinet'

(history) a light steel headpiece.

basinets

'bassinets'

(history) light steel headpieces.

bask

'basque'

revel in warmth and light.

bason 1. (archaic) basin. 2. bench for felting hat material.

basque

'bask'

1. language of west Pyrenees. 2. short continuation of bodice below waist.

bass (1) 1. the common perch. 2. inner bark of lime used for mats etc.

bass (2)

'base'

deep sounding; low frequency.

basset 1. short-legged badger dog. 2. obsolete card game. 3. the edge of stratum cropping out.

bassetts 1. edges of strata cropping out. 2. short-legged badger dogs.

'basinet'

a type of cradle for a baby.

bassinets

'basinets'

a type of cradles for babies.

baste

'based'

1. stick together; tack. 2. moisten meat with fat. 3. thrash; cudgel.

basting 1. sewing with temporary stitches. 2. moistening meat while cooking/roasting. 3. beating; thrashing; scolding.

bat

'batt'

1. nocturnal creature with wings. 2. implement for striking a ball. 3. pace of stroke or step. 4. wink an eye.

batch

'bach'

a quantity of something, grouped together.

bate

'bait'

1. let down; restrain; deduct; lessen. 2. alkaline lye for softening hides. 3. rage/strife. 4. (obsolete) be impatient.

bated

'baited'

restrained; deducted; reduced; lessened.

bates

1. kind of aromatic herb. 2. sheepskin tanned in oak or larch bark.

basinet

bassinet

'baits'

1. lets down; restrains; deducts; lessens. 2. alkaline lyes for softening hides. 3. many rages; much strife.

bating

'baiting'

restraining; reducing; deducting; lessening.

bats

'batts'

1. implements for striking balls. 2. nocturnal creatures with wings. 3. a pace of strokes or steps. 4. winks an eye. 5. (colloquial) crazy; mad.

batt

'bat'

a strip of insulation material.

batten 1. a piece of square, sawn, soft-wood timber. 2. feed gluttonously.

batter 1. strike repeatedly. 2. a mixture of ingredients for cooking. 3. a defect in printing-type. 4. have receding slope from ground upwards.

battered 1. had receding slope from ground upwards. 2. cooked with a batter mixture. 3. struck repeatedly.

batteries

16 1. (military) emplacements for one or more guns. 2. electric cells. 3. hammered brass or copper vessels.

battering 1. having receding slope from ground upwards. 2. cooking with a batter mixture. 3. striking repeatedly.

batters 1. has receding slope from ground upwards. 2. cooks with a batter mixture. 3. strikes repeatedly. 4. defects in printing-type.

battery 1. (legal) inflicting blows. 2. (military) an emplacement for one or more guns. 3. an electric cell. 4. a hammered brass or copper vessel.

batting 1. hitting (a ball in cricket/baseball). 2. cotton fiber for quilts.

battle 1. a contest between armies. 2. (dialectic) nourishing; fertile. 3. furnish with a parapet/wall.

battler 1. one who struggles against the odds; a good worker. 2. (colloquial) a prostitute.

battlers 1. those who struggle against the odds; good workers. 2. (colloquial) prostitutes.

battles 1. contests between armies. 2. (dialectic) fattens up; makes fertile. 3. furnishes with a parapet/wall.

batts

'bats'

strips of insulation material.

baud

'bawd'

unit rate of data transmission.

baulking (balking)

'bocking'

pertaining to a horse refusing to move.

bawd

'baud'

'ball'

say/speak/cry out, in a noisy way.

bawled

'bald'

cried out; shouted.

bawling

'balling'

saying/speaking/crying out in noisy way.

bawls

'bey'

1. a kind of tree or shrub. 2. an area where the sea fills a wide-mouthed opening of land. 3. bark of dogs in pursuit. 4. reddish-brown horse.

bayonet 1. a stabbing blade attached to rifle. 2. a kind of yucca plant.

bayonets 1. kinds of yucca plants. 2. stabbing blades attached to rifles.

bays

'baize' & 'beys'

1. many barks of dogs. 2. kinds of trees or shrubs. 3. reddish-brown horses. 4. many sea-filled wide-mouthed openings of land.

be

'bee' & 'b'

exist; occur; live.

beach

'beech'

a seashore covered with pebbles/sand.

beacher 1. a wave that carries a surfer to a beach. 2. a miner who works black-iron sands of beaches.

beachers 1. waves that carry surfers to a beach. 2. miners who work black-iron sands of beaches.

beaches

'beeches'

sea-shores with sand.

bead 1. a prayer. 2. a small perforated ball. 3. a small knob in foresight of gun.

beads 1. prayers. 2. small knob on foresight of guns. 3. small perforated balls.

beagle 1. a small hound for hunting; a type of small shark. 2. a spy. 3. a bailiff.

beagles

1. obscene talk. 2. (Shakespeare) a hare.

bawl

bay

'balls'

says/speaks/cries out in noisy way.

1. small hounds for hunting; a type of small sharks. 2. spies. 3. bailiffs.

beak 1. a bird's bill/hooked nose/prow of ship. 2. (slang) a magistrate/schoolmaster.

beaks 1. (slang) magistrates; schoolmasters. 2. birds' bills; hooked noses; prows of ships.

17 beam

beats

1. a long piece of squared timber supported at ends. 2. a shank of an anchor. 3. a shaft of light; an electric transmission. 4. a bright look; smile radiantly.

beams 1. bright looks; smiles radiantly. 2. paths of light/electrical transmissions. 3. long pieces of squared timber supported at ends. 4. shanks of anchors.

beamy

'been', 'bein' & 'bene'

smooth kidney shaped seed.

bear

'bare'

1. heavy furred carnivorous quadruped. 2. (Stock Exchange) speculate for a fall. 3. carry visibly; show; be known by. 4. produce; yield; give birth to. 5. (Scottish) barley.

beard 1. hair on lower part of face. 2. oppose openly; defy.

beardie

'beardy'

a variety of sheepdog e.g. a collie.

beardy

'beardie'

a native plant of Australia/New Zealand.

bearing

'baring'

1. carrying; showing; giving birth to. 2. parts of machine bearing friction. 3. a compass direction.

bearish

'barish'

1. like a bear in manner. 2. a negative outlook on the stock market.

bears

'bares'

1. heavy furred carnivorous quadrupeds. 2. (Stock Exchange) speculates for a fall. 3. carries visibly; shows; is known by. 4. produces; yields; gives birth to.

beat

'beet'

1. strike repeatedly. 2. create pulsation. 3. strive/tack against the wind.

beaten 1. struck repeatedly. 2. tacked against the wind. 3. trite. 4. exhausted; dejected.

beating

beau

'bo' & 'bow'

a fop/dandy.

beaus

'bows'

fops; dandies.

beaver 1. amphibious soft-furred rodent. 2. the lower face guard of a helmet.

beavers

1. radiant. 2. huge (of spears); broad (of ships).

bean

'beets'

1. creates a pulsation. 2. strikes repeatedly. 3. strives/tacks against the wind.

'beeting'

1. striking repeatedly. 2. creating a pulsation. 3. striving/tacking against the wind.

1. amphibious soft-furred rodents. 2. the lower face guard of helmets.

beck 1. a brook/mountain stream (North England). 2. a significant gesture/nod.

becks 1. brooks/mountain streams (of North England). 2. significant gestures/nods.

becoming 1. the process of change from one state to another. 2. a pleasing effect or an attractive appearance, as to a person or thing.

bee

'be' & 'b'

1. a four winged stinging insect. 2. (nautical) a piece of hardwood bolted to the bowsprit, used for reeving stays.

beech

'beach'

1. a smooth-barked forest tree. 2. the white-breasted marten of Southern Europe.

beeches

'beaches'

1. smooth-barked forest trees. 2. white-breasted martens of Southern Europe.

beef 1. the flesh of the ox/bull/cow. 2. complain.

been

'bean', 'bein' & 'bene'

past participle of 'be'.

beer

'bier'

1. an alcoholic drink made from fermented malt. 2. one of the ends into which a warp is divided.

beers

'biers'

1. alcoholic drinks from fermented malt. 2. the ends into which a warp is divided.

beet

'beat'

1. two plants with a succulent root. 2. (obsolete) improve; mend.

beeting

'beating'

(obsolete) improving; mending.

beetle

18 1. a tool with heavy head and handle for ramming/crushing. 2. an insect with hard-wing cases. 3. the overhang (of brows/cliffs).

beetles 1. insects with hard wing cases. 2. overhangs (of brows/cliffs). 3. tools with heavy head and handle for crushing etc.

beets

'beats'

1. plants with succulent roots. 2. (obsolete) improves; mends.

bein

'bean', 'been' & 'bene'

(Scottish) wealthy; comfortable; good.

bel

'bell' & 'belle'

1. a unit of power comparison in electricity. 2. the Indian thorn tree.

bell

'bel' & 'belle'

1. a cup-shaped metal emitting ringing sound when struck. 2. take the danger upon oneself. 3. the cry of a stag/buck at rutting-time. 4. a bubble formed in liquid.

belle

'bel' & 'bell'

a beautiful young woman.

belles

'bells' & 'bels'

beautiful young women.

bellows 1. roars/shouts/utters loudly in pain/angrily. 2. a contrivance for driving air into a fire.

bells

'bels' & 'belles'

1. shaped metal cups emitting a ringing sound when struck. 2. takes the danger upon oneself. 3. the cries of stags/bucks at rutting-time. 4. bubbles formed in liquid.

bels

'bells' & 'belles'

1. units of power comparison in electricity. 2. Indian thorn trees.

belt 1. a flexible band used, around the waist, for supporting clothes. 2. beat/thrash/strike with a belt or cane etc.

belting 1. material for belts. 2. a beating/thrashing.

belts 1. flexible bands used, around the waist, for supporting clothes. 2. beats/thrashes/strikes with a belt or cane etc.

bemean 1. debase; make mean. 2. (obsolete) signify.

ben 1. a mountain peak. 2. (Scottish) an inner room or apartment.

3. the seed of the horse radish tree.

bench 1. a long seat of wood or stone. 2. exhibit (a dog) at a show.

benches 1. exhibits (dog) at show. 2. long seats of wood or stones etc.

bend 1. a knot of rope, of various kinds. 2. the curved/bent part of anything. 3. (slang) a sixpenny bit.

bender 1. one who or that which bends. 2. (colloquial) a drinking bout.

benders 1. those that bend. 2. (colloquial) drinking bouts.

bends 1. knots of various kinds. 2. curves etc. 3. (slang) sixpenny pieces. 4. a diver's excess oxygen in the blood upon ascent to the surface.

bene

'bean', 'been' & 'bein'

(archaic) a prayer/boon.

benjamin 1. a type of old overcoat. 2. a type of gum.

benne

'benny'

the sesame, from which oil is extracted.

benny

'benne'

(colloquial) a benzedrine pill.

bent 1. a stiff-stemmed grass of various kinds. 2. a twist/bias/tendency; an inclination.

bergamot 1. a tree of the citrus family. 2. an aromatic herb.

bergamots 1. aromatic herbs. 2. trees of citrus family.

berley 1. mixed fish bait. 2. (colloquial) leg-pulling; good humored deceit.

berries

'buries'

1. fruits with seeds enclosed in pulp (often edible). 2. eggs in fish-roe.

berry

'bury'

1. a fruit with seeds enclosed in pulp. 2. the egg in fish-roe.

berth

'birth'

1. convenient sea-room between ships etc.

19 2. a sleeping place on a ship/train etc; a place for a ship at a wharf.

besom 1. kind of broom. 2. a term of abuse for a woman

bestead 1. relieve; help; avail. 2. (Spenser) set about with; beset by.

better

'bettor'

amend; improve.

betters

'bettors'

amends; improves.

bettor

'better'

one who gambles/makes bets.

bettors

'betters'

many who gamble/make bets.

bey

'bay'

Turkish governor.

beys

'baize' & 'bays'

a number of Turkish governors.

bhang

'bang'

Indian hemp used as narcotic. 1. the weight used to influence bowling ball. 2. prejudice; favoritism; inclination.

biases 1. prejudices. 2. weights used to influence bowling balls.

'bibb'

1. drink often. 2. a child's chin-cloth.

bibb

'bibs'

(nautical) supporting brackets for trestletrees.

bibs

'bibbs'

1. children's chin-cloths. 2. drinks often.

bibulous 1. in the habit of drinking alcohol. 2. absorbent; spongy.

bicker 1. quarrel. 2. flash; glitter.

bid 1. a command. 2. proclaim. 3. a salute. 4. offer a price at an auction.

biddable 1. obedient. 2. capable of being bid (in cards).

bidding

1. a nag/horse. 2. a type of bath and stand.

bidets 1. nags; horses. 2. a type of baths and stands.

bids 1. commands. 2. offers a price at an auction. 3. proclaims. 4. salutes.

bier

'beer'

movable stand upon which coffin taken to grave.

biers

'beers'

movable stands upon which coffins are taken to graves.

big

'bigg'

1. large; grown up; pregnant. 2. (Scottish) to build/pile up.

'big'

four-rowed barley.

bight

'bite' & 'byte'

1. a loop of rope. 2. a curve/recess of a coast/river.

bights

'bites' & 'bytes'

1. loops of rope. 2. curves/recesses of a coast/river.

bike 'bib'

(nautical) a supporting bracket for trestletrees.

bibbs

bidet

bigg

bias

bib

1. commanding. 2. offering a price at an auction. 3. proclaiming. 4. saluting.

1. a swarm of people/bees/wasps. 2. (colloquial) a bicycle.

bikes 1. swarms of people/bees/wasps. 2. (colloquial) bicycles.

bilboes

'bilbos'

iron bars with shackles for prisoners.

bilbos

'bilboes'

swords.

bill 1. an obsolete weapon - the halberd. 2. a bird's beak. 3. a note of charges for goods/services. 4. a draft of proposed act of parliament. 5. announce/put in the program

billed

'build'

1. announced/inserted in a program. 2. charged for goods/services.

billet 1. a soldier's quarters. 2. a thick piece of firewood. 3. a small bar of metal.

20 4. short roll inserted in hollow moldings.

billets 1. short rolls inserted in hollow moldings. 2. small bars of metal. 3. soldiers' quarters. 4. thick pieces of firewood.

billies 1. Australian bushmen's tin cans used for tea making. 2. (Scottish) friends; comrades.

bills

billy 1. Australian bushman's tin can used for tea making. 2. (Scottish) a friend; a comrade.

bind 1. fasten; attach; tie. 2. indurated clay between coal strata. 3. a curved line between two musical notes.

binding 1. obligatory. 2. fastening; clasping etc. 3. a book cover/braid for protecting edges.

binds 1. curved lines between musical notes. 2. fastens; attaches; ties. 3. indurated clays between coal strata. 1. (obsolete slang) to go. 2. a bin/pile/heap.

bingo 1. a common name for brandy. 2. a type of gambling game using cards with numbers.

'binocle'

a compass box

'binocles'

compass boxes

binocle

'binnacle'

a telescope

binocles

'bur' & 'burr'

a unit of currency in Ethiopia, equal to 100 cents.

'berth'

bringing forth of offspring.

biscuit 1. a baked cookie/shortbread. 2. a layer of hay.

biscuits 1. baked cookies/shortbreads. 2. many layers of hay.

bishop 1. a clergyman acting as governor of diocese. 2. mulled and spiced wine. 3. tamper with/fill a horse's teeth.

bishops 1. clergymen acting as governors of dioceses. 2. mulled and spiced wines. 3. tampers with/fills a horse's teeth

bisque 1. right to take a point or turn (in golf/tennis etc.) 2. unglazed white porcelain. 3. a rich crayfish soup.

bit

'bitt'

bitch 1. a female dog; (rudely) a woman. 2. a thing difficult to do. 3. a complaint.

bitches 1. female dogs; (rudely) women. 2. things difficult to do. 3. complaints.

bite

'bight' & 'byte'

cut into or nip with teeth.

bites

'burred'

biting

1. a feathered vertebrate that generally flies in the air. 2. hiss; be hissed. 3. a re-entrant angle cut in wood or stone. 4. (slang) a woman/female. 5. (colloquial) a prison sentence.

birds

birr

'binnacles'

telescopes

bird

1. (Scottish) spin around; toss a coin. 2. (Scottish) pour out; ply with drink.

1. something to eat. 2. the boring-piece of a drill. 3. a small piece of anything. 4. the mouthpiece of a bridle.

bing

binnacles

birl

birth

1. announces/puts in programs. 2. birds' beaks. 3. drafts of proposed acts of Parliament. 4. notes of charges for goods/services. 5. obsolete weapons - halberds.

binnacle

1. (slang) women; females. 2. feathered vertebrates. 3. hisses at. 4. re-entrant angles cut in wood or stone.

'bights' & 'bytes'

cuts into or nips with teeth. 1. cutting/nipping with the teeth. 2. sarcastic; stinging; pungent.

bits 1. small pieces. 2. mouthpieces of bridles. 3. boring pieces of drills.

'bitts'

21 bitt

'bit'

a large cleat for tying up ships.

blankets 1. the large woollen coverings on beds. 2. stifles/keeps quiet about (a scandal/question). 3. takes the wind from sails (of a boat).

bittern 1. a marsh bird. 2. oily liquid in salt works.

bitts

3. stifle/keep quiet about, a scandal/question.

'bits'

pair of posts on deck for fastening cables.

blab 1. talk a lot; tell tales. 2. (obsolete) swell up; blister.

blabbed 1. talked a lot; told tales. 2. (obsolete) swelled up; blistered.

blabber (obsolete) swollen. one who talks a lot/tells tales.

blabbing 1. telling tales; talking a lot. 2. (obsolete) swelling up; blistering.

blabs 1. talks a lot; tells tales. 2. (obsolete) swells up; blisters.

blackbird 1. a European song bird of the thrush family. 2. (history) an island native used as slave labor.

blackbirds 1. European song birds of the thrush family. 2. (history) island natives used as slave labor.

blackjack 1. a short club or cosh, leather covered. 2. a pirate's black flag. 3. a game of cards. 4. (mining) a dark, iron-rich sphalerite.

blackjacks 1. short clubs or coshes, leather covered. 2. pirates' black flags.

blade 1. the cutting edge of a knife/sword/chisel etc. 2. a jovial/gay fellow.

blades 1. the cuttings edges of knives etc. 2. jovial/gay fellows.

blain 1. a boil/blister. 2. type of fish.

blains 1. boils; blisters. 2. a type of fishes.

bland 1. smooth; mild; polite; ironical. 2. a type of buttermilk from the Shetlands.

blanket 1. a large woollen covering on bed. 2. take wind from sails (of boat).

blaze 1. burn with flame. 2. a white mark on horse's face; mark a tree/trail. 3. proclaim as with trumpet.

blazed 1. burnt with a flame. 2. proclaimed, as with trumpet. 3. marked a tree/trail with a white mark etc.

blazer 1. that which blazes; anything intensely hot or bright. 2. a jacket, with badges, worn by a child at school.

blazers 1. those who blaze; things intensely hot or bright. 2. jackets, with badges, worn by school children.

blazes 1. burns with a flame. 2. proclaims, as with a trumpet. 3. marks a tree/trail with a white mark.

blazing 1. burning with a flame. 2. proclaiming, as with trumpets. 3. marking a tree/trail with a white mark etc.

bleaches 1. whitens by exposure to sun. 2. the uncovered spectator seats at sports ground.

bleak 1. a small river fish. 2. bare; exposed; chilly; dreary.

bleeder 1. a haemophiliac; anything that bleeds. 2. (colloquial) a term of abuse.

bleeders 1. haemophiliacs; things that bleed. 2. (colloquial) a collective term of abuse.

blend

'blende'

1. a mixture of various sorts (of tea/coffee/spirits). 2. (Spenser) to blind/dazzle.

blende

'blend'

native sulphide of zinc.

bless 1. consecrate; make holy. 2. wound; beat.

blessed (blest) 1. consecrated; made holy. 2. wounded; beat.

22 blesses 1. consecrates; makes holy. 2. wounds; beats.

blessing 1. consecrating; making holy. 2. wounding; beating.

blew

'blue'

past tense of 'blow'.

blight

'blite'

1. a bubble/small globule. 2. (colloquial) an incompetent person.

blobs 1. bubbles; small globules. 2. (colloquial) incompetent people.

bloc block

blimp 1. an extreme, rather stupid, conservative person. 2. a small, non-rigid dirigible, used for observation.

'block' 'bloc'

1. a log of wood; a tree-stump. 2. a pulley; a system of pulleys. 3. a compact mass of buildings. 4. a stolid/hard-hearted person. 5. the spot on which batsman rests his bat.

blockbuster

blimps 1. small, non-rigid dirigibles, used for observation. 2. extreme, rather stupid, conservative persons

1. a large bomb, weighing several tons. 2. a thing making a startling impression e.g. an epic movie.

blockbusters

blinks 1. winks; shines; twinkles. 2. a small herb with white flowers, Montia Fontana.

1. large bombs, weighing several tons. 2. things making a startling impression e.g. epic movies.

blocker

blip 1. the image on a radar screen/cathode ray tube. 2. excise/remove portion of a tape recording.

1. an owner of a fruit/rural block in parts of Australia. 2. a thing/person that blocks/impedes/prevents.

blockers

blips 1. images on a radar screen/cathode ray tube. 2. excises/removes portion of a tape recording.

blister 1. a swelling to the skin, caused by burns etc. 2. (colloquial) an unpleasant person. 3. (colloquial) a summons or summary demand for payment. 4. (colloquial) sister (Australian rhyming slang).

blisters 1. swellings to the skin, caused by burns etc. 2. (colloquial) unpleasant people. 3. (colloquial) summons or summary demands for payment. 4. (colloquial) sisters (Australian rhyming slang).

'blight'

the name for plants of the goose-foot family.

bloat 1. swell up/inflate, as with gas/liquid. 2. cure fish in brine and half-dry in smoke.

bloated 1. swelled up/inflated, as with gas/liquid. 2. cured fish in brine and half-dried in smoke.

bloating 1. swelling up/inflating, as with gas/liquid. 2. curing fish in brine and half-drying in smoke.

bloats

blob

combination of political parties.

1. a disease. 2. an annoying person.

blite

1. swells up/inflates, as with gas/liquid. 2. cures fish in brine and half-dries in smoke.

1. things/persons that block/impede/prevent. 2. owners of fruit/rural blocks in parts of Australia.

blocking 1. (printing) embossed lettering on a book cover. 2. preventing; obscuring; impeding.

blocks

'blocs'

1. compact masses of buildings. 2. logs of wood; tree stumps. 3. pulleys; systems of pulleys. 4. stolid/hard-hearted persons.

blocs

'blocks'

combinations of political parties.

blood 1. the red liquid in the veins, arteries etc. 2. a dandy/man of fashion.

bloodsucker 1. a leech/an animal that sucks blood. 2. (colloquial) an extortionist; one who sponges on others.

bloodsuckers 1. leeches/animals that suck blood. 2. (colloquial) extortionists; those who sponge on others.

bloody 1. of, like, running with blood.

23 2. used to add intensity to an expression e.g. bloody fool.

bloom 1. a flower. 2. a kind of raisin. 3. a mass of puddled iron formed into bar.

bloomer 1. obsolete female attire. 2. a blunder.

1. a type of blowfly. 2. the blue colored cornflower. 3. a type of jellyfish.

bluebottles 1. types of blowflies. 2. blue colored cornflowers. 3. types of jellyfish.

blues

bloomers 1. blunders. 2. obsolete female underwear.

blooms 1. flowers. 2. kinds of raisins. 3. masses of puddled iron formed into bars.

blooper 1. a slip/mishap in a speech/film. 2. a sail used as extra spinnaker.

bloopers 1. slips/mishaps in speech/film. 2. sails used as extra spinnakers.

blot 1. spot with ink. 2. an exposed piece in backgammon; a weak point. 3. (Spenser) spawn.

blow

1. (slang) fights; quarrels. 2. squanders. 3. a type of jazz music. 4. a mood of depression.

bluey 1. bluish; somewhat blue. 2. (colloquial) summons for a traffic/parking offence (mainly NSW).

bluff 1. the perpendicular broad front (of a cliff etc.) 2. induce to give up (at cards).

bluffs 1. induces to give up (e.g. at cards). 2. perpendicular broad fronts (of cliffs etc.).

blunt 1. dull; not sensitive. 2. short thick needle. 3. (colloquial) ready money.

blunts

1. move along/puff/pant (with/of air). 2. blossoming. 3. a hard strike.

blower

1. dulls/reduces sensitivity. 2. short thick needles.

bo

'bow' & 'beau'

a sound used to startle someone.

1. a thing that blows e.g. a machine, a whale etc. 2. (colloquial) a telephone.

blowers 1. things that blow e.g. machines, whales etc. 2. (colloquial) telephones.

blows 1. (of air) moves along; puffs; pants. 2. blossoms. 3. hard strikes.

blubber

boar

'bore'

a male castrated pig.

board

'bored' & 'bord'

1. a thin frame used for posting notes/games etc. 2. daily meals provided in return for services. 3. a council-table; a group of councilors; a committee. 4. a ship's side. 5. (nautical) tack with the wind.

boarded

1. whale fat; a jelly fish. 2. weep; weeping. 3. swollen; protruding.

'bordered'

one who stayed at a hotel/school etc.

boarder

'border'

one who boards at hotel/school etc.

blubbers 1. weeps/cries profusely. 2. whales fats; jelly fishes. 3. swells; protrudes.

blue

bluebottle

'blew'

1. color between green and violet. 2. (slang) a fight. 3. squander. 4. depressed; melancholy.

boarders

'borders'

those who board at hotels/schools etc.

boarding 1. tacking with the wind. 2. staying at a hotel/school. 3. forcing a way upon a ship. 4. erection of boards.

boars male castrated pigs.

'bores'

24 boater 1. (nautical) one who sails/rows/rides in boats, especially pleasure craft. 2. a stiff straw hat with a flat crown.

boaters 1. (nautical) those who sail/row/ride in boats, especially pleasure craft. 2. stiff straw hats with flat crowns.

bob 1. the weight on pendulum. 2. a horse's docked tail. 3. a bunch of lob-worms. 4. a short line at end of stanza. 5. cut hair to hang short. 6. jerk; move up and down; curtsy. 7. kinds of change in bell pealing. 8. a shilling piece.

bobbies 1. in UK, policemen 2. (colloquial) small beer glasses (chiefly in WA)

bobby 1. in UK, a policeman. 2. (colloquial) a small beer glass (chiefly in WA).

bobs 1. weights on pendulums. 2. horses' docked tails. 3. bunches of lob-worms. 4. short lines at the end of stanzas. 5. cuts hair to hang short. 6. jerks; moves up and down; curtsies. 7. kinds of changes in bells' pealing.

bocking

'baulking'

(archaic) a coarse woolen cloth used to cover carpet.

bode

'bowed'

foresee/foretell/portend an omen.

bodkin

bog

'bogie' & 'bogy'

a golf score of one stroke over par..

'bogies'

type of golf scores.

bogie

'bogey' & 'bogy'

an undercarriage with two or more wheel pairs.

bogies

'bogeys'

1. undercarriages with two or more wheel pairs. 2. devils; goblins; bug-bears.

bogy a devil/goblin/bug-bear.

boil

1. a person employed to make and repair boilers etc. 2. whiskey with beer as a chaser.

boilermakers 1. persons employed to make and repair boilers etc. 2. a number of whiskeys with beer as a chaser.

boiling 1. bubbling; seething etc. 2. (slang) all the lot.

boils 1. hard suppurating tumors. 2. bubbles up; undulates; seethes.

boko 1. (colloquial) the nose. 2. an animal that has lost one eye.

bola

'bogie' & 'bogey'

'bolar'

a weapon used by gauchos of South America.

bolar

'bola'

of or relating to bole or clay.

bold

'bowled'

1. courageous; enterprising. 2. well-marked/clear.

bolder

'boulder'

1. more daring/brave. 2. more clear.

bole

'boll' & 'bowl'

1. the stem/trunk of tree. 2. a friable clay. 3. (Scottish) a recess in a wall.

boles

'bolls' & 'bowls'

stems/trunks, of trees/plants.

'bole' & 'bowl'

1. a rounded seed vessel. 2. a measure of grain capacity.

bolls

1. a spongy ground with decayed vegetable matter. 2. in UK, a toilet or lavatory.

bogeys

boilermaker

boll

1. a thick needle/long pin/dagger. 2. a person squeezed between two others.

bogey

1. a hard suppurating tumor. 2. bubble up; undulate; seethe.

'boles' & 'bowls'

rounded seed vessels.

bolster 1. a long stuffed pillow. 2. aid; abet; support; countenance; preserve.

bolt 1. a short heavy arrow for the cross-bow. 2. a discharge of lightning. 3. a headed metal pin for holding things together. 4. a roll of canvas etc. 5. dart off or away. 6. sift; investigate.

bolter

'boulter'

1. a horse given to bolting. 2. a sieve/sifting machine.

25 bolters

'boulters'

1. horses given to bolting. 2. sieves; sifting machines.

bolts 1. darts off or away. 2. discharges of lightning. 3. headed metal pins for holding things together. 4. rolls of canvas etc. 5. short heavy arrows of cross-bow. 6. sifts; investigates.

boma

bomas

'bombe'

1. an explosive device. 2. (slang) a poorly-running car/thing.

'bomb'

an ice-cream sweet made in a round mold.

bombes

'bombs'

ice-cream sweets made in a round mold.

bombs

'bombes'

1. (slang) poorly running cars/things. 2. explosive devices.

bond 1. a thing restraining. 2. a superior kind of writing paper. 3. a league/confederation.

bonds 1. leagues; confederations. 2. things restraining.

bone 1. a part of a skeleton. 2. (slang) steal. 3. take or test level of.

boner 1. one who takes bones from carcasses. 2. (colloquial) a mistake.

boners 1. those who take bones from carcasses. 2. (colloquial) mistakes.

bones 1. (slang) steals. 2. parts of a skeleton. 3. takes or tests level of.

bong 1. (colloquial) hit/strike, especially on the head. 2. an apparatus for smoking hashish.

bongo 1. one of a pair of small drums. 2. a large forest dwelling antelope of Africa.

boning

1. (colloquial) hit; strike. 2. (colloquial) have sexual intercourse.

bonks 1. (colloquial) hits; strikes. 2. (colloquial) has sexual intercourse.

bonnet

bonnets

1. defensible enclosures. 2. magistrate's offices.

bombe

bonk

1. a Scotch cap/woman's head-dress; an engine cover (British). 2. (nautical) additional canvas laced to sail-foot. 3. an accomplice; a decoy.

1. a defensible enclosure. 2. a magistrate's office.

bomb

1. take out the bones of a fish. 2. the act of an Australian Aboriginal causing the death of another person by pointing a bone.

1. (nautical) additional canvases laced to sailfeet. 2. accomplices; decoys. 3. Scotch caps; women's head-dresses; engine covers.

boob 1. (colloquial) a fool/mistake. 2. (colloquial) a prison. 3. (colloquial) a woman's breast.

boobies 1. kinds of gannets. 2. silly dull-witted persons.

booby 1. a silly, dull-witted person. 2. a kind of gannet.

boodle 1. a crowd/pack/lot. 2. money for political bribery. 3. a card game.

book 1. printed and bound material of many pages. 2. one's bets at the races/meeting. 3. issue a rail/air ticket.

bookish 1. given to reading or study. 2. stilted; pedantic; standing on ceremony.

books 1. issues rail/air tickets. 2. bets at races/meetings. 3. printed materials of many pages.

boom 1. a long spar attached to sail-foot. 2. a floating barrier. 3. a deep resonant sound. 4. a sudden activity/development.

boomer 1. a large male kangaroo. 2. (colloquial) an exceptional surfing wave.

boomers 1. large male kangaroos. 2. (colloquial) exceptional surfing waves.

26 5. a great tidal wave.

booms 1. deep resonant sounds. 2. floating barriers. 3. long spars attached to sails. 4. sudden activities/developments.

boon

'booze'

many shouts of derision/distaste.

boot 1. an outer foot covering. 2. a luggage compartment. 3. (archaic) a good; an advantage.

boots 1. (archaic) does good; helps. 2. luggage compartments. 3. outer covering for feet

booze

'boos'

an alcoholic drink; a drinking party.

bop

bopped

bopping 1. dancing to pop or rock music. 2. (colloquial) hitting; striking.

bops 1. dances to pop or rock music. 2. (colloquial) hits; strikes.

bora 1. a cold dry North East wind. 2. a Mohammedan trader/hawker. 3. an Australian initiation rite.

boras 1. cold dry NE winds. 2. Mohammedan traders/hawkers. 3. Australian initiation rites.

'board' & 'bored'

a cutting across the grain of a coal face.

'boarder' 'boarded'

sided/edged with boundaries.

borders

'boarders'

sides; edges; boundaries.

bore

1. piercing; perforating; drilling. 2. dull; tedious; tiresome; uninteresting.

born

'bourne', 'bourn' & 'borne

come into the world by birth.

borne

'born', 'bourn' & 'bourne'

transported; carried.

bort

'bought'

low quality diamonds and diamond fragments. 1. meaningless talk; nonsense. 2. the lower sloping part of a blast furnace shaft. 1. a bad shot/guess/miss/bungle. 2. a protuberance. 3. a master/person in authority.

bosses 1. bad shots; guesses; misses; bungles. 2. masters/persons in authority. 3. protuberances.

bossy 1. (colloquial) domineering; acting like a boss. 2. studded with projecting, decorative work.

bot

'botte'

1. (colloquial) the bottom/buttocks. 2. (colloquial) an insect larva, infecting the skin etc. 3. (computer) a program that searches the Internet. 4. (colloquial) a person who persistently borrows.

botte

'bot'

(fencing) a thrust or hit.

bottle

a side/boundary; an edge.

bordered

boring

boss

1. danced to pop or rock music. 2. (colloquial) hit; struck.

border

'boars'

1. makes a hole with a drill. 2. (of horse) thrusts the head out. 3. the hollow of gun barrels. 4. nuisances; tiresome persons. 5. great tidal waves.

bosh

1. dance to pop or rock music. 2. (colloquial) hit; strike.

bord

'board' & 'bord'

1. pierced; perforated; drilled. 2. (of a horse) thrust the head out. 3. disinterested; lacking excitement.

bores

1. a request/favor/gift. 2. bounteous; benign; jolly; congenial.

boos

bored

'boar'

1. make hole with drill. 2. (of horse) thrust head out. 3. the hollow of the gun barrel through which the bullet is ejected. 4. a nuisance/tiresome person.

1. a narrow necked vessel for holding liquid. 2. a bundle of hay or straw. 3. a kind of shrub/plant.

bottler 1. any person/thing that fills bottles. 2. (colloquial) something exciting/to be admired.

bottles 1. bundles of hay/straw. 2. kinds of plants. 3. narrow necked vessels for holding liquids.

27 bough

'bow'

a tree branch.

boughs

'bows' & 'bowse'

bourne

'bort'

bow (1)

'bolder'

a water-worn rounded stone.

boulter

'bolter'

a long fishing line with many hooks.

boulters

'bolters'

long fishing lines with many hooks.

bounce 1. cause to rebound. 2. hustle (person) by bluffing. 3. the lesser spotted dog-fish.

bounced 1. caused to rebound. 2. hustled (a person) by bluffing.

bouncer 1. that which bounces. 2. an unblushing lie. 3. (slang) a chucker-out, usually at tavern/club.

bounces 1. causes to rebound. 2. hustles (a person) by bluffing. 3. the lesser spotted dog-fishes.

bouncing 1. causing to rebound. 2. hustling (a person) by bluffing.

bound 1. the limit of a territory/state. 2. recoil from the wall/ground. 3. ready to start; having started. 4. all together; closely connected.

boundary 1. a limit line. 2. in cricket, a score of 4 or 6.

bounder 1. that which bounds. 2. a noisily ill-bred person.

bouquet 1. a bunch of flowers. 2. the aroma of wine.

bouquets 1. aromas of wine. 2. bunches of flowers.

bourdon 1. the refrain of a song. 2. a staff/type of club.

bourdons 1. the refrains of songs. 2. a type of clubs/staffs.

'born', 'bourn' & 'borne'

a limit/goal/boundary.

1. past tense and past participle of 'to buy'. 2. a bight/bend/twist.

boulder

'born', 'bourne' & 'borne'

a small stream.

tree branches.

bought

bourn

'beau' & 'bo'

1. a curve. 2. a weapon for shooting arrows. 3. a slip-knot with a single or double loop. 4. the rod for playing the violin.

bow (2)

'bough'

1. submit; bend; kneel. 2. the fore-end of a boat or ship.

bowed

'bode'

bent; curved.

bower 1. a dwelling; an abode. 2. either of two anchors of a ship. 3. one of two cards in the card game of euchre.

bowl 1. a basin. 2. throw/roll a ball in any game that uses balls, e.g. cricket.

bowled

'bold'

delivered the ball to a batsman in cricket.

bowler 1. a round felt hat. 2. one who bowls at cricket.

bowlers 1. round felt hats. 2. those who bowl at cricket.

bowls

'boles' & 'bolls'

1. basins. 2. games using balls; delivers the ball to the batsman in cricket.

bows (1)

'beaus'

1. curves. 2. rods for playing violins. 3. slip-knots with a single or double loop. 4. weapons for shooting arrows.

bows (2)

'boughs' & 'bowse'

1. submits; bends; kneels. 2. fore-ends of boats or ships.

bowse

'boughs' & 'bows'

to haul with tackle.

bowyang 1. a strap around the leg to prevent a turn-up dragging. 2. (obsolete adjective) a limited or ignorant attitude.

box 1. a kind of evergreen shrub. 2. a receptacle of wood/metal etc, with a lid. 3. lodge document in Law court. 4. rehearse compass points in correct order.

28 5. make a revolution of something and end at the start. 6. fight with fists.

boxed 1. put into a receptacle of wood/metal etc. with a lid. 2. lodged a document in a Law court. 3. rehearsed the compass points in the correct order. 4. made a revolution of something and ended at the start. 5. fought with fists.

boxer 1. one who boxes; a pugilist. 2. a member of an old Chinese secret society. 3. a breed of dog.

boxes 1. kinds of evergreen shrubs. 2. receptacles of wood/metal etc. with a lid. 3. lodges a document in a Law court. 4. rehearses the compass points in the correct order. 5. makes a revolution of something and ends at the start. 6. fights with fists.

boxing 1. act of fighting with fists. 2. lodging document in Law court. 3. rehearsing compass points. 4. making a complete revolution. 5. putting things/items into boxes.

boy

'buoy'

a male child.

boys

'buoys'

male children.

brace 1. a tool for holding drill bits. 2. a suspender for trousers. 3. a rope for trimming a sail. 4. a thong for tuning a drum. 5. a connecting mark in printing 6. shore up; support.

braced 1. trimmed sails with rope. 2. used a connecting mark in printing.

bracer 1. something that lifts spirits/strengthens morale. 2. an archer's wrist guard.

braces 1. tools for holding drill bits. 2. ropes for trimming sail. 3. suspenders for trousers. 4. thongs for tuning a drum. 5. connecting marks in printing.

bracing 1. trimming sails with rope. 2. using connecting marks in printing.

3. having strength or tone, as in 'a bracing wind'.

bracket 1. a flat-topped projection from wall. 2. a parenthesis. 3. the distance between two shots in ranging.

brackets 1. distances between two shots in ranging. 2. flat-topped projections from a wall. 3. parentheses.

brae

'bray'

a hill slope.

braes

'braise' & 'brays'

hill slopes.

braid

'brayed' & 'braide'

1. woven hair/thread. 2. Scots form of 'broad'. 3. (Shakespeare) reproach; chastise.

braide

'braid' & 'brayed'

(Shakespeare) deceitful.

brail

'braille'

haul up with small ropes on sails.

braille

'brail'

a system of writing for the blind.

braise

'brays' & 'braes'

a sea-bream. stew meat.

brake

'break'

1. a thicket/brushwood. 2. crush (flax, hemp) by beating. 3. the apparatus for checking/stopping a wheel's motion.

brakes

'breaks'

1. mechanical/hydraulic units for checking/stopping wheels' spinning/motion. 2. crushes by beating. 3. thickets; brushwoods.

braking

'breaking'

1. checking/stopping a wheel's motion. 2. crushing by beating.

brank 1. buckwheat. 2. prance/swagger/strut about.

branks 1. prances/swaggers/struts about. 2. (Scottish) a type of bridle.

brash 1. loose rock/ice; hedge clippings. 2. rash; cheeky; saucy. 3. a sudden burst of rain. 4. (Scottish) a slight attack of illness.

brass 1. an alloy of copper. 2. (slang) money. 3. (slang) shamelessness; effrontery.

29 brassy

bread

1. like brass in color. 2. impudent; pretentious. 3. a golf club, the #2 wood.

brave 1. courageous. 2. finely dressed; showy; worthy; honest. 3. a red-Indian warrior; an Amerindian.

braves

1. heavy ocean waves. 2. small kegs.

brawl

breaking

1. a squabble/loud quarrel. 2. a murmur of a stream. 3. an old French dance.

brawn 1. a general term for body muscle. 2. pickled or potted boar's flesh.

'brae'

1. the cry of a trumpet or an ass. 2. pound with pestle and mortar.

'braid' & 'braide'

cried out (of a donkey/mule).

'braise' & 'braes'

1. cries out (of donkeys/mules). 2. pounds/crushes with pestle and mortar.

brazen

'brakes'

1. (of a whole) separates; makes discontinuous. 2. chances; opportunities. 3. deviations of balls (in cricket etc.). 4. large wagonettes. 5. many sets of point scoring (of billiards).

bream

'brim' & 'breme'

1. yellowish freshwater fish. 2. clear/clean a ship's bottom by singeing.

bred

'bread'

1. (Scottish) the eyebrow. 2. the liquor in which a thing is boiled.

1. a brass worker. 2. a pan for holding lighted coals.

braziers 1. brass workers. 2. pans for holding lighted coals.

'breech'

1. the breaking of waves. 2. a riot/quarrel; an alienation/affray. 3. (of fish etc.) leap clear of water.

breached

breech

'breach'

1. the part of a gun behind the bore. 2. (archaic) put a boy into breeches.

breeches

'breaches'

1. (archaic) shorts worn by boys. 2. the parts of guns behind the bore.

breeching

'breaching'

1. the leather strap around a horse's rear. 2. the rope securing a gun to a ship's side.

breeze

1. (of fish etc.) leapt clear of the water. 2. broken waves. 3. rioted; quarreled.

'breeches'

1. (of fish etc.) leaps clear of the water. 2. the breaking of waves. 3. riots; affrays; quarrels.

breaching

breaks

past participle and past tense of 'breed'.

brazier

breaches

'braking'

1. (of a whole) separating; making discontinuous. 2. the instant of a ball deviating (in cricket/billiards etc.). 3. becoming opportune/available.

bree

1. made of brass. 2. shameless.

breach

1. (of a whole) separate; make discontinuous. 2. the deviation of a ball (in cricket). 3. points scored continuously (billiards). 4. a chance; an opportunity. 5. a large wagonette.

breakers

1. a hired assassin. 2. a cry of approval.

brays

'brake'

1. a heavy ocean wave. 2. a small keg.

bravo

brayed

break

breaker

1. shows courage. 2. Red-Indian warriors.

bray

'bred'

flour moistened, kneaded and baked.

'breeching'

1. (of fish etc.) leaping clear of the water. 2. breaking waves. 3. rioting; quarrelling.

1. a gad-fly. 2. a gentle wind. 3. (slang) a quarrel/display of temper. 4. small cinders used with cement.

breezy 1. wind-swept. 2. jovial; lively.

breve 1. an authoritative letter from a pope or sovereign. 2. a short prosody mark in printing.

30 3. a musical note.

bristles

breves 1. authoritative letters from a pope or sovereign. 2. musical notes. 3. short prosody marks in printing.

brew

'broo'

mixed liquor; a variety of things.

brewed

'brood'

made up/boiled beer etc.

brews

'bruise'

the making of beer.

brick 1. clay baked in fire. 2. a generous or loyal person.

bricks

'brix'

rectangular blocks of clay, hardened by the sun/a kiln.

bridal

'bridle'

concerning/about a bride or brides.

bride 1. the woman on her wedding day. 2. a bonnet string.

brides 1. bonnet strings. 2. women on their wedding day.

bridge 1. the structure carrying the road across a river etc. 2. the control room on a ship. 3. the upper bony part of the nose. 4 a type of card game.

bridges 1. the control room on ships. 2. structures carrying a road across rivers etc. 3. the upper bony part of noses.

bridle

'bridal'

1. the head-gear for a horse. 2. (nautical) a mooring cable. 3. express offence/vanity.

brix

'bricks'

the amount of sugar in a solution, according to a set scale.

broach

'brooch'

1. a roasting spit. 2. a church spire. 3. pierce a cask to draw liquor. 4. begin discussion. 5. veer; cause a ship to veer.

broaches

'brooches'

1. roasting spits. 2. church spires. 3. pierces a cask to draw liquor. 4. begins a discussion. 5. veers; causes a ship to veer.

brock 1. a badger. 2. a stinking fellow.

brocks 1. badgers. 2. stinking fellows.

brod 1. (Scottish) a church collection plate. 2. (Scottish) a spike/goad/prick.

brods 1. (Scottish) church collection plates. 2. (Scottish) spikes; goads; pricks.

brogue 1. a highland shoe of untanned leather. 2. a dialect; an accent.

broil 1. a quarrel/tumult. 2. cook food with radiant heat.

broiler 1. a device for cooking. 2. one who stirs up fights.

broilers

brief 1. a papal letter/legal summary. 2. instruct an air-crew about a raid. 3. of short duration; concise.

brier

1. devices for cooking. 2. those who stir up fights.

broils 1. quarrels; tumults. 2. cooks.

1. a prickly bush. 2. a type of tobacco pipe.

broke

brig 1. a two-masted ship/vessel. 2. the northern form of 'bridge'.

brim

1. stiff hairs on a brush/hog's back. 2. shows temper; prepares to fight.

'bream' & 'breme'

the edge or lip of a cup/bowl.

bristle 1. one of the stiff hairs on a hog's back. 2. show temper; prepare to fight.

1. particular wool on certain parts of a fleece. 2. (past tense) of 'break'. 3. (slang) ruined financially.

broo

'brew'

(Scottish) the brow, in any sense (e.g. the forehead, a hill).

brooch

'broach'

an ornamental, jeweled safety-pin.

31 brooches

'broaches'

ornamental jeweled safety-pins.

brood

'brewed'

1. a hatch of young birds; a human family. 2. meditate sullenly.

broods 1. hatches of young birds; human families. 2. meditates sullenly.

brook

'brougham' & 'brume'

'broughams' & 'brumes'

1. implements for sweeping. 2. yellow-flowered shrubs.

'broom' & 'brume'

a one-horse closed carriage.

'brooms' & 'brumes'

one-horse closed carriages.

brow 1. the arch of hair over the eye; the top of a hill. 2. a gangway/an inclined plane of planks.

brown 1. the color 'brown'. 2. (slang) a copper coin.

brownie 1. (in folklore) a little brown goblin who secretly helps with the housework. 2. a bush plum cake, baked in camp oven. 3. (colloquial) a bottle of beer. 4. (obsolete) a penny.

brownies 1. (in folklore) little brown goblins who secretly help with the housework. 2. bush plum cakes, baked in camp ovens. 3. (colloquial) bottles of beer. 4. (obsolete) a number of pennies.

brows

'browse'

1. the arches of hair over the eyes; the tops of hills. 3. gangways.

browse

'brows'

1. twigs; young shoots. 2. read for enjoyment.

browser 1. an animal that feeds on twigs/leaves etc. e.g. a deer. 2. an internet program used to connect computers.

browsers

bruit

'brute' & 'brut'

1. a report/rumor. 2. make famous; celebrate.

'brutes'

'broom' & 'brougham'

a mist/fog.

1. a yellow-flowered shrub. 2. an implement for sweeping.

broughams

1. an injury by a blow to the body. 2. ride recklessly.

brume

1. puts up with; tolerates. 2. small streams.

brougham

'brews'

1. reports; rumors. 2. makes famous; celebrates.

brooks

brooms

bruise

bruits

1. a small stream. 2. put up with; tolerate.

broom

1. animals that feed on twigs/leaves etc. e.g. deer. 2. internet programs used to connect computers.

brumes

'brooms' & 'broughams'

mists; fogs.

brush 1. a brushwood/thicket. 2. an implement of bristles, used for cleaning. 3. an implement for making/breaking electric connection. 4. (optics) a bright or dark figure with vague edge. 5. a short encounter/skirmish.

brushed 1. made a brief connection with/against. 2. cleaned/tidied hair with a brush.

brushes 1. bright or dark figures with a vague edge (optics). 2. brushwoods; thickets. 3. implements for making/breaking connections. 4. implements of bristles for combing/cleaning. 5. short encounters/skirmishes.

brushing 1. making a brief connection/contact. 2. cleaning/tidying hair with a brush.

brut

'bruit' & 'brute'

very dry (of wines).

brute

'bruit' & 'brut'

1. a term for a lower animal. 2. stupid; unspirited; not gifted with reason.

brutes

'bruits'

1. lower animals. 2. stupid/unspirited persons.

bub 1. (slang) a strong drink. 2. a boy/young fellow. 3. (colloquial) a woman's breast.

buck 1. a male deer. 2. jump vertically with back arched. 3. a basket for trapping eels. 4. conversation; boastful talk. 5. a dollar.

32 6. (slang) a reminder for the next dealer in a card game. 7. a frame on which wood is cross-cut.

bucket 1. a container for carrying water etc. 2. (slang) die e.g. kick the bucket. 3. ride a horse hard. 4. (rowing) use a hurried stroke.

buckie 1. (Scottish) a type of shellfish. 2. an unruly person.

buckle 1. fasten with buckle. 2. give way; crumple up.

buckled 1. fastened with a buckle. 2. gave way; crumpled up.

buckles 1. gives way; crumples up. 2. fastens with a buckle.

buckling 1. fastening with a buckle. 2. giving way; crumpling up.

bucks 1. baskets for trapping eels. 2. uses boastful talk. 3. dollars. 4. frames on which wood is cross-cut. 5. jumps vertically with back arched 6. male deers.

budge 1. move; stir. 2. lambskin fur.

buff 1. dull yellow color. 2. (slang) naked. 3. polish metal/leather.

buffer 1. apparatus for deadening sound/noise by padding etc. 2. (slang) an old-fashioned/incompetent fellow. 3. (computers) a holding area for data.

buffered 1. (computer) put data into holding area in RAM. 2. used padding etc. to reduce/restrict sound/flow.

buffering 1. (computer) putting data into holding area in RAM. 2. reducing/restricting sound/flow with padding etc.

buffers 1. (computer) puts data into holding area in RAM. 2. reduces/restricts sound/flow with padding etc. 3. (slang) old-fashioned/incompetent fellows.

bug 1. an insect. 2. (slang) a person of importance. 3. (slang) annoy; harass. 4. (slang) a computer program error. 5. (slang) a concealed/secret microphone.

bugged 1. (slang) annoyed; harassed. 2. (slang) put a deliberate error into a computer program. 3. (slang) concealed a microphone/camera.

bugger 1. a term for sodomy. 2. (slang) a fellow/beggar/chap/beast.

buggers 1. (slang) fellows; beggars; chaps; beasts. 2. sodomizes.

bugging 1. (slang) annoying; harassing. 2. (slang) putting an error into a computer program. 3. (slang) concealing a microphone/camera.

bugle 1. a brass musical instrument. 2. a kind of creeping plant. 3. a tube-shaped glass bead on dresses.

bugles 1. brass musical instruments. 2. kinds of creeping plants. 3. tubes, shaped like glass beads, on dresses.

bugs 1. (slang) annoys; harasses. 2. (slang) computer program errors. 3. (slang) conceals microphone/camera. 4. (slang) persons of importance. 5. insects.

build

'billed'

erect; construct; formulate.

bulb 1. the spherical stem of a lily/an onion etc. 2. an incandescent electric light container.

bulbs 1. electric light containers. 2. spherical stems of onions/lilies etc.

bull 1. an un-castrated bovine. 2. (Stock Exchange) a person trying to raise prices. 3. a papal edict. 4. (slang) nonsense. 5. a drink of water flavored in an empty spirit cask. 6. a deck-game on ships.

bulldog 1. a large-headed, heavily built dog of small size. 2. a short barrelled revolver of large caliber.

33 bulldogs

bundy

1. large-headed, heavily built dogs of small size. 2. short barrelled revolvers of large caliber.

bullfinch 1. a quickset hedge, too high and strong for horses. 2. a strong-beaked European songbird.

bullfinches 1. quickset hedges, too high and strong for horses. 2. strong-beaked European songbirds.

bullie

'bully'

1. papal edicts. 2. uncastrated male bovines. 1. a blusterer/tyrant/hired ruffian. 2. a man who lives off a prostitute's earnings. 3. capital; first-rate. 4. a scrum in football. 5. corned beef.

bum 1. the backside/buttocks. 2. an habitual loafer. 3. of poor quality.

bunk 1. a sleeping berth. 2. (slang) make off; vanish. 3. (slang) humbug; balderdash. 1. a hazard in golf. 2. a fuel compartment on a ship. 3. a bombproof shelter. 1. hazards in golf. 2. fuel compartments on ships. 3. bombproof shelters.

bunny 1. (colloquial) a rabbit. 2. (colloquial) of cricket, a person who bats poorly.

buns 1. small cakes with currants. 2. squirrels; rabbits.

bump

bunt

1. push; throw; strike. 2. a bittern's cry.

bumper 1. anything unusually large or abundant. 2. (of whist) a score of two games against nil. 3. (automotive) the barrier at the front of a car/truck.

bumpkin 1. an awkward clumsy fellow. 2. a beam or spar projecting out from a ship's bow.

bumpkins 1. awkward clumsy fellows. 2. beams or spars projecting out from a ship's bow.

bumps 1. bittern's cries. 2. pushes; throws; strikes.

'bundt'

1. a cavity/baggy part of a sail/net etc. 2. a disease of wheat. 3. push with head or horn; stop baseball with bat.

bunting 1. a sub-family of birds. 2. the gray shrimp. 3. the stuff used for flags. 4. pushing with head etc.; stopping the baseball with the bat.

bunts

'bundts'

1. cavities/baggy parts of sails/nets etc. 2. pushes with the head; stops baseball with the bat.

buoy

'boy'

an anchored float.

buoys

'boys'

anchored floats.

bums

bur

1. backsides; buttocks. 2. habitual loafers.

'burr' & 'birr'

1. any plant with clinging seed-vessel. 2. the female hopcatkin.

bun 1. a small cake with currants. 2. a squirrel/rabbit.

'bunt'

burden 1. a refrain/chorus of a song or ballad. 2. a heavy load; a moral obligation.

burdens

a type of cake. types of cakes.

1. a stopper/large cork in cask. 2. (slang) throw. 3. (slang) broken.

bunkers

bully

bundts

bung

bunker

(colloquial) a bull-terrier.

bulls

bundt

1. a clock used to mark the time on workers' cards. 2. any of several species of eucalyptus.

'bunts'

1. refrains; choruses of songs or ballads. 2. heavy loads; moral obligations.

34 buries

'berries'

deposits/commits to ground/sea/tomb.

burn 1. (Scottish) a small stream. 2. consume; destroy; waste by fire.

burns 1. consumes/wastes by fire. 2. (Scottish) small streams.

burr

'bur' & 'birr'

1. a nebulous disk round a moon or star. 2. a rough edge left on metal. 3. a siliceous rock. 4. a whirring sound.

burred

'bird'

rough edged.

burro

'burrow'

a pack donkey.

burros

'burrows'

pack donkeys.

burrow

'burro'

a hole in the ground, made by rabbits, foxes etc.

burrows

'burros'

holes in the ground, made by rabbits, foxes etc.

burrs

'burs'

1. nebulous disks round a moon or star. 2. rough edges left on metal. 3. siliceous rocks. 4. whirring sounds.

burs

'burrs'

1. any plants with clinging seed-vessels. 2. female hopcatkins.

bursa

'bursar'

a saclike cavity to lessen friction.

bursar

'bursa'

a treasurer of college.

bursars

'bursas' 'bursars'

(zoology) saclike cavities to lessen friction.

burthen 1. a ship's carrying capacity. 2. (rhetorical) a burden.

burton 1. kind of tackle used for rigging/raising sails. 2. (colloquial) missing/dead, as in 'gone for a burton'.

bury

'berry'

deposit/commit to ground/sea/tomb.

bus

'buss'

an omnibus; a people mover.

buses

'busses'

omnibuses; people movers.

bush

bushes 1. metal linings. 2. shrubs; clumps of shrubs.

bushing 1. (electricity) a lining to protect conductors. 2. the pruning of citrus trees to keep them low growing.

bushwhack 1. ambush, usually to kill someone. 2. in New Zealand, clear the land of trees and bushes.

bushwhacker 1. an ambusher, usually intent on killing someone. 2. in New Zealand, one who clears land of trees and bush.

bushwhackers 1. ambushers, usually intent on killing someone. 2. in New Zealand, those who clear land of trees and bush.

bushwhacks 1. ambushes, usually to kill someone. 2. in New Zealand, clears the land of trees and bushes.

busk 1. stiffening material used in corsets. 2. perform as a busker, a street performer.

buss

'bus'

1. (archaic) kiss/smack, usually playfully. 2. small two-masted Dutch vessel.

bussed

'bust'

1. transported/moved by busses. 2. (archaic) kissed/smacked, usually playfully.

busses

'buses'

1. (archaic) kisses/smacks, usually playfully. 2. small two-masted Dutch vessels.

bust

treasurers of colleges.

bursas

1. a shrub/clump of shrubs. 2. a metal lining.

'bussed'

1. a sculpture of person's head. 2. a woman's bosom. 3. break.

bustard

'busted'

a large heavy bird of Australia and Africa.

busted

'bustard'

1. (of something) broken/smashed/unusable. 2. raided by the police. 3. (colloquial) in Philippines, rejected by a lover.

buster 1. (colloquial) a term of address for a man or boy. 2. (colloquial) something very big/unusual. 3. a cold, violent southerly wind.

bustle 1. bestir oneself; hurry; work hard. 2. a pad or frame puffing out woman's skirt.

35 bustled

buzzes

1. bestirred oneself; hurried; worked hard. 2. a woman's skirt puffed up with pads/frames.

bustles 1. bestirs oneself; hurries; works hard. 2. pads or frames puffing out a woman's skirt.

bustling 1. bestirring oneself; hurrying; working hard. 2. padding or framing puffing out a woman's skirt.

but

'butt'

only; except; otherwise etc.

butcher 1. a retail dealer of meat. 2. in South Australia, a small beer glass.

butchers 1. retail dealers of meat. 2. in South Australia, small beer glasses.

butt

'but'

1. a wine or ale cask. 2. the thicker end of tool/weapon. 3. a kind of flat fish. 4. the square end of plank. 5. the mound behind target. 6. an object of ridicule 7. push with head.

buttery 1. a pantry/room for wines and liquors. 2. like butter. 3. (colloquial) grossly flattering.

button 1. a fastener/disk/knob. 2. an unopened mushroom; a flower bud.

buttons 1. fasteners; disks; knobs. 2. unopened mushrooms; flower buds. 3. (slang) British bellboys.

butty 1. (colloquial) in UK, a workmate, usually in a coalmine. 2. (colloquial) a sandwich/thick slice of buttered bread.

buy

'by' & 'bye'

obtain by paying/purchase.

buyer

'byre'

one who buys.

buys

'byes'

obtains by paying; purchases/items bought.

buzz 1. (slang) stale news. 2. make humming sound. 3. go away quickly. 4. interfere by flying close. 5. a downy beetle. 6. finish (bottle of wine).

1. downy beetles. 2. finishes (a bottle of wine). 3. goes away quickly. 4. interferes by flying close. 5. makes a humming sound

by

'buy' & 'bye'

1. near; at; at side of. 2. along; through; via.

bye

'buy' & 'by'

1. something subordinate. 2. a run scored in cricket. 3. an odd man.

byes

'buys'

1. something subordinate. 2. a type of runs scored in cricket. 3. odd men.

byre

'buyer'

a cow barn.

byte

'bight' & 'bite'

a computer term for eight bits (binary digits).

bytes

'bights' & 'bites'

computer term for many eight-bit packets of binary data.

'C' Words 36 c

'sea' & 'see'

the 3rd letter of the alphabet.

cab 1. a dry measure of 3 pints (Hebrew). 2. a horse or motor driven carriage.

cabana

'kabana'

any kind of small cabin or hut.

cabbage

'cashing'

1. (computer) putting data into a special area in RAM. 2. hiding; secreting.

cachou

'cashew' 'cashews'

pills for sweetening breath.

cacique

1. a type of vegetables. 2. purloins; steals.

cabinet 1. a private room; furniture for books, TV, VCR etc. 2. a main executive organ of government.

cabinets 1. private rooms; furniture for books, TV, VCR etc. 2. main executive organs of governments.

cable

1. in Spain, a local political boss. 2. a type of South American passerine bird, with a large bill.

cack 1. (colloquial) a very funny person. 2. feces; muck; filth.

cad 1. a person of low manners. 2. a hanger-on employed about games etc.

caddie

1. a strong thick rope. 2. 100 fathoms. 3. transmit a message electronically through copper/metal cables. 4. (architecture) fill flutings with convex moldings.

cables 1. (architecture) fills flutings with convex moldings. 2. hundreds of fathoms. 3. strong thick ropes. 4. transmits a message.

cabriole 1. a carved furniture leg, ending in an animal paw. 2. in ballet, a type of aerial leap.

'cash'

1. a hiding place. 2. (computers) a special area in RAM.

'cashed'

collected/held together in a specific area.

caches

caching

cachous

cabbages

cached

1. gelatin cases enclosing medicine. 2. stamps; significant marks.

a pill for sweetening breath.

1. a type of vegetable. 2. to purloin/steal.

cache

cachets

'cashes'

1. hiding places. 2. (computer) special areas in RAM for holding recurrent data.

cachet 1. a stamp/significant mark. 2. a gelatin case enclosing medicine.

'caddy' & 'cadi'

a golf-player's attendant.

caddies

'cadis'

1. golf-players' attendants. 2. small boxes for holding tea.

caddis 1. worsted ribbon. 2. a larva of the caddis-fly.

caddy

'caddie' & 'cadi'

a small box for holding tea.

cade 1. a barrel/cask. 2. a pet lamb/colt.

cades 1. barrels; casks. 2. pet lambs/colts.

cadge 1. a padded frame for carrying hawks. 2. beg; borrow.

cadges 1. padded frames for carrying hawks. 2. begs; borrows

cadi

'caddy' & 'caddie'

a judge in a Muslim community.

cadis

'caddies'

judges in Muslim communities.

cads

37 1. hangers-on employed about games etc. 2. persons of low manners/bad behavior.

caller

caisson 1. an ammunition chest or a wagon. 2. a watertight case used in laying foundations. 3. a boat-shaped vessel used as a dock-gate.

caissons

cakewalk

'caliber'

the fur of a gray squirrel.

calamus 1. any palm of the genus Calamus, yielding rattan. 2. the hollow base of a feather.

calcar

'calender' 'calenders'

systems by which the year is divided up.

'calendar'

1. a steam mangle. 2. a dervish in Turkey or Russia.

'calendars'

1. dervishes in Turkey or Russia. 2. steam mangles.

'calaber'

1. the internal diameter of a gun bore. 2. the weight of standing/importance/ability etc.

'caulk' & 'cork'

1. a sharp piece to prevent a horseshoe slipping. 2. trace by coloring and pressing.

'caulked' & 'corked'

traced by coloring and pressing.

calking

'caulking' & 'corking'

tracing by coloring and pressing.

calks

'caulks' & 'corks'

traces by coloring and pressing.

call

'caul'

cry; shout; speak loudly.

called

caltrop 1. (history) a multi-pronged weapon used on cavalry. 2. a spiky herbaceous plant.

calve

'carve'

give birth to young (cows etc.).

'carved' 'carves' 'carving'

giving birth to young (cows etc.).

the system by which year is divided up.

calked

'callous'

a thickened area of skin/plant tissue.

calving

1. a stone concretion in the body. 2. a particular method of calculating.

calk

callus (callous)

many young cows; the act of a cow giving birth.

calculus

caliber

'cauls'

cries/shouts/speaks loudly.

gave birth to young (cows etc.).

1. spur-like projections. 2. ovens; furnaces.

calenders

1. unfledged; raw; inexperienced. 2. low-lying; flooded.

calves

calcars

calender

'callus'

callow

calved

1. a spur-like projection. 2. a furnace; an oven.

calendars

callous

calls

1. a promenade or march, of black American origins. 2. (colloquial) something easy to do.

calendar

1. fresh; cool. 2. one who visits/makes a telephone call. indifferent to the pain of others.

1. ammunition chests or wagons. 2. boat-shaped vessels used as dock-gates. 3. watertight cases used in laying foundations.

calaber

past tense and past participle of 'call' - shout out loud.

'cauld'

calypso 1. a West Indian style of song. 2. a Northern Hemisphere orchid of genus Calypso.

cam 1. an eccentric projection on a turning shaft. 2. (Scottish) a slate pencil.

came

'kame'

1. past tense of 'come'. 2. a grooved piece of lead used in windows.

camera 1. in judge's private rooms. 2. a photographic device.

cammock 1. a rest-harrow. 2. a kind of yellow-flowered plant.

cammocks 1. kinds of yellow-flowered plants. 2. rest-harrows.

camp 1. a place where troops are lodged in tents. 2. to struggle. 3. old form of the game of football. 4. exaggerated; effeminate.

camps 1. places where troops are lodged in tents. 2. struggles.

cams

38 1. eccentric projections on a turning shaft. 2. (Scottish) slate pencils.

can 1. a metal vessel for liquids/food etc. 2. be able to; have the right to. 3. (slang) bear responsibility e.g. carry the can.

canard 1. a false story/rumor/hoax. 2. an early type of aeroplane.

canary 1. a well known cage bird like the finch. 2. (obsolete) a flogging of 100 lashes.

cancroid 1. crab-like. 2. cancerous.

candy

cane 1. the hollow jointed stem of giant reeds etc. 2. to beat/thrash.

canes 1. hollow jointed stems of giant reeds etc. 2. beats; thrashes.

canned 1. (slang) drunk. 2. (slang) recorded music/laughter etc. 3. filled with liquid/food etc.

'canon'

1. a gun. 2. (mechanics) a hollow cylinder moving on a shaft. 3. (of billiards) hitting two balls successively with the same ball.

'canons'

1. guns. 2. (mechanics) hollow cylinders moving on shafts. 3. (of billiards) hitting of two balls successively many times.

'cannon'

1. a church decree. 2. a part of the Catholic Mass. 3. (music) successive imitation of different parts. 4. (typography) largest size of type with a name. 5. the metal loop on a bell for hanging. 6. a member of cathedral chapter.

canons

cant 1. a bevel; an oblique face. 2. a push/toss/movement that upsets or tilts. 3. (nautical) swing round. 4. a peculiar language of a class/sect etc.; jargon. 5. hypocrisy; insincerity.

canvased

'canvass'

'cannons'

1. church decrees. 2. parts of Masses. 3. (music) successive imitations of different parts.

'canvassed'

used strong unbleached cloth of hemp.

canvases

1. a sugared sweet; a lolly/chocolate. 2. an Indian measure of weight (about 500lb).

canon

1. (slang) fires/dismisses from a job. 2. metal vessels for holding matter. 3. (slang) stereo headsets.

a strong unbleached cloth of hemp.

1. frank; outspoken; honest; sincere. 2. (obsolete) white; pure; clear.

cannons

cans

canvas

candid

cannon

4. (typography) the largest sizes of type with a name. 5. metal loops on a bell for hanging. 6. members of a cathedral chapter.

'canvasses'

uses strong unbleached cloth of hemp.

canvasing

'canvassing'

using strong unbleached cloth of hemp.

canvass

'canvas'

discuss thoroughly; solicit votes.

canvassed

'canvased'

discussed thoroughly; solicited votes.

canvasses

'canvases'

discusses thoroughly; solicits votes.

canvassing

'canvasing'

discussing thoroughly; soliciting votes.

cap 1. a head-dress. 2. (nautical) a doubly pierced block for lengthening a mast. 3. a recognized payment in fox hunting.

cape 1. a short sleeveless cloak. 2. a headland/promontory.

capelin

'capeline'

a small fish of the smelt family.

capeline

'capelin'

a small iron skull-cap.

caper 1. a bramble-like shrub. 2. a frisky movement/fantastic event.

capes 1. headlands; promontories. 2. short sleeveless cloaks.

capital 1. the head of a cornice of a pillar. 2. punishable by death. 3. standing at the head e.g. the first letter of a proper name. 4. excellent; first-rate.

39 5. accumulated wealth.

1. swerved wildly about. 2. turned a ship to the side for cleaning.

caprice 1. unaccountable change of mind/conduct. 2. in art, a work of fancy.

caps 1. (nautical) doubly pierced blocks for lengthening a mast. 2. head-dresses. 3. recognized payments in hunting.

car

'carr'

a vehicle with wheels.

carat

'carrot', 'caret' & 'karet'

a measure of weight for precious stones.

carats

'carrots' & 'carets'

a measure of weight for precious stones.

carbonado 1. (obsolete) a piece of meat cut crossways and broiled. 2. a type of crystalline carbon.

carbuncle 1. a painful inflamation of subcutaneous tissue. 2. (obsolete) a gem like a ruby.

carbuncles 1. painful inflamations of subcutaneous tissue. 2. (obsolete) gems like rubies.

card 1. a toothed instrument/wire brush. 2. one of a pack of 52, for playing games. 3. (figurative) an insecure scheme. 4. (colloquial) an eccentric person.

cardigan 1. a knitted jacket, made from wool. 2. a variety of Welsh Corgi dog.

cardigans 1. knitted jackets, made from wool. 2. a variety of Welsh Corgi dogs.

cardinal 1. fundamental; important. 2. a prince of the Catholic church. 3. a woman's short hooded cloak. 4. a scarlet bird. 5. (zoology) of the hinge of a bivalve.

cardinals 1. princes of the Catholic church. 2. scarlet birds. 3. women's short hooded cloaks.

cards 1. (colloquial) eccentric persons. 2. (figurative) insecure schemes. 3. a pack of 52, for playing games. 4. toothed instruments; wire brushes.

careen 1. turn a ship to the side for cleaning etc. 2. career wildly about.

careened

careening 1. swerving wildly about. 2. turning a ship to the side for cleaning.

careens 1. swerves about wildly. 2. turns a ship to the side for cleaning.

career 1. swift course/impetus. 2. a person's way of making a living.

careers 1. swift courses; impetuses; surges about. 2. ways of making a living.

caret

'carrot', 'carat' & 'karet'

a mark (^) placed below a line to show omission.

carets

'carats' & 'carrots'

marks (^) placed below a line to show omission.

cark 1. (colloquial) collapse; die; break down. 2. (of the crow) utter a raucous call.

carking 1. (archaic) anxious; burdensome. 2. (colloquial) collapsing; dieing; breaking down. 3. (of the crow) uttering a raucous call.

carline 1. an old woman. 2. a kind of plants allied to thistle.

carlines 1. kinds of plants allied to thistles. 2. old women.

carney

'carnie'

1. a smooth talker/flatterer. 2. a type of lizard, especially the bearded dragon.

carnie

'carney'

a person who works in a carnival.

carol

'carrel'

a joyous song, especially at Christmas.

carols

'carrels'

joyous songs especially at Christmas.

carp 1. a freshwater fish. 2. talk querulously/find fault.

carpal

'carpel'

pertaining to the carpus, or wrist.

carpel

'carpal'

part of the structure of a seed plant.

carps 1. freshwater fishes. 2. complains; finds fault; talks querulously.

carr

'car'

a stand of trees/wood in boggy ground.

40 carrel

'carol'

a small study enclosure/cubicle.

carrels

'carols'

small study enclosures/cubicles.

carried 1. (nautical) lost a mast by breakage. 2. conveyed; shipped; handled. 3. won, as in 'carried the game'.

carries

'karris'

1. (nautical) loses a mast by breakage. 2. conveys; ships; handles. 3. wins, as in 'carries the game'.

carrot

'carat', 'caret' & 'karet'

an orange colored root plant.

carrots

'carats' & 'carets'

orange colored root vegetables.

carry

'karri'

1. convey; ship; handle. 2. win e.g. carry the day 3. (nautical) lose a mast by breakage. 1. (nautical) losing a mast by breakage. 2. conveying; shipping; handling. 3. winning, as in 'carrying the game'.

'carte' & 'kart'

1. a strong two-wheeled vehicle. 2. (slang) in a fix/awkward position. 3. a reverse order e.g. put the cart before the horse.

carte

'cart' & 'kart'

a fencing position (sword play).

cartel

'kartel'

1. a written challenge to duel. 2. a union to control production.

cartels

'kartels'

1. unions to control production. 2. written challenges to duels.

cartes

'carts' & 'karts'

fencing positions (of sword play).

carts

'cartes' & 'karts'

1. reverse orders e.g. puts the cart before the horse 2. strong two-wheeled vehicles.

carve

'calve'

cut into slices using a sharp knife.

carved

'calved'

sliced up, using a sharp knife.

carver

'kava'

1. one who carves wood etc. 2. a dining chair with arms.

carvers 1. those who carve wood etc. 2. dining chairs with arms.

carves

carving

'calving'

slicing up, using a sharp knife.

case 1. an instance of a thing's occurring. 2. in grammar, nominative/objective etc. 3. an enclosure of something. 4. shrapnel.

cases 1. enclosures of something. 2. in grammar, nominative/objective/accusative etc. 3. instances of a thing's occurring.

cash

'cache'

ready money.

cashed

'cached'

converted goods to money value.

cashes

'caches'

converts asset/check/credit into actual money.

cashew

'cachou'

a kidney-shaped nut.

carrying

cart

slices up, using a sharp knife.

'calves'

cashier 1. a person in charge of a bank's cash. 2. dismiss from service/depose/discard.

cashing

'caching'

converting assets/check/credit into actual money.

casing 1. the exterior of a box/object, usually metal. 2. (slang) examining (usually a bank) with a view to rob.

cask

'casque'

a container/barrel, usually wooden.

casks

'casques'

containerss/barrels, usually wooden.

casque

'cask'

a helmet.

casques

'casks'

helmets.

cassation 1. an annulment; a cancellation/reversal. 2. an 18th century composition, performed outdoors.

cassations 1. annulments; cancellations; reversals. 2. 18th century compositions, performed outdoors.

cast

'caste' & 'karst'

1. throw. 2. reckon; calculate. 3. actors in a play/movies. 4. form into some shape. 5. the casual lift in a cart. 6. undigested food vomited by a hawk. 7. a twist; an inclination.

41 8. a tinge/shade/type/quality.

caste

'cast' & 'karst'

a Hindu hereditary class.

caster

'castor'

one who or that which casts.

casters

'castors' 'casts' & 'karsts'

Hindu hereditary classes.

1. arrangements for actors. 2. forming molten metals.

castle 1. a large fortified building/stronghold. 2. (chess) move a rook next to the king and the king around the rook.

castles 1. (chess) moves rook next to the king and king around the rook. 2. large fortified buildings/strongholds.

'caster'

1. a substance obtained from beavers. 2. (slang) a hat. 3. a condiment bottle. 4. a small swiveled wheel. 5. a horny knob on horse's leg.

'casters'

1. (slang) hats. 2. condiment bottles. 3. small swiveled wheels. 4. horny knobs on a horse's leg.

'castes' & 'karsts'

1. throws. 2. reckons; calculates. 3. the actors in plays/movies. 4. forms into some shape. 5. the casual lifts in a cart. 6. undigested food vomited by a hawk. 7. twists; inclinations.

cat

1. a waterfall. 2. (pathology) an eye-complaint.

catch

castings

casts

1. double boats connected by beams etc. 2. ill-natured women

1. (pathology) eye complaints. 2. waterfalls.

1. calculating. 2. arranging for actors. 3. forming molten metal. 4. throwing aside/away.

castors

catamarans

cataracts

casting

castor

1. a double boat connected by beams etc. 2. an ill-natured woman.

cataract

those that cast.

castes

catamaran

'kat'

1. a small domesticated feline. 2. a movable shelter used in medieval warfare when attacking forts 3. a six-legged tripod. 4. a tapered short stick. 5. (colloquial) vomit. 6. (nautical) raise the anchor from surface to cathead.

catadromous 1. tending downwards. 2. (zoology) of fish, migrating to sea to breed.

1. capture; ensnare. 2. check suddenly. 3. a cunning question/deception/surprise. 4. contrivance for checking door motion. 5. (music) a composition for three or more voices.

catches 1. (music) compositions for three or more persons. 2. captures; ensnares. 3. checks/stops suddenly. 4. contrivances for stopping door motion. 5. cunning questions/surprises/deceptions.

catching 1. infectious; attractive. 2. trapping; ensnaring; capturing.

catchy 1. pleasing; easily remembered. 2. tricky; deceptive. 3. fitful; intermittent.

caterpillar 1. the larva of a butterfly. 2. a rapacious person. 3. an endless articulated steel band.

caterpillars 1. endless articulated steel bands. 2. the larvae of butterflies. 3. rapacious persons.

catling 1. a small cat. 2. a knife used for amputating limbs etc.

catlings 1. knives used for amputating limbs etc. 2. small cats.

cats

'kats'

1. (colloquial) vomits. 2. (nautical) raises anchor from surface to cathead. 3. movable shelters used in medieval warfare when attacking forts. 4. six-legged tripods. 5. small felines. 6. tapered short sticks.

42 catty

ceil

1. like a cat; spiteful; vicious. 2. a Chinese measure of weight.

caudal

'caudle'

of/at/like tail.

caudle

'caudal'

a warm gruel with sugar and wine.

caul

'call'

1. the plain part at the back of a woman's cape. 2. the membrane enclosing a fetus.

cauld

'called'

1. (Scottish) cold; chilly. 2. (Scottish) a dam/weir in a stream.

caulk

'calk' & 'cork'

stop up seams (usually of boat).

caulked

'calked' & 'corked'

stopped up seams.

caulking

'calking' & 'corking'

stopping up seams.

caulks

'calks' & 'corks'

stops up seams.

cauls

'calls'

1. the plain part at the back of women's caps. 2. the membranes enclosing fetuses.

cause

'caws'

an agent/a reason/grounds for motivation/action. 1. yield/submit. 2. hollow out something; a subterranean tunnel. 3. (slang) look out!

'cavil'

(mining) the equitable allotment of dangerous jobs.

caves 1. hollows (in cliffs/hills etc.). 2. yields; submits.

cavil

'cavel'

find fault; raise trivial objections.

caws

'cause'

sounds/cries of a crow/magpie.

cedar

'seeder'

a type of tree/wood.

cedars

giving up/relinquishing.

cell

'sell'

1. a dependent nunnery/monastery. 2. a room in a prison. 3. an element of a battery. 4. a portion of protoplasm enclosed in membrane.

cellar

'seller'

an underground room.

cellars

'sellers'

underground rooms.

cells

'sells'

1. dependent nunneries/monasteries. 2. prisons/lockable rooms within prisions. 3. elements of a battery. 4. portions of protoplasm enclosed in membrane.

cense

'cents', 'sense' & 'scents

a perfume; worship by burning incense.

censer censers

'censor' & 'sensor' 'censors' & 'sensors'

vessels used to burn incense.

censes

'senses'

perfumes; worships by burning incense.

censor

'censer' & 'sensor'

1. an ancient Roman magistrate. 2. a licensing official.

censors

'censers' & 'sensors'

1. ancient Roman magistrates. 2. the act of official licensing.

cent

'sent' & 'scent'

a penny/hundredth of dollar.

center 1. the midpoint of anything. 2. (Shakespeare) a waist-belt.

cercus

'cense', 'sense' & 'scents

a number of penny coins.

'circus'

a tail-like appendage.

'seeded'

cere

'seer', 'sear' & 'sere'

a wax-like membrane below bird's beak.

'seeds'

cereal

'seeding'

cereals

gives up; grants; admits.

ceding

1. heavenly; divine; spiritual. 2. (colloquial) a Chinese; one of Chinese origin.

'seed'

capitulated; gave up; resigned.

cedes

celestial

cents

give up; grant; admit.

ceded

'sealing' & 'seeling'

1. interior roof in room. 2. maximum altitude for airplane.

'seeders'

types of trees/woods.

cede

ceiling

a vessel used to burn incense.

cave

cavel

'seal' & 'seel'

line roof of (room).

'serial'

an edible grain. edible grains.

'serials'

43 ceres

'sears', 'seres' & 'seers'

wax-like membranes below birds' beaks.

cereus

'serious'

a type of American cactus.

cess 1. a tax or levy (in parts of UK). 2. (in Ireland) luck; chance. 3. a cesspit or cesspool; a drain.

cession

'session'

an act of ceding/giving up.

cessions

'sessions'

acts of ceding/giving up.

cestus 1. a type of girdle. 2. an ancient boxing-glove weighted with metal.

cetaceous

'setaceous'

pertaining to whales/dolphins etc.

chaff 1. separated grain-husks. 2. (slang) a spurious substitute. 3. banter.

chair

'chare'

a seat/an office of a person.

chairs

'chares'

seats/offices of persons.

chalice

'challis'

a communion cup.

challis

'chalice'

soft glossless silk.

champ 1. munch/chew noisily. 2. show impatience. 3. a champion.

champagne

'champaign'

a kind of sparkling wine, originally from France.

champagnes

'champaigns'

kinds of wines from France.

champaign

'champagne'

open country.

champaigns

'champagnes'

open countries.

champs

'chance'

religious songs/hymns.

chap 1. a crack/fissure (in skin usually). 2. the lower jaw. 3. (colloquial) a man; a boy; a fellow.

chaps 1. (colloquial) men; boys; fellows. 2. cracks/fissures in the skin, usually. 3. lower jaws.

char 1. hill trout of Wales. 2. odd jobs of housework. 3. burn/scorch.

character 1. personality; style; sort; morality; backbone. 2. a letter of the alphabet.

characters 1. letters of the alphabet. 2. personalities; styles.

chard

'charred'

a type of vegetable.

chare

'chair'

rare version of 'char'.

chares

'chairs'

old variation of 'chars' - household work.

charge 1. a material load/correct amount. 2. a device/bearing. 3. an expense; a price demanded. 4. a task/duty/commission. 5. an exhortation; a direction. 6. an accusation. 7. an impetuous attack.

charged 1. material loaded. 2. expended. 3. exhorted/directed. 4. accused. 5. impetuously attacked.

charger 1. a large flat dish. 2. an officer's horse.

chargers

1. munches/chews noisily. 2. shows impatience. 3. many champions.

chance

chants

'chants'

an opportunity/un-designed occurrence.

channel 1. a bed of running water. 2. a thick plank projecting from ship's side.

channels 1. beds of running water. 2. thick planks projecting from a ship's side.

1. large flat dishes. 2. officers' horses.

charges 1. material loads; correct amounts. 2. devices; bearings. 3. expenses/prices demanded. 4. tasks; duties; commissions. 5. exhortations; directions. 6. accusations. 7. impetuous attacks.

charging

44 1. attacking. 2. accusing. 3. exhorting. 4. demanding money. 5. loading.

6. iron frames holding type for printing.

chasing 1. pursuing. 2. embossing; engraving.

chaste

charlie 1. (colloquial) a silly person/fool. 2. (colloquial) a woman/woman's breasts.

charlies 1. (colloquial) silly persons; fools. 2. (colloquial) women; women's breasts.

charm 1. something having occult power. 2. a trinket on a watch chain/bracelet. 3. give pleasure to.

charms 1. gives pleasure to. 2. things having occult powers. 3. trinkets on a watch chain/bracelet.

charred

'chard'

thoroughly burnt/consumed by fire.

chars 1. hill trout of Wales. 2. burns; scorches.

charter 1. written grant of rights. 2. hire ship/vehicle.

charters

chat 1. an easy familiar conversation. 2. a kind of bird. 3. (colloquial) a small potato.

chats 1. easy familiar conversations. 2. kinds of birds. 3. (colloquial) small potatoes.

chatty 1. given to chatter; being talkative. 2. an earthen water pot (India).

cheap

'cheep'

low in price; not expensive.

check 1. exposure of the king in chess. 2. a rebuff/repulse/sudden stop. 3. (hunting) a loss of scent. 4. a control to secure accuracy. 5. a left-luggage token. 6. a cross-lined pattern. 7. a written order to pay money (British: 'cheque').

checks

1. hires a ship/vehicle. 2. written grants of rights.

chase 1. a pursuit. 2. an unenclosed park-land. 3. (of tennis) a certain stroke. 4. emboss; engrave. 5. a part of a gun. 6. the iron frame holding type for printing.

chased

'chased'

abstain from immoral acts.

'chaste'

pursued; followed; tracked.

chaser 1. one who pursues. 2. a kind of alcoholic drink. 3. a tool used for cutting screw threads. 4. a person who engraves metal.

chasers 1. kinds of drink. 2. those who pursue. 3. tools used for cutting screw threads. 4. persons who engrave metal.

chases 1. pursuits. 2. unenclosed park-lands. 3. (of tennis) certain strokes. 4. embosses; engraves. 5. parts of a gun.

1. (hunting) loses scent. 2. controls to secure accuracy. 3. cross-lined patterns. 4. exposes the king in chess. 5. left-luggage tokens. 6. rebuffs; repulses; stops. 7. written orders to pay money (British: 'cheques').

cheek 1. a side wall of mouth/face. 2. saucy/cheeky talk.

cheep

'cheap'

to chirp, as in young bird.

cheer 1. united hurrahs/hoorays. 2. food; fare. 3. a perspective/frame of mind, usually positive.

cheerio 1. goodbye; farewell. 2. in Queensland and Victoria, a cocktail frankfurter.

cheerios 1. many goodbyes/farewells. 2. in Queensland and Victoria, cocktail frankfurters.

cheese 1. food made of pressed curds.

45 2. (slang) the correct thing. 3. (slang) stop/give over.

chemise 1. a woman's loose fitting undergarment. 2. a facing for earth embankment.

chemises 1. women's loose fitting undergarments. 2. facings for earth embankments.

chert

'chirt'

a compact flinty mineral.

chess 1. a board game for two players. 2. a plank of a pontoon bridge.

chest 1. a large strong box. 2. that part of the body enclosed by the ribs.

chests 1. large strong boxes. 2. the part of bodies enclosed by the ribs.

chews

'choose'

grind/masticate with teeth.

chicane 1. cheat. 2. (bridge) a hand with no trumps. 3. a twisty part of a racing circuit.

chicanes 1. (of bridge) hands with no trumps. 2. cheats. 3. parts of racing circuits. 1. a young bird. 2. a screen blind of fine bamboo. 1. (military) friendly fighter aircraft. 2. young birds. 3. (slang) young women, sometimes derogatory.

'chigger'

(colloquial) in Tasmania, a person from Chigwell.

'chigga'

the parasitic larva of certain mites.

chili

'chilli' & 'chilly'

the hot, dry sirocco wind of North Africa.

chilli

'chilly' & 'chili'

the dried pod of capsicum.

chilly

'chilli' & 'chilli'

cold to feel.

chime 1. a set of attuned bells. 2. the rim at the end of a cask.

chimes 1. rims at the end of casks. 2. sets of attuned bells.

china

1. a deep narrow ravine. 2. a backbone.

chines 1. backbones. 2. deep narrow ravines.

chink 1. a crevice/long narrow opening. 2. sounds of glasses/money rubbing together. 3. (slang) ready money.

chinks 1. crevices; long narrow openings. 2. sounds of glasses/money rubbing together.

chins

'chinse'

the points of lower jaws, in humans.

chinse

'chins'

(nautical) to caulk, especially on a temporary basis.

chip 1. a thin piece cut from wood/stone. 2. (slang) a counter/piece of money, used in gambling. 3. be quick to take offence. 4. (colloquial) banter. 5. a wrestling trick. 6. (of golf) a short lofted shot at putting green. 7. a thin fried potato stick. 1. feeling very happy/lively/cheerful. 2. a machine that turns wood into chips.

chippers

chicks

chigger

chine

chipper

chick

chigga

1. a type of vitreous earthenware, first from China. 2. (colloquial) a friend/mate.

1. machines that turn wood into chips. 2. feeling very happy/lively/cheerful.

chips 1. (slang) counters; pieces of money. 2. short lofted shots at putting green. 3. thin pieces cut from wood or stone. 4. wrestling tricks. 5. thin, fried potato sticks.

chirt

'chert'

a squeeze/squirt.

chit 1. a young person. 2. a written note.

chiton 1. (Greek antiquity) a garment for both sexes, worn next to the skin. 2. a type of limpet-like mollusk that sticks to rocks.

chits 1. written notes. 2. young persons.

46 choir

'quire'

chords

a band of singers.

choirs

'quires'

1. stop the breath; suffocate. 2. an inductance coil. 3. the center part of the artichoke.

choker

chokes 1. center parts of artichokes. 2. inductance coils. 3. stops breathing; suffocates.

'collar'

yellow bile.

'collars'

yellow biles.

chous

'shoes' & 'shoos'

chow 1. a Chinese breed of dog with a black tongue. 2. (colloquial) food.

chromo 1. a chromolithograph. 2. (colloquial) a prostitute.

chromos 1. chromolithographs. 2. (colloquial) prostitutes.

'chronicle'

chronic; long-lasting.

1. a primus type of camp stove. 2. (colloquial) a train; a smoker of marijuana.

'chews'

select; save; determine.

chop 1. cut by striking heavily. 2. change direction suddenly (usually of wind). 3. a seal/license/permit.

chopin 1. an old-French liquid measure. 2. a high clog/wooden shoe.

chopper 1. (colloquial) a helicopter. 2. a person/thing that chops, especially with axe. 3. an old beef cow, sold for slaughter. 4. (colloquial) one who belongs to the Catholic church. 5. a type of grip in tennis, to induce spin to a ball.

choppers 1. (colloquial) helicopters. 2. persons/things that chop, especially with axes. 3. old beef cows, sold for slaughter. 4. (colloquial) those who belong to the Catholic church.

chops 1. changes direction suddenly (usually of the wind). 2. cuts by striking. 3. seals; licenses; permits. 4. (slang) jaws.

'cord' & 'cored'

a string of a harp; musical notes.

chordate

'chuff'

the red-legged crow; a jackdaw.

chronical

choofer

chord

chough

rosettes/knobs of cotton.

1. a necklace worn tightly around the neck. 2. (colloquial) a sports player unable to win.

choose

'shoe' & 'shoo'

a rosette/an ornamental knot of ribbon.

choke

cholers

'cords'

the strings of a harp; sets of musical notes.

chou

bands/groups of singers.

choler

a member of the highest phylum of animals.

'cordate'

chronicle

'chronical'

a newspaper/magazine/periodical.

chuck 1. make the call of a fowl. 2. jerk under the chin. 3. fling/throw about. 4. a contrivance on a lathe for holding the work for cutting. 5. food; grub.

chucks 1. contrivances on lathes for holding objects. 2. flings/throws about. 3. jerks under the chin. 4. makes the call of a fowl.

chuff

'chough'

1. a clown/surly person. 2. (colloquial) the buttocks.

chum 1. a friend/companion. 2. a dog-salmon.

chump 1. a short thick lump of wood. 2. (colloquial) the head. 3. (slang) a fool/silly person

chumps 1. (colloquial) heads. 2. (slang) many fools/silly persons. 3. short thick lumps of wood.

chute

'shoot'

1. a sloping channel. 2. abbreviation for parachute.

chutes sloping channels.

cinch

'shoots'

47 1. a saddle girth. 2. (slang) a sure thing.

(slang) a gross blunder.

clangor

cinder

a noise; a series of noises.

1. ash/residue of burned coals etc. 2. (slang) a strong stimulant put in tea/sodawater etc.

cingle

'single'

a girth/belt.

cinque

'sink' & 'sync'

the five at dice and cards.

circle

'surcle'

a ring/halo/orb/circlet/crown/sphere etc.

circus

'cercus'

a circular tent/place for games/animal shows.

cirrus

'scirrhus'

1. a tendril/slender appendage. 2. a form of clouds, usually at very high altitude.

cist

'cyst' & 'sist'

a prehistoric stone or coffin.

cists

'cysts' & 'sists'

prehistoric stones or coffins.

cit

'sit'

(archaic slang) a term of contempt for townspeople.

cite

'cyte','sight' & 'site'

1. summon to appear at court. 2. quote a book/author in support of an argument/perspective.

cited

'sighted' & 'sited'

1. quoted a book/author in support of an argument/rationale etc. 2. summoned to appear in court.

cites

'cytes','sights' & 'sites'

1. quotes a book/author in support of an argument/rationale etc. 2. summons to appear in court.

citing

'sighting' & 'siting'

1. quoting a book/author in support of an argument/rationale etc. 2. summoning to appear in court.

clack

1. applaud with hands. 2. a venereal disease.

clapped 1. applauded with hands. 2. (slang) ruined; rendered useless.

claque

'clack'

a group hired to applaud.

claques

'clacks'

groups hired to applaud.

clatch

'klatch'

1. daub/smear, as with lime. 2. make something in a slipshod manner.

clatches

'klatches'

1. daubs/smears, as with lime. 2. makes something in a slipshod manner.

clause

'claws'

a short sentence or part of a complex sentence.

claws

'clause'

1. the horny nails of beasts. 2. (nautical) beats to the windward.

cleat

'cleit'

(nautical) a small wedge-shaped block for belaying ropes/halyards.

cleats

'cleits'

(nautical) small wedge-shaped blocks for belaying ropes/halyards.

cleave

'cleve'

1. split; divide; separate. 2. unite; adhere to.

cleavers 1. butcher's chopping tools. 2. goose-grass.

cleaves

'cleves'

1. splits; divides; separates. 2. unites; adheres to.

cleit

'claques'

cleits

'cleat'

(Scottish) a small shelter used as storage room.

chattering sounds.

'cleats'

(Scottish) small shelters used as storage rooms.

clam

cleve

1. a bivalve shellfish. 2. the sounds of two bells ringing.

clamp

'cleave'

a hillside/cliff.

cleves

'cleaves'

cliffs; hillsides.

1. a brace/clasp/band. 2. a pile of bricks.

clew

'clue' & 'clou'

1. a ball of thread/yarn. 2. lower a corner of a sail.

clamps 1. many braces/clasps/bands. 2. piles of bricks.

clanger

clap

'claque'

a chattering sound.

clacks

'clanger'

'clangor'

clews

'clues' & 'clous'

1. balls of thread/yarn. 2. the lower corners of sails.

48 click

'klick'

1. a slight sharp sound. 2. (slang) come to an agreement. 3. (printing) a foreman who distributes the copy.

clicked 1. made slight sharp sounds. 2. (slang) came to an agreement

clicker 1. a thing/person who clicks. 2. (colloquial) a foreman in a print/shoemaking shop.

clickers 1. things/people who click. 2. (colloquial) foremen in print/shoemaking shops.

clicking 1. slight sharp sounds. 2. (slang) coming to an agreement.

clicks

'klicks'

1. slight sharp sounds. 2. (slang) comes to an agreement.

climb

'clime'

ascend/go upwards.

climbs

'climes'

ascends/goes upwards.

clime

'climb'

the weather conditions, in general.

climes

'climbs'

weather conditions, in general.

clink 1. a sharp ringing sound. 2. a prison/lock-up.

clinker 1. a hard brick used in paving. 2. (colloquial) a thing worthy of admiration.

clinkers 1. hard bricks used in paving. 2. (colloquial) things worthy of admiration.

clinks 1. prisons; lock-ups. 2. sharp ringing sounds.

clip 1. surround closely. 2. an ornamental brooch. 3. a set of attached bullets for a rifle magazine. 4. cut with shears/scissors. 5. a quick blow with the hand (to the head/ear).

clipped 1. cut with shears/scissors. 2. executed a quick blow with the hand (to the head/ear). 3. surrounded closely

clipper 1. an instrument for clipping hair.

2. a kind of sailing ship. 3. an excellent thing of its kind.

clippers 1. kinds of ships. 2. instruments for clipping hair.

clipping 1. cutting with shears/scissors. 2. executing a quick blow with the hand (to the head/ear). 3. surrounding closely.

clips 1. brooches. 2. cuts with shears/scissors. 3. sets of bullets for a rifle magazine. 4. quick blows with a hand (to the head/ear). 5. surrounds closely.

clobber 1. a black paste. 2. (slang) clothing; gear. 3. (slang) beat up; thrash.

clobbers 1. (slang) beats up; thrashes. 2. (slang) clothing; gear. 3. black pastes.

clock 1. an instrument for measuring time; measure time. 2. a pattern worked in silk. 3. (slang) hit; strike.

clocked (slang) hit; struck measured a period of time.

clocking 1. measuring a period of time. 2. (slang) hitting; striking.

clocks 1. measures a period of time; time pieces. 2. patterns worked in silk. 3. (slang) hits; strikes.

clod 1. a lump of earth. 2. a bumpkin/lout. 3. the coarse part of ox neck as meat.

clods 1. bumpkins; louts. 2. coarse part of oxen necks, as meat. 3. lumps of earth.

cloff 1. a crack/fissure/chink. 2. an allowance on buying wholesale goods.

close 1. near; dense; compact. 2. a precinct of a cathedral/school playground. shut down; terminate; bring to end.

clot

49 1. a mass of material stuck together. 2. (slang) a stupid person.

clots

coactive

1. (slang) stupid persons. 2. masses of material stuck together.

clou

'clew' & 'clue'

a chief attraction/central idea.

clous

'clews' & 'clues'

chief attractions; central ideas. 1. a patch. 2. hit; cuff; strike. 3. the iron plate on a boot. 4. the frame of canvas for archery.

clouts 1. frames of canvas for archery. 2. hits; cuffs. 3. iron plates on boots. 4. patches.

clove

'close'

a type of reading comprehension test.

club 1. a stick with a thick end. 2. an association of united persons.

clubs 1. associations of united persons. 2. sticks with thick ends.

'clew' & clou'

a fact/principle serving as a guide.

clues

'clews' & 'clous'

facts/principles serving as guides.

clutch 1. seize eagerly; grab; snatch. 2. a set of eggs/brood of chicks.

clutches 1. seizes eagerly; grabs; snatches. 2. sets of eggs; broods of chicks.

coach 1. a state carriage/bus etc. 2. a private tutor/trainer.

coact 1. compel. 2. (Shakespeare) act together.

coacted 1. compelled. 2. (Shakespeare) acted together.

coacting 1. compelling. 2. (Shakespeare) acting together.

coaction

coacts 1. compels. 2. (Shakespeare) acts together.

coal

'cole' & 'kohl'

coaled

'cold'

mined of coal.

coaming

'combing'

(nautical) the raised edges on a hatch to keep water out.

coamings

'combings'

(nautical) raised edges on hatches to keep the water out.

coarse

'course' & 'corse'

common; inferior; rough.

1. past tense of 'cleave'. 2. a division of a bulb e.g. of garlic. 3. an old weight for wool and cheese.

clue

1. compulsory. 2. (Shakespeare) acting together.

black carbonized matter.

clout

cloze

1. compulsion. 2. mutual relations.

coarser

'courser'

more coarse/rough.

coaster 1. a ship that plies the coastal ports of a country. 2. a sledge for ice slopes; a type of bicycle. 3. a small mat or tray.

coasters 1. ships that ply the coastal ports of a country. 2. sledges for ice slopes; a type of bicycles. 3. small mats or trays.

coat

'cote'

an outer garment; cover an object with something.

coats

'cotes'

outer garments; covers with an outer garment.

coax

'cokes'

persuade/cajole.

cob

'kob'

1. the male swan. 2. a short-legged riding horse. 3. a lump of coal. 4. a composition of clay/gravel/straw for walls.

cobb

'cob'

a type of stage-coach, braced not sprung.

cobble 1. water worn stone. 2. put together roughly; patch; mend.

cobbler 1. a shoe repairer. 2. a clumsy worker. 3. a type of iced drink/fruit pie. 4. an eel-tailed catfish.

cobblers 1. (colloquial) testicles.

50 2. (colloquial) nonsense; rubbish; crap. 3. shoe repairers. 4. clumsy workers. 5. a type of iced drinks/fruit pies. 6. eel-tailed catfish.

cobbles 1. puts together roughly; patches; mends. 2. water worn stones.

cobbs

'cobs'

a type of stage-coaches, braced not sprung.

cobs 1. lumps of coal. 2. male swans. 3. short-legged riding horses. 4. aberrations in waves on an oscilloscope screen. 1. a tapped spout. 2. a male bird. 3. a lever in gun released by the trigger. 4. an upward bend. 5. a small conical heap. 6. (colloquial) the penis.

cocker 1. indulge; pamper; coddle. 2. a breed of spaniel.

cockers 1. breed of spaniels. 2. indulges; pampers; coddles.

cockle

coddling

'codling'

tenderly treating/holding a person/thing.

codling

'coddling'

1. a small codfish. 2. a long tapering apple.

codlings 1. long tapering apples. 2. small codfishes.

cods 1. (slang) hoaxes; fools. 2. large sea fishes.

'cough' & 'kof'

(Scottish) buy/purchase anything.

coffed

'coughed'

(Scottish) bought/purchased anything.

coffer

'cougher'

1. a large strongbox for storing money etc. 2. (architecture) a sunken panel in the ceiling, for decoration.

coffers

'coughers'

1. large strongboxes for storing money etc. 2. (architecture) sunken panels in the ceiling, for decoration.

coffin

coffing

'coughing'

(Scottish) buying/purchasing anything.

coffins 1. (obsolete) pie-crusts. 2. chests for corpses/dead bodies.

cockles 1. bulges; curls; puckers. 2. edible bivalves. 3. purple flowering plants. 4. radiators for heating. 5. small boats.

coffs

'coughs'

(Scottish) buys/purchases anything.

cog 'cox'

1. levers in guns released by triggers. 2. male birds. 3. small conical heaps. 4. tapped spouts. 5. upward bends. 6. (colloquial) penises.

cocky 1. (colloquial) arrogantly smart. 2. a parrot or cockatoo. 3. a farmer with a small farm. 4. (colloquial) a cockroach.

'cocoa'

a tropical sea-side palm tree.

cocoa

1. a large sea fish. 2. (slang) a hoax/fool.

1. (obsolete) a pie-crust. 2. a chest for a corpse/dead body.

1. a purple flowered plant. 2. an edible bivalve. 3. a small boat. 4. bulge; curl; pucker. 5. a radiator for heating.

coco

cod

coff

cock

cocks

a chocolate drink.

'coco'

1. a projection on a wheel. 2. a control/bias, when throwing dice.

cogs 1. controls/biases, when throwing dice. 2. projections on wheels.

coign

'coin' & 'quoin'

a place to get a good view.

coigns

'coins' & 'quoins'

places to get good views.

coil 1. a twist in concentric rings. 2. a disturbance/noise.

coils 1. disturbances; noises. 2. twists in concentric rings.

51 coin

'coign' & 'quoin'

a piece of metal used for money.

coins

'coigns' & 'quoins'

pieces of metal used for money.

coke 1. (colloquial) cocaine. 2. a solid product from the distillation of coal.

cokes

'coax'

(obsolete) a simpleton/fool.

col 1. a pass between mountain peaks. 2. a region of low pressure between anticyclones.

cola

'collation'

straining; filtering.

colations

'coal' & 'kohl' 'choler'

'collared' 'collard'

'cholers'

1. neckbands. 2. appropriates; seizes. 3. presses meat into a roll.

collation

'colation'

1. a description of technical features of a book. 2. a light snack or meal.

collations

'colations'

1. descriptions of technical features of a book. 2. light snacks or meals.

collie

'colly'

a type of sheep-dog from Scotland.

collop 1. (obsolete) a fried egg with bacon. 2. (Shakespeare) a child.

colly

'collie'

to be covered in coal-dust.

colon

'culler'

a tint/shading.

colors

'cullers'

tints; shadings. 1. unnatural heavy sleep. 2. (botany) silky hairs at the end of a seed. 3. (astronomy) the nebulous cover around a comet.

'coaming' 'coamings'

acts of smoothing/untangling of hair using combs.

comfit

'comfort'

(obsolete) a sugar-coated sweet.

comfort

'comfit'

soothe; console; cheer; aid.

commission

1. wore a tie/neckband. 2. appropriated; seized; arrested. 3. pressed meat into a roll.

collars

color

'coaled'

cole-wort.

collared

1. the greater part of the intestines. 2. punctuation marks.

smoothing/untangling hair using a comb.

1. a neckband. 2. appropriate; seize. 3. press meat into roll.

collard

colons

combings

a general name for cabbage.

collar

'kernels'

the highest regimental officers.

combing

1. of low temperature. 2. a virus usually affecting the nasal membrane.

cole

'kernel'

the highest regimental officer.

colonels

'collations'

strainings; filterings.

cold

colonel

coma

1. the cola nut; a drink therefrom. 2. the plural of 'colon'.

colation

1. the greater part of the intestine. 2. a punctuation mark.

1. a warrant conferring authority. 2. committing a crime. 3. order a ship for active service. 4. receive money for work done.

commissioned 1. committed a crime. 2. ordered a ship for active service. 3. received money for work done. 4. conferred authority with a warrant.

commissioning 1. committing a crime 2. ordering a ship for active service 3. conferring authority with a warrant

commissions 1. commits a crime. 2. orders a ship for active service. 3. money received for work done. 4. warrants conferring authority.

commutator 1. a person/thing that commutes. 2. a thing for altering electric current.

commutators 1. persons/things that commute. 2. things for altering electric currents.

commute 1. change payment/punishment.

52 2. travel to and from place of work.

commuted

complimentary

1. changed payment/punishment. 2. traveled to and from place of work.

commutes 1. changes payment/punishment. 2. travels to and from place of work.

commuting 1. changing payment/punishment. 2. traveling to and from place of work.

compact 1. an agreement; a common consent. 2. neatly packed together. 1. one who accompanies another. 2. (nautical) a raised frame for lighting lamps.

companions 1. (nautical) raised frames for lighting lamps. 2. those who accompany others.

compass 1. an instrument for making circles. 2. an instrument that shows north/south etc. 3. grasp mentally; accomplish; go round.

compasses 1. grasps mentally; accomplishes; goes around. 2. instruments for making circles. 3. instruments that show north/south etc.

'compeer'

(Scottish) to appear in court.

compeer

'compear'

an associate; a companion.

compendium 1. a concise treatise/comprehensive summary. 2. a box of stationery for writing letters.

complacence

'complaisance'

tranquil pleasure; self-satisfaction.

complacent

'complaisant'

self-satisfied; tranquil.

complaisance

'complacence'

politeness; deference.

complaisant

'complacent'

polite; deferent.

complement

'compliment'

that which completes.

complementary

'complimentary' 'compliments'

that which completes.

complex 1. a complicated whole. 2. (psychology) an obsession.

compliment

polite; praise worthy.

compliments

'complements'

1. expressions of praise. 2. (archaic) gifts; gratuities.

compo 1. (colloquial) workers' compensation. 2. (colloquial) mixed plaster or mortar.

compose 1. to be calm/quiet. 2. develop/arrange a set of type or piece of music. 1. remained calm/quiet. 2. developed/arranged printing type or music piece.

composition 1. a construction of sentences/poem/an essay etc. 2. an agreement; a compromise. 3. an artificial mixture.

compositions 1. agreements; compromises. 2. artificial mixtures. 3. the construction of sentences/poems/essays etc.

compound 1. something made up of several ingredients. 2. an enclosure in which a house/factory stands.

compounds 1. enclosures in which houses/factories stand. 2. mixtures of different ingredients.

con 1. study/learn by rote. 2. direct the steering of a ship. 3. with. 4. against (used as 'pro and con'). 5. deceive somebody.

conceit 1. personal vanity. 2. (archaic) imagine.

concent

'consent'

(archaic) a harmony/concert of voices.

concentina 1. a small, hexagonal accordion. 2. (colloquial) a side of lamb.

concentrate

serving to complete.

complements

'complementary'

composed

companion

compear

2. (archaic) a gift/gratuity.

'complement'

1. an expression of praise.

1. focus upon; bring to bear; direct towards. 2. (chemistry) increase the strength of a solution. 3. (mining) separate metal from rock, sand, dirt etc.

concentrated 1. applied with focus/energy/intensity.

53 2. (chemistry) reduced to the main substance by removing water.

concentration 1. the act of focusing/directing/bearing upon. 2. (chemistry) the amount of a given substance in a solution.

conclude (obsolete) confine; restrict; enclose. 1. bring to an end.

concordance 1. the state of being in harmony/agreement. 2. an alphabetical index of principal words in a book.

conduct 1. (of physics) transmit heat/electricity etc. 2. lead/command/direct, e.g. an orchestra.

conducted 1. (of physics) transmitted heat/electricity/sound etc. 2. directed; guided.

conducting 1. (of physics) transmitting heat/electricity/sound etc. 2. directing; guiding; leading.

conductor 1. (of physics) a thing that transmits heat/electricity. 2. one who directs/guides/leads etc. 3. a person who collects fares on a bus/train etc.

conducts 1. (of physics) transmits heat/electricity etc. 2. leads/commands/directs e.g. an orchestra.

cone 1. a figure with a circular base tapering to a point. 2. the fruit of the pine or fir. 3. a marine shell.

cones 1. figures with a circular base tapering to a point. 2. fruits of pine or fir. 3. marine shells.

confer 1. bestow; favor; honor. 2. consult; compare; discuss.

conferred 1. bestowed; favored; honored. 2. consulted; compared; discussed.

conferring 1. bestowing; favoring; honoring. 2. consulting; comparing; discussing.

confers 1. bestows; favors; honors. 2. consults; compares; discusses.

confirm 1. administer the rite of confirmation. 2. corroborate; make valid/certain.

confirmed 1. administered the rite of confirmation. 2. corroborated; made valid/certain.

confirming 1. administering the rite of confirmation. 2. corroborating; making valid/certain.

confirms 1. administers the rite of confirmation. 2. corroborates; makes valid/certain.

confound 1. mingle so that elements cannot be separated. 2. be mistaken. 3. (archaic) put to shame. 4. (obsolete) spend uselessly; waste.

confounded 1. astonished; amazed; discomfited. 2. (colloquial) damned.

confuse 1. bewilder; perplex; disconcert. 2. (obsolete) bring to ruin.

confusion 1. a state of disorder/perplexity. 2. (obsolete) overthrow; defeat.

conger 1. a large eel-like fish. 2. (history) a company of co-operating booksellers.

conjuration 1. an incantation; a spell/supplication. 2. (obsolete) a conspiracy.

conk 1. breakdown; fail (usually of a machine). 2. a method of chemically straightening the hair. 3. (colloquial) the nose.

conker

'conquer'

the snail or chestnut shell used in a game of conkers.

conkers

'conquers'

the shells in a game of conkers; the game of conkers.

conks 1. (colloquial) breakdowns/fails (usually of a machine). 2. (colloquial) noses.

conned 1. studied/learned by rote. 2. directed the steering of a ship. 3. deceived somebody.

conner 1. an inspector or tester. 2. a kind of wrasse: the goldsinny or corkwing.

connie 1. (colloquial) a bus or tram conductor. 2. a type of marble used in the game of marbles.

connies

54 1. (colloquial) bus or tram conductors. 2. a type of marbles used in the game of marbles.

conning 1. studying/learning by rote. 2. directing the steering of a ship. 3. deceiving somebody.

conquer

'conker'

defeat in battle/war.

conquers

'conkers'

defeats in battle/war.

cons

'concent'

an agreement/assent. 1. the nature of the result/inference/conclusion. 2. self-important; pompous.

consol 1. a long range radio aid to navigation. 2. a long-lived, warm-season grass of South Africa.

'consonants'

mutual fitness; harmony; agreement.

consonant 1. harmonious; consistent. 2. a unit of speech e.g. k, m, t, p etc. (versus vowels).

consonants

'consonance'

many units of speech e.g. t, q, p etc. (versus vowels).

consort 1. the non-reigning wife or husband of reigning monarch. 2. in company with; in harmony.

constituent 1. an elector/agent for a ward/area/locality. 2. the main/important part.

constituents 1. electors/agents for a ward/area/locality. 2. main/important parts.

consumption 1. the act of consuming. 2. tuberculosis of the lungs.

continence

'continents'

the state or quality of being continent.

continent 1. temperate; chaste. 2. a land; the mainland.

continents

1. entered an agreement. 2. brought together.

contracting 1. entering an agreement. 2. bringing together.

contraction 1. the acquisition of a disease/debt/bad habit etc. 2. a shrinking/shortening of a muscle or thing. 1. acquisitions of diseases/debts/bad habits etc. 2. shrinking/shortening of muscles or things.

contracts 1. brings together (brows/muscles etc.). 2. enters into legal agreement.

consequential

consonance

contracted

contractions

1. directs steering of ships. 2. studies/learns by rote.

consent

2. bring together (brows/muscles etc.)

convention 1. an act of convening; a formal assembly. 2. the accepted method of play/behavior.

conventions 1. accepted methods of play/behaviors. 2. acts of convening; formal assemblies.

converse 1. (archaic) discourse. 2. opposite; contrary.

conviction 1. (of a prisoner) found guilty and imprisoned; fined. 2. a firm belief.

convictions 1. (of prisoners) found guilty and imprisoned; fined. 2. firm beliefs.

coo

'coup'

the soft sounds of doves/pigeons.

cook 1. prepare food with heat. 2. make the sound of a cuckoo. 3. (Scottish) peep.

cooked 1. prepared food with heat. 2. (Scottish) peeped. 3. made the sound of a cuckoo.

cookie 1. a biscuit; a small sweetcake. 2. a small data file used by web browsers. 3. a device for creating shadows in films and filming.

cookies 'continence'

the great land masses of the world.

contract 1. enter into a legal agreement.

1. biscuits; small sweetcakes. 2. small data files used by web browsers. 3. devices for creating shadows in films and filming.

cooking

55 1. preparing food with heat. 2. making the sound of a cuckoo. 3. (Scottish) peeping.

cooks 1. prepares food with heat. 2. makes the sound of a cuckoo. 3. (Scottish) peeps.

cool

'coolly' 'coolie'

in a cool manner; indifferently.

coom

'coomb'

1. soot; coal-dust. 2. (Scottish) the centre of a bridge or arch.

coomb

'coom'

1. a deep wooded valley. 2. a measure of capacity, about 4 bushels.

coon 1. abbreviation of 'raccoon'. 2. derogatory term for a person of dark-skinned race.

coons 1. abbreviation of 'raccoons'. 2. a collective derogatory term for dark-skinned races.

coor

'corps','core' & 'cor'

a working party of miners on a shift.

coos

'coups'

the soft sounds of doves/pigeons.

cop

'kop'

1. a conical ball of thread. 2. (slang) a policeman. 3. catch it/be punished.

coper

'core', 'corps' & 'coor'

a Hebrew measure, about 11 bushels.

cord

'chord' & 'cored'

1. a thin rope/thick string. 2. a measure of cut wood.

cordate

'chordate'

heart-shaped.

cordon 1. a line/circle of police etc. 2. a fruit tree trained to grow along a support.

cordons 1. lines/circles of police etc. 2. fruit trees trained to grow along a support.

cords

'chords'

1. thin ropes; thick strings. 2. measures of cut wood.

core

'corps', 'cor' & 'coor'

1. the center of an apple/central part. 2. a disease/tumor in sheen.

cored

'chord' & 'cord'

with/having the center of a thing removed.

cork

'calk' & 'caulk'

the bark of the cork tree.

corked

'calked' & 'caulked'

1. one who corks bottles etc. 2. (colloquial) something amazing/astonishing/excellent.

corking

'calking' & 'caulking'

putting a cork stopper into a bottle.

corks

1. a floating grogshop. 1. a horse dealer.

'calks' & 'caulks'

puts a cork stopper into a bottle; a number of stoppers made from cork.

copes 1. contends; grapples. 2. long cloaks worn by church officials.

copper 1. a reddish ductile metal. 2. (slang) a policeman.

'copse'

many police officers.

'cops'

a small stand of trees; a wood.

copy

coquettes

corker

1. a long cloak worn by church officials. 2. contend; grapple.

copse

'coquet'

1. a woman who trifles with men. 2. a crested hummingbird.

put a cork stopper into a bottle.

cope

cops

'coquette'

to flirt; to deceive in love.

coquette

cor

an Indian or Chinese laborer.

coolly

coquet

1. crested hummingbirds. 2. women who trifle with men.

1. moderately cold. 2. calmly audacious. 3. be kept waiting.

coolie

reproduce; imitate.

'kopje'

corn 1. a grain/seed. 2. preserve with salt. 3. a horny/calloused part on the feet/hands. 4. (slang) rubbish; nonsense.

cornet 1. a brass musical instrument. 2. a wafer filled with ice-cream. 3. a nun's head dress. 4. the officer in cavalry who carries the colors.

cornets

56 1. brass musical instruments. 2. nuns' head dresses. 3. officers in cavalry who carry the colors. 4. wafers filled with ice-cream.

corns 1. grains; seeds. 2. the horny parts of feet/hands. 3. preserves with salt. 1. abounding in corn. 2. out of date; old fashioned. 3. having corns on the feet etc.

corona 1. a small disc of light around sun/moon etc. 2. (anatomy) various crown-like parts of the body. 3. a brush discharge of electricity. 4. a brand of Havana cigar.

coronas 1. (anatomy) various crown-like parts of bodies. 2. a brand of Havana cigars. 3. brush discharges of electricity. 4. small discs of light around sun/moon etc. 1. of the human body. 2. a sacred cloth in the Catholic Mass. 3. the NCO below sergeant.

'core', 'cor' & 'coor'

a body of troops. 1. be in agreement with. 2. write/communicate by letter/text.

corresponded 1. agreed with. 2. wrote/communicated by letter.

'correspondents'

1. in agreement with. 2. written/typed/printed letters/texts.

'correspondence'

journalists; those who write letters/articles etc.

corresponding 1. agreeing with. 2. writing/communicating by letter.

corresponds 1. agrees with. 2. writes/communicates with by letter etc.

corse

'coarse' & 'course'

poetic form of 'corpse'.

corses

'courses'

poetic form of 'corpses'.

cos a long-leaved lettuce.

cosh 1. (Scottish) cosy; snug.

coss

'cos'

cot 1. a small crib/cottage/dwelling. 2. a small boat. 3. (mathematics) an abbreviation of cotangent.

cote

'coat'

a small animal shed.

cotes

'coats'

small animal sheds.

cots 1. small cribs/cottages/dwellings. 2. small boats.

cotta

'cottar' & 'cotter'

a short surplice worn by choristers. 1. one living in a cottage; a laborer on a farm. 2. (colloquial) a male homosexual.

cottagers 1. those living in cottages; laborers on a farm. 2. (colloquial) male homosexuals.

cottar

correspond

correspondents

1. the universe. 2. a plant bearing single blossom.

cottager

corporal

correspondence

cosmos

an Indian measure of distance, about 2 miles.

corny

corps

2. (slang) a bludgeon/pipe/truncheon used as a weapon. 3. (mathematics) an abbreviation for hyperbolic cosine.

'coss'

'cotter' & 'cotta'

(Scottish) a peasant.

cotter

'cottar' & 'cotta'

1. a key/wedge/bolt/split pin. 2. a Scots peasant.

cotton 1. a white downy cloth. 2. agree/harmonize, as in 'cotton onto an idea'.

cottons 1. agrees/harmonizes, as in 'cottons onto an idea'.. 2. white downy cloths.

couch 1. a bed/thing to sit/sleep on. 2. lower (spear etc.) to attack. 3. remove a cataract. 4. express thoughts/veiled meanings. 5. lie in ambush.

couched 1. expressed thoughts/veiled meanings. 2. lay in ambush. 3. lowered (a spear) to attack. 4. removed a cataract.

couches 1. expresses thoughts/veiled meanings. 2. lies in ambush. 3. lowers (a spear) to attack.

57 4. removes a cataract.

couching 1. expressing thoughts/veiled meanings. 2. lying in ambush. 3. lowering (a spear) to attack. 4. removing a cataract.

cough

'coff' & 'kof'

expel air with a hacking sound.

coughed

'coffed'

expelled air with a hacking sound.

cougher

'coffer'

a person/animal who coughs.

coughers

'coffers'

those who cough.

coughing

'coffing'

expelling air with a hacking sound.

coughs

'coffs'

expels air with a hacking sound.

council

'counsel'

an assembly; a committee/governing body.

councilor

'counselor'

a member of a council.

councilors

'council'

'councilor' 'councilors' 'councils'

advises.

count 1. enumerate; add up. 2. a European nobleman equivalent to an English earl.

countenance 1. the expression on the face. 2. sanction; allow; encourage.

countenances 1. expression on faces. 2. sanctions; allows; encourages.

counter 1. a small piece for counting in games. 2. a banker's/shop table. 3. part of a horse's breast. 4. the curved part of a ship's stern. 5. (fencing) a circular parry. 6. opposed; opposite.

counters

coupe 1. a chilled dessert of fruit and ice-cream. 2. an area of forest, harvested for logs and woodchip.

coups

'coos'

notable/successful moves.

course

'coarse' & 'corse'

1. an onward movement/a pursuit etc. 2. the ground on which a race is run. 3. a career/series of lectures. 4. the divisions of a meal. 5. a continuous layer of stone.

'coarser'

a runner; a fast horse.

'corses'

1. onward movements/pursuits etc. 2. grounds on which races are run. 3. careers; series of lectures. 4. divisions of a meal or meals. 5. continuous layers of stone.

court

advisers.

counsels

'coo'

a notable/successful move.

courses

one who advises.

counselors

coup

'counsels'

1. a lawyer. 2. advise; assist; guide.

counselor

1. enumerates; adds up. 2. European noblemen equivalent to English earls.

courser

administrative bodies.

counsel

counts

'counselors'

members of a council.

councils

1. (of fencing) circular parries. 2. banker's/shop tables. 3. curved part of ships' sterns. 4. opposes. 5. part of horses' breasts. 6. small pieces for counting in games.

1. a space enclosed by walls/buildings. 2. an assembly of judges. 3. the attention paid to another, often romantic.

courts 1. assemblies of judges. 2. attention being paid to another. 3. spaces enclosed by walls/buildings.

cousin

'cozen'

a family relation/son/daughter of an aunt/uncle.

cousins

'cozens'

sons/daughters of an aunt/uncle.

cove 1. a small bay or creek. 2. the curved junction of a wall and floor/ceiling. 3. a fellow/chap.

covert 1. a thicket/copse. 2. hidden; secret; disguised.

coves 1. curved junctions of wall and floor/ceiling. 2. fellows/chaps. 3. small bays or creeks.

58 cow 1. the female of the bovine species. 2. intimidate; subdue. 3. (Scottish) a branch/bunch of twigs.

coward

'cowered'

one without courage; a bully; faint-hearted.

cowered

'coward'

crouched/sank down through fear.

cowl

cowls 1. monks' hoods. 2. tubs for water.

'kauri'

a type of sea-shell/gastropod.

cox

'cocks'

short form of 'coxswain' - one who steers a boat.

coy

'koi'

shy; modest; reserved.

cozen

'cousin'

cheat/deceive/trick somebody.

cozens

'cousins'

cheats/deceives/tricks somebody.

crab 1. a kind of ten footed crustacean. 2. the lowest throw at the game of hazard. 3. a sour/grumpy person.

crabbed 1. (of writing) hard to decipher; intricate; perplexing. 2. irritable; crabby.

crabs 1. kinds of ten footed crustaceans. 2. lowest throws at hazard. 3. sour persons.

crack 1. a sharp noise. 2. (slang) a boast/lie. 3. a fissure formed by breakage. 4. a good player. 5. a burglar. 6. (slang) a dangerous drug mixture.

cracked 1. broken; damaged; fissured. 2. (colloquial) mentally unbalanced.

cracker 1. a firework. 2. a thin hard biscuit. 3. (slang) very good; expert. 4. (school slang) a lie.

crackers 1. fireworks. 2. hard biscuits.

cracking 1. breaking; becoming fissured. 2. (colloquial) excellent; first-rate. 3. (colloquial) fast; vigorous.

crackling 1. emitting cracking sound. 2. the crisp skin of roast pork.

cracks

1. a monk's hood. 2. a tub for water.

cowrie

3. (school slang) lies. 4. (slang) crazy.

1. (slang) boasts; lies. 2. burglars. 3. fissures formed by breakage. 4. sharp noises. 5. good players.

cradling 1. (architecture) a framework of wood for a casing. 2. (in Lacrosse) swinging the crosse while running.

craft

'kraft'

1. a skill. 2. showing cunning/deceit/guile. 3. a boat/vessel.

crafts

'krafts'

1. boats; vessels. 2. deceits. 3. skills.

crag 1. a sharp, steep outcrop on a cliff. 2. the throat/neck.

crags 1. sharp, steep outcrops on cliffs. 2. throats; necks.

crammer 1. a person who studies hard shortly before a test. 2. (colloquial) a lie.

cramp 1. a contraction of muscles. 2. a metal bar with bent ends for holding. 3. prevent; hold back.

cramps 1. contractions of muscles. 2. prevents; holds back. 3. metal bars with bent ends for holding.

crane 1. a large bird with long legs. 2. a large machine for moving/lifting weights. 3. a siphon. 4. stretch (the neck).

cranes 1. large birds with long legs. 2. machines for moving/lifting weights. 3. siphons. 4. stretches (the neck).

59 crank 1. the main shaft of an engine. 2. fanciful; eccentric. 3. weak; shaky. 4. (nautical) liable to capsize.

cranky 1. sickly. 2. eccentric; crazy; crotchety.

crap 1. the gambling game of craps, using two dice. 2. (colloquial) an offensive term for feces. 3. (colloquial) garbage; junk; odds and ends.

crash 1. dash/force/drive/throw to pieces. 2. coarse linen for towels.

crater

'krater' & 'cratur'

a depression in the ground from an explosive/meteor strike/volcano etc.

craters

'kraters' & 'craturs'

depressions in ground from explosions/meteors etc.

cratur

'crater' & 'krater' 'craters' & 'kraters'

crawl 1. move slowly, close to the ground. 2. a pen for keeping fishes.

crawls 1. moves slowly, close to the ground. 2. pens for keeping fishes.

'creek'

a harsh strident noise.

creaks

'creeks'

harsh strident noises.

crease

'kris'

1. a wrinkle/fold in paper/cloth etc. 2. in cricket, the line at which stumps are placed.

credence 1. belief. 2. a small table used for communion service.

credit 1. a belief/trust. 2. finance (e.g. a loan) to draw upon. 3. an acknowledgment.

credits 1. acknowledgments. 2. beliefs; trusts. 3. finances to draw upon.

creek

'creak' 'creaks'

small rivers/short arms of a river.

creel

creeps 1. moves slowly/stealthily; sneaks in/enters undetected. 2. (colloquial) unpleasant persons; feels unpleasant.

crew

'crewe' & 'cru'

1. a gang/squad/company. 2. past tense of 'crow'.

crewe

'crew' and 'cru'

(Spenser) a pot.

crewed

'crude'

joined a ship/vessel as crew.

crewel

'cruel'

a loosely twisted worsted yarn for tapestries.

crewes

'crews', 'cruse' & 'cruise'

(Spenser) many pots.

'cruise', 'cruse' & 'crewes

a ship's/plane's company/workers etc. 1. a card game. 2. plagiarism; pilfering. 3. confine to small space. 4. a small bed/receptacle/framework.

cribber 1. one who cribs/pilfers/steals. 2. a horse that practices cribbing.

cribbers 1. those who crib/pilfer/steal. 2. horses that practice cribbing.

cribbing 1. pilfering; stealing; plagiarizing. 2. (mining) timber lining for a mine shaft. 3. the action of wind-sucking by a horse.

cribs 1. confines to small space. 2. plagiarisms; pilferings. 3. small beds/receptacles/frameworks.

cricket 1. a chirping insect. 2. a game played with bat/ball/wickets. 3. a low stool.

crickets

a small river/short arm of a river.

creeks

1. move slowly/stealthily; sneak in/enter undetected. 2. (colloquial) an unpleasant person.

crib

(Scottish) creatures.

creak

creep

crews

(Scottish) a creature.

craturs

1. a wicker basket for holding fish. 2. a bar for holding bobbins for spinning thread.

1. chirping insects. 2. low stools.

crimp 1. an agent who shanghais sailors/soldiers. 2. compress into plaits/folds.

crimps

60 1. agents who shanghai sailors/soldiers. 2. compresses into plaits/folds.

crisp

cropper

1. hard but fragile. 2. curl in stiff folds.

critical 1. censorious; fault-finding. 2. important; risky; suspenseful.

croaker

'croker'

1. a croaking frog. 2. a dying animal.

croc

abbreviation for 'crocodile'. 1. (music) a quarter note. 2. an idea, clung to obstinately.

'croc'

1. earthen pot or jar. 2. (slang) inefficient/worn out person or thing. 3. an old ewe/old horse.

crocks

'crocs'

1. earthen pots or jars. 2. (slang) inefficient/worn out persons or things. 3. old ewes/horses.

crocs

'crocks'

abbreviation for 'crocodiles'.

crocus 1. a type of bulbous plant. 2. (slang) a quack/charlatan.

croker

1. one who raises crops/cultivates the land. 2. a pigeon of a particular breed. 3. (colloquial) fall; collapse; fail.

croppers 1. those who raise crops/cultivate the land. 2. pigeons of a particular breed

crops 'crock'

crochet

crock

3. the produce of cultivated plants. 4. the cutting of hair 5. the name of some cuts of meat.

'croaker'

(obsolete) act of consuming, leaving only the refuse.

croodle 1. snuggle/cower down. 2. (Scottish) murmur like a dove.

croodled 1. snuggled/cowered down. 2. (Scottish) murmured like a dove.

croodles 1. snuggles/cowers down. 2. (Scottish) murmurs like a dove.

croodling 1. snuggling/cowering down. 2. (Scottish) murmuring like a dove.

crook 1. a shepherd's staff. 2. a rogue/criminal etc. 3. (slang) sickly.

crooks 1. rogues; criminals. 2. shepherds' staffs.

crop 1. (of birds) enlargement of the gullet. 2. the handle of a whip.

1. cuts the hair. 2. handles of whips. 3. the name of some cuts of meats. 4. the produces of cultivated plants.

crosier (crozier) 1. the pastoral staff carried by a bishop or abbot. 2. (botany) the circinate young frond of a fern.

cross

'crosse'

1. a stake with a transverse bar. 2. a trial; an affliction/annoyance. 3. passing from side to side. 4. (colloquial) angry; peevish; out of humor.

crosse

'cross'

a long racquet used in lacrosse.

crosses 1. passes from side to side. 2. stakes with transverse bars. 3. annoyances; afflictions etc.

crotchet 1. a hook-like device; a curved surgical tool. 2. an odd fancy or whimsical notion.

croup 1. the rump/hindquarters. 2. an inflammatory disease in the larynx.

crow 1. a type of bird, usually black. 2. (nautical) an arrangement of ropes for an awning. 3. the cry of the cock.

crowd 1. a large gathering of people/things. 2. (obsolete) a Welsh stringed musical instrument.

crows

'croze'

many black birds.

croze

'crows'

the groove in the staves of a cask, at the top.

cru

'crew' & 'crewe'

a measure of the central bank's money reserve.

crucifer 1. one who carries a cross in religious processions. 2. a plant of family Cruciferae e.g. cabbage, mustard.

61 crude

'crewed'

unrefined; rough; base.

cruel

'crewel'

inflict pain; show pleasure at the pain of others.

cruet 1. a set of containers for salt/pepper and the like. 2. (colloquial) the head. 1. sets of containers for salt/pepper and the like. 2. (colloquial) heads.

'cruse', 'crews' & 'crewes'

sail on ship; a pleasure trip by boat.

cruises

'cruses'

sails on a ship; pleasure trips by boat.

crunchie

'crunchy'

1. (colloquial) a soldier; an infantryman. 2. (colloquial) a pimple.

crunchy

'crunchie'

making a crunching sound when eaten e.g. chips.

cruse

'cruise', 'crews' & 'crewes'

an earthen jar/pot.

cruses

'cruises' 'teen' & 'teene'

a comb-like marine organism.

cub

'cubicle'

pertaining to a cube.

cubicle

'cubical'

a bedroom/compartment.

1. a migratory bird noted for its distinctive call. 2. (slang) crazy; barmy

'khud'

food chewed by ruminants e.g. cows etc.

cuddy 1. a cabin/saloon on a ship. 2. a donkey. 3. the young of the coal-fish. 4. a lever on a tripod.

'queue' & 'q'

1. a signal. 2. a pigtail. 3. the straight rod for snooker/billiards/pool. 1. pigtails.

cullers

'colors'

those who extract/choose.

cullis 1. a strong broth/soup. 2. a roof gutter/groove.

culm 1. coal-dust. 2. the stem of a plant.

curb

'kerb'

1. a check/restraint. 2. a hard swelling on a horse's leg.

curbs

'kerbs'

1. checks; restraints. 2. hard swellings on a horse's leg. 1. a remedy. 2. preserve by salting. 3. (slang) an odd/eccentric person. 1. (slang) odd/eccentric persons. 2. preserves by salting. 3. remedies.

currant

'current'

a dried fruit.

current

cuckoo

cues

'color'

one who chooses/extracts.

'currents'

dried fruits.

1. young animals. 2. cattle-pens; chests.

cue

1. the bottom part of sleeves. 2. strikes with an open hand.

currants

cubs

cud

cuffs

cures

1. the young of animals. 2. a cattle-pen; a chest.

cubical

1. the bottom part of a sleeve. 2. strike with an open hand.

cure

earthen jars/pots.

ctene

cuff

culler

cruets

cruise

2. signals. 3. straight rods for snooker/billiards etc.

'queues'

'currant'

1. in general circulation. 2. a running stream.

currents

'currants'

running streams.

curried 1. used a spicy Indian sauce with various foods. 2. rubbed; cleaned; beat; thrashed. 3. sought favor/advantage by flattery/courtesy.

curries 1. uses a spicy Indian sauce with various foods. 2. rubs; cleans; beats; thrashes. 3. seeks favor/advantage by flattery/courtesy.

curry 1. use a spicy Indian sauce with various foods. 2. rub; clean; beat; thrash. 3. seek favor/advantage by flattery/courtesy.

currying

62 1. using a spicy Indian sauce with various foods. 2. rubbing; cleaning; beating; thrashing. 3. seeking favor/advantage by flattery/courtesy.

cuscus 1. Indian grass used for weaving. 2. a marsupial quadruped of New Guinea.

cutch 1. catechu - a dark extract of betel-nut/acacia. 2. a set of tough paper or vellum.

cutter 1. a person/thing that cuts. 2. a single-masted sailing ship; a small boat.

cutters 1. persons/things that cut. 2. single-masted sailing ships; small boats.

cuttle 1. a type of mollusc. 2. (obsolete) a knife.

cygnet

'signet'

a young swan.

cygnets

'signets'

young swans.

cymbal

'symbol'

a brass plate (one of pair).

cymbals

'symbols'

brass plates.

cypress 1. a coniferous, evergreen tree of the genus Cupressus. 2. (obsolete) a thin black fabric, often used in mourning.

cyst

'cist' & 'sist'

a sac containing morbid matter; a boil on the skin.

cysts

'cists' & 'sists'

sacs containing morbid matter; boils on the skin.

cyte

'cite','sight' & 'site'

(biology) a cell.

cytes (biology) cells.

'cites','sights' & 'sites'

'D' Words 63 1. a bush bread made from simple flour and water.

dab 1. strike lightly.

2. a movable plate for regulating air flow in a stove.

2. a kind of flat-fish. 3. (colloquial) adept.

3. a shock absorber on a car/truck etc.

dabs

dampers

1. kinds of flat-fishes.

1. bush breads made from simple flour and water.

2. strikes lightly.

daddle 1. (dialectic) totter about; walk unsteadily. 2. (dialectic) the hand. 1. (dialectic) totters about; walks unsteadily. 2. (dialectic) hands. 1. a heavy pistol of the 15th and 16th centuries. 2. (obsolete) a tag/tuft/scallop.

dagger 1. a short, sharp pointed weapon like a sword. 2. a printing mark used for references. 3. a shed hand who sorts wool from dags.

daggers 1. short, sharp pointed weapons like swords. 2. printing marks used for references. 3. shed hands who sort wool from dags.

dags 1. heavy pistols of the 15th and 16th centuries. 2. (obsolete) tags; tufts; scallops.

'die' & 'dye'

a wet-nurse.

'damn'

1. a barrier. 2. mother (usually of an animal).

dammed

'damned'

stopped/prevented flow of liquid.

damming

'damning'

stopping/preventing flow of liquid.

damn

'dam'

condemn; censure.

damned

'dammed'

found guilty; sent to Hell; cursed upon.

damning

'damming'

cursing; finding guilty; sending to Hell.

damns condemns; censures.

damper

'damns'

1. barriers; obstructions. 2. mothers (usually of beasts).

dander

dag

dam

3. shock absorbers on a car/truck etc.

dams

daddles

dai

2. movable plates for regulating air flow in stoves.

'dams'

1. particles of dry scales/fluff shed by skin. 2. (colloquial) anger; temper.

dandy 1. a person devoted to smart fashion. 2. (colloquial) very good; splendid; first-rate. 3. a sloop with a special rig. 4. dengue fever. 5. a strong cloth hammock.

dap 1. fish with bait on the surface of the water. 2. make a ball bounce (with hand etc.).

dapped 1. fished with bait on water. 2. made a ball bounce (with hand etc.)

dapping 1. fishing with bait on water. 2. making a ball bounce (with hand etc.)

daps 1. fishes with bait on water. 2. makes ball bounce (with hand etc.)

darn

'darne'

1. mend socks etc. usually with wool. 2. an exclamation of annoyance.

darne

'darn'

a fish steak.

darnes

'darns'

fish steaks.

darns

'darnes'

mends socks etc. usually with wool.

dart 1. a small, pointed missile thrown at a dartboard. 2. a type of sub-tropical fish.

64 3. (colloquial) a plan/scheme; an idea.

darts

dead 1. not alive.

1. small, pointed missiles thrown at dartboards. 2. type of sub-tropical fishes. 3. (colloquial) plans; ideas; schemes.

dash

2. abrupt; complete; unrelieved; exact.

deadlock 1. a state of affairs in which progress is impossible. 2. a special type of lock.

1. shatter to pieces. 2. a mild annoyance; an imprecation.

deal

3. a horizontal/hasty pen stroke.

1. distribute; give out.

4. a rush; an onset/advance.

2. do business with.

5. a showy appearance.

3. piece of sawn fir or pinewood.

deals

dashed 1. hasty pen stroke.

1. distributes; gives out.

2. mildly annoyed.

2. does business with.

3. rushed; advanced.

3. pieces of sawn fir or pinewood.

4. shattered to pieces.

dean

dasher 1. a person/thing that dashes. 2. a plunger of a churn.

2. plungers of churns.

'deer' & 'dere'

1. beloved; a loved one. 2. costly; pricey.

1. hasty pen strokes. 2. mild annoyances.

dears

3. rushes; advances.

'deers' & 'deres'

beloveds; loved ones.

4. shatters to pieces.

debark

dashing

1. disembark from/unload a vessel or ship.

1. mildly annoying.

2. remove bark from logs etc.

2. rushing; advancing.

debarked

3. shattering to pieces. 4. displaying a showy appearance.

date 1. a tropical tree/date palm. 2. a time at which a thing happens.

dates 1. times at which things/events happen. 2. tropical trees; date palms.

daw

1. disembarked from/unloaded a vessel or ship. 2. removed bark from logs etc.

debarking 1. disembarking from/unloading a vessel or ship. 2. removing bark from logs etc.

debarks 1. disembarks from/unloads a vessel or ship. 2. remove bark from logs etc.

decide

1. (obsolete) to dawn. 2. a crow-like bird/jackdaw. 3. (archaic) a fool/simpleton.

daws 1. crow-like birds; jackdaws. 2. (archaic) fools; simpletons.

'dey'

a 24 hour period.

'daze' & 'deys'

many 24 hour periods. stupefy; bewilder.

2. vales; small valleys

dear

dashes

daze

'denes'

1. heads of collegiates/cathedrals etc.

1. persons/things that dash.

days

2. a vale/small valley.

deans

dashers

day

'dene'

1. the head of a collegiate/cathedral etc.

'days' & 'deys'

'discide'

resolve; determine; finalize.

decimate 1. destroy a large proportion of something. 2. (obsolete) take a tenth of, or from, something.

deck 1. a platform of planks/wood. 2. a pack of cards. 3. array; adorn; cover.

decks 1. arrays; adorns; covers. 2. packs of cards. 3. platforms of planks/wood.

65 1. a small wooded valley.

decline

2. (slang) a vagrant girl.

1. a slope downwards.

dells

2. turn away from; refuse. 3. a gradual loss of vigor/health.

2. (slang) vagrant girls.

declines 1. gradual losses of vigor/health. 2. slopes downwards.

deed

deeds 2. written/printed legal instruments/documents.

dene

'demes'

denes

'demean'

'dear' & 'dere'

dense

'dean'

a sandy tract/sand dune.

'deans'

sandy tracts; sand dunes.

thinks; judges; considers. a kind of ruminant with horns.

'dears' & 'deres'

kinds of ruminants with horns.

'dents'

1. compact; close. 2. (colloquial) dull; slow in thinking.

dent 1. a slight hollow, caused by a blow/strike.

defile 1. (military) march in a narrow file; a narrow gorge. 2. desecrate; corrupt.

2. a tooth-like notch in a gear or lock.

dents

'dense'

1. slight hollows, caused by a blow/strike.

defiled

2. teeth-like notches in gears or locks.

1. (military) marched in a narrow file. 2. desecrated; corrupted.

dependence

'dependents'

reliance.

defiles

dependents

1. (military) marches in a narrow file; narrow gorges. 2. desecrates; corrupts.

'dependence'

subordinates; subjects.

depravation

'deprivation'

the state of being depraved.

defiling 1. (military) marching in a narrow file. 2. desecrating; corrupting.

'difformity'

a defect.

degree 1. a thing placed in a series/tier/row. 2. an academic rank. 3. (grammar) a stage in comparison. 4. (geometry and temperature) a unit of measurement.

degrees 1. (geometry and temperature) units of measurement. 2. (grammar) stages in comparison. 3. academic ranks. 4. things placed in series/tiers/rows.

dell

'deems'

(legal) a possession of real property as one's own.

'deme'

think; judge; consider.

deformity

'demesne'

townships of ancient Greece.

demesne

1. things done.

deers

demean demes

2. a written/printed legal instrument/document.

deer

'deem'

lower in dignity.

1. a thing done.

deems

deme

a township of ancient Greece.

3. turns away from; refuses.

deem

1. small wooded valleys.

depravations

'deprivations'

states of being depraved.

depress 1. push/pull down. 2. dispirit; deject.

depressed 1. dispirited; dejected. 2. pushed/pulled down

depresses 1. dispirits; dejects. 2. pushes/pulls down (a button/switch etc.).

depressing 1. dispiriting; saddening. 2. pushing/pulling down.

depression 1. the angular distance of star etc. 2. a reduction in vigor/spirits/pressure.

66 3. a sunken place/hollow in ground.

deprivation

'depravation'

the state of being deprived.

deprivations

'depravations'

states of being deprived.

dere

'dear' & 'deer'

'descendent' 'descendant'

falling; going down.

descension

'dissension'

1. the part of the zodiac in which the influence of a planet is weakest. 2. a descent.

descent

'dissent'

going down; the act of descending.

descents

'dissents' 'dessert'

'desserts'

3. a literary hack. 5. a highly seasoned dish of food.

devils

'devels'

1. highly seasoned dishes of food. 2. junior legal counsels. 3. literary hacks. 4. supreme evil spirits. 5. violent dust storms

deviser

'devisor' & 'divisor'

one who contrives/composes.

devisor

'deviser' & 'divisor'

one who bequeaths.

'do' & 'due'

atmospheric condensed vapor.

2. on the right-hand side; right.

dey

1. leaves; forsakes.

'day'

1. a dairy-maid.

2. (archaic) merits.

'desert'

2. the pasha of Algiers before French rule.

deys

an after dinner sweet.

desserts

1. a supreme evil being/spirit.

1. a small breed of Kerry cattle.

2. (archaic) merit.

dessert

'devel'

dexter

1. leave; forsake.

deserts

(Scottish) hard blows; strikes; punches.

dew

acts of descending.

desert

'devils'

4. a violent dust-storm.

an offspring.

descendent

devels

2. a junior legal counsel.

'dears' & 'deers'

(Spenser) many injuries.

descendant

'devil'

(Scottish) a hard blow/strike/punch.

devil

(Spenser) an injury.

deres

devel

'deserts'

after dinner sweets.

detachment 1. a portion of an army. 2. standing aloof/unaffected.

detail 1. itemize; list; allocate. 2. a small part/detachment.

details 1. itemizes; lists; allocates. 2. small parts/detachments.

determination 1. endurance; persistence. 2. an answer; a final result/decision.

determined

'days' & 'daze'

dairy-maids.

dhole

'dole'

the Indian wild dog.

dholes

'doles'

Indian wild dogs.

dhooti (dhoti)

'duty'

a long loincloth worn by Hindu males.

dhows

'douse' & 'dowse'

a type of Arab sea vessels.

diaper 1. linen with a small diamond pattern. 2. a baby's/sanitary napkin.

diarist

'direst'

one who keeps a diary.

dib

1. persistent etc.

1. dip, as in angling/fishing.

2. answered; resulted; decided upon.

2. (slang) money.

deuce 1. the two at dice. 2. (of tennis) a score of 40 all. 3. a plague/mischief.

3. a small bone of a sheep's leg.

dibbler 1. an implement for making holes in the ground for seeds.

67 2. a type of marsupial of Western Australia.

dibs

dies

1. dips, as in angling/fishing. 2. a children's game. 4. (slang) to lay a claim or right on anything.

1. conferences; congresses.

2. (colloquial) the penis.

2. ways of feeding/eating to lose weight, generally.

dicker 1. half-score; ten.

difformity

2. trade by barter.

'dicky'

(colloquial) a boy's penis.

3. (colloquial) a form of address, short for 'digger'.

2. drivers' seats. 3. false shirt fronts; aprons. 4. small birds. 5. (colloquial) boys' penises.

'dickie'

1. (slang) a donkey. 3. a false shirt front; an apron. 4. driver's seat.

1. past tense of the verb 'do'. 2. (colloquial) a toilet.

'dydle'

cheat or swindle.

'dydled'

cheated or swindled.

'dydler'

one who cheats or swindles.

'dydlers'

those who cheat or swindle.

'dydles'

cheats or swindles.

'dydling'

cheating or swindling.

2. (colloquial) Australian soldiers.

dight

'dite'

1. makes a hole in/breaks up dirt/earth etc. 2. (colloquial) understands; appreciates. 3. (colloquial) living quarters; places of abode.

dike

'dyke'

an embankment for restraining river/sea water.

diker

'duiker'

(Scottish) one who works on stone walls/dikes.

dikers

'duikers'

(Scottish) those who work on stone walls/dikes.

dikes

'dykes'

embankments for restraining river/sea water.

diligence 1. a constant/persistent effort to accomplish something. 2. a public stagecoach, especially in France.

diddy

dill

1. (colloquial) a toilet.

1. a seed-like fruit used for flavoring pickles.

2. (colloquial) a woman's breast or nipple.

die

2. (colloquial) an Australian soldier.

diggers

digs

did

diddling

1. a thing/person who digs.

(archaic) to adorn/equip.

5. (slang) unsound; shaky

diddles

digger

1. things/people who dig.

2. a small bird.

diddlers

dig 2. (colloquial) understand; appreciate.

1. (slang) donkeys.

diddler

'deformity'

a variety of form. 1. make a hole in/break up dirt/earth etc.

dickies

diddled

1. a way of feeding/eating to lose weight, generally.

diets

1. (colloquial) a detective.

diddle

gives up life etc.

2. a conference/congress.

dick

dicky

'dyes'

diet

3. small bones of sheeps' legs.

dickie

gave up life; deceased.

'dai' & 'dye'

2. (colloquial) a fool; an incompetent person.

dilly

1. a small cube with numbers/dots.

1. crazy; mad; queer.

2. (architecture) a plinth.

2. a delightful person or thing.

3. an engraved stamp.

dim

4. cease to live.

died

'dyed'

1. obscure; dark; not light.

68 2. (colloquial) regard with pessimism, as in 'take a dim view'.

dine

'dyne'

take dinner; sit down to dinner.

dines

'dynes'

takes dinner; sits down to dinner.

ding 1. the sound of a bell; ring a bell. 2. (colloquial) a wild, successful party. 3. a damaged body section of car, bike etc.

dings 1. sounds of bells; rings a bell. 2. (colloquial) wild, successful parties. 3. damaged body sections of cars, bikes etc.

dink 1. ride as a second person on a bike, horse etc. 2. a damaged body part of car, bike, etc.

dinks 1. rides as a second person on a bike, horse etc. 2. damaged body parts of cars, bikes, etc.

dip 1. put/let down into liquid. 2. lower a flag. 3. (colloquial) involve in debt. 4. make investigation into.

dipsticks 1. rods to measure the depth of liquids. 2. (colloquial) idiots; fools.

dire

'dyer'

difficult; dangerous; dreadful.

direst

'diarist'

most dreadful/harmful.

disbark 1. strip bark from a tree. 2. get off a boat; disembark.

discide

'decide'

(Spenser) cut asunder; divide.

discous

'discus'

broad; flat; disc-like.

discreet

'discrete'

judicious; prudent.

discrete

'discreet'

separate; individual; distinct.

discriminating 1. differentiating; separating. 2. acute; discerning.

discus

'discous'

a quoit/disc.

dispart

5. a tallow candle.

1. (of gunnery) the difference between the muzzle and the base.

6. a washing-preparation for sheep.

2. separate; part asunder.

dipped 1. immersed in liquid. 2. (colloquial) involved in debt. 3. lowered a flag. 4. made investigations into.

dipper 1. a baptist. 2. a kind of bird. 3. a kind of ladle.

dipping 1. immersing. 2. lowering a flag. 3. involving in debt. 4. making investigations.

dips 1. (colloquial) involves in debt. 2. lowers a flag. 3. makes investigation into. 4. puts/lets down into liquid 5. tallow candles. 6. washing-preparations for sheep.

dipstick 1. a rod to measure the depth of liquid. 2. (colloquial) an idiot; a fool.

dispatch 1. send a message/letter/telegram; such an item. 2. to be quick to do something e.g. 'do with dispatch'. 3. put to death; kill.

dispatched 1. sent a message/letter/telegram. 2. put to death; killed.

dispatches 1. messages; letters; telegrams; sends such an item 2. puts to death; kills

dispose 1. place in position; arrange. 2. eat a meal/food. 3. sell; get rid of.

disposed 1. placed in position; arranged. 2. ate a meal/food. 3. sold; got rid of.

disposes 1. places in position; arranges. 2. eats a meal/food.

69 3. sells; gets rid of.

division

disposing

1. a section; an area.

1. placing in position; arranging.

2. a disagreement/discord.

2. eating a meal/food.

3. (mathematics) the process of dividing numbers.

3. selling; getting rid of.

4. a large formation of an army.

disposition 1. an arrangement; a dispensation. 2. a state of mind/temperament/health.

dissension

'descension'

strife; violent discord.

dissent

2. (rhetorical) relating to woman or women. 1. a mode of painting for indoors.

2. (colloquial) a piece of turf cut out by a golf club.

do (1)

'dew' & 'due'

1. act.

2. a morbid state of mind.

2. (slang) swindle.

distinguished

3. (slang) an entertainment; a party.

1. recognized; perceived. 2. eminent; famous; noteworthy.

'ditt'

do (2)

'dight'

(obsolete) a writing/composition.

'dit'

(archaic) a poem; the words of a song.

dive

'doe' & 'dough'

the first note of the diatonic scale.

doc

(Scottish) stop; block.

'dock'

abbreviation for 'doctor'.

dock

'doc'

1. a kind of weedy herb. 2. a part of an animal's tail. 3. the crupper of a saddle. 4. the place where ships berth/where an accused prisoner stands, in court.

1. plunge into water etc. 2. a hiding place. 3. (slang boxing) pretend to lose bout/contest e.g. take a dive.

'dyvour'

one who dives.

divers

(mathematics) the number dividing the dividend.

3. (colloquial) an army division.

distemper

diver

'deviser' & 'devisor'

1. (colloquial) a dividend/share.

1. a cleft stick; part of a spinning wheel.

ditt

4. sections; areas.

divvy

distaff

dite

2. disagreements; discords.

divisor 'descents'

differs/disagrees with.

dit

1. (mathematics) the processes of dividing numbers. 3. large formations of an army.

'descent'

differ/disagree with.

dissents

divisions

'dyvours'

those who dive.

dives 1. (slang boxing) pretends to lose a bout/contest. 2. hiding places. 3. plunges into water etc.

diviner 1. a prophet/soothsayer. 2. one who searches for water using a divining rod.

diviners 1. prophets; soothsayers. 2. those who search for water using divining rods.

docking 1. a supporting platform in aircraft maintenance. 2. a short piece of timber left over from cutting.

docks

'docs'

1. kinds of weedy herbs. 2. part of animals' tails. 3. the crupper of saddles. 4. places where ships berth.

docs

'docks'

abbreviation for 'doctors'.

dod 1. (obsolete) to cut/clip hair. 2. (Scottish) a slight fit of ill-temper.

dodder 1. a kind of slender leafless plant. 2. tremble/nod with frailty; an infirm person.

doddered 1. (of a tree) having lost its branches through age.

70 2. tottered; shook; trembled.

dodger

2. (colloquial) penises.

dongs

1. one who dodges; a shifty person.

1. heavy blows/hits/punches.

2. a small handbill.

2. (colloquial) penises.

3. (nautical) a canvas shelter on a ship's bridge. 4. (colloquial) food, especially bread.

doe

donjons

'dour'

donkey

'dos', 'doughs' & 'doze'

many female deers.

1. a domesticated ass/beast of burden. 2. a stupid, silly person.

donkeys

dogger

1. domesticated asses; beasts of burden.

1. a two masted Dutch fishing boat. 2. a type of sandstone.

dole

'dungeons'

inner towers or keeps of castles.

one who does anything; an agent.

does

'dungeon'

the inner tower or keep of a castle.

'do' & 'dough'

the female of the deer.

doer

donjon

2. stupid, silly persons

donor 'dhole'

1. (archaic) the lot/fate.

'donah'

one who gives or donates.

doodlebug

2. a gift of food/clothes/money.

1. the larva of the ant lion.

3. (poetry) grief; woe.

2. the V1 flying bomb of World War 2.

doles

'dholes'

doodlebugs

1. (archaic) lots; fates.

1. larvae of the ant lion.

2. (poetry) grief; woes.

2. V1 flying bombs of World War 2.

3. gifts of food/clothes/money.

dollies

1. (Scottish) a plug of wood driven into a wall.

1. appliances for lifting/moving heavy objects. 2. pet name for dolls.

'dor'

a hinged or sliding barrier for room.

1. a pet name for doll; a doll. 2. an appliance for lifting/moving heavy objects.

domino 1. a loose cloak with a half-mask. 2. one of the 28 pieces in a game of dominoes.

dominoes

doors

'dors'

hinged or sliding barriers for rooms.

doover 1. (colloquial) anything (used in place of actual name). 2. (military) a dugout/foxhole.

1. loose cloaks with a half mask. 2. the 28 pieces in the game of dominoes.

don 1. a Spanish title prefixed to the first name. 2. put on (garment/clothes).

'donor'

(colloquial obsolete) a girlfriend/sweetheart.

done

2. (Scottish) to duck; to bathe.

door

dolly

donah

dook

'dun'

completed; finished.

dong 1. a heavy blow/hit/punch. 2. (colloquial) the penis.

donger 1. a club for hitting and stunning fish. 2. (colloquial) the penis.

dongers 1. clubs for hitting and stunning fish.

doovers 1. (colloquial) things (used in place of actual name). 2. (military) dugouts; foxholes

dop 1. a copper cup used for cutting/polishing gems. 2. Cape brandy made from grape-skins. 3. dip; dap; bob.

dope 1. a thick liquid used as food/lubricant. 2. a kind of aeroplane varnish. 3. a drug/narcotic. 4. (slang) information. 5. (slang) a stupid person

dopes 1. (slang) stupid persons. 2. drugs; narcotics. 3. kinds of aeroplane varnishes.

71 4. thick liquids used as food/lubricants.

dops 2. dips; daps; bobs.

dories

doucs

'dukes' 'do' & 'doe'

1. kneaded flour used for making bread.

2. sea fishes.

2. (slang) money.

'doors'

insects/dung beetles flying with a loud noise.

dory

doughie

'doughy'

(colloquial) a stupid person.

doughs

1. a sea fish.

'dos', 'does' & 'doze'

many kneaded flours for bread.

2. a flat-bottomed skiff.

'does', 'doughs' & 'doze'

many first notes of the musical scale.

dosser 1. a basket/pannier for carrying on the back. 2. an ornamental covering for a seat or a wall. 3. one who sleeps in a doss house.

dossers 1. baskets/panniers for carrying on the back. 2. ornamental coverings for seats or walls. 3. those who sleep in doss houses.

dot 1. a small spot. 2. a marriage portion/dowry.

dots

doughy dour

sullen/grim/stern, of expression/countenance.

douse 2. strike/lower a sail. 3. put out a flame.

doused 2. lowered a sail. 3. extinguished a flame.

douses

dousing 1. dunking in water.

2. (colloquial) silly or slightly mad.

2. lowering a sail.

doubleheaders 1. a series of trains drawn by two engines. 2. instances of doubleheader games.

doublet 1. (history) a man's bodice or jacket, often sleeveless. 2. two associated things - words/numbers/lines etc. 3. a counterfeit jewel.

doublets 1. (history) men's bodices or jackets, often sleeveless. 2. instances of two associated things etc.

'dowses'

1. dunks into water.

1. full of dots.

2. two games played by the same teams, on the same day.

'dowsed'

1. dunked into water.

3. puts out a flame.

1. a train drawn by two engines.

'dhows' & 'dowse'

1. plunge in water.

2. lowers a sail.

doubleheader

'doer'

(Scottish) obstinate; sullen; grim.

2. marriage portions; dowries.

dotty

'doughie'

of or like dough.

1. small spots.

3. counterfeit jewels.

'douter'

colorful monkeys of SE Asia.

dough

1. flat-bottomed skiffs.

dos

doubter

one who doubts/remains undecided etc.

'door'

an insect/a dung beetle flying with loud noise.

dors

'dout'

be undecided/hesitant/apprehensive.

1. copper cups used for cutting/polishing gems.

dor

doubt

'dowsing'

3. putting out a flame.

dousings

'dowsings'

1. dunkings in water. 2. lowering of sails. 3. putting out of flames.

dout

'doubt'

extinguish; put out.

douter

'doubter'

that which extinguishes/puts out.

dove 1. past tense of 'dive'. 2. (Scottish) to be half-asleep.

dower

'dour'

a natural gift or endowment.

down 1. the first covering of young birds. 2. move from high to low ground.

72 1. a kind of fly used in fishing.

downcast 1. a fresh air shaft for mines.

drakes

2. depressed; dejected.

dowse

'dhows' & 'douse' 'doused'

divined/searched for water.

dowses

'douses'

divines/searches for water.

dowsing

'dousing'

the act of divining/searching for water.

dowsings

'dousings'

acts of divining/searching for water.

doxy 1. (archaic) a beggar's wench/prostitute. 2. a theological opinion.

doze

'dos', 'does' & 'doughs'

nap/sleep lightly.

dram 1. a unit of weight. 2. a small quantity of spirits/liquor.

draughts

'drafts'

(British) a board game the same as checkers.

draw 1. pull; drag; haul; bend. 2. trace; delineate; represent. 3. make way; move towards. 4. (of ships) the depth of water required to float.

drawing 1. pulling; hauling. 2. tracing; delineating. 3. moving; making way.

dozer 1. abbreviation of 'bulldozer'. 2. one who dozes.

drawn 1. pulled; hauled. 2. traced; delineated.

dozers

3. tired; dispirited; haggard.

1. abbreviation of 'bulldozers'. 2. those who doze.

draws 1. makes way; moves towards.

drab

2. pulls; drags; hauls; bends.

1. a slut/slattern/prostitute. 2. dull light brown.

3. traces; delineates; represents.

dray

draft (draught)

'drey'

a long, strong cart; a sledge.

1. a detachment of men from a larger body. 2. a drawing of money by written order. 3. a sketch/rough copy. 4. chisel a dressing along the edge of stone. 5. the drawing of a net for fish. 6. a single act of drinking.

dreadnought 1. a type of battleship; a heavyweight boxer. 2. one who fears nothing. 3. (obsolete) a quart-sized glass of beer. 4. an outer garment of heavy wool.

dredge

7. a current of air. 8. the depth of water a ship requires for safe floating.

drafts (draughts)

1. a kind of flies used in fishing. 2. male ducks.

search/divine for water.

dowsed

2. the male duck.

'draughts'

1. clean up a a river/harbor bottom. 2. sprinkle with flour etc.

dredged

1. detachments of men from a larger body.

1. sprinkled with flour.

2. drawings of money by a written order.

2. cleaned up a river/harbor bottom.

3. sketches; rough copies. 4. chisel dressings along the edge of a stone.

dredger

5. drawings of nets for fish.

1. a machine used for dredging rivers, waterways etc.

6. acts of drinking.

2. a container used for sprinkling flour.

7. depths of water ships require.

drag 1. pull along. 2. (slang) a man who dresses in woman's clothes, as a profession, as in 'be in drag'. 3. (slang) a bore.

drake

dredgers 1. machines used for dredging rivers, waterways etc. 2. containers used for sprinkling flour.

dredges 1. cleans up a river/harbor bottom. 2. sprinkles with flour.

73 8. aerodynamic pressure.

dredging 1. cleaning up a river/harbor bottom. 2. sprinkling with flour.

drifts 1. currents/flows of rivers/sea. 2. masses of snow/sand.

dress 1. (military) the correct alignment of a company of soldiers. 2. treat a wounded person.

3. passages following mineral veins. 4. river fords.

drill

3. brush; comb; smooth; trim.

1. a device for boring holes.

4. clothes/costumes, in general.

2. military instruction/exercise.

dressed

3. a small furrow for sowing seeds.

1. brushed; combed; smoothed; trimmed.

4. a kind of baboon.

2. put on clothes.

5. a coarse linen or cotton.

3. treated a wounded person.

dresser

drills 1. devices for boring holes.

1. a kitchen sideboard.

2. kinds of baboon.

2. one who helps to dress actors etc.

3. military instructions/exercises. 4. small furrows for sowing seeds.

dresses 1. brushes; combs; smoothes; trims.

dripping

2. women's clothes; puts on clothes.

1. the action of a fluid that drips down

3. treats a wounded person.

2. animal fat used for making shortening

dressing

drive

1. act of putting on clothes etc.

1. an excursion in a vehicle.

2. treating a wounded person.

2. pushing wild game/the enemy back or away.

3. aligning a company of the army.

3. a stroke at cricket/golf/baseball.

4. trimming; combing.

4. organized energy/effort.

drew

driver

1. created a picture/drawing.

1. one who drives.

2. was assigned a position/lot in game or race.

2. a wooden golf club.

drey

'dray'

a nest for squirrels or possums.

dribble 1. a flow/trickle etc. 2. work a football with alternate feet.

dribbled

3. the driving wheel.

drivers 1. driving wheels. 2. those who drive. 3. wooden golf clubs.

drives

1. flowed; trickled.

1. excursions in vehicles.

2. worked a football with alternate feet.

2. organized energies/efforts.

dribbles 1. flows; trickles etc. 2. works a football with alternate feet.

dribbling 1. flowing; trickling etc. 2. working a football with alternate feet.

drift 1. a current/flow of a river/sea. 2. driving cattle to one place to determine ownership. 3. purpose; meaning; tenor. 4. a mass of snow/sand. 5. a passage following a mineral vein. 6. a river ford. 7. a toll for enlarging a hole in metal.

3. pushes back the enemy/wild game. 4. strokes at cricket/golf/baseball.

drogue 1. a drag anchor or buoy. 2. a wind sock.

drogues 1. drag anchors or buoys. 2. wind socks.

drone 1. the male honey bee. 2. a monotonous speech or speaker. 3. the bass-pipe of bagpipes.

drones 1. the bass-pipes of bagpipes. 2. male honey bees.

74 3. uses a monotonous speech/way of talking.

drongo

2. (colloquial) a stupid person; a raw recruit.

drongos 1. passerine birds of Africa, Asia and Australia. 2. (colloquial) stupid persons; raw recruits.

'drupe'

sag; hang down.

droops

'duellist'

one who believes in dualism.

1. any passerine bird of Africa, Asia and Australia.

droop

dualist

'drupes'

sags; hangs down.

dualists

'duellists'

those who believe in dualism.

dub 1. make person a knight. 2. dress a fish-fly. 3. smear with grease. 4. another recording of a soundtrack.

dubbing 1. conferring an accolade/a knighthood. 2. an alteration/addition to a video/sound track.

dropper

3. a mixture of oil and tallow.

1. a tube for administering liquids by drops. 2. the top fly in a wet-fly fishing cast.

droppers

dubbings 1. conferring accolades/knighthoods. 2. alterations/additions to video/sound tracks.

1. tubes for administering liquids by drops. 2. top flies in a wet-fly fishing casts.

drove

dubs 1. records another soundtrack. 2. dresses a fish-fly.

1. a herd/crowd/multitude.

3. makes a person a knight.

2. a mason's broad chisel.

4. smears with grease.

3. sent; pushed; struck; went.

drum

duchesse

2. a commercial traveler. 4. (slang) a warning/caution.

drumhead 2. the top of a capstan into which bars are inserted.

1. wives or widows of dukes.

duck 1. a kind of swimming bird. 2. (slang) darling.

drumheads

3. (of cricket) a score of zero.

1. membranes on drums. 2. tops of capstans into which bars are inserted.

drums

4. bend/avoid quickly. 5. strong untwilled linen/cotton. 6. (colloquial) an amphibious landing craft.

1. commercial travelers. 2. long oval mounds in the earth. 3. musical instruments. 4. (slang) issues a warning/caution.

ducked

'duct'

dipped/bobbed into or under.

ducker 1. a kind of diving bird.

drumstick 1. a stick for beating a drum. 2. the leg bone of a chicken/fowl.

2. a breeder of ducks.

ducks 1. (colloquial) amphibious landing crafts.

drumsticks 1. sticks for beating a drum. 2. leg bones of chickens/fowls.

'droop'

a fleshy stone fruit.

'droops'

fleshy stone fruits. two; a twin.

duchesses 2. dressing tables with swing mirrors.

1. the membrane on a drum.

dual

'duchess'

a dressing table with a swing mirror.

3. a long oval mound in the earth.

drupes

'duchesse'

a wife or widow of a duke.

1. a musical instrument.

drupe

duchess

'duel'

2. (of cricket) scores of zero. 3. bends/avoids quickly. 4. kinds of swimming birds.

duct

'ducked'

a tube/pipe.

ductal

'ductile'

of or pertaining to a tube/canal/conduit.

ductile

'ductal'

75 capable of being molded/shaped/hammered.

1. a hollow-nosed bullet that expands on impact. 2. (colloquial) a stupid person.

dud

dumdums

1. a scarecrow. 2. a shell/bullet/bomb that fails to fire.

1. hollow-nosed bullets that expand on impact.

3. useless; unsatisfactory; futile.

2. (colloquial) stupid persons.

duds

dump

1. clothes, in general.

1. a short thick object/stout person.

2. scarecrows.

2. a leaden counter used in games.

3. shells/bullets etc. that fail to fire.

due

'do' & 'dew' 'dual'

a fight/match/conflict, sometimes to the death.

duellist

'dualist'

one who engages in duels.

duellists

4. a kind of bolt in ship-building. 5. a rope quoit used for ship game.

owing; payable.

duel

3. (slang) a small coin.

'dualists'

those who engage in duels.

duff

6. a kind of sweetmeat. 7. (military) a temporary depot of munitions. 8. shoot; deposit; tilt down. 9. a dull blow/thud.

dumps 1. (military) temporary depots of munitions. 2. (slang) small coins. 3. dull blows/thuds.

1. make or look new.

4. kind of bolts used in ship-building.

2. a type of bread dough.

5. kind of sweetmeats.

3. (of golf) hit the ground behind the ball.

6. leaden counters used in games.

duffer

7. rope quoits used for a ship game.

1. an unskillful person.

8. shoots; deposits; tilts down.

2. a peddler of sham jewellery.

9. short thick objects/stout persons.

dun

duffers

'done'

1. unskillful persons.

1. dull gray-brown.

2. peddlers of sham jewellery.

2. a female/young male goosander. 3. a debt collector.

duffs 1. (of golf) hits the ground behind the ball. 2. makes or looks new. 1. the udder of female mammals.

1. a canoe made from a hollowed-out tree. 2. an underground shelter. 3. (slang) an officer recalled to service.

dugouts 2. canoes made from hollowed-out trees. 3. underground shelters.

'diker'

a small African antelope with spike-like horns.

'dikers'

small African antelopes with spike-like horns.

'doucs'

1. (colloquial) fists/hands, when used in boxing etc. 2. noblemen of high rank.

'donjon' 'donjons'

dark prisons, usually underground.

duns 1. debt collectors; collects a debt. 2. female goosanders; young male goosanders.

1. (slang) officers recalled to service.

dumdum

dungeon dungeons

dugout

dukes

'dunts'

a dark prison, usually underground.

2. past tense of 'dig'.

duikers

dunce

a stupid person; a slow learner in a class.

dug

duiker

4. pester; bother; annoy.

3. pesters; bothers; annoys.

dunts

'dunce'

cracks made during the firing of ceramics or biscuits.

dusted 1. (mining) affected with silicosis. 2. removed dust/dirt from things.

dusting 1. a light coating of powder/dirt/dust. 2. (colloquial) a beating/thrashing.

dustings 1. many light coatings of powder/dirt/dust.

76 2. (colloquial) many beatings/thrashings.

duty

'dhooti'

1. deference; respect; obligation. 2. a payment for imports. 3. (mechanics) a measure of an engine's effectiveness.

dydle

'diddle'

clean out water channels in the Norfolk Broads.

dydled

'diddled'

cleaned out water channels in the Norfolk Broads.

dydler

'diddler'

one who cleans out water channels in the Norfolk Broads.

dydlers

'diddlers'

those who clean out water channels in the Norfolk Broads.

dydles

'diddles'

cleans out water channels in the Norfolk Broads.

dydling

'diddling'

cleaning out water channels in the Norfolk Broads.

dye

'dai' & 'die'

impregnate with color.

dyed

'died'

impregnated a material with color (usually when immersed in liquid).

dyeing

'dying'

impregnating color to material etc.

dyer

'dire'

one who dyes materials etc.

dyes

'dies'

impregnates color to material etc.

dying

'dyeing'

the act of giving up life etc.

dyke

'dike'

(colloquial) a lesbian.

dykes

'dikes'

(colloquial) lesbians.

dyne

'dine'

a measure of physical force.

dynes

'dines'

measures of physical force.

dyvour

'diver'

(Scottish) a bankrupt person/business.

dyvours

'divers'

(Scottish) bankrupt persons/businesses.

'E' Words 77 eager

'eagre'

ardent; keen; earnest.

eagle 1. a large bird of prey. 2. (of golf) a hole played in two strokes under par.

eagles 1. (golf) holes played in 2 strokes under par. 2. large birds of prey.

eagre

'eager'

a sudden rise of river tide.

ear

'earring'

(nautical) one of small lines attached to a sail corner.

earings

'earrings'

(nautical) small lines attached to sail corners.

earn

'erne' & 'urn'

obtain (e.g. money) as a reward for labor.

earnest 1. serious; zealous; ardent. 2. money paid as an installment.

earns

'ernes' & 'urns'

obtains (e.g. money) as a reward for labor.

earring

'earing'

a gold/silver/jeweled ring for the ear lobe.

earrings

'earings'

gold/silver/jeweled rings for the ear lobe.

ears

1. (of spirits) tied to the earth and prior life. 2. (of an object) heading towards the earth.

earthiness 1. pertaining to the earth or its properties. 2. coarse/crude/unrefined, especially of sexuality.

'eves'

the edges of roofs.

eccentric 1. an odd/whimsical person. 2. a thing not concentric. 1. things not concentric. 2. odd/whimsical persons.

1. furnishes/forms a border. 2. insinuates; pushes forward. 3. sharpens a tool.

edging 1. sharpening. 2. forming a border. 3. pushing; insinuating. 1. sharply defined, as with sharp edges. 2. irritable; moody.

effuse 1. spreading loosely. 2. pour forth.

effused 1. poured forth. 2. spread out loosely.

effuses 1. pours forth. 2. spreads out loosely.

effusing 1. pouring forth. 2. spreading out loosely.

eft 1. (obsolete) a lizard (now also 'newt'). 2. (Spenser) moreover; again; forthwith.

eh eight

earthbound

eccentrics

edges

'a'

an exclamation of surprise/interrogation.

1. heads of corn. 2. organs for hearing.

eaves

1. sharpen a tool. 2. furnish/form a border. 3. insinuate; push forward.

edgy

1. the organ for hearing. 2. a head of corn.

earing

edge

'ate' & 'ait'

1. one more than seven. 2. (slang) get very drunk.

eke 1. supplement/add to/stretch, usually a living. 2. (archaic) also.

el

'ell' & 'l'

(slang) an elevated railroad.

elapse

'illapse'

to slip/pass by silently, as with time.

elation

'illation'

joy; gladness; high spirits.

elder 1. senior; older; earlier. 2. a plant of the Sambucus genus of the Northern Hemisphere.

78 elemental 1. pertaining to the elements. 2. a spirit of nature/disembodied spirit.

elicit

'illicit'

draw forth; bring out.

elision

'elysian'

the omission of a syllable/vowel/consonant in pronunciation.

ell

'el' & 'l'

a varying measure of length.

elusive

'illusive'

difficult to find; evasive.

elysian

'elision'

blissful; delightful.

ember 1. a small live coal/wood in fire. 2. a day of fasting. 3. the loon/sea-fowl.

embers 1. days of fasting. 2. small live coals; wood in a fire. 3. loons; sea-fowls.

emboss 1. form or cover with a boss; a raised relief. 2. take to the depths of a wood.

embossed 1. formed or covered with a boss; raised relief. 2. took to the depths of a wood.

embosses 1. forms or covers with a boss; raises relief. 2. takes to the depths of a wood.

embossing 1. forming or covering with a boss; raising relief. 2. taking to the depths of a wood.

embraceor

'embracer'

a person guilty of trying to influence a judge/jury.

embracer

'embraceor'

one who embraces another, usually with affection.

emerge

'immerge'

to rise or come forth from liquid/fluid/water.

emersed

'immersed'

protruding out of liquid/water.

emersion

'immersion'

(astronomy) the reappearance of a celestial body after an eclipse by another.

emission

'immission'

the act of releasing/discharging.

enceinte 1. pregnant; with child. 2. a wall or enclosure for a fortified place.

endomorph 1. a mineral enclosed within another mineral.

2. a person with a heavily built body and bone structure.

endorse 1. write on back of; assign; give sanction to. 2. a vertical band or stripe on a shield.

engage 1. bind by contract/promise. 2. hire a servant or an employee. 3. pledge oneself to. 4. fasten/interlock something. 5. bring troops into battle.

engaged 1. bound by a contract/promise. 2. brought troops into battle. 3. fastened/interlocked something. 4. hired a servant or an employee. 5. pledged oneself to somebody.

engages 1. binds by contract/promise. 2. brings troops into battle. 3. fastens/interlocks something. 4.hires a servant or an employee. 5. pledges oneself to somebody.

engaging 1. binding by contract/promise. 2. bringing troops into battle. 3. fastening/interlocking something. 4. hiring a servant or an employee. 5. pledging oneself to somebody.

enrapt

'enwrapped'

spiritually transported/rapt.

entrance

'entrants'

a point or place of entry to a house/building etc.

entrants

'entrance'

those who are competitors in a contest.

entries 1. places of entrance; doors; lobbies etc. 2. registrations in records/accounts etc.

entry 1. a place of entrance/door/lobby etc. 2. a registration in written records.

envoy 1. (archaic) a short stanza. 2. a messenger/representative.

envoys 1. (archaic) short stanzas. 2. messengers; representatives.

enwrapped

'enrapt'

engrossed/enveloped in something.

equity 1. fairness/justice. 2. the net value of a mortgaged property

ere (archaic) before.

'heir', 'are', 'air' & 'eyre'

79 erg

'ergh'

a unit of work or energy in physics.

ergh

'erg'

an exclamation of disgust/revulsion.

erne

'earn' & 'urn'

the eagle.

ernes

'earns' & 'urns'

eagles.

err

'ur' & 'ure'

off the mark; wrong; wander.

eruption

'irruption'

the ejection of magma/steam from a volcano/geyser.

eruptions

'irruptions'

ejections of magma/steam from volcanoes/geysers.

escutcheon 1. a shield with armorial bearings. 2. the middle of a ship's stern where the name is placed. 3. a pivoted key-hole cover.

escutcheons 1. the middle of ships' sterns where the name is placed. 2. pivoted key-hole covers. 3. shields with armorial bearings.

essay 1. a literary composition. 2. try; test.

essays 1. literary compositions. 2. tries; tests.

euro 1. a wallaroo (a native animal of Australia). 2. a monetary unit of the European Union.

euros 1. a number of wallaroos (native animals of Australia). 2. monetary units of the European Union.

even 1. evening. 2. level; smooth. 3. just; simply. 4. treat as equal.

evened 1. leveled; smoothed. 2. treated as equal.

evening 1. the close of the day. 3. making level/smooth.

evens 1. levels; smoothes. 2. treats as equal. 3. many evenings.

evert 1. (physiology) turn an organ of the body inside out. 2. (archaic) overthrow a government.

everted 1. (archaic) overthrew a government. 2. (physiology) turned an organ inside out.

everting 1. (archaic) overthrowing a government. 2. (physiology) turning an organ inside out.

everts 1. (archaic) overthrows a government. 2. (physiology) turns an organ inside out.

eves

'eaves'

evenings.

evocator 1. (in embryology) a morphogenic tissue, usually dead. 2. one who evokes/calls up spirits.

evolution 1. opening out; giving off; due succession. 2. (mathematics) extraction of the root from any power. 3. a development (of an argument/organism etc.).

ewe

'you', 'yew', 'u' & 'yu'

a female sheep.

ewes

'use' & 'yews'

many female sheep.

ex 1. without; not including; free of charge. 2. (colloquial) a former boy/girl friend or husband/wife. 3. the letter 'x'.

exact 1. precise; rigorous. 2. demand/enforce payment.

exarch 1. a Greek bishop. 2. (botany) having the protoxylem on the outer edge.

excise 1. a duty/tax. 2. cut out/off.

excises 1. cuts out/off. 2. duties; taxes.

exciter

'excitor'

(electricity) an auxiliary generator that supplies current to another machine.

excitor

'exciter'

(physiology) a nerve that stimulates action.

excrement 1. dung; refuse; dregs. 2. (Shakespeare) an outgrowth; a moustache.

80 exercise 1. an exertion of limbs/muscles etc. 2. a composition set to students. 3. an act of worship.

exhaust 1. an expulsion/exit of fluid/steam etc. 2. drain; consume entirely; tire out

exhausted 1. drained; consumed entirely; tired out. 2. expelled gases/fluids/steam from pipes.

exhausting 1. draining; consuming entirely; tiring out. 2. expelling gases/fluids/steam from pipes.

exhausts 1. drains; consumes entirely; tires out. 2. the pipes exiting/expelling gases/fluids/steam etc.

express 1. exact; not implied. 2. with speed. 3. squeeze out; exude; emit.

expression 1. a squeezing out; an extrusion. 2. a look; a tone of voice revealing feelings etc. 3. (music) a subjective interpretation of a passage. 4. (mathematics) a representation of symbols.

expressions 1. acts of squeezing out; extrusions. 2. looks; tones of voice revealing feelings etc. 3. (music) subjective interpretations of passages. 4. (mathematics) representations of symbols.

exquisite 1. excellent; beautiful. 2. a fop/coxcomb.

extension 1. (anatomy) the act of straightening something. 2. an addition to or prolongation of something.

extent 1. (legal) in USA, a writ or levy relating to land. 2. the length, area or volume of something.

extra 1. a thing in addition/over and above. 2. in movies, a person hired to act in crowd scenes. 3. in cricket, a run conceded but not scored.

extras 1. things in addition/over and above. 2. in movies, those hired to act in crowd scenes 3. in cricket, runs conceded but not scored

extrude 1. thrust/force/push out. 2. chop up/mash/process something.

extruded

1. thrust/forced/pushed out. 2. chopped up/mashed/processed something.

extrudes 1. thrusts/forces/pushes out. 2. chops up/mashes/processes something.

extruding 1. thrusting/forcing/pushing out. 2. chopping up/mashing/processing something.

eye

'I', 'ay' & 'ai'

1. the organ of sight. 2. (obsolete) a brood of pheasants.

eyelet

'islet'

a small hole for laces etc.

eyelets

'islets'

small holes for laces (in shoes, etc).

eyer

'ire'

a person who looks at/eyes another.

eyes

'ays' & 'ais'

the organs of sight.

eyre

'air', 'are', 'heir' & 'ere'

a circuit/circuit court.

eyres circuit courts.

'airs' & 'heirs'

'F' Words 81 fa

'far'

the fourth note of the octave.

fabulist

1. bundles of sticks/twigs for fires. 2. dishes of liver, seasoned and baked.

fabulists

fags

1. composers of fables. 2. liars.

1. (of school) juniors' service for seniors. 2. (slang) cigarettes. 3. toils painfully.

facer 1. a blow in the face. 2. a sudden difficulty.

faik faiked

1. blows in the face. 2. sudden difficulties.

'fascets'

aspects; phases; plane surfaces.

'fascia'

the instrument panel of a car, machine etc.

facial

'fascial'

a massage treatment for the face.

faiking

'faking'

(Scottish) excusing; abating.

faiks

'fakes'

(Scottish) abates; excuses.

fail

'faille'

1. be unsuccessful; miss; be deficient; break. 2. turf; sod.

faille

'fail'

a plain silk fabric.

facing 1. a trimming; an extra piece/outer layer. 2. turning to; looking directly at.

faction 1. a smaller group within a larger group. 2. literary genre combining facts and fiction.

factor 1. an agent; a deputy. 2. (mathematics) one of components of a number. 3. a circumstance/fact; an influence.

factoring 1. the business of purchasing and collecting accounts receivables. 2. (mathematics) determining the factors of any number.

factors 1. (mathematics) the components of a number. 2. agents; deputies. 3. circumstances; facts; influences.

fade

'faked'

(Scottish) excused; abated.

'fascet'

an aspect; a phase/plane surface.

facia

'fake'

(Scottish) abate; excuse.

facers

facets

1. a bundle of sticks/twigs for fire. 2. a dish of liver seasoned and baked.

faggots

1. a composer of fables. 2. a liar.

facet

faggot

'fayed'

lose vigor/strength/freshness/health.

fag 1. toil painfully. 2. (of school) a junior service for seniors. 3. (slang) a cigarette.

fain

'feign' & 'fane'

1. willing; no alternative. 2. exempt from unwelcome duty.

faint

'feint'

1. sluggish; timid; sickly; giddy. 2. dim; pale; shadowy.

fainted

'feinted'

swooned.

fainting

'feinting'

swooning.

faints

'feints'

1. impurities in distillations. 2. swoons.

fair

'fare' & 'phare'

1. periodical gathering for sales/entertainment. 2. beautiful. 3. blond; not dark. 4. unbiased; just.

fairer

'farer'

more attractive/equitable/agreeable.

fairing

'faring'

1. a present bought at a fair. 2. a smooth surface on an aircraft.

fairs

'fares'

82 periodical gatherings for sales/entertainments.

fake

'faik'

1. coil/fold a rope. 2. sham; dodgy; made up.

faked

'faiked'

1. coiled/folded a rope. 2. shammed; pretended; falsified

fakes

'faiks'

1. coils/folds a rope. 2. shams; pretends; makes up.

faking 1. (nautical, of rope) coiling. 1. shamming; pretending; falsifying. 2. coiling/folding a rope. 2. shamming; contriving; dodging.

falconet 1. a light cannon. 2. a species of shrike.

farci

'farcy'

stuffed, as of poultry.

farcy

'farci'

a contagious disease of horses.

fardel 1. (obsolete) a fourth part. 2. anything cumbersome or irksome.

fare

'fair' & 'phare'

1. the cost of travel/passage. 2. food provided.

'fairer' 'fairs'

1. costs of travels/passages. 2. foods provided.

1. descend; drop; collapse. 2. a trap. 3. the cry given when sighting whales.

fallow

faring

'fairing'

the state of progress.

farmer 1. one who cultivates the land/operates a farm. 2. one who undertakes the collection of taxes/revenues.

1. land left uncropped. 2. pale brown.

farming

fan 1. a machine for agitating air, usually for cooling. 2. a devotee of a specified thing/person.

fancies 1. delusions; unfounded beliefs. 2. men living off prostitutes.

fancy 1. a delusion; an unfounded belief. 2. ornamental; embellished; extravagant. 3. a man living off a prostitute.

'fain' & 'feign'

1. (obsolete) a flag/weathercock. 2. a temple.

fang 1. a canine tooth. 2. prime a pump by pouring in liquid.

fangs 1. the canine teeth. 2. primes a pump by pouring in liquid.

'phanar'

1. the cultivation of the land; operating a farm. 2. the practice of letting/leasing taxes or revenues etc., for collection.

faro

fans 1. devotees of a specified thing/person. 2. machines for agitating the air.

'fa'

'pharaoh'

a gambling game played with cards.

farrow 1. a litter of pigs. 2. (of cows) not calving in a given year.

farse

'farce'

an addition to the Latin service, in the vernacular.

farther

'father'

to a point further on.

fascet

'facet'

a wire basket for carrying glass bottles.

fascets

'facets'

wire baskets for carrying glass bottles.

fascia

'facia'

(architecture) a long flat member or band.

fascial

one who fans.

at a great distance.

1. (archaic) spices; stuffings; seasonings. 2. pretences; mockeries; absurdities.

fares

fall

far

farces

a traveler.

1. light cannons. 2. species of shrikes.

fanner

'farse'

1. a pretence/mockery; an absurdity. 2. (archaic) spice; stuffing; seasoning.

farer

falconets

fane

farce

'facial'

(architecture) pertains to a long, flat member or band.

fast 1. abstain from food/drink. 2. firmly attached/fixed.

83 3. quick; speedy; rapid.

was frightened of; was afraid of.

fat

fears

1. large; gross; plump; over-weight. 2. a vat/vessel for holding liquid.

fate

'fete'

a destiny; an ultimate condition.

fated

'feted'

guided by; destined; doomed.

fates

'fetes'

destinies; ultimate conditions.

father

'fawn' 'fawns'

1. of or relating to the west wind. 2. mild; favorable; propitious.

'faun'

1. a young deer. 2. grovel; cringe; be servile.

'fauns'

1. young deers. 2. grovels; cringes; is servile.

'fey'

a fairy.

'fade'

fitted together closely, as timber in shipbuilding.

'faze' & 'phase'

many fairies.

'fays', & 'phase'

worry; perturb.

fazed

'phased'

perturbed/worried/concerned/ruffled.

feal

'feel'

1. (obsolete) loyal; faithful. 2. conceal; hide.

fear

'feer' & 'fere'

concern; doubt; painful emotion.

feared

'fears' & 'feres'

marks the first furrow in ploughing.

fees

'feeze'

monies paid for service/hire/admission.

feet

'feat'

the plural of 'foot'.

feeze (pheeze)

'fees'

drive off/away; worry; perturb; beat.

feign feint feinted

favonian

faze

'fear' & 'fere'

mark out the first furrow in ploughing.

'fain' and 'fane' 'faint'

a sham attack.

Latin rural deities.

fays

'feal'

invent; forge; imagine.

a Latin rural deity.

fayed

'fie'

a sum payable.

feers

1. (hunting) losses of scent. 2. (of tennis) incorrect serves. 3. defects; blemishes; scars; cracks.

fay

fee

touch; hold; experience.

faults

fawns

1. (colloquial) a federal police officer. 2. past tense and past participle of 'feed'.

feer

1. a defect/blemish/scar/crack. 2. a responsibility for something wrong. 3. (of tennis) an incorrect serve. 4. (hunting) a loss of scent.

fawn

fed

'for', 'four' & 'fore'

fault

fauns

'feet'

something noteworthy/adroit/smart/dexterous.

feel

an exclamation of disgust.

faun

concerns; doubts; painful emotions.

feat

'farther'

a male parent.

faugh

'feers' & 'feres'

'fyrd'

'fainted'

shammed an attack.

feinting

'fainting'

shamming an attack.

feints

'faints'

shams an attack.

fell 1. animal hide/skin with hair. 2. a hill. 3. (poetry) fierce; ruthless. 4. strike down with a blow. 5. descended; tilted over or off.

fella

'fellah'

a fellow/person, usually male.

fellah

'fella'

a native laborer of some Arabic countries.

fellahs

'fellas'

native laborers of some Arabic countries.

fellas

'fellahs'

fellows/persons, usually male.

felloe

'fellow'

the outer circle of a wheel.

felloes

'fellows'

the outer circles of wheels.

fellow a comrade/person.

'felloe'

84 fellows

'felloes'

comrades; persons. 1. animal hides/skins with hair. 2. hills. 3. strikes down with a blow.

felon

felons

felt 1. a kind of wool pressed and rolled. 2. experienced; touched.

'femoral'

a louvered covering, in a roof, for ventilation.

'femerell'

pertaining to the femur or thigh.

fen

fence

fenced 1. engaged in a sword fight. 2. erected hedges/walls/railings. 3. received stolen goods.

fencer 1. one who practices the art of fencing with swords. 2. a maker or mender of fences.

a metal band/ring on a stick/cane.

ferula 1. the giant fennel. 2. a flat ruler for punishing boys.

ferulas 1. flat rulers for punishing boys. 2. giant fennels.

ferule

'feral' & 'ferrule'

a cane or rod used for punishment. 1. a teacher's pointer. 2. a kind of grass. 1. kinds of grasses. 2. teachers' pointers.

fetch 1. bring; go; get; grab; obtain. 2. the apparition/wraith/double of a living person.

fete

'fate'

a festival, often at a church/school.

feted

'fated'

entertained; celebrated.

fetes

'fates'

festivals.

fencers 1. those who practice the art of fencing with swords. 2. makers or menders of fences

fences 1. engages in a sword fight. 2. hedges; walls; railings. 3. receivers of stolen goods.

fencing 1. sword fighting. 2. a continuous hedge/barrier etc. 3. receiving stolen goods.

'phenyl'

an umbelliferous plant with yellow flowers.

'ferrule' & 'ferule'

wild; untamed; brutish.

'fear' & 'feer'

1. (archaic) a companion/mate/spouse. 2. (Scottish) able; adept; sound.

feres

'feral' & 'ferule'

fescues

1. the art of using a sword. 2. a hedge/wall/railing. 3. a receiver of stolen goods.

fere

1. cotton/silk tapes. 2. polecats.

fescue

1. a marshy bog. 2. a cry in boys' games, to bar rights/privileges.

feral

1. a polecat. 2. cotton/silk tape.

ferrule

1. criminals. 2. small abscesses near a fingernail.

fennel

ferret

ferrets

1. a criminal. 2. a small abscess near the fingernail.

femoral

'firn' & 'foehn'

a type of crytogamous plant.

fells

femerell

(archaic) companions; mates; spouses.

fern

'fears' & 'feers'

feu

'few' & 'phew'

a lease at fixed rent.

feud 1. a lasting hostility. 2. a fief/feudal territory.

feudist 1. one who fights in a feud. 2. an authority on feudal law.

feudists 1. those who fight in a feud. 2. writers/authorities on feudal law.

feuds 1. fiefs; feudal territories. 2. lasting hostilities.

few

'feu' & 'phew'

not many.

fey at the point of death.

'fay'

85 fib

fieldwork

1. a trivial lie. 2. a blow/punch in boxing.

fibrin

1. a temporary fortification built in the field. 2. actual data collection and analysis.

'fibrine'

a white insoluble fibrous protein.

fibrine

'fibrin'

pertaining to plant fiber.

1. a devil; an evil spirit; a cruel person. 2. (colloquial) an avid devotee of a game or sport.

fiendishly

fibs 1. blows/punches in boxing. 2. trivial lies.

fid

1. in a devilish manner. 2. extremely/exceedingly, as in 'fiendishly clever'.

fiends

1. a conical wooden pin. 2. a small wedge.

1. devils; evil spirits; cruel persons. 2. (colloquial) avid devotees of a game or sport.

fiddle

fig

1. a violin. 2. (nautical) a thing to stop objects rolling off a table. 3. (slang) an act of cheating/defrauding. 4. nonsense. 5. be idle/frivolous.

fiddled 1. (slang) cheated; defrauded. 2. was idle or frivolous. 3. played the violin.

fiddler 1. a violin player. 2. a cheater. 3. a person who is lazy or idle. 4. a kind of small crab.

fiddlers 1. cheaters. 2. kind of small crabs. 3. lazy/idle persons. 4. violin players.

1. a soft pear-shaped fruit. 2. dress; equipment. 3. make lively.

figs 1. makes lively. 2. soft pear-shaped fruits.

figure 1. an external form/shape. 2. determine; work out. 3. (of speech) a hyperbole/metaphor etc. 4. (music) a short succession of notes.

figures 1. (music) short successions of notes. 2. (of speech) hyperboles; metaphors etc. 3. determines; works out. 4. external forms/shapes.

filander

'philander'

a species of kangaroo inhabiting New Guinea.

filar

fiddles

'filer'

relating to or composed of threads.

1. (nautical) things to stop objects rolling off a table. 2. (slang) cheats; defrauds. 3. is idle or frivolous. 4. violins.

fiddling

file 1. an instrument for smoothing rough edges etc. 2. (slang) an artful person/dodger. 3. a place/drawer for holding papers/documents etc. 4. (military) a line of persons/soldiers.

filer

1. playing the violin. 2. cheating. 3. idling/lazing around.

'filar'

one who files/smoothes/shapes with a file.

files

fids 1. conical wooden pins. 2. small wedges.

fie

fiend

'fee'

express a sense of outrage.

fielder 1. in cricket, one who catches the ball. 2. (colloquial) a bookmaker in horseracing.

fielders 1. in cricket, those who catch the ball. 2. (colloquial) bookmakers in horseracing.

1. (military) lines of men/soldiers. 2. (slang) artful persons/dodgers. 3. instruments for smoothing rough edges etc. 4. places/drawers to hold papers/documents etc.

filiform

'phylliform'

pertaining to a thread or filament.

fillet 1. a head-band/ribbon etc. 2. a thick slice of prime beef/fish. 3. (book-binding) a plain line impressed on a cover.

86 fillets 1. (of book-binding) plain lines impressed on a cover. 2. head-bands; ribbons etc. 3. thick slices of prime beef/fish.

fillip 1. a snap of the fingers. 2. a stimulus; an incentive.

fillips

'fils'

spreads; pervades; completes.

fils

'fills'

one-thousandth of Iraqi dinar.

filter

'philter'

a strainer/separator.

filters

'philters'

strainers; separators.

filum

'phylum'

a threadlike structure; a filament.

fin 1. a paddle-like organ of aquatic and sea animals. 2. (colloquial) a five pound note; a five-dollar bill.

find

'fined'

search for; discover.

findings 1. (legal) decisions/verdicts after judicial arguments. 2. tools/materials used by artisans.

fine 1. clear/pure/good/refined/high quality. 2. money paid as a penalty.

fined

'find'

compelled to pay a penalty.

'firebote'

a boat constructed to fight fires.

firebote

'fireboat'

the right, by a tenant, to sufficient wood to maintain a fireplace in his house.

firebrand

firebrands 1. pieces of burning wood. 2. those who stir up trouble/strife.

fired 1. activated a gun/pistol etc. 2. brought to flame/combustion. 3. terminated employment.

fires 1. activates a gun/pistol etc. 2. brings to flame/combustion. 3. terminates employment.

firing 1. activating a gun/pistol etc. 2. bringing to flame/combustion. 3. terminating employment.

firm 1. a commercial business. 2. solid; fixed; stable; steady.

firms 1. commercial businesses. 2. becomes solid/fixed/stable/steady.

firn

'fern' & 'foehn'

granular snow on high glaciers.

firry

'furry'

relating to the fir tree; an abundance of firs.

firs

'furs', 'furrs', & 'furze'

coniferous trees.

finery 1. a refinery/place for processing oil and gas etc. 2. showy, elaborate clothing/ornaments.

fines 1. a very finely powdered material e.g. ore/fibre. 2. monies paid as penalties.

fingering 1. holding/feeling with the fingers. 2. wool for stockings.

fish 1. catch fish. 2. (nautical) a piece of wood to strengthen a mast. 3. a piece of ivory used in games.

fisher

'fissure'

one who fishes for sport or food.

fishers

'fissures'

those who fish for sport or food.

fins 1. paddle-like organs of aquatic and sea animals. 2. (colloquial) five pound notes; five dollar bills

fir

fireboat

1. a piece of burning wood. 2. one who stirs up trouble/strife.

1. snaps of fingers. 2. stimuli; incentives.

fills

3. terminate employment. 4. activate gun/pistol etc.

'fur' & 'furr'

a coniferous tree.

fire 1. a flame/combustion etc. 2. vehement emotion/spirit/vivacity.

fishes 1. (nautical) pieces of wood used to strengthen a mast. 2. catches fish. 3. pieces of ivory used in a game.

fishy 1. fishlike in smell/taste/shape.

87 2. (colloquial) improbable/questionable, as in 'a fishy story'. 3. (colloquial) dull/expressionless, as in 'fishy eyes'.

fisk 1. the state treasury; public revenue. 2. (obsolete) to frisk/rush about.

fissure

'fisher'

a gap/crack.

fissures

'fishers'

gaps/cracks.

fist 1. the fingers curled into the palm and closed firmly. 2. (printing) an index sign.

fists 1. fingers curled into the palms and closed firmly. 2. (printing) index signs.

fit 1. a section of a poem. 2. a paroxysm. 3. suitable; strong enough; well adapted. 4. try on clothes.

fits 1. paroxysms. 2. sections of a poem. 3. is suitable/strong enough/well adapted. 4. tries on clothes etc.

fitter 1. one who fits on clothes. 2. one who fixes/works with machines/lathes etc.

fitting 1. suitable; correct. 2. an apparatus/equipment. 3. trying out garments/clothes.

fives 1. many instances of the number five. 2. a game of handball, played against a wall.

fix 1. rectify; correct; secure; fasten. 2. a dilemma/difficult situation. 3. (slang) an addict's dose of drugs.

fixer 1. (photography) a chemical used in developing images. 2. a mason who sets stones into walls.

fixers 1. (photography) chemicals used in developing images. 2. masons who set stones into walls.

fixes 1. (slang) an addict's doses of drugs. 2. dilemmas; difficult situations. 3. rectifies; corrects; secures; fastens.

fiz (fizz)

'phiz'

a hissing/sputtering sound.

fizgig 1. a flirtatious young woman. 2. a small firework/cracker.

fizgigs 1. flirtatious young women. 2. small fireworks/crackers.

fizzer 1. a firecracker/thing that fails to explode/function. 2. (colloquial) a police informer.

fizzers 1. firecrackers/things that fail to explode/function. 2. (colloquial) police informers.

fizzy 1. that which fizzles e.g. a soft drink. 2. (of horses) difficult to control.

flacks

'flax'

(colloquial) publicity agents; press secretaries.

flag 1. a kind of plant. 2. a quill feather from bird's wing. 3. the standard/ensign of a ship/country etc. 4. lose vigor/interest. 5. direct a car/motorbike to leave a race/slow down

flagellate 1. a class of single celled algae. 2. whip; scourge.

flagellated 1. like a single celled algae. 2. whipped; scourged.

flageolet 1. a small flute. 2. a kind of kidney bean.

flageolets 1. kind of kidney beans. 2. small flutes.

flagging 1. losing vigor/interest. 2. directing car/motorbike to leave a race/slow down. 3. flagstones; an area covered by them.

flaggy 1. drooping; limp. 2. consisting of flags or flagstones. 3. resembling plants called flags.

flags 1. kinds of plants. 2. loses vigor/interest. 3. quill feathers from a bird's wing. 4. standards/ensigns of countries/ships etc.

flair

'flare'

88 an intuitive ability; a natural aptitude.

flairs

'flares'

intuitive abilities; natural aptitudes.

flake

flakes 1. (slang) untrustworthy persons. 2. racks for storing oatcakes etc. 3. tufts of snow.

flaky 1. of or like flakes. 2. (colloquial) strange; bizarre; unconventional.

flapper 1. a flat fly-killing instrument. 2. a young wild duck/partridge. 3. (slang) a girl in late teens. 4. (slang) a hand

flappers 1. (slang) girls in late teens. 2. (slang) hands. 3. flat fly-killing instruments. 4. young wild ducks/partridges.

'flair'

1. a bulge. 2. a dazzling light.

flares

1. cracks; breeches; blemishes. 2. short storms/squalls.

flax

1. a rack for storing oatcakes etc. 2. a tuft of snow. 3. (slang) an untrustworthy person. 4. (slang) shark meat.

flare

flaws

'flacks'

any plant of the genus Linum.

flea

'flee'

a jumping insect.

fleas

'flees'

jumping insects.

flecks

'flex'

spots/markings in fur/material.

flee

'flea'

run away.

fleer 1. deride; jeer; mock. 2. one who flees.

flees

'fleas'

runs away.

fleet 1. a number of warships together. 2. quick; speedy. 3. a creek; an inlet. 4. (of water) shallow. 5. glide away; vanish.

flesh 1. the substance between the skin and bones. 2. incite a hound with taste of blood.

'flairs'

1. bulges. 2. dazzling lights.

flash 1. a sudden transitory blaze of light. 2. showy; counterfeit; gaudy.

flashing 1.a strip of metal to prevent leakage. 2. blazing intermittently/blinking.

flask 1. a bottle-shaped container of glass/metal etc. 2. the armored plates making up the sides of a gun carriage.

flat 1. horizontal; level. 2. a suite of rooms; an apartment.

flatter 1. cajole/wheedle/beguile with excessive praise. 2. a flat blacksmith's tool used in forging.

flatters 1. cajoles/wheedles/beguiles with excessive praise. 2. flat blacksmith's tools used in forging.

flaw 1. a crack/breech/blemish. 2. a short storm/squall.

flew

'flue'

past tense of 'fly'.

flews

'flues'

the hanging lips of bloodhounds.

flex

'flecks'

stretch a muscle/wire/rope.

flick 1. a sharp light blow. 2. (slang) a film at the cinema.

flicker 1. waver; quiver; burn fitfully. 2. a North American woodpecker.

flickers 1. wavers; quivers; burns fitfully. 2. North American woodpeckers.

flicks

'flix'

1. a number of light blows. 2. cinema films.

flies 1. hackney carriages. 2. laps on garments to cover button holes. 3. speed regulating devices. 4. many two-winged insects; moves through the air.

flight the act of fleeing/flying.

'flyte'

89 flights

'flytes'

acts of fleeing/flying.

flighty 1. light-headed; mildly crazy; fanciful. 2. (archaic) swift; quick; fleet.

flinch 1. shrink from pain; wince; withdraw. 2. strip blubber and skin from whales.

flinched 1. shrank from pain; winced; withdrew. 2. stripped blubber and skin from whales.

flinches 1. shrinks from pain; winces; withdraws. 2. strips blubber and skin from whales.

flinching 1. shrinking from pain; wincing; withdrawing. 2. stripping blubber and skin from whales.

1. a person/thing that floats or drifts. 2. a person who casts illegal votes in many places. 3. a stock recognized as a security.

floaters 1. those who float or drift. 2. those who cast illegal votes in many places. 3. stocks recognized as securities.

floating 1. drifting/bobbing on the surface of a liquid. 2. (of finance) not permanently invested.

floats 1. corks; quills on fishing lines; supports in water. 2. footlights in theatre. 3. launches a company.

floc

fling 1. throw; cast off; hurl; send forth. 2. a lively Scottish dance. 3. (colloquial) a brief sexual affair.

flings 1. throws; casts off; hurls; sends forth. 2. lively Scottish dances. 3. (colloquial) brief sexual affairs.

flinty 1. cruel; unmerciful. 2. resembling flint; like flint. 3. (of wine) having a very dry finish.

flip

flock

(chemistry) a small light mass e.g. smoke particle.

flock

'floc'

1. a lock/tuft of wool/cotton. 2. a number of animals together.

flocks

'phlox'

1. herds of sheep. 2. locks/tufts of wool/cotton.

floe

'flow'

a sheet of floating ice.

floes

'flows'

masses of floating ice.

1. turn (coin) end over end. 2. a smart light blow. 3. a short airplane flight. 4. beer and spirit mixed.

flips 1. mixtures of beer and spirits. 2. short airplane flights. 3. smart light blows. 4. turns (coin) end over end.

flirt 1. a sudden jerk/quick motion. 2. a woman/man who seeks attention

flirts 1. women/men who seek attention. 2. sudden jerks; quick motions.

flitters 1. flutters about, hither and thither. 2. fragments; tatters; small pieces.

flix

3. start up/launch a company.

floater

'flicks'

a beaver's down/fur.

float 1. a cork/quill on a fishing line; a support on water. 2. footlights in a theatre.

flog 1. beat with a whip/stick. 2. (colloquial) sell; hawk

flogged 1. beaten with a whip/stick. 2. (colloquial) sold; hawked.

flogging 1. beating with a whip/stick. 2. (colloquial) selling; hawking.

flogs 1. beats with a whip/stick. 2. (colloquial) sells; hawks.

floor

'flor'

1. the lower surface of a room; the area for standing upon. 2. knock down; confound.

floorer 1. disconcerting news; a hard question. 2. a knock-down blow.

flop 1. sway/thrash about. 2. (of play/film/concert) a failure.

flops

90 1. (of plays/films/concerts) failures. 2. sways/thrashes about.

flor

'floor'

a film-forming yeast in some sherries.

floss

flounce 1. a motion/movement that is agitated/violent (usually by women). 2. a strip sewn around the edge of a woman's skirt.

flounced 1. made violent/agitated motions. 2. trimmed a dress with flounce.

flounces 1. agitated/violent motions. 2. strips sewn around the edge of a woman's skirt.

flouncing 1. making violent gestures or motions. 2. dress trimming consisting of a flounce.

flounder 1. a small flat-fish. 2. struggle about; make a mistake.

flounders 1. small flat-fishes. 2. struggles about; makes mistakes.

'flower'

wheat meal, for making bread etc.

floured

'flowered'

used flour for cooking etc.

flourier

'flowerier'

more wheatmeal.

flouriest

'floweriest'

the most flour.

flouring

'flowering'

using flour for cooking/baking etc.

flourish 1. a fanfare of brass instruments. 2. an embellishment around a letter/some words. 3. thrive; prosper; grow well.

flours

'flowers'

many types of wheatmeal.

floury

'flowery'

an abundance of flour.

flow

'floe'

1. glide along/circulate. 2. (mathematics) increase/diminish continuously.

flower

'floured'

bloomed/grew to maturity.

flowerier

'flourier'

more flowery/showy.

1. silk filaments used in weaving, brocade etc. 2. a snack food, popular in Malaysia and Singapore.

flour

2. the best/pick/choicest.

flowered

'flour'

1. the reproductive organ of a plant.

floweriest

'flouriest'

the most flowery.

flowering

'flouring'

blooming/growing to maturity.

flowers

'flours'

many reproductive organs of plants.

flowery

'floury'

having many flowers; showy.

flown 1. (archaic) swollen/puffed up. 2. past participle of 'fly'.

flows

'floes'

streams/courses/ejects forth/along.

flue

'flew'

1. a kind of fishing net. 2. fluff. 3. a smoke duct in a chimney. 4. splay; make wider.

flues

'flews'

a kind of fishing nets.

fluff 1. light feathery stuff. 2. (slang) a theatrical blunder.

fluffs 1. (slang) theatrical blunders. 2. light feathery things/stuff.

fluke 1. a type of flat fish. 2. a worm in a sheep's liver. 3. the triangular plate on an anchor's arm. 4. a lucky strike/hit/occasion.

flukes 1. type of flat fish. 2. lucky strikes/hits/occasions. 3. triangular plates on an anchor's arm. 4. worms in a sheep's liver.

fluky 1. infected with flukes. 2. lucky; won by luck. 3. (of breeze) often light and varying.

flurry 1. a sudden gust of wind/snow. 2. a fit of nervous excitement. 3. the struggles of a dying whale.

flush 1. fly away. 2. spurt; rush out; cleanse. 3. become red; blush. 4. level; fill in to level.

91 5. a set of cards all of the same suit.

flushed 1. became red; blushed. 2. flew away. 3. leveled; filled in to level. 4. spurted; rushed out; cleansed.

flushes 1. becomes red; blushes. 2. flies away. 3. levels; fills in to level. 4. sets of cards all of the same suit. 5. spurts; rushes out; cleanses.

flushing 1. becoming red; blushing. 2. flying away. 3. leveling; filling in to level. 4. spurting; rushing out; cleansing.

flute 1. a musical wind instrument. 2. a vertical groove in a pillar.

fluter 1. one who makes flutings. 2. (colloquial) a garrulous person.

fluters

flutes 1. musical wind instruments. 2. vertical grooves in a pillar.

flutter 1. flap wings. 2. a modest gamble/venture.

flutters 1. flaps wings. 2. modest gambles/ventures.

fly 1. a two-winged insect; fly through the air. 2. a hackney carriage. 3. a lap on a garment to cover buttonholes. 4. part of the flag furthest from the staff. 5. (theatre) the space over the proscenium. 6. a speed regulating device. 7. (slang) knowing; wide awake.

flyer 1. that which flies. 2. (colloquial) an ambitious person.

flyers 1. (colloquial) ambitious persons. 2. things that fly.

'flight'

(Scottish) scold; brawl.

flytes

'flights'

(Scottish) scolds; brawls

foaled

1. a small pocket for a watch. 2. cheat; deceive.

fobs 1. cheats; deceives. 2. small pockets for watches.

foehn

'fern' & 'firn'

a hot dry wind of the northern Alps.

fog 1. the aftermath. 2. long grass left standing in winter. 3. vapor at/near the earth's surface. 4. bewilder; perplex.

fogs 1. bewilders; perplexes. 2. vapors at/near the earth's surface.

foil 1. (architecture) the space between the cusp of a window. 2. a thin sheet of metal. 3. (hunting) cross over the scent of the prey. 4. a blunt sword in fencing.

foils

1. those who make flutings. 2. (colloquial) garrulous people.

flyte

gave birth to young.

fob

'fold'

1. (architecture) spaces between the cusp of a window. 2. (hunting) crosses over the scent. 3. blunt swords in fencing. 4. thin sheets of metal.

fold

'foaled'

1. turn over upon itself. 2. an enclosure for animals.

folding 1. (geology) bending of rock strata caused by compression. 2. moving sheep progressively from lot to lot. 3. turning paper etc. upon itself, to make smaller.

folds 1. enclosures for animals. 2. turns over upon itself.

folium 1. a thin leaf-like stratum or layer. 2. (geometry) a loop/curve terminating at a common node.

fond 1. foolishly tender; over-affectionate; cherished. 2. a background, often of lace.

font 1. a vessel for baptismal water. 2. a set of type for printing.

fonts 1. vessels for baptismal water. 2. sets of type for printing.

fool

92 1. a stupid person/dupe. 2. a creamy liquid of stewed fruit.

foolish 1. silly; unwise; folly. 2. (archaic) trifling; insignificant.

fools 1. creamy liquids of stewed fruit. 2. stupid persons; dupes.

foot 1. the terminating part of the leg. 2. pay the bill. 3. a length of twelve inches.

footer 1. one who goes on foot; a walker. 2. (colloquial) a note at the bottom of a page.

footers 1. those who go on foot; walkers. 2. (colloquial) notes at the bottom of a page.

footing 1. a secure position/foundation/foothold. 2. a fee for entrance into a trade or society. 3. the act of adding up a column of numbers.

footman 1. a male servant in a livery. 2. a metal stand before a fire, to keep something hot.

footmen 1. male servants in a livery. 2. metal stands before a fire, to keep something hot.

for

'four', 'fore' & 'faugh'

in place of; representing.

forbear

'forebear'

abstain/refrain from.

'foresight' 'for', 'four' & 'faugh'

1. situated in front. 2. (of golf) a warning to other players.

'forbear'

an ancestor; one who came before.

forego

'forgo'

precede.

forehanded

1. (nautical) a platform at the top of a foremast. 2. the forelock of an animal, especially a horse.

forewarn

'forworn'

warn in advance.

foreword

'forward'

a preface; an introduction.

forge 1. a smithy's/blacksmith's hearth. 2. imitate/fabricate a document/signature. 3. make way/advance with difficulty.

forged 1. imitated/fabricated a document/signature. 2. made way/advanced with difficulty.

forges 1. imitates/fabricates a document/signature. 2. makes way/advances with difficulty. 3. smithy's/blacksmith's hearths.

forging 1. working at a hearth. 2. fabricating a document/signature etc. 3. making a way/path with difficulty.

forgo

'forego'

abstain from.

form

'forme'

1. a visible shape/aspect; an arrangement. 2. a class in school. 3. a known behavior e.g. of a criminal. 4. a condition of health/training. 5. a long seat without a back.

formally

a gelatin dynamite, mostly of sodium nitrate.

forebear

foretop

'formyl'

according to; following custom.

1. strength; power. 2. a waterfall.

fore

'forcite'

1. care for the future; looking ahead; prescience. 2. the sight on the muzzle of a gun.

formal

force

forcite

foresight

'fourhanded'

prudent; thrifty.

forelock 1. a lock of hair at the forehead. 2. a wedge in a bolt to hold it.

forelocks 1. locks of hair at the forehead. 2. wedges in a bolt to hold it.

'formerly'

pertaining to form.

formate 1. a salt of formic acid. 2. (of aircraft) to take up a position in a formation.

forme

'form'

an assemblage of type and blocks ready for print.

former 1. preceding; prior; earlier. 2. something that serves to shape/form.

formerly

'formally'

prior; before.

forms 1. classes in school. 2. long seats without backs. 3. shapes; arrangements; visible aspects.

formyl

'formal'

93 the group HCO, derived from formic acid.

fornicate

founders

1. sexual intercourse. 2. arched/arching over

fornication 1. the act of sexual intercourse. 2. an arched formation.

fort

'forte'

an outpost surrounded by defensive walls etc.

forte

'fourth'

1. a cardinal number, four times ten. 2. (colloquial) a thief.

'foreword'

1. belonging to the front part of a ship. 2. advancing/progressing to maturity. 3. a first-line player in football etc.

forwarding 1. the business of a shipping/cargo agent. 2. a stage in the process of bookbinding.

forworn (foreworn) 'forewarn' (archaic) worn-out; much worn.

fossa 1. (anatomy) a pit or depression. 2. an animal like the civet.

foster 1. food. 2. tend; cherish; encourage.

fother 1. a load/quantity. 2. cover (e.g. a sail) with yarn and oakum.

'fowl'

filthy; dirty; untidy; obscene.

fouler

'fowler'

more filthy/dirty/untidy/obscene.

fouling

'fowling'

making filthy/dirty/untidy/obscene.

fouls

1. an assortment of types for printing. 2. a spring/source of water.

'for', 'fore' & 'faugh'

a cardinal number, three plus one.

fourhanded

'forehanded'

designed for four hands or four persons.

fowl fowler

forty

foul

fount

'foul'

a bird/cock/hen.

forwards.

forward

1. those who start an organization/institution. 2. persons who cast metal/glass. 3. falls down; collapses; (of ships) sinks/sticks on rocks or sandbar.

four

1. something in which a person excels. 2. (music) strongly; loudly. 3. (in fencing) strong part of a sword from the hilt to the middle.

forth

3. fall down; collapse; (of ships) sink/stick on rocks or a sandbar.

'fowls'

makes filthy/dirty/untidy/obscene.

found 1. lay a base; begin building something. 2. melt/mould metals. 3. past tense and past participle of 'find'.

founder 1. someone who starts an organization/institution. 2. a person who casts metal/glass.

'fouler'

one who hunts fowls.

fowling

'fouling'

pertaining to fowl.

fowls

'fouls'

a number of birds/cocks/hens.

fox 1. a red bushy-tailed carnivore. 2. act craftily. 3. discolor the leaves of a book.

foxes 1. acts craftily. 2. discolors leaves of a book. 3. red bushy tailed carnivores.

foxing 1. acting craftily; attempting to deceive. 2. spotting/staining on drawings, caused by mildew.

foxy 1. fox-like. 2. crafty-looking. 3. (painting) over hot in color.

foy 1. (Spenser) allegiance; loyalty. 2. a parting entertainment or gift.

frail 1. a basket for packing figs. 2. fragile.

fraise

'phrase' & 'frays'

1. a down-sloping palisade. 2. a tool for enlarging holes.

frame 1. (slang) concoct a false charge/an accusation. 2. a construction/casing/border. 3. (mining) an inclined board for washing ore. 4. a round of play in snooker/bowling etc.

frames 1. (mining) inclined planes for washing ore.

94 2. (slang) concocts false charge/accusation. 3. constructions; casings; borders. 4. rounds of play in snooker/bowling etc.

franc

'frank'

a unit of French money.

francs

'franks'

units of French money.

frank

'franc'

1. open; candid; outspoken. 2. super scribe a letter/an envelope.

franks

'francs'

superscribes a letter/an envelope.

frater

'freighter'

1. a brother/comrade. 2. a refectory of a religious house.

fraters

'freighters'

1. brothers; comrades. 2. refectories of religious houses.

fraught 1. (obsolete) a ship's load/cargo/freight. 2. (colloquial) upset; anxious; tense.

fray 1. a brawl/quarrel/fight. 2. wear out by rubbing; unravel.

frays

'fraise' & 'phrase'

unravels; wears out; rubs off.

freak

'phreak'

1. fleck/variegate/streak with color. 2. something unusual/abnormal/capricious. 3. an overly eager supporter of a particular thing.

freaks

'phreaks'

1. flecks/variegates/streaks with color. 2. things unusual/abnormal/capricious. 3. overly eager supporters of a particular thing.

freckle 1. a small, brownish spot/discoloration on the skin. 2. (colloquial) the anus.

freckles 1. small, brownish spots/discolorations on the skin. 2. (colloquial) anuses.

frees

'freeze' & 'frieze'

liberates.

freeze

'frees' & 'frieze'

convert to ice/frost.

freezes

'friezes'

converts to ice/frost.

freighter

'frater'

a cargo ship.

freighters cargo ships.

fret

'fraters'

1. an ornamental pattern. 2. worry; gnaw; torment; be angry. 3. the bar/ridge on the fingerboard of a stringed instrument. 4. flow or rise in little waves (of water).

frets 1. bars/ridges on the fingerboard of a stringed instrument. 2. flows or rises in little waves (water). 3. ornamental patterns. 4. worries; gnaws; torments; is angry.

friar

'fryer'

a member of a religious order.

friars

'fryers'

members of a religious order.

frieze

'frees' & freeze'

1. a coarse woollen cloth. 2. a decoration/sculpture etc.

friezes

'freezes'

1. coarse woollen clothes. 2. decorations; sculptures.

fringe 1. hair hanging over the forehead. 2. the edge/outer reaches.

fringes 1. edges; outer reaches. 2. hairs hanging over the forehead.

frisk 1. move quickly; gambol. 2. (slang) search (a person) for a weapon.

frisked 1. (slang) searched (a person) for a weapon. 2. moved quickly; gamboled.

frisking 1. (slang) searching (a person) for a weapon. 2. moving quickly; gamboling.

frisks 1. (slang) searches (a person) for a weapon. 2. moves quickly; gambols.

frit 1. a small fly destructive to wheat. 2. fuse partially.

frith 1. (obsolete) peace; sanctuary. 2. a wooded country; brushwood.

frits

'fritz'

1. small flies destructive to wheat. 2. fuses partially; materials used in glassmaking.

fritter 1. a piece of fried batter. 2. waste time/money. 3. subdivide minutely.

fritters 1. pieces of fried batter.

95 2. subdivides minutely. 3. wastes time/money.

fritz

the facial area of insect's head above the clypeus.

'frits'

1. a large pre-cooked sausage, usually eaten cold. 2. (colloquial) broken/not useable, as 'on the fritz'.

frizz 1. small curls. 2. dress (leather) with a scraping-knife etc. 3. the sputtering noise in frying.

frizzed 1. dressed (leather) with a scraping knife. 2. put small curls in hair. 3. made sputtering noises in frying with fat/oil.

frizzes

frizzing 1. dressing (leather) with a scraping knife. 2. putting small curls in hair. 3. making sputtering noises in frying with fat/oil.

frizzle 1. the sputtering noise of frying food. 2. put hair into curls.

frizzled 1. made sputtering noise (of frying food). 2. put hair into curls.

frizzles 1. makes sputtering noise (of frying food). 2. puts hair into curls.

frizzling

'froe'

away.

'fro'

a cleaving tool.

froes

'froze'

more than one cleaving tool.

frog 1. a tailless amphibious animal. 2. a horny substance in a horse's foot. 3. an attachment to a belt for a bayonet/sword. 4. a grooved piece of iron in a railway crossing. 1. attachments to a belt for a bayonet/sword. 2. grooved pieces of iron in a railway crossing. 3. horny substances in a horse's foot. 4. tailless amphibious animals.

'frons'

finely divided leaves of ferns and palms.

frons

'froes'

became solid/congealed in extreme cold.

fruit 1. the edible part of plants like peach, banana etc. 2. (colloquial) a male homosexual.

fruitcake 1. a rich cake with nuts, sultanas, lemon peel etc. 2. (colloquial) an eccentric person. 1. rich cakes with nuts, sultanas, lemon peel etc. 2. (colloquial) eccentric persons.

fruits 1. the edible parts of plants like peaches, bananas etc. 2. (colloquial) male homosexuals.

fruity 1. resembling/tasting like fruit. 2. (colloquial) homosexual.

frush 1. a break/crash/bruising. 2. the frog of a horse's foot.

fry 1. young fish. 2. cook something in hot fat.

fryer fryers

'friar'

'fronds'

'friars'

vessels for frying.

fudge 1. nonsense. 2. a soft candy. 3. patch up/fix, but in a dishonest way.

fudges 1. patches up/fixes, but in a dishonest way. 2. soft candies.

fugal 1. relating to/composed in the style of a fugue. 2. a centrifugal machine for drying clothes, grain etc.

fuhrer

frogs

fronds

froze

1. a vessel/pan for frying.

1. making sputtering noise (of frying food). 2. putting hair into curls.

froe

1. a plait/curl/wrinkle. 2. a disease of the mouth in hawks.

fruitcakes

1. dresses (leather) with a scraping knife. 2. puts small curls in hair. 3. makes sputtering noises in frying with fat/oil.

fro

frounce

'furor'

one in authority; a leader.

full 1. filled to capacity. 2. cleanse and thicken cloth.

fuller 1. one who fulls cloth. 2. a grooved tool for shaping iron.

96 2. levels a floor using shims.

fullers 1. those who full cloth. 2. grooved tools for shaping iron.

fund

'funned'

a sum of money; a financial resource.

fundament 1. the anus or buttocks. 2. any part of the earth untouched by humans. 3. a foundation/theory/principle.

funds

'funs'

monies on deposit in a bank/financial institution.

fungous

'fungus'

of or like fungus.

fungus

'fungous'

low order plant like a mushroom/toadstool.

funk 1. a spark/touchwood. 2. (colloquial) a state of fear. 3. stifle with smoke.

funned

'fund'

carried on in a playful manner.

funny 1. full of mirth/joy. 2. a small pleasure boat with sculls.

funs

'funds'

carries on in a playful manner.

fur

'fir' & 'furr'

1. short hair on some animals. 2. level a floor using shims.

furbelow 1. a flounce/border on a skirt/petticoat. 2. a type of seaweed. 3. a showy ornament.

furbelows 1. flounces/borders on skirts/petticoats. 2. types of seaweed. 3. showy ornaments.

furfur 1. (physiology) any epidermal scale. 2. the bran of grain.

furor (furore)

'fuhrer'

outburst; rage; fury; enthusiasm.

furr

'fir' & 'fur'

(Scottish) a furrow/trench/wrinkle.

furring 1. the act of lining/trimming with fur. 2. leveling a floor with shims.

furrs

'firs', 'furs' & 'furze'

(Scottish) furrows; trenches; wrinkles.

furry

'firry'

like the fur of some animals.

furs

'firs', 'furrs' & 'furze'

1. short hairs on some animals.

furze

'firs', 'furs' & 'furrs'

whin or gorse.

fuse 1. melt with intense heat. 2. an electrical circuit breaker. 3. a cord/casing used to explode a bomb.

fuses 1. circuit breakers. 2. cords/casings used to explode bombs. 3. melts with intense heat.

fusil 1. a flintlock musket. 2. (in heraldry) an elongated rhomboidal figure.

fusils 1. flintlock muskets. 2. (in heraldry) elongated rhomboidal figures.

fussed

'fust'

bustled about; agitated; flurried around.

fust

'fussed'

moldy/musty smell.

fustian 1. a stout fabric of cotton and flax. 2. pompous; bombastic; cheap; worthless.

fuzz 1. a light, loose, fluffy matter. 2. (colloquial) the police force; a police officer. 3. (colloquial) a blur; an indistinct shape.

fuzzy 1. resembling/covered with fuzz. 2. indistinct; blurred.

fyrd

'feared'

(archaic) the national militia of a country.

'G' Words 97 3. retch; choke.

gab 1. (colloquial) chatter; prattle; idle talk. 2. (obsolete) mockery; a jest.

gabber 1. one who talks/chatters idly. 2. a type of fast, aggressive dance music.

gabel

'gable'

a tax/custom/duty.

gabels

'gables'

taxes/customs/duties

gable

'gabel'

the masking at the end of a pitched roof.

gables

'gabels'

the masking at the end of pitched roofs.

gad

gadflies 1. breezes. 2. cattle-biting flies. 3. irritating/worrying persons. 4. violent impulses.

gadfly 1. a breeze. 2. a cattle-biting fly. 3. a violent impulse. 4. an irritating/a worrying person.

'gaffe'

1. a barbed fishing spear. 2. (slang) lose the plot. 3. a public amusement place.

gaffe

'gaff'

a blunder; an indiscreet act.

gaffer

1. foremen. 2. rustic old fellows.

'gaffs'

blunders; indiscreet acts.

'gaffes'

1. barbed fishing spears. 2. (slang) loses the plot. 3. public amusement places.

gag 1. prevent speech/talking. 2. (slang) a joke/hoax.

gaged

'gauged'

1. pledged. 2. challenged to a fight.

gages

'gauges'

1. pledges. 2. challenges to fight. 3. plums of a certain variety.

gaging

'gauging'

1. pledging. 2. challenging to a fight. 1. (slang) jokes; hoaxes. 2. prevents speech. 3. retches; chokes.

gain 1. acquire; get; a financial profit. 2. a notch in a beam/wall for a joist.

gainer 1. one who gains. 2. a backward somersault dive.

gainers 1. those who gain. 2. backward somersault dives.

gains 1. acquires; gets; financial profits. 2. notches in a beam/wall for a joist.

gait

'gate'

a manner of walking/bearing/carriage etc.

gaits

'gates'

gal

gaffers

gaffs

1. a pledge. 2. a challenge to fight. 3. a variety of plum.

manners of walking/bearing/carriage etc.

1. a rustic old fellow. 2. a foreman.

gaffes

'gauge'

gags

1. an exclamation of surprise. 2. idly rove/wander.

gaff

gage

1. (colloquial) a girl. 2. (colloquial) galvanized iron. 3. a unit of acceleration in the CGS system. 4. (colloquial) gallon or gallons.

gala

'galla'

a celebration/festivity.

galactic 1. pertaining to milk. 2. (astronomy) pertaining to galaxies, the universe etc.

galah 1. a small cockatoo.

98 2. (colloquial) a foolish person.

galahs 1. small cockatoos. 2. (colloquial) foolish persons.

gale

gales 1. periodical payments of rent. 2. strong winds/storms.

'gallipot'

a kind of turpentine exuded by some pine trees.

gall 1. a secretion of the liver; bile. 2. rancor. 3. (slang) impudence. 4. a painful swelling/blister. 5. a bare spot in a field. 6. an insect excrescence on an oak tree.

galla

'gala'

an excrescence on the oak tree.

galley

'gally'

1. a flat single-decked vessel. 2. a ship's kitchen. 3. an oblong tray in printing. 4. a drudge.

galleys

'gallies'

1. drudges. 2. flat single-decked vessels. 3. oblong trays in printing. 4. ship's kitchens.

gallic 1. of or containing the rare metal gallium. 2. pertaining to plant galls.

gallies

galvanized 1. coated metal with zinc. 2. (figurative) stimulated into action.

galvanizes 1. coats metal with zinc. 2. (figurative) stimulates into action.

galvanizing 1. coating metal with zinc. 2. (figurative) stimulating into action.

gam

'gamb'

a school of whales.

gamb

'gam'

a beast's whole foreleg.

gambet

'gambit'

a type of sandpiper.

gambit

'gambet'

an initial move in anything, especially chess.

gamble

'gambol'

play for money/valuables.

gambled

'gamboled'

played for money/valuables.

gambles

'gambols'

plays for money/valuables.

gambling

'gamboling'

playing for money/valuables.

gamboled

'gamble'

caper/frisk/skip about.

'galop'

'gambled'

capered/frisked about.

gamboling

'gambling'

capering/frisking about.

gambols

galloper

'gambles'

capers/frisks about.

1. a horse that gallops. 2. a light field gun.

game

gallopers 1. horses that gallop. 2. light field guns.

'galops'

(of a horse) moves at the fastest pace.

galls 1. annoys; irritates. 2. bare spots in a field. 3. painful swellings/blisters.

gally

1. coat metal with zinc. 2. (figurative) stimulate into action.

'galipot'

a horse's fastest pace.

gallops

'gallops'

galvanize

gambol

a small glazed pot used by chemists.

gallop

a lively dance in 2-4 time.

galops

'galleys'

frightens.

gallipot

'gallop'

lively dances in 2-4 time.

1. bog-myrtle. 2. a strong wind/storm. 3. the periodical payment of rent.

galipot

frighten.

galop

'galley'

1. a jest/play. 2. a contest with rules. 3. a hunted animal. 4. having the spirit to do something. 5. lame; crippled.

gamin

'gammon'

a neglected/mischievous young boy.

gammon

'gamin'

1. a part of bacon. 2. two games at backgammon.

99 3. humbug; deception; nonsense. 4. (nautical) the lash.

gander 1. a male goose. 2. a fool/simpleton. 3. (slang) look at; examine.

ganders fools; simpletons. male geese.

gang

'gangue'

a team/gathering/group (often unlawful).

gangue (gang)

'gang'

commercially worthless matter in metal; mineral deposits.

gaper 1. one who stares with open mouth. 2. a kind of mollusk.

gapers 1. kind of mollusks. 2. those who stare with an open mouth.

garage 1. a place where autos stop for repair/gasoline. 2. a type of dance music of the 1970s.

garb

'garbe'

(obsolete) external appearance/dress.

garbe

'garb'

a sheaf (in heraldry).

garbel

'garble'

1. (nautical) the first range of planks laid next to the keel. 2. anything sifted to remove coarse parts.

garble

'garbel'

confuse or distort facts/statements/thoughts etc.

garibaldi 1. a kind of woman's blouse. 2. a biscuit with currants.

garibaldis 1. biscuits with currants. 2. kind of women's blouses.

garnet

a kind of sea duck.

garrots

'garrets'

kind of sea ducks.

gas 1. in physics, a substance neither liquid nor solid. 2. (colloquial) empty talk. 3. short for 'gasoline'.

gasbag 1. a bag for holding gas, as in a balloon. 2. (colloquial) a voluble talker.

gasbags 1. bags for holding gas, as in balloons. 2. (colloquial) voluble talkers.

gash 1. a long deep cut. 2. (slang) spare; extra.

gasket 1. a small cord to secure a flag to a mast. 2. packing/caulking for a joint.

gaskets 1. packing/caulking for joints. 2. small cords to secure flags to masts.

gat 1. a strait/an opening between sandbars. 2. (colloquial) a gun/pistol/revolver.

gate

'gait'

1. an opening in a wall/fence. 2. (slang Oxford and Cambridge) confine to college. 3. a street.

gates

'gaits'

1. openings in walls/fences. 2. (slang Oxford and Cambridge) confines to college. 3. streets.

gats 1. straits/openings between sandbars. 2. (colloquial) guns; pistols; revolvers. 1. showy; cheap; tasteless. 2. the annual college dinner for Oxford graduates.

garnish

gauge

1. decorate; attach; adorn. 2. (colloquial) money extorted by prisoners from another.

'garrot'

1. a room at the top floor. 2. (architecture) insert small pieces of stone into joints.

garrets

'garret'

gaudy

1. a crystalline mineral. 2. a hoisting tackle. 3. a T-shaped hinge.

garret

garrot

'garrots'

1. (architecture) inserts small pieces of stone into a joint. 2. rooms at the tops of houses/floors etc.

'gage'

measure; assess.

gauged

'gaged'

measured; assessed.

gauges

'gages'

measures; assesses.

gauging measuring; assessing.

gauntlet 1. an armored glove.

'gaging'

100 2. a pass between beaters who inflict punishment. 3. a section of a railway track.

gauntlets

genes

1. armored gloves. 2. rows of beaters inflicting punishment. 3. sections of railway tracks.

gauze

'gores'

1. a thin fabric/dressing. 2. a slight haze.

gavels 1. (history) tributes; rents. 2. mallets; judges' hammers.

'gey'

1. (slang) cheeky; impertinent. 2. showy; brilliant; light-hearted. 3. homosexual.

'gaze'

many homosexuals.

gaze

'gays'

look/peer at idly.

gean

'gene' & 'jean'

the fruit of the wild cherry.

geans

'genes' & 'jeans'

fruit of wild cherries.

gee 1. expressing strong emotion. 2. a name for an air-navigation radar system. 3. move on/start going, of horses, as in 'gee up!'

geek 1. (colloquial) look at; a view. 2. (colloquial) a person who is eccentric/awkward.

geeks

'geyser'

a person, usually old, who is odd/queer.

geezers

'geysers'

odd/queer persons, usually old.

genys

'genus'

the under jaw.

geometer 1. a type of large winged moth. 2. a geometrician; an expert in geometry.

geometers 1. large winged moths. 2. geometricians; experts in geometry.

geri (gerry)

'jerry'

(colloquial) an old person.

geries (gerries)

'jerries'

(colloquial) old persons.

german

'germen'

born of the same mother and father.

germen

'german'

any of the cells in early embryonic development.

gest

'jessed' & 'jest'

1. (Shakespeare) a fixed time to stay somewhere. 2. an exploit/adventure. 3. bearing; attitude; gesture.

gests

'jests'

1. (Shakespeare) fixed times to stay somewhere. 2. exploits; adventures. 3. bearings; attitudes; gestures. 1. one who gets. 2. a substance for removing all gases from a radio valve.

gey

'gay'

very; considerably.

geyser geysers

1. (history) a tax/payment. 2. emasculate; castrate.

'geezer' 'geezers'

hot water springs.

gelt

ghaut

1. past tense and past participle of 'geld'. 2. (Spenser) a madman. 3. (obsolete) money; profit.

'gean' & 'jean'

1. a factor/an element transmitted by parents.

general

'genys'

a hot water spring.

geld

gene

1. of the highest level of mental ability. 2. the guardian spirit of a place/an institution etc.

getter

1. (colloquial) looks at; many views. 2. (colloquial) eccentric/awkward persons.

geezer

factors/elements transmitted by parents.

a group/class/type.

1. (history) a tribute/rent. 2. a mallet/judge's hammer.

gays

'jeans' & 'geans'

genius

genus

gavel

gay

1. (military) the officer immediately below a field marshal. 2. common; prevalent; usual; vague; indefinite.

1. a mountain pass. 2. a flight of steps leading to a river landing place.

ghauts 1. flights of steps leading to a river's landing place. 2. mountain passes.

101 ghee

'gi'

a kind of liquid butter, from cows and buffaloes.

gi

'ghee'

a two piece garment worn by a martial artist.

gib

'jib' & 'guib'

a pin/wedge.

gibber

'jibber'

speak rapidly/foolishly/inarticulately.

gibbers

'jibbers'

speaks rapidly/foolishly/inarticulately.

gibs

'jibs' & 'guibs'

pins; wedges.

gig 1. a light two wheeled carriage. 2. a rowing boat used for racing. 3. a kind of fishing-spear. 4. (slang) a musical show/one night stand.

gigs 1. (slang) musical shows; one night stands. 2. kind of fishing-spears. 3. light two wheeled carriages. 4. rowing boats used for racing.

gild

'guild' & 'gilled'

cover with gold.

gilder

'guilder'

one who coats things with gold.

gilders

'guilders'

those who coat things with gold.

gilds

'guilds'

covers with gold.

gill 1. the breathing organ of fish. 2. a deep ravine. 3. a quarter pint measure.

gilled

'gild' & 'guild'

having gills for breathing.

gillies

1. (derogatory) women. 2. young ewes.

gimp

'guimpe'

a limp/hobble.

gimpy

'gympie'

limping; hobbling.

gin

'jinn'

1. trap; net; snare. 2. a kind of crane/lifting apparatus. 3. a machine for separating cotton and seed. 4. a kind of spirit/liquor.

ginger 1. a hot spicy root. 2. mettle; spirit; vigor. 3. a reddish-yellow color.

gingery 1. like ginger in taste and color. 2. high spirited; vigorous (of horses).

gink 1. (colloquial) a look at. 2. (colloquial) a fellow/person.

ginks 1. (colloquial) looks at. 2. (colloquial) fellows; persons.

gins

'jinns'

1. kind of spirits/liquors. 2. kind of cranes/lifting machines. 3. machines for separating cotton and seed. 4. traps; nets; snares.

gip

'gyp'

(colloquial) a severe pain.

gips

'gyps'

1. a reddish type of opal. 2. the Jerusalem artichoke.

girasols

1. guides for hunting/fishing. 2. low cut shoes with fancy lacing.

gills

1. reddish type of opals. 2. Jerusalem artichokes.

gird

1. breathing organs of fishes. 2. deep ravines. 3. quarter pint measures.

'guilt'

1. a young sow. 2. past tense of 'gild'.

'gimmal'

the third letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

gimmal

gimmers

girasol

1. a guide for hunting/fishing. 2. a low cut shoe with fancy lacing.

gimel

1. a young ewe. 2. (derogatory) a woman.

(colloquial) severe pains.

gillie

gilt

gimmer

'gimel'

a ring of two interlocking rings.

1. encircle; confine; prepare. 2. jeer at; gibe.

girdle 1. a belt for the waist. 2. an iron plate for toasting cakes.

girdles 1. belts for waists. 2. iron plates for toasting cakes.

giro

'gyro'

102 a post office checking account.

giros

'gyros'

post office checking accounts.

git 1. (colloquial) a fool/bastard. 2. (colloquial) get; obtain; go away.

glad 1. delighted; happy; pleased. 2. (colloquial) short for 'gladiolus'.

gladden

'gladdon' 'gladden'

an herb, Iris foetidissima, of Europe and North Africa.

glair

'glare' 'glares'

glance

'glost'

mislead/explained away, often artfully.

'glossed'

the glazed surface of pottery.

'gloze' 'glows' 'gloom'

the husk of grain.

glutenous

'glutinous'

containing gluten.

glutinous

1. a nucleated body cell. 2. (mechanics) a sleeve.

'glutenous'

like glue; viscous.

gnarly

glands

1. (colloquial) difficult; awkward. 2. (colloquial) terrific; great; excellent.

1. (mechanics) sleeves. 2. nucleated body cells.

'glair'

gnarred

'glairs'

gnash

'glassy'

gneiss

a fierce or fixed look. fierce or fixed looks. 1. a glass marble. 2. (colloquial) a person employed to clear off tables.

'glassie'

1. (of countenance) fixed and unresponsive. 2. resembling glass.

'gleys'

a shiny coating or exterior.

glee

'knarred' & 'nard'

snarled; growled.

'nash'

strike/grind teeth together.

'nice'

a laminated rock of quartz, mica etc.

gnome 1. a maxim; an aphorism. 2. a diminutive spirit.

gnomes 1. diminutive spirits. 2. maxims; aphorisms.

gnomic

'nomic'

pithy; sententious.

1. mirth; laughter. 2. an 18th century song for 3 or more voices.

gleek 1. an old card game. 2. (Shakespeare) a jest or joke.

gleys

glossed

flatter/deceive with words.

gland

glaze

1. a word inserted in a margin; a glossary. 2. a superficial luster/deceptive appearance.

glume

1. brief looks. 2. glides off an object.

glassy

'glume'

darkness; melancholy; despondency.

gloze

glances

glassie

gloom

shines; emits light and heat.

1. glide off an object. 2. a brief look. 3. a lustrous ore.

glares

1. burn/appear faintly. 2. mica.

glows

whites of eggs.

glare

glimmer

glost

the white of an egg.

glairs

1. smooth; slippery; facile; plausible. 2. (Spenser) a brush of hair over the eyes. 3. (Shakespeare) castrate.

gloss

make/become glad.

gladdon

2. (of the eyes) squints; glances casually.

glib

'glaze'

1. a bluish sub-layer of clay in some types of soils.

gnomon 1. a pillar/rod/pin of sundial. 2. (geometry) half of a parallelogram.

gnomons 1. (geometry) many halves of parallelograms. 2. pillars; rods; pins of sundials.

gnow

'now'

the mallee fowl of Western Australia.

103 gnu

'new' & 'knew'

an oxlike antelope; the wildebeest.

gnus

'news'

'gone'

gondola

go 1. proceed; start; venture forth. 2. a Japanese board game. 3. (colloquial) a goanna.

goaf 1. a stack or heap of something in a barn. 2. (mining) the space left by the extraction of coal.

goanna

1. a Venetian canal boat. 2. a free-standing shop display tray on legs.

gondolas 1. Venetian canal boats. 2. free-standing shop display trays on legs.

gone

'gon'

left; departed; lost; beyond help.

gonk

1. an Australian monitor lizard. 2. (colloquial) a piano.

goannas

1. a long-haired rag doll of the 1960s. 2. a catapult/slingshot.

gonks

1. Australian monitor lizards. 2. (colloquial) pianos.

gob

1. long-haired rag dolls of the 1960s. 2. catapults; slingshots.

goo

1. (slang) a mouth/slimy substance. 2. (slang) a sailor.

gobbet 1. a piece of food/raw flesh. 2. an extract from a text for translation.

gobble

'gue'

(slang) a sticky substance/sentiment.

goody 1. an elderly woman of lower class. 2. a candy/bonbon. 3. primly/weakly virtuous.

goon

1. eat noisily/hurriedly. 2. (of golf) a rapid putt into a hole 3. make the sound of a turkey.

gobbles 1. (of golf) rapid putts into holes. 2. eats noisily/hurriedly. 3. makes sound of a turkey.

gobs 1. (slang) mouths; slimy substances. 2. (slang) sailors.

'gopher'

1. a thin batter cake. 2. make wavy/crimp/flute etc. 3. (colloquial) one who runs errands.

gofers

gon a railway gondola.

many wildebeests.

gofer

2. abbreviation for 'golliwog'. 3. (colloquial) spit; expectorate.

'gophers'

1. makes wavy; crimps; flutes. 2. thin batter cakes. 3. (colloquial) those who run errands.

goggle 1. squint; roll the eyes about. 2. a sheep disease.

golliwog 1. a soft, black-faced doll. 2. (colloquial) a prison informer.

golliwogs 1. soft, black-faced dolls. 2. (colloquial) prison informers.

golly 1. (colloquial) a mild expression of surprise.

1. a stupid person. 2. a bully-boy hired by crooks/gangsters.

goons 1. bully-boys hired by crooks/gangsters. 2. stupid persons.

goose 1. a web-footed bird of the family Anatidae. 2. poke somebody unexpectedly in the buttocks.

gopher

'gofer'

1.a burrowing rodent. 2. a kind of wood.

gophers

'gofers'

1. kinds of wood. 2. burrowing rodents.

gorce

'gorse'

a pool of water to keep fish in.

gore 1. blood that has been shed and has thickened. 2. a wedge for adjusting the width of garments.

gored

'gourd'

impaled on a horn.

gores

'gauze'

1. impales with a horn. 2. wedges for adjusting the width of garments.

gorge 1. the internal part of the throat. 2. a deep ravine with water. 3. eat greedily.

104 gorget 1. a piece of armor for the throat. 2. a necklace. 3. (surgery) a channel shaped steel tool.

gorgets 1. (surgery) channel shaped steel tools. 2. necklaces. 3. pieces of armor for the throat.

gorilla 1. the largest of the anthropoid apes. 2. (colloquial) a smash-hit recording. 3. (colloquial) the sum of $1000.

gorse

'gorce'

a type of evergreen, spiny shrub.

gourd

'gored'

a fleshy fruit with a hard skin.

gout

'grayed'

1. a degree in rank. 2. a gradient/slope. 3. (of cattle) a cross with a better breed.

gradual 1. a response between the Epistle and the Gospel in the Catholic mass. 2. not rapid; slowly; by degrees.

graduate (1)

graduate (2) 1. one who holds an academic degree. 2. a chemist's measuring glass.

graduates (1)

graduates (2) 1. chemist's measuring glasses. 2. those who hold academic degrees.

'graph'

a steward; an overseer.

'graphs'

stewards; overseers.

graft

'graphed'

1. a piece of transplanted living tissue. 2. the amount of earth thrown up by a shovel. 3. bribery/illicit spoils in business/politics.

graham flour, including the bran.

grail 1. same as 'gradual'.

graine

'grain'

silkworm eggs.

grains 1. a forked fish spear. 2. patterns in wood. 3. dyes; colors. 4. smallest units in Troy weights. 5. hard particles of gold/sand etc. 6. fruits of cereal.

'grape'

a 3 or 4 pronged fork.

graips

'grapes'

3 or 4 pronged forks.

gram

'graham'

1. a chick-pea. 2. a unit of mass in the metric system.

grama

'grammar'

a kind of pasture grass.

grammar

'grama'

the art and science of language. 1. chick-peas. 2. units of mass in the metric system.

grand 1. great; principal; best etc. 2. (slang) a thousand dollars.

grape

'graip'

a green/purple berry used for wine/eating.

1. admits to degree. 2. concentrates by evaporation. 3. marks out in degrees/steps etc.

graffs

'graine'

1. the fruit/corn of a cereal. 2. a small hard particle of sand/gold/salt etc. 3. the smallest unit of Troy weight. 4. a dye/color. 5. a pattern in wood

grams

1. admit to degree. 2. mark out in degrees/steps etc. 3. concentrate by evaporation.

graff

grain

graip

1. inflammation of the small joints. 2. a wheat disease. 3. a drop/splash/spot.

grade

2. the plate used by Christ at the last supper. 3. a comb maker's file.

'gram'

grapes

'graips'

green/purple berries used for wine/eating.

graph

'graff'

a plotted line or curve.

graphed

'graft'

plotted/traced statistics using symbols/curves etc.

graphs

'graffs'

a number of plotted lines or curves.

grasping 1. holding onto; grabbing. 2. (figurative) greedy.

grass 1. food for cows/horses etc. 2. (slang) inform upon; knock down; betray.

grasses 1. (slang) informs upon; knocks down; betrays.

105 2. food for cows/horses/ruminants etc.

grasshopper 1. a terrestrial, herbivorous leaping insect. 2. (colloquial) a tourist who visits Australian country towns.

grasshoppers 1. terrestrial, herbivorous leaping insects. 2. (colloquial) tourists who visit Australian country towns.

grate

'great'

1. a frame of metal bars. 2. reduce to small particles. 3. irritate; annoy.

grater

'greater'

an instrument for shredding/pulverizing.

grates 1. frames of metal bars. 2. is irritating. 3. reduces to small particles.

grave 1. an excavation for a coffin/corpse. 2. (archaic) carve; sculpture. 3. important; serious. 4. clean a ship's bottom.

graves 1. (archaic) carves; sculptures. 2. cleans ship's bottom. 3. excavations for coffins/corpses.

gravity 1. importance; seriousness, etc. 2. the attractive force in the cosmos.

gray

'greige'

dull; lacking luster; a mixture of black and white.

grayed

'grade'

turned gray.

grayling

1. freshwater fishes. 2. kind of butterflies.

'grays'

1. feed cattle etc. on growing grass. 2. rub/touch lightly.

'grate'

large; big; remarkable; skilful, etc.

greater

'grater'

larger; bigger.

greave

'grieve'

armor for the shin.

greaves 1. pieces of shin armor.

1. the color between blue and yellow. 2. inexperienced/immature etc.

greenback 1. a US legal-tender note. 2. (colloquial) an unbroken wave.

greener 1. a comparatively different green. 2. (slang) a new worker/raw hand.

greenie 1. (colloquial) a conservationist. 2. (colloquial) a large unbroken wave. 3. (colloquial) a green colored Australian bird.

greenies 1. (colloquial) conservationists. 2. (colloquial) large unbroken waves. 3. (colloquial) various green colored Australian birds.

greet 1. salute with words/gestures. 2. weep.

greige

'gray'

1. untreated, undyed fabric from the loom. 2. a color between gray and beige.

grenadier 1. (history) a soldier who threw grenades. 2. a South African weaver bird. 3. a deep sea fish like cod.

grenadiers 1. (history) soldiers who threw grenades. 2. South African weaver birds 3. deep sea fish like cod

grenadines 'graze'

turns gray; more than one shade of gray.

great

green

1. a dish of veal or chicken fillets. 2. a dress fabric of silk. 3. a French cordial syrup.

graylings

graze

1. (Spenser) goodwill; favor. 2. a degree/rank/victory/prize.

grenadine

1. a freshwater fish. 2. a kind of butterfly.

grays

2. a tallow refuse for dog food/fish bait.

gree

'grieves'

1. dishes of veal or chicken fillets. 2. French cordial syrups.

gridiron 1. a football field. 2. a framework of metal bars with various uses.

grieve

'greave'

1. deep sorrow/grief. 2. an overseer; a farm boss.

grieves

'greaves'

1. feels sorrow etc. 2. overseers; farm bosses

griff

'griffe'

1. (obsolete) grasp; reach for.

106 2. (architecture) an ornament at the base of a column.

griffe

'griff'

(slang) a person of mixed blood.

griffin

'griffon'

1. a novice/greenhorn. 2. a fabulous mythical creature with wings. 3. a watchful guardian.

griffins

'griffons'

1. fabulous mythical creatures with wings. 2. novices; greenhorns. 3. watchful guardians.

griffon

'griffin'

a French coarse-haired terrier.

griffons

'griffins'

French coarse-haired terriers.

grill

'grilse'

'grills' 'grimme'

stern/harsh of appearance/behavior.

grimme

'grim'

a small West African antelope.

grin

grins 1. sets the teeth and pulls lips apart, usually in joy. 2. snares; traps.

'grippe'

1. hold tightly/firmly. 2. a small open ditch in the ground.

gripe 1. clutch; grip; pinch. 2. colic pains. 3. (slang) complain/show disapproval/grumble.

gripes 1. grips; clutches; pinches. 2. (slang) complains. 3. (nautical) lashings securing a boat.

grippe

'grip'

influenza or a disease like it.

grips 1. holds tightly/firmly. 2. small open ditches in the ground.

grisly

grits 1. grinds the teeth together. 2. a coarse oatmeal.

grizzle 1. make or become gray. 2. whimper; whine; complain.

grizzled 1. made or became gray. 2. whimpered; whined; complained.

grizzling

grizzly

'grizzly'

'grisly'

a large brown bear of North America.

groan

'grown'

a moan/low murmur of pain.

groats 1. silver coins (from 1351-1662). 2. crushed grain.

grocer

1. set the teeth and pull lips apart, usually in joy. 2. a snare/trap.

grip

1. small particles of dirt/sand etc. 2. grind the teeth togther. 3. (colloquial) strength/pluck/endurance.

1. making or becoming gray. 2. whimpering; whining; complaining.

young salmon on its first return from salt water.

grim

grit

1. makes or becomes gray. 2. whimpers; whines; complains.

1. latticed screens. 2. broils/cooks on a grid. 3. interrogates severely.

grilse

1. corn for grinding. 2. the size/thickness of rope or yarn.

grizzles

1. broil/cook on a grid. 2. a severe interrogation. 3. a latticed screen.

grills

horrifying; awful; ghastly.

grist

'grosser'

retailer of common household foods/goods.

groin

'groyne'

1. the area between the belly and the thigh. 2. an arch supporting a vault. 3. (obsolete) grunt; growl.

groins

'groynes'

1. (obsolete) grunts; growls. 2. the area between bellies and thighs. 3. arches supporting vaults.

grommet 1. an eyelet/a ring made of metal/rubber. 2. (colloquial) an idiot. 3. (colloquial) a young surfie.

grommets 1. eyelets/rings made of metal/rubber. 2. (colloquial) idiots. 3. (colloquial) young surfies.

groom

'grume'

1. one who has the care of horses. 2. a bridegroom.

grooms

'grumes'

1. bridegrooms. 2. those who have care of horses.

107 gross

grown

1. twelve dozen. 2. fat; overfed; rank; luxuriant etc. 3. total; complete.

grosser

'grocer'

larger; bulkier.

grot 1. in poetry, a grotto. 2. (colloquial) filth or a filthy person.

ground 1. the earth; the bottom of the sea. 2. an electrical condition/property. 3. prevent an aircraft from flying. 4. reduced to small particles; sharpened.

grounds 1. electrical conditions/properties. 2. prevents aircraft from flying. 3. reduces to small particles; sharpens.

groundsel 1. a kind of weed of the genus Senecio. 2. a wood used as foundation/threshold.

groundsels 1. kind of weeds of the genus Senecio. 2. wood used as foundations/thresholds.

grouper 1. a very large fish of the type Epinephelus. 2. a member of a political party or industrial group.

groupers 1. very large fishes of the type Epinephelus. 2. members of a political party or industrial group.

grouse 1. a wild bird with feathered feet. 2. (slang) grumble.

grouses 1. (slang) grumbles; complains. 2. wild birds with feathered feet.

grout 1. mortar for filling gaps. 2. turn up the earth (of pigs).

grouts 1. fills gaps with mortar. 2. turns up the earth (of pigs).

growler 1. an animal that growls. 2. a four-wheeled carriage. 3. a kind of fish. 4. a small iceberg.

growlers 1. animals that growl. 2. four-wheeled carriages. 3. kinds of fishes. 4. small icebergs.

'groan'

developed; matured.

groyne

'groin'

a timber wall/fence to stop the encroaching sea.

groynes

'groins'

breakwaters/fences to stop the surging sea.

grub 1. the larva of an insect. 2. sloven; smug; drudge. 3. (slang) any food; a meal. 4. a ball bowled along the ground (cricket). 5. dig/clear the ground of roots etc.

grubs 1. balls bowled along the ground (of cricket). 2. digs/clears ground of roots. 3. the larvae of insects.

grume

'groom'

a clot of blood.

grumes

'grooms'

clots of blood.

grummet 1. a rope ring/washer/metal ring. 2. a cabin boy.

grummets 1. rings of rope; washers; metal rings. 2. cabin boys.

grunter 1. a kind of fish. 2. a pig.

grunters 1. kinds of fishes. 2. pigs.

gudgeon 1. a small fish for bait. 2. a credulous person. 3. a pivot at the end of an axle/a beam.

gudgeons 1. credulous persons. 2. pivots at the end of axles/beams. 3. small fishes for bait.

gue

'goo'

a type of violin used in Shetland.

guessed

'guest'

estimated/formed a hypothesis about something.

guest

'guessed'

a person invited/lodging at/staying with.

guib

'gib' & 'jib'

an antelope with white markings.

guibs

'gibs' & 'jibs'

antelopes with white markings.

guide

'guyed'

a person/thing that shows the way.

108 guild

'gild' & 'gilled'

a society for mutual aid.

guilder

'gilder' 'gilders'

gunwales

'gilds'

gussie

'gyle'

gussy

'gilt'

culpability; criminality.

guimpe

'gimp'

stiffly starched shoulder cloth, used by some nuns.

guise

'guys'

the appearance/style/semblance.

gull 1. a web-footed sea bird. 2. a dupe/fool.

gully 1. a water-worn ravine. 2. a field position in cricket. 3. a large knife.

gum 1. the firm flesh for teeth. 2. a secretion from trees etc. 3. (slang) God.

gumbo 1. a soup/stew, usually of chicken. 2. a silty soil of south and west USA.

gums 1. firm flesh for teeth. 2. secretions from trees etc.

'gunwale'

guts 1. the belly. 2. (slang) pluck; character; staying power. 3. narrow water passages.

'guta'

guyed

'guide'

secured with a rope/wire.

guys

'guise'

1. ropes; chains etc. 2. effigies of Guy Fawkes. 3. men; fellows etc. 4. (slang) disappears 5. (colloquial) jeers at; makes fun of.

gybe (jibe/gibe) 1. swing a sail boom across. 2. jeer/mock.

gybed (jibed/gibed) 1. swung a sail boom across. 2. jeered; mocked.

gybes (jibes/gibes)

the butter-fish.

'gunwales'

butter-fishes.

'gunny'

1. (colloquial) an armed criminal/gangster. 2. a promiscuous woman.

'gunnie'

1. a strong, coarse material used for making sacks. 2. (mining) a mine cavity from which ore was extracted.

gunter

'gutter'

(architecture) one of a series of pendant ornaments.

1. a fellow/man; an effigy of Guy Fawkes or similar. 2. (colloquial) jeer at; make fun of. 3. a rope/chain used as a guide.

1. dupes; fools. 2. web-footed sea birds.

gunny

guta

guy

gulls

gunnie

1. a sudden rush of wind/rain. 2. a sense of taste.

a channel for water run-off, at the side/middle of a road.

1. large knives. 2. water-worn ravines.

gunnels

'gussie'

gust

gutter

gullies

gunnel

'gussy'

smartly dressed.

treachery; deceit.

guilt

'gunnels'

(colloquial) an effeminate man.

societies for mutual aid.

guile

'gunnel'

the upper edges of a ship's side.

old Dutch coins.

guilds

gunwale

the upper edge of a ship's side.

an old Dutch coin.

guilders

1. a 2-foot rule with scales. 2. a topmast/sail sliding on rings.

1. swings a sail boom across. 2. jeers; mocks.

gybing (jibing/gibing) 1. swinging a sail boom across. 2. jeering; mocking.

gyle

'guile'

fermenting beer.

gympie

'gimpy'

an Australian nettle tree with stinging hairs.

gyp

'gip'

109 1. a college servant at Cambridge. 2. (slang) scold; punish. 3. (slang) cheat; swindle.

gyps

'gips'

1. (slang) cheats; swindles. 2. (slang) scolds; punishes. 3. college servants at Cambridge.

gyro

'giro'

a gyroscope/gyrocompass.

gyros

'giros'

gyroscopes; gyrocompasses.

gyte 1. (Scottish) crazy; mad; insane. 2. (Scottish) a child/first year boy at college.

gyve

'jive'

a shackle/fetter for the leg.

gyves

'jives'

shackles/fetters for the legs.

'H' Words 110 haaf

'half'

1. a tendency/practice. 2. a priest's/nun's clothes. 3. (archaic) to inhabit/live.

hail

1. (archaic) inhabits; lives. 2. priests'/nuns' clothes. 3. tendencies; practices.

hailed

1. a mattock/miner's pick; wound; gash. 2. emit a dry cough. 3. the board on which a hawk's food is laid. 4. a frame for drying bricks. 5. a horse for hire; a drudge. 6. make common/hackney.

hackle 1. a steel flax-comb. 2. long feathers on the neck of birds; hair on the neck. 3. hack; mangle.

hackles

'haled'

1. saluted; greeted; called out to. 2. frozen rain fell.

hailer

hack

'haler'

one who hails/salutes/greets.

hailing

'haling'

1. frozen rain falling. 2. saluting; greeting; calling out to.

hails

'hales'

1. salutes; greets; calls out to. 2. frozen rain falls.

hair

'hare'

fine filaments growing on the bodies of animals.

hairs

'hares'

many fine filaments growing from animals.

1. hacks; mangles. 2. long feathers on necks of birds; hairs on the neck. 3. steel flax-combs.

hackney 1. a horse/drudge/hireling. 2. trite; common.

hacks 1. boards on which a hawks' food is laid. 2. emits dry cough. 3. frames for drying bricks. 4. horses for hire; drudges. 5. mattocks; miners' picks; wounds; gashes.

'hayed'

(of geology) the angle between fault and vertical planes.

hag 1. an ugly old woman. 2. a soft place in a moor; a firm place in a bog.

haggard 1. fatigued; exhausted; wild-looking. 2. untamed (of hawk).

hags 1. soft places in moor; firm places in a bog. 2. ugly old women. 1. a sunk fence.

'hale'

1. pellets of frozen rain. 2. salute; greet; call out to.

habits

ha-ha

'hake'

an oblong cloth used as an outer garment by Arabs.

habit

hade

2. the sound of laughter.

haik

a deep-sea fishing area.

hake

'haik'

1. a cod-like fish. 2. a wooden frame for drying bricks etc.

halcyon 1. the kingfisher bird. 2. calm; peaceful; happy.

hale

'hail'

1. vigorous; robust; strong. 2. drag/draw forcibly.

haled

'hailed'

dragged forcibly.

haler

'hailer'

1. one who pulls/drags forcibly. 2. more robust/vigorous/healthy.

hales

'hails'

drags forcibly.

half

'haaf'

one of two equal pieces.

haling

'hailing'

dragging forcibly.

hall

'haul'

a large public room.

hallow 1. a saint/holy person. 2. chase/incite with shouts.

111 hallows

harass

1. chases/incites with shouts. 2. saints; holy persons.

halls

'hauls'

large public rooms.

halm

'harm'

halt 1. come to a stop. 2. (archaic) lame; crippled.

halter 1. a rope/strap with a loop or a noose. 2. one who halts/hesitates.

ham 1. the back of the thigh/buttock. 2. (slang) an amateur radio operator/amateur actor. 3. a town/village.

hammer 1. a tool for driving nails/beating metal to shape. 2. (colloquial) heroin.

hamper

'hansom'

good-looking; of good bearing; noble.

'hanger'

a shed for aircraft.

'hangers'

sheds for aircraft.

'hangar'

1. wood/trees on the side of steep hill. 2. a loop by which a thing is hung.

'hangars'

1. woods/trees on sides of steep hills. 2. loops by which things are hung.

hank 1. a skein of thread or yarn. 2. (nautical) a ring of metal/wood for attaching a sail.

'handsome'

a type of horse-drawn carriage.

hap 1. fortune; accident; chance. 2. (Scottish) wrap up; cover.

haras

hardly 1. with difficulty. 2. harshly. 3. scarcely.

hardy 1. bold; audacious; intrepid. 2. a blacksmith's bar of iron for cutting on etc.

hare

'hair'

a kind of burrowing mammal.

'hairs'

harlequin

1. (slang) amateur radio operators/actors. 2. the back of the thighs/buttocks. 3. towns; villages.

hansom

1. more difficult/stiff/solid/obdurate etc. 2. a sea fish, Mugil cephalus, like the mullet.

1. drag along the ground. 2. a feather fiber/barb.

hams

hangers

harder

many kinds of burrowing mammals.

1. basket cases. 2. prevents; obstructs.

hanger

1. make tough/stiff/unyielding/obdurate. 2. a coarse fabric of flax or hemp.

harl

hampers

hangars

1. firm; unyielding; dense. 2. difficult to do/accomplish. 3. a sloping roadway across the foreshore.

hares

1. a basket case. 2. prevent; obstruct.

hangar

hard

harden

the stalk/stem of plants.

handsome

'haras'

vex; trouble; worry; torment.

'harass'

a breeding station for horses.

1. a character in a pantomime. 2. a northern duck.

harlequins 1. characters in a pantomime. 2. northern ducks.

harm

'halm'

damage; injury; hurt.

harp 1. a large stringed musical instrument 2. dwell tediously upon.

harpoon 1. a barbed missile used for killing whales etc. 2. (colloquial) an extra period taught by one teacher.

harps 1. dwells tediously upon. 2. stringed instruments.

harrier 1. a type of hawk. 2. a hound used for hunting; a cross country runner.

harriers 1. a type of hawks. 2. hounds used for hunting; cross country runners.

harrow 1. plough.

112 2. harry; spoil.

2. the practice of falconry.

harrows

hawks

1. harries; spoils. 2. ploughs.

hart

'heart'

a male deer.

harts

'hearts'

male deers.

hash 1. a dish of chopped, cooked meat or similar. 2. abbreviation for 'hashish'. 3. the numerical sign '#'.

hasp 1. a clasp/fastening device. 2. a skein of yarn.

hasps 1. clasps; fastening devices. 2. skeins of yarn.

hatch 1. the lower half of a divided door. 2. bring forth (young birds etc.). 3. engrave parallel lines.

hatches 1. brings forth (young birds etc.). 2. engraves parallel lines. 3. the lower halves of divided doors.

hatching 1. a series of parallel lines, used in shading etc. 2. the act of chicks breaking eggs, during birth.

hatter 1. a maker or seller of hats. 2. (obsolete) a miner who works alone.

haul

'hall'

haws

'hawse'

1. the fruits of hawthorn. 2. hedges; enclosures. 3. the third eyelids of horses/dogs.

hawse

'haws'

the part of a ship's bow containing hawseholes.

hay

'hey'

1. a dry grass for fodder. 2. a country dance.

hayed

'hade'

prepared grass for hay.

hays

'haze' & 'heys'

1. many country dances. 2. dry grasses for animal fodder.

hazard 1. a game with dice. 2. a danger. 3. (of billiards) striking the object ball into a pocket. 4. (of golf) an obstruction.

hazards 1. (of billiards) striking object balls into the pockets. 2. (of golf) obstructions. 3. dangers.

haze

'hays' & 'heys'

1. obscure/dirty atmosphere. 2. harass; bully.

header

pull; drag; transport.

hauls

1. birds of prey. 2. clears the throat; coughs noisily. 3. plasterers' square boards. 4. sells goods.

'halls'

carries; drags; pulls.

haw 1. the fruit of the hawthorn. 2. a hedge; an enclosure. 3. the third eyelid of a horse/dog. 4. a belly laugh.

hawk 1. a bird of prey. 2. sell goods. 3. clear the throat/cough noisily. 4. a plasterer's square board.

hawker 1. a falconer; one who trains hawks. 2. one who travels, selling door to door.

hawkers 1. falconers; those who train hawks. 2. those who travel, selling door to door.

hawking 1. coughing/spitting/sputtering, from the mouth.

1. use the head to hit a ball; go headfirst. 2. a brick/stone laid perpendicularly to a wall. 3. an electrical plate.

headers 1. use the head to hit balls; go headfirst. 2. bricks/stones laid perpendicularly to wall. 3. electrical plates. 4. a modified exhaust system for a car.

heading 1. a title for a piece of writing. 2. in mines, a passage way connecting two larger tunnels.

headings 1. titles for pieces of writing. 2. in mines, passage ways connecting two larger tunnels

heal

'heel' & 'hele'

restore to health/well-being.

healed

'heeled'

restore to health/well-being.

113 healer

'heeler'

one who heals others.

healers

'heelers'

those who heal others.

healing

'heeling'

restoring to health/well-being.

heals

'heels' & 'heles'

restores to health/well-being.

hear

'here' & 'heer'

perceive/receive sounds.

heard

'herd'

past participle of 'hear'.

hearse

'herse'

a car for carrying the dead.

heart

'hart'

the organ that pumps the blood through the body.

hearts

'harts'

organs that pump blood through bodies.

heaume

'home' & 'holm'

(archaic) a large medieval helmet.

heaves 1. throws; moves; pulls. 2. a coughing disease of horses.

heck 1. a frame to obstruct fish in a river. 2. (slang) hell.

heckle

heckles

hedge

heeling

'healing'

(of ship) leaning over due to air pressure/wind.

heels

'heals' & 'heles'

1. the back part of the feet. 2. (slang) cads; awful persons. 3. (of ship) leans over due to air pressure/wind.

heeltap 1. a layer of leather/metal on a shoe heel. 2. dregs left in a glass after drinking.

heer

'hear' & 'here'

an old yarn measure of 600 yards.

heft 1. a weight/heaving. 2. accustom; attach; restrain. 3. an installment of a serial publication. 4. a number of sheets tied together.

hefts 1. weights; acts of heaving. 2. accustoms; attaches; restrains. 3. installments of a serial publication

height

'hight'

the elevation/distance above ground/sea level.

heir

'air', 'are', 'eyre' & 'ere'

heirless

'airless'

having no heir to a will/bequest/entitlement.

'airs' & 'eyres'

descendants/inheritors of an estate.

hele

'heal' & 'heel'

cover; conceal; hide.

1. fence off; surround with. 2. secure oneself against a loss (of money etc.).

hedger 1. one who makes/repairs hedges. 2. one who plays the odds/hedges bets.

hedgers 1. those who make/repair hedges. 2. those who play the odds/hedge bets.

hedges 1. fences off; surrounds with. 2. secures oneself against a loss (of money etc.).

'heal' & 'hele'

1. the back part of the foot. 2. (slang) a cad; an awful person. 3. (of ship) lean over due to air pressure.

'healed'

(of ship) leaned over due to air pressure.

heeler

'healers'

1. dogs that follow closely, or are, at the heel. 2. trained to nip at the heels of sheep etc.

heirs

1. argues with; interjects (especially politicians). 2. dresses flax/hemp with hackle.

heeled

heelers

a person entitled to receive bequeathed assets.

1. dress flax/hemp with hackle. 2. argue with; interject (especially politicians).

heel

1. a dog that follows closely, or is, at the heel. 2. trained to nip at the heels of sheep etc.

'healer'

heles

'heals' & 'heels'

covers; conceals; hides.

helicin

'helicine'

a glucoside obtained from the willow.

helicine

'helicin'

curled; spiral; helicoid.

helm 1. (archaic) a helmet. 2. a tiller/wheel for a boat/ship.

helms 1. (archaic) helmets. 2. tillers/wheels for boats/ships.

hem 1. the border/edge of cloth. 2. express hesitation; clear the throat.

hend 1. (obsolete) convenient; courteous; gracious. 2. (Spenser) seize; grasp.

114 herd

'heard'

a group of animals feeding/traveling.

herds

'hurds'

groups of animals feeding/traveling.

here

'hear' & 'heer'

at this place.

herl

'hurl'

a barb of a feather, used for artificial flies.

herls

'hurls'

barbs of feathers, used for artificial flies.

heroin

'heroine'

a drug, a derivative of morphine.

heroine

'heroin'

a brave or illustrious female.

herse

'hearse'

(obsolete) a portcullis; a form of battle-array.

hertz

'hurts'

a unit of frequency measurement.

heterogenous

'heterogynous' 'heterogenous'

having females of two different kinds, as with ants.

heteronomous

'heteronymous'

subject to/involving different laws.

heteronymous

'heteronomous'

relating to heteronyms.

hew

'hue'

chop/cut/fashion/make with axe/sword etc.

hewed

'hued'

chopped/cut/fashioned/made with axe/sword etc.

hews

'hues'

chops/cuts/fashions/makes with axe/sword etc.

hey

'hay'

an exclamation to seek attention.

heys

'hays' & 'haze'

many shouts to get attention.

hi

'high' & 'hie'

calling attention to somebody.

hic

'hick'

a sound of a hiccup.

hick

'hic'

an unsophisticated person.

hicks

'hics'

unsophisticated persons.

hics

'hicks'

sounds of hiccups.

hide

1. (of a horse) having the back and ribs tightly bound. 2. narrow/rigid/unbending in attitude/behavior.

hides 1. animal skins. 2. keeps/puts/holds out of sight. 3. measures of land.

hiding 1. staying out of sight. 2. a thrashing/beating.

hie

'hied'

1. animal skin. 2. keep/put/hold out of sight. 3. a measure of land.

'hi' & 'high'

go quickly.

hied

'hide'

urged on; passed quickly.

high

'hi' & 'hie'

1. a great upward extent; upper levels. 2. (slang) drunk.

higher

'hire'

a comparison of upper levels.

hight

having a foreign origin.

heterogynous

hidebound

'height'

(archaic) called/named, as in 'Harold was he hight'.

hike

'haik'

tramp; walk; march.

hilt 1. the handle of a sword/knife. 2. completely.

him

'hymn'

the objective case of 'he'.

hind 1. a female deer. 2. a farm servant. 3. the posterior; at the back.

hinds 1. farm servants. 2. female deers. 3. posteriors.

hindsight 1. the back sight of a gun. 2. wisdom after the event.

hinny 1. the offspring of a she-ass. 2. honey.

hip 1. the projection of the pelvis and upper thigh. 2. the fruit of the wild rose. 3. morbid depression. 4. introducing a united cheer 5. (colloquial) sophisticated; stylish; aware; cool

hipped 1. (colloquial) obsessed/interested in hips fruits of the wild rose. 2. having hips.

115 hippie

'hippy'

one who rejects conventional social values.

hippocampus 1. a kind of small fishes/sea-horses. 2. part of the lateral ventricle of the brain.

hippy

'hippie'

(colloquial) having large hips.

hips 1. fruits of the wild rose. 2. morbid depressions. 3. projections of the pelvis and upper thigh.

hircine 1. resembling a goat. 2. lustful; sexually obsessive.

hire

'higher'

a payment for the use of something.

hitch

hitches 1. (nautical) knots of various kinds. 2. moves a thing with a jerk.

hives 1. habitations for bees. 2. skin/bowel inflammations.

'hoe'

an expression of surprise/admiration/derision etc.

hoar

'whore'

grayish-white.

hoard

'horde' & 'whored'

a stock/store; accumulate money/things etc.

hoarding 1. amassing/storing money etc. 2. fencing around a building during repairs etc.

hoards

'hordes'

stocks/stores/amasses money/things etc.

hoarse

'horse'

a rough/husky voice/throat.

hoarsen

'whoreson'

become rough or rasping in sound.

hoarsens

'whoresons'

becomes rough or rasping in sound.

hoary

'hori' & 'whorey'

gray/white with age; venerable.

hob 1. a ledge at the top of a fire grate to keep things warm. 2. make trouble/mischief.

hobbies 1. (archaic) small horses. 2. small falcons. 3. early type of bicycles.

hobby 1. a favorite occupation that is not work. 2. (archaic) a small horse. 3. an early type of bicycle. 4. a small falcon.

hock 1. the joint of a quadruped's hind leg. 2. a German white wine. 3. pawn; pledge.

hocks

'hox'

1. German white wines. 2. joints of quadrupeds' hind legs. 3. pawns; pledges.

hod 1. a trough for carrying bricks etc. 2. (Scottish) bob up and down; jog.

hoe

1. move a thing with a jerk. 2. (nautical) a knot of various kinds.

ho

4. favorite occupations that are not work.

'ho'

a garden digging implement.

hoes

'hose' & 'hos'

turns over the garden with a hoe.

hog 1. a swine/pig. 2. a young sheep before shearing. 3. arch upwards in the center, usually of a ship. 4. cut a mane short. 5. (slang) behave like a road-hog/glutton.

hogs 1. (slang) behaves like a road-hog. 2. cuts mane short. 3. raises archwise in the center. 4. swines; pigs. 5. young sheep before shearing.

hoick 1. hoist abruptly; rise sharply. 2. (colloquial) clear the throat and spit.

hoicked 1. hoisted abruptly; rose sharply. 2. (colloquial) cleared the throat and spat.

hoicking 1. hoisting abruptly; rising sharply. 2. (colloquial) clearing the throat and spitting.

hoicks 1. hoists abruptly; rises sharply. 2. (colloquial) clears the throat and spits.

hold

'holed'

grasp; secure firmly; keep.

hole

'whole'

1. a hollow place in a solid thing. 2. (slang) an awkward situation.

holed

'hold'

perforated with holes.

holey

'holy' & 'wholly'

perforated; has many holes.

116 hollo

'hollow'

cry out/call out, to get attention.

hollos

'hollows'

a number of cries to get attention.

hollow

'hollo'

not solid; empty; having a hole or cavity within.

hollows

'hollos'

a number of cavities or holes.

holm

'home' & 'heaume'

1. an islet in a river. 2. the evergreen oak.

holms

'homes'

1. evergreen oaks. 2. islets in a river. 1. a wood/wooded hill. 2. an animal's lair.

'holey' & 'wholly' 'holm' & 'heaume'

a dwelling place/family residence.

homer 1. a homing pigeon. 2. in baseball, a home run.

homers 1. homing pigeons. 2. in baseball, many home runs.

'holms'

dwelling places; family residences.

hone 1. sharpen, as on a stone. 2. pine for; moan; grieve.

honed 1. sharpened, as on a stone. 2. pined for; moaned; grieved.

hones

hookahs

'hookers'

flexible pipes used for cooling tobacco smoke.

hooker

'hookah'

1. the center player in rugby scrum. 2. a small Dutch/Irish sailing ship. 3. (slang) a prostitute.

hookers

'hookahs'

'whoop'

a circular band of metal/wood/plastic.

hoops

'whoops'

1. circular bands. 2. loud cries/sounds heard in whooping cough.

hoosh 1. a sound to drive or shoo animals away. 2. a thick soup.

hoot 1. cry out; blow a horn; laugh out loud. 2. (colloquial) a term for money, in New Zealand.

hooter 1. a siren/horn. 2. (colloquial) the nose, on the face. 3. (colloquial) a female breast.

hooters 1. sirens; horns. 2. (colloquial) noses, on faces. 3. (colloquial) female breasts.

hoove

'hove'

a disease of cattle and sheep.

1. sharpens, as on a stone. 2. pines for; moans; grieves.

honesty

hooves

'hoves'

the feet of animals, such as horses etc.

hop

1. truthfulness; sincerity; frankness. 2. a plant of the mustard family, Lunaria annua.

honing 1. sharpening, as on a stone. 2. pining for; moaning; grieving.

'who'

an exclamation of surprise.

hood 1. a covering/bonnet/cowling. 2. (slang) a gangster/criminal.

hoods

'hooker'

a flexible pipe used for cooling tobacco smoke.

hoop

sacred; consecrated.

hoo

nonsense; silly stuff; worthless talk or things etc.

hookah

1. hook-shaped. 2. stay away from school, as in 'play hooky'.

1. animals' lairs. 2. woods; wooded hills.

homes

'hui'

hooky

holts

home

hooey

1. (slang) prostitutes. 2. center players in a rugby scrum. 3. small Dutch/Irish sailing ships.

holt

holy

1. (slang) gangsters. 2. coverings; bonnets; cowlings.

1. a climbing plant. 2. spring on one foot. 3. a stage in a journey.

hopper 1. one who hops. 2. an inverted cone for grain. 3. a hop-picker.

hoppers 1. hop-pickers. 2. inverted cones for grain. 3. those who hop.

117 hops

hound

1. stages in a journey. 2. climbing plants. 3. springs on one foot.

horde

'hoard' & 'whored'

a troop/gang of nomads.

hordes

'hoards'

troops; gangs of nomads.

hori

'hoary' & 'whorey'

(colloquial) a Maori of New Zealand.

horny 1. like a horn; calloused; having a horn. 2. (colloquial) sexually excited or excitable.

horse

'hoarse'

1. a solid-hoofed quadruped. 2. (nautical) a rope/bar for various uses. 3. (mining) an obstruction in a vein 4. a large pew.

horsed

'horst'

fooled/played around, as in 'horsed around'.

horses 1. (mining) obstructions in a vein. 2. (nautical) ropes/bars for various uses. 3. large pews. 4. solid-hoofed quadrupeds.

horst

'horsed'

a section of the earth's crust separated by fault lines.

hos

'hoes' & 'hose'

many exclamations of surprise/admiration etc.

hose

'hoes' & 'hos'

1. stockings. 2. a flexible tube for watering plants.

host 1. a large number; many. 2. (history) a landlord of an inn. 3. the consecrated bread of the Catholic/Anglican Mass. 4. one who provides nourishment/meal.

hosts 1. consecrated bread of the Catholic/Anglican Mass. 2. landlords of inns. 3. large numbers; many. 4. those who provide nourishment/meals.

hot 1. giving off heat; fiery; radioactive; violent; skilled; bright. 2. (slang) stolen. 3. (slang) sexually attractive. 4. (slang) poison, as in a poisonous snake.

hots 1. (slang) to be sexually attracted to; e.g. have the hots. 2. (slang) poisonous snakes.

1. a hunting dog used for the chase. 2. (colloquial) a despicable person. 3. (nautical) a support at the masthead, for rigging. 4. a bar, on a horse-drawn vehicle for running gear.

hounds 1. hunting dogs used for the chase. 2. (colloquial) despicable persons. 3. (nautical) supports at the masthead, for rigging. 4. bars, on a horse-drawn vehicle for running gear.

hour

'our'

a period of sixty minutes and one twenty-fourth part of a day.

hours

'ours'

many sixty minute time periods.

houseboat

'housebote'

a boat outfitted as a residence/dwelling place.

housebote

'houseboat'

wood allowed to a tenant for repairs.

hove

'hoove'

1. (Scottish) swell up; rise. 2. (Spenser) hover; loiter; linger.

hoves

'hooves'

1. (Scottish) swells up; rises. 2. (Spenser) hovers; loiters; lingers.

how 1. in what manner; by what means. 2. (Scottish) a low hill or hollow.

howdy 1. (Scottish) a midwife. 2. a colloquial form of "How do you do?".

howler 1. the owl; a South American monkey. 2. (slang) a glaring mistake.

howlers 1. (slang) glaring mistakes. 2. owls; South American monkeys.

hox

'hocks'

(Shakespeare) to hamstring an animal.

hoy 1. a small vessel like a sloop. 2. call attention to. 3. (colloquial) throw. 4. a game like bingo in which cards are used.

hue

'hew'

1. a color/tint. 2. a shouting/clamor/crying out.

hued

'hewed'

colored; tinted.

hues colors; tints.

'hews'

118 huff 1. in checkers, remove a checker piece from the board, as a penalty. 2. a fit of petulance.

huffs

'hooey'

a Maori or Hawaiian community gathering.

hum

'humin'

pertaining to/characteristic of people.

humeral

'humoral'

belonging to or relating to the shoulders.

humerus

'humorous'

a sensitive bone of the upper arm in humans.

humin

'human'

a yellowish substance extracted from vegetable mold.

humoral

'humeral'

relating to bodily fluids.

humorous

'humerus'

funny; facetious.

'hurly'

a kind of hockey.

hurls

'herls'

throws violently/strongly/vehemently.

hurly

'hurley'

hurts

'hertz'

annoys; pains; inflicts damage.

husband 1. a man joined to a woman by marriage. 2. economize; be thrifty.

husbands 1. economizes; is thrifty. 2. men joined to women by marriage.

hush 1. a command to be silent/still. 2. wash away soil to expose the underlying rock.

husk 1. the case/shell/covering of a seed etc. 2. bronchitis in cattle caused by parasites.

husky 1. dry; hoarse. 2. an Eskimo dog.

humpy 1. humplike; full of humps. 2. a temporary bush shelter used by aborigines.

hums 1. (slang) shams; hoaxes. 2. continuous murmurs. 3. expresses hesitation; dissents.

hunch 1. bend/curve convexly. 2. an idea/intuition; a presentment.

hunches

hydro 1. a resort having hydropathic treatment for guests. 2. short for 'hydro-electric'.

hydrophobia 1. the infectious disease of rabies. 2. a morbid dread of water.

hymn

'him'

a song of praise to God.

hype

1. bends/curves convexly. 2. ideas; intuitions; presentments.

hunk 1. a lump/large piece cut off. 2. the goal or base in boys' games. 3. a miserly person. 4. a hunch.

hunks 1. large pieces/lumps cut off. 2. hunches. 3. miserly persons. 4. goals or bases in boys' games.

hunky 1. short for 'hunky-dory'. 2. an unskilled worker, especially Hungarian.

hurds

'herl'

throw violently/strongly/vehemently.

(archaic) a commotion.

1. a continuous murmur. 2. express hesitation/dissent. 3. (slang) a sham/hoax.

human

hurl hurley

1. fits of petulance. 2. removes a checker piece from the board.

hui

the coarser part of flax/hemp; also spelled 'hards'.

'herds'

1. a state of deliberately stimulated excitement. 2. (colloquial) a hypodermic needle; a drug addict.

hypo 1. sodium thiosulphate. 2. (slang) a hypodermic syringe or injection.

hypostasis 1. (medical) an excess of blood in body. 2. (metaphysics) an underlying substance. 3. (theology) the person of the Godhead.

'I' Words 119 'eye', 'ay' & 'ai'

I

1. frozen water. 2. make a start/break through reserve e.g. 'break the ice'. 3. cover a cake with a sugar coating.

id 1. (biology) a unit of germ-plasm. 2. (psychology) the instinctive impulses of the individual.

'idiograph'

in writing, a symbol used to represent a thing.

ideographic

'idiographic'

relating to written symbols representing ideas.

idiograph

'ideograph'

a symbol/mark, specific to an individual.

idiographic

'ideographic'

relating to the intensive psychological study of an individual case.

idiotism

idiotisms 1. idiotic conducts or actions. 2. (obsolete) idioms.

'idol' & 'idyll'

inactive; lazy; indolent.

idol

'idle' & 'idyll' 'idylls'

false gods/images.

idyll

'idle' & 'idol'

a short pastoral poem.

idylls

'idols'

short pastoral poems.

ileac

'iliac'

relating to the 3rd division of the small intestine.

ileum

'ilium'

the third section of the small intestine.

iliac

'ileac'

relating to the hip bone.

ilium

'ileum'

the broad section of either hip bone.

illapse

'elapse'

practicing illusion/deceitful.

imago 1. an adult insect. 2. an idealized concept of loved one, formed in childhood.

imagos 1. adult insects. 2. idealized concepts of loved ones, formed in childhood.

immaterial 1. not of the body; spiritual. 2. unimportant; irrelevant.

immerge

'emerge'

(archaic) to plunge into fluid/water; to immerse.

immersed

'emersed'

covered by liquid/water.

'emersion'

1. being covered by liquid/water. 2. (astronomy) the eclipse of a celestial body by another.

immission

'emission'

the act of thrusting in.

imp 1. a child of the devil. 2. mend a falcon feather. 1. weaken; make worse. 2. (Shakespeare) unsuitable.

impartible 1. capable of being imparted/conveyed. 2. not partible; indivisible.

impassable

'elation'

'impassible'

unable to pass through/over/around.

impassible

'impassable'

not subject to pain/feeling/suffering.

impatience 1. the state of being impatient. 2. a type of flower (also spelled 'impatiens').

impend 1. to be near at hand. 2. to threaten. 3. (archaic) overhang.

impending

to fall/glide/pass into.

illation

'elusive'

impair

a false god/image.

idols

illusive

immersion

1. idiotic conduct or action. 2. (obsolete) an idiom.

idle

'elicit'

illegal.

ice

ideograph

the act of inferring.

illicit

the 1st person pronoun.

1. about to happen.

120 2. overhanging.

imperfect 1. not perfect; lacking completeness. 2. (music) denoting the consonances of 3rd and 6th.

imperial 1. supreme in authority. 2. the British system of weights and measures. 3. a small beard beneath the lower lip. 4. a luggage trunk for the roof of a coach. 5. a Russian gold coin.

impersonal 1. not personal; without personal reference or connection. 2. (grammar) pertaining to an impersonal verb or pronoun.

impertinence 1. an unmannerly intrusion or presumption. 2. a triviality; an absurdity.

impertinences 1. unmannerly intrusions or presumptions. 2. trivialities; absurdities.

impertinencies 1. unmannerly intrusions or presumptions. 2. trivialities; absurdities.

impertinency 1. an unmannerly intrusion or presumption. 2. a triviality; an absurdity.

impertinent 1. intrusive or presumptive. 2. trivial; absurd; silly.

implement 1. a tool or utensil. 2. (archaic) satisfy a requirement or condition.

implements 1. tools or utensils. 2. (archaic) satisfies a requirement or condition.

implicit 1. implied; suggested. 2. (obsolete) entangled.

implied 1. indicated; suggested. 2. (obsolete) enfolded.

implies 1. indicates; suggests. 2. (obsolete) enfolds.

imply 1. indicate; suggest. 2. (obsolete) enfold.

implying 1. indicating; suggesting. 2. (obsolete) enfolding.

imports 1. taxes; duties; tributes. 2. the upper courses of a pillar.

impose 1. (printing) lay in proper order. 2. thrust; put upon; presume.

imposed 1. (printing) laid in proper order. 2. thrust; put upon; presumed.

imposes 1. (printing) lays in proper order. 2. thrusts; puts upon; presumes.

imposing 1. (printing) laying in proper order. 2. thrusting; putting upon; presuming.

imposition 1. a burden/tax/levy/punishment. 2. (printing) the arrangement of pages in proper order.

impositions 1. burdens; taxes; levies; punishments. 2. (printing) arrangements of pages in proper order.

impost 1. a tax/duty/tribute. 2. (architecture) the upper course of a pillar.

impress 1. apply; imprint; stamp. 2. force men to serve in the army/navy.

impressed

'imprest'

forced/pressed upon; aroused a strong feeling.

impresses 1. applies; imprints; stamps. 2. forces men to serve in the army/navy.

impression 1. an influence; a strong effect/belief/notion. 2. (printing) the result of printing from types/plates. 3. in dentistry, a casting of teeth and gums.

impressions 1. influences; strong effects/beliefs/notions. 2. (printing) the results of printing from types/plates. 3. in dentistry, castings of teeth and gums.

imprest

'impressed'

an advance of money.

imps 1. children of the devil. 2. mends a falcon feather.

in

'inn'

within; include.

inanition 1. exhaustion from lack of food. 2. emptiness.

inanity 1. senseless; silliness. 2. emptiness

121 3. a requisition.

inarticulate 1. unable to speak/use language effectively. 2. (zoology) not jointed; having no joint.

inch 1. one twelfth part of foot. 2. a small island. 1. many twelfth parts of a foot length. 2. small islands.

'incidents'

the rate of occurrence; the fact of occurring. 1. an event/occurrence. 2. (legal) a privilege/burden attaching to an estate.

'incidence'

events; occurrences; happenings.

incision

'insition'

a cutting into, especially for surgery.

incisions

'insitions'

cuttings into, especially for surgery.

inclination

inclinations 1. preferences; likings; sets of the mind. 2. deviations from the horizontal/vertical; slopes; slants.

incline 1. to be disposed; to have a certain mind set. 2. a slope/slant.

inclines 1. has a certain mind set; is disposed to. 2. slopes; slants.

'indite'

accuse/charge a person.

indicter indicters

'inditer'

1. not coercible. 2. (obsolete) incapable of being reduced to liquid by any amount of pressure.

incompetent 1. lacking qualification/ability/skill. 2. (legal) inadmissible, as in evidence. 3. (medical) a weak cervix that it opens prematurely during pregnancy.

incorporate 1. form into a body; merge; absorb. 2. without a body; disembodied.

'incubus'

tightly packed leaves closely overlapping.

'incubous'

a nightmare; an evil spirit.

indent 1. make tooth-like notches. 2. set back from a margin.

'inditers'

those who indict/accuse.

indicts

'indites'

accuses/charges a person.

indie 1. relating to a style of popular music. 2. relating to a film produced independently.

indiscreet

'indiscrete'

lacking prudence/tact.

'indiscreet'

not divided into separate parts.

indispose 1. is unwilling/averse. 2. has an upset state of health/mind.

indisposed 1. was unwilling/averse. 2. had an upset state of health/mind.

indisposition 1. a slight illness/poor state of mind. 2. a disinclination (to do something etc.).

indite

'indict'

put into words; compose.

inditer

incoercible

incubus

indict

indiscrete

1. a preference/liking/set of the mind. 2. a deviation from the horizontal/vertical; a slope/slant.

incubous

1. suggestive of; pointing towards. 2. (grammar) relating to the mood of verbs.

one who indicts/accuses.

incident

incidents

1. makes tooth-like notches. 2. requisitions. 3. sets back from a margin.

indicative

inches

incidence

indents

'indicter'

a composer.

inditers

'indicters'

composers.

indites

'indicts'

puts into words; composes.

induce 1. produce an electrical current by induction. 2. (pregnancy) initiate labour deliberately. 3. influence; persuade.

induced 1. produced an electrical current by induction. 2. (pregnancy) initiated labour deliberately. 3. influenced; persuaded.

inducement 1. an instance of induced electrical current. 2. (pregnancy) a deliberate initiation of labour. 3. an influence; a persuasion.

inducements

122 1. instances of induced electrical current. 2. (pregnancy) deliberate initiations of labour. 3. influences; persuasions.

induces 1. produces an electrical current by induction. 2. (pregnancy) initiates labour deliberately. 3. influences; persuades.

inducing 1. producing an electrical current by induction. 2. (pregnancy) initiating labour deliberately. 3. influencing; persuading.

induction 1. (archaic) a preamble; an introduction. 2. an inference of general law. 3. a transference of magnetic/electrical state.

inductions 1. (archaic) preambles; introductions. 2. inferences of general law. 3. transferences of magnetic/electrical state.

inductive 1. of reasoning based on induction. 2. of magnetic/electrical induction.

inductor 1. one who inducts a clergyman. 2. any part of a magnetic induction apparatus.

inductors 1. parts of a magnetic induction apparatus. 2. those who induct clergymen.

indulge 1. (colloquial) drink alcohol to excess. 2. gratify; satisfy; yield. 3. (commerce) grant an extension in time.

indulged 1. (colloquial) drank alcohol to excess. 2. gratified; satisfied; yielded. 3. (commerce) granted an extension in time.

indulgence 1. a gratification; a habit that is tolerated. 2. a remission from purgatorial punishment (in the Roman Catholic church).

indulgences 1. gratifications; habits that are tolerated. 2. remissions from purgatorial punishment (in the Roman Catholic church).

indulges 1. (colloquial) drinks alcohol to excess. 2. gratifies; satisfies; yields. 3. (commerce) grants an extension in time.

indulging 1. (colloquial) drinking alcohol to excess. 2. gratifying; satisfying; yielding. 3. (commerce) granting an extension in time.

inexistence 1. non-existence. 2. inherence; sticking fast.

infidelity 1. an act of adultery or unfaithfulness. 2. lacking religious belief.

influence

'influents'

something that affects another.

influents

'influence'

tributary streams flowing into a river.

initiation 1. a ceremony of admission; a formal admission into a group etc. 2. (physics) the start of a chain reaction in fissile material.

ink 1. a viscous fluid used for writing. 2. (colloquial) a cheap wine.

inks 1. viscous fluids used for writing. 2. (colloquial) cheap wines.

inn

'in'

a public lodgings/tavern.

inning 1. a round for a team e.g. in baseball. 2. a reclaiming, as of flooded lands and marshes.

innings 1. a number of rounds for a team e.g. in baseball. 2. acts of reclaiming, as of flooded lands and marshes.

innocence

'innocents'

free from guilt; the state of being innocent.

innocents

'innocence'

young babes; children; those innocent.

insane 1. not sane; mentally deranged. 2. (colloquial) wonderful; fantastic.

insect 1. a broad term for a bug/spider/tick etc. 2. (colloquial) a contemptible person.

insects 1. a broad term for bugs/spiders/ticks etc. 2. (colloquial) contemptible people.

insight 1. understanding; penetrating thought; knowledge. 2. (Scottish) furniture; household goods.

insition

'incision'

an insertion; a grafting.

insitions

'incisions'

insertions; graftings.

insoluble 1. unable to be dissolved. 2. incapable of being solved, as in a problem.

inspiration

123 1. a drawing in of breath. 2. an idea/a divine influence.

inspirations 1. drawings in of breath. 2. ideas; divine influences.

inspire 1. breathe in; inhale. 2. infuse thoughts/feelings.

inspired 1. breathed in; inhaled. 2. infused thoughts/feelings.

inspires 1. breathes in; inhales. 2. infuses thoughts/feelings.

inspiring 1. breathing in; inhaling. 2. infusing thoughts/feelings.

inspirit 1. activate life into; animate. 2. encourage.

inspirited 1. activated life into; animated. 2. encouraged; urged on.

inspiriting 1. activating life into; animating. 2. encouraging; urging on.

inspirits 1. activates life into; animates. 2. encourages; urges on.

instalment 1. a portion or part, usually of a debt. 2. an act of installing.

instalments 1. portions or parts, usually of a debt or debts. 2. acts of installing.

instance

'instants'

a particular case/general truth.

instant 1. urgent; important; pressing. 2. a precise point in time.

instants

'instance'

precise points in time.

institutes 1. organizations; societies. 2. a digest of elements of a subject. 3. founds; establishes.

instrumental 1. serving as a means. 2. (music) perform music on string/brass/drum etc.

instrumentation 1. (music) the arrangement/study of musical instruments. 2. an operation with visual/medical instruments.

insular 1. of or relating to an island. 2. narrow-minded/ultra conservative, in thinking.

integral 1. necessary for the completeness of the whole. 2. (mathematics) relates to the inverse to differentiation.

integration 1. the act of joining facilities/institutions/resources. 2. (mathematics) finding the integral of a function or an equation.

integrations 1. acts of joining facilities/institutions/resources. 2. (mathematics) finding integrals of functions/equations.

intense

'intents'

very great; extreme.

intension

'intention'

(logic) the sum of attributes in a concept.

intention

'intension'

the purpose/meaning/significance.

intents

'intense'

firm intentions.

interact 1. an interlude/interval. 2. act on each other.

interacts 1. acts on each other. 2. interludes; intervals.

intercession

'intersession'

an entreaty; a mediation.

intercessions

'intersessions'

entreaties; mediations.

interest 1. a concern/curiosity. 2. money paid for the use of money.

interests 1. concerns; curiosities. 2. monies paid for use of money.

interfacing 1. a stiffening material used in clothes making. 2. the action of two computer devices connecting.

interline 1. insert/write lines between lines of print. 2. provide a garment with an inner lining.

interlined 1. inserted/wrote lines between lines of print. 2. provided a garment with an inner lining.

interlines 1. inserts/writes lines between lines of print. 2. provides a garment with an inner lining.

interlining

124 1. inserting/writing lines between lines of print. 2. providing a garment with an inner lining.

interlock

'inturn'

an advanced student/graduate; to confine/imprison.

interned

'inturned'

confined; imprisoned; acted as an intern.

interning

'inturning'

confining; imprisoning; acting as an intern.

interns

'inturns'

1. confines; imprisons. 2. advanced students or graduates.

interpellate

'interpolate'

call formally upon government to explain policy.

interpellated

'interpolated'

called formally upon government to explain policy.

interpellates

'interpolates'

calls formally upon government to explain policy.

interpellating

'interpolating'

calling formally upon government to explain policy.

interpellation

'interpolation'

using a procedure in government to explain policy.

interpellations

'interpolations'

instances of using a procedure in government to explain policy.

interpellator

'interpolator'

one who calls formally upon government to explain policy

interpolate

'interpellate'

add to/alter text of written work; insert changes.

interpolated

'interpellated'

added to/altered text of written work; inserted changes.

interpolates

'interpellates'

adds to/alters text of written work; inserts changes.

interpolating

'interpellating'

inserting/adding text to written work.

interpolation

'interpellation'

an act of inserting text into a written work/passage.

interpolations

'interpellations'

acts of inserting text into written works/passages.

interpolator

'interpellator'

one who adds to/alters text.

intersession

intersessions

'intercessions'

times between academic sessions.

1. fit/engage/lock together, as in machine parts etc. 2. (textiles) a smooth knitted fabric, especially of cotton yarn.

intern

a time between academic sessions.

'intercession'

interstitial 1. relating to small spaces, gaps, openings between things. 2. (crystallography) a defect in a crystal, caused by an extra atom or ion.

intestine 1. domestic/not foreign. 2. an internal organ of the body.

inturn

'intern'

an inward turn, as of the toes.

inturned

'interned'

turned inwards, as of toes.

inturning

'interning'

turning inwards, as of toes.

inturns

'interns'

turns inwards, as of toes.

inure 1. accustom; harden; habituate. 2. (obsolete) burn in.

inured 1. accustomed; hardened; habituated. 2. (obsolete) burned in.

inures 1. accustoms; hardens; habituates. 2. (obsolete) burns in.

inuring 1. accustoming; hardening; habituating. 2. (obsolete) burning in.

invade

'inveighed'

attack; encroach upon.

inveighed

'invade'

reviled; railed against.

invest 1. put money to use by loan/purchase. 2. cover; adorn.

invested 1. put money to use by loan/purchase. 2. covered; adorned.

investing 1. putting money to use by loan/purchase. 2. covering; adorning.

investment 1. money/capital invested to get profitable return. 2. an outer layer; a covering.

investments 1. money/capital invested to get profitable return. 2. outer layers; coverings.

invests 1. puts money to use by loan/purchase.

125 2. covers; adorns.

2. (colloquial) sex appeal, as in 'she's got it!'

involution

itchy

1. the state of being involved. 2. something complicated. 3. (mathematics) raising of a quantity to a certain power.

iota 1. ninth letter of the Greek alphabet. 2. a jot; a very small quantity.

ire

'eyer'

anger; wrath.

irises 1. colored membranes in eyes. 2. kinds of plants. 3. types of rock-crystal.

iron 1. metal used for tools. 2. smooth linen/clothes by (usually) hot pressing.

irony 1. of or like iron. 2. express a meaning by the opposite tendency.

'eruption'

1. a sudden increase in animal population. 2. a violent invasion/incursion.

'eruptions'

1. sudden increases in animal population. 2. violent invasions/incursions

isle

'aisle'

a small island.

isles

'aisles'

islands.

islet

'eyelet'

1. a little island. 2. an isolated area or spot.

islets

1. elephant tusks; (colloquial) a term for human teeth. 2. (colloquial) keys of a piano or accordion.

izard izzard

1. the colored membrane in the eye. 2. a kind of plant. 3. a type of rock-crystal.

irruptions

ivories

'izzard'

a goat-like antelope.

iris

irruption

1. a feeling that causes a need for scratching. 2. (colloquial - Singapore/Malaysia) teasing; flirtatious.

'eyelets'

1. little islands. 2. isolated areas or spots.

isometric 1. relating to equality of measure. 2. relating to a particular form of physical exercise.

issue 1. an outgoing/outflow. 2. an argument; a point in question.

issues 1. arguments; points in question. 2. outgoings; outflows.

it 1. (grammar) a third person pronoun.

(archaic) the letter 'z'.

'izard'

'J' Words 126 jabber 1. one who jabs/thrusts/pokes. 2. utter nonsensical chatter.

jabbers 1. those who jab/thrust/poke. 2. utters nonsensical chatter.

jack 1. hoist; lift up. 2. a ship's flag. 3. (archaic) a soldier's sleeveless tunic. 4. an East Indian fruit.

jackal 1. a dog-like animal. 2. a person who does drudge work.

jackals 1. dog-like animals. 2. persons who do drudge work.

jackass 1. a male donkey. 2. a stupid person. 3. (nautical) a plug for a hawse pipe to prevent water entering. 4. a kookaburra.

jackasses 1. male donkeys. 2. stupid persons. 3. (nautical) plugs for hawse pipes to prevent water entering. 4. kookaburras.

jacks 1. (archaic) soldiers' sleeveless tunics. 2. East Indian fruit. 3. hoists; lifts up. 4. ships' flags.

jackstraw 1. a straw-stuffed figure of a person. 2. one of many straws used in the game of fiddlesticks.

jactation 1. boasting. 2. (pathology) a restless tossing of the body.

jade 1. an inferior/weary/worn-out horse. 2. a playful woman. 3. a hard green/blue/white stone.

jades 1. hard green/blue/white stones. 2. inferior/weary/worn-out horses. 3. playful women.

jag

1. a sharp projection. 2. (slang) a drinking bout.

jags 1. (slang) drinking bouts. 2. sharp projections.

jam

'jamb'

1. squeeze between. 2. a fruit conserve.

jamb

'jam'

a side post of a doorway.

jambs

'jams'

the side posts of a doorway.

jammy 1. like jam. 2. (colloquial) easy; requiring little effort. 3. (colloquial) pretentious.

jams

'jambs'

1. squeezes between. 2. fruit conserves.

jankers 1. (Scottish) long poles on wheels for transporting logs. 2. (military slang) punishment; detention.

jannock 1. a cake of oaten bread. 2. straightforward; direct.

jar 1. a discordant/grating sound. 2. an earthen or a stone ware jug; a glass vessel. 3. (colloquial) ajar; open.

jargon 1. unfamiliar/colloquial terms in a language. 2. a variety of zircon.

jargons 1. unfamiliar terms in language. 2. varieties of zircon.

jars 1. discordant/grating sounds. 2. earthen or stone wares; glass vessels.

jaundice 1. a morbid state caused by a bile obstruction. 2. affect with jealousy/envy.

jaunty 1. an attitude that is sprightly/airy. 2. (nautical slang) the head of a ship's police.

jay 1. a type of bird. 2. a wanton woman.

127 3. an actor who is indifferent/lackadaisical. 4. a stupid or awkward fellow.

jays 1. type of birds. 2. wanton women. 3. indifferent/lackadaisical actors. 4. stupid or awkward fellows.

jazz 1. a type of music from the Afro-American tradition. 2. (colloquial) pretentious or insincere talk.

jean

'gean' & 'gene'

a type of cotton twill.

jeans

'genes' & 'geans'

trousers/pants of twilled cotton.

jeer 1. a tackle for hoisting/lowering. 2. scoff at; deride.

jeers 1. scoffs at; derides. 2. tackles for hoisting/lowering.

jeff 1. (circus slang) a rope. 2. use a printers' quadrats as dice for gambling.

jellied 1. a flavoured dessert food preparation that has set. 2. (colloquial) became weak with fear, as in 'turned to jelly'.

jellies 1. flavoured dessert food preparations. 2. cheap sandals of transparent plastic. 3. (colloquial) becoming weak with fear, as in 'turns to jelly'.

jelly 1. a flavoured dessert food preparation. 2. a type of cheap sandal of transparent plastic. 3. (colloquial) become weak with fear, as in 'stomach turns to jelly'.

jellying 1. a flavoured dessert food preparation in the process of setting. 2. (colloquial) becoming weak with fear, as in 'turning to jelly'.

jemmy 1. neat; smart; handy. 2. a short crowbar (often used by burglars). 3. (slang) a baked sheep's head. 4. a coat.

jerk 1. a sudden pull/twist. 2. dry beef in the sun. 3. (slang) a stupid person.

jerkin 1. a young salmon. 2. a jacket/short coat/waistcoat.

jerkins 1. many young salmon. 2. many jackets/short coats/waistcoats.

jerks 1. (slang) stupid persons. 2. dries beef in the sun. 3. sudden pulls/twists.

jerky 1. a type of prepared meat/fish. 2. with sudden movement.

jerries

'geries'

1. (colloquial) chamber-pots; toilets. 2. (colloquial) understands; realizes.

jerry

'geri'

1. (colloquial) a chamber-pot/toilet. 2. (colloquial) understand; realize.

jessed

'gest' & 'jest'

attached leather straps to a hawk's legs.

jest

'jessed' & 'gest'

a joke/prank; laughter.

jests

'gests'

jokes; pranks; much laughter.

jet 1. a hard black lignite. 2. a gush/stream of water/gas.

jetty 1. a landing pier. 2. jet-black.

jib

'gib' & 'guib'

1. a triangular staysail. 2. refuse to go.

jibber

'gibber'

an animal that baulks/moves restively e.g. a horse.

jibbers

'gibbers'

animals that baulk/move restively e.g. horses.

jibs

'gibs' & 'guibs'

1. refuses to go. 2. triangular staysails.

jig 1. a lively dance. 2. an appliance to hold a piece of work while a tool operates. 3. separate coarse and fine ore under water.

jigger 1. (nautical) a small tackle with two blocks. 2. (slang) a rest for a billiards cue. 3. (of golf) an iron club with a narrow face. 4. one who jigs ores. 5. break; destroy.

jiggered 1. (colloquial) broken; destroyed. 2. (colloquial) exhausted; tired.

jiggers

128 1. (of golf) iron clubs with narrow face. 2. (nautical) small tackles with two blocks. 3. (slang) rests for billiard cues. 4. those who jig ores. 5. breaks; destroys.

jigs 1. appliances to hold work while a tool operates. 2. lively dances. 3. separates fine and coarse ore under water.

jigsaw

jigsaws 1. puzzles composed of many, irregular pieces. 2. types of saw, used for cutting wood, plastic etc.

jingle 1. make clinking sound with coins, keys etc. 2. a covered two-wheeled carriage. 3. a simple rhyme set to music.

jingles 1. makes clinking sound with coins, keys etc 2. covered two-wheeled carriages 3. simple rhymes set to music

'jinx'

high spirits; frivolity.

jinn

'gin' 'gins'

Muslim spirits/demons.

jinx

'jinks'

something/somebody bringing bad luck.

jive

'gyve'

1. dance to a type of heavy beat music. 2. jargon used by jazz musicians.

jives

'gyves'

dances to a type of heavy beat music.

jo

joe

'jo'

1. a stale or old joke. 2. (slang) a three-penny bit. 3. (obsolete) jeer at; abuse. 4. (colloquial) a ewe. 1. a young kangaroo. 2. (slang) a three-penny piece.

joeys 1. (slang) three-penny pieces. 2. young kangaroos.

joggle 1. shake; move. 2. a special type of wood/stone joint.

joggles 1. shakes; moves. 2. special types of wood/stone joints.

john 1. (colloquial) a toilet. 2. (colloquial) a male client of prostitutes.

johns 1. (colloquial) toilets. 2. (colloquial) male clients of prostitutes.

joint

a Muslim spirit/demon.

jinns

1. (mainly USA) male athletes, especially at university or college. 2. brief underpants for men.

joey

1. a puzzle composed of many, irregular pieces. 2. a type of saw, used for cutting wood, plastic etc.

jinks

jocks

'joe'

(Scottish) a beloved one.

job 1. a piece of work; an occupation. 2. deal in stocks. 3. prod/stab lightly; thrust; jerk.

jobs 1. deals in stocks. 2. pieces of work; occupations. 3. prods/stabs lightly; thrusts; jerks.

jockey 1. the rider in a horse race. 2. outwit; cheat; gain advantage.

jockeys 1. outwits; cheats; gains advantage. 2. riders in a horse race.

1. where two or more things are joined. 2. parts of a divided carcass. 3. (slang) a meeting place. 4. (slang) a marijuana cigarette.

joints 1. (slang) meeting places. 2. parts of divided carcasses. 3. where things are joined/screwed together etc. 4. (slang) marihuana cigarettes.

joker 1. one who makes/tells jokes. 2. (colloquial) a person/fellow/bloke. 3. a card in a deck, often judged as highest value.

jokers 1. those who make/tell jokes. 2. (colloquial) persons; fellows; blokes. 3. cards in a deck, often judged as highest value.

joseph 1. a chaste man. 2. a woman's long riding cloak.

joss 1. tease; chaff. 2. (colloquial) a boss.

josser 1. a person who josses.

129 2. (colloquial) a parson.

jossers 1. persons who joss. 2. (colloquial) parsons.

josses 1. teases; chaffs. 2. (colloquial) bosses.

jot 1. a small amount. 2. write hastily.

jots 1. small amounts.. 2. writes hastily.

journal 1. a daily record/newspaper/register. 2. (machinery) that part of a shaft/an axle in contact with a bearing.

journals 1. daily records; newspapers; registers. 2. (machinery) those parts of shafts/axles in contact with bearings.

jube 1. a rood loft in a church. 2. a fruit flavoured lolly.

jubes 1. rood lofts in churches. 2. fruit flavoured lollies.

jug 1. a deep vessel for holding liquid. 2. stew; boil. 3. (slang) imprison. 4. (of birds) utter sound.

jugs 1. (of birds) utters sound. 2. (slang) imprisons. 3. deep vessels for holding liquids. 4. stews; boils.

juice 1. a natural fluid/liquid from an animal or plant. 2. (colloquial) electric power.

jumble 1. a type of sweet-cake. 2. disorder; mix up; confuse. 3. miscellaneous cheap articles at a sale.

jumbles 1. disorders; mixes up; confuses. 2. miscellaneous cheap articles at sales. 3. type of sweet-cakes.

jumper 1. one who jumps. 2. a rope to prevent a mast from moving. 3. a heavy chisel for drilling mast-holes. 4. a loose outer jacket. 5. a bridge for electrical connections.

jumpers

1. bridges for electrical connections. 2. heavy chisels for drilling mast holes. 3. outer loose jackets. 4. those who jump. 5. ropes to prevent a mast from moving.

junk 1. old cable/rubbish/discarded material. 2. (nautical) salt meat. 3. a Chinese sailing vessel. 4. (slang) illicit drugs.

junket 1. a type of sweet. 2. a picnic/trip; an outing.

junkets 1. picnics; outings; trips. 2. type of sweets/desserts.

junks 1. Chinese sailing vessels. 2. discards/throws out old things/material/rubbish.

jury 1. a body of persons chosen to decide/assess. 2. (nautical) makeshift; temporary.

just 1. engage in combat between knights. 2. fair/equitable. 3. exactly.

justified 1. made/proved correct or right. 2. in printing, made lines of equal length on a page.

justifies 1. makes/proves correct or right. 2. in printing, makes lines of equal length on a page.

justify 1. make/prove correct or right. 2. in printing, to make lines of equal length on a page.

justifying 1. making/proving correct or right. 2. in printing, making lines of equal length on a page.

'K' Words 130 k (kay)

kedge

1. the 11th letter of the alphabet. 2. (colloquial) a kilometre.

kabana

'cabana'

a smoked sausage, usually long and thin.

kame

'came'

(Scottish) a low, irregular ridge or bank.

kamote 1. (Phillipines) the sweet potato. 2. (colloquial) a dull student/poor achiever.

kangaroo 1. a large marsupial mammal of Australia, noted for its hopping ability. 2. a court/committee being selective about information.

kangaroos 1. large marsupial mammals of Australia, noted for their hopping ability. 2. (slang) West Australian mining shares.

karet

'carat', 'caret' & 'carrot'

karma 1. fate; destiny. 2. (colloquial) the quality or mood of a person or place.

'cast' & 'caste'

a barren, limestone region.

karsts

'casts' & 'castes'

barren, limestone regions.

kart

'cart' & 'carte'

a small motorized billycart.

kartel

'cartel'

a wooden bed in ox-wagon.

kartels

'cartels'

wooden beds in ox-wagons.

karts

'carts' & 'cartes'

small motorized billycarts.

kat

'cat'

a shrub of the spindle-tree family.

kats

'cats'

shrubs of the spindle-tree family.

kauri

'cowrie'

a large coniferous forest tree.

kava

keel 1. the main, longitudinal structural member of a ship. 2. a fatal disease of domestic ducks. 3. a variety of red ochre, used for marking sheep. 4. (colloquial) collapse suddenly, as in 'keel over'.

keen 1. a wailing funeral song. 2. a sharp edge/point of a blade/knife etc. 3. eager; ardent. 4. highly sensitive; intellectually acute.

keep 1. stand by/observe, as in 'keep watch'. 2. an historical stronghold/castle; guard; retain; hold.

keeper

a measure of gold purity.

karst

1. a small anchor for steadying a ship. 2. brisk; lively. 3. pot-bellied.

'carver'

a Polynesian shrub of the pepper family.

keck 1. retch; vomit; show disgust. 2. a coarse herb, like cow-parsley or hogweed.

1. one who keeps/guards/watches. 2. a soft iron bar placed across magnetic poles of permanent magnet.

keepers 1. those who keep/guard/watch. 2. soft iron bars placed across magnetic poles of permanent magnets.

keeps 1. historical strongholds/castles; guards; retains etc. 2. stands by; observes.

kelly 1. (colloquial) a crow. 2. (colloquial) a prostitute. 3. (colloquial) a ticket-inspector. 4. an axe. 5. the square or hexagonal shaft of a drill.

kelpie 1. a particular breed of Australian sheepdog. 2. (colloquial) a kelpfish.

kelpies 1. a number of Australian sheepdogs of the kelpie breed. 2. (colloquial) many kelpfish.

kelt 1. a salmon that has just spawned. 2. (Scottish) coarse cloth.

kemp 1. coarse, rough wool hairs.

131 2. (archaic) a champion.

kibbles

ken 1. (Scottish) know; recognize. 2. (slang) a disreputable house.

kennel

kennels

kibitzers

1. gutters. 2. shelters for dogs.

'kino'

a gambling game like bingo. 1. (Scottish) a leaping or punting pole. 2. (Scottish) known.

'curb'

an edging to a path/pavement/sidewalk.

kerbs

'curbs'

edgings to a path/pavement/structure.

kernel

'colonel'

the soft/edible part of a nut.

kernels

'colonels'

the soft/edible part of nuts etc.

ket

ketch 1. a small two-masted ship. 2. (obsolete) catch.

'quay' & 'ki'

1. an instrument to lock/unlock. 2. a solution; an explanation. 3. a lever on a piano/organ. 4. an instrument for grasping screws/pegs/nuts etc. 5. a low island/reef.

keys

'quays'

1. instruments to lock/unlock. 2. solutions; explanations. 3. levers on a piano/an organ. 4. instruments for grasping screws/pegs/nuts etc. 5. low islands/reefs.

khan 1. an Eastern inn. 2. an Asian prince/chief.

khud

kickback 1. (colloquial) a vigorous response. 2. (colloquial) money paid for a favour received.

kickbacks 1. (colloquial) vigorous responses. 2. (colloquial) monies paid for favours received.

kickboard

kickboards 1. boards at the lowest points on pieces of furniture. 2. small boards of buoyant material used for support while practicing kicking in swimming.

kicks 1. indentation at the bottom of glass bottles. 2. shows annoyance/dislike. 3. strikes with the foot. 4. (slang) boosts; enjoyments; pleasures.

kid 1. a young animal/child. 2. (slang) hoax; humbug. 3. a small wooden tub.

kids 1. (slang) hoaxes; humbug. 2. small wooden tubs. 3. young animals/children.

kill 'cud'

a pit/hollow/ravine.

ki

1. strike with the foot. 2. show annoyance/dislike. 3. the indentation at the bottom of a glass bottle. 4. (slang) a boost/pleasure; an enjoyment.

1. a board at the lowest point on a piece of furniture. 2. a small board of buoyant material used for support while practicing kicking in swimming.

1. (Scottish) carrion. 2. (Scottish) matted wool.

key

1. (colloquial) spectators who look at players' cards over their shoulders. 2. (Yiddish colloquial) persons who give unwanted advice.

kick

kent

kerb

kibitzer 1. (colloquial) a spectator who looks at players' cards over their shoulders. 2. (Yiddish colloquial) a person who gives unwanted advice.

1. a shelter for dogs. 2. a gutter.

keno

1. grinds coarsely. 2. iron buckets used in mines.

'key' & 'quay'

in Chinese philosophy, the circulating life energy of all things.

kibble 1. an iron bucket used in mines. 2. grind coarsely.

'kiln'

1. put to death; the act of killing. 2. neutralize color by contrast.

killer 1. one who kills. 2. (colloquial) something particularly effective.

killing 1. the act of one who kills. 2. (colloquial) a major success or win.

132 3. (colloquial) exhausting; extremely tiring.

kills

'kilns'

1. neutralizes color by contrast. 2. puts to death; acts of killing.

kiln

'kill'

an oven for baking/drying.

kilns

'kills'

ovens for baking/drying. 1. relatives; relations; of the same family. 2. a Japanese/Chinese weight.

kind

kitty

1. a twisted loop in string/rope. 2. (Scottish) cough loudly.

kinks

kinky 1. full of kinks. 2. (colloquial) eccentric; perverted; mad.

'keno'

a dried gum from an East Indian tree.

'kipp'

1. the hide of small young beast. 2. (slang) sleep; a bed; a lodging house.

'kip'

a generator for hydrogen sulphide or other gas.

kipper 1. a dried fish, usually herring. 2. (colloquial) an Englishman; an Aboriginal youth.

kippers 1. dried fish, usually herrings. 2. (colloquial) Englishmen; Aboriginal youths.

kips 1. (slang) sleeps; beds; lodging houses. 2. hides of young small beasts.

kirn 1. (Scottish) a handful of harvest. 2. North England form of 'churn'.

'kist'

placed one's lips upon a person/thing.

kist

'kissed'

(Scottish) a chest/large wooden box.

kit 1. a wooden tub. 2. personal equipment. 3. a small fiddle.

kite 1. a bird of prey.

1. a pet name for a kitten. 2. a joint fund/pool in a card game.

klatch (klatsch)

1. twisted loops in rope/string. 2. (Scottish) coughs loudly.

kissed

1. many sets of personal equipment. 2. small fiddles. 3. wooden tubs. 1. joint funds/pool monies in a card game. 2. pet names for kittens.

kink

kipp

1. birds of prey. 2. flying toys at the end of a string. 3. highest sails of a ship. 4. rapacious persons

kitties

1. race; a natural group. 2. gentle; friendly.

kip

kites

kits

kin

kino

2. a rapacious person. 3. a flying toy at end of string. 4. the highest sail of a ship.

'clatch'

a casual, social gathering.

klatches (klatsches)

'clatches'

a number of casual, social gatherings.

klick (klik)

'click'

(slang) a kilometer.

klicks (kliks)

'clicks'

(slang) a number of kilometers.

knacker 1. anything that makes a snapping sound. 2. a horse slaughterer.

knackers 1. things that make a snapping sound. 2. those who slaughter horses.

knag

'nag'

a knot in wood; a peg.

knags

'nags'

knots of wood; pegs.

knap

'nap' & 'nappe'

1. a crest of a hill. 2. break with a hammer.

knapped

'napped'

broke with a hammer.

knapping

'napping'

breaking with a hammer.

knaps

'naps'

1. crests of hills. 2. breaks with a hammer.

knarred

'nard' & 'gnarred'

(of trees or wood) knotty.

knave

'nave'

1. an unprincipled man. 2. (of playing cards) the lowest court card of each suit.

133 knaves

'naves'

1. unprincipled men. 2. the lowest court cards of each suit.

knead

'need' & 'kneed'

work/fold/press dough or paste.

kneaded

'needed'

worked dough or paste.

kneading

'needing'

working/folding/pressing dough or paste.

kneads

'needs'

works dough or paste.

kneed

'need' & 'knead' 'neal'

rest on one or both knees, often when praying.

kneeled

'nealed'

rested on one or both knees, often when praying.

kneeling

'nealing'

resting on one or both knees, often when praying.

kneels

'neals'

rests on one or both knees, often when praying.

knew

'gnu' & 'new'

past tense of 'know'.

knicker

'nicker'

a small ball of clay, used as a marble.

knickers

'nickers'

small balls of clay, used as marbles.

knight

'night'

1. (history) a military follower in the Crusades. 2. a piece in the game of chess.

knightly

'nightly'

chivalrous; of noble bearing.

knights

'nights'

1. (history) military followers in a Crusade. 2. pieces in chess.

knit

'nit'

make garments of interlooping threads.

knits

'nits'

weaves wool to make garments.

knob

'nob'

1. a rounded thing/hard swelling on a surface. 2. a workman who works during a strike.

knobble

1. a hinged thing on a door to call attention. 2. a goblin thought to dwell in mines.

knockers 1. goblins held to dwell in mines. 2. hinged things on doors to call attention. 3. (colloquial) a woman's breasts. 1. the act of knocking out e.g. in boxing/martial arts etc. 2. (colloquial) something of great attraction or success.

knocks

knoll 1. a small hill/mound. 2. (archaic) ring a bell.

knolls 1. (archaic) rings bell. 2. small hills/mounds.

knot

'not'

1. entwined ropes/strings. 2. (nautical) the speed of a ship. 3. a hard lump in an animal's body. 4. a small wading bird of the sandpiper type.

knots 1. (nautical) speed of a ship. 2. entwined ropes/strings etc. 3. hard lumps in animal body. 4. small wading birds of sandpiper type.

know

'no' & 'noh'

recognize; identify; understand.

knows

'nose' & 'nos'

recognizes; identifies etc.

knuckle 1. a joint of a finger. 2. an angle between two parts or surfaces of a vessel.

koff

'cob'

an African water-antelope.

'cough' & 'coff'

a small Dutch sailing vessel.

'nobby'

kohl

'nobs'

koi

1. rounded things/hard swellings on a surface.

'nocks'

1. (slang) criticizes. 2. (slang) makes pregnant. 3. innings at cricket. 4. strikes with a hard blow.

'nobbles'

abounding in knobs.

knobs

knocker

kob

small knobs.

knobby

'nock'

1. strike with a hard blow. 2. (slang) criticize. 3. (slang) make pregnant. 4. an innings at cricket.

'nobble'

a small knob.

knobbles

knock

knockout

struck with the knee.

kneel

2. workmen who work during a strike.

'coal' & 'cole'

dark cosmetic eye-shadow.

'coy'

a colorful carp from Japan.

134 kook 1. a weird, odd or strange person. 2. (surfing term) a raw beginner.

kooks 1. weird, odd or strange people. 2. (surfing term) raw beginners.

kop

'cop'

a South African round-topped hill.

kopje

'copy'

a small kop in South Africa.

kraft

'craft'

a strong type of paper.

krafts

'crafts'

strong types of paper.

krater

'crater'

an ancient Greek jar.

kraters

'craters' & 'craturs'

ancient Greek jars.

kris

'crease'

a wavy bladed dagger used by Malays.

kuri 1. an extinct breed of New Zealand dog. 2. any Aborigine.

'L' Words 135 'el' & 'ell'

l

the 12th letter of the alphabet.

la 1. the sixth note on the musical scale. 2. (colloquial) a toilet. 3. (archaic) an exclamation of surprise etc.

label 1. an address sticker used for mail. 2. a descriptive name for a person/group/thing. 3. (architecture) a moulding over a door/window. 1. address stickers used for mail. 2. descriptive names for people/groups/things. 3. (architecture) mouldings over doors/windows.

'lack'

1. a substance secreted by the lac insect. 2. (Anglo-Indian) a hundred thousand.

lache

'latch'

(legal) negligence in the performance of a duty.

laches

'latches'

(legal) acts of negligence in performance of a duty.

lacing

'lac'

a deficiency or absence of something wanted.

lacks

'lax'

misses; detracts from.

lacunae 1. pits or cavities. 2. gaps or breaks in manuscripts.

'laid'

load/put on board.

lag 1. too slow; fall behind. 2. (slang) send to prison; arrest. 3. a non-conducting cover of a boiler.

lager 1. a light German beer. 2. a South African fort/encampment/wagon circle. 1. light German beers.

'lade'

stretched out; prostrated.

lain

'lane'

past participle of 'lay'. 1. an animal den/cave. 2. (Scottish) a mire/bog.

lairs 1. animal dens/caves. 2. (Scottish) mires; bogs.

lake 1. a large land-locked area of water. 2. a pigment from dye and mordant.

lakes 1. large land-locked areas of water. 2. pigments from dye and mordant. 1. like a lake. 2. of the colour of a lake pigment.

lam

'lamb'

1. beat/thrash. 2. (slang) run away; in hiding.

lama

'llama'

a Buddhist monk.

'llamas'

Buddhist monks.

1. a pit or cavity. 2. a gap or break in a manuscript.

lagers

laid

lamas

lacuna

lade

1. (slang) sends to prison; arrests. 2. non-conducting covers of boilers. 3. is too slow; falls behind.

laky

1. laces used for fastening/trimming on a uniform. 2. a small addition of alcohol to coffee or similar. 3. a beating/lashing.

lack

lags

lair

labels

lac

2. South African forts/encampments/wagon circles.

lamb

'lam'

a new born sheep.

lambs

'lams'

many new born sheep.

lame 1. disabled; hobbling. 2. a thin metal plate, as in armor.

lamina

'laminar'

a thin plate/layer/scale.

laminar

'lamina'

arranged in laminae.

lampas 1. a horse disease in the mouth. 2. a kind of flowered silk.

lams 1. beats; thrashes.

'lambs'

136 2. runs away; goes into hiding.

lance 1. a pointed weapon with a long shaft; penetrate or cut. 2. fling; launch; throw.

lancer 1. a soldier of the cavalry. 2. a kind of quadrille (a four-handed card game).

lancers

lances

'laps'

a slip of memory; a slight mistake; careless talk.

lar 1. an ancient Roman deity. 2. the white-handed gibbon.

lard

lark

1. flings; launches; throws. 2. pointed weapons with a long pole; penetrates or cuts.

lancet 1. a surgical instrument. 2. a narrow window with a pointed head.

lancets 1. narrow windows with pointed heads. 2. surgical instruments.

lancing

1. a small singing bird. 2. an amusing time/spree.

larks 1. small singing birds. 2. amusing times/sprees.

laser

'lazar'

1. the juice of laserwort. 2. a coherent beam of light.

lash 1. hit/strike with a whip. 2. move the tail quickly. 3. fasten with a rope/cord. 4. a hair growing on an eye lid

1. using a lance. 2. flinging; throwing etc.

landslide 1. a movement of rock/soil etc, down a steep slope. 2. an overwhelming victory, as in an election.

landslides 1. movements of rock/soil etc, down steep slopes. 2. overwhelming victories, as in elections.

'lain'

a narrow causeway/street.

lantern 1. a light with a protective transparent/translucent casing. 2. (architecture) an open contruction at the top of a tower/dome etc.

lanterns 1. lights with protective transparent/translucent casings. 2. (architecture) open contructions at the tops of towers/domes etc.

lap

lasher 1. one who whips/beats. 2. a weir/pool below a weir.

lashes 1. whips. 2. fastens. 3. hairs on an eye lid. 4. tail movements.

lashings 1. whippings. 2. (slang) plenty (of something). 3. fastenings.

last 1. a shoemaker's tool. 2. a commercial measure of weight. 3. the final; coming at the end. 4. continue; adequate; alive.

latch

'lache'

a door/gate fastener.

1. a flap/hanging part of a garment. 2. coil; fold; wrap; enfold etc. 3. one circuit of a race-track. 4. a rotating disc for polishing. 5. scoop up liquid with the tongue. 6. the sound of wavelets on a beach.

laps

lapse

1. rendered pig fat. 2. (slang) use metaphors/foreign words in talk etc.

1. kind of quadrilles. 2. soldiers of the cavalry.

lane

5. scoops up liquid with the tongue. 6. the sound of wavelets on a beach.

'lapse'

1. flaps on garments etc. 2. coils; folds; wraps etc. 3. circuits on a race-track. 4. rotating discs for polishing.

latches

'laches'

door/gate fasteners.

latchet 1. a lace or strap fastener for a shoe. 2. the red gunard fish of South Australia.

lathe 1. an administrative district of Kent. 2. a machine for turning metal/wood.

lather 1. a froth.

137 2. beat; thrash.

lays

lathered 1. beat; thrashed. 2. frothed.

lazar

lathering

laze lea

1. beats; thrashes. 2. froths. 1. breadth; scope; freedom. 2. (geography) the angular distance on the meridian.

'lord' 'lords'

'leech'

percolate through.

leaches

'leeches'

percolates through.

'led'

a heavy soft metal.

leaden

praises; extols.

launch 1. an open or half-decked boat. 2. start; set forth; throw or hurl.

1. made of lead. 2. sluggish; dull; spiritless.

leader

'lieder'

the person in charge; one who leads.

launches 1. open or half-decked boats. 2. starts; sets forth; throws or hurls.

leaders

1. small evergreen trees. 2. achievements; honors; awards.

laver 1. a type of marine algae. 2. (biblical) a large brazen container for ablutions.

law 1. a body of enacted rules. 2. expressing astonishment. 3. (Scottish) a conical hill. 4. (Scottish) low; depressed; not tall.

'lorn'

1. a type of fine linen. 2. a grass-covered land/area.

'lacks'

1. loose; relaxed; porous. 2. a Swedish/Norwegian salmon.

'lei' & 'ley'

1. a short poem. 2. non-clerical. 3. prostrate; lie down etc.

layer 1. one who lies down. 2. the thickness of matter/stratum. 3. (slang) a hen that produces many eggs.

layers 1. (slang) hens that produce many eggs. 2. those who lie down. 3. thicknesses of matter/strata.

'lieders'

persons in charge; those who lead.

leaf

laurels

lay

leach

lead

praise; extol.

lax

'lee' & 'li'

1. a tract of open ground. 2. a measure of yarn.

latitude

lawn

'lays', 'leis' & 'leys'

relax; be inactive/idle.

lathers

lauds

'laser'

a leper/diseased person.

1. beating; thrashing. 2. frothing.

laud

'laze', 'leis' & 'leys'

1. lies down. 2. many short poems.

'lief'

a green organ of a plant.

leaflet 1. a small or young leaf. 2. a folded sheet of printed matter for advertising/distribution.

leaflets 1. small or young leaves. 2. folded sheets of printed matter for advertising/distribution.

league 1. a measure of road distance. 2. a compact for mutual protection.

leagues 1. compacts for mutual protection. 2. measures of road distance.

leak

'leek'

a hole through which fluid escapes.

leaks

'leeks'

holes through which fluid escapes.

lean

'lien'

1. thin; meager; poor quality. 2. incline; out of perpendicular.

leant

'lent'

past tense and past participle of 'lean'.

lear

'leer'

(archaic) teach.

lears (archaic) teaches.

'leers'

138 leary

leech

1. (colloquial) flashy; exhibitionist. 2. doubtful; sly; suspicious.

leas

'lees', 'lis' & 'lease'

1. many measures of yarn. 2. many tracts of open ground.

lease

'lees', 'leas' & 'lis'

1. (Spenser and Shakespeare) to lose. 1. a contract for letting house/farm/building etc. 2. place/mode of separating warp threads at the ends. 2. to glean. 3. a pasture.

leased

'least'

rented; hired.

leases 1. contracts for letting houses/farms/buildings etc. 3. places/modes of separating warp threads at the ends

least

'leased'

leat

'leet'

a conduit for a waterwheel.

leats

'leets'

conduits for waterwheels. 1. permission to do something; depart; exit. 2. to grow leaves; to begin to leaf.

'lever'

a merchant ship that leaves the main convoy.

leavers

'levers'

merchant ships that leave the main convoy.

leaves 1. departs; goes; embarks. 2. the plural of 'leaf'.

lector 1. a reader or lecturer. 2. (Roman Catholic church) a member of a minor order.

lectors 1. readers or lecturers. 2. (Romna Catholic church) members of a minor order.

led

'lead'

past tense and past participle of 'lead'.

ledge 1. a narrow ridge/edge/reef etc. 2. (colloquial) a highly approved person.

ledges 1. narrow ridges/edges/reefs etc 2. (colloquial) highly approved people

lee

'leaches'

1. (archaic) physicians/healers. 2. bloodsucking worms. 3. the perpendicular/sloping sides of sails.

leek

'leak'

an herb like the onion.

leeks

'leaks'

an herb like onions.

leer

'lear'

1. a sly/malign expression or glance. 2. a furnace for making glass.

leers

'lears'

1. sly/malign expressions or glances. 2. furnaces for glass.

lees

'leas', 'lis' & 'lease'

dregs from a wine cask.

'leat'

1. (history) a court of records. 2. a selected list of candidates.

leets

'leats'

1. (history) courts of records. 2. selected lists of candidates.

leave

leaver

leeches

leet

lowest; smallest.

'leach'

1. (archaic) a physician/healer. 2. a bloodsucking worm. 3. the perpendicular/sloping side of a sail.

'lea' & 'li'

the sheltered side of something.

leeway 1. (nautical) a lateral shift of a boat to leeward. 2. extra time; money; space etc.

left 1. the opposite of 'right'. 2. a remainder. 3. a political radical. 4. departed; gone.

legless 1. without legs. 2. (colloquial) so drunk as unable to stand.

lei

'lay'

a garland of flowers.

leis

'lays', 'laze' & 'leys'

many garlands of flowers in Hawaii.

lemma 1. an argument; a theme/subject. 2. a bract in a grass spikelet.

lemmas (lemmata) 1. arguments; themes; subjects. 2. bracts in grass spikelets.

lemon 1. a yellow acidic fruit. 2. (slang) a bad example of something. 3. a kind of plaice.

lemons 1. (slang) bad examples of something e.g. used cars.

139 2. kinds of plaice. 3. yellow acidic fruits.

lends

levies 'lens'

grants the use of something e.g. money/auto/tool etc.

lens

'lends'

a concave or covex glass, used for observation/magnifying.

lent

'leant'

past tense and past participle of 'lend'.

lepton

leptons 1. ancient and modern Greek coins. 2. (physics) elementary particles.

'lesson'

reduce; diminish.

lessens

'lessons'

reduces; diminishes.

lesson

'lessen'

a guide/period of study; an example.

lessons

'lessens'

periods of study; examples; guides.

let 1. (archaic) a hindrance/stoppage; an obstruction. 2. allow; grant. 3. rent out a flat/an apartment.

lets 1. (archaic) hindrances; stoppages; obstructions. 2. allows; grants. 3. rents out flat/apartment.

lettuce 1. a green salad plant with large leaves. 2. (colloquial) paper money.

levanter 1. a camp break-up. 2. a strong Mediterranean east wind.

levanters 1. camp break-ups. 2. strong Mediterranean east winds.

levee

'levy'

an embankment.

levees

'levies'

embankments. 1. even; equal; on a horizntal plane. 2. (colloquial) honest; sincere; trustworthy.

'leaver'

a rigid bar, turning about a fixed point.

levers

'levee'

a tax; an assessment.

ley

'lay' & 'lei'

land temporarily under grass.

leys

'lays', 'laze' & 'leis'

many tracts of land under grass.

li liar

'lea' & 'lee'

'leavers'

rigid bars, turning about fixed points.

'lyre'

one who tells lies.

liars

'lyres'

those who tell lies.

lich 1. (Spenser) a form of 'like'. 2. (obsolete) a body, living or dead.

lichen

'liken'

a kind of cellular plant.

lichens

'likens'

kinds of cellular plants.

lick 1. moisten/clean with the tongue. 2. (slang) thrash; beat. 3. (slang) pace; speed. 4. (slang) surpass; overcome.

licker

'liquor'

a person/thing that licks.

lickerish

'licorice'

greedy; lascivious; lecherous.

licking 1. present, future and past participle of 'lick'. 2. (colloquial) a beating/thrashing.

licks 1. (slang) paces; speeds. 2. (slang) surpasses; overcomes. 3. (slang) thrashes; beats. 4. moistens/cleans with the tongue.

licorice

'lickerish'

a black extract from a type of dried root.

lie

'lye'

1. a deliberate false statement. 2. a horizontal position on a bed/the ground etc.

lieder

'leader'

a German lyric song.

lieders

level

lever

levy

the Chinese mile.

1. an ancient and modern Greek coin. 2. (physics) one of a group of elementary particles.

lessen

'levees'

taxes; assessments.

'leaders'

German lyric songs.

lief

'leaf'

gladly; willingly.

lien

'lean'

a claim on property.

lies

'lyes'

140 1. deliberate false statements. 2. assumes a horizontal positions on a bed/ground etc.

lieu

'loo' & 'loup'

a replacement; in place of.

lift 1. raise; hoist; dig up etc. 2. (colloquial) steal; plagiarize. 3. (colloquial) the control, by a sheepdog, over a flock of sheep.

lifter 1. (cricket) a ball that rises quickly after bouncing. 2. a weightlifter.

ligature 1. anything that serves for binding or tying up. 2. (printing) a character or type combining two or more letters.

light 1. an illumination. 2. not heavy; a small weight. 3. wanton; unchaste. 4. nimble; speedy; quick moving. 5. fickle.

lighten

lighter 1. a flat-bottomed boat. 2. a comparison of weight. 3. brighter; more light available. 4. a thing to start a fire.

lightness 1. a state of whiteness/illumination/pale color. 2. a state of relative low weight/pressure etc. 3. nimble; graceful; cheerful.

lightsome 1. buoyant; agile; nimble; airy. 2. luminous; well illuminated.

lightsomeness 1. buoyancy; agility; nimbleness; airiness. 2. luminosity; a degree of illumination.

lily 1. any plant of the genus Lilium. 2. a derogatory term for a male homosexual.

limb

'limn'

1. a leg/arm/wing. 2. the edge of a surface.

limbed

'limned'

1. legged/armed/winged. 2. an edged surface.

limber 1. the detachable front of a gun-carriage. 2. a hole cut in the floor for draining. 3. flexible; nimble; fit.

limbo 1. a place where people are forgotten or cast aside. 2. a type of dance popular in the 1960s.

limbs

'limns'

1. many edges of a surface. 2. legs; arms; wings etc. 1. a sticky substance from holly-bark. 2. calcium oxide. 3. smear. 4. a small acidic fruit.

limey

'limy'

(slang) a term for an English/a British person.

limn

'limb'

draw/paint in water-colors.

limned

'limbed'

drew/painted in water-colors.

limns

'limbs'

draws/paints in water-colors.

limp 1. walk lamely. 2. flexible; not stiff.

limy

'limey'

of, containing, or like lime.

like 1. similar to; having resemblance to. 2. regard with favor; have kind feelings for.

'lichen'

compare; assess.

likens

1. (Spenser) to loll the tongue. 2. (Scottish) a finger-hole of a wind instrument.

lime

1. reduce a load/weight/stress. 2. increase the brightness; grow bright.

liken

lill

'lichens'

compares; assesses.

likes 1. similarities to; having resemblances to. 2. regards with favor; has kind feelings for.

lilies 1. plants of the genus Lilium. 2. a derogatory term for male homosexuals.

line 1. mark; draw etc. 2. a layer of material inside a garment. 3. copulate with (of canine bitch).

liner 1. a ship/steamer. 2. an inside layer; a sleeve.

liners 1. inside layers/sleeves. 2. ships; steamers.

lines 1. copulates with (a canine bitch). 2. layers of material inside a garment.

141 3. marks; draws etc.

liver

ling

1. a specific organ in the body. 2. one who lives in specific way.

1. a slender sea-fish. 2. a kind of heather.

livers

link 1. a ring/hoop of metal/wood etc. 2. an early torch of tow and pitch.

links

'lynx'

1. the ground on which golf is played. 2. many hoops/rings etc. 3. early torches of tow and pitch.

lip

'licker'

alcoholic spirits.

lis

'leas', 'lees' & 'lease'

many Chinese miles. 1. the edge of cloth. 2. a scene of a contest/challenge. 3. a roll of names/things. 4. (archaic) be pleasing to. 5. lean/shift to one side. 6. (archaic) listen to.

lists 1. (archaic) is pleasing to. 2. (archaic) listens to. 3. edges of cloth. 4. leans/shifts to one side. 5. rolls of names/things. 6. scenes of contests/challenges.

'littoral'

of/pertaining to letters/the alphabet.

literals

'littorals'

of/pertaining to letters/alphabets.

lithe

living 1. the state of being alive. 2. a livelihood/job/career. 1. a reptile of the order Lacertilia. 2. (colloquial) an idler or lounger at various social settings.

lizards 1. reptiles of the order Lacertilia. 2. (colloquial) idlers or loungers at various social settings.

llama

'lama'

a South American quadruped related to the camel.

llamas

'lamas'

South American quadrupeds related to the camel.

lo

'low'

see; behold; look.

load

'lode' & 'lowed'

1. put things on board; insert. 2. add weight; oppress.

'lodes'

1. adds weight; oppresses. 2. puts things on board; inserts

lither 1. (obsolete) bad; lazy; indolent. 2. (Shakespeare) soft; yielding.

litter 1. a couch/framework. 2. rubbish etc. lying about. 3. the new born (of cats/dogs etc.).

litters 1. couches; frameworks. 2. many new born (of cats/dogs etc.). 3. leaves rubbish/garbage lying about.

'literal'

the region of the shore of a lake, sea or ocean.

littorals

1. a discolored bluish appearance from the congestion of blood. 2. angry; infuriated; enraged.

loads

1. supple; limber. 2. (obsolete) listen.

littoral

1. food/clothing served to retainers. 2. a legal delivery of property. 3. with the color/consistency of liver. 4. (of soil) tenacious.

lizard

list

literal

livery

livid

1. that part of the fleshy edges of the mouth. 2. (colloquial) cheeky or impudent talk.

liquor

1. those who live in a specific way. 2. specific type of body organs.

'literals'

the region of the shores of a lake, sea or ocean.

loaf 1. a slab of bread. 2. (slang) the head. 3. be idle/lazy.

loafer 1. one who does no work; a layabout. 2. a casual shoe.

loafers 1. those who do no work; layabouts. 2. casual shoes.

loan

'lone'

1. money lent. 2. an open place where cows are milked.

lob 1. walk/run/move heavily.

142 2. a ball bowled underhand at cricket.

lobbies 1. entrances; corridors; porches. 2. influences (usually politicians).

lobby 1. an entrance; a corridor/porch. 2. influence somebody with favors (usually politicians). 1. the lower part of the external ear. 2. (electronics) a part of a radiated energy wave.

lobes 1. the lower part of external ears. 2. (electronics) parts of radiated energy waves.

lobs 1. balls bowled underhand at cricket. 2. walks/runs/moves heavily.

'lock'

a lake in Scotland.

lochs

'locks' & 'lox'

many lakes in Scotland.

lock

'loch'

1. a portion of hair. 2. fasten a door/window etc. 3. a mechanism for firing a gun. 4. a point on a river where levels can change. 5. the extent of steering capability on an automobile/a truck etc.

locker 1. one who fastens doors/windows etc. 2. a small cupboard for storage.

lockers 1. those who fasten doors/windows etc. 2. small cupboards for storage.

locks

'lochs' & 'lox'

1. fastens a door/window. 2. mechanisms for firing guns. 3. many points on rivers where levels change. 4. many portions of hair.

loco 1. a weed/locoweed. 2. (slang) crazy; insane. 3. a locomotive.

'load' & 'lowed'

1. a watercourse/vein of metal. 2. a guiding principle; an object of pursuit.

'loads'

1. guiding principles; objects of pursuit. 2. watercourses; veins of metal.

loft 1. an attic. 2. a flock of pigeons.

1. a large piece of tree/wood. 2. a float for measuring a ship's speed. 3. any book/diary used for entering information.

logged 1. cut down/removed trees/wood from an area. 2. entered information into any book/diary.

logging 1. cutting down/removing trees/wood from an area. 2. entering information into any book/diary.

logs 1. books/diaries used for entering information. 2. floats for measuring ships' speeds. 3. large pieces of trees/wood.

lollipop 1. a boiled sweet or toffee. 2. any superficially enjoyable item, usually in music and film.

lollipops 1. boiled sweets or toffees. 2. superficially enjoyable items, usually in music and film.

lolly 1. any boiled sweet or toffee. 2. (cricket) an easy catch. 3. (colloquial) the head. 4. (colloquial) money.

lone

'loan'

solitary; lonely; uninhabited.

long 1. extended; not short. 2. yearn/wish fervently.

'lieu' & 'loup'

1. a card game. 2. a Scot's form of 'love'. 3. (colloquial) the toilet/lavatory.

1. a type of grasshopper/cicada. 2. the locust tree; the wood of that tree.

lodes

1. attics. 2. flocks of pigeons. 3. galleries in a church. 4. hits/throws ball high up.

loo

locust

lode

lofts

log

lobe

loch

3. a gallery in a church. 4. (of golf) a backward slope in a club-head. 5. hit/throw ball high up.

loof 1. the windward side of a ship. 2. (Scottish) the palm of the hand.

loom 1. a weaving machine. 2. appear vague/indistinct. 3. a kind of guillemot and diver.

looms 1. appears vague/indistinct. 2. kinds of guillemot and diver. 3. weaving machines.

143 loon

'lune'

1. (archaic) a scamp/boor; an idle person. 2. a water-bird/grebe.

loons

'lunes'

1. (archaic) scamps; boors; idle persons. 2. water-birds; grebes.

loop 1. a folding or doubling of cord/rope etc. 2. (archaic) a small or narrow opening in a wall.

loopy 1. full of loops. 2. (colloquial) slightly mad or crazy.

loos

'lose'

1. forfeits a game of loo. 2. (colloquial) toilets; lavatories.

loose

'luce'

not fitting well; not firmly fixed.

loot

'lute' 'luting'

spoiling; plundering; robbing. 1. cut off branches etc. 2. hang limply; slouch; dawdle. 3. (of water) break in short waves.

loppy 1. limp. 2. a roustabout/leatherneck.

lops 1. (of water) breaks in short waves. 2. cuts off branches etc. 3. hangs limply; slouches; dawdles.

'lore'

(colloquial) lord.

lord

'laud' 'lauds'

masters; rulers; chiefs.

lore

'lor'

1. a body of tradition/doctrine. 2. the area between the eye and nostril (snakes/birds).

lories

'lorries'

bright colored parrots of Australia/New Guinea.

lorn

'lawn'

(archaic) forsaken; desolate; wretched.

lorries

'lories'

many trucks.

lorry

'lory'

a truck.

lory

'lorry'

a bright colored parrot of Australia/New Guinea.

lose

lots 1. allotments of land. 2. choices; results. 3. taxes; dues. 4. (slang) much/many of anything, often of money.

loup

'loo' & 'lieu'

a cloth mask covering only half of the face.

loure

'lure'

an old style dance.

loures

'lures'

old style dances. 1. a bumpkin/clown/foolish person. 2. (archaic) bow; make obeisance. 1. (archaic) bows; makes obeisance. 2. bumpkins; clowns; foolish persons.

low

'lo'

1. not high or tall. 2. ill-nourished; lacking vigor. 3. utter cry of the cow. 4. (archaic) a hill. 5. (Scottish) a flame.

lowed

'load' & 'lode'

the act of a cow mooing.

lower 1. to reduce/lessen/descend etc. 2. to frown/scowl/be threatening.

lows

a master/ruler/chief.

lords

1. a choice/result. 2. a tax/dues. 3. an allotment of land. 4. (slang) much/many (of anything, often money).

louts

lop

lor

lot

lout

booty; stolen goods etc.

looting

misplace something; not win a game/prize etc.

'loos'

1. (archaic) hills. 2. (Scottish) flames. 3. cries/moos of cows.

lox

'locks' & 'lochs'

salmon jerky.

luce

'loose'

(zoology) an adult pike fish.

lucerne

'lusern'

alfalfa; clover.

lucky 1. fortunate; having good luck. 2. (Scottish) an elderly woman. 3. (slang) a quick departure.

lug 1. a large marine worm; (slang) a big person. 2. drag/tug heavy object. 3. the ear.

144 4. a projection from a casting for fixing it in place.

lugger 1. a vessel with lugsails. 2. (colloquial) a person who indulges in long monologues.

luggers 1. vessels with lugsails. 2. (colloquial) persons who indulge in long monologues.

lugs 1. drags/tugs heavy object. 2. ears. 3. large marine worms; (slang) big persons. 4. projections from a casting for fixing in place.

lumbar

'lumber'

a vein/an artery etc. of the loin.

lumber

'lumbar'

1. move in a clumsy fashion. 2. disused articles of furniture. 3. roughly prepared timber. 4. obstruct/heap together.

lumbering 1. the trade or business of timber cutting/preparation. 2. moving awkwardly along.

lump 1. a compact mass of something. 2. a heavy dull person. 3. a type of fish. 4. put up with; be displeased with.

lumper 1. an unemployed laborer. 2. a militiaman. 3. the opposite of 'hair-splitter'.

lumpers 1. militiamen. 2. the opposite of 'hair-splitters'. 3. unemployed laborers. 1. type of fishes. 2. compact masses of something. 3. heavy dull persons.

'loon'

a figure formed by two intersecting arcs.

lunes

'loons'

figures formed by intersecting arcs.

lunge 1. thrust with a sword etc. 2. a long rope used in horse breaking.

lunges 1. long ropes used in horse breaking. 2. thrusts with a sword etc.

lurch 1. a sudden lean.

lurcher 1. a spy/swindler etc. 2. a cross-bred dog (collie and sheep-dog). 3. (obsolete) a glutton.

lurchers 1. cross-bred dogs (e.g. a collie and sheep-dog). 2. spies; swindlers etc. 3. (obsolete) gluttons.

lure

'loure'

entice; decoy; recall.

lures

'loures'

entices; decoys; recalls.

lusern (lucern)

'lucerne'

a term for the lynx; a type of hunting dog.

lush 1. succulent; luxuriant. 2. a drunk person; liquor, in general.

luster (lustre) 1. gloss; brilliance; brightness. 2. a type of thin dress material. 3. (Roman antiquity) a period of five years.

lute

'loot'

1. a guitar like instrument. 2. clay/cement used to stop up a hole.

luting

'looting'

any viscous substance e.g. cement, used for filling joints.

lye

'lie'

any strong alkaline solution.

lyes

'lies'

strong alkaline solutions.

lying 1. the telling of lies. 2. resting in a horizontal position, on a bed etc.

lynx

'links'

the North American wild cat.

lyre

lumps

lune

2. desert someone in difficulty.

'liar'

an obsolete type of harp.

lyres an obsolete type of harps.

'liars'

'M' Words 145 macaroni

maggots

1. wheaten formed into long strings/tubes. 2. an 18th-century fop affecting continental tastes.

macaw

1. a bird with black and white plumage. 2. a rifle shot that hits the outer part of a target. 3. (colloquial) a South Australian.

mace

magpies

1. a spiked club/weapon. 2. a kind of spice.

'macle'

a blurred ink impression, in printing.

'mackle'

a twinned crystal; a dark spot in some minerals.

macro

mad 1. insane. 2. (colloquial) infatuated; wild with desire. 3. (colloquial) angry. 4. (colloquial) very good; excellent.

madder 1. more angry/frantic/stupid/insane etc. 2. a plant whose root produces a red dye.

'maid'

mags 1. (slang) half-pennies. 2. chatters; teases. 1. (Aboriginal English) food. 2. a coniferous tree of New Zealand.

maid

'made'

a girl/young unmarried woman/female servant.

maiden 1. a girl/spinster. 2. untried; initial.

mail

'male'

1. chain-link armor. 2. a letter/bag of letters.

mailed 1. cloaked with chain mail defensive armor. 2. sent/posted a letter/parcel and such like.

past tense of 'make'.

madge

mails

1. a leaden hammer. 2. a barn owl; a magpie.

'males'

sends letter.

main

madges

'mane'

1. a cockfighting match/game of hazard. 2. strength; might. 3. (poetry) the high sea. 4. principal; largest; most. 5. a banker's shovel. 6. (Shakespeare) lame; maim.

1. leaden hammers. 2. barn owls; magpies.

mag 1. (slang) a half-penny. 2. chatter; tease.

magazine 1. a store for arms/ordnance. 2. a periodical publication.

magazines 1. periodical publications. 2. stores for arms/ordnance.

maggot

1. birds with black and white plumage. 2. rifle shots that hit the outer part of the target. 3. (colloquial) South Australians.

mai

1. relating to macro-economics. 2. a computer command that starts another set of commands.

made

'maggots'

Barbary apes.

1. kind of palm trees. 2. kind of parrots.

macle

'maggot'

a Barbary ape.

magpie

macaws

mackle

legless grubs of insects, especially the fly.

magot magots

1. a kind of parrot. 2. a kind of palm tree.

'magots'

'magot'

a legless grub of insects, especially the fly.

mains

'manes'

1. cockfighting matches/games of hazard. 2. (poetry) the high seas. 3. banker's shovels. 4. (Shakespeare) lames/maims. 5. (Scottish) a home farm.

maize Indian corn.

'maze' & 'mase'

146 major

manifold

1. (military) an officer rank. 2. greater; larger; most. 3. a person of full age.

manikin

maker 1. anyone who makes something. 2. (archaic) a poet.

male

'mail' 'mails'

many of masculine gender.

malignant 1. very virulent/infectious. 2. a supporter of Charles I against the parliament.

mall

'maul'

mallet 1. a hammer-like tool. 2. a type of Eucalyptus tree, mostly in Western Australia.

'mannequin' & 'manikin'

a small tropical American bird.

manakins

'mannequins' & 'manikins'

small tropical American birds. 1. a Chinese official. 2. a party leader who lags behind the times. 3. a nodding toy figure in Chinese attire. 4. a small flattish orange fruit. 5. a liqueur.

mandarins 1. liqueurs. 2. Chinese officials. 3. nodding toy figures in Chinese attire. 4. party leaders who lag behind the times. 5. small flattish orange fruits.

'mandrill'

1. (in a lathe) the axis of work. 2. a miner's pick.

mandrill

'mandril'

a large/ferocious baboon.

mandrills

many long hairs.

manifest 1. a list of cargo. 2. clear; patent; obvious.

a bracelet once used as currency in Africa. 1. a subdivision of a Roman legion. 2. a Eucharistic vestment. 1. Eucharistic vestments. 2. subdivisions of ancient Roman legions.

manna 1. divine or spiritual food. 2. an exudate of insects living in Eucalyptus trees.

mannequin

'mains'

'manikins' & 'manakins'

persons employed to wear/show off costumes.

manner

'manor'

an attitude/appearance; a way of behaving.

manners

'manors'

attitudes; appearances; ways of behaving.

manor

'manner'

a territorial unit/land/mansion.

manors

'manners'

territorial units/lands/mansions.

mantel

'mantle'

the shelf above a fireplace etc.

mantels

'mantles'

shelves above fireplaces etc.

mantle

'mantel'

a covering; an outer fold.

manual

'main'

'manakin' & 'manikin'

a person employed to wear/show off costumes.

'mandrills'

long hair.

manes

'manila'

maniple

mantles

1. (in lathes) the axes of work. 2. miners' picks.

mane

manilla

'mandrils'

large ferocious baboons.

mandrils

'manilla'

relating to paper/files/folders etc made from manila.

mannequins

mandarin

mandril

'mannequins' & 'manakin

anatomical models; little men; dwarfs.

maniples

a sheltered walkway.

manakin

'manakin' & 'mannequin'

an anatomical model/little man/dwarf.

manikins manila

the masculine gender.

males

1. having various forms. 2. (mechanics) a pipe/chamber with many openings.

'mantels'

coverings; outer folds. 1. of/done with the hands. 2. a book of instructions/procedures.

manzanilla 1. a dry Spanish sherry. 2. a kind of small green olive.

maqui

'maquis'

a Chinese evergreen shrub.

maquis

'maqui'

the French guerrilla bands of 1940-1945.

147 marbling 1. coloring like variegated marble; (bookbinding) a marble-like decoration on books. 2. (meat industry) a streaked distribution of fat in meat tissue.

marc

'mark' & 'marque'

coarse brandy.

marline

1. one who marches. 2. an officer or lord with jurisdiction over border territory.

marchers 1. those who march. 2. officers or lords with jurisdiction over border territory.

'mayor'

1.a female of the equine animal. 2. (obsolete) the evil spirit that causes bad dreams.

'mayors'

females of the equine animal.

'marc' & 'marque'

1. the target/object aimed at. 2. (of boxing) the pit of the stomach. 3. a unit of numerical award. 4. the line serving to indicate a position. 5. a stain/scar. 6. (history) a tract of land. 7. (slang) a person easily fooled. 8. see; notice. 9. a unit of money/unit of weight for gold/silver.

marked 1. conspicuous; noticeable. 2. (linguistics) an abnormal phoneme or syntax. 3. watched; observed. 4. having marks.

marker

'markhor' & 'markka'

1. one who writes/scores etc. 2. a flare used to guide bombers during an airraid.

markers 1. flares used to guide bombers during air-raids. 2. those who write/score.

markhor

'marker' & 'markka'

a large Himalayan goat.

markka

'marker' & 'markhor'

the monetary unit of Finland.

marks

'marline' 'marlin'

a two-stranded rope, often tarred, used for lashing.

marcher

mark

1. a limey clay. 2. bind/tie up with marline. 3. like marble; mottled. a genus of big-game fish.

1. a boundary/frontier. 2. a long toilsome walk.

mares

marl

marlin

march

mare

6. (slang) persons easily fooled. 7. sees; notices.

'marques'

1. targets/objects aimed at. 2. units of numerical award. 3. lines serving to indicate positions. 4. stains; scars. 5. (history) tracts of land.

maroon 1. brownish-crimson. 2. a firework exploding loudly. 3. leave a person/thing stranded, usually on an island.

marque

'mark' & 'marc'

a privateer; a license to be a privateer.

marquee

'marquis'

a large tent.

marques

'marks'

privateers; licenses to be privateers.

marquis

'marquee'

a kind of noble between earl and duke.

marquise 1. a finger ring. 2. (archaic) a tent. 3. a marchioness.

marri

'marry'

a Eucalyptus tree of Western Australia.

marron 1. a chestnut, often used in cooking. 2. an Australian freshwater crayfish.

marrow 1. the fatty substance in bones. 2. a mate/consort/match. 3. a type of vegetable, like pumpkin.

marry

'marri'

1. join in wedlock. 2. (archaic) an expression of surprise/indignation.

marshal

'martial'

1. a legal/peace officer. 2. arrange in due order/combine.

mart 1. a place of trade. 2. a fattened cow, killed and salted, for winter use.

marten

'martin'

a weasel like animal.

martens

'martins'

weasel like animals.

martial of/pertaining to army/war.

'marshal'

148 martin

'marten'

a bird of the swallow family.

martingale 1. the strap from nose to girth on a horse. 2. gambling by doubling. 3. (nautical) the lower stay for a jib boom.

martins

'martens'

birds of the swallow family.

marts 1. places of trade. 2. fattened cows, killed and salted, for winter use.

mase

'maize' & 'maze'

amplify/create microwaves.

maser

'mazer'

a class of light amplifier.

masers

'mazers'

1. a mixture/soft pulp. 2. excite interest in (the opposite sex).

masher 1. one who mashes/pulps. 2. (slang) a fop posing as a lady-killer

'masque'

cover; hinder; disguise.

masks

'masques'

covers/hinders/disguises.

masque

'mask'

an amateur entertainment.

masques

'masks'

amateur entertainments.

mass 1. a Catholic/Anglican church service. 2. a coherent body of matter.

masses 1. Catholic/Anglican church services. 2. coherent bodies of matter.

mast 1. a long pole. 2. the fruit of beech/oak trees.

mastic

matches 1. contests of skill. 2. small lengths of wood used as fire starters.

matchmaker 1. one who arranges matrimonial matches. 2. one who makes matches for lighting fires etc.

matchmakers 1. those who arrange matrimonial matches. 2. those who make matches for lighting fires etc.

mate 1. a companion/friend etc. 2. (nautical) an officer on a ship. 3. Paraguay tea.

mates

matrimony 1. the rite of marriage. 2. a card game.

matte

'mat'

a byproduct from smelting sulphide ores.

matter 1. the substance of which a thing is made. 2. a complaint/regret; an occasion.

matting 1. a dull surface or finish in gilding/glassmaking. 2. a woven material used as floor covering.

maul

'mall'

1. a kind of special hammer. 2. beat; handle roughly; bruise etc.

maund 1. (Shakespeare) a basket. 2. a measure of weight in India. 3. (obsolete slang) beg.

maw 1. the stomach/innards of lower animals. 2. a mew or gull. 3. an old card game.

may 1. indicating possibility. 2. a maiden.

1. a gum/resin from trees. 2. a kind of cement.

mayor

mastoid

'mare'

the head of a municipal body.

1. shaped like a female breast. 2. (colloquial) an abscess within the ear.

masts 1. the fruits of beech/oak trees. 2. long poles.

mat

1. a contest of skill. 2. a small length of wood used for a fire starter.

1. (nautical) officers on ships. 2. companions; friends etc.

a class of light amplifiers.

mash

mask

match

'matte'

1. a thing to wipe the feet upon. 2. dull; without luster.

mayors

'mares'

heads of municipal bodies.

maze

'maize' & 'mase'

a labyrinth/confusing network.

mazer

'maser'

a large hardwood drinking bowl.

mazers

'masers'

149 large hardwood drinking bowls.

me

'mi' & 'mee'

the objective case of 'I'; myself.

mead

'meed'

medic

'meeds'

medik

an alcoholic drink.

meads types of alcoholic drinks.

1. deficient; lacking; lean or thin etc. 2. a long thin fish of the Scianea genus.

'mealy'

South African corn.

mealy

'mealie'

1. powdery; dry. 2. unhealthy looking. 3. mealy-mouthed; unpleasant.

mean

'mien' & 'mesne'

1. equal condition/quality/virtue. 2. inferior; poor. 3. ignoble; stingy; malicious. 4. purpose; have in mind; signify; import.

means 1. that by which a result is obtained. 2. available money/wages. 3. certainly; at any cost. 4. signifies; indicates.

mease

measure 1. a process to determine the size/extent etc of a thing. 2. (poetic) an air or melody.

'meet' & 'mete'

animal flesh.

meatier

'meteor'

more meaty; having more meat.

meats

'meets' & 'metes'

the flesh of animals.

medal

'meddle'

a piece of metal used as an award.

medals

'meddles'

pieces of metal used as awards.

meddle

'medal'

be busy with; interfere.

meddler

'medlar'

one who interferes.

meddlers

'medlars'

those who interfere.

meddles is busy with; interferes.

media

(slang) a medical student.

'medic'

a species of Medicago, like clover. 1. a middle quality. 2. an intervening substance/thing. 3. a person with occult/supernatural powers. 4. a specific set of wavelengths.

mediums 1. specific sets of wavelengths. 2. intervening substances/things. 3. middle qualities. 4. persons with occult/supernatural powers.

medlar

'meddler'

a small tree, like the apple.

medlars

'meddlers'

small trees, like apple

mee

'me' & 'mi'

(Malay cookery) noodles.

meed

'mead'

a reward.

meeds

'meads'

rewards.

1. an amount of herrings, between 500 and 630. 2. (Scottish) mitigate; lessen; assuage.

meat

'medik'

medium

meagre

mealie

1. pertains to communications/language/radio/TV etc. 2. (anatomy) the middle layer of an artery.

'medals'

meet

'meat' & 'mete'

1. come face to face; see each other. 2. satisfy a demand.

meeting

'meting'

a gathering/committee; seeing/greeting someone.

meets

'meats' & 'metes'

1. comes face to face; sees each other. 2. satisfies demand.

megrim 1. a severe headache. 2. a whim/fancy. 3. (colloquial) the fish sole or similar flat fish.

megrims 1. (colloquial) sole or similar flat fishes. 2. severe headaches. 3. whims; fancies.

meld 1. merge. 2. (card games) declare for a score.

melon 1. a fruit of the Cucurbitaceae family. 2. (colloquial) a person's head. 3. (colloquial) a stupid person; a fool.

melons 1. many fruit of the Cucurbitaceae family. 2. (colloquial) persons' heads.

150 3. (colloquial) stupid persons; fools.

melt 1. revert to liquid; dissolve. 2. dwindle or fade rapidly. 3. (obsolete) spend money.

melted 1. reverted to liquid; dissolved. 2. dwindled or faded rapidly. 3. (obsolete) spent money.

melting 1. reverting to liquid; dissolving. 2. dwindling or fading rapidly. 3. (obsolete) spending money.

melts

member 1. one person within a group/community etc. 2. (colloquial) the penis.

members 1. people within a group/community etc. 2. (colloquial) penises. 1. of/belonging to the table. 2. monthly.

mental

1. dirty/untidy states/conditions/areas. 2. places where companies/soldiers have meals.

messmate 1. (military) a member of a mess. 2. (colloquial) a eucalyptus tree of Australia, the E. obliqua.

metal

'mettle'

composed of iron/steel/copper etc. 1. the transposition of sound, syllables and letters in words. 2. (chemistry) occurs when two compounds interact to form two new compounds.

mete

'meat' & 'meet'

1. a boundary stone. 2. a measure/portion/reward.

meteor

'meatier'

a shooting star; debris from the cosmos. 1. a person/thing that measures. 2. any form of poetic rhythm. 3. a unit of length in the metric system.

meters (metres)

1. of the mind. 2. of the chin.

mercurial 1. relating to the metal mercury. 2. (of a person) flighty; fickle; volatile; changeable.

'mir'

1. a lake/pond. 2. the sole implication/meaning. 3. a boundary.

merle 1. (Scottish) the common European blackbird. 2. a bluish-grey color with black spotting.

mermaid 1. an imaginary sea creature who is halfwoman, half-fish. 2. (colloquial) a weighbridge inspector in change of scales.

mermaids 1. imaginary sea creatures who are half-woman, half-fish. 2. (colloquial) weighbridge inspectors in change of scales

merry

1. persons/things that measure. 2. forms of poetic rhythm. 3. units of length in metric system.

metes

'meats' & 'meets'

1. boundary stones. 2. measures; portions; rewards.

meting

'meeting'

measuring; apportioning.

metope 1. (architecture) a square space between triglyphs in a Doric frieze. 2. (anatomy) in general, the frontal surface of the face.

mettle

'metal'

strength; perseverance; courage.

mew 1. the common gull. 2. a cage for hawks. 3. (archaic) molt; shed feathers. 4. utter a sound.

mewl

'mule'

cry feebly; whimper.

mewls

1. a black cherry. 2. joyous; happy. (legal) intermediate.

messes

meter (metre)

mensal

mesne

1. a portion of food/liquid. 2. a dirty/untidy state/condition/area. 3. a place where a company/soldier has meals.

metathesis

1. reverts to liquid; dissolves. 2. dwindles or fades rapidly. 3. (obsolete) spends money.

mere

mess

'mules'

cries feebly; whimpers.

'mean' & 'mien'

mews 1. common gulls. 2. cages for hawks.

'muse'

151 3. (archaic) sheds/molts feathers. 4. utters sounds. 5. a stabling yard for horses.

mho

'mow'

in electricity, the unit of conductance.

mi

'me' & 'mee'

the third note of the musical scale.

mick

'mix'

1. a derogatory term for those of Irish descent. 2. (colloquial) young wild bulls.

micky

mid 1. among; amid. 2. near the center or middle.

middlings 1. goods of a middle quality. 2. the coarser part of ground wheat.

'midi'

1. a midshipman on a boat/ship. 2. (in Australia) a glass of beer.

midi

'middy'

a woman's dress/skirt reaching to midcalf.

midst 1. the middle position/point/part etc. 2. among; within; amid.

mien

'mean' & 'mesne'

the air/bearing/demeanor of a person.

might

'mite'

1. great strength. 2. past tense of 'may'.

mighty

millenary

'millinery'

of a thousand.

'millenary'

of, or pertaining to hats/bonnets and so forth.

mills 1. boxing matches. 2. inscribes markings on the edge of coins. 3. machines for grinding corn. 4. many thousandths of a dollar.

mina

1. (slang) a derogatory term for an Irishman. 2. a wild young bull (in Australia). 3. (slang) treat someone as a fool; deride. 4. (colloquial) throw a tantrum. 5. (colloquial) a noisy miner bird.

middy

1. a machine for grinding corn. 2. a boxing match. 3. inscribe markings on the edge of a coin. 4. one-thousandth of a dollar.

millinery

1. (colloquial) the obverse of a coin. 2. (colloquial) a young wild bull. 3. a derogatory term for an Irish person.

micks

mill

1. an ancient unit of weight/money. 2. a kind of eastern bird.

mince

'mints'

1. chop up meat or other food. 2. express oneself politely; restrain one's words.

mind

'mined'

1. the memory/soul; thoughts, in general. 2. be aware/on guard. 3. be in charge of; care for.

mine 1. an excavation in the ground for extracting ore. 2. a hidden explosive in the ground. 3. that which belongs to me.

mined

'mind'

dug out ore from the ground/a mine.

miner

'minor'

1. one who works in a mine. 2. a soldier who lays explosive mines. 3. any bird of the genus Manrina.

miners

'minors'

1. those who work in a mine. 2. soldiers who lay explosive mines. 3. birds of the genus Manrina.

mines 'mity'

having great power/strength/influence etc.

mike 1. (colloquial) a microphone. 2. (colloquial) a microgram of a drug, especially LSD.

milkmaids 1. women employed as dairyworkers. 2. (Botany) plants of the genus Burchardia.

milksop 1. a meal of bread and milk, usually for children. 2. an effeminate man or boy.

milky 1. resembling milk in color. 2. having no spirit; tame; meek.

1. excavations in the ground to extract ore. 2. hidden explosives in the ground.

mining 1. the act of getting minerals from the earth. 2. the act of placing explosive charges in the earth.

minion

'minyan'

1. a favorite child/servant/animal etc. 2. the jailer/police. 3. (printing) the size of type.

minks

'minx'

small stoat-like animals.

minnie 1. (Scottish) mother. 2. (army slang) a trench mortar or its bomb.

152 minor

'miner'

1. lesser; smaller. 2. a person under legal age.

minors

'miners'

1. those lesser/smaller. 2. persons who are legally under age.

mint 1. make money; a place for making money. 2. an aromatic plant.

mints

'mince'

1. (of the government) makes money. 2. aromatic plants.

minute 1. a sixtieth part of an hour. 2. a rough draft/memorandum.

minx

'minks'

a pert girl/hussy/flirt.

minyan

'minion'

the number of adult males, in Jewish law, required for a ceremony.

mir

'mere'

a Russian village community.

miscast

miser 1. one who hoards; an avaricious person. 2. a boring tool for sinking wells.

misers 1. boring tools for sinking wells. 2. those who hoard; avaricious persons.

misprision 1. a wrongful act, especially by a public official. 2. scorn; contempt.

miss 1. fail to strike/hit/encounter/board/take. 2. term of address for young/unmarried lady.

'missel' & 'missile'

a book containing the service for Mass.

missals

'missels' & 'missiles'

books containing the service for Mass.

missed

'mist'

failed to hit/attain etc.

missel

'missal' & 'missile'

a kind of thrush (bird).

missels

'missals' & 'missiles'

kind of thrushes (birds).

misses 1. fails to strike/hit/encounter/board/take. 2. term of address for young/unmarried ladies.

missile

'missals' & 'missels'

weapons that are thrown or fired.

mist

'missed'

fine water droplets like vapor.

mite

'might'

1. a kind of arachnid. 2. a Flemish copper coin. 3. a modest contribution.

miter (mitre) 1. a bishop's/abbot's tall hat. 2. join/shape wood.

mitt 1. a kind of glove with a thumb but no fingers. 2. (slang) a chilly reception.

mity

'mighty'

having, or infested with, mites.

mix

'micks'

combine; bring together.

mizzle 1. drizzle; light rain. 2. (slang) go; decamp; depart.

moan

'mown'

a groan of pain/discomfort.

1. select the wrong/inappropriate actor for a part. 2. (metallurgy) metal that is badly formed or shaped.

missal

missiles

'missal' & 'missel'

a weapon that is thrown or fired.

moat

'mote'

a water filled ditch surrounding a house/castle.

moats

'motes'

water filled ditches surrounding houses/castles.

mocha 1. a kind of chalcedony. 2. fine quality coffee.

mock 1. ridicule; deride. 2. an imitation, as in 'mock cream'.

mocker 1. (colloquial) clothing. 2. (colloquial) the NZ bellbird. 3. one who mocks others.

mode

'mowed'

1. a way/manner/fashion. 2. (music) an ancient Greek scale system. 3. (logic) a character of a modal proposition.

mogul 1. an important person (in business, generally). 2. a type of old steam locomotive. 3. (skiing) a bump on a ski-run.

moguls 1. important people (in business, generally). 2. a type of old steam locomotives. 3. (skiing) bumps on a ski-run.

moi

'moire'

(colloquial, and used humorously) me.

moire

'moi'

a watered fabric like wool or silk.

153 moke

monkey

1. (colloquial) a donkey. 2. (USA) a derogatory term for a black person.

mokes 1. (colloquial) donkeys. 2. (USA) a derogatory term for black people.

molar 1. a tooth serving to grind food. 2. acting upon by means of a large mass.

mold (mould) 1. loose earth/humus. 2. a hollow container for making castings/solids. 3. the growth of fungi.

molder (moulder) 1. one who molds. 2. decay to dust.

mony

'money'

a Scots form of 'many'.

moo

'moue'

the low of a cow.

mood

'mooed'

1. a state of mind/feeling. 2. (grammar) pertaining to the conjugation of verbs.

mooed

'mood'

made the lowing sound of a cow.

molders (moulders) 1. decays to dust. 2. those who mold objects/things etc.

molds (moulds) 1. growths of fungi. 2. patterns/templates used by masons/bricklayers.

moldy (mouldy) 1. overgrown with mold. 2. (nautical slang) a torpedo.

mole 1. a spot/blemish. 2. a small burrowing animal. 3. a stone breakwater.

moles 1. small burrowing animals. 2. spots; blemishes. 3. stone breakwaters.

moment 1. an instant in time. 2. the importance or consequence of a thing or action.

moon 1. a natural satellite of a planet. 2. show a listless/depressed attitude. 3. (slang) display the posterior/buttocks.

mooned 1. ornamented with moons or crescents. 2. displayed the posterior/buttocks.

moonlight 1. the light of the moon. 2. (colloquial) work at a second job, usually at night.

moons 1. (slang) displays posterior/buttocks. 2. shows a listless/depressed attitude. 3. satellites of planets.

moonshine 1. the light of the moon. 2. illicit liquor.

moony 1. resembling the moon. 2. (colloquial) listless; silly; dreamy.

moor

monarch 1. a sovereign of a country. 2. a large orange and black butterfly.

1. a tract of open ground. 2. attach boat to wharf etc.

moors

monarchs 1. large orange and black butterflies. 2. sovereigns of countries.

money

1. any member of the Primates, except humans, apes and lemurs. 2. (colloquial) a sheep. 3. (colloquial) a pile driver. 4. (colloquial) a debt. 5. the looped strap for a buckjumper to hold.

'mony'

coin; currency; wealth.

monitor 1. watch over; study; care for. 2. a computer video-screen. 3. a type of tropical lizard.

monitors 1. watches over; studies; cares for. 2. a number of computer video-screens. 3. a number of tropical lizards.

1. attaches a boat to a wharf. 2. tracts of open ground.

moose

'mousse'

a very large North American deer.

mooses

'mousses'

very large North American deers.

moosh 1. (colloquial) the mouth or face. 2. (colloquial) porridge, usually in prison.

mop 1. a bundle of coarse yarn for cleaning. 2. an autumn fair.

154 3. make grimaces with the face.

mopoke 1. a certain type of owl. 2. (colloquial) a slow, dull, or stupid person.

mopokes

mops 1. autumn fairs. 2. bundles of coarse yarn for cleaning/wiping. 3. makes a grimaces with the face.

'mordent'

1. (figurative) caustic; sarcastic; witty. 2. a substance used in dyeing for fixing colors.

mordent

'mordant'

(music) a melodic embellishment.

morel 1. black nightshade. 2. edible fungus.

morion 1. an open helmet, without a visor. 2. black quartz.

'mourn' & 'morne'

(poetry) morning.

'morn' & 'mourn'

1. the blunt head of a jousting lance. 2. sombre; dull; dismal; gloomy.

morning

'mourning'

the start of the day.

morns

'mourns'

(poetry) mornings.

morph 1. a group of phonemes that form a sign. 2. (colloquial) morphine. 3. alter shape through metamorphosis. 1. the walrus. 2. a jeweled clasp.

1. give birth to. 2. a substance in vinegar during fermentation.

motion 1. the act of moving/shifting/changing. 2. a formal proposal.

motions 1. formal proposals. 2. acts of moving/shifting/changing.

motive 1. the reason/desire for doing or acting. 2. relating to movement.

'moo'

mound 1. a ball of gold used in heraldry. 2. an elevation of earth using stones etc.

mounds 1. balls of gold used in heraldry. 2. elevations of earth using stones etc.

mount 1. a mountain/hill. 2. a get on a horse etc. 3. put; display; act. 4. a margin surrounding a picture.

mounts 1. gets on horse etc. 2. margins surrounding pictures. 3. mountains; hills. 4. puts; displays; acts.

mourn

'morn' & 'morne'

feel sorrow/grief.

mourning mourns

'morning'

'morns'

feels grief/sorrow.

mort 1. the sound of the horn at a deer's death. 2. salmon in the third year. 3. a great amount.

mousse

1. a vessel used with a pestle for pounding. 2. a short type of ordnance for shooting shells. 3. a type of cement.

'mossy'

a bird of southern Africa, Passer melanurus.

'mossie'

covered/overgrown with moss.

'moose'

1. a type of frozen/cold chocolate pudding. 2. a type of gel; a preparation for the hair

mousses

mortar

mossy

mother

wearing of black clothes at a funeral; a sign of grief upon the death of a loved one.

morse

mossie

'moats'

a pout; an expression of discontent.

1. a place for dead bodies. 2. haughtiness; arrogance.

morne

motes

moue

morgue

morn

'moat'

1. a particle of dust; a small fault. 2. (colloquial) drive or ride in a car. particles of dust; small faults.

1. owls of a certain type. 2. (colloquial) slow, dull, or stupid people.

mordant

mote

'mooses'

1. types of frozen/cold chocolate puddings. 2. types of gels/preparations for hair.

mouthpiece 1. a bridle etc, designed for mouth use/application. 2. (colloquial) a legal representative and the like.

mouthpieces

155 1. bridles etc, designed for mouth use/applications. 2. (colloquial) legal representatives and the like.

moving 1. producing motion. 2. affects with feeling/pathos/excitement.

mow

'mho'

1. a stack of hay/corn etc. 2. cut/scythe grass/weeds etc. 3. pout.

mowed

'mode'

trimmed/cut grass.

mown

'moan'

past participle of 'mow'.

mows

'moze'

1. cuts/scythes grass/weeds etc. 2. pouts. 3. stacks of hay/corn etc.

moze

'mows' 'mutch'

many; a great amount.

mucous

'mucus'

relating/pertaining to mucus.

mucus

mugger 1. a crocodile native to India. 2. (slang) a thief/robber.

muggers 1. (slang) thieves; robbers. 2. Indian crocodiles.

mugs 1. (slang) simpletons; fools. 2. (slang) studies hard. 3. drinking vessels.

mule

'mewl'

1. the offspring of an ass and a mare. 2. a kind of spinning machine. 3. a heelless slipper.

mules

'mewls'

1. heelless slippers. 2. kinds of spinning machines. 3. the offspring of the ass and a mare.

muley

raise the nap on cloth.

much

3. (slang) study hard.

'mucous'

the viscid secretion of the mucous membrane.

muff 1. a woman's fur covering for the hands. 2. a person who is awkward/stupid; make a stupid error/mistake.

muffle 1. the thick part of the upper lip of rodents/cows etc. 2. a leather glove used for controlling lunatics. 3. a chamber in a kiln for baking. 4. wrap; cover up; repress.

muffler 1. a scarf/wrap to keep warm. 2. a boxing/thick glove. 3. a thing used to deaden sound.

muffles 1. chambers in kilns for baking. 2. leather gloves used for lunatics. 3. the thick part of upper lips of rodents/cows etc. 4. wraps; covers up; represses.

muffs 1. awkward/stupid persons. 2. a woman's furs for the hands.

mufti 1. a Mohammedan priest. 2. a soldier in plain clothes, e.g. in mufti.

mug 1. a drinking vessel. 2. (slang) a simpleton/fool.

1. (of cattle) hornless. 2. a small fish like the pilchard.

mull 1. a thin plain muslin. 2. muddle/mess about. 3. ponder/think upon. 4. make a hot beer drink with sugar. 5. a promontory 6. a snuffbox.

mullock 1. mining refuse. 2. (colloquial) to work in a clumsy/slipshod manner.

mullocker 1. (mining) a worker who cleans away refuse/muck. 2. (colloquial) a clumsy person.

mullockers 1. (mining) workers who clean away refuse/muck. 2. (colloquial) clumsy persons.

mulls 1. makes hot beer drink with sugar. 2. muddles; messes. 3. ponders; thinks. 4. promontories. 5. snuffboxes.

mum 1. silence; silent; act in a silent show. 2. a kind of beer. 3. (British) a short name for 'mother'.

mummies 1. embalmed bodies. 2. mothers. 3. pulpy substances or masses. 4. rich brown pigments.

156 mummy

mutch

1. an embalmed body. 2. a pulpy substance or mass. 3. a rich brown pigment. 4. (British) a child's word for mother.

mump 1. be silent/sullen. 2. beg; go around begging.

mumps 1. assumes a silent expression. 2. begs; goes about begging. 3. a contagious disease.

murrain

'murrhine'

an infectious disease in cattle or plants.

murre

'myrrh'

a diving bird of the genus Uria.

murrhine

'murrain'

fluorspar embedded with colored glass.

muscat

'musket'

a type of grape.

muscle

'mussel'

fibrous parts of flesh.

muscles

'mussels'

fibrous bands that produce movement in animals.

muse

'mews'

ponder/reflect/gaze upon.

mush 1. a soft pulp. 2. a journey across snow/ice with a dog-sled.

musket

'muscat'

1. an early hand-gun (invented in the 16th century). 2. a male sparrowhawk.

muskets 1. early hand-guns (invented in the 16th century). 2. male sparrowhawks.

mussed

'must'

disturbed/roughed up, the hair (usually).

mussel

'muscle'

a kind of bivalve mollusk.

mussels

'muscles'

a type of sea food.

must

'mussed'

1. a new wine/grape juice. 2. a mould/mustiness. 3. in a state of frenzy (of elephants, usually). 4. be obliged to.

mustard

'mustered'

a type of spicy food condiment.

mustered

'mustard'

gathered/brought together.

'much'

(Scottish) a woman's cap.

mute 1. remain silent; be incapable of speech. 2. eject/discharge feces (of birds). 3. (colloquial) a mutilated banknote.

mutt 1. an ignorant person; a dunderhead. 2. a small dog.

mutton 1. the flesh of sheep for use as food. 2. (colloquial) the penis.

mutts 1. ignorant persons; dunderheads. 2. small dogs.

muzzle 1. the open end of gun/pistol etc. 2. the projecting part of an animal's mouth; cover the mouth. 3. (nautical) take in sail.

muzzles 1. open ends of guns/pistols. 2. the projecting part of animal mouths; covers the mouth. 3. takes in sail.

myall 1. an Australian aboriginal who lives according to tradition. 2. an Australian acacia tree.

myrrh

'murre'

an aromatic plant of the genus Commiphora.

mystery 1. something hidden/inexplicable. 2. (archaic) a handicraft/trade.

'N' Words 157 light sleeping.

nab 1. grab; seize. 2. a hill-top/projection. 3. (obsolete slang) a head/hat.

nabs

naff 1. (colloquial) tasteless; of low quality. 2. (colloquial) go away, as in 'naff off'.

'knag'

1. a horse/pony. 2. scold; find fault with; annoy.

nags

'knags'

1. horses; ponies. 2. scolds; finds fault with; annoys.

nail 1. the horny covering at the tip of a finger. 2. a small metal spike. 3. an old measure of length.

nails 1. horny coverings at the tips of fingers. 2. old measures of length. 3. small metal spikes. 1. children's nurses. 2. she goats.

'knap' & 'nappe'

'knarred' & 'gnarred'

an aromatic Himalayan plant.

nash

'gnash'

firm; stiff; hard.

natal 1. relating to birth. 2. relating to the buttocks.

naval

'navel'

of/pertaining to ships/the navy.

nave

'knave'

1. the center of a spoked wheel. 2. part of a church.

navel

'naval'

a depression in the belly left by the umbilical cord.

naves

'knaves'

'nee' & 'neigh'

(archaic) no; a negative exclamation.

nays

'naze' & 'neighs'

(archaic) many negative exclamations.

naze 'napu'

(army slang) finished; lost; vanished.

'knap' & 'nap'

(geology) a sheet of rock, thrusting out.

'knapped'

napper

'nays' & 'neighs'

a promontory/headland.

neal

'kneel'

temper metal, by heating and cooling.

nealed

'kneeled'

tempered metal, by heating and cooling.

nealing

lightly slept.

'kneeling'

tempering metal, by heating and cooling.

1. a machine that raises nap on cloth. 2. one who dozes or naps.

nappers

neals

'knapping'

'kneels'

tempers metal, by heating and cooling.

neap

1. machines that raise nap on cloth. 2. those who doze or nap.

napping

nard

nay

1. a light sleep. 3. a soft/downy surface. 4. a card game.

napped

'napoo'

the musk-deer of Indonesia.

1. a state's ships of war. 2. the color of dark blue.

1. a she goat. 2. a child's nurse.

nappe

lightly sleeps.

napu

navy

nanny

napoo

'knaps'

1. the center of spoked wheels. 2. parts of a church.

nannies

nap

1. (archaic) foaming/strong, of ale or beer. 2. (colloquial) a baby's napkin.

naps

1. grabs; seizes. 2. hill-tops; projections. 3. (obsolete slang) heads; hats.

nag

nappy

'neep'

the lowest point of the tide.

neaps

'neeps'

the lowest points of the tides.

158 neat 1. a kind of ox. 2. undiluted/straight, of liquor. 3. elegant simplicity; nicely made; cleverly done.

nebula

'nek'

1. that part between the head and the body. 2. the last sheaf of cut corn. 3. (colloquial) to kiss, pet, cuddle etc.

necking 1. (architecture) a specific moulding or group of mouldings. 2. (colloquial) kissing; petting; cuddling etc.

neddies 1. (colloquial) horses. 2. (obsolete) life-preservers.

neddy 1. (colloquial) a horse. 2. (obsolete) a life-preserver.

nee

'nay' & 'neigh'

born with the family name of.

need

'knead' & 'kneed'

a requirement/necessity.

needed

'kneaded'

required.

needle 1. a thin metal pointed piece for sewing etc. 2. a beam used as a temporary support. 3. incite; irritate; annoy.

needles 1. beams used as temporary supports. 2. incites; irritates; annoys. 3. thin metal pointed pieces for sewing etc.

needs

'kneads'

requirements; necessities.

neep

'neap' 'neaps'

turnips.

negative 1. expressing a denial/no/refusal. 2. (mathematics) that which is subtracted. 3. an electrical charge. 4. (photography) the image on film before printing.

negatives 1. (mathematics) those numbers which are subtracted. 2. (photography) images on film before printing. 3. electrical charges. 4. expressing denials/refusals.

negus

'nay' & 'nee'

the cry of a horse.

'nays' & 'naze'

cries of horses.

nek

'neck'

a narrow mountain pass; a col.

net 1. a mesh device for catching fish etc. 2. (obsolete) clean; bright; clear; trim. 3. subject to no further deduction, as in 'net price'. 4. hit a ball into a net (usually tennis).

nets hits a ball into a net (usually tennis). mesh devices for catching fish etc.

neuter 1. (grammar) neither active nor passive/male nor female. 2. (biology) sexually sterile; a castrated animal.

new

'knew' & 'gnu'

first/not existing before.

news

'gnus'

timely information, usually in daily newspapers/TV/radio.

newword 1. commands. 2. offered a price at an auction. 3. proclaimed. 4. saluted.

nibs 1. the points of quill pens. 2. fragments of crushed cocoa-beans. 3. a derogatory title, e.g. his nibs

nice

'gneiss'

1. dainty; hard to please; precise; particular. 2. requiring tact/care/precision. 3. agreeable; attractive; friendly; considerate.

niche

a turnip.

neeps

neigh neighs

1. a clouded condition on the eye. 2. a luminous cluster of stars.

neck

1. a port or sherry with hot water. 2. the king of Abyssinia.

1. a recess in a wall, usually for a statue. 2. a place/position suitable for one's talents.

nick 1. a notch serving as a mark/an indicator. 2. guess; hit upon. 3. catch/nab a criminal. 4. a certain throw in hazard.

nicker

'knicker'

1. (Scottish) to neigh/snigger. 2. a water-monster or demon. 3. a clay marble used in games.

nickers

'knickers'

1. (Scottish) neighs; sniggers. 2. water-monsters or demons. 3. clay marbles used in games.

159 nicks

'nix'

1. notches. 2. certain throws at hazard. 3. guesses; hits upon. 4. catches/nabs a criminal.

niggerhead

'knight'

the period between sunset and sunrise.

nightly

'knightly'

every night.

nights

'knights'

many periods between sunset and sunrise. 1. (obsolete) take; steal; pilfer. 2. an old Chinese game. 3. a margosa tree.

nimbus 1. (of art) a halo. 2. a rain cloud extending over the whole sky.

nims

nip

nipper

1. the head. 2. (of cribbage) the knave of the same suit as the turn-up. 3. a member of the upper class.

nobbies 1. opals coated with sandstone. 2. animals that are very lean, almost starving.

nobble nobbles

'knobble' 'knobbles'

disables a horse by drugging it.

nobby

'knobby'

1. an opal coated with sandstone. 2. an animal that is very lean, almost starving. 3. (colloquial) smart; elegant; first-rate. 1. superior/great by rank/title/birth. 2. an obsolete coin.

'knobs'

1. heads. 2. (of cribbage) knaves of same suit as the turnup. 3. members of the upper class.

nock

nocks

'knock'

'knocks'

1. notches at the ends of bows. 2. the forward upper corners of sails.

nippers 1. young lads. 2. kinds of fishes. 3. a quantity of pince-nez. 4. pliers; forceps etc.

noddy 1. a white capped tern of the genus Anous. 2. (NZ) a four wheeled barrow.

nog

nippy 1. chilly; cold. 2. (of autos) having brisk acceleration.

nips 1. bites; squeezes; pinches. 2. small quantities of spirits.

'knit'

1. the egg of the louse. 2. a stupid person.

1. full of nits. 2. (colloquial) foolish.

'knob'

1. the notch at the ends of a bow. 2. the forward upper corner of a sail.

1. a kind of fish. 2. a boy/lad. 3. a set of pince-nez.

nitty

nob

nobs

1. bite; squeeze; pinch. 2. sarcasm. 3. the coldness of the air, as in 'there's a nip in the air'. 4. a small quantity of spirits.

1. lice eggs. 2. stupid persons.

'know' & 'noh'

noble

1. (obsolete) takes; steals; pilfers. 2. margosa trees.

nits

no

disable a horse by drugging it.

nim

nit

'nicks'

1. (slang) give warning. 2. a water-elf. 3. (slang) nothing. not any; not at all; negative; nay.

1. a hard black stone, often found in coal deposits. 2. the spiny head of a saltwort.

night

nix

'knits'

1. a pin/peg/small piece of wood. 2. a kind of strong beer.

noggin 1. a small cup or mug. 2. (colloquial) a head

noggins 1. small cups or mugs. 2. (colloquial) many heads.

nogs 1. kinds of strong beer. 2. pins; pegs; small pieces of wood.

noh

'know' & 'no'

a classical drama of Japan.

nomic

'gnomic'

160 customary; ordinary.

now

nominative 1. (grammar) the case of the subject of a verb. 2. chosen/appointed by nomination.

none

'nun'

nothing/not any. 1. unique; unrivalled. 2. a size of printing type. 3. a kind of apple/bird/wheat moth.

noodle

noodles 1. simpletons.. 2. strips of dough used in soup.

nooky 1. having many nooks. 2. (colloquial) sexual intercourse.

normal 1. regular; usual; standard. 2. (mathematics) at right angles; perpendicular. 3. (medicine) free from infection/sickness.

'knows' & 'nose'

many cries of 'no'.

'knows' & 'nos'

a proboscis/nostril.

nosepiece 1. a protective cover for the nose. 2. the part of a microscope where the object slide is attached.

nostrum 1. a quack medicine. 2. a favorite scheme or device for doing something.

not

1. a unit/numeral; an integer. 2. (colloquial) a marijuana cigarette. 1. a spiny shrub or southern Africa. 2. (colloquial) a particularly nice food (when speaking to babies).

nun

'none'

a woman who takes vows and lives in a convent.

1. a simpleton. 2. a strip of dough used in soup.

nose

number

num-num

nonpareil

nos

'gnow'

at this time/moment/instant.

'knot'

negative/not any.

note 1. a brief record/mark used as a memory aid. 2. a banknote as money. 3. (music) a musical sound/key.

noted 1. wrote down; fixed in the mind; paid heed to. 2. eminent; well-known; famous.

notes 1. brief records/marks used as memory aids. 2. banknotes as money. 3. (music) musical sounds/keys.

notions 1. vague, general or impefect thoughts/ideas. 2. (USA) haberdashery; pins; needles; tapes etc.

novel 1. a story/fictitious piece of prose. 2. strange; new; previously unknown.

nurse 1. suckle a child/tend a sick person. 2. a type of dog-fish/shark.

nurses 1. suckles a child; tends to a sick person. 2. type of dog-fishes/sharks.

nut 1. the hard shell of some fruit. 2. (slang) crazy; showy. 3. a small spur wheel. 4. a small lump of coal. 5. a small threaded hexagonal metal block for affixing to a bolt.

nuts 1. (slang) crazy; showy. 2. hard shells of some fruits. 3. small lumps of coal. 4. small spur wheels. 5. small threaded hexagonal metal blocks for bolts.

nutter 1. one who gathers nuts. 2. (colloquial) one who is regarded as foolish or crazy.

nutters 1. those who gather nuts. 2. (colloquial) those who are regarded as foolish or crazy.

nutty 1. abounding in/tasting like nuts. 2. (slang) crazy.

'O' Words 161 o

'owe' & 'oh'

the 15th letter of the alphabet.

oak

'oke'

a tree of the beech family.

oar

'or' & 'ore'

a pole with a blade used for rowing/steering.

oars

'ores'

poles with blades for rowing/steering.

obi 1. a broad colored sash worn by Japanese women. 2. witchcraft; a fetish; a charm of West Indies etc.

object 1. a material thing. 2. (grammar) the noun governed by an active transitive verb.

objection 1. a thing unpleasant/causing offence. 2. (in law court) a statement of opposition.

objections 1. things unpleasant/causing offence. 2. (in law court) statements of opposition.

objective 1. (philosophy) belonging to the external. 2. (grammar) one of the cases in English. 3. a goal/prize/thing strived for.

objects 1. (grammar) nouns governed by active transitive verbs. 2. material things.

oblate 1. a layperson who associates with a monastery. 2. (geometry) flattened at the poles (of a sphere).

oblique 1. slanting; declining. 2. (colloquial) roundabout; indirect.

observation 1. the act of noticing/being noticed. 2. a remark/statement.

observations 1. many acts of being noticed/noticing. 2. remarks; statements.

obtuse 1. (mathematics) an angle > 90 degrees but < 180 degrees. 2. not keenly sensitive or perceptive (of mind). 3. (biology) blunt-ended (of a plant or part of an animal).

obverse 1. the principal side of a coin. 2. (logic) an inference made by denying the opposite.

occult 1. secret; esoteric; mysterious; supernatural. 2. (astronomy) obstruct the view of a planet/star by another.

occupation 1. taking possession by military force. 2. a livelihood/means of employment.

occupations 1. livelihoods; means of employment. 2. possessions/invasions by military forces.

ocellated

'oscillated'

like an eye.

ocellation

'oscillation'

an eyelike spot or marking.

ocellations

'oscillations'

eyelike spots or markings.

octave 1. a group of eight. 2. a fencing/sword-fighting position. 3. a wine cask of a specific volume.

octaves 1. fencing/sword-fighting positions. 2. groups of eight. 3. wine casks of specific volume.

od

'odd'

an arbitrary occult power.

odd

'od'

1. a remainder. 2. (mathematics) not divisible by two. 3. peculiar; strange; fantastic; queer.

ode

'owed'

a poem meant to be sung.

offal 1. refuse; scraps; waste. 2. a low-priced fish. 3. bran; other byproducts of grain.

offing 1. a ship's position at a distance from the shore. 2. likely to appear/happen soon.

offset 1. a method of printing. 2. (archaic) start; set off 3. a shoot used for propagation. 4. a compensation/consideration; an adjustment.

offsets

162 1. (archaic) starts; sets off. 2. compensations; considerations; adjustments. 3. methods of printing. 4. shoots used for propagation.

oh

'owe' & 'o'

an exclamation of surprise/interrogation/doubt etc.

oily 1. covered/soaked with soil. 2. (of human behavior) suave hypocrisy.

oke

'oak'

a Turkish weight, a bit over 1kg.

oldster 1. (colloquial) an old person. 2. (Navy) a midshipman of four year's standing.

oldsters 1. (colloquial) old persons. 2. (Navy) midshipmen of four year's standing.

onager 1. the wild ass of Central Asia. 2. an ancient machine for throwing boulders, stones etc.

onagers 1. wild asses of Central Asia. 2. ancient machines for throwing boulders, stones etc.

one

'won'

single; half of two; the number one.

oner 1. (slang) a remarkable person/thing. 2. (colloquial) a counting stroke. 3. (slang) a big lie.

onion 1. (colloquial) a head. 2. an edible succulent bulb with a pungent taste.

onions 1. (colloquial) many heads. 2. edible succulent bulbs with a pungent taste.

onkarparinga

oral

'aural'

of the mouth; spoken; taken by mouth.

orarium 1. (obsolete) a stole/scarf. 2. a book of private devotions.

oratory 1. a small chapel/place of worship. 2. the art of making speeches.

orb 1. a circle/sphere; anything round. 2. (obsolete) bereaved (especially of children).

order 1. the rank/row/class/arrangement. 2. instruct; direct; authorize; mandate.

orderly 1. regular; obedient; disciplined. 2. a person in attendance to another (usually military).

orders 1. instructs; directs; authorizes; mandates. 2. ranks; rows; classes; arrangements.

ordinal 1. a church service book. 2. a number defining a thing's position.

ordinance 1. an authoritative direction. 2. a collocation of parts in literature/architecture.

ordinary 1. a book showing the order of a divine service. 2. a public meal at a fixed time and place. 3. regular; commonplace; usual. 4. an early type of bicycle.

ore

'oar' & 'or'

a solid mineral aggregate.

ores

'oars'

solid mineral aggregates.

organ 1. a musical instrument. 2. a part of the body.

1. a woollen blanket. 2. (colloquial) a finger.

organs

ooze

1. musical instruments. 2. parts of the body.

1. wet mud/slime. 2. a tanning liquor.

orient

opaque

1. a high quality pearl; lustrous; bright. 2. determine a position; adjust to surroundings.

1. impenetrable to light. 2. unintelligent; stupid.

original

operator 1. one who operates machines, apparatus, tools etc. 2. (grammar) the auxiliary verb that is first in a verbal phrase.

or

3. introduces/indicates alternatives.

'oar' & 'ore'

1. gold/yellow in armorial bearings. 2. (archaic) before.

1. pertaining to the beginning of something; the first. 2. (colloquial) an eccentric person; insane; mentally ill.

oriole

'aureole'

the name for various families of birds.

orle

'all' & 'awl'

163 (heraldry) a narrow band, on a shield, that follows the contour of the edge.

orris 1. a kind of iris. 2. a kind of gold or silver lace.

ort 1. a fragment of food from a meal. 2. (colloquial) an anus/arsehole/asshole. 1. fragments of food from a meal. 2. (colloquial) anuses; arseholes; assholes.

'ocellated'

wavered; vacillated; swung to and fro.

oscillation

'ocellation'

a repetitive to and fro or side to side motion.

oscillations

'ocellations'

repetitive to and fro or side to side motions.

ottar

'otter'

an essential oil of flowers, particularly roses.

otter

'ottar'

an aquatic, furbearing, weasel-like mammal.

ouch 1. an expression of pain. 2. a clasp/brooch/socket for a precious stone.

ought

'aught'

1. nothing; nought. 2. expressing a duty/an obligation.

ounce

1. a horse's rein passed over the head and between the ears. 2. (textiles) a prominent check pattern placed over another.

'overdue'

make excessive.

overdrive 1. work in excess. 2. (machinery) an extra high-ratio gear.

overdue

'overdo'

late.

overhand 1. thrown with the hand above the shoulder. 2. sewn with stitches, to form a seam.

overhaul 1. examine thoroughly; make necessary repairs. 2. gain upon or overtake.

overhead 1. located above one's head. 2. general expenses not allocated to. 3. any particular job/division etc.

overlook 1. to look out from above. 2. to fail to notice something. 1. (military) obtain complete mastery when attacking. 2. (printing) move letters etc. from one line to another.

ounces 1. lynxes; leopards. 2. units of weight.

overseas 'hour' 'hours'

belonging to us.

outlandish 1. strange; odd; freakish. 2. remote; out-of-the-way; foreign-looking.

outlaws 1. habitual criminals. 2. (colloquial, used humorously) a person's inlaws.

over 1. outward and downward. 2. done with; settled. 3. a period of bowling in cricket.

overbear 1. prevail over; overrule; dominate. 2. (nautical) carry more sail than another ship.

overblown 1. (of flowers) just past full bloom. 2. (of style/behavior) pretentious; wordy; windy.

'oversees'

beyond the seas; in another country.

oversees

of/belonging to us.

ours

overcheck

overrun

1. a unit of weight. 2. the lynx/leopard.

our

1. (of sewing) stitch edges to prevent unraveling. 2. covered with clouds; cloudy.

overdo

orts

oscillated

overcast

'overseas'

supervises; directs.

overshot 1. having the upper jaw projecting over the lower. 2. (of water) something turned by water flowing from above.

oversight 1. failure to notice something. 2. supervision of people/things

overthrow 1. (of a ball) throw beyond the point intended. 2. (of government) cause to fail; a coup d'etat.

overwrought 1. under a great nervous strain. 2. (of metal work) much too elaborate.

oviform 1. sheep-like. 2. shaped like an egg.

owe

'oh' & 'o'

164 be in debt.

owed

'ode'

past tense of 'owe'.

owl 1. a nocturnal bird of prey. 2. a solemn person, often stupid.

oxbow 1. a collar for an ox. 2. a crescent shaped bend in a river, or the land within.

'P' Words 165 p

'pee' & 'pea'

the 16th letter of the alphabet.

pa

'par', 'pah', 'pas' & 'parr'

1. (colloquial) a term for father. 2. (of physics) an abbreviation for one pascal.

paced

'paste'

measured/stepped out a distance.

pack

'pact'

1. bundled up; filled. 2. (slang boxing) delivered a hard punch, as in 'packed a punch'. 3. (slang) desisted/stopped, as in 'the kids packed it up'. 4. (slang) selected a biased jury.

packs

'pax'

1. bundles of things. 2. (boxing slang) delivers a hard punch, as in 'he packs a punch'. 3. (slang) selects a biased jury. 4. desists/stops, as in 'packs it in'.

pact

'packed'

a treaty/contract; an agreement.

pad 1. a road. 2. cushion stuffing. 3. a quantity of writing paper edge glued together. 4. the socket of a brace/tool. 5. an open pannier used as a measure for fruit. 6. (slang) a house/dwelling.

paddle 1. a short broad-bladed oar. 2. depend upon oneself. 1. a small field. 2. (archaic) a frog/toad.

paddy 1. rice in straw/husk. 2. (colloquial) a rage/fit of temper.

'pademelon'

a type of herb, fruit and vine.

paddymelons

'pademelons'

types of herbs, fruits and vines.

pademelon

paean

'paeon', 'peon' & 'pion'

a choral song of praise.

paeans

'peons'

choral songs of praise.

'paean', 'peon' & 'pion'

(music) a metrical foot of four syllables.

page 1. a boy who runs errands. 2. call out to. 3. a leaf of a book

pages 1. boys who run errands. 2. calls out to. 3. leaves of a book.

pagoda 1. a sacred building. 2. a gold coin of Southern India.

pagodas 1. gold coins of Southern India. 2. sacred buildings.

pah

'pa', 'par', 'pas' & 'parr'

a Maori fort.

pahs

'parrs' & 'parse'

Maori forts.

pail

'pale'

a container for carrying liquids.

pails

'pales'

containers for carrying liquids.

pain

'pane'

hurt; suffering; distress.

pains

'panes'

hurts; sufferings; distresses.

painter 1. an artist who paints. 2. a rope used for fastening a boat to a wharf etc. 3. the American puma.

paddock

paddymelon

'paddymelons'

small species of wallabies.

paeon

1. a bundle of things. 2. (slang boxing) capable of delivering a hard punch, as in 'pack a punch'. 3. (slang) desist/stop, as in 'pack it up'. 4. (slang) select a biased jury.

packed

a small species of wallaby.

pademelons

'paddymelon'

painters 1. artists who paint. 2. ropes used for fastening boats to a wharf etc. 3. American pumas.

pair

'pear' & 'pare'

a couple/set of two.

paired

'pared'

formed into a couple/set of two.

166 pairing

'paring'

forming into a couple/set of two.

pairs

'pares' & 'pears'

many couples/sets of two.

paladin 1. (history) one of 12 peers of Charlemagne's court. 2. a hero/champion.

palate

'pallet' & 'pallette'

the roof of the mouth in vertebrates.

palates

'pallets' & 'pallettes'

the roof of mouths in vertebrates. 1. a woman's fur tippet. 2. of the palate. 3. having royal privileges.

'pail'

'pails'

1. (history) the vertical stripes in the middle of shields. 2. fence stakes. 3. is whitish/faint/faintly colored.

paling 1. one of the pales of a fence. 2. going faint; a whitening of the face.

pall

'pawl'

1. a cloth spread over a coffin. 2. become insipid.

palladium 1. a safeguard. 2. an element of the platinum group of metals.

pallet

'palate' & 'pallette'

1. a straw bed/mattress. 2. a flat wooden blade used by potters/artists. 3. a thing to change wheel motion on a machine. 4. a valve in the wind-chest of a pipe organ.

pallets

'palates' & 'pallettes'

1. flat wooden blades used by potters/artists. 2. straw beds/mattresses. 3. things to change wheel motions on machines. 4. valves in the wind-chest of pipe organs.

pallette

'palate' & 'pallet'

a selection of paints.

pallettes

'palates' & 'pallets'

selections of paints.

pallium 1. a voluminous cloth wore by men of ancient Greece/Italy. 2. (anatomy) the cortex of the cerebrum.

palls

1. a tropical tree. 2. a part of the hand. 3. deceive/act fraudulently.

palmar

'palmer'

of/in the palm.

palmer

'palmar'

1. a pilgrim returning from the Holy land. 2. a hairy caterpillar. 3. an artificial fly for fishing.

palmers

palmy

1. a fence stake. 2. (history) a vertical stripe in the middle of a shield. 3. whitish; faint; faintly colored.

pales

palm

1. artificial flies for fishing. 2. hairy caterpillars. 3. pilgrims returning from the Holy land.

palatine

pale

2. becomes insipid/wearisome.

'pawls'

1. cloths spread over coffins.

1. glorious; flourishing. 2. palm-like.

paly 1. (archaic) pale. 2. (heraldry) divided vertically into equal parts with the same color.

pan

'panne'

1. a shallow dish for domestic use. 2. a part of the lock of a gun. 3. a hollow of the ground. 4. (colloquial) criticize severely. 5. succeed; work. 6. traverse a scene with a movie camera.

panache 1. a tuft/plume on a helmet. 3. display; swagger.

pandy 1. school punishment by striking the hand. 2. (obsolete) an insurgent sepoy of the Indian Mutiny.

pane

'pain'

1. a sheet of glass. 2. make a garment of different colors.

panel 1. a kind of saddle; the stuffing of a saddle. 2. a team/group of people. 3. a distinct area of surface, sunken or raised. 4. different colors in a woman's dress. 5. a large size of photograph

panels 1. different colors in women's dresses. 2. distinct areas of surfaces, sunken or raised. 3. kinds of saddles; stuffings for saddles. 4. large sizes of photographs. 5. teams/groups of people.

panes

'pains'

1. makes a garment of different colors. 2. sheets of glass.

panhandle

167 1. a narrow part of a country/state/area. 2. (slang) beg.

panic 1. a kind of grass. 2. excessive terror/fright/alarm.

panics 1. excessive terrors/frights/alarms. 2. kind of grasses.

panne

'pan'

a cloth used as dress-material.

pannier 1. a basket carried on the shoulders. 2. a part of a skirt looped up around hips. 3. (colloquial) a robed waiter.

1. relating to a parabola. 2. relating to a parable.

parabolize (parabolise) 1. make a parabola. 2. explain an idea etc by using a parable.

paradigm 1. an example serving as a pattern. 2. (grammar) conjugation/declension of word inflection.

paragon 1. a supremely excellent person/thing. 2. a perfect diamond of more than 100 carats.

pard

panniers 1. (colloquial) robed waiters. 2. baskets carried on the shoulders. 3. part of skirts looped up around the hips.

pans

1. the leopard. 2. a slang form of 'partner'.

pare

'pair' & 'pear'

trim/cut away.

1. (colloquial) criticizes severely. 2. hollows of the ground. 3. part of the locks of guns. 4. shallow dishes for domestic uses. 5. succeeds; works. 6. traverses a scene with a movie camera.

pared

'paired'

trimmed/cut away.

pares

'pairs' & 'pears'

trims/cuts away.

paring

'pairing'

trimming/cutting away.

pansies 1. (colloquial) effeminate boys/young men. 2. types of flowers.

pansy 1. a type of flower. 2. (colloquial) an effeminate boy/young man.

pantograph 1. a device for the mechanical copying of diagrams etc. 2. (electricity) a roof-mounted current collector e.g. on trams.

pantographs 1. devices for the mechanical copying of diagrams etc. 2. (electricity) roof-mounted current collectors e.g. on trams.

pants

parity 1. equality of status/amount/position etc. 2. the fact of having borne progeny.

park 1. a enclosed area of woodland and pasture. 2. leave car unattended; a place for parking cars.

parks 1. enclosed areas of woodland and pasture. 2. leaves car unattended; places for parking cars.

parochial 1. of or concerning a parish. 2. confined to very narrow limits.

parr

'pa', 'pah', 'pas' & 'par'

a young salmon.

1. breathes quickly/heavily. 2. a man's or woman's trousers.

pap 1. (archaic) the nipple of a woman's breast. 2. soft food for infants.

pappy

parrot 1. a tropical bird with hooked beak. 2. (military) a transponder used to identify friend or foe. 3. the unintelligent repetition of action or sound.

parrots

1. like pap; mushy. 2. (Southern US) father.

par

parabolic

'pa', 'pah', 'pas' & 'parr'

1. equality; equal footing. 2. (of golf) the standard number of strokes in a game. 3. (colloquial) a paragraph.

1. tropical birds with hooked beaks. 2. (military) transponders used to identify friend or foe. 3. unintelligent repetitions of actions or sounds.

parrs

'pahs' & 'parse'

many young salmon.

parse

'parrs' & 'pahs'

168 describe fully; analyze.

part

2. fastens with paste to a wall etc.

'pate'

a portion/fragment/piece/fraction of anything.

parted 1. apart; separated; not together. 2. (archaic) dead; deceased.

partial 1. incomplete; not total. 2. biased; inclined towards.

parting 1. a division/dividing line. 2. death; dying.

partisan 1. a supporter of a person, party or cause. 2. a shafted weapon with a broad blade and curved lobes.

partisans 1. supporters of a person, party or cause. 2. shafted weapons with a broad blade and curved lobes.

party

'pa','par','pah' & 'parr'

a movement or step in dancing.

passable

'passible'

moderately good; capable of travel.

passage

'past'

1. achieved success. 2. moved in front of/across.

passible

'passable'

capable of suffering/feeling.

passive 1. inert; inactive; quiet. 2. (grammar) a verb form in which the subject is acted upon.

past

1. stroke; tap; caress. 2. a small portion of butter. 3. opportunely. 4. (in the game of poker) abide by hand dealt, as in 'stay pat'.

patch 1. mend; fix; cover a defect/tear etc. 2. (archaic) a fool/jester.

patches 1. mends; fixes; covers a defect/tear etc. 2. (archaic) fools; jesters.

pate

'part'

patent 1. plain; obvious. 2. obtain exclusive use of an invention.

patience

'patients'

forbearance; tolerance.

patients

'patience'

patina 1. surface oxidation/calcification. 2. a shallow, wide dish used by ancient Romans.

pats 1. small masses of butter. 2. strokes; taps; caresses.

patter 1. a lingo of a group/class/profession. 2. make rapid succession of taps.

paunch 1. the belly/stomach. 2. (nautical) a thick strong mat.

'paced'

pavillion

pasted 1. beaten; thrashed. 2. fastened with paste to a wall etc.

pastel 1. a soft, subdued color. 2. the European plant woad. 1. beats; thrashes.

pat

pause

1. fasten with paste to a wall etc. 2. beat/thrash.

pastes

1. a small pie, with meat or vegetables. 2. pale; unhealthy; flabby in appearance.

'passed'

a time before.

paste

pasty

a number of people seeking medical attention.

1. part of writing/text/speech, and usually short. 2. a corridor/way/channel. 3. (of a horse) move sideways, in response to pressure from a rider's leg.

passed

1. sticking glue onto paper/wall etc. 2. (slang) a verbal or physical thrashing/beating.

porcelain paste used in ceramic art.

1. a social gathering for fun/dancing etc. 2. divided into parts of different tincture.

pas

pasting

'paws'

an interval of silence/inactivity. 1. an open structure used for pleasure/shelter; a tent or group of tents. 2. (jewellery) the lower part of the stone. 3. (anatomy) the auricle of the ear.

pawl

'pall'

a bar/lever to prevent movement.

pawls

'palls'

bars/levers to prevent movement.

pawn 1. a chess piece. 2. a thing left as security/pledge.

169 paws

'pause'

the feet of a carnivore/beast.

pax

'packs'

(school slang) a peace/truce.

pay 1. a payment/salary/wage. 2. (nautical) smear with pitch/tar.

pea

'piece'

peaches 1. (slang) turns informer; informs upon. 2. white/yellow fruits.

'peek' & 'pique'

1. a projecting part of a cap/hat; a top of a hill/mountain. 2. waste away. 3. (nautical) tilt vertically.

'peeked' & 'piqued'

1. having a peak/point as in a cap/hat/top of a hill etc. 2. wasted away. 3. (nautical) tilted vertically.

'peeking' & 'piquing'

1. wasting away. 2. (nautical) tilting vertically.

peaks

'peeks' & 'piques'

1. the projecting part of caps/hats; tops of hills/mountains. 2. wastes away. 3. (nautical) tilts vertically.

peal

'peel'

1. a loud ring of bells. 2. a type of fish.

pealed

'peeled' 'peeling'

a loud ringing of bells.

peals

'peels'

bells ringing loudly.

pear

'pair' & 'pare'

a fleshy fruit.

pearl

'purl'

1. a lustrous concretion in mollusks. 2. a size of type. 3. a small fragment of various substances. 4. a loop of decorative edging on a pillowcase.

pearled

'purled'

dived for pearls.

pearler

'pees'

legumes used as food.

peat 1. decomposed vegetable matter. 2. (archaic) a girl/belle.

pebble 1. a small round stone. 2. (colloquial) a determined/high-spirited person or animal.

pebbles 1. small round stones. 2. (colloquial) determined/high-spirited persons or animals.

pec

'peck'

a photoelectric cell.

peccant 1. sinning. 2. (medical) morbid; inducing disease.

peck

'pec'

1. a measure of dry capacity. 2. strike/pluck with the beak; kiss the cheek quickly. 3. (slang) throw a stone.

pecker 1. one that pecks. 2. (colloquial) the nose; the penis.

peckers 1. those that peck. 2. (colloquial) noses; penises.

past participle and past tense of 'peal'

pealing

'pairs' & 'pares'

fleshy fruits.

1. a white/yellow fruit. 2. (slang) turn informer/inform upon.

peaking

'purls'

1. lustrous concretions in mollusks. 2. small fragments of various substances. 3. loops of decorative edging on a pillowcase.

peas

freedom from war/fighting.

peaked

'purling'

the act of diving for pearls.

pearls

pears

peach

peak

pearling

'pee' & 'p'

a legume used as food.

peace

a boat used for or person diving for pearls.

'purler'

pecks 1. (slang) throws a stone. 2. measures of dry capacity. 3. strikes/plucks with the beak; kisses the cheek quickly.

pedal

'peddle'

1. (mechanics and music) a foot lever. 2. (music) a note sustained through many bars.

pedalled

'peddled'

1. (mechanics and music) used a foot lever. 2. (music) sustained a note through many bars.

pedalling

'peddling'

1. (mechanics and music) using a foot lever. 2. (music) sustaining a note through many bars

pedals

'peddles'

1. (mechanics and music) foot levers. 2. (music) notes sustained through many bars.

170 peddle

'pedal'

sell; deal with; busy oneself with.

peddled

'pedalled'

sold; dealt with; busied oneself with.

peddles

'pedals'

sells; deals with; busies oneself with.

peddling

'pedalling'

selling; dealing with; busying oneself with.

pee

'pea' & 'p'

(colloquial) urinate.

peek

'peak' & 'pique'

peer into.

peeked

'peaked'

peered into.

peeking

'peaking'

peering into.

peeks

'peaks' & 'piques'

peers into.

peel

'peal'

1. a small tower in 16th century England. 2. a baker's shovel. 3. strip bark/rind/skin etc.

peeled

'pealed'

past participle and past tense of 'peel'

peeler 1. a thing/person that peels fruit/vegetables etc. 2. (history) a policeman.

peeling

'pealing'

removing outer skin of animal/vegetable etc.

peels

'peals'

removes outer skin from animals/vegetables etc.

peep 1. a feeble shrill sound. 2. peer through/into a narrow aperture.

peeper

pegs 1. (slang) throws a stone. 2. drinks of spirits. 3. dies; is ruined. 4. pins to hold things together. 5. stabilizes (of prices/wages).

peloton 1. a 19th century ornamental glass from Bohemia. 2. a small pellet or ball. 3. a small group, usually military.

pelt 1. the skin of a sheep/goat/fur-bearing animal. 2. attack with missiles/stones etc.

pelts 1. attacks with missiles/stones etc. 2. skins of sheep/goats/fur-bearing animals.

pen 1. a small enclosure for animals. 2. an instrument for writing. 3. a female swan.

pencil

'pensil'

an instrument for writing.

pencils

'pensils'

instruments for writing.

pend

'penned'

1. (Scottish) a vaulted passage. 2. to hang, as in balance.

pendant

'pendent'

'pendant'

(rhetorical) overhanging; undetermined; pending.

1. (colloquial) eyes; those who peep/look furtively. 2. a type of frogs.

peeps

pends

'pens'

1. (Scottish) vaulted passages. 2. hangs, as in the balance.

penetration

1. feeble shrill sounds. 3. peers through/into narrow apertures.

'pier'

1. equal in status/rank. 2. a member of the nobility. 3. look narrowly at/into etc.

'piers'

1. equals in status/rank. 2. members of nobility. 3. looks narrowly at/into etc.

pees

1. a pin to hold things together. 2. a drink of spirits. 3. stabilize (of prices/wages). 4. (slang) throw a stone. 5. die; be ruined.

pendent

peepers

peers

peg

a thing suspended/hanging e.g. jewelery, a flag etc.

1. one who looks furtively. 2. a type of frog.

peer

(slang) urinates.

'peas'

1. (of firearms/shooting) the depth to which a bullet etc goes into the target. 2. (of the intellect) insight; mental acuteness.

penguin 1. a flightless aquatic bird. 2. (colloquial) a nun.

penguins 1. flightless aquatic birds. 2. (colloquial) nuns.

penned

'pend'

1. confined; incarcerated; corralled.

171 2. wrote; composed.

perking

pennon 1. a long, swallow-tailed flag. 2. a bird's pinion.

pennons

perks

1. long, swallow-tailed flags. 2. a bird's pinions.

pens

'pends'

1. female swans. 2. instruments for writing. 3. small enclosures for animals.

pensil

'pencil'

a small swallow-tailed flag.

pensils

'pencils' 'paean', 'paeon' & 'pion'

a laborer/peasant.

peons

'paeans'

laborers; peasants.

people

'pipal'

a group/tribe/crowd/collection of persons etc.

per

1. acts in a jaunty manner. 2. (colloquial) vomits. 3. (colloquial) percolates. 4. fringe benefits or bonuses.

pernicious 1. destructive; malevolent. 2. (Milton) swift; ready; prompt.

perse

'purse'

(archaic) bluish-gray.

personate

small swallow-tailed flags.

peon

1. acting in a jaunty manner. 2. (colloquial) vomiting. 3. (colloquial) percolating.

'purr'

through; by; by means of.

perch 1. a freshwater fish. 2. a resting place for a bird. 3. measure of length.

perches 1. freshwater fishes. 2. measures of length. 3. resting places for birds.

period 1. the time of a planet's revolution; a cycle. 2. a full pause/stop at end of a sentence. 3. a set of figures marked off in large numbers.

periods 1. full pauses/stops at the end of sentences. 2. sets of figures marked off in large numbers. 3. the time of planets' revolutions/cycles.

periwinkle 1. a sea snail. 2. a plant of the genus Vinca.

periwinkles 1. sea snails 2. plants of the genus Vinca

perk 1. act in a jaunty manner. 2. (colloquial) vomit. 3. (colloquial) percolate. 4. a fringe benefit or bonus.

perked 1. acted in a jaunty manner. 2. (colloquial) vomited. 3. (colloquial) percolated.

1. (botany) of flowers, like the snapdragon, with two lips. 2. (legal) make a pretence for illegal purposes.

pert 1. impudent; impertinent; saucy. 2. in good health; sprightly.

pervade

'purveyed'

extend into; pass through.

pet 1. a tame/domestic animal. 2. ill-humor. 3. (slang) a loved one.

peter

'petre'

1. dwindle away; dissipate. 2. a signal for trumps at cards.

petre

'peter'

a short form of 'saltpetre'.

petrel

'petrol'

an albatross-like bird.

petrol

'petrel'

fuel for cars/trucks etc.

phanar

'fanner'

a class of Greek official in Turkey.

pharaoh

'faro'

the title of ancient Egyptian kings.

phare

'fare' & 'fair'

a beacon tower/lighthouse.

phase

'fays', 'faze' & 'feys'

an aspect of the moon/planets.

phased

'fazed'

controlled; gradual.

phenyl

'fennel'

a univalent group derived from benzene.

phew

'few' & 'feu'

an exclamation of surprise/disgust/distaste/relief.

philander

'filander'

make love frivolously.

philter

'filter'

172 a love potion.

philters

'filters'

love potions.

phiz

'fiz'

(slang) the face.

phlox

'flocks'

a scented plant.

phosphene

'phosphine'

a ring of light produced by pressure on the eyeball.

phosphine

'phosphene'

a colorless ill-smelling gas.

phrase

'fraise' & 'frays'

a mode of expression of diction.

phreak

'freak'

use electronic gear without paying the toll.

phreaks

'freaks'

uses electronic gear without paying the toll.

phylliform

'filiform'

having the shape of a leaf.

phylum

'filum'

(biology) the primary division of animal and vegetable worlds.

pi

'pie'

the ratio of the circumference to the diameter of a circle.

pica

'pika'

1. a printer's measure of type, usually 12 points. 2. (medical) a morbid craving to eat coal/chalk/dirt etc. 1. a small coin. 2. (colloquial) an insignificant person/thing. 3. mean-spirited; despicable; contemptible.

pick 1. a tool for digging hard ground/dirt etc. 2. select; choose. 3. criticize; nag. 4. release/open a lock.

picker 1. a person/thing that picks fruit/vegetables etc. 2. in weaving, the instrument that impels the shuttle.

picket 1. part of a wooden palisade. 2. a body of troops on guard.

'picky'

(colloquial) a picture/photograph/drawing etc.

pickle 1. (colloquial) a troublesome child. 2. liquid for preserving. 3. (Scottish) a small quantity. 4. peck at; eat sparingly; pilfer.

pickles

picks

'pyx'

1. chooses; selects. 2. digging tools. 3. releases/opens a lock 4. criticizes; nags.

pickup 1. the act of lifting something from the ground. 2. a phonograph needle. 3. a casual acquaintance, especially for lovemaking. 4. a type of truck; a vehicle with good acceleration.

picky

'pickie'

(colloquial) petty; choosy; obsessed with detail.

picnic

'pyknic'

a meal/repast at a beach/in the country/woods.

picnics

'pyknics'

meals/repasts at the beach/country/woods.

piddle 1. trifle with; waste time. 2. (colloquial) urinate.

piddled 1. trifled with; wasted time. 2. (colloquial) urinated.

piddles 1. trifles with; wastes time. 2. (colloquial) urinates.

piddling

picayune

pickie

1. (colloquial) troublesome children. 2. liquids for preserving. 3. (Scottish) small quantities. 4. pecks at; eats sparingly; pilfers.

1. trifling with; wasting time 2. (colloquial) urinating

pie

'pi'

1. a kind of woodpecker. 2. a dish of meat/fruit/vegetables in pastry. 3. (printing) a confused mass of type. 4. a Pakistani coin.

piece

'peace'

1. a distinct portion. 2. a firearm. 3. an artistic work; a picture/musical score.

pieces 1. artistic works/pictures/musical scores. 2. distinct portions. 3. firearms.

pier

'peer'

a breakwater/mole.

piers

'peers'

breakwaters; moles.

pies

'pis'

1. kinds of woodpeckers. 2. dishes of meat/fruit/vegetables in pastry. 3. (printing) confused masses of types.

173 4. Pakistani coins.

3. (slang) steal; rob. 4. (slang) arrest; take into custody.

pig 1. a swine/hog. 2. an oblong mass of metal. 3. a segment of an orange.

pika

'pica'

a small North American furry mammal.

pike 1. a long wooden shaft with a metal point. 2. the top of a hill (Lake district of England). 3. a large voracious fish. 4. a toll/turnpike road.

piker 1. a gambler/speculator/shirker/cheapskate. 2. (colloquial) a willd bullock.

pikers 1. gamblers; speculators; shirkers; cheapskates. 2. (colloquial) willd bullocks.

pikes 1. large voracious fishes. 2. long wooden shafts with metal points. 3. toll/turnpike roads. 4. the top of hills (Lake district of England).

pile 1. a pointed stake/post. 2. a heap of things. 3. (archaic) the reverse of a coin. 4. soft hair/down/wool. 5. a hemorrhoid.

piles 1. (archaic) the reverse of coins. 2. hemorrhoids. 3. heaps of things. 4. pointed stakes/posts.

pill 1. a small ball of medicine. 2. (slang) blackball; defeat. 3. (slang) plunder; pillage.

pillbox 1. a small container for pills/tablets. 2. a gun shelter of reinforced concrete.

pillboxes 1. small containers for pills/tablets. 2 gun shelters of reinforced concrete.

pills 1. (slang) blackballs; defeats. 2. (slang) plunders; pillages. 3. small balls of medicine.

pin 1. a thin piece of pointed metal for fastening. 2. (colloquial) the leg. 3. a small cask.

pinch 1. nip; squeeze. 2. sail too close to the wind.

pinchbeck 1. an alloy of copper and zinc. 2. something false; a sham.

pinches 1. (slang) arrests; takes into custody. 2. (slang) steals; robs. 3. nips; squeezes. 4. sails too close to the wind.

pine 1. a kind of evergreen tree. 2. languish; be depressed.

pines 1. kind of evergreen trees. 2. languishes; is depressed.

pinhead 1. the head of a pin; a very small object. 2. (colloquial) a person of very low intelligence.

pinion 1. the terminal segment of a bird's wing. 2. bind a person's arms. 3. a small cog wheel.

pinions 1. binds a person's arms. 2. small cog wheels. 3. the terminal segments of birds' wings.

pink 1. a garden plant. 2. a sailing vessel with a narrow stern. 3. pierce slightly with a sword. 4. a young salmon. 5. (mechanics) pre-ignition in an engine. 6. a pale red color.

pinkie

'pinky'

1. the little finger. 2. (colloquial) a communist sympathizer. 3. (South Australia) the bilby.

pinks 1. (mechanics) pre-ignition of an engine. 2. garden plants. 3. many instances of pale red color. 4. pierces slightly with a sword. 5. sailing vessels with narrow sterns. 6. many young salmon.

pinky

'pinkie'

(colloquial) cheap or home made wine.

pinned 1. fastened cloth/paper etc, using pins. 2. (colloquial) under the effects of any drug, especially heroin.

pinner 1. one who pins. 2. a headress with flaps hanging down each side.

174 pinners

pips

1. those who pin. 2. headresses with flaps hanging down each side.

pinnie

'pinny'

(colloquial) a pinball machine.

pinny

'pinnie'

(colloquial) a pinnafore dress.

pins 1. (colloquial) legs. 2. small casks. 3. thin pieces of pointed metal for fastening.

pion

'paean', 'paeon' & 'peon'

a subatomic particle group.

pip 1. a disease of poultry. 2. a fit of temper. 3. the spot on cards/dominoes/dice etc. 4. a segment of the surface of a pineapple. 5. (colloquial) blackball; defeat. 6. the seed of some fruit. 7. a short high-pitched sound.

pipal

'people'

a species of fig tree from India. 1. a tube for conveying water/gas etc. 2. a cask of wine. 3. (nautical) summon the crew with a whistle. 4. propagate a flower. 5. trim a dress/cake with piping.

piper

'peak' & 'peek'

1. irritate/wound pride. 2. arouse curiosity. 3. win 30 points at piquet.

piqued

'peaked' & 'peeked'

1. irritated/wounded pride. 2. aroused curiosity. 3. won 30 points at piquet.

piques

'peaks' & 'peeks'

1. arouses curiosity. 2. irritates/wounds pride. 3. wins 30 points at piquet.

piquing

'peaking' & 'peeking'

1. irritating/wounding pride. 2. arousing curiosity. 3. winning 30 points at piquet.

pis

'pies'

pisser 1. (colloquial) a pub. 2. (colloquial) a urinal. 3. (colloquial) a disappointing event or thing.

pissers 1. (colloquial) pubs. 2. (colloquial) urinals. 3. (colloquial) disappointing events or things.

1. one who plays pipes. 2. a kind of fish. 3. a broken-winded horse. 4. a decoy-dog.

pistil

'pistol'

the ovary of a flower.

pipers

pistils

1. broken/winded horses. 2. decoy dogs. 3. kinds of fishes. 4. those who play the pipes.

pipes 1. casks of wine. 2. propagates a flower. 3. summons a crew with a whistle. 4. trims a dress/cake with piping. 5. tubes for conveying gas/water etc.

'pippy'

an edible bivalve mollusc of eastern Australia.

piping 1. (nautical) summoning the crew. 2. propagating a flower. 3. applying a trim to a dress/cake. 4. playing on bagpipes.

pippy

pique

many instances of the pi ratio.

pipe

pipi

1. (colloquial) blackballs; defeats. 2. fits of temper. 3. seeds of fruit. 4. segments of the surface of pineapple. 5. short high-pitched sounds. 6. spots on dice/dominoes/cards etc.

'pipi'

(colloquial) out of sorts; irritable.

'pistols'

ovaries of flowers.

pistol

'pistil'

a gun/firearm.

pistols

'pistils'

guns/firearms.

pit 1. a hole in the ground. 2. (of racing) a place for refueling racing cars. 3. set one against another.

pitch 1. a black resinous substance. 2. fix/erect camp. 3. (music) a particular frequency of sound. 4. throw/fling a ball/an object. 5. a ship's movement in a heavy sea. 6. the degree of a slope.

pitcher 1. a vessel, with a handle, for liquids. 2. a stone used for paving.

175 3. the player who throws the ball to the hitter (in baseball).

pitchers

pitches 1. (music) particular frequencies of sound. 2. degrees of slope. 3. fixes/erects camp. 4. a ship's movements in heavy sea. 5. throws/flings a ball/an object. 1. of/like pith e.g. inside lining of an orange peel. 2. forcefully concise/cogent/precise. 1. (of racing) places for refueling cars. 2. holes in the ground. 3. sets one against another.

'pixilated'

(of video) an out of focus image formed of large pixel groups.

'pixelated'

(colloquial) slightly crazy; a bit drunk.

'plaice'

1. the opening antiphon of vespers for the dead. 2. medicine given to humor rather than cure.

placebos 1. medicines given to humor rather than cure. 2. the opening antiphons of vespers for the dead.

placer

'plaque'

an old Scottish copper coin.

'place'

a flat fish used as food.

plaid

'played'

a type of woollen cloth, usually tartan.

plain

'plane'

1. clear; evident. 2. a level tract of country. 3. (archaic) mourn; emit a plaintive sound.

plained

'planed'

(archaic) mourned; emitted plaintive sound.

plaining

'planing'

(archaic) mourning; emitting plaintive sound.

plains

'planes'

1. (archaic) mourns; emits plaintive sound. 2. level tracts of country.

plait

plane

'plain'

1. a tall spreading tree. 2. a tool for smoothing wood; use such a tool. 3. a level surface. 4. the main road in a mine.

planed planer

'plained' 'planar'

one who planes/smoothes wood.

'plains'

1. tall spreading trees. 2. tools for smoothing wood; uses such a tool. 3. level surfaces. 4. the main roads in mines.

planet 1. an astronomical large solid body. 2. the chasuble (used in the Catholic Mass).

planing

'plaining'

using a tool for smoothing wood. 1. a long flat piece of timber. 2. a political principle.

plant 1. place tree/shrub etc. in the ground. 2. industrial equipment, in general.

plantar

'plat'

'planter'

pertaining to the sole of the foot.

planter

1. (mining) deposits containing gold, or similar. 2. one who places things/objects etc.

plaice

'planer'

flat; without undulation.

plank

a particular area/part.

placebo

plack

planar

planes

pits

place

'plats'

used a tool for smoothing wood.

pithy

pixilated

plaits interlaced hairs.

1. players who throw balls (usually in baseball). 2. stones used for paving. 3. vessels, with a handle, for liquids.

pixelated

interlaced hair.

'plantar'

one who plants trees/shrubs etc.

plaque

'plack'

1. an ornamental tablet. 2. (pathology) a patch of eruption.

plash 1. a marshy pool. 2. strike the surface of the water. 3. make/renew a hedge.

plashes 1. makes/renews a hedge. 2. marshy pools. 3. strikes the surface of water.

plaster 1. a medicinal adhesive covering. 2. a mixture used for smoothing walls. 3. treat wine to neutralize acidity.

plasters 1. medicinal adhesive coverings. 2. mixtures used for smoothing walls. 3. treats wine to reduce acidity.

plat

'plait'

176 a patch/plot of ground.

plate 1. a flat circular sheet of metal/wood etc. 2. a timber support. 3. a silver/gold cup as a prize. 4. a light shoe for a racehorse.

plater 1. one who plates metals/makes plates. 2. a horse good enough only for a selling race.

plates 1. flat circular sheets of metal/wood etc. 2. light shoes for a racehorse. 3. silver/gold cups as prizes. 4. timber supports.

plats

'plaits'

patches/plots of ground.

played

'plaid'

performed; acted; frolicked.

pleas

'please'

supplications; earnest requests.

please

'pleas'

be agreeable/amenable.

pleural

'plural'

relating to the lungs.

plies 1. (nautical) sails to the windward. 2. strands of rope; thicknesses of cloth/wood. 3. uses; works.

plight 1. pledge; engage. 2. a condition or state that is unhappy/evil/sorrowful.

plod 1. trudge; move heavily; walk ponderously. 2. (colloquial) a policeman. 3. (colloquial) a story or information.

plods 1. trudges; moves heavily; walks ponderously. 2. (colloquial) policemen.

plonk 1. the plunk/sound of guitar/banjo when picked. 2. (colloquial) in Australia, cheap wine/alcohol.

plot 1. a small piece of land. 2. the plan of a story/play/poem; the sequence of events etc.

plots 1. small pieces of land. 2. plans of stories/plays/poems etc.

plover 1. a bird of the family Charadriidae. 2. (slang) a dupe/fool. 3. (slang) a prostitute/whore.

plovers

1. a group of birds of the same family Charadriidae. 2. (slang) dupes; fools. 3. (slang) prostitutes; whores.

pluck 1. twitch; pull. 2. a rejection/failure in examination. 3. the heart, liver and lungs of a beast as food. 4. courage; spirit.

plug 1. fill/stop up hole etc. 2. a piece of tobacco. 3. (slang) a street rowdy. 4. (slang) shoot; hit; strike. 5. (colloquial) work diligently. 6. (colloquial) try to popularize a song/theory/policy.

plugged 1. (colloquial) popularized a song/theory/policy. 2. (colloquial) worked diligently. 3. (slang) shot; hit; struck. 4. filled/stopped up a hole etc.

plugging 1. (colloquial) popularizing a song/theory/policy. 2. (colloquial) working diligently. 3. (slang) shooting; hitting; striking. 4. filling/stopping up a hole etc.

plugs 1. (colloquial) tries to popularize a song/theory/policy. 2. (colloquial) works diligently. 3. (slang) shoots; hits; strikes. 4. fills/stops up a hole etc. 5. (slang) street rowdies. 6. pieces of tobacco.

plum

'plumb'

a kind of fruit.

plumb

'plum'

1. a ball of lead on a string. 2. (slang) quite; utterly. 3. measure the sea depth (usually with a weighted line).

plumbago 1. a type of annual or perennial plant for warm climates. 2. graphite.

plumbs

'plums'

1. balls of lead on strings. 2. measures the sea depth (usualy with a weighted line).

plummy 1. full of or resembling plums. 2. (colloquial) good; desirable; choice.

plump 1. full; rounded; fleshy. 2. drop/plunge abruptly. 3. (archaic) a company/troop.

177 plumper

pockets

1. a ball/disc in the mouth to fill out the cheeks. 2. fuller; rounder. 3. a voter. 4. (slang) a bald-faced lie.

plumpers 1. (slang) bald-faced lies. 2. balls/discs in the mouth to fill out the cheeks. 3. voters.

plums

'plumbs'

kinds of fruit.

plunger

pod 1. the socket of a brace and bit. 2. the long seed vessel of legumes. 3. a small herd of seals/whales.

pods 1. long seed vessels of legumes. 2. small herds of seals/whales. 3. sockets of brace and bit.

poi

1. (machinery) a piston/mechanical ram. 2. (colloquial) a reckless gambler/speculator.

plungers 1. (machinery) pistons; mechanical rams. 2. (colloquial) reckless gamblers/speculators.

plunk 1. throw/fall heavily. 2. sound of a musical instrument when plucked. 3. (colloquial) a dollar.

plunks 1. (colloquial) dollars. 2. sounds of musical instruments when plucked. 3. throws/falls heavily.

plural

1. bags or pouches. 2. small isolated areas/sections of ore.

'pleural'

two or more of something.

pluvial 1. of or relating to rain. 2. a canopy/coping/long mantle.

ply 1. a strand of rope; a thickness of cloth/wood. 2. use/work. 3. (nautical) sail to windward.

poach 1. cook eggs in boiling water. 2. trample upon. 3. capture game illicitly. 4. (of tennis) strike the ball in a partner's court.

poacher 1. one who steals game from somebody's land. 2. a pan for poaching eggs.

poachers 1. those who steal game from somebody's land. 2. pans for poaching eggs.

poaches 1. (of tennis) strikes a ball in a partner's court. 2. captures game illicitly. 3. cooks eggs in boiling water. 4. tramples upon.

pocket 1. a bag or pouch. 2. a small, isolated area/section of ore. 3. (racing) a position where a contestant is hemmed in.

1. a Hawaiian dish made from taro. 2. a small light ball on a string, used in Maori dancing.

point 1. a dot/spot on a surface. 2. a unit in appraising value/worth/rank. 3. a stage/degree in increase/decrease e.g. of temperature. 4. a precise moment for action. 5. a distinctive characteristic/idea/aspect. 6. the sharp end of a tool/weapon. 7. the means by which a train's direction is changed. 8. (nautical) a short piece of cord on a sail. 9. a position in cricket. 10. punctuate. 11. fill in the joints of brickwork. 12. indicate; show; direct attention to.

pointed 1. filled in the joints in brickwork. 2. indicated; showed. 3. punctuated.

pointing 1. filling in joints in brickwork. 2. indicating; showing; directing attention to. 3. punctuating.

pointless 1. without a sharp end; blunt; dull. 2. irrelevant. 3. scoreless, as in a game.

points 1. (nautical) short pieces of cord on sails. 2. distinctive characteristics/ideas/aspects. 3. dots/spots on a surface. 4. fills in joints of brickwork. 5. indicates; shows; directs attention to. 6. a means by which a train's direction is changed. 7. precise moments for action. 8. punctuates. 9. sharp ends of tools/weapons. 10. stages/degrees in increase/decrease e.g. in temperature. 11. units in appraising value/worth/rank.

poise

178 1. a state of balance/steadiness/stability. 2. a non-SI unit of viscosity.

poke 1. a bag/sack. 2. thrust; push. 3. a device to prevent cattle going through a fence. 4. the projecting brim of a woman's hat.

poker 1. a metal rod for poking at fires. 2. a card game.

pokes 1. bags; sacks. 2. devices to prevent cattle going through fences. 3. projecting brims of women's hats. 4. thrusts; pushes.

pokey

'poky'

(colloquial) jail.

poky

'pokey'

1. (of a place) small or cramped. 2. (of a person) concerned with petty things.

polacca 1. a three-masted sailing ship of the Mediterranean. 2. a Polish dance in 3/4 time.

polaccas 1. three-masted sailing ships of the Mediterranean. 2. Polish dances in 3/4 time.

polar

'poler'

or or relating to poles, magnets and such like.

pole

'poll'

1. a long tapering piece of wood. 2. (slang) a difficult situation. 3. a measure of length. 4. the opposite ends of a magnet/celestial sphere.

polecat 1. an animal related to the weasel. 2. (Shakespeare) a prostitute.

polecats 1. animals related to weasels. 2. (Shakespeare) prostitutes.

poled

'polled'

moved a boat using a pole.

poler

'polar'

1. (colloquial) a lazy person. 2. a person who pole-fishes. 3. a bullock or horse (of a team) nearest the wagon.

polers 1. (colloquial) lazy persons. 2. persons who pole-fish. 3. bullocks or horses (of a team) nearest the wagon.

poles

'polls'

1. long tapering pieces of wood. 2. measures of length. 3. the opposite ends of magnets/celestial spheres. 4. moves a boat using a pole.

poling

'polling'

the act of pushing a boat with a pole.

poll

'pole'

1. the human head. 2. the counting of voters. 3. cut off the top of a tree/plant etc.

pollard 1. a tree cut back to the trunk. 2. a hornless variety of goat, sheep, ox etc. 3. a coarse wheat bran; a type of livestock feed.

pollards 1. trees cut back to the trunk. 2. a hornless variety of goats/sheep/oxen etc.

polled

'poled'

1. counted votes. 2. removed the tops from trees/plants.

polling

'poling'

1. the counting of votes. 2. cutting off the tops of trees/plants.

polls

'poles'

1. human heads. 2. acts of counting votes. 3. cuts off top of tree/plant etc.

polo 1. a game like hockey, on horseback. 2. a Spanish gypsy dance.

polonaise 1. a woman's dress. 2. a type of music.

pommel

'pummel'

the protuberance at the front and top of a saddle.

pompom 1. (colloquial) a machine gun. 2. a tuft/tassel worn on a shoe/hat.

pompoms 1. (colloquial) machine guns. 2. tufts/tassels worn on shoes/hats etc.

pone

'pony'

the person sitting opposite to the dealer in cards.

pongo 1. (colloquial) smelly. 2. (NZ colloquial) a British soldier. 3. a genus of anthropoid ape comprising the orang-utan.

pontoon 1. a flat-bottomed boat. 2. a card game, Twenty-One.

179 pony

'pone'

1. a horse of small breed. 2. a small glass of beer or spirits.

poo

'pooh'

(colloquial) defecation; excrement.

poof 1. an exclamation of contempt. 2. the sound used to indicate a thing vanishing, as if by magic. 3. a short form of 'poofter' - a male homosexual.

pooh

'poo'

an exclamation of contempt or disdain.

pool

'poule'

1. a small body of still water. 2. make a hole for insertion of a wedge. 3. a collective amount of things/money etc. 4. a game on a billiard table.

pools 1. collective amounts of things/money etc. 2. makes a hole for insertion of a wedge. 3. small bodies of still water.

poon 1. the East Indian tree of the genus Calophyllum. 2. (colloquial) a stupid/weird/useless person.

poons 1. East Indian trees of the genus Calophyllum. 2. (colloquial) stupid/weird/useless people.

poop 1. (nautical) the enclosed space at the stern, above the main deck. 2. (colloquial) to exhaust; to tire. 3. (colloquial) excrement etc.

pooped 1. (colloquial) defecated. 2. (colloquial) exhausted.

pop 1. a small quick sound. 2. move; go; come. 3. (slang) pawn something. 4. (colloquial) a fizzy soft drink.

pope 1. the bishop of Rome. 2. a painful blow to the thigh.

popes 1. bishops of Rome. 2. painful blows to the thighs.

popper 1. a thing that pops e.g. a fire-cracker. 2. (colloquial) a press-stud. 3. a packaged drink with a built-in drinking straw.

poppers 1. things that pop e.g. fire-crackers. 2. (colloquial) press-studs. 3. packaged drinks with built-in drinking straws.

poppet 1. (colloquial) a term of endearment. 2. (nautical) a short piece of wood. 3. a part of a hoisting frame. 4. a lathe-head.

poppets 1. (colloquial) terms of endearment. 2. (nautical) short pieces of wood. 3. lathe-heads. 4. parts of hoisting frames.

pops 1. (colloquial) fizzy soft drinks. 2. (slang) pawns something. 3. moves; goes; comes. 4. small quick sounds.

populace

'populous'

the general population.

populous

'populace'

1. (Shakespeare) numerous. 2. (rare) popular. 3. inhabited.

pore

'pour'

1. a minute opening in the skin. 2. meditate upon; think about.

pored

'poured'

meditated; thought about.

pores

'pours'

1. minute openings in the skin. 2. meditates; thinks about.

poring

'pouring'

meditating; thinking about.

porky 1. like a pig. 2. (colloquial) fat; obese. 3. (colloquial) a lie.

porrect 1. (ecclesiastical law) to submit/tender. 2. (botany) extending forward.

port

porte

1. a harbor/town with a harbor etc. 2. a gate/opening of walled town. 3. (military) a position taken in porting arms. 4. (nautical) the left hand side of a ship, looking forward. 5. a dark, sweet red wine.

portal 1. a doorway/gateway. 2. (anatomy) the transverse fissure of a liver.

portals 1. (anatomy) transverse fissures of the liver. 2. doorways; gateways.

porte

'port'

a Turkish court of the Ottoman Empire.

porter

180 1. a person employed to carry bags/cases etc. 2. a dark-brown beer.

ports 1. (military) position taken in porting arms. 2. dark red wines. 3. gates/openings of walled towns. 4. harbors/towns with harbors.

pose

1. one who poses. 2. a puzzling question or problem.

1. placed/preserved/cooked things in a pot. 2. (colloquial) condensed; abridged; summarized. 1. a maker of earthenware vessels. 2. dawdle; loiter; work feebly.

potters

posers 1. those who pose. 2. puzzling questions or problems.

1. dawdles; loiters; works feebly. 2. makers of earthenware vessels.

potty

poses 1. attitudes of bodies or minds. 2. places the first domino on the table. 3. puzzles a person with a problem/question.

post

1. (colloquial) crazy; silly; stupid; dotty. 2. a pot used, as a toilet, for small children.

poule

'pool'

a movement in a quadrille (a dance).

1. a stout piece of timber placed in the ground. 2. place an advertisement in a prominent place. 3. a courier/letter-carrier. 4. sizes/kinds of writing paper. 5. the place where a soldier is on duty.

poster 1. a large placard/bill/advertisement, usually with illustrations. 2. (colloquial) a football kick that hits a goal post.

posters 1. large placards/bills/advertisements, usually with illustrations. 2. (colloquial) football kicks that hit a goal post.

posts 1. sends a letter/message. 2. places advertisement in a prominent place. 3. places where soldiers are on duty. 4. stout pieces of timber placed in ground.

'pott'

1. a round container for holding liquid/food. 2. a large sum (of money). 3. ruin; destroy. 4. (of billiards) a pocket. 5. abridge/epitomize. 6. bag/kill game with a shot. 7. (slang) the cannabis drug.

potato 1. an edible tuber, Solanum tuberosum. 2. (colloquial) a woman.

potatoes 1. edible tubers, Solanum tuberosum. 2. (colloquial) women. 1. (of billiards) pockets.

'pot'

a size of writing paper, about 15x12 inches.

potter

poser

pots

pott potted

1. place the first domino on the table. 2. an attitude of body or mind. 3. puzzle person with a problem/question.

pot

2. abridges; epitomizes. 3. bags/kills game with a shot. 4. large sums (of money). 5. round containers for holding food/liquid. 6. ruins; destroys.

pounce 1. a claw/talon of a bird of prey. 2. a fine powder used for blotting ink.

pound 1. a measure of weight. 2. a unit of money. 3. an enclosure for keeping stray animals. 4. crush; pummel; bash.

pounder 1. an instrument or one who pounds/bashes etc. 2. a gun shell/ball of a particular size e.g. a 3 pounder.

pounds 1. crushes; pummels; bashes. 2. enclosures for keeping stray animals. 3. measures of weight. 4. units of money.

pour

'pore'

flow; cause liquid to flow.

poured

'pored'

flowed; caused liquid to flow.

pouring

'poring'

flowing; causing liquid to flow.

pours

'pores'

flows; causes liquid to flow.

pout 1. a kind of fish. 2. push lips out with displeasure.

pouter 1. one who pouts. 2. a kind of fish.

pouters

181 1. kinds of fishes. 2. those who pout.

a number of gifts.

preserves

pouts 1. kind of fishes. 2. pushes the lips out with displeasure.

practice

press

1. a habit/mode of operation. 2. exercise; physical activity; repetitive action.

praise

'prays', 'preys' & 'prase'

commend/express regard for.

prank

1. practical jokes. 2. struts; parades; shows off.

'praise', 'prays' & 'preys'

a leek-green translucent quartz.

prat 1. (colloquial) the buttocks. 2. a person who is foolish/incompetent.

'prow'

a narrow Malayan boat, with outrigger.

pray

'prey'

beseech; make entreaty; engage in prayer.

prayed

'preyed'

beseeched; made entreaty; engaged in prayer.

praying

1. squeezing/bearing upon. 2. persistent; immediate; very earnest.

prest

'pressed'

1. (Shakespeare) ready. 2. (obsolete) enlist; pay in advance; impress for service.

prey

'pray'

an animal hunted/killed.

preyed

'prayed'

hunted/killed animals.

'praise', 'preys' & 'prase'

preys

'praying'

stalking/acting as a predator.

beseeches; engages in prayer etc.

'praise', 'prays' & 'prase'

hunts; pursues; kills.

prick

1. a thing or person who foretells. 2. (military) a range-finder for tracking targets.

predictors 1. those things or persons who foretell. 2. (military) range-finders for tracking targets.

preen 1. arrange/compose, as with feathers. 2. (Scottish) a pin.

preens 1. arranges/composes, as with feathers. 2. (Scottish) pins.

premises 1. (logic) previous statements/inferences. 2. houses/buildings.

'presents'

being there/available/present.

present

1. pierce slightly. 2. mark off name in a list. 3. plant seedlings in small holes. 4. erect an ear on alert (of dog/horse etc.). 5. (colloquial) the penis

pricket 1. a 2 year old buck. 2. a spike to stick candles on.

prickets 1. two-year-old bucks. 2. spikes to stick candles on.

prickle 1. a small thorn. 2. a kind of wicker basket.

prickles 1. kind of wicker baskets. 2. small thorns.

pricks

1. being at a place. 2. the time now passing. 3. a gift.

presents

pressing

preying

predictor

presence

'prest'

1. cupboards for clothes/books etc. 2. machines for printing. 3. throngs; crowds; crushes; flattens; shapes.

'preying'

beseeching; worshipping.

prays

pressed presses

pranks

prau

1. throng/crowd together; crush/flatten/shape something. 2. a machine for printing. 3. a cupboard for clothes/books etc. past tense of 'press': pushed; depressed; squashed; etc.

1. a practical joke. 2. strut; parade; show off.

prase

1. jams; conserves. 2. sets apart for protection. 3. goggles.

'presence'

1. erects the ear on alert (of dogs/horses etc.). 2. marks off a name in a list. 3. pierces slightly. 4. plants seedlings in small holes.

182 pride

'pried'

1. ego; self-satisfaction. 2. a group of lions, in the wild.

pried

'pride'

1. levered; jimmied. 2. investigated; inquired into.

pries

'prize' & 'pryse'

1. levers; jimmies. 2. investigates; inquires into

prig 1. (slang) a tinker/thief. 2. (Scottish) to entreat/haggle. 3. a person of precise morals, but little sense.

primage 1. a freight charge. 2. an amount of steam let off.

primate 1. an archbishop. 2. the highest order of mammals.

prime 1. the state of highest development. 2. (archaic) this time. 3. a number/single atom. 4. a position in fencing. 5. get a gun ready for firing.

primed 1. prepared or made ready, as for a gun. 2. (colloquial) drunk; inebriated.

primer 1. an elementary school-book. 2. the cap etc. used to ignite a gun.

priming 1. taking a prime position in fencing. 2. gunpowder in the firing pan. 3. a mixture used by painters. 4. imparting information. 5. the acceleration of tides.

primus 1. the presiding bishop in a Scottish church. 2. a portable cooking stove.

prince

'prints'

a male nobility/royalty.

principal

'principle'

1. first in rank/importance. 2. an original sum of money. 3. a person for whom another acts as an agent. 4. the main roof rafter.

principals

'principles'

1. first in rank/importance. 2. the original sums of money. 3. persons for whom another acts as agent. 4. main roof rafters.

principle

'principal'

a fundamental idea/source/truth.

principles

'principals'

fundamental ideas/sources/truths.

prints

'prince'

produces marks/writing.

prion 1. a seabird of the genus Pachyptila. 2. an infectious protein particle.

prions 1. seabirds of the genus Pachyptila. 2. infectious protein particles.

prior

'pryer'

1. a superior officer of a religious order. 2. earlier; before.

prize (prise)

'pries' & 'pryse'

1. an award. 2. raise; move; force open.

prized (prised) 1. valued. 2. forced open.

prizes (prises)

'pryses'

1. rewards. 2. forces open.

pro 1. in favour of; arguing for; promoting. 2. (colloquial) a professional. 3. (colloquial) a prostitute.

prog 1. university slang for proctor. 2. pierce; prick; poke.

progs 1. university slang for proctors. 2. pierces; pricks; pokes.

prone 1. lying face down. 2. disposed/liable towards an action/a condition etc.

proof 1. sufficient evidence. 2. the strength of a liquor. 3. the engraved plate before printing. 4. a test-tube.

proofs 1. engraved plates before printing. 2. sufficient evidence. 3. test-tubes.

prop 1. support; hold up; help. 2. (of a horse) come to dead stop. 3. abbreviation of 'propeller'. 4. (in the theater) a property/part of a scene.

proper 1. suitable; appropriate; fit. 2. (grammar) designating first letter of a name/noun with capital letter e.g. John etc.

183 properties

prow

1. houses/lands/things owned etc. 2. (logic) attributes; characteristics

property

prune

1. a house/land/thing owned etc. 2. (logic) an attribute; a characteristic.

proposition 1. a formal statement of problem/idea etc. 2. (slang) a task/job/trade etc.

propositions 1. (slang) tasks; jobs; trades etc. 2. formal statements of problems/ideas etc.

props 1. (of horse) comes to a dead stop. 2. supports; holds up; helps. 3. abbreviation of 'propellers'. 4. (in theater) properties/things used in scenes.

pros 1. (colloquial) professionals. 1. the factors for a premise or condition. 2. (colloquial) professionals. 2. (colloquial) prostitutes. 3. (colloquial) prostitutes.

prose

'prau'

1. the forepart of a ship/boat. 2. (archaic) worthy; gallant.

'pros'

ordinary written language.

prospect 1. an extensive view/outlook. 2. test for mineral ore. 3. a possible/probable customer.

prospects 1. extensive views/outlooks. 2. possible/probable customers. 3. tests for mineral ore.

prothesis 1. the addition of a phoneme or syllable at the beginning of a word. 2. (Greek Orthodox church) the preliminary oblations of the eucharist.

protractor 1. an instrument for measuring angles. 2. the muscle to extend the limbs.

proud 1. being satisfied about a result/feat/an accomplishment. 2. projecting beyond surrounding objects/elements/things.

provision 1. a food supply. 2. a legal/formal statement. 3. (history) an appointment to benefice not yet vacant.

provisions 1. (history) appointments to benefice not yet vacant. 2. food supplies. 3. legal/formal statements.

1. a dried plum. 2. trim; cut away. 3. (archaic) preen.

prunella 1. a strong silk/worsted cloth. 2. a kind of throat disorder. 3. a kind of plant/weed.

prunes 1. (archaic) preens. 2. dried plums. 3. trims; cuts away.

prurient 1. inclined to lascivious thought. 2. (botany) causing itching.

pry 1. look intently at; peer into; question thoroughly. 2. prize/force open.

pryer (prier)

'prior'

one who pries into.

pryse

'pries' & 'prize'

(Scottish) a horn blast at a hunt.

pryses

'prizes'

(Scottish) horn blasts at a deer hunt.

psalter

'salter'

a copy or version of the Psalms.

psyche 1. the soul/spirit/mind. 2. a kind of moth.

psychosis

'sycosis'

a mental disorder/illness.

puck 1. any mischievous sprite/child. 2. a cattle disease. 3. the disc in ice-hockey.

pucks 1. any mischievous sprites/children. 2. discs in ice-hockey.

pudding 1. a type of sweet dessert. 2. (nautical) a pad of rope used as a fender.

puff 1. a short blast of breath. 2. a soft protuberant in dress or hair. 3. advertise with false praise.

puffs 1. advertises with false praise. 2. short blasts of breath. 3. soft protuberants in dresses or hair.

puffy 1. being short of wind.

184 2. inflated or distended; fat. 3. conceited; bombastic.

pug 1. a dog like a bulldog; a fox. 2. the upper servant in a large establishment. 3. a small locomotive for shunting. 4. loam/clay for brick making. 5. the footprint of a beast.

pugs 1. foxes/dogs like bulldogs. 2. footprints of a beast. 3. small locomotives for shunting. 4. upper servants in large establishments.

puke 1. vomit; regurgitate. 2. (obsolete) a fine woollen cloth. 3. a color between purple and black.

pull 1. wrench; tug. 2. a rough proof in printing. 3. a supply of beer exceeding that asked for.

pulls 1. rough proofs in printing. 2. wrenches; tugs.

pulse 1. the beat of a heart. 2. edible seeds of peas/beans etc.

pummel

'pommel'

beat or thrash using quick blows.

pump 1. a machine for moving fluids via a piston. 2. elicit information. 3. a kind of shoe for women.

pumps 1. elicits information. 2. kind of shoes for women. 3. machines for moving fluids via a piston.

pun 1. a humorous use of words. 2. consolidate earth etc. by pounding.

punch 1. an instrument for cutting circular holes. 2. strike with a closed fist. 3. a mixed drink. 4. a thickset draft horse. 5. a short fat man or thing.

puncheon 1. a strut/slab of wood used as a support. 2. a cask of between 70 and 120 gallons. 3. a patterned die used by gold and silversmiths.

puncheons 1. struts/slabs of wood used as supports. 2. casks of between 70 and 120 gallons. 3. patterned dies used by gold and silversmiths.

punches

1. instruments for cutting circular holes. 2. mixed drinks. 3. short fat men or things. 4. strikes with a closed fist. 5. thickset draft horses.

punk 1. (archaic) a prostitute. 2. rotten wood/fungus on wood. 3. (slang) a degenerate/worthless person.

punks 1. (archaic) prostitutes. 2. (slang) degenerate/worthless persons.

puns 1. consolidates earth etc., by pounding. 2. the humorous use of words.

punt 1. a shallow boat. 2. kick a football before it hits the ground. 3. (colloquial) make a bet.

punts 1. (colloquial) makes a bet. 2. kicks a football before it hits the ground. 3. shallow boats.

punty 1. an iron rod used to handle molten glass. 2. shrubs of the genus Cassia; kangaroo bush.

pupal

'pupil'

an insect between the larva and imago stages.

pupil

'pupal'

1. one who is taught by another. 2. the opening in the center of the iris of an eye.

pupils 1. those who are taught by another. 2. openings in the centre of irises of the eyes.

purchase 1. acquire by buying. 2. mechanical advantage/leverage.

purchases 1. acquires by buying. 2. mechanical advantages/leverages.

purge 1. cleanse; clear away; eliminate; eradicate. 2. (colloquial) any alcoholic drink.

purl

'pearl'

1. a cord of twisted gold/silver. 2. flow with a babbling sound (of a brook/creek). 3. hot beer. 4. a heavy fall.

purled

'pearled'

1. flowed/babbled (of a brook/stream). 2. turned upside down.

purler 1. a heavy fall or throw. 2. excellent; top quality.

'pearler'

185 purling

'pearling'

1. turning upside down. 2. babbling/flowing (of a brook/stream).

purls

'pearls'

1. cords of twisted gold/silver. 2. flows with a babbling sound (of a brook/creek). 3. hot beers. 4. heavy falls.

purr

'per'

sounds of pleasure (of a cat).

purse

'perse'

1. a small pouch for carrying money. 2. contract brow/lips.

pursy 1. short-winded; corpulent. 2. puckered.

purveyed

'pervade'

supplied; provided. 1. one who aggressively pursues a career. 2. (colloquial) one who sells drugs illegally.

pushers 1. those who aggressively pursue careers. 2. (colloquial) those who sell drugs illegally.

pushover 1. anything done easily. 2. in canoeing, a stroke used to move the canoe sideways.

pussy 1. a cat. 2. (colloquial) move in/about/upon. 3. (colloquial) the vulva.

put (1) 1. push; thrust; proceed; move; place. 2. a stock option.

'putt'

(old slang) a duffer/an odd person.

puts (2)

'putts'

(old slang) queer/odd persons.

putt

'put (2)'

strike golf ball softly.

puttee

'putty'

a tough cloth wound around a leg for protection.

puttees

'putties'

tough cloths wound around legs for protection.

putties

'puttees'

soft cements for sealing windows in frames etc.

putts

'puts (2)'

strikes golf ball softly.

putty

'puttee'

a soft cement for sealing windows in frames etc.

pyknic

pyknics

'picnics'

(anthropology) persons with a thick neck and short legs.

pyrene 1. a yellow, crystalline hydrocarbon. 2. (botany) the seed of a druplet e.g. a raspberry.

pyrrhic 1. a metrical foot composed of two short or unaccented syllables. 2. an ancient Greek warlike dance.

python 1. a huge snake/serpent. 2. a familiar spirit.

pythonic 1. prophetic; oracular. 2. like a python snake.

pythons

pusher

put (2)

(anthropology) a person with a thick neck and short legs.

'picnic'

1. familiar spirits. 2. huge snakes/serpents.

pyx

'picks'

a small vessel in which the consecrated host is carried.

'Q' Words 186 q

'cue' & 'queue'

the 17th letter of the English alphabet.

quack 1. a fake doctor. 2. a sound like a duck.

quacks 1. fake doctors. 2. makes sound like a duck.

quad 1. (printing) a piece of type metal used for spacing. 2. a quadrangle or courtyard. 3. a size of paper 4 times larger. 4. a quadruplet.

quadrille 1. a type of square dance. 2. an 18th century, 4 handed card game.

quads 1. quadruplets. 2. (colloquial) the quadricep muscles.

quail 1. a small bird like a partridge. 2. flinch from; be cowed.

quails 1. flinches; is cowed. 2. small birds like partridges.

quark 1. a question mark. 2. a hypothetical particle of quantum theory.

quarks 1. question marks. 2. hypothetical particles of quantum theory.

quarrel 1. a short heavy arrow for a cross-bow. 2. a dispute/confrontation.

quarrels 1. disputes; confrontations. 2. short heavy arrows for cross-bows.

quarries 1. diamond shaped panes of glass. 2. excavations. 3. objects of pursuit.

quarry 1. an object of pursuit. 2. a diamond-shaped pane of glass. 2. an excavation.

quarter 1. a fourth part. 2. either side of a ship, aft of the main-chains.

3. a direction/district/locality. 4. an exemption from death granted to the enemy.

quartering 1. dividing into four parts. 2. lodging with; staying at. 3. (of dogs) traversing an area in all directions.

quarters 1. divides into four parts. 2. areas; localities; districts. 3. lodgings; abodes.

quarts

'quartz'

many two pint measures.

quartz

'quarts'

silica crystals.

quay

'key' & 'ki'

a landing place for ships.

quays

'keys'

landing places for ships.

quean

'queen'

a woman of worthless character.

queans

'queens'

women of worthless character.

queen

'quean'

1. a king's wife/consort. 2. advance a pawn to the opponent's end of a chessboard.

queens

'queans'

1. consorts/wives of kings. 2. advances a pawn to the opponent's end of a chessboard.

queer 1. strange; odd; eccentric. 2. homosexual. 3. (slang) drunk.

queerest

'querist'

most odd; extremely queer.

queers 1. (slang) drunks. 2. homosexuals.

querist

'queerest'

a person who makes inquiries.

queue

'cue' & 'q'

a line of persons/things.

queues

'cues'

lines of persons/things.

quick 1. vigorous; alive; speedy. 2. the tender skin below the finger/toe nails.

187 quid 1. (slang) a pound note/sovereign. 2. a lump of tobacco.

quietest

'quietist'

most/very quiet.

quietist

'quietest'

a pacifist.

quill 1. the hollow stem of a feather. 2. a curled up piece of cinnamon. 3. wind thread on a bobbin.

quills 1. curled up pieces of cinnamon. 2. the hollow stem of feathers. 3. winds thread on a bobbin.

quilt

1. (slang) thrashes. 2. bed covers.

'quints' 'quintan'

a post used by medieval knights for sport/jousting.

'quintain'

(archaic) a fever that recurs every five days.

quints

'quince'

abbreviation of 'quintuplets' - five at birth.

quire

'choir'

four sheets of paper.

quires

'choirs'

sets of four sheets of paper.

quirk 1. a quibble/quip. 2. a twist/flourish in drawing/writing. 3. (architecture) an acute hollow between a molding and a soffit.

quirks 1. (architecture) acute hollows between mouldings and soffit. 2. quibbles; quips. 3. twists/flourishes in drawing/writing.

quitter

'quittor'

(colloquial) one who gives up/gives in/quits, easily.

quittor

'quitter'

any of numerous foot infections involving tissue degeneration.

quiver 1. a case for holding arrows. 2. tremble in the cold or in fear.

quivers

quizzes 1. (obsolete) hoaxes; ridicules. 2. odd/eccentric persons. 3. tests of general knowledge.

quoin

'coign' & 'coin'

1. an external angle of a building. 2. a kind of wedge.

quoins

'coigns' & 'coins'

1. the external angles of a building. 2. kinds of wedges.

quoits

a golden pear-shaped fruit used for jams/jellies.

quintan

1. an odd/eccentric person. 2. a test of general knowledge. 3. (obsolete) a hoax; ridicule.

1. a circle of iron/rope/plastic etc used in a game of deck quoits. 2. (colloquial) the buttocks; the anus.

quilts

quintain

quiz

quoit

1. a bed cover. 2. (slang) thrash.

quince

1. cases for holding arrows. 2. trembles in the cold or in fear.

1. circles of iron/rope/plastic etc used in a game of deck quoits. 2. (colloquial) the buttocks; anuses

quotidian 1. daily; every day. 2. an ague; a fever.

'R' Words 188 r

'are(1)'

18th letter of English alphabet.

rabbet

'rabbit'

1. a type of join in woodworking. 2. a device used in hammering.

rabbets

'rabbits'

1. devices used in hammering. 2. types of joins in woodworking.

rabbit

'rabbet'

1. a furry, burrowing animal with large ears. 2. (colloquial) a poor performer at any game. 3. a vulgar form of imprecation.

rabbits

'rabbets'

1. (colloquial) poor performers in any game. 2. burrowing animals. 3. vulgar forms of imprecations.

rabble 1. a disorderly crowd/mob. 2. an iron bar for stirring molten metal.

rabbles 1. disorderly crowds/mobs. 2. iron bars for stirring molten metal.

race

'reis'

1. a contest of speed. 2. a group of persons of common descent. 3. a root (of ginger).

racer 1. one who races. 2. a circular rail for traversing heavy guns. 3. a North American black or blue snake.

racers

races 1. contests of speed. 2. groups of person of common descent. 3. roots (of ginger).

'wrack'

1. driving clouds. 2. a framework. 3. torture/stretch body of person. 4. extract excessive/oppressive rent. 5. an Eastern liquor. 6. a horse's gait between a trot and a canter. 7. draw off wine. 8. destruction (e.g. rack and ruin).

racket

'racquet'

1. an illegal scheme for making money.

'racquets'

1. uproars; dins; noises; disturbances. 2. illegal schemes for making money.

racks 1. draws off wine. 2. driving clouds. 3. Eastern liquors. 4. extracts excessive/oppressive rent. 5. frameworks. 6. horses' gaits between a trot and canter. 7. tortures/stretches the body of a person.

racquet (racket)

'racket'

the bat used in tennis/squash etc.

racquets (rackets) 'rackets' bats used in tennis etc.

rad 1. (Scottish) afraid. 2. short for 'radical' (politics). 3. short for 'radiator' (automobiles). 4. (colloquial) admirable; wonderful.

raddle 1. a flexible rod; a strip of wood for making fences etc. 2. to color something with red ochre.

raddles 1. flexible rods; strips of wood for making fences etc. 2. colors something with red ochre.

radical

'radicle'

a basis/root/fundamental principle.

radicals

1. those who race. 2. circular rails for traversing heavy guns. 3. North American black or blue snakes.

rack

2. an uproar; a din/noise/disturbance.

rackets

'radicles'

bases; roots; fundamental principles.

radicle

'radical'

an electrically neutral ion.

radicles

'radicals'

electrically neutral ions.

raffle 1. a sale of articles by drawing lots. 2. rubbish; refuse.

raft 1. a floating platform used for conveying people/things etc. 2. a collection or set of items.

rafter 1. a sloping beam in a roof. 2. plough the land in a particular manner. 3. a man who forms rafts out of logs.

rafters

189 1. ploughs the land in a particular manner. 2. sloping beams in a roof. 3. men who form rafts out of logs.

rafts 1. floating platforms used for conveying people/things etc. 2. collections or sets of items.

raised

rags 1. cloth/material scraps. 2. large roofing slates. 3. scolds; teases; torments.

raiser

'rake'

raisers

'rakes'

courses; journeys; ranges. 1. a wood/metal bar to hang/set things on. 2. a kind of bird. 3. use abusive language.

railing 1. a barrier/banister. 2. using abusive language.

railroad 1. a railway. 2. compel/force/convict a person, especially unfairly.

railroads

rails 1. kinds of birds. 2. uses abusive language. 3. wood/metal bars to hang/set things upon.

'reign' & 'rein'

moisture falling from clouds.

'reigned' & 'reined'

'razors' 'razes'

1. sets upright; stands up etc. 2. collects; brings together; levies. 3. forces/causes enemy to stop (of a siege etc.).

raising

'razing'

1. setting upright; standing up etc. 2. collecting; bringing together; levying. 3. forcing/causing enemy to stop (of a siege etc.).

rake

'raik'

1. a tool for gathering fallen leaves/hay etc. 2. an immoral man. 3. (of ship) the incline of a mast from the perpendicular.

'raiks'

1. (of ships) the incline of masts from the perpendicular. 2. immoral men. 3. tools for gathering fallen leaves/hay etc.

rakish 1. like a rake. 2. smart; fast looking.

rallies 1. assembles/gets together. 2. banters; chaffs.

rally

moisture fell from clouds.

'reigning' & 'reining'

moisture falling from clouds.

rainmaker 1. (in some cultures) one who makes rain using rites and ceremonies. 2. (Australian football colloquial) a very high kick. 3. (stock exchange) a trader who makes big profits consistently.

rainmakers

raises

rakes

1. railways. 2. compels/forces/convicts a person, especially unfairly.

raining

'razor'

those which raise up something.

rail

rained

'razed'

that which raises up something.

a course/journey/range.

rain

'raze' & 'rays'

1. set upright; stood up etc. 2. collected; brought together; levied. 3. forced/caused enemy to stop (of a siege etc.).

'rayed'

an attack/incursion.

raiks

'reigns' & 'reins'

moisture falls from clouds. 1. set upright; stand up etc. 2. collect; bring together; levy. 3. force/cause enemy to stop (of siege etc.).

1. cloth/material scraps. 2. a large roofing slate. 3. scold/tease/torment.

raik

rains raise

rag

raid

1. (in some cultures) those who make rain using rites and ceremonies. 2. (Australian football colloquial) very high kicks. 3. (stock exchange) traders who make big profits consistently.

1. assemble/get together. 2. banter/chaff.

ram 1. an un-castrated male sheep. 2. a pile-driver/weight. 3. (nautical) a boat's overall length.

ramp 1. a slope; an inclined plane. 2. stand on hind-legs with paws in the air (of a lion). 3. attempt to extort payment from a bookmaker.

190 ramps 1. attempts to extort payment from a bookmaker. 2. slopes; inclined planes. 3. stands on hind-legs with paws in the air (of lion).

rams 1. (nautical) boats' overall lengths. 2. pile-drivers; weights. 3. un-castrated male sheep.

ran 1. a kind of twine. 2. past tense of 'run'.

rancor

'ranker'

rand 1. a strip of leather between the heel and the shoe. 2. the South African highlands. 3. main unit of South African currency.

randan 1. a style of rowing for three. 2. a spree.

range 1. arrange in rows or ranks. 2. wander; rove; meander. 3. a length/distance. 4. a cooking area/stove top.

ranges 1. arranges in rows or ranks. 2. cooking areas; stove tops. 3. lengths; distances. 4. wanders; roves; meanders.

rank 1. a row/line/queue. 2. a distinct social class or military level. 3. gross; coarse; over-productive.

'rancor'

a commissioned officer who was once a soldier in the ranks.

ranks

'wrap'

1. a sharp blow/strike. 2. (slang) blame; punishment, as in 'take the rap'. 3. a skein of yarn 120 yards long. 4. the least bit/the slightest. 5. a type of musical talking.

rape 1. ravish/violate/take by force. 2. any of six divisions of Sussex. 3. a plant grown as food for sheep. 4. the refuse of grapes after wine-making.

rapped

1. (mountaineering) abseil. 2. beat a drum to call soldiers to arms.

rappelled 1. (mountaineering) abseilled. 2. beat a drum to call soldiers to arms.

rappelling 1. (mountaineering) abseilling. 2. beating a drum to call soldiers to arms. 1. (mountaineering) abseils. 2. beats a drum to call soldiers to arms.

rapper

'wrapper'

one who uses Afro-American rhyming lyrics, often spoken, in popular music.

rappers

'wrappers'

those who use Afro-American rhyming lyrics, often spoken, in popular music.

rapping

'wrapping'

1. hitting; striking. 2. a type of musical talking.

raps

'wraps'

1. sharp blows/strikes. 2. skeins of yarn 120 yards long. 3. uses musical talking.

rapt

'rapped' & 'wrapped'

absorbed; intent; enthralled.

rare 1. not dense; loosely packed. 2. unusual; uncommon. 3. underdone; half-cooked.

rash 1. spots/eruptions on the skin. 2. hasty; impetuous; reckless.

raspberries 1. (slang) sounds expressing dislike/derision. 2. kinds of red berry.

raspberry

1. distinct social/military classes/levels. 2. rows; lines; queues.

rap

rappel

rappels

bitterness; malignant hate.

ranker

1. struck/hit upon. 2. performed a type of music together.

'rapt' & 'wrapped'

1. a kind of red berry. 2. (slang) make a sound with the lips to express dislike.

rat 1. a common rodent. 2. a workman who refuses to join a strike; a spy.

ratable 1. (archaic) proportional. 2. liable to pay local rates.

rate

'ret'

1. a standard/measure/way of reckoning. 2. scold angrily.

rates 1. scolds angrily.

'rets'

191 2. standards; measures; ways of reckoning.

rating

'reting'

1. a fixed amount for a municipal rate. 2. a crew position on a ship's books. 3. an angry reprimand.

rational 1. the Jewish high-priest's breastplate. 2. sane; of the mind; reasonable; intelligent. 1. rodents. 2. workmen who refuse to join a strike.

'ratton'

1. full of rats. 2. shabby; awful; wretched. 3. (colloquial) annoyed; angry; irritable; eccentric.

raught

'rort' & 'wrought'

(obsolete) past tense of 'reach'. 1. a cart rail. 2. wild/furious/rapturous talk.

raves 1. cart rails. 2. talks wildly/furiously/rapturously.

practice sabotage upon.

ratter 1. one who catches rats. 2. (colloquial) a betrayer/deserter.

ratters 1. those who catch rats. 2. (colloquial) betrayers; deserters.

rattle 1. make a noise through shaking e.g. a child's toy. 2. (nautical) furnish a sail ship with ratlines. 3. (colloquial) confuse or disconcert.

rattled 1. made a noise through shaking e.g. a child's toy. 2. (nautical) furnished a sail ship with ratlines. 3. (colloquial) confused or disconcerted.

rattler 1. a rattlesnake. 2. (colloquial) a good person or a bad person (according to context). 3. (USA) a goods train.

rattlers 1. rattlesnakes. 2. (colloquial) good people or bad people (according to context). 3. (USA) goods trains.

rattles 1. makes a noise through shaking e.g. a child's toy. 2. (nautical) furnishes a sail ship with ratlines. 3. (colloquial) confuses or disconcerts.

ray

1. a shaky or rickety vehicle. 2. (colloquial) a garrulous or talkative person.

rattletraps 1. shaky or rickety vehicles. 2. (colloquial) garrulous or talkative persons.

're' & 'reh'

1. a beam of light. 2. a part of composite flower; a division of a starfish. 3. a kind of large sea fish; the skate.

rayed

'raid'

beamed; illuminated.

rays

'raise' & 'raze'

1. beams of light. 2. parts of flowers; divisions of a starfish. 3. stingrays; skates; large sea fish.

raze (rase)

'raise' & 'rays'

1. wound slightly; graze. 2. completely destroy/level with the ground.

razed (rased)

'raised'

1. wounded slightly; grazed. 2. completely destroyed; leveled with the ground.

razes (rases)

'raises'

1. wounds slightly; grazes. 2. completely destroys; levels with the ground.

razing (rasing)

'raising'

1. wounding slightly; grazing. 2. completely destroying/leveling with the ground (of a siege etc).

razor

'raiser'

an instrument for cutting off facial hair.

razors

'raisers'

instruments for cutting off facial hairs.

re

rattletrap

'ray' & 'reh'

the second note of the octave.

reach 1. extend; stretch out; arrive at. 2. (nautical) sail with the wind abeam. 3. a continuous extent of a river between bends.

reaches

rattling 1. making a noise through shaking e.g. a child's toy. 2. (nautical) furnishing a sail ship with ratlines. 3. (colloquial) confusing or disconcerting.

ratton

ratty

rave

rats

ratten

a rat.

'ratten'

1. (nautical) sails with wind abeam. 2. continuous extents of rivers between bends. 3. extends; stretches out; arrives at.

read (1) interpret writing/picture.

'reed' & 'rede'

192 read (2)

'red' & 'redd'

past tense and past partciple of 'read'.

reading

'reeding'`

interpreting writing/pictures.

reads

'reeds' & 'redes'

interprets writing/pictures.

ready

'reddie'

prepared; equipped; available.

reak

'reek', 'reke' & 'wreak'

(obsolete) a prank.

reaks

'reeks' & 'wreaks'

(obsolete) pranks.

real

'reel'

genuine; existing; objective.

ream

'riem' & 'rheme'

1. twenty quires of paper. 2. widen a hole with a borer. 3. raw cream.

reams

'riems' & 'rhemes'

1. multiple quires of paper. 2. widens a hole with a borer.

rear

'reest' 'reests'

becomes rancid.

'reeve'

plunder; rob.

'reeves'

plunders; robs.

rebate

rebates 1. deductions from amounts paid. 2. rabbets/grooves made in wood.

'reseed'

moving back/away from.

recession 1. a receding/withdrawal. 2. a recess/temporary halt. 3. a prolonged slump in trade.

recessions 1. recedings; withdrawals. 2. recesses; temporary halts. 3. slumps in trade.

reck

'wreck'

pay heed to; care about.

'wrecks' & 'rex'

recover 1. get better from an injury/illness. 2. put new material on a sofa/chair/settee etc.

recovered 1. got better from an injury/illness. 2. put new material on a chair/sofa/settee etc.

recovering 1. getting better from an illness/injury. 2. putting new material on a sofa/settee/chair etc.

recovers 1. gets better from injury/illness. 2. puts new material on sofa/chairs/settees etc. 1. occurring or appearing again. 2. (anatomy) turned to reverse direction, as an artery/nerve etc.

red

'read' & 'redd'

like blood/crimson etc.

redd reddie

'reseeds'

rede

'red' & 'read' 'ready'

(colloquial) a fish, the red bream.

'read' & 'reed'

(archaic) advice; resolve; counsel.

moves back/away from.

receding

1. alcoves/niches in a wall. 2. recedings of water/land/glacier. 3. temporary cessations.

'reseeded'

moved back/away from.

recedes

recesses

arrange; tidy up; compose.

move back/away from.

receded

1. a temporary cessation. 2. the receding of water/land/glacier. 3. an alcove/a niche, in a wall.

recurrent

1. a deduction from amount paid. 2. a rabbet/groove made in wood.

recede

written acknowledgments of receiving.

pays heed to; cares about.

to become rancid.

reaves

'reseats'

recess

recks

1. (colloquial) latrines. 2. breeds; grows; nourishes. 3. builds; uplifts; sets upright. 4. ends; back parts.

reave

receipts

1. (nautical) a calculation of a ship's position. 2. a settling of differences/argument/accounting.

rears

reasts

'reseat'

a written acknowledgment of receiving.

reckoning

1. the end/back part. 2. (colloquial) a latrine. 3. build; uplift; set upright. 4. breed; grow; nourish.

reast

receipt

'reseeding'

redes

'reads' & 'reeds'

(archaic) advises; counsels.

193 redoubt 1. (archaic) to fear; be afraid. 2. a fortification/last retreat.

reed

'read' & 'rede'

1. the tall stalk of a marsh plant. 2. the vibrating part of a wind musical instrument. 3. a weaver's tool.

reeding

'reading' 'reads' & 'redes'

1. weaver's tools. 2. marsh plants. 3. the vibrating parts of wind instruments.

reef 1. reduce sail size in windy weather. 2. a ridge of rock below/at the surface of the water.

reefer

reefers 1. (slang) marijuana cigarettes. 2. (slang) midshipmen. 3. those who reef (sails etc.).

reefs 1. reduces sail size. 2. ridges of rock below/at the surface of water.

'wreak', 'reak' & 'reke'

smoke; vapor; odor.

reeks

'wreaks' & 'reaks'

smokes; vapors; odors.

reel

'real'

1. a rotary tool for holding a thread/string etc. 2. dazed; sway; stagger.

reest (reist)

'reast'

1. (Scottish) to cure with smoke. 2. (Scottish) a fit of stubbornness; a horse that baulks.

reests (reists)

'reasts'

(Scottish) cures with smoke.

reeve

'reave'

1. the chief magistrate of a town. 2. the female of the ruff (the sandpiper). 3. thread a rope through a ring.

reeves

'reaves'

1. chief magistrates of towns. 2. the female of ruffs. 3. threads rope through a ring.

reflect 1. cause a wave to return e.g. light; heat etc. 2. ponder/meditate upon.

reflected

1. causing a wave to return e.g. light; heat etc. 2. pondering/meditating upon.

reflection 1. something reflected e.g. heat; light; an image etc. 2. an opinion arrived at after due consideration. 1. things reflected e.g. heat; light; images etc. 2. opinions arrived at after due consideration.

reflective 1. relating to or cast by reflection. 2. meditative; concerned with meditation.

reflects 1. causes wave to return e.g. light; heat etc. 2. ponders/meditates upon.

refractory

1. one who reefs. 2. (slang) a midshipman. 3. (slang) a marijuana cigarette.

reek

reflecting

reflections

a small ornamentation.

reeds

1. caused a wave to return e.g. light; heat etc. 2. pondered/meditated upon.

1. rebellious; unyielding; stubborn. 2. a substance resistant to heat/corrosion.

refrain 1. a recurring phrase/line in a song/poem etc. 2. put a restraint upon; abstain from an act etc.

regal 1. kingly; royal. 2. a small portable organ.

regalia 1. royal privileges. 2. a large cigar of good quality.

register 1. a book for entries of names, addresses etc. 2. a slider in an organ controlling pipes. 3. (printing) the exact equality on both sides of the paper.

registers 1. books for entries. 2. sliders in an organ controlling the pipes.

regulus 1. (chemistry) the pure part of a mineral. 2. a gold-crested wren.

reh

'ray' & 're'

efflorescence of sodium salts on soil (in India).

reign

'rain' & 'rein'

a sovereignty/rule.

reigned

'rained' & 'reined'

acted as a monarch.

reigning

'raining' & 'reining'

acting as a monarch.

reigns

'rains' & 'reins'

acts as a monarch

rein

'rain' & 'reign'

the strap for guiding a horse.

reined

'rained' & 'reigned'

194 pulled back/restrained using a rope guide etc.

reining

'raining' & 'reigning'

pulling back/restraining with rope guides.

reins

'rains' & 'reigns'

1. rope/leather guides for horses etc. 2. (obsolete) the kidneys.

reis

'race'

an obsolete Portuguese/Brazilian money account.

reiter

'writer' & 'righter'

a German cavalry officer of the 14th and 15th centuries.

rejoin

'remark'

a mark on an engraving plate.

remedies 1. things that cure or relieve disease/pain/discomfort etc. 2. (coinage) allowances or tolerances in the minting process.

remedy 1. a thing that cures or relieves disease/pain/discomfort etc. 2. (coinage) an allowance or tolerance in the minting process. 1. (archaic) a coach-house. 2. (fencing) a second thrust. 3. (legal) surrender; make over.

rejoined 1. came together again. 2. answered; said in answer.

rejoins 1. comes together again. 2. answers; says in answer.

'reak', 'reek' & 'wreak'

(Spenser) to reck; to care for.

relator 1. one who narrates/recounts stories etc. 2. (law) one who is responsible for costs in action brought by the attorney-general.

relators

remission 1. forgiveness of sins. 2. lessening of effect/degree/force.

remora 1. the sucking fish. 2. an obstruction/impediment.

render 1. give back; hand over. 2. portray; give a performance. 3. extract by melting; melt down. 4. cover stone/brick with plaster.

rendered

1. those who narrate/recount stories etc. 2. (law) those responsible for costs in action brought by the attorney-general.

relay 1. a succession of things/people doing a task. 2. a type of electrical switch.

relays 1. successions of things/people doing tasks. 2. type of electrical switches.

1. covered stone/brick with plaster. 2. extracted by melting down. 3. gave back; handed over. 4. portrayed; gave performance.

rendering 1. giving back; returning. 2. portraying; giving a performance. 3. melting down; extracting. 4. covering stone/brick with plaster.

renders

relict 1. (plant or animal) a survivor. 2. (archaic) a widow.

relicts 1. (plant or animal) survivors. 2. (archaic) widows.

relief 1. an alleviation/a deliverance from pain/distress etc. 2. a molding/carving that projects/stands out.

relish 1. a flavor/condiment; an enjoyment/appetiser. 2. a musical ornament.

relishes

1. covers stone; plasters over brick. 2. extracts by melting down. 3. gives back; hands over. 4. portrays; gives a performance.

rendition 1. a performance; an application. 2. a translation; an interpretation.

renditions 1. performances; applications. 2. translations; interpretations.

renne (Spenser) to run.

rennet

1. flavors; appetisers; condiments; enjoyments. 2. musical ornaments.

remark

remarque

remise

1. come together again. 2. answer; say in answer.

reke

a brief word or note.

'remarque'

1. curdled milk. 2. a kind of dessert apple.

rent

'wren'

195 1. past tense and past participle of 'rend'. 2. a periodical payment for lodgings.

rents 1. rips/tears apart. 2. periodical payments for lodgings.

rep 1. a corded cloth (also spelt 'repp'). 2. (slang) an abbreviation for 'repertory' and 'reputation'.

repair 1. resort; go often; recourse. 2. restore; mend.

repairs 1. resorts; goes often; recourses. 2. restores; mends.

repassed

'repast'

passed in opposite directions; passed again.

repast

'repassed'

a meal/refreshment. 1. a tone above/below a given tone. 2. fold back on itself; reproduce.

replicates 1. folds back on itself; reproduces. 2. tones above/below given tones.

repose 1. lie at rest; a state of tranquility. 2. place trust in something or somebody. 1. lay at rest. 2. placed trust in something or somebody.

reposes

reposing

reprise 1. a rent/yearly charge. 2. resumption of action.

reprises

1. bookings of berths/seats/positions. 2. lands allocated for native people. 3. tacit limitations/exceptions.

reserve 1. keep back; postpone. 2. secure/retain possession. 3. off active service, as in 'in reserve'. 4. reticent; slow to show emotion.

reserves 1. keeps back; postpones. 2. those who are off active service. 3. secures/retains possession.

'residents'

a place of abode.

residents

'residence'

those who live at a specific place/area/region etc.

resignation 1. resigning of an office/job/position. 2. uncomplaining endurance.

resinate

'resonate'

resinated

'resonated'

treated with resin.

'resonates'

treats with resin.

resinating

'resonating'

resolution 1. separation/decomposition into parts. 2. the solving of doubt. 3. the formal expression of an opinion. 4. of determined temper/character.

resolutions

1. rents; yearly charges. 2. resumptions of actions.

'receipt'

to seat again; to refit something.

'receipts'

seats again; refits something.

'recede'

replant the ground with seed.

'receded'

replanted the ground with seed.

reseeding

reservations

treating with resin.

1. lying at rest. 2. placing trust in something or somebody.

reseeded

1. a land allocated for native people. 2. a tacit limitation; an exception. 3. the booking of a berth/seat/position.

resinates

1. lies at rest; states of tranquility. 2. places trust in something or somebody.

reseed

reservation

treate with resin.

reposed

reseats

'recedes'

replants the ground with seed.

residence

replicate

reseat

reseeds

'receding'

replanting the ground with seed.

1. determined tempers/characters. 2. formal expressions of opinion. 3. separations/decompositions into parts. 4. the solving of doubts.

resolve 1. determine or settle by choice/will/action. 2. (physics) divide into components. 3. (music) progress from dissonance to consonance. 4. (medicine) cause swelling to go without suppurating.

resolved 1. determined or settled by choice/will/action. 2. (physics) divided into components.

196 3. (music) progressed from dissonance to consonance. 4. (medicine) caused swelling to go without suppurating.

resolves 1. determines or settles by choice/will/action. 2. (physics) divides into components. 3. (music) progresses from dissonance to consonance. 4. (medicine) causes swelling to go without suppurating.

resolving 1. determining or settling by choice/will/action. 2. (physics) dividing into components. 3. (music) progressing from dissonance to consonance. 4. (medicine) causing swelling to go without suppurating.

resonate

'resinate'

amplify sounds; resound.

resonated

'resinated'

amplified sounds; resounded.

resonates

'resinates'

amplifies sounds; resounds.

resonating

'resinating'

amplifying sounds; resounding.

resort 1. seek an aid/expedient. 2. a place visited for a specific reason/quality.

resorts

resound 1. to sound loudly or echo. 2. to be celebrated.

resounded 1. sounded loudly or echoed. 2. was celebrated.

resounding 1. sounding loudly or echoing. 2. being celebrated.

resounds 1. sounds loudly or echoes. 2. is celebrated.

respond 1. make an answer. 2. be sensitive to. 3. (architecture) a half-pillar/half-pier to support an arch.

responds

'wrested'

ceased to move; was still.

resting

'wresting'

ceasing to move; being still.

rests

'wrests'

1. ceases to move; is still. 2. (history) the places to hold the butt of a lance

ret

'rate'

soften (hemp/hay) by soaking with moisture.

retail 1. sell goods/products to the public. 2. recount/retell/relate details.

retails 1. recounts/retells/relates details. 2. sells goods/products.

retch

'wretch'

make a motion of vomiting.

retches

'wretches'

makes a motion of vomiting.

reticule 1. a kind of old-fashioned lady's bag. 2. (astronomy) a southern constellation. 3. a reticle; a system of optical cross-hairs.

reting

'rating'

retire 1. withdraw; go away; retreat. 2. cease office/employment.

retired 1. withdrawn; went away; retreated. 2. ceased office/employment.

retires 1. ceases office/employment. 2. withdraws; goes away; retreats.

retiring 1. withdrawing; going away; retreating. 2. ceasing office/employment.

retort 1. respond in kind; fling an accusation back. 2. a vessel used for distilling liquids.

retortion 1. a bending back. 2. (legal) an action by the state against the people of another state.

retorts

1. (architecture) half-pillars/half-piers to support an arch. 2. is sensitive to. 3. makes an answer. 1. cease to move/be still.

rested

softening hemp by adding moisture.

1. places visited for specific reason/quality. 2. seeks an aid/expedience.

rest

2. the remaining part. 3. (history) the place to hold the butt of a lance. 4. an interval of silence in music.

'wrest'

1. responds in kind; flings an accusation back. 2. vessels used for distilling liquids.

retreat 1. go back; retire; relinquish. 2. a temporary retirement for religious reasons.

197 2. revolving motions.

retreats 1. goes back; retires; relinquishes. 2. temporary retirements for religious reasons.

retrench

retrenches 1. furnishes with inner lines of defence. 2. reduces/cuts down expenses.

'rates'

softens (hemp/hay) by soaking with moisture. 1. disclose; divulge. 2. the inner side surface of a recess/doorway.

'revue'

look over; assess; inspect; survey.

reviews

'reviews'

theatrical sketches.

revulsion 1. (medicine) the treatment of an organ by acting on another. 2. a sudden reaction in taste/feeling etc.

rex

'recks' & 'wrecks'

the reigning king.

rhapsody

reveal

review

'review'

a theatrical sketch.

revues

1. reduce/cut down expenses. 2. furnish with an inner line of defense.

rets

revue

'revues'

looks over; assesses; inspects; surveys.

revoke 1. cancel; withdraw. 2. (at cards) fail to follow suit.

revoked 1. cancelled; withdrew. 2. (at cards) failed to follow suit.

revokes 1. cancels; withdraws. 2. (at cards) fails to follow suit.

revoking 1. cancelling; withdrawing. 2. (at cards) failing to follow suit.

revolt 1. make rebellion/uprising. 2. feel revulsion/repugnance for.

revolting 1. an act of rebellion. 2. disgusting; repugnant.

revolts 1. feels revulsion/repugnance for. 2. makes a rebellion/an uprising.

revolute 1. a back rolled edge. 2. engage in political reform/upheaval.

revolutes 1. back rolled edges. 2. engages in political reform/upheaval.

revolution 1. a revolving motion. 2. a complete change/an upheaval.

revolutionary 1. involving great/violent change. 2. of rotation/revolving.

revolutions 1. complete changes/upheavals.

1. an epic poem; a piece of literature; an irregular musical composition. 2. (archaic) a miscellany/jumble/medley of things.

rhea

'ria'

China grass; type of nettle.

rheme

'ream' & 'riem'

(grammar) new information attached to the theme of a clause.

rhemes

'reams' & 'riems'

(grammar) new information attached to the themes of clauses.

rheum

'room'

(archaic) mucus; tears; saliva.

rheumier

'roomier'

(of weather) damper, causing more rheumatic pain.

rheumiest

'roomiest'

(of weather) most damp, causing most rheumatic pain.

rheumy

'roomy'

having a cold or sinus dischareg e.g. catarrh.

rho

'roe' & 'row'

the 17th letter of the Greek alphabet.

rhombus 1. a type of parallelogram. 2. a kind of flat-fish.

rhumb

'rum'

a constant compass direction.

rhyme

'rime'

a verse/poem.

rhymes

'rimes'

verses; poems.

ria

'rhea'

(geology) a normal drowned valley.

rib 1. a long, curved chest bone attached to the vertebrae. 2. (colloquial) tease; make fun of.

riband

'ribband'

(archaic) a ribbon.

ribands

'ribbands'

198 (archaic) ribbons.

ribband

3. (colloquial) harassing; tormenting.

'riband'

a length of timber used to support a ship's ribs during construction.

ribbands

'ribands'

lengths of timber used to support a ship's ribs during construction.

ribbing 1. making fun of/joking about. 2. the edging for garments.

ribs 1. long, curved chest bones attached to the vertebrae. 2. (colloquial) teases; makes fun of.

rice 1. a staple food, mostly tropical. 2. (obsolete) twigs and branches/brushwood.

rich 1. having wealth/money/resources. 2. (colloquial) absurd; ridiculous; outrageous.

rick

'wrick'

a stack of hay/corn/peas etc.

ricks

'wricks'

stacks of hay/corn/peas etc.

rid 1. be free/disencumbered/relieved of something or someone. 2. (archaic) past tense and past participle of 'ride'.

riddel

'riddle'

one of the side curtains of an altar.

riddels

'riddles'

both side curtains of an altar.

riddle

'riddel'

1. a puzzle/conundrum; an enigma. 2. a coarse sieve.

riddles

'riddels'

1. coarse sieves. 2. puzzles; enigmas; conundrums.

ride 1. mount; sit on; be borne along. 2. (colloquial) harass; torment.

rider 1. one who rides, e.g. bicycles/horses etc. 2. an addition or amendment to a document.

riders 1. those who ride, e.g. bicycles/horses etc. 2. additions or amendments to documents.

rides 1. mounts; sits on; is borne along. 2. (colloquial) harasses; torments.

riding 1. present and past participle of 'ride'. 2. an administrative division.

riem

'ream' & 'rheme'

a raw-hide thong.

riems

'reams' & 'rhemes'

raw-hide thongs.

riffle 1. a rocky shoal or sandbar. 2. the bottom lining of sluice used in mining. 3. shuffle playing cards. 4. thumb through the pages of a book. 5. become choppy, as of water

riffled 1. shuffled playing cards. 2. thumbed through the pages of a book. 3. became choppy, as of water.

riffles 1. rocky shoals or sandbars. 2. the bottom linings of sluices used in mining. 3. shuffles playing cards. 4. thumbs through the pages of a book. 5. becomes choppy, as of water.

riffling 1. shuffling playing cards. 2. thumbing through pages of a book. 3. becoming choppy, as of water.

rifle 1. search through/rob from. 2. make spiral grooves in the barrel of a gun.

rifled 1. made spiral grooves in the barrel of a gun. 2. searched; robbed.

rifles 1. makes spiral grooves in the barrel of a gun. 2. searches; robs

rifling 1. robbing; searching through a closet/desk etc. 2. the spiral markings in a gun barrel.

rift 1. a shallow waterway or backwash. 2. a physical or emotional break.

rifts 1. shallow waterways or backwashes. 2. physical or emotional breaks.

rig 1. sails/spars etc. on ship. 2. a trick/dodge/swindle. 3. an imperfect/partially castrated male animal. 4. (slang) an oil/a truck platform.

rigged 1. tricked; dodged; swindled. 2. outfitted a ship with sails/spars etc.

rigger

'rigor'

1. one who adjusts spars/ropes etc. on ship/plane. 2. (slang) a swindler/trickster.

199 riggers

'rigors'

1. those who adjust spars/ropes etc. on ship/plane. 2. (slang) swindlers; tricksters.

rigging

'write', 'rite' & 'wright'

1. (archaic) straight. 2. just; morally good; proper. 3. correct; true. 4. opposite to 'left'. 5. exactly; quite.

righter

'writer' & 'reiter'

one who redresses injustice/wrongs.

righting

'writing'

correcting; making proper or right.

rights

'rites', 'wrights' & 'writes'

things or conditions that are just/morally good/proper.

rigor (rigour)

'rigger'

1. severity; harshness; discipline. 2. a shivery fit preceding a fever.

rigors (rigours)

'riggers'

severities; harshness; disciplines.

rigs 1. imperfect/partially-castrated male animals. 2. sails/spars etc. on ships. 3. tricks; dodges; swindles. 4. (slang) oil/truck platforms.

rill 1. a small brook or rivulet. 2. a long trench/valley on the Moon.

rills 1. small brooks or rivulets. 2. long trenches/valleys on the Moon.

rim 1. the outer ring of a wheel. 2. (archaic) the peritoneum.

rime

'rhyme'

1. hoar-frost. 2. widen the bore (of a pipe etc.).

rimes

'rhymes'

widens the bore (of a pipe etc.)

rims

'rynd'

peel; bark; the outside of something.

ring

'wring'

1. a circlet worn on a finger. 2. a make a clear resonant sound.

ringer

'wringer'

1. a quoit that falls around the pin.

'wringers'

1. quoits that fall around the pin. 2. things/persons who ring bells.

'wringing'

1. the sound/action of bells actuating. 2. the action of quoits falling around the pin.

rings

'wrings'

1. circlets worn on fingers. 2. makes a clear resonant sound.

riot

'ryot'

an unruly mob.

riots

'ryots'

unruly mobs.

rip 1. a worthless horse/dissolute person. 2. cut/tear forcibly. 3. rush along with speed. 4. (slang) fine; first-rate; splendid. 5. a stretch of turbulent water, at sea or in a river.

ripe 1. ready for harvesting, as fruits/vegetables etc. 2. (colloquial) drunk; intoxicated.

ripped 1. torn. 2. (colloquial) totally drunk/intoxicated.

ripper 1. one who rips/tears at things. 2. (colloquial) especially excellent/admirable/exciting. 3. (colloquial) a killer who violently mutilates victims.

ripping 1. cutting; tearing. 2. rushing along with speed. 3. enjoyable; fine; splendid.

ripple 1. a toothed implement. 2. a ruffling of the water's surface.

rips 1. cuts/tears forcibly. 2. rushes along with speed. 3. stretches of broken water. 4. worthless horses; dissolute persons.

risc

1. (archaic) peritoneums. 2. the outer ring of wheels.

rind

ringers

ringing

1. tricking; dodging; swindling. 2. sails/spars etc. on a ship.

right

2. a thing/person who rings bells.

'risk'

reduced instruction set computer (risc).

rise

'ryes'

go up; elevate; get up.

risk

'risc'

a probability of hazard/danger/injury etc.

rit (ritt)

'writ'

(Scottish) a scratch/slit.

rite

'right', 'wright' & 'write'

200 a ceremony/procedure; an observance.

rites

'rights', 'wrights' & 'writes'

ceremonies; procedures; observances.

rits (ritts)

'writs'

(Scottish) scratches; slits. 1. (Scottish) a dried haddock. 2. (Scottish) a red currant.

rizzars (rizzers) 1. (Scottish) dried haddocks. 2. (Scottish) red currants.

roach 1. a small freshwater fish. 2. (nautical) the upward curve of a sail. 3. an abbreviation for 'cockroach'.

roaches 1. (nautical) the upward curve of sails. 2. small freshwater fishes. 3. abbreviation for 'cockroaches'.

'rode' & 'rowed'

1. a piece of water for ships to anchor. 2. the line of travel between places. 3. (of a dog) follow up a scent.

roads 1. (of dog) follows up a scent. 2. lines of travel between places. 3. pieces of water for ships to anchor.

roadster 1. a ship at anchor. 2. a car/bicycle/horse for use on a road. 3. an experienced traveler.

roan

'rone'

an animal/a horse with mixed colors.

1. rocklike; full of rocks. 2. tottering; shaky; inclined to rock to and fro.

rococo 1. highly ornamental. 2. out of date; antiquated.

rocs

'rocks'

gigantic birds of eastern tales.

rod 1. a stick/wand/staff made of wood/metal etc. 2. a standard measure of brickwork. 3. (colloquial) a revolver/handgun.

rode

'road' & 'rowed'

1. past tense of 'ride'. 2. (of birds) fly in the evening. 3. (colloquial) tormented; harassed.

rods 1. sticks/wands/staffs made of wood/metal etc. 2. standard measures of brickwork. 3. (colloquial) revolvers; handguns.

roe

'row' & 'rho'

1. a small kind of deer. 2. a mass of fish eggs.

roil

roles

1. a small singing bird with a red breast. 2. (obsolete) the trimming on a gown.

'rock'

a gigantic bird of eastern tales.

'roc'

1. a stone/boulder. 2. (history) a distaff used in a spinning wheel. 3. move gently to and fro.

rocker 1. a rocking chair/cradle/thing that rocks etc. 2. a rock and roll musician.

rockers 1. rocking chairs/cradles/things that rock etc. 2. rock and roll musicians. 1. a kind of plant. 2. a projectile/firework.

rocky

'royal' 'roll'

an actor's part in a play etc.

robin

rocket

'rocs'

1. stones/boulders. 2. (history) distaffs. 3. moves gently to and fro.

role

1. a fruit syrup. 2. steal; plunder; deprive.

rock

1. (slang) reprimands. 2. kinds of plants. 3. projectiles; fireworks.

to make turbid.

rob

roc

rockets

rocks

rizzar (rizzer)

road

3. (slang) give a reprimand.

'rolls'

actor's parts.

roll

'role'

1. move by turning over and over on an axis. 2. make a sound with a vibratory effect. 3. a quick continuous beat of drums/thunder.

roller 1. anything that rolls; a cylinder; a wringer etc. 2. European species of non-passerine bird.

rollers 1. things that roll; cylinders; wringers etc. 2. European species of non-passerine birds.

rolls

'roles'

1. moves by turning over and over on axis. 2. makes sound with a vibratory effect. 3. quick continuous beats of drums/thunder.

rone a rain gutter on a roof.

'roan'

201 roo

'rue' & 'roux'

(colloquial) the kangaroo.

rood

'rude' & 'rued'

1. like a rope. 2. (colloquial) unreliable; inferior.

roods 1. crucifixes. 2. many quarters of an acre.

rook

rooks

'rheum'

a section of house/abode for use/living in.

'rumor'

one who lodges with another.

'rumors'

those who lodge with others.

roomier

'rheumier'

more spacious; wider; a larger interior volume.

roomiest

'rheumiest'

most spacious; widest; largest interior volume.

roomy

'rheumy'

spacious; of large area; ample room.

roos

'rues' & 'ruse'

abbreviation for 'kangaroos'. 1. a bird's resting place. 2. a tidal race about the Orkneys and Shetland islands.

'route'

1. an origin; a cause/beginning. 2. dig (of a pig). 3. cheer on (of a team). 4. the bottom of a plant/tree in the ground.

rooted

'routed'

1. had the origin/cause/beginning in or on a thing. 2. dug in the ground (of a pig). 3. cheered on/for (of team). 4. held the bottom of a plant/tree in the ground.

rooting

'routing'

1. cheering on/for (of a team). 2. digging in the ground (of a pig).

roots

a fraudulent device; an accounting fraud.

'rows'

1. a prickly type of luxuriant flower. 2. the base of an animal's horn 3. the sprinkling nozzle of a watering can. 4. past tense of 'rise'. 1. the Hibiscus shrub. 2. a brilliantly coloured parrot of the Platycerus genus. 3. (colloquial) a sheep shearer stripped to the waist while shearing.

rosellas 1. Hibiscus shrubs. 2. brilliantly coloured parrots of the Platycerus genus. 3. (colloquial) sheep shearers stripped to the waist while shearing.

roses 1. the base of animals' horns. 2. a prickly type of luxuriant flowers. 3. the sprinkling nozzle of watering cans.

rostrum 1. a platform for public speaking. 2. (Roman antiquity) the beak of a war-galley; a stiff snout.

rota

roost

root

'wrought' & 'raught'

rosella

1. chess pieces. 2. persons who live off inexperienced gamblers. 3. a type of black crows.

roomers

rort rose

1. a type of black crow. 2. a person who lives off inexperienced gamblers. 3. a chess piece.

roomer

1. a piece of strong cord. 2. a viscid stringy formation in beer.

ropy

1. a crucifix. 2. a quarter of an acre.

room

rope

'routes'

1. origins; causes; beginnings. 2. digs in the ground (of a pig). 3. cheers on/for (of a team). 4. bottoms of a plants/trees in the ground.

'rotor'

a roster/schedule.

rotas

'rotors'

rosters; schedules.

rote

'wrote'

habituation; repetition.

rotor

'rota'

the spinning part/propeller of a machine.

rotors

'rotas'

spinning parts/propellers of machines.

rotten 1. putrid; decomposed; foul. 2. (colloquial) extremely drunk.

rough

'ruff'

irregular; uneven; not smooth.

roughed

'ruffed'

made irregular/uneven/not smooth.

roughing

'ruffing'

making irregular/uneven/not smooth.

roughly 1. harshly; violently.

202 2. approximately; about; close to.

roughs

'ruffs'

makes irregular/uneven/not smooth.

roulette 1. a gambling game. 2. a device for keeping hair in curls.

round 1. circular; spherical etc. 2. about; near; close. 3. (nautical) a cabin on the after part of a quarter-deck 4. (golf) play all holes in a course. 5. a period of fighting in boxing. 6. (archaic) whisper.

rouse

'rows'

1. (archaic) a drinking bout/toast/revel. 2. startle game from its lair. 3. stir beer while brewing. 4. haul vigorously. 5. wake up; cease to sleep; become active. 6. sprinkle fish with salt to cure.

rout

'route'

1. a group of people in an unlawful disturbance. 2. a disorderly retreat by army/troops.

route(1)

'root'

a way/road/passage.

route(2)

row

rowan

'rowen'

the mountain ash tree.

rowdy 1. a noisy, turbulent person. 2. (obsolete slang) money.

'rowan'

the aftermath/consequences/results.

'rose'

1. a number of straight lines of things/persons. 2. propels boat using oars.

rows(2)

'rouse'

commotions; fights; disturbances.

royalty

'rooting'

'roe' & 'rho'

1. things/persons in a straight line. 2. propel boat using oars.

'routs'

'roil'

of nobility/aristocracy. 1. kings/queens/sovereignty etc, singularly and/or collectively. 2. compensation paid for use of something.

rub

sending; forwarding.

routing(2) 1. dispersing a group/an army, in retreat. 2. sending; forwarding.

'routes'

1. disorderly retreats by army/troops. 2. groups of people in unlawful disturbances.

'rue' & 'roo'

a mix of cooked butter and flour.

rove 1. wander; roam; ramble. 2. a sliver of twisted cotton/wool. 3. small metal plate used in riveting. 4. past tense of 'reeve'.

rover

1. a strand of fibres of cotton/wool etc, prior to spinning. 2. (archery) shooting at random objects over various distances.

'roots'

sends by a certain way/road/passage.

roux

roving

royal

sends; forwards.

routs

1. slivers of twisted cotton/wool. 2. small metal plates used in riveting. 3. wanders; roams; rambles.

'rooted'

1. dispersed a group/an army, in retreat. 2. sent; forwarded.

routing(1)

roves

rows(1)

sent; forwarded.

routes(2)

1. (of archery) markers for long-distance shooting. 2. pirates; sea robbers. 3. senior boy scouts.

rowen

routed(2)

routes(1)

rovers

'rout'

a road/way/passage.

routed(1)

1. (of archery) a marker for long-distance shooting. 2. a pirate/sea robber. 3. a senior boy scout.

1. apply friction and pressure to clean/polish etc. 2. irritate; annoy.

rubbed 1. applied friction and pressure to clean/polish etc. 2. irritated; annoyed.

rubber 1. a masseur/masseuse. 2. a thing for removing writing from a page. 3. a series of games in bridge/crib etc.

rubbers 1. masseurs; masseuses. 2. many series of games in bridge/crib etc. 3. things for removing writing from a page.

rubbing

203 1. applying friction and pressure to clean, polish etc. 2. irritating; annoying.

rube 1. (US colloquial) an unsophisticated rural person. 2. (NZ colloquial) an excellent thing or person.

rubes 1. (US colloquial) unsophisticated rural people. 2. (NZ colloquial) excellent things or people.

rubric 1. (archaic) red ochre. 2. a heading/guiding rule/direction.

rubs 1. applies friction and pressure to clean/polish etc. 2. irritates; annoys

ruck 1. a stack of fuel/heap of something. 2. crease; wrinkle. 3. aggressively seek the ball in rugby.

ruckle 1. wrinkle; crease. 2. the gurgling sound of a dying person.

rucks

'rux'

1. stacks; heaps. 2. creases; wrinkles. 3. aggressively seeks the ball in rugby.

rud

'rudd' 'rud'

the red-eye fish, like the roach.

rude

'rood' & 'rued'

1. simple; rugged; uncivilized; uneducated. 2. violent; sudden; abrupt. 3. vigorous; hearty.

rue

'roux' & 'roo'

1. repent; feel dejected. 2. a perennial evergreen shrub.

rued

'rude' & 'rood'

past tense of 'rue'.

rues

'ruse' & 'roos'

1. repents; regrets bitterly. 2. perennial evergreen shrubs.

ruff

'rough'

1. a neck frill. 2. a kind of domestic pigeon. 3. a small freshwater fish. 4. a trumping at cards.

ruffed

'roughed'

1. with the neck frilled. 2. trumped at cards.

ruffing 1. making neck frills. 2. trumping at cards.

1. disturb smoothness/temper/hair. 2. (military) a vibrating drum beat.

ruffs

'roughs'

1. neck frills. 2. kind of domestic pigeons. 3. small freshwater fishes. 4. trumps at cards.

rum

'rhumb'

1. a distilled spirit. 2. (slang) odd/strange.

rumble 1. make a heavy sound like thunder. 2. the hind part of a carriage. 3. (slang) detect; resolve; see through, as in 'rumble to his trick'. 4. (slang) a gang-fight.

rumbles 1. (slang) detects; resolves; sees through, as in 'rumbles to the ploy'. 2. (slang) gang fights. 3. the hind part of carriages. 4. makes heavy sound like thunder.

ruminant 1. an animal that chews the cud. 2. one who meditates.

ruminants 1. animals that chew the cud. 2. those who meditate.

ruminate

complexion; flush; red.

rudd

ruffle

'roughing'

1. chew the cud. 2. meditate/ponder.

ruminates 1. chews the cud. 2. meditates; ponders.

ruminating 1. chewing the cud. 2. thinking/meditating/pondering.

rummy 1. a type of card game. 2. (colloquial) odd; strange; queer.

rumor (rumour)

'roomer'

hearsay; general talk.

rumors (rumours)

'roomers'

hearsays; general stories.

rump 1. the posterior/tail end/buttocks. 2. a small unsavory section of parliament.

rumps 1. posteriors; tail ends; buttocks. 2. small unsavory sections of parliament.

rune 1. a letter of the Teutonic alphabet. 2. a Finnish poem.

204 runes 1. Finnish poems. 2. letters of the Teutonic alphabet.

rung

'wrung'

1. a bar in a ladder/rail/spoke. 2. past participle of 'ring'.

runic

the sexual drive of male deer/rams.

rux

'rucks'

(slang) a temper/passion.

'wry'

1. a cereal used for bread. 2. a gypsy word for a gentleman.

runlet

ryes

1. (archaic) a cask for wine. 2. a small stream.

runlets

'rise'

varieties of grains.

rynd

'rind'

a cross-shaped fitting that supports a millstone.

1. (archaic) casks for wine. 2. small streams.

runner 1. one who runs. 2. a collector/tout; an agent. 3. a water-rail for birds. 4. a revolving mill stone. 5. (nautical) a rope in a single block with a hook. 6. a creeping stem. 7. a ring that slides on a rod etc.

runners 1. (nautical) ropes, in single blocks, with a hook. 2. bird water-rails. 3. collectors; touts; agents. 4. creeping stems. 5. those who run. 6. revolving mill stones. 7. rings that slide on rods etc.

'rues' & 'roos'

a deceit/subterfuge/trick.

rush 1. a marsh or waterside plant. 2. carry along; drag; force; swarm. 3. (colloquial) the feeling when taking hard drugs.

rushes 1. carries along; drags; forces; swarms. 2. marsh or waterside plants.

rustle 1. the sound of leaves/rain patter/a silk dress. 2. (colloquial) steal cattle/horses etc.

rustles 1. (colloquial) steals cattle/horses etc. 2. the sound of leaves/rain patter/silk dresses, and such like.

rusty 1. oxidized/neglected/affected with rust. 2. rancid (of bacon).

rut 1. a track of numerous vehicles. 2. the sexual drive of male deer/ram.

ruth

ruts

rye

1. of/about runes. 2. a kind of moth.

ruse

1. pity; compasssion; sorrow. 2. vomit, as in the phrase 'cry ruth'.

ryot

'riot'

an Indian peasant.

ryots Indian peasants.

'riots'

'S' Words 205 sable

saker

1. a brown-furred carnivorous animal. 2. (poetry) the color black.

sac

'sack'

(legal) the privilege of the manor lord to hold court.

sachet

'sashay'

a small perfume bag.

sachets

'sashays' 'sac'

1. a bag for storing things. 2. (slang) dismiss from employment. 3. a kind of white wine. 4. plunder/destroy/defeat in fight.

sacking 1. the material for making sacks/bags. 2. dismissing from employment. 3. (of armies/invaders) plundering/capturing.

sacks

'sax' & 'saxe'

1. dismisses from employment. 2. a number of bags. 3. plunders; destroys.

sacral

sage 1. an aromatic herb. 2. wise; discreet; experienced.

'sale'

a stretched canvas for catching wind.

sailer

'sailor'

a vessel propelled by sail.

sailers

'sailors'

a number of vessels propelled by sail.

sailor

'sailer'

a seaman.

sailors

'sailers'

a number of seamen.

sails

'sales'

stretched canvases for catching wind (on boats etc).

sain

'sane' & 'seine'

(archaic) protect/bless/make the sign of the cross.

sake Japanese rice wine.

1. large falcons. 2. old forms of cannons.

saki

'sake'

a small monkey of the Cebidae family of South America.

'sail'

exchange a commodity for money.

sales

'sails'

exchanging commodities for money.

sallow 1. a willow-tree. 2. sickly yellow; pale brown.

sally 1. an excursion/outburst; a sortie. 2. the first movement of a bell just before ringing.

saloon 1. a bar; a public room; a ship's cabin. 2. an automobile sedan.

saloons

1. (anatomy) of or near the sacrum--base of the spine. 2. of/about/for sacred ceremonies.

sail

sakers

sale

small perfume bags.

sack

1. a large falcon. 2. an old form of cannon.

'saki'

1. bars; public rooms; a ship's cabins. 2. automobile sedans.

salt

'sault'

1. sodium chloride. 2. sexual desire, especially in canine bitches.

salter

'psalter'

one who buys/sells/makes salt.

saltie

'salty'

(colloquial) a saltwater crocodile.

salty

'saltie'

1. tasting of salt. 2. witty; piquant; keen.

salve 1. a healing ointment. 2. salvage; save from loss or destruction.

salves 1. healing ointments. 2. salvages; saves from loss or destruction.

salvo 1. a bad excuse/quibbling evasion. 2. a simultaneous firing of guns.

salvos 1. bad excuses; quibbling evasions. 2. simultaneous firings of guns.

206 samba

'sambar'

a type of Afro-Brazilian music and dance.

sambar

'samba'

a medium-sized deer of SE Asia.

sandal 1. an ornate shoe or slipper, with straps. 2. a long narrow North African boat.

sandals 1. ornate shoes or slippers, with straps. 2. long narrow North African boats.

sandbag 1. a sand-filled bag used as ballast, in levees etc. 2. (colloquial) to have a devastating effect upon.

sane

'sain' & 'seine'

(obsolete) a leap/jump.

sausage 1. a length of compressed mince meat within a skin. 2. (colloquial) the penis.

save 1. rescue/preserve/keep from harm. 2. except; but; unless.

saver

'savor'

one who saves.

savers

'savors'

those who save.

savors (savours)

1. blood-red. 2. confident; hopeful.

'saver' 'savers'

relishes/delights in.

sap

saw

1. the vital juice of plants. 2. make a trench to conceal an approach. 3. undermine a resolution/belief/strength. 4. (slang) be studious at school work. 5. (slang) a stupid person/simpleton. 6. (slang) a cosh/bludgeon to hit with.

sappy 1. full of sap, as in a plant, tree etc. 2. (colloquial) foolish; silly.

saps 1. (slang) is studious at school work. 2. (slang) coshes/bludgeons to hit with. 3. (slang) stupid persons; simpletons. 4. makes a trench to conceal an approach. 5. undermines a resolution/belief/strength. 6. the vital juices of plants.

sartorial 1. relating to clothes/manner of dress. 2. (anatomy) pertainng to the sartorius muscle.

sash 1. an ornamental scarf. 2. the frame holding a window pane.

'sachet'

swagger about; walk nonchalantly.

'sachets'

swaggers about; walks nonchalantly.

sashes 1. the frames holding window panes. 2. ornamental scarves.

sassy 1. (colloquial) saucy; cheeky. 2. the bark of an African tree, Eurythropholeum guineese.

sauce

'salt'

relish/delight in.

sanguine

sashays

sault

savor (savour)

not mad; of sound mind.

sashay

1. a relish for food. 2. an impertinent speech; a cheeky attitude.

1. a many toothed tool for cutting/ripping. 2. a proverbial saying/maxim. 3. past tense of 'see'.

sawbuck 1. (U.S. colloquial) a sawhorse. 2. (U.S. slang) a ten-dollar bill.

saws 1. many toothed tools for cutting/ripping. 2. proverbial sayings; maxims.

sax

'sacks' & 'saxe'

1. a slater's chopper. 2. an abbreviation for 'saxophone'.

saxe

'sacks' & 'sax'

a kind of photographic paper.

say 1. a fine serge-like cloth. 2. speak; recite; rehearse.

scab 1. dry rough skin. 2. (archaic) a mean dirty fellow. 3. a workman who refuses to join a strike.

scabious 1. scabby; affected with mange. 2. a kind of wild herbs.

scabs 1. (archaic) mean dirty fellows. 2. areas of dry rough skin. 3. workmen who refuse to join a strike.

scald 1. injure with hot liquid. 2. an ancient Scandinavian composer of poems.

scalds 1. ancient Scandinavian composers of poems. 2. injures with a hot liquid.

207 scale

scapulas

1. a piece of the outer covering of a fish. 2. a classification/grading system. 3. climb; clamber. 4. a weighing instrument. 5. (Scottish) disperse; scatter.

scaled 1. removed the outer covering of a fish. 2. classified; graded. 3. climbed; clambered. 4. used a weighing instrument. 5. (Scottish) dispersed; scattered.

scaler 1. electronic device that responds with an output pulse after receiving an input signal. 2. (colloquial) anyone who evades paying a fare on a train, bus etc.

scales 1. the outer coverings of many fish. 2. classifications; grading systems. 3. climbs; clambers. 4. weighing instruments. 5. (Scottish) disperses; scatters.

scaling 1. removing scales from fish. 2. classifying; grading. 3. climbing; clambering. 4. measuring; weighing. 5. (Scottish) dispersing; scattering.

scaly

scamp 1. a rascal/knave. 2. work in a manner that is desultory/inadequate/lazy. 1. rascals; knaves. 2. works in a desultory/inadequate/lazy way.

scarf 1. a cloth neck warmer. 2. a type of metal/wood join.

scarfs 1. material neck warmers. 2. a type of metal/wood joins.

scars 1. craggy parts of mountains. 2. marks left after healed wound.

scart

'skart'

(Scottish) a scratch/scrape.

scarts

'skarts'

(Scottish) scratches; scrapes.

scat

'skat'

1. be off!; scare away. 2. a sudden shower; a blow. 3. (zoology) fecal droppings of animals.

scene

'seen'

a stage/view; an outlook.

scent

'cent' & 'sent'

an odor; a smell.

scents

'cense', 'cents' & 'sense'

school 1. any place for education. 2. a group of fish; a shoal.

schoolie 1. (colloquial) a school teacher/school student. 2. (colloquial) a school shark/school prawn. 1. (colloquial) school teachers; school students. 2. (colloquial) school sharks; school prawns.

schools

scape 1. (archaic) escape. 2. the radical stem of a primrose. 3. the curve of a column from the base.

scapes 1. (archaic) escapes. 2. the curve of columns from the bases. 3. radical stems of primroses.

'scapular'

(anatomy) one of the shoulderblades.

'scapula'

a loose, sleeveless monastic garment draped over the shoulders.

scapulars

1. the mark left after a healed wound. 2. the craggy part of a mountain.

schoolies

scamps

scapular

scar

smells; odors.

1. covered in scales; scalelike. 2. (colloquial) an official who checks load weights on trucks/lorries etc.

scapula

'scapulars'

(anatomy) the shoulderblades.

'scapulas'

loose, sleeveless monastic garments draped over the shoulders.

1. any places for education. 2. groups of fish; shoals.

schooner 1. (nautical) a sailing ship with two or more masts. 2. a beer glass, usually 12oz.

schooners 1. (nautical) sailing ships with two or more masts. 2. beer glasses, usually 12oz.

scion

'sion'

a sprout/shoot; an heir.

scirrhus

'cirrus'

a hard tumor.

scissel

'scissile'

208 waste clippings of metal.

scissile

'scissel'

able to be cut.

scoff 1. taunt; mock; gibe. 2. (slang) any food; a meal; eat greedily.

scoffs 1. (slang) eats greedily. 2. taunts; mocks; gibes.

sconce 1. a flat candlestick with a handle. 2. the crown of the head. 3. a small fort. 4. (Oxford) forfeit beer for breach of etiquette.

sconces 1. (Oxford) forfeits a beer for a breach of etiquette. 2. the crown of heads. 3. flat candlesticks with handles. 4. small forts.

scone 1. a small, light plain cake often served with jam and cream. 2. (colloquial) the head.

scones 1. small, light plain cakes often served with jam and cream. 2. (colloquial) heads.

scoop 1. a short-handled shovel. 2. an exclusive story for a newspaper. 3. a large profit made.

scooper 1. one who scoops. 2. an engraver's tool. 3. a kind of avocet.

scoopers 1. engravers' tools. 2. a kind of avocets. 3. those who scoop.

scoops 1. exclusive stories for newspapers. 2. large profits made. 3. short-handled shovels.

scoot 1. (Scottish) an insignificant person. 2. run away; make off with speed.

scoots 1. (Scottish) insignificant persons. 2. runs away; makes off with speed.

scope 1. a purpose; an intention. 2. (nautical) the length of cable out when a ship is at anchor.

scorch

1. burn slightly; shrivel with heat. 2. (colloquial) ride at high speed.

scorched 1. burned slightly; shriveled with heat. 2. (colloquial) rode at high speed.

scorcher 1. (colloquial) a very hot day; a very fast driver. 2. (colloquial) a biting criticism.

scorching 1. very hot; burning. 2. (of language use) very critical/scathing/caustic. 3. (colloquial) riding at high speed.

score 1. notch; scratch; cut. 2. points accumulated in game etc. 3. a musical composition. 4. twenty of anything.

scores 1. musical compositions. 2. notches; scratches; cuts. 3. points accumulated in games etc. 4. many instances of twenty things.

scoring 1. cutting; scratching etc. 2. keeping tally of points. 3. developing a musical piece.

scotch 1. wound; disable; score. 2. a wedge/block.

scotches 1. wedges; blocks. 2. wounds; disables; scores.

scour 1. cleanse/brighten by friction. 2. pursue; rove; range.

scourer 1. something that scours or cleans. 2. (in 17th and 18th centuries) a prankster who roamed streets at night in England.

scourers 1. things that scour or clean. 2. (in 17th and 18th centuries) pranksters who roamed streets at night in England.

scouring 1. cleansing by friction. 2. roving; ranging; pursuing.

scours 1. cleanses/brightens by friction. 2. pursues; roves; ranges.

scout 1. (military) a person sent to get information. 2. (Oxford) a college servant. 3. a member of a Scout Association. 4. (archaic) a cricket fielder. 5. a kind of bird.

209 6. reject with scorn/ridicule.

scouts 1. (archaic) cricket fielders. 2. (military) persons sent to get information. 3. (Oxford) college servants. 3. kinds of birds. 4. members of the Scout Association. 5. rejects with scorn/ridicule.

scrabbling 1. scratching or scraping with claws or hands. 2. writing hurriedly; scribbling.

scrag 1. a scrawny person or animal. 2. tackle/handle roughly by the neck.

scrags 1. scrawny persons or animals. 2. tackles/handles roughly by the neck.

scram 1. (slang) be off!; get away!. 2. puny; withered.

scrap 1. a small piece/fragment. 2. a fight/rowdy behavior/dispute.

scrappy 1. fragmentary; disconnected; odds and ends. 2. (colloquial, of a person or animal) inclined to fighting.

scraps 1. fights; rowdy behaviors; disputes. 2. small pieces; fragments.

scratch 1. score/mark surface. 2. remove from race/competition. 3. collect together; eke out. 4. (slang) money.

scratches 1. collects together; ekes out. 2. removes from a race/competition. 3. scores/marks a surface.

scratchy 1. consisting of scratches. 2. uneven; haphazard. 3. irritable; bad tempered.

scream 1. a cry of fear/anger and such like. 2. (colloquial) a thing/person regarded as very funny.

screams 1. cries of fear/anger and such like. 2. (colloquial) things/persons regarded as very funny.

screed 1. a long tiresome speech. 2. a division on a plastered surface.

screeds

1. divisions on plastered surfaces. 2. long tiresome speeches.

screen 1. a partition/separation/division. 2. a surface on which moving pictures are projected. 3. a large sieve/riddle.

screens 1. large sieves/riddles. 2. partitions; separations; divisions. 3. surfaces on which moving pictures are projected.

screw 1. a type of wood/metal fastener. 2. a small amount of tobacco. 3. a miser/stingy person. 4. (slang) a salary/wage. 5. (slang) a prison guard. 6. a vicious or unsafe horse. 7. dupe/deceive someone.

screwed 1. use a screw to fasten wood/metal. 2. duped; deceived. 3. drunk; drunken.

screwing 1. duping/deceiving someone. 2. using a type of wood/metal fastener.

screws 1. (slang) prison guards. 2. dupes/deceives someone. 3. misers; stingy persons. 4. a type of wood/metal fasteners. 5. vicious/unsafe horses.

scribble 1. to card wool roughly. 2. write hastily.

scribbled 1. carded wool roughly. 2. wrote hastily.

scribbler 1. a writer/author of little importance. 2. a carding machine, as for wool.

scribblers 1. writers/authors of little importance. 2. carding machines, as for wool.

scribbles 1. cards wool roughly. 2. writes hastily.

scribbling 1. carding wool roughly. 2. writing hastily.

scrip 1. (archaic) a beggar's/traveler's wallet/satchel. 2. a bank note for money.

scrips

210 1. (archaic) beggars'/travellers' wallets/satchels. 2. bank notes for money.

scroll

scutch

1. a roll of paper/book/volume. 2. a tracing of spiral/flowing lines.

scrolls

scrub

scrubber 1. a person/thing that scrubs. 2. (UK colloquial) a vulgar woman. 3. a farm animal/person who has taken to living wild.

scrubbers 1. persons/things that scrub. 2. (UK colloquial) vulgar women. 3. farm animals/persons who have taken to living wild.

scrubs

scruff 1. the back of the neck. 2. (metallurgy) dross formed during tin plating.

scruple 1. a unit of weight. 2. a feeling of doubt/hesitation.

scruples 1. feelings of doubt/hesitation. 2. units of weight.

scuff

scuffs 1. drags the feet; shuffles along. 2. napes of necks.

'skug'

a shadow/shelter.

'skugs'

shadows; shelters.

'skull'

use oars to move a boat along.

'skulls'

uses oars to move a boat along.

scupper 1. a drainage hole on a ship's side; sink a ship by opening the drainage holes. 2. (slang) reject/disprove the idea/plan/action.

scuppers

scuttles 1. holes with lids in a ship's deck. 2. hurries along; runs away. 3. sections of cars connecting the hood and body. 4. vessels for carrying coal.

sea

'see' & 'c'

a large expanse of salt water.

'ceil' & 'seel'

1. an amphibious marine animal. 2. close securely.

sealer 1. one who secures/closes firmly. 2. one who hunts seals.

sealers 1. those who hunt seals. 2. those who secure/close firmly.

sealing

'ceiling' & 'seeling'

1. securing; closing. 2. hunting seals.

seam

'seem'

a junction between two edges.

1. drag the feet; shuffle along. 2. the nape of the neck.

sculls

1. a small vessel for carrying coal by hand. 2. a hole with a lid in ship's deck. 3. the section of car connecting the hood and body. 4. hurry along; run away.

seal

1. (colloquial) players from another team. 2. brushwoods; stunted forests. 3. cleans vigorously; rubs hard with soap.

scull

1. removes woody fibers from flax, by beating. 2. tools used by bricklayers in cutting/shaping.

scuttle

1. a brushwood/stunted forest. 2. clean vigorously/rub hard with soap. 3. (colloquial) a player from another team.

scugs

1. remove woody fibers from flax, by beating. 2. a tool used by bricklayers in cutting/shaping.

scutches

1. rolls of papers/books/volumes. 2. tracings of spirals/flowing lines.

scug

1. drainage holes on ship's side; sinks a ship. 2. (slang) rejects/disproves the idea/plan/action.

seaman

'seamen' & 'semen'

a sailor, especially below the rank of officer.

seamed

'seemed'

made a junction between two edges.

seamen

'seaman' & 'semen'

sailors, especially below the rank of officer.

seaming

'seeming'

making a junction between two edges.

seams

'seems'

joins; joints.

sear

'seer', 'cere' & 'sere'

scorch; burn; cauterize.

sears

'seers', 'seres' & 'ceres'

scorches; burns; cauterizes.

seas

'sees' & 'seize'

large expanses of saltwater.

season 1. one of the four periods of the year.

211 2. improve the flavour of food with spices/herbs etc.

seasons 1. the four periods of the year. 2. improves the flavour of food with spices/herbs etc.

sec

'secko'

1. (music) unaccompanied. 2. (painting) applied to dry plaster.

secko (secco)

'secco'

(colloquial) a sexual pervert.

second 1. next after the first. 2. the sixtieth part of minute. 3. a supporter/helper.

seconds

secretion 1. a substance elaborated by a gland/organ/plant. 2. a hiding or concealing of something.

sectorial 1. a tooth designed for cutting. 2. relating to a sector.

'sea' & 'c'

1. the ability to perceive with the eyes. 2. accept/take the challenge (of gambling). 3. a papal court.

seed

'cede'

a plant's unit of reproduction.

seeded

'ceded'

1. filled a garden with seeds. 2. attained a certain ranking in sports.

seeder

'cedar'

one who seeds a garden/farm etc.

seeding

'ceding'

the act of sowing seeds.

seeds

'cedes'

sows seeds in ground; plant units of production.

seedy 1. having abundant seeds. 2. shabby; in poor health.

seel

'ceil' & 'seal' 'ceiling' & 'sealing'

appear; perceive.

'seams'

seen

'scene'

past tense of 'see'.

seer

'sear', 'sere' & 'cere'

1. a prophet/person who has visions. 2. an Indian measure of weight.

seers

'sears', 'seres' & 'ceres'

1. prophets/persons who have visions. 2. an Indian measure of weights.

sees

'seas' & 'seize'

1. perceives. 2. papal courts.

'sane' & 'sain'

a type of fishing net.

seize

'seas' & 'sees'

1. (legal) take hold of; possess. 2. (mechanics) jam; become stuck.

sell

'cell'

1. exchange a product for money. 2. (colloquial) a disappointment.

seller

'cellar'

one who sells products for a wage/living.

sellers

'cellars'

those who sell for a wage/living.

sells

'cells'

1. exchanges a product for money. 2. (colloquial) disappointments.

semen

'seaman' & 'seamen'

male sperm.

senate

'sennet' & 'sennit'

a legislative body of government.

senator 1. a member of the senate. 2. (colloquial) a schooner of beer.

senators 1. members of the senate. 2. (colloquial) schooners of beer.

senior 1. older; elder; of higher rank. 2. an amateur wrestler over 48 kg in weight.

sennet

'senate' & 'sennit'

a trumpeting of stage entrance or exit.

'senate' & 'sennet'

a flat braid of rope.

sensation

hoodwinking; deceiving.

seem

'seaming'

appearing; perceiving.

seems

sennit

hoodwink; fool; deceive.

seeling

seeming

seine

1. the sixtieth parts of a minute. 2. supporters; helpers. 3. goods with manufacturing defects. 4. a second helping of food.

see

'seamed'

appeared; perceived.

appears to be/ostensible/probable/evident.

1. (of champagne) dry. 2. (colloquial) a second of time.

secco

seemed

'seam'

1. the act of perceiving, using one or more of the senses. 2. a display of intense emotion; a spectacle.

212 sensations 1. acts of perceiving. 2. displays of intense emotion; spectacles.

sense

'cense', 'cents' & 'scents'

1. a faculty of perception (of sight/hearing etc.) 2. instinct; insight. 3. meaning; manner.

senses

'censes'

1. faculties of perception (of sight/hearing etc.). 2. instincts; insights. 3. meanings; manners.

sensible 1. perceptible by the senses. 2. moderate; practical; reasonable.

sensor

'censer' & 'censor'

a machine/device that senses light/movement etc.

sensors

'censors' & 'censers'

machines/devices that sense light/movement etc.

sent

'cent' & 'scent'

past tense of 'send'.

sentence 1. an opinion; a verdict/pithy saying. 2. (grammar) a set of complete sensible words.

sentences 1. (grammar) sets of complete sensible words. 2. opinions; verdicts; pithy sayings.

septic 1. infected; relating to the nature of sepsis. 2. (colloquial) an American.

sere

'sear', 'seer' & 'cere'

the catch of gun-lock holding the hammer at half or full cock; (obsolete) a claw.

serene 1. calm; unruffled; quiet. 2. (obsolete) an unwholesome night dew.

seres

'sears', 'seers' & 'ceres'

the catch of gun-locks holding the hammer at half or full cock; (obsolete) claws.

serf

'surf'

a peasant.

serfs

'surfs'

peasants.

serge

'surge'

a hard wearing twill fabric.

serial

'cereal'

of a series; forming a series.

serials

'cereals'

of/pertaining to a series; a succession of installments/episodes.

serious

'cereus'

of great importance/significance.

serotine

1. (rare) late. 2. a small Eurpean bat, Vespertilio serotinus.

serpentine 1. of or like a snake. 2. a kind of hydrous silicate rock.

service 1. being a servant. 2. a religious meeting. 3. (of tennis) the serving of a tennis ball. 4. maintain/repair a thing. 5. a European tree.

services 1. European trees. 2. maintains/repairs things. 3. religious meetings.

session

'cession'

an assembly; a meeting/period.

sessions

'cessions'

assemblies; meetings; periods.

set 1. put/lay/stand up/down/on etc. 2. fix hair to dry in waves. 3. provide lyrics with music. 4. harden; curdle; solidify. 5. (of sun/moon) sink below the horizon. 6. a number of things that belong together. 7. a slip/shoot for planting. 8. a current/drift/tendency. 9. the deflection of saw-teeth on a saw. 10. the last coat of plaster on a wall. 11. a timber frame supporting a gallery in a mine. 12. (of a dog) a setter's pointing to game. 13. a badger's burrow. 14. a granite paving block. 15. a kind of wrench and punch. 16. a theatre/movie scene.

setaceous

'cetaceous'

bristly.

sets 1. (of dog) act of setter pointing to game. 2. (of sun/moon) drops/sinks below the horizon. 3. badgers' burrows. 4. currents; drifts; tendencies. 5. fixes hair to dry in waves/curls. 6. granite paving blocks. 7. hardens; curdles; solidifies. 8. kinds of wrench and punch. 9. last coats of plaster on walls. 10. numbers of things that belong together. 11. provides lyrics with music. 12. puts/lays/stands a thing up/down/on etc. 13. slips/shoots for planting. 14. theatre/movie scenes. 15. timber frames supporting galleries in mines.

settee 1. a long seat.

213 2. a Mediterranean sailing vessel.

settees

shade

1. long seats. 2. Mediterranean sailing vessels.

settle 1. a bench with high back and arms. 2. establish; build; live at. 3. subside; sink. 4. deal with; dispose of; get rid of.

settled 1. dealt with; disposed of; got rid of. 2. established; built; lived at. 3. subsided; sank.

settlement 1. an establishment/abode; a village. 2. a subsidence of the ground. 3. the conveyance of an estate.

settler

'settlor'

1. one who establishes/builds a new area etc. 2. a decisive blow/argument.

settlers

'settlors'

those who establish/build a new area etc.

settles 1. benches with high backs and arms. 2. deals with; disposes of; gets rid of. 3. establishes; builds; lives at. 4. subsides; sinks. 1. dealing with; disposing of; getting rid of. 2. establishing; building; living at. 3. subsiding; sinking.

'settler'

(legal) one who makes a settlement, at court.

settlors

'settlers'

(legal) those who make a settlement, at court.

sew

'so', 'soh' & 'sow'

fasten material with thread.

sewed

'sowed'

fastened material with thread.

sewer

'suer'

1. a person who sets table/places for guests. 2. a conduit/channel/drain. one who sews garments.

sewers 1. persons who set tables/places for guests. 2. conduits; channels; drains. those who sew garments.

sewing

'sowing'

fastening material with thread.

sewn

'sown'

has fastened material with thread.

sews

'sows'

fastens material with thread.

sey

1. a place protected from sun/light. 2. a small amount/slight difference. 3. modify the pitch of an organ pipe.

shades 1. modifies the pitch of an organ pipe. 2. places protected from sun/light; (slang) sunglasses. 3. small amounts; slight differences.

shadow 1. an area of shade. 2. the slightest trace. 3. follow/watch closely.

shadows 1. follows/watches closely. 2. shades. 3. slightest traces.

shady 1. offering shade/a screen from the sun. 2. (colloquial) something probably dishonest.

shaft 1. a lance/spear. 2. the access to a mine.

shafts 1. accesses to mines. 2. lances; spears.

shag

settling

settlor

1. (Scottish) part of a carcass of beef.

'sigh' & 'sye'

1. a rough mass of hair. 2. a coarse cut of tobacco. 3. the crested cormorant.

shags 1. crested cormorants. 2. rough masses of hair.

shake

'sheik'

1. tremble; jolt; jerk. 2. (music) a quick two notes with voice or instrument. 3. in a moment; very quickly. 4. a crack in growing timber.

shakes

'sheiks'

1. trembles; jolts; jerks. 2. (music) a quick two notes with voice or instrument. 3. in a moment; very quickly. 4. cracks in growing timber.

shale 1. (Shakespeare) a shell or husk. 2. a clay rock, easily split, usually gray.

shamble 1. walk unsteadily. 2. a butcher's market stall. 3. a mess/carnage; an untidiness.

shambles 1. walks/runs awkwardly. 2. a mess/carnage; an untidiness.

214 3. a butchers' market stalls.

shanghai 1. (nautical) force a person into service on a ship. 2. (colloquial) steal. 3. (colloquial) unexpectedly move a prisoner to another jail. 4. a catapult.

shanghaied 1. (nautical) forced a person into service on a ship. 2. (colloquial) stole. 3. (colloquial) unexpectedly moved a prisoner to another jail.

shanghaiing 1. (nautical) forcing a person into service on a ship. 2. (colloquial) stealing. 3. (colloquial) unexpectedly moving a prisoner to another jail.

shanghais 1. (nautical) forces a person into service on a ship. 2. (colloquial) steals. 3. (colloquial) unexpectedly moves a prisoner to another jail. 4. a number of catapults.

shank 1. (of animals) part of the leg between knee and ankle. 2. the back loop on a button. 3. the narrow part of a shoe sole under the instep. 4. (printing) the body of a type. 5. the later part of the afternoon/evening. 6. (of flowers) drop off a decayed stalk. 7. (of golf) strike a ball with the heel of the club.

shanties 1. huts; cabins. 2. sailors' songs.

shanty 1. a hut/cabin. 2. a sailor's song.

shard 1. a piece of cow-dung. 2. a gap. 3. a beetle's wing case. 4. a broken piece of brittle material e.g. glass/pots.

shards 1. pieces of cow-dung. 2. gaps. 3. beetles' wing cases. 4. broken pieces of brittle material e.g. glass/pots.

share 1. a portion/part. 2. a farmer's ploughshare.

shares 1. ploughshares. 2. portions; parts.

shark 1. a large voracious and predatory sea-fish. 2. (slang) a brilliant student. 3. a swindler; an adventurer

sharks 1. (slang) brilliant students. 2. large voracious sea-fishes. 3. swindlers; adventurers.

shaw 1. a small wood. 2. (Scottish) show; an appearance.

she

'shea'

the female pronoun.

shea (1)

'she'

a West African tree.

shea (2)

'shear' & 'sheer'

a West African tree.

shear

'sheer' & 'shea'

1. cut with sword/scissors etc. 2. (mechanics) a kind of strain in layered substances.

sheared

'sheered'

cut with sword/scissors.

shearing

'sheering'

cutting with sword/scissors.

shears

'sheers'

cuts with sword/scissors.

sheave 1. a grooved wheel in a pulley. 2. (of corn) gather together.

shebang 1. (slang) a house/store/saloon. 2. (slang) any matter/concern, as in 'the whole shebang'.

shebangs 1. (slang) any matters/concerns. 2. (slang) houses; stores; saloons.

shed 1. let fall; part with; discard. 2. a shelter for storing goods.

shedding 1. letting fall; parting with; discarding. 2. sheltering, for storing goods/animals etc.

sheds 1. lets fall; parts with; discards. 2. shelters for storing goods.

sheeny 1. lustrous; bright; shining. 2. (UK) a derogatory term for a Jewish person.

sheer

'shear' & 'shea'

1. simple; undiluted; unassisted.

215 2. outright; perpendicular. 3. (nautical) deviate from a course. 4. the upward slope of a ship's lines. 5. a type of hoisting apparatus.

sheered

'sheared'

(nautical) deviated from a course.

sheering

'shearing'

(nautical) deviating from a course.

sheers

'shears'

1. (nautical) deviates from course. 2. a type of hoisting apparatus.

sheet 1. a large rectangular piece of cotton/linen used for bedding. 2. (nautical) a rope/chain for fastening/controlling sails or booms.

sheets 1. large rectangular pieces of cotton/linen used for bedding. 2. (nautical) ropes/chains for fastening/controlling sails or booms.

sheik

'shake'

an Arabian chief/head of the family.

sheiks

'shakes'

Arabian chiefs/heads of family.

shelf 1. a narrow slab of wood/metal etc, affixed to a wall/ledge/projection. 2. (colloquial) an informer; to inform on someone.

shell 1. the hard outer case of nuts/fruit/eggs/clams/turtles etc. 2. a light racing boat. 3. the hollow metal case for explosives. 4. the handguard of a sword. 5. (poetry) a lyre. 6. (of school) an intermediate form.

shells 1. (poetry) lyres. 2. (of school) intermediate forms. 3. the handguard of swords. 4. the hard outer cases of nuts/fruit/eggs etc. 5. hollow metal cases for explosives. 6. light racing boats.

shelve 1. put on a shelf (book/papers etc.). 2. abandon/defer the plan/idea/action etc. 3. slope gently.

shelves 1. abandons/defers the plan/idea/action etc. 2. puts on a shelf (of books/papers/things etc.). 3. slopes gently.

shier (shyer) more shy; more timid.

shift

'shire'

1. change from one position to another. 2. a relay of workmen. 3. (archaic) a chemise/dress. 4. a brickwork technique.

shifts 1. (archaic) chemises; dresses. 2. brickwork techniques. 3. changes from one position to another. 4. relays of workmen.

shifty 1. evasive; deceitful; furtive. 2. (colloquial) one who does shift work.

shimmies 1. (colloquial) chemises; dresses. 2. a kind of foxtrot dances

shimmy 1. (colloquial) a chemise/dress. 2. a kind of foxtrot dance.

shiner 1. something that shines. 2. (colloquial) a black eye. 3. an American freshwater fish.

shiners 1. things that shine. 2. (colloquial) black eyes. 3. American freshwater fish.

shingle 1. a type of wooden roofing material. 2. a small rounded pebble on a beach.

shingles 1. small beach pebbles. 2. an acute skin inflammation. 3. roofing materials.

shinny 1. a simple variety of hockey (also called 'shinty'). 2. (colloquial) to climb, using the shins for support and thrust.

shire

'shier'

a county.

shirr 1. draw up cloth into parallel threads. 2. bake unshelled eggs until set.

shirred 1. drew up cloth into parallel threads. 2. baked unshelled eggs until set.

shirring 1. drawing up cloth into parallel threads. 2. baking unshelled eggs until set.

shirrs 1. draws up cloth into parallel threads. 2. bakes unshelled eggs until set.

shive 1. a thin cork/bung for casks. 2. a small part of plant matter e.g. a seed.

216 shiver 1. shake/tremble with fear/cold/excitement. 2. break/split into fragments.

shivered 1. shook/trembled with fear/cold/excitement. 2. broke/split into fragments. 1. shaking/trembling with fear/cold/excitement. 2. breaking/splitting into fragments.

shivers 1. shakes/trembles with fear/cold/excitement. 2. breaks/splits into fragments.

shivery 1. trembling/shaking with fear/cold/excitement. 2. breaking readily into fragments/pieces.

shives 1. thin corks/bungs for casks. 2. small parts of plant matter e.g. seeds.

'show'

a type of Japanese mouth-organ.

shoal 1. not deep; shallow. 2. a large group/multitude of fish.

shock 1. a violent concussion/impact. 2. affect with sorrow/disgust/horror etc. 3. a group of corn sheaves close together. 4. a mass of hair that is unkempt/shaggy.

shocker 1. something that shocks. 2. (colloquial) a person who is unpleasant/disagreeable.

shockers 1. things that shock. 2. (colloquial) persons who are unpleasant/disagreeable.

shocks 1. affects with sorrow/disgust/horror etc. 2. groups of corn sheaves close together. 3. unkempt/shaggy masses of hair. 4. violent concussions/impacts.

shoddy 1. a fiber made from old cloth. 2. trashy; pretentious; poor quality.

shoe

'shoo' & 'chou'

a covering for a foot.

shoeing

'shooing'

making a covering for a foot.

shoes

'chous' & 'shoos'

apparel/coverings for the feet.

shoo

'shoe' & 'chou'

a sound to frighten away (a bird/dog/cat etc).

shooing

shook 1. a set of staves for a barrel, cask etc. 2. past tense of 'shake'.

shoos

'chous' & 'shoes'

many sounds to frighten (birds etc.).

shivering

sho

making a sound to frighten away (of bird/dog/cat etc.).

'shoeing'

shoot

'chute'

1. discharge a bullet from a gun. 2. take a photograph; make movie. 3. plane wood accurately. 4. a young branch/sucker.

shooter 1. a person/thing that shoots. 2. (colloquial) a photograph.

shooters 1. persons/things that shoot. 2. (colloquial) photographs.

shoots

'chutes'

1. discharges a bullet. 2. takes a photograph; makes a movie. 3. planes wood accurately. 4. young branches/suckers.

shop 1. a place for retail sales. 2. (slang) imprison; inform on.

shops 1. (slang) imprisons; informs on. 2. places for retail sales.

shore 1. the land at the edge of water/river etc. 2. a prop/beam used as a support.

shores 1. land at the edge of waters/rivers etc. 2. props/beams used as support.

short 1. small; not long. 2. (of pastry) friable; crumbling. 3. (electricity) a broken circuit.

shorts 1. broken circuits. 2. cut-down pants.

shot

'shott'

1. past participle and past tense of 'shoot'. 2. reckoning/tallying up a bill. 3. a photograph taken. 4. a measure of drugs/alcohol/drink.

shots

'shotts'

1. doses of drugs. 2. photographs taken. 3. reckonings; tallies up a bill. 4. sounds/actions of repeated shooting.

shott

'shot'

a shallow North African salt lake or marsh.

217 shotts

'shots'

shallow North African salt lakes or marshes.

shout 1. a loud call or cry. 2. (colloquial) pay for a round of drinks.

shouts 1. loud calls or cries. 2. (colloquial) pays for a round of drinks.

shovel 1. a broad-blade instrument for digging/removing earth etc. 2. (colloquial) a room/living area.

shoveller 1. an Australian duck similar to the spoonbill. 2. a thing or someone who shovels.

shovellers

shrub 1. a woody plant. 2. a kind of cordial.

shucks 1. (US colloquial) an exclamation of disgust/regret. 2. husks/shells/pods of maize/nuts etc.

shy 1. uneasy; coy; bashful. 2. (slang) short; lost; missing. 3. start/jump suddenly (usually of a horse). 4. (colloquial) fling/throw a stone.

sic

'sick'

in like manner.

1. Australian ducks similar to the spoonbill. 2. things or those who shovel.

shovels 1. broad-blade instruments for digging/removing earth etc. 2. (colloquial) rooms; living areas.

show

2. (nautical) set of ropes from the masthead, for support. 3. branches; loppings off trees.

'sho'

exhibit; display; present.

shredder 1. a person or something that shreds paper, wood etc. 2. a snowboard or skilled rider of same.

shredders 1. persons or things that shred paper, wood etc. 2. snowboards or skilled riders of same.

shredding 1. the action of a thing/person who shreds paper etc. 2. skillful snowboarding.

shrew 1. a scolding woman. 2. a small fierce rodent like animal.

shrews 1. scolding women. 2. small fierce rodent-like animals.

shrink 1. draw back from; contract by cooling; retreat from. 2. (colloquial) a psychiatrist.

shrinks 1. draws back from; contracts by cooling; retreats from. 2. (colloquial) psychiatrists.

shroud 1. a covering/screen/shelter. 2. a branch; lopping off a tree.

shrouds 1. coverings; screens; shelters.

sick

'sic'

1. ill; diseased. 2. (of a dog) set upon/attack another animal..

sicks

'six'

sets upon; chases.

side

'sighed'

1. a flat surface. 2. a spinning motion given to a ball. 3. (slang) a swagger/an assumption of superiority. 4. take part in; be a member of.

sides 1. (slang) swaggers; assumes superiority. 2. flat surfaces. 3. takes part in, as in 'sides with a team.'

sidewinder 1. (US colloquial) a disabling roundhouse blow or strike. 2. a small species of rattlesnake.

sidewinders 1. (US colloquial) disabling roundhouse blows or strikes. 2. small species of rattlesnakes.

siding 1. a short branch off a railway track. 2. the cladding of a framed building. 3. (obsolete) a hillside.

sidings 1. short branches off a railway track. 2. claddings of a framed building. 3. (obsolete) hillsides.

sierra 1. a long jagged mountain chain. 2. the Spanish mackerel.

sierras 1. long jagged mountain chains. 2. Spanish mackerels.

sigh

'sey', 'sye' & 'xi'

218 a long, dejected exhalation of breath.

sighed

'side'

expressed sadness/weariness.

sigher

'sire'

one who sighs.

sighs

'size' & 'syes'

sad, deep audible breaths.

sight

'cite','cyte' & 'site'

1. the faculty of vision. 2. (colloquial) a great quantity.

sighted

'cited' & 'sited'

seen; discovered.

sighting

'citing' & 'siting'

seeing/discovering.

sights

'cites','cytes' & 'sites'

sees; discovers.

sign

'sine' & 'syne'

a mark/symbol.

signal

'cygnet'

an authenticating seal.

signets

'cygnets'

authenticating seals.

signs

'sines'

silk 1. a fine soft thread. 2. (colloquial) a queen or king's counsel. 3. the luster of some sapphires/rubies.

silks 1. (colloquial) queen's or king's counsels. 2. fine soft threads. 1. of or like silk. 2. an Australian silky terrier.

sill

'silvern'

woody; pertaining to woods.

'silvan'

silvery.

sink

'cinque' & 'sync'

1. fall down slowly/disappear into liquid. 2. a place where foul liquid collects. 3. a stage opening for scenery lowering/raising.

sinking

'synching'

dropping/lowering beneath the surface of a liquid.

sinks 1. falls down slowly; disappears into liquid. 2. places where foul liquid collects. 3. stage openings for scenery lowering/raising.

'synd'

transgressed; offended.

sion

'scion'

a mountain.

sire

'sigher'

1. a father/male parent/male ancestor. 2. (archaic) a form of address, especially to a king. 1. a temptress/dangerous woman. 2. an instrument for making loud sounds.

sirens 1. instruments for making loud sounds. 2. temptresses; dangerous women.

sist

'cist' & 'cyst'

(Scottish) in law, a stay/summons.

'cists' & 'cysts'

(Scottish) in law, summons/stays.

sit site

'cit' 'sight','cyte' & 'cite'

a building area/position/block.

sited

'cited' & 'sighted'

situated; positioned at.

sites siting

1. a diphthong between two vowels.. 2. expulsion of liquid from a gel.

'sign' & 'syne'

1. a trigonometry ratio. 2. (in Latin) without. trigonometry ratios.

1. unlucky; disastrous. 2. pertaining to the left side.

'cites','cytes' & 'sights'

situates/positions a thing at.

sinaeresis

sines

sinistrous

rest on a chair; have a seat.

1. a ledge of a window; a threshold of a door. 2. in geology, a layer of intrusive rock.

sine

1. threatening; ominous; evil. 2. of or on the left side.

sists

silky

silvern

sinister

siren

marks; symbols.

silvan

'cingle'

alone; only one.

sinned

1. noteworthy; conspicuous. 2. a sign conveying information/direction.

signet

single

'signs'

'citing' & 'sighting'

situating/positioning at/upon etc.

sitter 1. one who sits, as for a portrait; a brooding bird. 2. (colloquial) something easily done or achieved.

six the number after five.

'sicks'

219 size

'sighs' & 'syes'

1. the dimensions/magnitude of anything. 2. a solution used to glaze and stiffen materials.

skain

'skein'

a Gaelic dagger.

skains

'skeins'

Gaelic daggers.

skart

'scart'

a cormorant.

skarts

'scarts'

cormorants.

skat

'scat'

a card game with 32 cards, like piquet.

skate 1. a kind of ray-fish. 2. use special footwear for gliding on ice.

skates 1. kinds of ray-fishes. 2. special footwear for gliding on ice.

skein

'skain'

a bundle of yarn/thread.

skeins

'skains'

bundles of yarn/thread.

skid 1. a piece of timber as a support; an inclined plane. 2. slide/slip around.

skids 1. pieces of timber as support/inclined planes. 2. slides/slips about.

skink 1. pour out. 2. an African lizard. 3. (Scottish) shin bone soup.

skinks 1. pours out. 2. African lizards.

skip 1. a type of wicker basket. 2. jump about; gambol. 3. make off; disappear. 4. a college servant. 5. a cage/bucket for lowering/raising miners.

skips 1. cages/buckets used for lowering/raising miners. 2. college servants. 3. jumps about; gambols. 4. makes off; disappears. 5. type of wicker baskets.

skit 1. a light piece of satire/dry humor. 2. (colloquial) a number/crowd.

skivvies

1. (colloquial) female servants who do rough work. 2. close fitting, long-sleeved garments with turtle neck.

skivvy 1. (colloquial) a female servant who does rough work. 2. a close fitting, long-sleeved garment with turtle neck.

skug

'scug'

(slang) a squirrel.

skugs

'scugs'

(slang) squirrels.

skull

'scull'

the bone section of the head.

skulls

'sculls'

the bone section of heads.

skylark 1. a European lark, Alauda arvensis. 2. frolic; play about; be in high spirits.

skylarks 1. European larks, Alauda arvensis. 2. frolics; plays about; is in high spirits.

slab 1. a flat thin rigid material. 2. (archaic) viscous; thick; sticky.

slack 1. limp; not tense; slow; sluggish; dull. 2. fine screenings of coal.

slag 1. fused refuse from metal production. 2. (colloquial) an unattractive or promiscuous woman. 3. (colloquial) spit or spittle.

slain

'slane'

past participle of 'slay'.

slam 1. shut/strike/close with violence. 2. an old card game.

slane

'slain'

a turf-cutting shovel or spade.

slang 1. jargon or colloquial language. 2. (slang) a counterfeit weight or measure. 3. a watch-chain.

slangs 1. (slang) counterfeit weights or measures. 2. watch-chains; leg irons.

slant 1. slope/turn/fall/strike obliquely. 2. a transitory breeze.

slants 1. slopes/turns/falls/strikes obliquely. 2. transitory breezes.

220 gliding on a sleigh through snow.

slat 1. a thin piece of wood/metal/plastic used in Venetian blinds. 2. strike noisily/flap against sails etc.

slate

slates 1. (colloquial) criticizes severely. 2. kinds of green/blue rocks, easily split.

slats 1. strikes noisily/slaps against sails etc. 2. thin pieces of wood/metal/plastic used in Venetian blinds.

slaver 1. a person trading in slaves; a slave ship. 2. allow spittle to drool from the mouth.

slavers 1. persons trading in slaves; slave ships. 2. allows spittle to drool from the mouth.

'sleigh' & 'sley'

kill; execute.

slaying

'sleighing'

killing; executing.

slays

'sleighs'

kills; executes.

sleave

'sleeve'

divide or separate into filaments.

sleaved

'sleeved'

divided or separated into filaments.

sleaves

'sleeves'

divides or separates into filaments.

sleaving

'sleeving'

dividing or separating into filaments.

sledge 1. a snow vehicle on runners. 2. a large heavy hammer.

sledges 1. large heavy hammers. 2. snow vehicles on runners.

sleeve

'sleave'

part of a garment that covers the arm; to furnish with a sleeve.

sleeved

'sleaved'

with covered arms; furnished with a sleeve.

sleeves

'sleaves'

parts of a garment that cover the arms; furnishes with a sleeve.

sleeving

'sleaving'

a covering for the arm; furnishing with a sleeve.

sleigh

'slay' & 'sley'

a snow vehicle on runners.

sleighing

'slays'

snow vehicles on runners.

sleight

'slight'

dexterity; cunning.

1. a kind of green/blue rock that is easily split. 2. (colloquial) criticize severely.

slay

sleighs

'slaying'

sleights

'slights'

dexterous/cunning actions.

slew

'slough' & 'slue'

1. turn/swing forcibly. 2. past tense of 'slay'. 3. a large number or amount of something.

sley

'slay' & 'sleigh'

a weaver's reed for a loom.

slight

'sleight'

1. slim; frail; slender. 2. treat discourteously.

slights

'sleights'

treats discourteously.

sling 1. throw; hurl. 2. an apparatus to support a hanging weight. 3. a kind of drink/toddy.

slings 1. apparatus to support hanging weights. 2. kinds of drinks/toddies. 3. throws; hurls.

slink 1. creep; sneak. 2. (of animals) miscarry; a premature birth.

slinks 1. (of animals) miscarries; premature births. 2. creeps; sneaks.

slip 1. blunder; fall over. 2. a kind of loose covering. 3. a long narrow strip of thin wood. 4. a plant cutting. 5. semifluid clay. 6. a small flat-fish (e.g. the sole).

slips 1. slides; blunders; falls over. 2. a kind of loose coverings. 3. a place where ships are repaired/built. 4. long narrow strips of wood. 5. plant cuttings. 6. a position for a fielder in cricket. 7. the part where actors stand before entering. 8. bathing shorts. 9. small flat fishes (e.g. the sole).

sloe

'slow'

a small black wild plum.

sloes small black wild plums.

slop

'slows'

221 1. dirty water/waste/spill. 2. a loose garment/gown/cassock. 3. (slang) a policeman.

sloppy

smackers

1. muddy; slushy; soiled; mushy. 2. (colloquial) untidy/weak/loose/careless, as in 'sloppy work'.

slops 1. dirty waters/wastes/spills. 2. (archaic) wide knickerbockers. 3. (slang) policemen.

slot

slots 1. grooves; channels; slits. 2. tracks of a deer.

'slew' & 'slue'

1. a bog/marsh. 2. a state of hopeless dejection.

slow

'sloe'

not fast; lacking speed.

slows

'sloes'

reduces speed.

slue

1. things or persons who smack. 2. (colloquial) dollars. 3. (colloquial) mouths. 4. (colloquial) young boys.

smacks 1. fishing sloops. 2. slaps; hard hits; strikes with a hand. 3. suggestive flavors/tastes.

smart

1. a groove/channel/slit. 2. the tracks of a deer.

slough

2. (colloquial) a dollar. 3. (colloquial) the mouth. 4. (colloquial) a young boy.

'slew' & 'slough'

(sailing) to turn a mast/spar around on its axis; to come about.

slug 1. a kind of shelless snail. 2. a bullet of irregular shape. 3. a line of type in printing. 4. a heavy, slow person. 5. slog; hit; strike.

slugs 1. bullets of irregular shape. 2. heavy, slow persons. 3. kinds of shelless snails. 4. lines of type in printing. 5. slogs; hits; strikes.

slum 1. an overcrowded and squalid area of a city. 2. the non-lubricating part of crude oil.

slummock 1. swallow greedily. 2. move/speak awkwardly.

slummocks 1. moves/speaks awkwardly. 2. swallows greedily.

smack 1. a suggestive flavor/taste. 2. a slap/hard hit; strike with the hand. 3. a fishing sloop. 4. (slang) a mix of drugs.

smacker 1. something or a person who smacks.

1. feel a pain/stinging sensation. 2. clever; witty; ingenious. 3. fresh/bright in appearance.

smarts 1. clever; witty; ingenious, as in 'he has smarts'. 2. rankles; feels pain; a stinging sensation, as in 'it smarts'.

smashed 1. broken up; destroyed. 2. (colloquial) incapacitated through alcohol/drugs.

smasher 1. something or a person who smashes. 2. (colloquial) a very attractive person.

smashers 1. things or persons who smash. 2. (colloquial) very attractive persons.

smashing 1. breaking up; destroying. 2. (colloquial) excellent; extremely good; wonderful.

smelt 1. extract metal from. 2. a small fish like a salmon. 3. (British) past tense of 'smell'.

smitten 1. struck with a hard blow/strike. 2. (colloquial) in love.

smouch 1. cheat; filch. 2. a hearty kiss.

smouches 1. cheats; filches. 2. hearty kisses.

smout

'smowt'

(slang) a compositor; an odd job person.

smouts

'smowts'

(slang) compositors; odd job persons.

smowt

'smout'

a small person or child.

smowts small persons or children.

'smouts'

222 smudge 1. a smear/blur/blot. 2. fumigate with smoke.

smudged 1. smeared; blurred; blotted. 2. fumigated with smoke.

smudges 1. smears; blurs; blots. 2. fumigates with smoke.

smudging 1. smearing; blurring; blotting. 2. fumigating with smoke.

smug 1. neat; prim; self-complacent. 2. seize; confiscate; (slang) hush up.

smut 1. soot; worthless black coal. 2. obscene talk.

snaffle 1. a slender bit used on a bridle. 2. (colloquial) steal; grab before anyone else does.

snaffles 1. slender bits used on bridles. 2. (colloquial) steals; grabs before anyone else does.

snag 1. a sharp or rough projection. 2. (colloquial) a sausage. 3. (colloquial) a sensitive man in personal relationships.

snagger 1. a shearer who does rough work. 2. someone employed to remove snags from a river.

snaggers 1. shearers who do rough work. 2. those employed to remove snags from a river.

snags 1. sharp or rough projections. 2. (colloquial) sausages. 3. (colloquial) sensitive men in personal relationships.

snake 1. a scaly limbless reptile. 2. (colloquial) a sergeant.

snakes 1. scaly limbless reptiles. 2. (colloquial) sergeants.

snap 1. a sudden bite; speak irritably. 2. catch a batsman at the wicket. 3. break a thing with a loud crack. 4. take a photograph. 5. get moving/get out of a bad mood, as in 'snap out of it'.

6. a spring catch for a bracelet. 7. a kind of small crisp cake. 8. a sudden period of frost. 9. a card game. 10. an easy task. 11. a short engagement as an actor.

snapped 1. broke a thing with a loud crack. 2. caught a batsman at the wicket. 3. got moving; got out of a bad mood. 4. bit suddenly; spoke irritably. 5. took photograph.

snapper 1. a type of fish, like bass. 2. (Scottish) a stumble/slip/scrape.

snappers 1. a type of fishes, like bass. 2. (Scottish) stumbles; slips; scrapes.

snapping 1. breaking a thing with a loud crack. 2. catching a batsman at the wicket. 3. getting moving; getting out of a bad mood. 4. a sudden biting; speaking irritably. 5. taking a photograph.

snaps 1. spring catches for bracelets. 2. breaks a thing with a loud crack. 3. catches a batsman at the wicket. 4. gets moving; gets out of bad mood. 5. kinds of small crisp cakes. 6. sudden bites; speaks irritably. 7. sudden periods of frost. 8. takes a photograph.

snare 1. a device, usually a noose, for capturing small game. 2. one of the gut strings stretched across the skin of a drum.

snares 1. devices, usually nooses, for capturing small game. 2. gut strings stretched across the skin of a drum.

snarl 1. growl; express discontent. 2. become entangled/twisted.

snarled 1. became entangled/twisted. 2. growled; expressed discontent.

snarler 1. (NZ colloquial) a sausage. 2. (colloquial) a type of official military notification.

snarlers 1. (NZ colloquial) sausages. 2. (colloquial) a type of official military notifications.

223 snarling 1. becoming entangled/twisted. 2. growling; expressing discontent.

snarls 1. becomes entangled/twisted. 2. growls; expresses discontent.

snatch 1. suddenly grasp/seize by hand. 2. (colloquial) a woman or the vulva.

snatches 1. suddenly grasp/seize by hand. 2. (colloquial) women or vulvae.

sneak 1. slink/move furtively. 2. (slang) tell tales; inform upon.

sneaker 1. a type of soft shoe. 2. a person who sneaks around.

sneakers 1. a type of soft shoes. 2. persons who sneak around.

sneaks 1. (slang) tells tales; informs upon. 2. slinks; moves furtively.

snell 1. (Scottish) keen; sharp. 2. a short piece of gut, attaching a hook to a line.

snib 1. (Scottish) same as 'snub'. 2. (Scottish) a small bolt; a window catch.

snibs 1. (Scottish) same as 'snubs'. 2. (Scottish) small bolts; window catches.

snick 1. make a small cut. 2. (of cricket) strike the ball softly with a glancing blow.

snicks 1. makes a small cut. 2. (cricket) strikes a ball softly with a glancing blow.

snide 1. (slang) bogus; fake. 2. insinuating; sly; derogatory.

snifter 1. (colloquial) a small alcoholic drink. 2. (colloquial) very good; excellent.

snip 1. cut with scissors or similar tool. 2. (colloquial) borrow money. 3. a latch.

snipe 1. a bird of the genus Gallinago.

2. shoot from a hidden position. 3. a long poster used in election campaigns.

sniper 1. one who snipes. 2. a non-union laborer, usually on the waterfront.

snipers 1. those who snipe. 2. non-union laborers, usually on the waterfront.

snipes 1. birds of the genus Gallinago. 2. shoots from a hidden position. 3. long posters used in election campaigns.

snipped 1. cut with scissors or similar tool. 2. (colloquial) borrowed money.

snipping 1. cutting with scissors or similar tool. 2. (colloquial) borrowing money.

snips 1. cuts with scissors or similar tool. 2. (colloquial) borrows money. 3. latches.

snitch 1. (colloquial) steal or snatch. 2. (colloquial) an informer.

snitches 1. (colloquial) steals or snatches. 2. (colloquial) informers.

snob 1. one who affects social importance. 2. a nickname for a 19th century cobbler's apprentice.

snobs 1. those who affect social importance. 2. a nickname for 19th century cobbler's apprentices.

snoek (snook)

'snook'

an edible South African fish.

snood 1. a girl's head band. 2. a short line attaching a hook to a main line.

snoods 1. girls' head bands. 2. short lines attaching hooks to main lines.

snook

'snoek'

(slang) a contemptuous gesture.

snorter 1. one who snorts. 2. (colloquial) an alcoholic drink. 3. (colloquial) a fast ball in cricket.

snorters 1. those who snort. 2. (colloquial) alcoholic drinks. 3. (colloquial) fast balls in cricket.

224 snotty 1. supercilious, with the nose in the air; foul with snot. 2. (colloquial) a midshipman.

snow 1. falling ice crystals. 2. (slang) cocaine. 3. (slang) fool/deceive someone. 4. a small sailing vessel.

snowdrop

snowdrops 1. snowflakes. 2. low, Spring-blooming herbs, Galanthus nivalis. 3. (colloquial) steals clothes from clothes lines.

snows

snuff 1. powdered tobacco. 2. put out/trim a candle.

snuffers

soil 1. the ground/earth/dirt. 2. feed cattle on fresh-cut grass.

sol 1. a colloidal suspension in liquid. 2. an old French coin, 1/20th of a livre. 3. (music) the 5th note of any diatonic scale.

sola

sole

'soled' 'soul'

1. the underneath part of a foot/shoe. 2. a kind of flat-fish. 3. exclusive; the one-and-only.

solely

'sold'

'sew', 'sow', & 'soh'

therefore; accordingly; on condition.

soak

'soli'

exclusively; the only one.

soles

1. those who snuff or sniff. 2. instruments for extinguishing candle flames.

'souls'

1. the part of feet/shoes underneath. 2. kinds of flat-fish.

soli

'solely'

another plural form for 'solo'.

solitaire

1. saturate with water or other liquid. 2. (colloquial) a heavy drinker.

soaks

1. a single gem (usually diamond) on a ring. 2. a card game for one person.

solution

1. saturates with water or other liquid. 2. (colloquial) heavy drinkers.

soapy

1. a dissolved solid/gas. 2. the answer/resolution.

solutions

1. like soap. 2. flattering; unctuous.

1. answers; resolutions. 2. dissolved solids/gases.

'sore'

some

'sword' & 'sord'

son

fly high.

'sum'

an unspecified amount.

flew to great height.

1. a short stocking.

'so', 'sow' & 'sew'

past tense of 'sole'.

1. one who snuffs or sniffs. 2. an instrument for extinguishing candle flames.

flies high.

soh

soled

snuffer

sock

1. the turf/upper layer of grass. 2. (archaic) boiled; agitated.

past tense of 'sell'.

1. reprove; rebuff; humiliate. 2. short and stumpy (of the nose).

soars

sod

sold

snub

soared

1. hits; strikes. 2. short stockings.

1. in stage direction, a woman alone. 2. an Indian pithy-stemmed plant, Aeschynomene aspera.

1. (slang) fools; deceives. 2. falling ice crystals. 3. small sailing vessels.

soar

socks

the fifth musical note of the music scale.

1. a snowflake. 2. a low, Spring-blooming herb, Galanthus nivalis. 3. (colloquial) steal clothes from a clothes lines.

so

2. hit; strike. 3. sweets; pastry.

'sun' & 'sunn'

the male child of a parent.

'sores'

sonny

'sunny'

the diminutive of 'son'.

sons

'suns' & 'sunns'

the male children of a parent.

225 sop 1. a piece of bread in a broth. 2. something given to pacify.

soppy 1. soaked through; completely wet. 2. (colloquial) foolishly sentimental.

sops 1. pieces of bread in broth. 2. things given to pacify.

sorb

1. absorbs; sucks in. 2. wild service-trees.

'soared' & 'sword' 'swords'

flocks of mallard ducks.

'soar'

tender; hurting; distressing.

sores

'soars'

sorrel (sorel) 1. a kind of herb. 2. a reddish-brown color. 3. a young buck in its third year.

sort

sorts 1. (archaic) agrees/corresponds with. 2. (archaic) manners; ways. 3. (slang) girls; women. 4. separates; selects.

1. British gold coins. 2. supreme rulers.

sow (1)

'sew', 'so' & 'soh'

scatter seeds.

'sough'

1. the adult female hog. 2. the main trough for molten iron.

sowed

'sewed'

scattered seeds.

sower

'sewer'

one who plants seeds.

sowers

'sewers'

those who plant seeds.

sown

'sewing'

scattering seeds.

'sewn'

has scattered seeds.

'sows' & 'souse' 'sole'

the immaterial/spiritual part of a human.

'soles'

the immaterial/spiritual part of humans.

sound 1. healthy; well; not sick. 2. the thing heard in the ear drum. 3. test the depth of water. 4. a narrow passage of water.

sounder

1. a supreme ruler. 2. a British gold coin.

'sow'

murmurs/rustles/rushes, as of the wind.

souls

sovereign

sowing

a sighing of the wind.

soul

'sows' & 'soughs'

1. pickled food. 2. a headlong/swift descent. 3. (colloquial) a drunkard.

'sue'

a unit of French money.

soughs

'sues'

French money.

souse

sow (2)

1. separate; select. 2. (archaic) a manner/way. 3. (archaic) agree/correspond with. 4. (slang) a girl/woman.

sough

1. without a sound. 2. unfathomable.

sovereigns

painful bruises/lesions.

sou

soundless

sous

a flock of mallard ducks.

sore

1. producing/emitting a sound. 2. the process of measuring the depth of water with a line and lead.

1. narrow passages of water. 2. tests the depth of water. 3. things heard in the ear drum.

sorbs

sords

sounding

sounds

1. absorb; suck in. 2. the wild service-tree.

sord

1. a herd of wild boar. 2. a telegraphic instrument. 3. more resilient; less likely to break.

sows (1)

'sews'

scatters seeds.

sows (2)

'souse' & 'soughs'

female pigs.

spa

'spar'

a place with a mineral spring.

spade

'spayed'

1. a digging tool. 2. a playing card with black figures.

spag 1. (colloquial) spaghetti. 2. (colloquial) a sparrow.

226 span

spear

1. stretch from side to side. 2. a pair of horses/mules etc.

spank

spears

1. move or walk with speed. 2. strike/smack with the palm of the hand.

spanked

spanker 1. a person who walks quickly; a fast horse. 2. anything particularly striking or dashing.

spanking

spanks 1. moves or walks with speed. 2. strikes/smacks with the palm of the hand.

'spa'

1. a stout pole/mast. 2. a kind of crystalline mineral. 3. box/fight with the fists. 4. (colloquial) engage in wordy/argumentative banter.

spare 1. lean; thin; scanty. 2. an addition; another part

sparing 1. economical; scanty; limited. 2. lenient or merciful.

'sparke'

a bright flash/person/thing/electric discharge.

sparke

'spark'

(Spenser) a weapon of some kind.

sparkes

'sparks'

(Spenser) types of weapons.

sparks

'sparkes'

bright flashes/persons/things/electric discharges.

spars

'spas'

1. stout poles/masts. 2. boxes/fights with fists.

spas

(colloquial) speculation; guess; gamble.

speck

'spec'

1. a small stain/particle/spot. 2. fat meat/bacon.

specks

'specs'

specs

'specks'

(colloquial) reading glasses; spectacles.

spectacles 1. public shows. 2. a pair of lenses for assisting the eyesight.

speed 1. rapidity in movement/travelling etc. 2. (colloquial) pep pills; amphetamines.

spell 1. words used as an incantation/a charm. 2. write/say letters that form a word. 3. a turn of work; relieve a person at work.

spelling 1. relieving a person at work. 2. writing/saying the letters of a word.

spells 1. turns of work; relieves a person at work. 2. words used as incantations/charms. 3. writes/says the letters of a word.

spelt 1. (British) wrote/said letters of a word. 2. a kind of fine flour.

spencer 1. a short woollen jacket. 2. (nautical) a trysail.

spencers 1. (nautical) trysails. 2. short woollen jackets.

'spars'

places with mineral springs.

spat 1. the spawn of shellfish. 2. a short gaiter. 3. past participle and past tense of 'spit'. 4. (slang) a brief quarrel.

spats

spend 1. pay money for a purchase. 2. (nautical) lose a mast. 3. be consumed (of time, strength, anger etc).

spends 1. (nautical) loses a mast. 2. is consumed. 3. pays money for a purchase.

spent

1. short gaiters. 2. (slang) brief quarrels.

spayed

'speck'

small stains/particles/spots.

1. moving or walking with speed. 2. striking/smacking with the palm of the hand.

spark

1. weapons for throwing or thrusting. 2. sprouts or shoots of a plant.

spec

1. moved or walked with speed. 2. struck/smacked with the palm of the hand.

spar

1. a weapon for throwing or thrusting. 2. a sprout or shoot of a plant.

'spade'

sterilize a female animal (dog/cat etc).

1. paid out money. 2. (nautical) lost a mast. 3. consumed; exhausted.

sperm

227 1. the male generative fluid. 2. a kind of whale.

spew 1. vomit; throw up. 2. (of gun) the droop at the muzzle.

spews 1. (of a gun) droops at the muzzle. 2. vomits; throws up.

sphere 1. a ball/globe. 2. an influence; a field of action.

spheres 1. balls; globes. 2. influences; fields of action.

sphinx 1. a figure with lion's body and man's head. 2. a kind of baboon/hawk-moth.

sphinxes 1. figures with lions' bodies and men's heads. 2. kind of baboons/hawk-moths.

spick 1. a nail or spike. 2. tidy; fresh; neat.

spider 1. an eight-legged arachnid. 2. a sulky with very large wheels.

spiders 1. eight legged arachnids. 2. sulkies with very large wheels.

spike 1. a pointed piece of metal. 2. make useless; add a drug to a drink. 3. a flower-cluster arranged on long axis.

spikes 1. flower-clusters arranged on a long axis. 2. makes useless; adds drug to drink. 3. pointed pieces of metal.

spill 1. allow a substance to fall from/out of a vessel. 2. a thin piece of wood/paper for lighting candles.

spills 1. allows substance to fall from/out of a vessel. 2. thin pieces of wood/paper for lighting candles.

spin 1. make thread/yarn by turning/twisting. 2. (slang) reject a candidate after an examination. 3. fish in a stream with a swivel/spoon-bait. 4. a brisk/short drive or walk.

spindle 1. a rod/shaft/pin. 2. (US colloquial) the maternal line of descent in a family.

spink

1. a finch, especially the chaffinch. 2. a lady's smock.

spinner 1. one who spins something; a spin bowler in cricket. 2. an artificial trout fly. 3. a fairing/boss at the hub of an aircraft propeller

spinners 1. artificial troutflies. 2. those who spin.

spins 1. (slang) rejects candidate after an examination. 2. brisk/short drives or walks. 3. fishes in a stream with a swivel/spoon-bait. 4. makes thread/yarn by turning/twisting.

spire 1. a tapering structure above a building/church. 2. a single twist of a coil/spiral.

spires 1. single twists of coils/spirals. 2. tapering structures above buildings/churches.

spirits 1. the souls of humans. 2. strong distilled liquor. 3. carries off rapidly/secretly, as in 'spirits away'.

spiry 1. having the form of a spire or steeple. 2. coiled; curling around.

spit 1. a small point of land going into the sea. 2. a bar upon which meat is roasted over a fire. 3. eject saliva. 4. a spade-depth.

spits

'spitz'

1. bars upon which meat is roasted. 2. ejects saliva. 3. small points of land going into the sea.

spitter 1. one who spits. 2. a short outlet pipe from a guttering/balcony etc.

spitters 1. those who spit. 2. short outlet pipes from a guttering/balcony etc.

spitz

'spits'

a Pomeranian dog.

splash 1. wet something with liquid; spatter. 2. (colloquial) spend money freely.

splashes 1. wets something with liquid; spatters. 2. (colloquial) spends money freely.

228 splashy 1. marked by splashes; spotty; wet; muddy. 2. (colloquial) making a show or display.

splat 1. a flat piece of wood as the centre upright in the back of a chair. 2. a slapping sound, often on liquid.

spleen 1. an organ in the body. 2. ill temper; anger; spite.

split 1. cut/cleave/separate into parts. 2. (colloquial) leave; depart.

splits 1. cuts/cleaves/separates into parts. 2. (colloquial) leaves; departs.

splosh 1. splash. 2. (colloquial) money.

splutter 1. talk confusedly/hastily/incoherently. 2. spatter, of a liquid.

splutters 1. talks confusedly/hastily/incoherently. 2. spatters, of a liquid.

spoiler 1. one who spoils/ruins anything. 2. a device, fitted to aircraft/cars, designed to reduce lift.

spoilers 1. those who spoil/ruin anything. 2. devices, fitted to aircraft/cars, designed to reduce lift.

spoke 1. a bar running from the hub to the rim of a wheel. 2. past tense of 'speak'.

spoof 1. a humorous imitation/copy; a parody. 2. (colloquial) semen.

spook 1. (often joking) a ghost/specter. 2. (slang) a spy; an intelligence agent.

spooks 1. (often joking) ghosts; specters. 2. (slang) spies; intelligence agents.

spooky 1. (colloquial) eerie; like a ghost. 2. (colloquial) of a surf, unpredictable or difficult.

spoon 1. a small ladle used for stirring/eating with. 2. (in cricket) strike a ball feebly. 3. behave amorously towards a girl.

spoons 1. (in cricket) strikes ball feebly.

2. behaves amorously towards a girl. 3. small ladles used for stirring/eating with.

spoor

'spore'

the track or trail of an animal.

spore

'spoor'

a germ cell, a seed or such like.

spot 1. a definite locality/particular place. 2. a kind of fish/pigeon. 3. a blemish/stain. 4. the act of choosing a winner.

spots 1. acts of choosing winners. 2. blemishes; stains. 3. definite localities; particular places. 4. kinds of fishes/pigeons.

spotty 1. having spots; occurring in spots. 2. irregular/uneven in quality/character.

spray 1. a branch of a tree with branchlets. 2. a fine mist/vapor of liquid/water/sea.

sprays 1. branches of tree with branchlets. 2. fines mists; vapors of liquid/water/sea.

spread 1. stretch out cloth/map/wings etc. 2. (colloquial) a meal, especially a feast.

spreads 1. stretches out cloth/map/wings etc. 2. (colloquial) meals, especially feasts

sprig 1. a small spray of flowers. 2. a youth or young person. 3. a stud on a shoe or boot.

sprigs 1. small sprays of flowers. 2. youths or young persons. 3. studs on a shoe or boot.

spring 1. leap; jump. 2. (colloquial) tipsy; drunk. 3. rouse up game to hunt. 4. one of the seasons of the year. 5. a place where water/oil wells up. 6. a coiled compressed device of metal. 7. a mooring-rope.

springs 1. coiled compressed devices of metal. 2. leaps; jumps. 3. mooring-ropes. 4. one of the seasons of many years. 5. places where water/oil wells up. 6. rouses up game to hunt.

spruce

229 1. neat in dress/appearance. 2. a type of tree.

sprue 1. a passage for pouring molten metal. 2. a tropical disease.

spud 1. a kind of small spade. 2. (slang) a potato.

spuds 1. (slang) potatoes. 2. kinds of small spades.

squab 1. a nestling pigeon. 2. a soft, thickly stuffed cushion. 3. a short, stout person.

squabs 1. nestling pigeons. 2. soft, thickly stuffed cushions. 3. short, stout persons.

squall 1. cry out; scream. 2. a sudden violent gust of wind.

squalls 1. cries out; screams. 2. sudden violent gusts of wind.

square 1. an equilateral rectangle. 2. (slang) an old-fashioned person.

squares 1. (slang) old-fashioned persons. 2. equilateral rectangles.

squash 1. press flat; crush; put down; quash. 2. a type of pumpkin, Cucurbita pepo. 3. a game in a walled court, for two players using light racquets and a small black ball.

squashes 1. presses flat; crushes; puts down; quashes. 2. a type of pumpkins, Cucurbita pepo.

squib 1. a witty or sarcastic saying. 2. any firework. 3. (colloquial) behave in a cowardly manner.

squibs 1. witty or sarcastic sayings. 2. a number of fireworks. 3. (colloquial) behaves in a cowardly manner.

squid 1. a kind of cuttlefish. 2. an anti-submarine mortar.

squinch 1. (architecture) a small arch built across two walls. 2. (US) grimace; wrinkle up/distort the face.

squinches

1. (architecture) small arches built across two walls. 2. (US) grimaces; wrinkles up/distorts the face.

squirt 1. eject liquid in a thin stream from a small hole. 2. a pretentious man/boy considered as insignificant.

squirts 1. ejects liquid in a thin stream from a small hole. 2. pretentious men/boys considered as insignificant.

stab 1. pierce with a pointed weapon/tool. 2. (colloquial) make an attempt; try.

stabile 1. stationary; immobile. 2. (chemistry) resisting decomposition. 3. an abstract sculpture.

stable 1. fixed in place; firm; not easily moved. 2. a place for lodging horses/cattle.

stabs 1. pierces with a pointed weapon/tool. 2. (colloquial) makes an attempt; tries.

stack 1. a pile or heap of things. 2. a pipe that conveys sewage to drainage in the ground. 3. arrange playing cards in an unfair manner.

stacked 1. (of a woman) having big breasts; buxom. 2. arranged playing cards unfairly. 3. made piles/heaps of things.

stacks 1. piles or heaps of things. 2. pipes that convey sewage to drainage in the ground. 3. arranges playing cards in an unfair manner.

staddle 1. a young forest tree. 2. a base or support for a stack of things.

stadia 1. a rod used in surveying. 2. alternate plural for 'stadium'.

staff 1. a stick/pole used for climbing/walking. 2. a surgeon's instrument. 3. (of railway) authority to proceed. 4. a body of people working under a manager. 5. (music) a set of five parallel lines. 6. a mixture of plaster and cement in building.

staffs 1. (music) sets of five parallel lines. 2. sticks/poles used for climbing/walking. 3. surgeons' instruments.

230 stag

stamina

1. a male of the red deer. 2. (slang) an irregular dealer in stocks.

stage 1. a raised floor/platform. 2. a point/period in development.

stages 1. points/periods in development. 2. raised floors/platforms.

stags 1. (slang) irregular dealers in stocks. 2. males of the red deer.

staid

'stayed'

steady; sober; sedate.

stair

'stare' 'stares'

steps.

stake

'steak'

1. a stick pushed into the ground. 2. a tinsmith's small anvil. 3. money wagered/invested.

stakes

stanck

'stank'

(Spenser) faint.

stand 1. an upright position. 2. endure without complaining/succumbing. 3. a table/set of shelves/market stall. 4. hold something good/valid, as in 'let it stand'.

standard 1. a distinctive flag. 2. a basis of comparison. 3. an upright support.

standards

a step up/down.

stairs

1. the physical strength of a body; the power to endure. 2. the plural of 'stamen', pollen-bearing organs of flowers.

'steaks'

1. sticks pushed into the ground. 2. a tinsmith's small anvils. 3. monies wagered/invested.

stale 1. not fresh; musty; insipid. 2. (archaic) a decoy bird/dupe. 3. the urine of horses/cattle.

stalk 1. stride/walk in stately manner. 2. pursue stealthily. 3. the stem of a plant.

stalks 1. pursues stealthily. 2. stems of plants. 3. strides/walks in a stately manner.

stall 1. a single compartment. 2. hesitate; stop. 3. a pickpocket's confederate. 4. fence about conversationally.

stallion 1. un-castrated male horse. 2. (obsolete) a courtesan.

stallions 1. un-castrated male horses. 2. (obsolete) courtesans.

stalls 1. fences conversationally. 2. hesitates; stops. 3. pickpocket's confederates. 4. single compartments.

1. bases of comparison. 2. distinctive flags. 3. upright supports.

stands 1. endures without complaining/succumbing. 2. holds good; is valid. 3. tables; sets of shelves; market stalls. 4. upright positions.

stank

'stanck'

1. past tense of 'stink'. 2. a ditch/pool/dam.

staple 1. a type of metal fastener. 2. an important or a principal thing.

staples 1. important or principal things. 2. types of metal fasteners.

star 1. a celestial body in the cosmos; a sun like ours. 2. a chief actor in a stage/screen production.

starch 1. precise; prim; aloof. 2. a type of white tasteless powder.

stare

'stair'

look at intently.

stares

'stairs'

looks intently at.

stargazer 1. an astronomer or astrologer. 2. a fish of the family Uranoscopidae. 3. a racing horse that looks around instead of ahead. 4. a dreamy, abstracted person.

stargazers 1. astronomers or astrologers. 2. fish of the family Uranoscopidae.

231 3. racing horses that look around instead of ahead. 4. dreamy, abstracted persons.

stark 1. stiff; rigid. 2. stubborn/resolute. 3. quite; wholly.

1. breaks hole in a cask/boat. 2. rungs of a ladder. 3. stanzas; verses.

1. (colloquial) completely naked. 2. (colloquial) mad; insane.

starling 1. a type of small bird. 2. a protective piling around a pier of a bridge.

starlings

stay 1. show endurance in a race. 2. remain at a place. 3. a rope supporting a mast/spar.

stayed

'staid'

remained at a place.

1. protective pilings around piers of bridges. 2. type of small birds.

starred 1. decorated/marked with stars/asterisks/spots etc. 2. presented as a major actor. 3. having good or bad fortune.

stars 1. celestial bodies in cosmos. 2. chief actors in a stage/screen production.

start 1. a surprise/sudden movement. 2. the beginning of the trip/action/race etc.

starts

stays 1. remains at a place. 2. ropes supporting masts/spars. 3. shows endurance in a race.

steady 1. firm; fixed; uniform; continuous; unmoving etc. 2. (colloquial) a regular boyfriend or girlfriend.

steak

'stake'

a slice of meat for cooking/broiling etc.

steaks

'stakes'

slices of meat for cooking/broiling etc.

steal

'steel'

rob/take things from another unlawfully.

1. beginnings of trips/actions/races etc. 2. makes a surprise/sudden movement.

starver

stealing

starvers 1. starving animals. 2. (colloquial) saveloys; frankfurts.

state 1. a mode of existence; a condition. 2. an organized political community. 3. express something in speech/writing.

states 1. expresses in speech/writing. 2. modes of existence; conditions. 3. organized political communities.

static 1. in equilibrium; at rest. 2. the atmospheric disturbance in radio transmission.

'stationery'

remain immobile/in one place.

'stationary'

writing material; office products.

staunch 1. trustworthy; loyal. 2. stop the blood flow from an open wound.

'steeling'

robbing/taking things from another unlawfully.

steals

1. a starving animal. 2. (colloquial) a saveloy/frankfurt.

stationery

1. a rung of a ladder. 2. a stanza/verse. 3. break a hole in a cask/boat.

staves

starkers

stationary

stave

'steels'

robs/takes things from another unlawfully.

steamer 1. a thing propelled by steam, like a steamship. 2. a light-weight, full-length, one-piece wetsuit.

steamers 1. things propelled by steam, like steamships. 2. light-weight, full-length, one-piece wetsuits.

steamy 1. full of steam; covered with steam. 2. (of golf) a short shot or putt that goes beyond the hole. 3. sexually suggestive.

steel

'steal'

1. an alloy of iron and carbon. 2. (colloquial) prepare to resist forcibly.

steeling

'stealing'

(colloquial) preparing to resist forcibly.

steels

'steals'

1. alloys of iron and carbon. 2. (colloquial) prepares to resist forcibly.

steely 1. consisting of steel; hard like steel. 2. (of emotion/behavior) unfeeling; unbending; merciless.

232 verses or lines of poetry.

steep

stick

1. a distinctive slope. 2. soak/bathe in liquid.

steer 1. guide a vessel in a specific direction. 2. a castrated male bovine, used for beef production.

steers 1. guides a vessel in a specific direction. 2. young males of ox kind.

steeve 1. (nautical) make an angle with the horizon. 2. (nautical) a long spar used in stowing cargo.

steeves 1. (nautical) long spars used in stowing cargo. 2. (nautical) makes an angle with the horizon.

stem 1. the main body/stalk of plant. 2. the curved section as the front of a ship. 3. check; stop; dam up.

stems 1. checks; stops; dams up. 2. curved sections at the front of ships. 3. the main body/stalk of plants.

step

'steppe'

1. one movement of the leg while walking/running. 2. (nautical) the socket/platform holding a mast.

steppe

'step'

a level plain devoid of forest.

steppes

'steps'

level plains devoid of forest.

steps

'steppes'

1. movements of the legs while walking/running. 2. (nautical) sockets/platforms holding masts.

stern 1. strict; rigid; severe; authoritative. 2. the rear end of a ship/boat.

stew 1. (archaic) a brothel. 2. cook by a long slow simmer. 3. a fish pond.

stewed 1. cooked by simmering/slow boiling. 2. (colloquial) drunk; intoxicated.

stews 1. (archaic) brothels. 2. cooks by a long slow simmer. 3. fish ponds.

stich

'stick'

1. a verse or line of poetry. 2. the last trick of some card games e.g. pinochle or klaberjass.

stichs

'sticks'

'stich'

1. any piece of wood as a walking cane. 2. thrust/insert/push into. 3. jam/deprive the motion of something. 4. (military) the number of bombs released at the same time. 5. adhere to.

sticker 1. a thing that adheres; an adhesive label. 2. (colloquial) a thing that puzzles or confuses.

stickers 1. things that adhere; adhesive labels. 2. (colloquial) things that puzzle or confuse.

sticking 1. inserting. 2. jamming; gluing.

stickler 1. one who insists on the observance of rules. 2. a puzzling problem/question.

sticklers 1. those who insist on the observance of rules. 2. puzzling problems/questions.

sticks

'stichs'

1. adheres to. 2. any pieces of wood, as walking cane etc. 3. jams; deprives motion. 4. numbers of bombs released at same time. 5. thrusts; pushes into; inserts.

sticky 1. covered with adhesive/glue. 2. (colloquial) difficult/hard to please. 3. (colloquial) very humid, in reference to weather.

stiff 1. obstinate; unbending; rigid. 2. (slang) a negotiable paper. 3. a person who is hopeless/incorrigible. 4. (slang) deceive; rob. 5. (slang) a corpse/dead body.

stiffs 1. (slang) deceives; robs. 2. (slang) negotiable papers. 3. hopeless/incorrigible persons. 4. (slang) corpses; dead bodies.

stifle 1. smother. 2. a joint of a horse's hind-leg.

stifles 1. joints of horses' hind-legs. 2. smothers.

stile

'style'

1. a cattle gate. 2. a vertical piece in the frame of a paneled door.

stiles

'styles'

233 1. cattle gates. 2. the vertical pieces in a frame of paneled doors.

still 1. without motion. 2. yet; even; nevertheless. 3. an apparatus for making spirits/liquors.

stilted 1. on stilts. 2. pompous; bombastic.

sting 1. pierce or prick with a sharp-pointed organ, as a bee sting. 2. (colloquial) a confidence trick.

stinger 1. an animal/a jellyfish/thing that stings. 2. (US) a cocktail of brandy and a liqueur.

stingers 1. animals/jellyfish/things that sting. 2. (US) cocktails of brandy and a liqueur.

stings 1. pierces or pricks with a sharp-pointed organ, as a bee sting. 2. (colloquial) confidence tricks.

stink 1. a strong, offensive odor. 2. (colloquial) a fuss/commotion.

stinker 1. a kind of large petrel. 2. anything offensive/irritating.

stinkers 1. things offensive/irritating. 2. kinds of large petrels.

stinking 1. foul-smelling. 2. (colloquial) drunk; intoxicated.

stint 1. (archaic) cease doing. 2. the fixed/allotted amount. 3. a kind of small sandpiper.

stints 1. (archaic) ceases doing. 2. fixed/alloted amounts. 3. kinds of small sandpipers.

stipe 1. (zoology) a stalk/stem-like part. 2. (colloquial) a stipendiary steward at a racecourse.

stipes 1. (zoology) stalks; stem-like parts. 2. (colloquial) stipendiary stewards at a racecourse.

stir 1. set/keep in motion; begin. 2. mix ingredients.

3. a commotion/disturbance. 4. (slang) jail; prison.

stirps 1. (legal) the progenitor of a family. 2. a classificatory group.

stirring 1. (of liquids) agitating; shaking; mixing. 2. (of speech) rousing; exciting.

stirs 1. (slang) jails; prisons. 2. commotions; disturbances. 3. mixes ingredients. 4. sets/keeps in motion; begins.

stitch 1. an acute internal pain in the side of the abdomen, usually. 2. a single pass of a needle in sewing.

stitches 1. acute internal pains in the side. 2. many passes of needle in sewing.

stoat 1. a kind of ermine. 2. sew up with invisible stitches.

stoats 1. kinds of ermines. 2. sews up with invisible stiches.

stock 1. a stump/butt/main trunk. 2. equipment/material in storage for trade etc. 3. a kind of hoary-leaved garden plant. 4. a stiff wide band of leather. 5. finance money lent to the government.

stocking 1. storing goods. 2. a leg-length sock/nylon sock.

stocks 1. stumps; butts; main bodies. 2. materials etc. in storage for trade. 3. hoary-leaved garden plants. 5. a timber frame used for holding petty thieves. 6. stiff wide bands of leather. 7. money lent to the government.

stokes 1. pokes, stirs up, feeds a fire. 2. (physics) a c.g.s unit of kinematic viscosity.

stole 1. a woman's wrap/outer garment. 2. past tense of 'steal'. 3. an underground shoot; a creeping growth.

stony 1. containing many stones/pebbles. 2. (colloquial) without warmth/emotion/pity.

stooge 1. a butt/foil/puppet. 2. move about/around aimlessly.

234 stooges 1. butts; foils; puppets. 2. moves about/around aimlessly.

stool 1. a backless seat for one person. 2. (architecture) a window sill. 3. feces; evacuation of the bowels. 4. a root/stump of a plant. 5. a piece of wood to which a decoy bird is attached.

stools 1. (archaic) window sills. 2. backless seats for one person. 3. feces; evacuations of bowels. 4. pieces of wood to which a decoy bird is attached. 5. roots/stumps of plants.

stoop

'stoup'

1. bend down/incline the head. 2. the unroofed platform in front of a house.

stoops

'stoups'

1. bends down; inclines the head. 2. unroofed platforms in front of houses.

stopple 1. a stopper/plug. 2. a tobacco-pipe stem.

'story' 'storied'

having a number of floors or storeys in a building.

'stories'

the horizontal divisions of a building/house.

storied

'storyed'

celebrated or recorded in history or a story.

stories

'storeys'

accounts given; tales.

story

'storey'

an account given; a tale. 1. a young ox/steer. 2. (Scottish) rebound; bounce.

stots 1. young oxen/steers. 2. (Scottish) rebounds; bounces.

'stoop'

(archaic) a drinking vessel/flagon.

stoups

'strait'

1. without a curve/bend. 2. an ordered sequence of five cards in poker.

strain 1. stretch tightly; press to extreme. 2. overtask; injure; imperil. 3. remove solids from a liquid through a sieve. 4. a burst/snatch of music. 5. a tone/style of talking. 6. a moral tendency. 7. a breed of animals.

strains 1. breeds of animals. 2. bursts/snatches of music. 3. moral tendencies. 4. overtasks; injures; imperils. 5. removes solids from a liquid through a sieve. 6. stretches tightly; presses to extreme. 7. tones/styles of talking.

'straight'

1. (poetry) the margin of the sea/river/water. 2. run aground (of a ship). 3. one of the elements of a rope/wire.

stranger 1. a person you don't know. 2. (colloquial) a floating tea leaf in a cup of tea.

strangers 1. persons you don't know. 2. (colloquial) floating tea leaves in a cup of tea.

strapping 1. (colloquial) very big and strong in build. 2. strips of leather/metal, used as binding.

strass 1. a brilliant heavy glass. 2. silk waste resulting from making skeins.

stot

stoup

straight

strand

any horizontal division of a building/house.

storeys

1. a heated chamber used for drying/cooking etc. 2. past participle and past tense of 'stave'.

1. limited; confining. 2. a narrow passage of water.

1. stoppers; plugs. 2. tobacco-pipe stems.

storeyed

stove

strait

stopples

storey

2. corpulent; tending to fat. 3. a kind of beer.

'stoops'

(archaic) drinking vessels/flagons.

stout 1. brave; vigorous; sturdy; resolute.

streaking 1. hair coloring with some strands bleached. 2. (of a person) running nude through a public gathering.

stretch 1. make taut; tighten. 2. (slang) a jail term; an imprisonment.

stretches 1. (slang) jail terms; imprisonments. 2. makes taut; tightens.

strides

235 1. walks vigorously with long steps. 2. (colloquial) trousers.

strike 1. hit; deliver a blow. 2. produce; develop; arrive at. 3. bring to mind; arrest attention of. 4. cease work; refuse work. 5. assume attitude dramatically, as in 'strike a pose'. 6. a sudden success in business/mining etc. 7. lower/take down a sail/tent.

striker 1. a person/thing that strikes. 2. an army enlisted man employed as an orderly.

strikers 1. persons/things that strike. 2. army enlisted men employed as orderlies.

strikes 1. assumes dramatic attitude. 2. brings to mind; arrests attention of. 3. ceases work; refuses work. 4. hits; delivers blow. 5. lowers; takes down sail/tent. 6. produces; develops; arrives at. 7. sudden successes in business/mining etc.

striking 1. relating to a thing that strikes; (of workers) going on strike. 2. remarkable; impressive; worthy of comment.

string 1. a twine/fine cord. 2. (in billiards) a scoring board. 3. the collective racehorses of a stable. 4. (colloquial) a hoax.

stringer 1. a beam/cross-member connecting upright posts. 2. (journalism) an irregular writer for one or more news outlets.

stringers 1. beams/cross-members connecting upright posts. 2. (journalism) irregular writers for one or more news outlets.

strings 1. (of billiards) scoring boards. 2. (colloquial) hoaxes. 3. the collective racehorses of stables. 4. twines; fine cords.

strip 1. denude; lay bare. 2. a long narrow piece of something.

stripe 1. a band of different color/appearance/material/weave etc. 2. a stroke with a whip, as for punishment.

stripes 1. bands of different colors/appearance/material/weave etc. 2. strokes with a whip, as for punishment.

strips 1. denudes; lays bare. 2. long narrow pieces of something.

stroke 1. a blow/shock given by a blow. 2. one movement of a pen/paintbrush. 3. the oarsman who sets the timing. 4. fondle gently. 5. an attack of apoplexy.

strokes 1. attacks of apoplexy. 2. blows; shocks given by blows. 3. fondles gently. 4. oarsmen who set the timing. 5. movements of a pen/paintbrush.

strung 1. attached between two points. 2. nervous/unstable/emotional, as in 'strung out'.

strut 1. walk with a pompous attitude. 2. part of a framework used to help support the whole.

struts 1. parts of framework used to support. 2. walks with a pompous attitude.

stub 1. a stump of a tree/tooth/dog's tail etc. 2. hurt (e.g. toe) by striking against something.

stubby 1. (of fingers) short and thick. 2. (of beer) a small, squat bottle.

stubs 1. hurts (e.g. a toe) by striking against something. 2. stumps of trees/teeth/dogs' tails etc.

stud 1. a large-headed nail/two-headed button etc. 2. a number of horses kept for breeding/racing.

studs 1. large-headed nails; two-headed buttons etc. 2. numbers of horses kept for breeding/racing.

stuffy 1. poorly ventilated; (of the nose) congested. 2. (colloquial) prim; pompous; dull.

stump 1. a projecting remnant. 2. one of the three uprights of a wicket. 3. a cylinder of rolled paper. 4. walk stiffly/noisily. 5. (colloquial) unable to answer/be puzzled, as in 'I am stumped for an answer'.

236 stumps

subjects

1. (colloquial) is unable to answer; provides a puzzle. 2. cylinders of rolled paper. 3. the three uprights of a wicket. 4. projecting remnants. 5. walks stiffly/noisily.

stunning 1. the act of rendering some person/animal unconscious. 2. very beautiful; outstanding; flamboyant.

stunt 1. check growth/development. 2. (colloquial) a show performance/special effort.

stunts 1. (colloquial) show performances; special efforts. 2. checks growth/development.

stupe 1. a soft surgical dressing. 2. (slang) a fool/stupid person.

stupes 1. (slang) fools; stupid persons. 2. soft surgical dressings.

sturdy 1. robust; hardy; vigorous. 2. vertigo in sheep caused by a worm in the brain.

sty (stye) 1. an enclosure for keeping pigs. 2. an inflamed swelling on an eye-lid. 3. (obsolete) to rise/mount/climb.

styes (sties) 1. enclosures for keeping pigs. 2. inflamed swellings. 3. (obsolete) climbs; mounts; rises.

style

'stile'

1. an ancient writing implement. 2. the gnomon of a sun-dial. 3. (botany) the narrow part of an ovary supporting the stigma.

styles

'stiles'

1. ancient writing implements. 2. gnomons of sun-dials. 3. (botany) the narrow part of ovaries supporting stigmas.

sub 1. (colloquial) a subeditor. 2. (colloquial) a submarine.

subject 1. being under government; owing obedience to somebody. 2. conditioned upon; without precluding. 3. (grammar) a noun or noun-equivalent as the one in action e.g. 'she' in 'she ate the meal'. 4. a theme/description etc.

1. (grammar) nouns or noun-equivalents. 2. themes; descriptions etc. 3. those under government/owing obedience to somebody.

submarine 1. a vessel that navigates submerged, especially in war. 2. a long, thin bread roll with a variety of fillings.

submarines 1. vessels that navigate submerged, especially in war. 2. long, thin bread rolls with a variety of fillings.

submission 1. (legal) a theory advanced by a counsel. 2. humility; meekness; resignation.

submit 1. surrender oneself to. 2. present for a consideration/decision.

submits 1. presents for consideration/decision. 2. surrenders oneself to.

subprincipal 1. an assistant or deputy principal. 2. (carpentry) an auxiliary rafter or supporting piece.

subs 1. (colloquial) a number of subeditors. 2. (colloquial) a number of submarines.

subtle

'suttle'

cunning; mysterious; tenuous; delicate etc.

subtler

'sutler'

more cunning/mysterious/tenuous/delicate etc.

suburban 1. of or in the suburbs of a city. 2. narrow-minded; conventional.

succinct 1. concise; terse; brief; of few words. 2. (archaic) encircled, as with a girdle.

succor(succour)

'sucker'

help; assistance; rescue.

succors(succours) 'suckers' helps; provides assistance; rescues.

sucker

'succor'

1. a thing or one who sucks. 2. (slang) an easy prey; a dupe.

suckers

'succors'

1. those who suck. 2. (slang) easy preys/dupes.

sue

'sou'

seek damages from.

suede

'swayed'

a soft kid-skin.

suer

'sewer'

237 one who entreats/beseeches.

sues

'sous'

seeks damages from.

suit 1. a suing/petition; seek a woman's hand in marriage. 2. any one of the sets in cards. 3. a set of clothes. 4. appropriate; accommodate; adapt.

suite

'sweet'

1. a retinue/set of persons/things. 2. (music) an instrumental composition.

suites

'sweets'

1. retinues; sets of persons/things. 2. (music) instrumental compositions.

suits

sulky 1. sullen; morose; silent. 2. a light, two-wheeled, one-horse carriage.

sultan 1. a Moslem sovereign. 2. a kind of colored bird of the rail family.

sultana

sunn

'son' & 'sun'

an East Indian hemp-like fiber.

sunns

'sons' & 'suns'

East Indian hemp-like fibers.

sunny

'sonny'

bright; light; cheery; happy.

suns

'sons' & 'sunns'

super 1. (of theater) a superfluous actor. 2. (colloquial) a product of extra size/quality. 3. (of bookbinding) the mull used for covers. 4. (colloquial) a superintendent. 5. the removable upper storey of a beehive.

supercool 1. cool a liquid to below freezing without solidification. 2. (colloquial) fashionable; smart; very sophisticated.

sura

'surah' & 'surra'

1. a chapter of the Koran. 2. a fermented palm-sap.

1. seedless raisins. 2. sultans' mothers. 3. sultan-birds.

surah

'sura' & 'surra'

soft twilled silk fabric.

sultans 1. kinds of colored birds of the rail family. 2. Moslem sovereigns.

'some'

the total amount.

'summery'

surcle

summer

'circle'

(obsolete) a little twig/shoot/sucker.

surd 1. (mathematics) an irrational number. 2. (phonetics) a consonant uttered with the breath alone.

surf

brief; done quickly.

'serf'

swim/ride the waves.

1. the warmest season in a year. 2. (obsolete) a pack-horse. 3. a lintel; a principal timber or beam.

'summary'

very hot; like summer.

sun

1. past participle of 'sink'. 2. a turf seat/pad/bank.

1. lying face upward. 2. a verbal noun.

sultanas

summery

sunk

supine

1. a sultan's mother. 2. a sultan-bird. 3. a seedless raisin.

summary

1. swagmen who arrive at a homestead at night, too late to work. 2. alcoholic drinks traditionally taken at sundown.

stars in the cosmos.

1. sets in cards. 2. is appropriate; accommodates; adapts. 3. sets of clothes. 4. sues; petitions; seeks a woman's hand in marriage.

sum

sundowners

'son' & 'sunn'

the star that warms and lights the earth.

sundowner 1. a swagman who arrives at a homestead at night, too late to work. 2. an alcoholic drink traditionally taken at sundown.

surfs

'serfs'

swims/rides the waves.

surge

'serge'

heave and swell (of the sea).

surra

'sura' & 'surah'

an East Asian horse disease.

suspend 1. hold particles in fluid. 2. keep something (e.g. an agreement) in an undecided/inoperative state.

suspends

238 1. holds particles in fluid. 2. keeps in an undecided/inoperative state.

suspense 1. a state of uncertainty. 2. a temporary accounting place.

suss 1. dubious; unreliable. 2. (obsolete colloquial) a form of government dole paid to the unemployed.

sutler

'subtler'

a trader on an army post who sells to soldiers.

suttle

'subtle'

the net weight of something.

swab 1. mop/clean up. 2. (nautical slang) an officer's epaulet. 3. a clumsy fellow.

swabs 1. (nautical slang) officers' epaulets. 2. clumsy fellows. 3. mops; cleans up.

swag 1. booty/takings from a robbery. 2. an ornamental festoon of flowers.

swage 1. (obsolete) a grooved/molded border. 2. (Milton) assuage; lessen.

swags 1. booty from robberies. 2. ornamental festoons of flowers.

swale 1. a shady spot. 2. to sway.

swales 1. shady spots. 2. sways.

swallow 1. allow food to pass through the mouth and throat. 2. a kind of bird.

swallows 1. allows food to pass through the mouth and throat. 2. a kind of birds.

swamp 1. an area of wet, spongy, marshy land. 2. act as an assistant to a bullock driver.

swamps 1. areas of wet, spongy, marshy land. 2. acts as an assistant to a bullock driver.

swarf 1. stone or metal grit/grindings/filings. 2. (Scottish) swoon; faint.

swarm

1. a large body of bees in flight. 2. climb (swarm up) a pole/tree by clasping it with arms and legs.

swarms 1. large bodies of bees in flight. 2. climbs (swarms up) a pole/tree by clasping it with arms and legs.

swash 1. slush; pig-wash; a wash of liquid. 2. a heavy blow/strike. 3. a flourish on a letter.

swashes 1. heavy blows/strikes. 2. flourishes on letters

swat

'swot'

crush/hit a fly/bug etc.

swats

'swots'

crushes/hits a fly/bug etc.

swatted

'swotted'

crushed/hit a fly/bug etc.

swatting

'swotting'

crushing/hitting a fly/bug etc.

swayed

'suede'

wavered; vacillated; oscillated.

swear 1. make a solemn declaration. 2. curse; use foul language.

swears 1. makes a solemn declaration. 2. curses; uses foul language.

sweater 1. a knitted jumper, usually of wool. 2. an employer who overworks and underpays employees.

sweaters 1. knitted jumpers, usually of wool. 2. employers who overwork and underpay employees.

sweep 1. use a broom/brush to clear up dust/dirt. 2. win all tricks in cards. 3. an Australian fish of the family Scorpidae.

sweeper 1. a person or thing that sweeps. 2. a train that stops at all stations.

sweepers 1. persons or things that sweep. 2. trains that stop at all stations.

sweeps 1. uses a broom/brush to clear up dust/dirt. 2. wins all tricks in cards.

sweet taste like sugar/honey.

sweeten

'suite'

239 1. make sweet. 2. (colloquial) in poker, increase the pot by adding more money.

sweetens 1. makes sweet. 2. (colloquial) in poker, increases the pot by adding more money.

sweets

'suites'

bon-bons; lollies; chocolates; candies etc.

swell 1. dilate/expand/rise; a heaving sea. 2. a person of distinction; a first-class person.

swells 1. dilates; expands; rises; heaving seas. 2. people of distinction; first-class persons.

swift 1. fleet; rapid; quick. 2. a kind of bird. 3. a revolving frame for winding yarn.

swifts 1. a kind of birds. 2. revolving frames for winding yarn.

swig 1. a pulley with non-parallel ropes. 2. a draft/drink/toast.

swigs 1. pulleys with non-parallel ropes. 2. drafts; drinks; toasts.

swill 1. rinse/flush with water; wash roughly. 2. a drinking bout; a hog's liquid food.

swills 1. drinking bouts. 2. rinses/flushes with water.

swing 1. move to and fro; sway; oscillate. 2. a popular orchestral jazz, of the 1930s, for big bands.

swinger 1. a thing that swings. 2. (colloquial) a person who changes sexual partners often. 3. (colloquial) a motor-cycle side-car rider.

swingers 1. things that swing. 2. (colloquial) persons who change sexual partners often. 3. (colloquial) motor-cycle side-car riders.

swipe 1. hit at something. 2. steal by snatching.

swipes 1. hits at something. 2. steals by snatching. 3. washy/inferior beer.

swish 1. flog with a birch; use a cane to cut the air. 2. (colloquial) a smart swagger.

swishes 1. (colloquial) smart swaggers. 2. flogs with a birch; uses a cane to cut the air.

switch 1. a flexible shoot cut from a tree. 2. a tress of hair used in hair-dressing. 3. a mechanism to make/break a circuit. 4. swing/change/snatch quickly.

switches 1. flexible shoots cut from a tree. 2. mechanisms to make/break a circuit. 3. swings/changes/snatches quickly. 4. tresses of hair used in hair-dressing.

swizzle 1. a mixed drink with rum, ice, lemon juice, bitters and sugar. 2. (colloquial) swindle somebody.

swizzles 1. mixed drinks with rum, ice, lemon juice, bitters and sugar. 2. (colloquial) swindles somebody.

sword

'soared' & 'sord'

a long sharp offensive weapon with a hilt.

swords

'sords'

long sharp offensive weapons with hilts.

swot

'swat'

study hard.

swots

'swats'

studies hard.

swotted

'swatted'

studied hard.

swotting

'swatting'

studying hard.

sycosis

'psychosis'

inflammation of hair follicles, especially the beard.

sye

'sigh' & 'sey'

a sieve/milk-strainer.

syes

'sighs' & 'size'

sieves; milk-strainers.

symbol

'cymbal'

a thing that typifies/represents.

symbols

'cymbals'

things that typify/represent.

sync

'cinque' & 'sink'

together; in harmony.

synching

'sinking'

getting things to work together.

synchysis 1. (rhetorical) confusion of meaning.

240 2. fluidity of the vitreous humor of the eye.

synd (sind)

'sinned'

rinse; wash out or down.

syne

'sign' & 'sine'

(Scottish) then; next; after; later.

system 1. a complex whole set of connected parts. 2. (music) the braced staffs of a score.

systems 1. (music) braced staffs of scores. 2. complex whole sets of connected parts.

'T' Words 241 t

'tea', 'tee' & 'ti' the 20th letter of the alphabet.

ta

'tahr'

1. (colloquial) thank you. 2. (colloquial) goodbye.

tackle 1. a mechanism of ropes and pulley-blocks. 2. grasping an opponent in rugby/football etc.

tab 1. a small flap/strip/tongue. 2. (colloquial) an account; a tally.

tabbies 1. gives a wavy appearance to (fabric). 2. gossiping women. 3. mottled/streaked cats. 4. watered fabrics e.g. silks.

tabby

tabernacle 1. the receptacle for a pyx/Eucharist. 2. (architecture) a canopied stall/niche. 3. a double post for a hinged mast. 4. provide with a shelter.

tabernacles 1. (architecture) canopied stalls/niches. 2. double posts for hinged masts. 3. provides with shelter/dwelling. 4. receptacles for pyxes/Eucharists.

tablet

tablets 1. small preparations of medicines. 2. thin sheets of paper etc. for writing on. 1. (colloquial) accounts; tallies. 2. small flaps/strips/tongues.

'tasset'

silent; understood; implied.

'tax'

1. a number of small nails. 2. ropes for securing sails; a method of sailing against the wind. 1. sticky; adhesive; gluey. 2. (colloquial) shabby; dowdy.

tact

'tacked'

concern; perception.

tactic 1. a detail of tactics (relating to strategies). 2. (biology) relating to taxis.

tae 1. (Scot) to. 2. (Scot) too. 3. (Scot) the toe.

tael

'tail' & 'tale'

a Chinese ounce.

taels

'tails' & 'tales'

tag 1. a point/loop; an end/appendage. 2. an address label. 3. a children's game. 4. join/attach. 5. (colloquial) follow closely. 1. (colloquial) shadows/follows closely. 2. address labels. 3. joins; attaches. 4. points; ends; appendages; loops.

tahr

tack 1. a small sharp nail. 2. (nautical) a rope for securing a sail; a sailing method. 3. any food/fare. secured with small nails.

tacks

tags

tabs

tacking

1. grasping opponents in rugby/football etc. 2. mechanisms for ropes and pulley-blocks.

Chinese ounces.

1. a thin sheet of paper etc. for writing on. 2. small preparation of medicine, usually swallowed with water.

tacked

tackles

tacky

1. a watered fabric e.g. silk. 2. a mottled/streaked domestic cat. 3. a gossiping woman. 4. a kind of concrete. 5. give wavy appearance to (fabric).

tacit

1. (nautical) changing course by turning a sail boat to the other side of the wind. 2. temporary stitching holding pieces of garment together.

'tact'

'ta'

a wild goat of southern Asia.

tail

'tael' & 'tale'

1. a flexible extension of a spine. 2. the reverse side of a coin. 3. (legal) a limited ownership. 4. (colloquial) shadow/follow closely.

tailer

'tailor'

one who hauls in on a ship's line.

242 tailers

'tailors'

those who haul in on a ship's line.

tailing 1. (colloquial) shadowing/following closely. 2. an unexposed end of brickwork/stone in a wall.

tailor

'tailer'

one who makes garments/suits/clothes.

tailors

'tailers'

those who make garments/suits/clothes.

tails

'tales' & 'taels'

1. the flexible extension of spines. 2. the reverse sides of coins. 3. (legal) limited ownerships. 4. (colloquial) shadows/follows closely.

taipan 1. a large venomous snake of Australia and New Guinea. 2. (SE Asia) a senior executive of multinationals; a wealthy businessman.

taipans 1. large venomous snakes of Australia and New Guinea. 2. (SE Asia) senior executives of multinationals; wealthy businessmen.

tait

'tate'

a long-snouted phalanger.

taking 1. grasping; holding; snatching. 2. attractive; captivating.

tale

'tail' & 'tael'

1. a non-fiction/fictition narrative. 2. (archaic) a total; an amount.

talent 1. a special aptitude/gift/skill. 2. an ancient weight and money of the Romans etc.

talents 1. ancients weights and money of the Romans. 2. special aptitudes/gifts/skills.

tales

'tails' & 'taels'

true/fictitious narratives.

tall 1. more than average height; of large stature. 2. (colloquial) extravagant; difficult to believe or accomplish.

talon 1. a claw of a bird of prey. 2. the cards left after a deal. 3. the shoulder of the bolt against which a key presses. 4. an S-shaped molding. 5. the heel of a sword blade.

talons 1. cards left after each deal. 2. claws of birds of prey.

3. heels of sword blades. 4. S-shaped mouldings. 5. the shoulders of bolts against which keys press.

talus 1. the ankle bone. 2. a slope of a wall; a sloping mass of rubble.

tamma

'tammar'

(West Australia) low, thick, shrubby vegetation.

tammar

'tamma'

a small wallaby, Macropus eugenii, of South Australia.

tamper 1. meddle with; engage in corrupt dealings. 2. a person who or a thing that tamps.

tampers 1. meddles with; engages in corrupt dealings. 2. persons who or things that tamp.

tan 1. convert hide to leather; make brown. 2. (slang) beat; thrash. 3. (slang) the circus; the floor of a riding school.

tana 1. a military/police station in India. 2. a Sumatran species of tree-shrew.

tang 1. a point/projection. 2. a strong taste. 3. a kind of seaweed. 4. sound loudly; ring; twang.

tangs 1. a kind of seaweeds. 2. points; projections. 3. sounds loudly; rings; twangs. 4. strong tastes.

tank 1. a large metal/wood vessel for holding liquid. 2. an armored motor vehicle used in war.

tanks 1. armored motor vehicles used in war. 2. large metal/wood vessels for holding liquid.

tanner 1. one who tans hides. 2. a sixpenny piece.

tanners 1. those who tan hides. 2. sixpenny pieces.

tanning 1. converting hide to leather/making brown. 2. (slang) beating; thrashing.

tans 1. (slang) beats; thrashes. 2. (slang) circuses; floors of riding schools. 3. converts hide to leather; makes brown.

tap

243 1. hit/strike lightly. 2. a cock/faucet through which liquid flows etc.

taper

'tapir'

1. a candle/wick coated with wax. 2. get smaller gradually, like a cone.

tapers

'tapirs'

1. candles; wicks coated with wax. 2. gets smaller gradually, like a cone.

tapet

'tappet' & 'tappit'

a piece of tapestry.

tapets

'tappits' & 'tappets'

pieces of tapestry.

tapir

'taper'

a nocturnal ungulate allied to the rhinoceros.

tapirs

'tapers'

nocturnal ungulates allied to the rhinoceros.

tappet

'tapet' & 'tappit'

a mechanism in a machine for transferring motion.

tappets

'tappits' & 'tapets'

mechanisms for transferring motion in an engine.

tappit

'tapet' & 'tappet'

1. a crested hen. 2. a large drinking vessel with a knob on the lid.

tappits

'tapets' & 'tappets'

1. crested hens. 2. large drinking vessels with a knob on the lid.

taps 1. cocks/faucets through which liquid flows. 2. hits/strikes lightly. 3. a type of bugle call.

tar 1. a dark viscid liquid. 2. (slang) a sailor.

tare

'tear'

1. a kind of pea plant. 2. the allowance made for the weight of goods.

tares

'tears'

kinds of pea plants.

target 1. anything that is fired at with a gun/an arrow etc. 2. the neck and breast of a lamb as a joint.

targets 1. things that are fired at with a gun/an arrow etc. 2. necks and breasts of lambs, as joints.

tarn 1. a small mountain lake. 2. (dialectic) a kind of sea-bird.

tarns 1. (dialectic) a kind of sea-birds. 2. small mountain lakes.

tars 1. (slang) sailors. 2. dark viscid liquids.

tart 1. a sharp-tasting/biting flavor. 2. a pie containing fruit. 3. (slang) an unsavory or loose woman.

tartan 1. a woollen fabric worn by Scots. 2. a kind of single masted vessel.

tartans 1. a kind of single masted vessels. 2. woollen fabrics worn by Scots.

tarts 1. pies containing fruit. 2. (slang) loose women.

tasset

'tacit'

a piece of plate armor for upper thigh protection.

tat 1. make by tatting. 2. an Indian pony.

tate

'tait'

(Scottish) a small portion/pinch of something.

tats 1. Indian ponies. 2. makes by tatting.

tatter 1. a torn piece hanging down from the whole, as in a garment. 2. one who makes tatting.

tatters 1. torn pieces hanging down from the whole, as in a garment. 2. those who make tatting. 3. (colloquial) a set of false teeth.

tattler 1. a gossip/prattler. 2. a sandpiper.

tattlers 1. gossips; prattlers. 2. sandpipers.

tattoo 1. a military show with music and marching. 2. mark with an indelible pattern/writing.

tattoos 1. marks with indelible pattern/writing. 2. military shows with music and marching.

tatty 1. a matting of cuscus grass. 2. ragged; shabby.

taught

'taut'

past tense of 'teach'.

taunt 1. upbraid; reproach; jeer at.

244 2. (nautical) tall (of a mast).

taurine 1. crystalline compound in muscles of invertebrates. 2. of or relating to bulls.

taut

'taught'

not slack; stretched tightly.

taver 1. (Scottish) a shred/remnant. 2. (Scottish) stupid; befuddled; muddled.

taw 1. make hide into leather without tannin. 2. a game at marbles.

taws

'tores'

1. games at marbles. 2. makes hide into leather without the use of tannin.

tax

'tacks'

an imposition; a burden/levy.

tea

'tee', 'ti' & 't'

1. the leaves of a plant used to make a drink. 2. a light afternoon meal.

teal

'teil' 'teem'

a group of beasts/players/workers.

teams

'teems'

groups of beasts/players/workers.

tear(1)

'tare'

rend; pull apart; rip.

tear(2)

'tier'

a drop of saline liquid from the eye, as when crying.

tears(1)

'tares'

rends; pulls apart; rips.

tears(2)

'tiers'

a quantity of saline liquid from the eye, as when crying.

teas

'tease', 'tees' & 'tis'

teem

'team'

1. (archaic) bear offspring/progeny. 2. discharge; pour out. 3. be prolific.

teems

'teams'

1. (archaic) bears offspring; is prolific. 2. discharges; pours out.

teen

'ctene' & 'teene'

1. (archaic) injury; affliction; pain. 2. any number between 12 and 20 e.g. 13, 14 etc.

teene

'ctene' & 'teen'

(Spenser) to allot/apportion.

tees

'teas', 'tease' & 'tis'

1. (of golf) the starting points. 2. marks aimed at in bowls/curling etc. 3. T-shaped things; umbrella-shaped ornaments.

teil

'teal'

tel

'tell'

in Arab lands, a hill or mound.

tell

'tel'

utter; relate; inform; discern.

teller 1. a person who tells stories. 2. a bank employee who receives/distributes money.

tellers 1. persons who tell stories. 2. bank employees who receive/distribute money.

telling 1. relating/speaking/recounting a story etc. 2. effective; impressive (of argument, for example).

telluric

light afternoon meals.

tease

'tea', 'ti' & 't'

1. a T-shaped thing; an umbrella-shaped ornament. 2. (of golf) the starting point at each hole. 3. the mark aimed at in quoits/bowls/curling.

a type of tree, the European linden.

a water fowl/duck.

team

tee

'teas', 'tees' & 'tis'

vex; annoy playfully.

ted 1. spread out for drying, as for hay. 2. (colloquial) a Teddy-boy.

teddies 1. teddy bears. 2. women's one-piece undergarment.

teddy 1. a teddy bear. 2. a woman's one-piece undergarment.

teds 1. spreads out for drying, as for hay. 2. (colloquial) Teddy-boys.

1. of or relating to the earth or soil. 2. (obsolete chemistry) of or relating to tellurium.

temp 1. (colloquial) temporary. 2. (colloquial) temperature.

temper 1. (music) tune/modulate a piano etc. 2. a condition of metal. 3. showing anger/irritability.

tempers 1. (music) tunes/modulates a piano etc. 2. conditions metal (through heat/water etc.). 3. fits of anger/irritability.

temple

245 1. a religious place of worship. 2. flat part on either side of the forehead. 3. a device in a loom for stretching cloth.

temples 1. devices in looms for stretching cloth. 2. the flat parts on both sides of the forehead. 3. religious places of worship.

temporal 1. secular; of this life. 2. denoting time. 3. of the temples (of the head).

tend

tender 1. a supply vessel. 2. offer/present one's service/resignation/money. 3. soft; not hard.

tenders 1. offers/presents one's service/resignation/money. 2. supply vessels.

tends 1. holds course; is inclined to; serves. 2. takes care of (machinery/invalid/herd etc.).

'tenor'

a ten pound/dollar note.

tenners

'tenors'

ten pound notes/dollar notes.

tenor 1. a general drift/prevailing course. 2. (music) the highest ordinary male voice.

tenors

'tenners'

(music) male singers with high voices.

tense

'tents'

1. (grammar) a form of a verb indicating time, e.g. present tense, past tense etc. 2. stretched tight; strained.

tent 1. a portable shelter of canvas. 2. insert into a wound to keep it open. 3. a deep red wine.

tenter 1. a person in charge of something. 2. a machine for stretching cloth.

tenters

'tense'

1. portable canvas shelters. 2. insertions to keep wounds open. 3. deep red wines.

terce

termagant 1. a violent imaginary deity. 2. a brawling woman/shrew.

termagants 1. brawling women; shrews. 2. violent imaginary deities. 1. (archaic) boundaries; limits. 2. (mathematics) parts of expressions. 3. denominates; calls. 4. words that may be subject or predicate.

tern

'turn' & 'terne'

1. a kind of sea-bird. 2. a set of three.

terne

'tern' & 'turn'

inferior tin plate.

terns

'turns'

1. kinds of sea-birds. 2. sets of three.

terrier 1. a kind of hardy dog. 2. (colloquial) a member of a Territorial Army. 3. a book recording land sites/boundaries etc.

terriers 1. (colloquial) members of a Territorial army. 2. books recording land sites/boundaries etc. 3. a kind of hardy dogs.

terse

'terce'

compact; concise; clean-cut.

test 1. try severely; make a trial. 2. the shell/hard covering of some animals.

tester 1. one who tests. 2. the canopy of a four-poster bed. 3. an early shilling/sixpence.

testers 1. canopies of four-poster beds. 2. early shillings/sixpenny pieces. 3. those who test.

tetrarch

1. machines for stretching cloth. 2. persons in charge of things.

tents

1. (archaic) a boundary/limit. 2. (mathematics) a part of an expression. 3. a word that may be subject or predicate. 4. denominate/call, using a specific word/name.

terms

1. hold course; inclined to; serve. 2. take care of (invalid/machinery/herd etc.).

tenner

term

'terse'

(Scottish) in law, a widow's right to her husband's property.

1. an ancient Roman ruler of part of a province. 2. (botany) having four xylem strands.

tetter 1. a cutaneous disease e.g. herpes, impetigo etc. 2. to crack; to disintegrate.

thalamus 1. (Greek antiquity) a woman's apartment.

246 2. (anatomy) the hormonal center of the brain. 3. (botany) a receptacle of a flower.

the

'thee'

unique/existent (as applied to things and persons).

thee

'the' 'there'

the possessive case to 'they'.

theocracy

'theocrasy'

a state with God as the sole sovereign.

theocrasy

'theocracy'

union with God through contemplation.

there

'their'

at that place/point/position.

thick 1. not thin; wide; compact; dense. 2. (colloquial) stupid; dull-witted.

thill 1. the shaft of a vehicle. 2. the underclay or floor of a coal-seam.

thinner 1. more thin, in comparison to something else. 2. a volatile liquid added to lower the viscosity of another.

thirl 1. a hole; an opening; a short passage in a mine. 2. bind; confine; restrict.

threw

'through'

thrift 1. the practice of avoiding wasteful expense. 2. a genus of low growing plants.

'throw'

a violent anguish/struggle.

throes

'thrown'

'throes'

1. hurls; propels; ejects. 2. has/gives a party. 3. loses contest/race intentionally. 4. puts clothes/something on carelessly.

thrum 1. a fringe of threads. 2. play monotonously/unskillfully, usually a guitar.

thrums 1. fringes of threads. 2. plays monotonously/unskillfully.

thrush 1. a family of birds. 2. a type of fungus in the mouth/throat.

thwart 1. (archaic) across. 2. frustrate; restrict. 3. the oarsman's bench in a row boat. 1. frustrates; restricts. 2. oarsmen's benches.

thyme

'time'

a kind of herb for cooking.

'tea', 'tee' & 't'

1. a kind of tree with edible roots. 2. the 7th note of the octave.

tic tick

throttle 1. a lever that controls fuel flow in an engine etc. 2. choke/suffocate/strangle, in any manner.

throttles 1. levers that control fuel flow in engines etc. 2. chokes/suffocates/strangles, in any manner.

'threw'

in between; from end to end.

throw

throws

'tick'

a spasmodic contraction of muscle.

a place where royalty sits.

through (thru)

1. had/gave a party. 2. lost a race/contest intentionally. 3. propelled; ejected; hurled. 4. dressed carelessly/quickly. 5. shaped pottery on a potter's wheel.

ti 'throws'

violent pangs/movements.

throne

'throne'

thwarts

past tense of 'throw'.

throe

1. having/giving a party. 2. losing contest/race intentionally. 3. hurling; propelling; ejecting. 4. putting clothes/something on carelessly. shaping pottery on potter's wheel

thrown

(archaic) you.

their

throwing

'throe'

1. propel; send forth; eject; dismiss. 2. put something on/together carelessly. 3. shape pottery on a potter's wheel. 4. lose a contest/race intentionally. 5. have a fit; give a party.

'tic'

1. the sound of a watch/clock. 2. a small mark. 3. a parasitic insect. 4. a cover/case of bedding. 5. a credit.

ticker 1. (colloquial) a watch/clock/heart. 2. telegraphic tape. 3. one who makes marks.

ticking 1. the continuous sound of a clock/watch. 2. making small marks. 3. a cover/case of bedding.

247 2. slight quarrels.

tickler 1. one who or a thing that tickles. 2. an aid to assist memory with due dates/appointments etc. 3. (colloquial) a difficult/puzzling situation.

ticklers 1. those who or things that tickle. 2. aids to assist memory with due dates/appointments etc. 3. (colloquial) difficult/puzzling situations.

ticklish

'tics'

1. the sounds of watches/clocks. 2. small marks. 3. parasitic insects. 4. covers/cases of bedding. 5. credits.

tics

'ticks'

the spasmodic contractions of muscles.

tiddly 1. (colloquial) tipsy; a bit drunk. 2. (nautical) trim; smart looking. 3. (colloquial) very small.

tiddlywinks

'tied'

1. a period of a time/season. 2. the rise/fall of the sea.

tides 1. periods of time; seasons. 2. rises/falls of the sea.

tie

'tye'

1. attach; fasten. 2. an equality of score; a dead heat.

tied

'tide'

1. attached; fastened. 2. equal; a dead heat.

tier(1)

'tire' & 'tyre'

one who or a thing that ties.

tier(2)

'tear'

a row/rank.

tiers(1)

'tires' & 'tyres'

those who or things that tie.

tiers(2) rows; ranks.

tiff 1. a draft of liquor. 2. a slight quarrel.

tiffs 1. draughts of liquor.

tight

'tite'

1. closely; firmly held; put together. 2. (colloquial) drunk; under the influence of alcohol. 3. (colloquial) not easily available (of money).

tighten

'titan'

tightens

'titans'

makes more firm/secure.

tighter

'titer'

more secure; firmer; more strict.

tigs 1. old, four-handed drinking cups. 2. touches; twitches.

til

'till'

the sesame plant.

till 1. prepare soil for crops. 2. up to; as late as. 3. a drawer for money at a shop counter. 4. a stiff clay with boulders.

tiller

1. unlicensed pawn-shops or beer-houses. 2. a game flipping counters into a cup.

tide

1. an old, four-handed drinking cup. 2. a touch/twitch.

make more firm/secure.

1. sensitive; responsive to tickling. 2. unsteady; needing careful handling; unstable, as for a boat.

ticks

tig

'tears'

1. one who tills. 2. the lever on the rudder for steering a boat. 3. a shoot of a plant springing from bottom of stem.

tillers 1. lever on rudders for steering. 2. those who till. 3. shoots of plants springing from the bottom of stems.

tills 1. drawers for money at shop counters. 2. prepares the soil for crops.

tilt 1. a sloping position; heel over. 2. charge with a lance. 3. a device used in fishing. 4. a canvas cover for a cart.

tilting 1. sloping/heeling over. 2. charging with a lance.

tilts 1. canvas covers for carts. 2. charges with a lance. 3. devices used in fishing. 4. sloping positions; heels over.

timber

'timbre'

a wood/forest.

timbre the quality of a sound.

'timber'

248 time

'thyme'

a duration/continued existence.

timothy 1. a coarse grass, Phleum pratense. 2. (colloquial) a brothel.

tine 1. a spike of a fork/harrow. 2. (Scottish) to lose or be lost. 3. shut; enclose. 4. a wild plant of the genus Vicia; a vetch or tare. 1. a mender of kettles/pans etc. 2. a kind of fish/bird/seal. 3. work in amateurish/clumsy way.

tinkers

'tinny'

1. (colloquial) a can of beer. 2. an aluminum boat or light aeroplane. 1. (colloquial) cans of beer. 2. aluminum boats or light aeroplanes.

'tinnie'

1. of or like tin. 2. (colloquial) lucky. 1. the extremity/end. 2. overturn. 3. (slang) give/hand out in an informal manner. 4. a small gratuity for service rendered. 5. secret information about a race/money etc. 6. a place where rubbish is dumped.

tipple 1. tend to be a drunkard. 2. a place where loaded trucks are emptied.

tipples 1. tends to be a drunkard. 2. places where loaded trucks are emptied.

1. a fine weave. 2. the substance of an organ of the body.

tissues 1. fine weaves. 2. the substances of body's organs. 1. a kind of small bird/horse. 2. (colloquial) a teat/nipple.

titan

'tighten'

titans

'tightens'

persons of giant size and strength.

tite

'tight'

(obsolete) promptly; at once.

titer (titre)

'tighter'

titi

'titty'

1. a small monkey of the genus Callicebus. 2. a shrub or small tree of the family Cyrillaceae. 3. the New Zealand mutton bird.

'titties'

1. small monkeys of the genus Callicebus. 2. shrubs or small trees of the family Cyrillaceae.

tits 1. (colloquial) teats; nipples. 2. kinds of small birds/horses.

titter 1. giggle; snicker; laugh. 2. sway; totter.

titters 1. giggles; snickers; laughs. 2. sways; totters.

titties

'titis'

teats; breasts.

tips 1. (slang) gives/hands out in an informal manner. 2. extremities; ends. 3. overturns. 4. places where rubbish is dumped. 5. secret information about races/money etc. 6. small gratuities for service.

'tyre' & 'tier'

1. make/grow weary. 2. the rubber rim of a wheel. 3. (archaic) a head-dress. 1. makes/grows weary. 2. rubber rims of wheels.

tissue

titis

tip

tires

1. a kind of trees with edible roots. 2. a number of 7th notes of the octave.

the concentration of a substance in a solution.

tinnies

tire

'tease', 'teas' & 'tees'

a person of giant size and strength.

1. kinds of fishes/birds/seals. 2. menders of kettles/pans etc. 3. works in an amateurish/a clumsy way.

tinny

tis

tit

tinker

tinnie

3. (archaic) head-dresses.

'tyres' & 'tiers'

tittle 1. a dot/stroke/point/smallest part. 2. whisper; tattle.

tittles 1. dots; strokes; points; smallest parts. 2. whispers; tattles.

titty

'titi'

1. a teat/breast. 2. (Scottish) a sister.

to

'too' & 'two'

in the direction of; towards.

toad a frog-like animal.

'toed' & 'towed'

249 toadies

'todies'

1. persons who flatter or fawn upon others. 2. (colloquial) poisonous self-inflating fish of the family Tetradontidae.

toady

'tody'

1. a person who flatters or fawns upon others. 2. (colloquial) a poisonous self-inflating fish of the family Tetradontidae. 1. acknowledge/praise/salute etc with a drink. 2. (of bread) brown/burn by heat.

toasted 1. acknowledged/praised/saluted etc with a drink. 2. (of bread) browned/burnt by heat.

toaster 1. one who proposes/performs toasts. 2. a device for browning/burning bread.

toasters 1. those who propose/perform toasts. 2. devices for browning/burning bread.

toasting

'toxin'

an alarm signal (of a bell).

'toxins'

tod 1. (archaic) a bush or mass of foliage. 2. (dialectic) the fox. 3. (slang) alone.

toddy 1. the sap of some kinds of palm. 2. a sweetened drink of spirits and water.

'toadies'

small West Indian birds of the family Todidae.

tody

'toady'

a small West Indian bird of the family Todidae.

toe

'tow'

a digit of the foot; part of a shoe etc.

toed

'toad' & 'towed'

an animal/a thing having toes.

toeing

'towing'

using the toes.

toes

'tolled'

spoke; related a story to.

tole

'toll'

lacquered metal ware.

toles

'tolls'

toll

'tole'

1. a tax/duty. 2. ring a bell with a uniform stroke.

tolled

'told'

pealed (of bells).

tolls

'toles'

1. rings a bell with a uniform stroke. 2. taxes; duties.

tom 1. the male of various animals. 2. (mining) a long, sloping wooden trough for catching gold. 1. (mechanics) a kind of wrenches. 2. (slang) privates in the army.

tommy 1. (slang) a private in an army. 2. (mechanics) a kind of wrench. 3. bread/food etc. in lieu of wages.

toms

warning bells.

todies

told

tommies

1. acknowledging/praising/saluting etc with a drink. 2. (of bread) browning/burning by heat.

tocsins

'toque'

(slang) a puff on a hashish cigarette pipe.

lacquered metalwares.

toast

tocsin

toke

1. males of various animals. 2. (mining) long, sloping wooden troughs for catching gold.

ton

'tun'

1. a measure of weight, 2240 pounds. 2. a speed of 100 mph in a car; run a hundred yards in ten seconds, as in 'do the ton'.

tonga 1. a small two-wheeled Indian vehicle. 2. a Fijian toothache remedy, from aroid root.

tongs 1. Chinese secret societies. 2. an instrument for grasping/picking up small things, often hot.

tongue

'tung'

the fleshy muscular organ of the mouth.

tons

'tuns'

measures of weight.

'tows'

many digits of a foot.

toils 1. works long and hard. 2. net; snare.

tokay 1. a small lizard, Gekko gecko. 2. a sweet wine made near Tokay, Hungary.

too

'to' & 'two'

1. in a higher degree/standard, as in 'too high'. 2. also; as well; moreover.

tool

'tulle'

1. a mechanical implement/aid of any type. 2. (slang) drive in leisurely manner, as in 'tool along'.

tools

250 1. (slang) drives in leisurely manner, as in 'tools along'. 2. mechanical implements.

toon

'tune'

a large East Indian and Australian tree with red wood.

toot 1. (Spenser) pry/peer about; peep. 2. make sounds on a flute/horn.

toothpick 1. a small, pointed piece of wood for extracting food from between teeth. 2. (colloquial) a racing scull.

toothpicks 1. small, pointed pieces of wood for extracting food from between teeth. 2. (colloquial) racing sculls.

tootle 1. toot repeatedly/gently on a flute or similar. 2. (colloquial) go/walk/drive, as in 'tootle along'.

tootles 1. toots repeatedly/gently on a flute or similar. 2. (colloquial) goes/walks/drives, as in 'tootles along'.

toots 1. (Spenser) pries/peers about; peeps. 2. makes sounds on a flute/horn

top 1. the summit/highest part; superior. 2. a type of spinning toy. 3. (slang) suicide, as in 'top myself'.

tope 1. drink habitually to excess. 2. a mango grove. 3. a Buddhist monument. 4. a small piece of shark.

topes 1. Buddist monuments. 2. drinks habitually to excess. 3. mango groves. 4. small pieces of shark.

topi 1. a short-haired East African antelope. 2. (India) a sola pith helmet.

topis 1. short-haired East African antelopes. 2. (India) sola pith helmets.

topnotcher 1. a person/thing of supreme excellence. 2. a sawyer on the top of the sawpit, responsible for saw position.

topnotchers 1. persons/things of supreme excellence. 2. sawyers on the top of the sawpits, responsible for saw position.

tops

1. (slang) suicides. 2. summits; highest parts. 3. a type of spinning toys.

toque

'toke'

a type of hat/cap.

tor

'tore' & 'torr'

a rocky outcrop/hill.

tore

'tor' & 'torr'

1. past tense of 'tear' - to rip/rend etc. 2. the lowest member of the base of a column

tores

'taws'

the lowest members of bases of columns.

torpid 1. dormant; sluggish; dull. 2. a type of racing boat at Oxford.

torr

'tore' & 'tor'

a unit of pressure equal to 1 mm of mercury.

tort

'torte'

(legal) a private or civil wrong.

torte

'tort'

a rich cake with chopped nuts.

toss 1. throw; pitch; roll. 2. (slang) uncaring/indifferent, as in 'I don't give a toss'.

tosser 1. one who or thing that tosses. 2. (colloquial) a stupid person.

tossers 1. those who or things that toss. 2. (colloquial) stupid persons.

tot 1. a small child. 2. (colloquial) adding up a set of numbers, as in 'tot them up'.

tote 1. carry (in the arms or on the back). 2. a pari-mutuel machine used in betting.

tots 1. (colloquial) adds up a set of numbers. 2. small children.

totter 1. walk unsteadily. 2. (colloquial) a scavenger/rag-and-bone collector.

totters 1. walks unsteadily. 2. (colloquial) scavengers; rag-and-bone collectors.

touched 1. felt; placed hands upon; came into contact with; moved. 2. slightly crazy; unbalanced.

touching

251 1. feeling; contacting. 2. pathetic; affective.

4. (archaic) an ordered arrangement; a condition. 5. a series of things/people.

touchy 1. sensitive to touch. 2. apt to take offence; irritable.

tough

'tuff'

strong; hard; unyielding.

tow

'toe'

1. pull/drag along with ropes/chains etc. 2. coarse flax/hemp.

towed

'toad' & 'toed'

pulled along.

towing

'toeing'

pulling/dragging along with ropes/chains etc.

tows

'toes'

pulls/drags along with ropes/chains etc.

toxin

'tocsin'

a poison.

toxins

'tocsins'

poisons.

trace 1. a mark; an indicator; a vestige. 2. either of the two straps attached to a horse harness.

tracer 1. a bullet/shell that glows during its trajectory. 2. a person who locates missing articles. 3. a device for copying designs/maps/drawings etc.

traces 1. marks; indicators; vestiges. 2. the two straps attached to a horse harness.

tracing

track 1. a road/path/rail. 2. tow a boat from the river bank.

'tract'

followed prints/spoor/clues.

tracks 1. roads; paths; trails. 2. tows a boat from the river bank.

tract

1. (archaic) entices; lures. 2. (archaic) ordered arrangements/conditions. 3. brings a person/an animal to a desired standard. 4. points/aims a gun etc. 5. series of things/people.

tram 1. a type of public transport. 2. a kind of double silk thread.

trammel 1. a kind of fishing net. 2. a hook in a fireplace for a kettle. 3. an instrument for drawing ellipses. 4. confine; hamper.

trammels 1. confines; hampers. 2. hooks in a fireplace for kettles. 3. instruments for drawing ellipses. 4. a kind of fishing nets.

tramp 1. walk heavily. 2. a protective iron plate on a boot. 3. a vagrant/hobo. 4. a freight vessel running on no regular line.

tramps 1. freight vessels running on no regular line. 2. protective iron plates on boots. 3. vagrants. 4. walks heavily.

trance

'transe'

a catalepsy/deep sleep; an exalted state.

1. the act of locating missing articles. 2. the act of copying a design/map etc.

tracked

trains

'tracked'

1. a region/passage; an area. 2. a short treatise/discourse.

tracts 1. regions; passages; areas. 2. short treatises/discourses.

train 1. bring a person/animal to a desired standard. 2. point/aim a gun upon a target. 3. (archaic) entice; lure.

trannie 1. (colloquial) a transsexual. 2. (colloquial) any of various items: a radio/transformer/transparency.

trannies 1. (colloquial) transsexuals. 2. (colloquial) any of various items: radios/transformers/transparencies.

transe

'trance'

(Scottish) a through passage.

transverse 1. anything set cross-wise. 2. turn prose into verse.

trap 1. a device for catching animals. 2. a kind of wheeled vehicle. 3. (mining) dark colored eruptive rock. 4. a ladder leading to a loft. 5. a percussion instrument used in a jazz band.

traps 1. devices for catching animals.

252 2. a kind of wheeled vehicles. 3. ladders leading to lofts. 4. percussion instruments used in jazzbands.

trash 1. rubbish; refuse; garbage. 2. stripped leaves of sugar cane used as fuel.

tray

'trey'

a flat shallow vessel for carrying other things.

trays

'treys'

flat shallow vessels for carrying other things.

tread 1. walk/step/set down one's foot. 2. the germ of a chick on an egg.

treble 1. three times as much. 2. (music) very highly pitched.

trepan 1. a surgeon's cylindrical saw. 2. trap; ensnare.

trepans 1. a surgeon's cylindrical saws. 2. traps; ensnares.

trey

'tray'

the card/die with three spots.

treys

'trays'

cards/dice with three spots.

triad 1. a group of three. 2. (computer) a research tool in microcomputer systems.

tribune 1. a kind of Roman officer. 2. a bishop's throne.

tribunes 1. bishops' thrones. 2. a kind of Roman officers.

trice 1. haul up; tie up. 2. in a moment.

trick 1. a fraudulent device/practical joke. 2. the cards played in a round. 3. (nautical) a person's turn at the helm. 4. (slang vulgar) a prostitute's money.

tricks 1. (nautical) a person's turns at the helm. 2. (slang vulgar) a prostitute's money. 3. cards played in many rounds. 4. fraudulent devices; practical jokes.

tries 1. tests; makes experiment; attempts to achieve. 2. touch-downs of the football behind the goal line.

trifle

1. a valueless fact or thing. 2. a desert of sponge cake and cream.

trig 1. smart; trim; spruce. 2. stop a wheel with a stone/block.

trim 1. well arranged; in good order. 2. adjust the balance of a ship/plane. 3. (colloquial) rebuke; thrash; cheat of money.

trims 1. (colloquial) rebukes; thrashes; cheats of money. 2. adjusts the balance of a ship/plane etc.

trine 1. three-fold; 120 degrees apart; a triad. 2. to go.

tringle 1. a curtain rod. 2. (architecture) a small square molding. 3. a bar on a traversing-platform to check recoil.

tringles 1. (architecture) small square moldings. 2. bars on traversing-platforms to check recoil. 3. curtain rods.

trip 1. walk/dance with quick light tread. 2. take a journey/an excursion. 3. stumble; make a mistake. 4. (nautical) loose the anchor from the bottom. 5. a fish caught during a voyage.

tripe 1. a principal part of the stomach. 2. nonsense; rubbish; inferior stuff.

tripper 1. (colloquial) one who takes a pleasure trip. 2. a signal or activation device.

trippers 1. (colloquial) those who take a pleasure trip. 2. signal or activation devices.

trips 1. (nautical) loosens the anchor from the sea bottom. 2. stumbles; makes a mistake. 3. takes a journey/an excursion. 4. walks/dances with a quick light tread.

triton 1. a tropical gastropod mollusc. 2. (chemistry) the nucleus of the tritium atom.

trivet 1. an iron tripod for holding cooking vessels. 2. all right; in good health.

troll 1. sing out in a carefree manner. 2. a type of fishing. 3. a supernatural being/mischievous dwarf.

253 trolls 1. sings out in a carefree manner. 2. supernatural beings; mischievous dwarfs. 3. performs a type of fishing.

troppo 1. (in musical direction) too much. 2. (colloquial) mentally unbalanced/disturbed.

trot 1. a pace between walking and running. 2. (Shakespeare) a crone/hag; an old woman.

trounce 1. (obsolete) harass; punish. 2. skip/prance about.

trounced 1. (obsolete) harassed; punished. 2. skipped/pranced about.

trounces 1. (obsolete) harasses; punishes. 2. skips/prances about

trouncing 1. (obsolete) harassing; punishing. 2. skipping/prancing about.

truck 1. make an exchange/a trade/bargain. 2. (colloquial) rubbish/nonsense. 3. a large, strong, heavy, road vehicle used for transporting goods etc. 4. a wooden disc at the top of a mask.

truckle 1. submit; cringe. 2. a low bed on wheels.

truckles 1. low beds on wheels. 2. submits; cringes.

trucks 1. large strong heavy vehicles. 2. makes exchanges; trades; bargains. 3. wooden discs at the top of masts.

trump 1. (archaic) a trumpet. 2. the cards of suit that rank in play.

trumps 1. (archaic) trumpets. 2. cards of suits that rank in play.

trunk 1. the main body of a tree. 2. a large box with a hinged top, used for clothes/personal items etc. 3. a kind of a shaft/trough. 4. the proboscis of the elephant. 5. breeches from the waist to the middle of the thigh. 6. the rear section of a car used for carrying the spare tire/goods etc.

trunks

1. breeches from the waist to the middle of the thigh. 2. a kind of shafts/troughs. 3. large boxes with hinges, for clothes etc. 4. the main body of trees. 5. probosces of elephants.

trussed

'trust'

1. tied up with ropes etc. 2. supported.

trust

'trussed'

a firm belief; honesty.

try 1. test/make an experiment/attempt to achieve something. 2. the touch-down of the football behind the goal line (of rugby).

tuber 1. an outgrowth from a plant from which new plants arise. 2. a thing or person who makes tubes.

tubers 1. outgrowths from a plant from which new plants arise. 2. things or persons who make tubes.

tuck 1. gather together; draw in. 2. eat heartily, as in 'tuck in'. 3. (archaic) a flourish of a trumpet.

tucker 1. piece of lace/linen for a woman's shoulders. 2. (colloquial) tire; weary. 3. (slang) food of any type.

tucks

'tux'

1. (archaic) flourishes of trumpets. 2. eats heartily. 3. gathers together; draws in.

tuff

'tough'

a kind of volcanic rock.

tug 1. pull/drag with great effort. 2. (Eton slang) a colleger. 3. a type of small strong vessel used for hauling larger vessels off sandbars etc.

tugs 1. (slang Eton) collegers. 2. pulls/drags with a great effort. 3. a type of small strong vessels used for hauling larger vessels off sandbars etc.

tulchan 1. a calf-skin stuffed with straw. 2. a titular bishop.

tulchans 1. calf-skins stuffed with straw. 2. titular bishops.

tulle

'tool'

254 a thin, fine, machine-made net of acetate, nylon, rayon, or silk.

tumbler 1. anything/any person who tumbles and spins. 2. a flat-bottomed glass container, used for drinking.

tumblers

tump 1. a hillock/clump. 2. drag; pull.

tumtum 1. the sound of a banjo when plucked/strummed. 2. a West Indian dish of boiled plantains. 3. a light vehicle/dog-cart. 1. light vehicles; dog carts. 2. the sounds of a banjo. 3. West Indian dishes of boiled plantains.

'ton'

a large cask for wine/beer.

'tuner'

1. a prickly-pear plant or fruit. 2. a type of fish/eel.

'toon'

a succession of notes forming a melody.

'tuna'

one who tunes pianos; part of a radio receiver.

tung

'tongue'

a Chinese tree; tung oil.

tuns

'tons'

large casks for wine/beer.

tup

1. a ring for fastening a chain to. 2. a small tower on a building. 1. rings for fastening chains to. 2. small towers on a building.

tush 1. (archaic) pshaw!; an exclamation of impatience. 2. the canine tooth of the horse.

tut 1. an exclamation of rebuke or impatience. 2. piece work.

tutu 1. a New Zealand shrub. 2. a ballet dancer's short skirt.

tux

tups 1. a number of male sheep. 2. heads of steam hammers or pile drivers.

turkey 1. (slang) a failure/flop. 2. a large edible bird, much favored for meals.

'tern'

1. induce/give rotary motion to. 2. a short walk/drive. 3. (music) an embellishment of extra notes. 4. (colloquial) a nervous shock/start.

turnkey 1. a prison warder in charge of the keys. 2. complete and ready for use.

'tucks'

(colloquial) a tuxedo.

twaddell

'twaddle'

a hydrometer for measuring specific gravity of liquids other than water.

twaddle

1. a male sheep. 2. the head of a steam hammer or pile driver.

turn

turret

turrets

tumtums

tuner

'terns'

1. gives rotary motion to. 2. short walks/drives. 3. (music) embellishments of extra notes. 4. (colloquial) nervous shocks/starts.

1. hillocks; clumps. 2. drags; pulls.

tune

1. gatherings; arrays; outfits. 2. in classical ballet, successive rotations of legs at the hip socket. 3. highway widenings to allow passing. 4. railroad sidings.

turns

tumps

tuna

1. a gathering; an array; an outfit. 2. in classical ballet, the rotation of legs at the hip socket. 3. a highway widening to allow passing. 4. a railroad siding.

turnouts

1. things/persons who tumble and spin. 2. flat-bottomed glass containers, used for drinking.

tun

turnout

'twaddell'

silly, meaningless talk or writing.

twang 1. a sharp flavor; an aftertaste. 2. the sound of a plucked string.

twangs 1. sharp flavors; aftertastes. 2. the sounds of plucked strings.

twat 1. part of a nun's dress. 2. (slang) a term of abuse about a person, as in 'he's a twat'.

twig 1. a small shoot or branch. 2. (colloquial) understand/catch meaning of, as in 'I twig to that'. 3. (colloquial) the style/fashion.

255 4. (colloquial) see/perceive, as in 'do you twig the girl there?'

twigs 1. (colloquial) dies. 2. (colloquial) understands; catches meaning of. 3. small shoots or branches.

twin 1. (obsolete) separate; deprive. 2. one of two born, at the same time, and of the same mother.

twins 1. (obsolete) separates; deprives. 2. two born, at the same time, and of the same mother.

twit 1. reproach; upbraid; taunt. 2. (colloquial) a fool/twerp.

twitch 1. a short, sudden movement/tug/jerk. 2. a pest grass, Agropyron repens, of Asia and Europe.

twits 1. reproaches; upbraids; taunts. 2. (colloquial) fools; twerps.

twitter 1. a feeble chirping/nervous flutter. 2. an excrescence on a horse's hoof.

two

'to' & 'too'

one more than one.

tye

'tie'

an inclined trough for washing ore.

tyke 1. (colloquial) any small child. 2. (colloquial) a Roman catholic.

tykes 1. (colloquial) any small children. 2. (colloquial) Roman catholics.

type 1. a thing/person serving as an illustration/example. 2. a particular set of characters in printing, as in 'bold type', 'Times Roman' etc.

types 1. characters in printing. 2. things/persons serving as illustrations.

tyre

'tire' & 'tier'

curdled milk and cream.

tyres

'tires' & 'tiers'

sets of curdled milk and cream.

'U' Words 256 u

'you','yew','yu' & 'ewe'

the 21st letter of the alphabet.

ullage 1. a loss of liquid by evaporation. 2. (slang) dregs.

ultramarine 1. situated beyond the sea. 2. a blue pigment.

ultramontane 1. favorable to the authority of the pope. 2. one who resides south of the Alps.

ultramundane 1. beyond the solar system. 2. of another life.

umbels

'umbles'

inflorescences like anise, carrot and parsley.

umber 1. a natural pigment like ochre. 2. a bird allied to the stork and heron.

umbilicus 1. the navel. 2. (geometry) the point through which all curves pass. 3. the boss at each end of a stick holding a manuscript.

umbles

'umbels'

entrails of some animals, especially deer.

umbrage 1. a sense of slight or injury. 2. shade; foliage; leafage.

unaffected 1. sincere; genuine. 2. not influenced or acted upon.

unbolted 1. not fastened, as for a door. 2. not sifted, as for grain.

unbound 1. free/not attached, as in a chemical bond. 2. not bound, as for a book.

unco 1. (Scotland) remarkable; strange; uncanny. 2. (colloquial) awkward; clumsy.

uncouth 1. (archaic) not known; unfamiliar. 2. harsh; rugged; pedantic.

unction 1. the anointing with oil in a religious ceremony. 2. soothing/flattering words.

unctuous 1. full of unction. 2. (of minerals) a soapy feeling.

underdraw 1. depict or draw inadequately. 2. (building trade) cover a ceiling by fixing plasterwork to the underside of joists.

undershot 1. underhung; driven by water passing beneath. 2. having the upper jaw shorter than the lower, as for a dog.

undone 1. not accomplished; not finished; not completed. 2. reversed; unfastened; ruined.

uneven 1. rugged; rough; not flat. 2. (of a number) odd; not divisible into two even integers.

unhinge 1. take a door of its hinges. 2. (colloquial) unbalance the mind/spirit/persona etc.

unhinged 1. removed door from hinges. 2. (colloquial) mentally disturbed/unbalanced.

unit 1. the number one; a single entity. 2. (military) a group of soldiers.

units 1. (military) groups of soldiers. 2. the numbers from 0 to 9.

unlined 1. not marked with lines. 2. without a lining, as for a coat or dress.

unlockable 1. something that cannot be locked. 2. something that cannot be unlocked.

unmoving 1. motionless; not moving. 2. (rare) arousing no feeling.

unpack 1. remove contents; undo; remove a load. 2. (colloquial) comprehend; understand.

unpeg 1. remove peg or pegs from something. 2. allow (wages, prices etc) to increase.

unprintable 1. not able to be printed. 2. offending against morals/laws/good taste etc.

257 unravel 1. disentangle/disengage threads/fibres/strings of a cloth/rope/thing etc. 2. solve; make plain; remove difficulty.

unread 1. not read, as for a book/manuscript etc. 2. (of a person) ignorant of knowledge through reading.

unreal

'unreel'

1. imaginary; artificial; not real. 2. (colloquial) unbelievably awful or unbelievably wonderful.

unreel

'unreal'

unwind a cord/cable from a reel.

unrelated 1. not connected by blood or marriage. 2. untold, as for a story.

unrelenting 1. not yielding to kindness/compassion. 2. maintaining a rate of advance/speed; not slackening.

unsettled 1. not populated, as for a region. 2. uncertain/wavering in mind/opinion/purpose etc.

unsighted 1. (of a gun) not provided with sights. 2. not yet in view.

unsound 1. diseased; decayed; infirm. 2. unreliable; not financially strong.

unsounded 1. not uttered. 2. (nautical) not fathomed or sounded.

unstrung 1. (of a harp/guitar etc) have strings loosened/removed. 2. (of a person) very nervous; nerves weakened/in bad condition.

unstuck 1. (colloquial) fail; suffer a disaster/defeat, as in 'it's come unstuck'. 2. (colloquial, of a person) disturbed; lose mental ability.

untold 1. not related; not revealed. 2. incalculable; too much. 3. (colloquial) unbelievable.

unused 1. never having been used. 2. (for a person or animal) not accustomed.

unwashed 1. not clean; not washed. 2. (colloquial) the bulk of the population; the hoi polloi.

unwind

1. undo; loosen or separate; remove winding. 2. relax; calm down.

unworldly 1. spiritually minded, as for a priest. 2. unearthly; not terrestrial. 3. naïve; unsophisticated.

uplift 1. lift up; raise; elevate. 2. emotional/spiritual exaltation.

upper 1. a higher/highest position. 2. (colloquial) a drug e.g. amphetamine.

uprising 1. the act of rising. 2. a rebellion/revolt; an insurrection.

uprisings 1. acts of rising. 2. rebellions; revolts; insurrections.

uproarious 1. disorderly/noisy, as at a meeting or assembly etc. 2. extremely funny/hilarious.

upset 1. overturn; capsize; tip over. 2. an emotional disturbance/quarrel.

upsets 1. overturns; capsizes; tips over. 2. emotional disturbances/quarrels.

upside 1. the upper part or side. 2. the advantageous aspect of a situation.

upsides 1. upper parts or sides. 2. advantageous aspects of a situation.

ur

'err' & 'ure'

a sound filling a gap, in hesitation.

urchin 1. a roguish boy/youngster. 2. (archaic) the hedgehog.

urchins 1. (archaic) hedgehogs. 2. roguish boys; youngsters.

ure

'err' & 'ur'

(Scottish) an eighth of a mark.

urn

'earn' & 'erne'

a rounded vase with a foot.

urns

'earns' & 'ernes'

rounded vases with feet.

use

'ewes' & 'yews'

employ for a purpose.

usher 1. one who shows people to seating in a theater/cinema. 2. an assistant schoolmaster.

258 ushers 1. assistant schoolmasters. 2. those who show people to seating in a theater/cinema.

ustulation 1. the drying of a moist substance to pulverize. 2. the burning of wine.

ustulations 1. burnings of wine. 2. dryings of moist substances, to pulverize.

utricle 1. an animal or plant cell. 2. a small bag; a cavity in the inner ear.

utricles 1. animal or plant cells. 2. small bags; cavities in the inner ear.

utter 1. complete; total. 2. emit/speak audibly. 3. (legal) put notes/coinage into circulation.

utterance 1. expressing in words. 2. a bitter end.

utters 1. emits audibly. 2. puts notes/coinage into circulation

'V' Words 259 vail

'vale' & 'veil'

1. (archaic) yield; give way. 2. (archaic) a gratuity/tip.

vails

'vales' & 'veils'

1. (archaic) yields; gives way. 2. (archaic) gratuities; tips.

vain

'vane' & 'vein'

empty; trivial; conceited.

vale

'vail' & 'veil'

1. a valley. 2. used to express a farewell.

vales

'veils' & 'vails'

1. valleys. 2. farewells. 1. the upper front part of a boot/shoe. 2. patch; repair; improvise. 3. an unscrupulous flirt/adventuress.

vamps 1. patches; repairs; improvises. 2. unscrupulous flirts; adventuresses. 3. upper front parts of boots/shoes.

van 1. (archaic) a winnowing machine. 2. (archaic) a wing. 3. test the quality of an ore. 4. a large covered road vehicle

'vain' & 'vein'

a weathercock.

vanes

1. a troublesome animal or person. 2. a skilled amateur sportsman.

varmints 1. troublesome animals or persons. 2. skilled amateur sportsmen.

varus 1. a bandy-legged person. 2. a pimple; acne.

vault 1. (architecture) an arched roof. 2. a place for storage. 3. leap/spring over.

vaulted

vamp

vane

varmint

'veins'

weathercocks.

vanilla 1. a tropical orchid that yields the vanilla flavoring. 2. (colloquial) basic; standard; without refinement.

vans 1. (archaic) wings. 2. (archaic) winnowing machines. 3. large covered vehicles. 4. tests the quality of ore.

vapors 1. moisture/gases in the air. 2. (archaic) empty boasting. 3. (archaic) depression/hypochondria, as in 'she has the vapors'.

varix 1. (pathology) the abnormal dilation of a vein. 2. each ridge across the whorls of a shell.

1. constructed with a vault. 2. leapt/sprang over something.

vaulting 1. a vault; a vaulted ceiling. 2. leaping/springing over something.

vaults 1. (archaic) arched roofs. 2. leaps/springs over. 3. places for storage.

vaunt 1. (Shakespeare) the first part. 2. behave boastfully.

veer 1. (nautical) slacken/let out, of a rope/cable. 2. change direction.

veers 1. (nautical) slackens/lets out, of rope, cable etc. 2. changes direction.

vegetable 1. an herbaceous plant whose fruit/seeds etc are used as food. 2. (colloquial) a dull, uninspiring person.

vegetables 1. herbaceous plants whose fruit/seeds etc are used as food. 2. (colloquial) dull, uninspiring persons.

veil

'vail' & 'vale'

an almost transparent material used to conceal (usually the face).

veils

'vales' & 'vails'

almost transparent materials for concealing (usually the face).

vein

'vain' & 'vane'

1. the tubes that carry the blood in the body. 2. a distinctive character/frame of mind.

260 veins

'vanes'

1. tubes that carry blood in the body. 2. distinctive characters/frames of mind.

velveteen 1. a cotton fabric with a pile. 2. a gamekeeper.

velveteens 1. cotton fabrics with pile. 2. a number of gamekeepers.

venal 1. for sale; to be bought. 2. venous; of the veins. 1. (archaic) hunting. 2. (archaic) sexual indulgence.

verge

1. (colloquial) a veterinary surgeon. 2. examine thoroughly; judge as sound or worthy. 3. (slang) a war veteran.

vets 1. (colloquial) veterinary surgeons. 2. examines thoroughly; judges as sound or worthy. 3. (slang) war veterans. 1. (Roman antiquity) a square flag carried by a standard bearer. 2. the vane of a feather.

vial

'vile' & 'viol'

a small glass vessel.

1. an edge; a brink/border. 2. a wand/rod carried before a bishop. 3. a kind of shaft/spindle. 4. incline downwards.

verges 1. edges; brinks; borders. 2. inclines downwards. 3. kinds of shafts/spindles. 4. wands/rods carried before bishops.

veronica 1. a kind of herb. 2. a cloth with an impression of Christ's face. 3. (in bullfighting) swinging the cape in front of the bull.

versant 1. conversant; busied; concerned. 2. the general slope of a country's surface.

'verst'

1. skilled; thoroughly knowledgeable. 2. (mathematics) turned; reversed.

verst

vet

vexillum

venery

versed

2. waistcoats.

'versed'

a Russian measure of distance almost equal to a kilometer.

vert 1. (legal) the right to cut forest. 2. the tincture green. 3. (colloquial) convert; pervert. 4. turn a fetus around by applying pressure to the abdomen.

vest 1. a waistcoat. 2. grant/furnish (a person) with authority.

vesting 1. medium to heavy cloth used for making waistcoats. 2. (USA) a specific provision within employersponsored superannuation funds.

vests 1. furnishes (a person) with authority.

vials

'viols'

small glass vessels.

vice

'vise'

an evil; something immoral etc.

vices

'vises'

things evil/immoral etc.

victoria 1. a low, light four-wheeled carriage. 2. a kind of gigantic water lily. 3. a kind of domestic pigeon.

victorias 1. domestic pigeons. 2. gigantic water lilies. 3. low, light four-wheeled carriages.

vile

'vial' & 'viol'

worthless; depraved; shameful.

villain

'villein'

a wicked person.

villein (villain)

'villain'

(history) a workman bound in service to a feudal lord.

vint 1. make (wine). 2. a Russian card-game.

viol

'vial' & 'vile'

a medieval stringed instrument.

viols

'vials'

medieval stringed instruments.

virgate 1. erect; straight; slight; slim. 2. a varying measure of land.

virginal 1. of or relating to a virgin. 2. a small harpsichord, common in the 16th and 17th centuries.

viscous sticky; resistant to flowing.

'viscus'

261 viscus

'viscous'

(medical) relating to organs in the thorax heart/liver etc.

vise (vice)

'vice'

an instrument with two jaws for holding a thing tightly.

vises (vices)

'vices'

instruments with two jaws, for holding something tightly.

void 1. empty; vacant. 2. invalid; not binding.

voided 1. made empty/vacant. 2. made invalid/not binding.

voiding 1. making empty/vacant. 2. making invalid/not binding.

voids 1. makes empty/vacant. 2. makes invalid/not binding.

volar 1. an abbreviation for 'volunteer army'. 2. (anatomy) relates to the palm of the hand or the sole of the foot.

vole 1. winning of all tricks in a deal (at cards). 2. a kind of rodent.

voles 1. kinds of rodents. 2. winning of all tricks in card deals.

volt

'volte'

1. make a volte. 2. the unit of electromotive force.

volte

'volt'

1. (fencing) a quick movement to escape a thrust of the opponent. 2. a circular movement by a horse in manège.

voltes

'volts'

1. (fencing) quick movements to escape thrusts. 2. circular movements of horses in manège.

volts

'voltes'

1. makes a volte. 2. units of electromotive force.

volume 1. a set of papers bound together into a book. 2. the solid content/bulk/cubic capacity of a thing. 3. (music) the loudness/fullness of a sound.

volumes 1. (music) loudness; fullness of sounds. 2. sets of papers bound together into books. 3. the solid contents/bulk/cubic capacities of things

volute

1. a spiral scroll. 2. a kind of tropical gastropod.

volutes 1. kinds of tropical gastropods. 2. spiral scrolls.

'W' Words 262 wad

'wadd'

a pad/bundle/small mass.

wadd (wad)

'wad'

an earthy ore of manganese.

waddies

'wadies'

1. Aboriginal heavy war clubs. 2. (U.S. colloquial) cowboys

waddy

'wadi'

1. an Aboriginal heavy war club. 2. (U.S. colloquial) a cowboy.

wade

'weighed' 'waddy'

(Africa, Arabia) a channel or watercourse.

wadies

'waddies'

(Africa, Arabia) channels or watercourses.

wae

'way','wey', 'whey' & 'weigh'

sorrowful.

waff 1. (Scottish) wandering; stray; listless. 2. (Scottish) a signal/quick blow/hasty motion. 3. the sound of barking.

waffle 1. a small baked batter cake. 2. twaddle; rapid chatter; equivocal speech or writing.

waft 1. convey through the air/over water. 2. a single sweep of a bird's wing. 3. a whiff of an odor. 4. a short sensation of peace/joy. 5. (nautical) a distress signal.

wafts 1. (nautical) distress signals. 2. conveys through the air/over water. 3. short sensations of peace/joy. 4. many sweeps of a bird's wings. 5. whiffs of odor.

wag 1. shake/oscillate, as in 'wag a finger'. 2. a facetious person. 3. (slang) play truant from school.

wage 1. a periodic payment for work done. 2. carry on; pledge.

wages 1. carries on; pledges. 2. periodic payments for work done.

wags

waif 1. something or a person abandoned/neglected. 2. a streak/puff/waff.

wail

'wale' & 'whale'

a lament/high-pitched cry.

wailed

'waled' & 'whaled'

cried out loudly.

wailing

'waling' & 'whaling'

crying out loudly.

walk through water.

wadi (wady)

1. (slang) plays truant from school. 2. facetious persons. 3. shakes; oscillates

wails

'wales' & 'whales'

cries out loudly.

wain

'wane'

a wagon.

wains

'wanes'

wagons.

waist

'waste'

the part of the body between hips and ribs.

waisted

'wasted'

shaped like, or so as to form a waist.

waists

'wastes'

many examples of that part of the body between the hips and ribs.

wait

'weight'

1. abstain from action/decision. 2. an official band of musicians/street singers.

waited

'weighted'

abstained from action/decision.

waiting

'weighting'

abstaining from action.

waits

'weights'

1. abstains from action/decision. 2. official bands of musicians/street singers.

waive

'wave'

relinquish/forgo a right/claim/plea.

waived

'waved'

relinquished/forwent a right/claim/plea.

waiver

'waver'

release; absolve.

waivers

'wavers'

releases; absolves.

waives

'waves'

relinquishes/forgoes rights/claims/pleas.

waiving

'waving'

relinquishing/forgoing a right/claim/plea.

263 wake

wanes

1. arise from bed; cease to sleep. 2. the watch by a corpse before a burial. 3. the smooth water left behind a ship.

wakes 1. arises from bed; ceases to sleep. 2. smooth waters left behind ships. 3. watches by corpses before burial.

wale

'wail' & 'whale'

1. a ridge on flesh raised by a rod/whip. 2. (military) weave a hurdle/gabion. 3. the act of choosing; a choice.

waled

'wailed' & 'whaled'

1. a ridge on flesh raised by a rod; whipped. 2. (military) wove/constructed a hurdle/gabion. 3. chose; picked.

wales

'wails' & 'whales'

1. whips; causes welts on flesh. 2. (military) weaves/constructs a hurdle/gabion. 3. chooses; picks.

waling

'wailing' & 'whaling'

1. a ridge on flesh raised by whipping. 2. (military) weaving/constructing a hurdle/gabion. 3. choosing; picking.

wall

'waul'

one side of an enclosure; a rampart; an embankment. 1. a European perennial, Cheiranthus cheiri. 2. (colloquial) generally, a woman who fails to find a partner.

wallflowers 1. European perennials, Cheiranthus cheiri. 2. (colloquial) generally, women who fail to find partners.

wallop 1. thrash; a heavy blow/strike. 2. (slang) beer.

wallow 1. roll about in mud/filth. 2. fade away.

1. a desire/need; expressing a desire or need 2. a lack; an absence.

wanting 1. without; minus; less. 2. needing; desiring.

wanton 1. an unchaste woman. 2. a playful/gamboling child.

wants 1. desires; needs. 2. lacks; absences.

war

'wore'

a quarrel between nations (usually).

warble 1. sing in a gentle trilling manner. 2. a hard lump on a horse's back from saddle wear.

warbles 1. hard lumps on a horse's back, from saddle wear. 2. sings in gentle trilling manner.

ward

'warred'

1. keep in custody; guard; look after. 2. a division in an army/hospital/prison/land area. 1. a watchman/sentinel/guardian/governor. 2. a kind of cooking pear.

warder 1. a prison officer; one who guards others. 2. a truncheon/staff of authority.

warders 1. prison officers; those who guard others. 2. truncheons/staffs of authority.

wards 1. guards; defends. 2. administrative divisions of a city. 3. notches on a key/lock.

ware

wallowed

'wear' & 'where'

1. manufactured things for sale. 2. (poetry) aware. 3. (Scottish) springtime. 4. (Scottish) seaweed.

1. rolled about in mud/filth. 2. faded away.

wallowing 1. rolling about in mud/filth. 2. fading away.

wallows

wares

'wears'

manufactured things for sale.

warn

1. rolls about in mud/filth. 2. fades away.

'worn'

give notice to; caution; advise.

warp 'wauls'

sides of enclosures; ramparts; embankments.

wane

want

warden

wallflower

walls

'wains'

fades; disappears.

'wain'

decrease in size/splendor.

1. stretched thread on a loom. 2. a rope used in towing. 3. a crooked/bent state in timber. 4. a sediment; an alluvial deposit.

264 (obsolete) a hare.

warps 1. crooked/bent states in timbers. 2. ropes used in towing. 3. sediments; alluvial deposits. 4. stretched threads on a loom.

warrant 1. something secure; a guarantee. 2. a writ for arrest. 3. an underlying clay in a coal seam.

warred

'ward'

fought/engaged in mortal conflict.

wart

'wort'

a hard excrescence on the skin.

wase

'ways' & 'weighs'

a wisp of hay/straw.

wash 1. treat in water and soap to get clean. 2. the waves caused by the passage of a ship. 3. soil swept off by water. 4. scraps given to pigs. 5. twaddle; rubbish; nonsense.

washer 1. one who washes; a machine that washes. 2. a flat ring used in joints for tightness.

washers 1. flat rings used in joints for tightness. 2. those who wash.

washing 1. ablution; things to be washed; matter removed in washing. 2. a thin coating/covering in liquid form.

waste

'waist'

1. uninhabited; desolate; uncultivated. 2. left over; superfluous; refuse; spoilage. 3. (slang) kill; murder.

wasted

'waisted'

1. squandered; consumed uselessly. 2. worn; emaciated.

waster 1. (Scottish) to use or spend thriftlessly. 2. (obsolete) a wooden sword for practicing fencing. 3. (Scottish) a 4 or 5 pronged salmon-spear.

wastes

'waists'

1. leftovers; superfluous; refuses; spoilages. 2. (slang) kills; murders.

1. on the lookout; alert; vigilant. 2. a small timepiece/clock.

watches 1. is on the lookout; is alert; is vigilant. 2. small timepieces/clocks.

watertight 1. impervious to water penetration/ingress. 2. flawless; irrefutable; beyond question.

watt

'wat', 'what' & 'wot'

the unit of electric power.

wattle 1. interlaced twigs as a wall/fencing. 2. a kind of Australian acacia tree. 3. a fleshy appendage on the throat of some birds.

wattles 1. fleshy appendages on the throats of some birds. 2. interlaced twigs as a wall/fencing. 3. kinds of Australian acacia trees.

waul

'wall'

1. cry like a cat/new-born baby. 2. (obsolete) roll the eyes.

wauls

'walls'

1. cries like a cat/new-born baby. 2. (obsolete) rolls the eyes.

wave

'waive'

1. the ridge of water between two depressions. 2. use a hand/thing to signal to others.

waved

'waived'

used a hand/thing to signal to others.

waver

'waiver'

one who waves.

wavers

'waivers'

many/those who wave.

waves

'waives'

1. ridges of water between two depressions. 2. uses a hand/thing to signal to others.

wavey (wavy)

'wavy'

the snow-goose.

waving

'waiving'

using a hand/thing to signal to others.

wavy

'wavey'

full of/rising with waves.

wastrel 1. a thing spoilt in the making. 2. a waif/stray child. 3. a wasteful person/good-for-nothing.

wastrels 1. things spoilt in the making. 2. waifs; stray children. 3. wasteful persons; good-for-nothings.

wat

watch

'watt', 'what' & 'wot'

wax

'whacks'

1. a substance secreted by bees. 2. (archaic) grow; increase. 3. (slang) a fit of anger.

waxie

'waxy'

(colloquial) a surfie/surfboard rider.

waxy resembling wax.

'waxie'

265 way

'weigh','wey', 'whey' & 'wae'

1. a road/track/passage. 2. a condition/state/degree.

ways

'wase' & 'weighs'

1. roads; tracks; passages. 2. conditions; states; degrees.

we

'wee' & 'whee'

the plural personal pronoun.

weak

'week'

not strong; fragile.

weakly

'weekly'

sickly; ailing.

weal

'weel', 'wheal' & 'wheel'

1. prosperity; welfare. 2. a ridge on the flesh from whipping.

weald

'wield' & 'wheeled'

an open wooded country/districts, first used in SE England.

wealds

'wields'

certain districts in England.

wean

'ween'

1. remove a child from breast feeding. 2. a child.

weaner

'wiener'

a young animal weaned from mother's milk.

weaners

'wieners'

young animals weaned from mothers' milk.

wear

'ware' & 'where'

1. put on; carry on; dress. 2. injure/mark a surface by rubbing/friction. 3. exhaust; tire. 4. (nautical) bring a ship about.

wearing

'wares'

1. puts on; carries on; dresses. 2. injures surface by rubbing/friction. 3. exhausts; tires. 4. (nautical) brings ship about. 1. a small animal allied to the stoat/ferret. 2. equivocate/quibble, as in 'use a weasel word'. 1. equivocates; quibbles. 2. small animals allied to stoats/ferrets.

'whether' & 'wether'

the atmospheric conditions in general.

'weever'

one who weaves.

weavers

webs 1. large rolls of paper used in printing. 2. thin flat connecting parts. 3. vanes of feathers. 4. woven fabrics of any kind.

wee

'we' & 'whee'

1. little; very small; tiny. 2. (colloquial) urinate.

weeds 1. (archaic) mourning clothes. 2. any unwanted plants in a garden.

week

'weak'

a period of seven days.

weekly

'weakly'

occurring once every week.

weel

'weal', 'wheal' & 'wheel'

1. a whirlpool. 2. a trap or snare for fish. 3. (Scottish) well; healthy.

ween

'wean'

(poetry) have the opinion; expect to.

weep 1. show grief/sorrow etc with tears; exude moisture. 2. the lapwing, Vanellus vanellus, of Europe.

weepie

'weepy'

(colloquial) a sentimental film/play/story.

'weepie'

tearful; likely to burst into tears or exude moisture.

wees

'wheeze' & 'whees'

(colloquial) urinates.

weever

'weaver'

a kind of fish with sharp dorsal spines.

weevers

'weavers'

kinds of fishes with sharp dorsal spines. 1. the cross-threads woven into a web. 2. (nautical) a distress signal (variation of 'waft').

wefts

weasels

weaver

1. a woven fabric of any kind. 2. the vane of a feather. 3. a large roll of paper used in printing. 4. a thin flat connecting part.

weft

weasel

weather

web

weepy

1. (nautical) bringing a ship about. 2. exhausting; tiring. 3. injuring a surface by rubbing. 4. putting on; carrying on; dressing.

wears

those who weave.

'weevers'

1. (nautical) distress signals (variation of 'waft'). 2. weaves cross-threads into a web.

weigh

'way','wey', 'whey' & 'wae'

use a balance/scales to find the weight of something.

weighed

'wade'

obtained the weight of something.

weighs

'wase' & 'ways'

266 uses balance/scales to find weight.

weight

'wait'

1. the relative heaviness of something. 2. (of statistics) multiply numerical components by factors.

weighted

'waited'

(of statistics) multiplied components by factors.

weighting

'waiting'

(of statistics) multiplying components by factors.

weights

'waits'

1. (of statistics) multiplies components by factors. 2. circular masses of iron/steel used in lifting.

weld

'welled'

1. a dyer's weed plant. 2. unite metal by heat/pressure.

welds 1. dyer's weed plants. 2. unites metal by heat/pressure. 1. a spring/fountain. 2. not sick; in good order; satisfactory. 3. expressing astonishment/enquiry/doubt etc.

'weld' 'wels'

springs/fountains for drawing water therefrom.

wels

'wells'

a variety of large catfish (around 200lbs).

welt 1. the edgings around a shoe/boot. 2. flog; beat.

welter 1. wallow/steep/soak in blood. 2. general confusion' aimless conflict. 3. a heavy rider; a heavy blow.

wen

'when'

'whir'

'whet'

soaked; moistened; dabbled.

wetback 1. (NZ) a fuel stove with hot water heater behind it. 2. (USA, derogatory) an illegal Mexican immigrant. 1. (NZ) fuel stoves with hot water heaters behind them. 2. (USA, derogatory) illegal Mexican immigrants. a castrated ram.

'whetting'

dabbing/soaking with water/liquid.

wey

'way','weigh','whey' & 'wae'

a unit of weight between 2 cwt and 3 cwt.

whacked 1. struck/hit something with sharp blows; murdered. 2. (colloquial) exhausted; defeated.

whacks

'wax'

(slang) strikes; hits; punishes.

whale

'wale' & 'wail'

a large marine mammal.

whaled whales

'wailed' & 'waled' 'wails' & 'wales'

many large marine animals.

whaling

'wailing' & 'waling'

hunting whales.

'wat', 'watt' & 'wot'

an interrogative asking for number/selection etc.

whau

'wow'

a shrub or tree, Entelea arborescens, of New Zealand.

wheal

'weal', 'weel' & 'wheel'

a Cornish tin-mine.

whee

'we' & 'wee'

a childish cry of pleasure/joy, usually on swings/see-saws etc.

wheel

'weal', 'weel' & 'wheal'

a circular frame/disc on an axis.

wheeled

'weald' & 'wield'

1. (colloquial) an act of violent skidding of driving wheels on a car. 2. (colloquial) a person who uses a wheelchair.

wheelies 1. (colloquial) acts of violent skidding of driving wheels on a car. 2. (colloquial) persons who use wheelchairs.

whees

'weather' & 'whether'

'wheeze' & 'wees'

childish cries of pleasure/joy, usually on swings/see-saws etc.

wheeze

wetbacks

wether

dabbed/soaked with water/liquid.

wetting

wheelie

past tense of 'be' (2nd person singular; 2nd and 3rd person plural).

wet

'whetted'

moved with the action of wheels turning.

1. a benign tumor; goiter. 2. an Old English letter.

were

wetted

what

poured forth/up/out.

wells

'whets'

dabs/soaks with water/liquid.

hunted whales.

well

welled

wets

'wees' & 'whees'

breathes with difficulty.

whelk 1. a kind of marine mollusc. 2. a pimple.

whelks

267 1. kinds of marine molluscs. 2. pimples.

when

'wen'

at what time; how soon; how long ago.

where

'ware' & 'wear'

in/at what place/position/direction.

whet

'wet'

sharpen by rubbing.

whether

'weather' & 'wether'

which of two; introducing alternatives.

whets

'wets'

incites; agitates.

whetted

'wetted'

incited; agitated.

whetting

'wetting'

inciting; agitating.

whey

'way','wey', 'weigh' & 'wae'

the milk without the curds.

which

'witch'

asking for a selection from alternatives.

whiff

1. kinds of flat-fishes. 2. puffs of air/smoke.

'wig' & 'wigg' 'wigs'

members of an early political party.

'wile'

a space of time; the time taken.

whiled

'wild'

dallied/lazed around.

whiles

'wiles'

taking time; waits. 1. a caprice/fancy/fantastic creation. 2. (obsolete) a vertical rope drum revolved by a horse. 1. caprices; fancies; fantastic creations. 2. (obsolete) vertical rope drums revolved by horses.

'win'

1. gorse; furze. 2. a kind of hard sandstone/basalt.

'wine'

a long-drawn out complaining cry/sound.

whined

'wind', 'wined' & 'wynd'

complained; whinged.

whines

whip 1. a lash/rod for punishing/hitting/urging on. 2. a rope and pulley apparatus.

whippy 1. of or relating to a flexible shaft/branch e.g. a golf club. 2. (colloquial) a hiding place for money.

whips 1. lashes; rods for punishing/hitting/urging on. 2. apparatus of ropes and pulleys.

whir (whirr)

'were'

a buzzing sound.

whirled

'world'

spun/twirled a thing about/around.

whirred

'word'

made buzzing sound.

1. dusted off something. 2. went lightly and quickly. 3. beat up eggs with a kitchen tool.

whisking 1. dusting off something. 2. going lightly and quickly. 3. beating up eggs with a kitchen tool.

whisks 1. dusts off something. 2. goes lightly and quickly. 3. instruments to beat up eggs.

'wist'

1. a card game played by two against two. 2. hush!; silence!; be still!.

whit

'wit'

a particle; the least amount.

whims

whine

'winy'

of a complaining nature/disposition.

whist

whim

whin

complaining; whinging.

whiny

whisked

a member of an early political party.

while

'wining'

1. dust off something. 2. an instrument to beat up eggs. 3. go lightly and quickly.

whiffs

whigs

whining

whisk

1. a puff of air/smoke. 2. a kind of flat-fish.

whig

complains; whinges.

white whites

'wights'

many pale colors.

whither

'wither'

where, at or to what place.

whiting 1. a type of chalk. 2. a kind of sea-fish.

whittle 'wines'

'wight' & 'wite'

pale; lacking any color.

1. pare/cut with a knife.

'wittol'

268 2. a woollen shawl/blanket.

1. part of lamps/candles for lighting. 2. towns; hamlets; districts.

whittles 1. pares/cuts with a knife. 2. woollen shawls/blankets.

whizz

'hoo'

(interrogative pronoun) what person?

whoa

'woe'

an interjection meaning Stop! (often used to horses).

whole

'hole'

1. not broken; sound; uninjured. 2. complete; absolute; undiminished.

wholly

'holy' & 'holey'

entirely; completely.

whoop

'hoop'

a loud cry; the sound heard in whooping cough.

whoops

'hoops'

loud cries/coughs like whooping cough.

whoos (hoos)

'whose'

cries/hooting sounds, made by owls.

whop

'wop'

(colloquial) throw with force; strike; defeat.

whops

'wops'

(colloquial) throws with force; strikes; defeats.

whore

'hoar'

a prostitute.

whored

'hoard' & 'horde'

acted like a prostitute.

whoreson

'hoarsen'

a son of a whore.

whoresons

'hoarsens'

sons of whores.

whose

'whoos' 'y'

for what cause or reason.

whys

'wise' & 'ys'

plural form for 'why'.

wick 1. the part of a lamp/candle for lighting. 2. a town/hamlet/district.

wicket 1. a small door/gate. 2. the set of three stumps at cricket.

wickets 1. sets of three stumps at cricket. 2. small doors/gates.

wicks

'wealds'

carries; bears; holds.

wiener

'weaner'

a frankfurter sausage.

wieners

'weaners'

frankfurter sausages.

wig

'whig' & 'wigg'

1. a set of artificial hair. 2. rebuke sharply.

wigg

'wig' & 'whig'

(dialectical) a type of raised seed cake

wight

'white' & 'wite'

1. (archaic) a person/being. 2. swift; nimble; courageous.

wights

'whites'

(archaic) persons; beings.

wigs

'whigs'

1. artificial hairs. 2. rebukes sharply.

wigwam 1. an American Indian hut or lodge. 2. (colloquial) a jocular name for an object unable to be identified.

wigwams 1. American Indian huts or lodges. 2. (colloquial) a jocular name for objects unable to be identified.

wild

'whiled'

1. not domesticated or cultivated. 2. unrestrained; violent; eager; rash; frantic; excited.

wile

'while'

a trick/cunning act; an artifice.

of/belonging to/relating to whom or which.

why

'weald' & 'wheeled'

control; sway; manage.

wields

1. make a humming/hissing sound. 2. (colloquial) an expert, outstanding in a particular way.

who

wield

wiles

'whiles'

tricks; artifices; cunning acts.

will 1. indicates future action/likelihood. 2. the faculty of conscious action/determination. 3. a legal document relating to the disposition of wealth after death.

willie

'willy'

(colloquial) the penis.

willies 1. (colloquial) penises. 2. (colloquial) fearful/uneasy feelings. 3. (colloquial) wallets.

willow 1. a kind of tree. 2. a cricket bat. 3. clean something by beating with machinery.

269 willows 1. cleans by beating with machinery. 2. cricket bats. 3. a kind of trees.

willy

'willie'

1. (colloquial) a wallet. 2. (colloquial) a sudden burst of emotion.

wilt

'whin'

secure prize/first place etc.

'windless'

'windlass'

lacking a wind/breeze.

'wins' & 'winze'

large bodies of moving air.

wine

'whine'

a kind of fermented grape-juice.

wined

'whined', 'wind' & 'wynd'

drank wine; entertained with wine.

wines

'whines'

many alcoholic drinks.

wing

winged 1. having wings. 2. (colloquial) wounded in the arm or other nonvital area.

'whiny'

like wine; intoxicated.

'wins' & 'winds'

1. (US colloquial) send a telegram. 2. a thread of slender, flexible metal used mainly for conducting electricity. 3. (croquet) arrange a ball behind an arch to prevent a successful shot.

wires 1. (US colloquial) sends a telegram. 2. threads of slender, flexible metal used mainly for conducting electricity. 3. (croquet) arranges a ball behind an arch to prevent a successful shot.

wise

'whys' & 'ys'

1. sagacious; prudent. 2. a manner/way/guise.

wisp 1. a small bundle of straw. 2. a flock of snipe. 1. flocks of snipes. 2. small bundles of straw.

wist

1. the parts of most birds used for flying. 2. a military designation for tactical units. 3. player positions in some types of ball games e.g. soccer. 4. the sides of a stage or theater. 5. wounds in a non-vital area.

'whining'

drinking/preparing wines.

wink 1. open and close one eye quickly. 2. a disk used in the game of tiddly-winks.

'whist'

(archaic) past tense and past participle of 'wit' to know.

wit

'whit'

1. (archaic) know. 2. intelligence; understanding. 3. the clever/wise/humorous use of words.

witch

wings

winkle

winy

wisps

1. the part of most birds used for flying. 2. a military designation for tactical unit. 3. a player position in some types of ball games e.g. soccer. 4. either side of a stage or theater. 5. wound in a non-vital area.

wining

'winze' & 'winds'

wire 'whined', 'wined' & 'wynd'

1. equipment for hauling and pulling. 2. (archaic) a crafty trick/circuitous move.

winds

1. opens and closes one eye quickly. 2. disks used in the game of tiddly-winks.

(mining) a shaft connecting different levels.

turn a clockwork mechanism/key.

windless

winks

winze

1. grimace in pain. 2. a winch used in textiles.

windlass

1. marine gastropods; perewinkles. 2. (colloquial) prises out or extracts.

secures a prize/first place etc.

wince

wind

winkles

wins

1. another form of 'will'. 2. wither; droop.

win

1. a marine gastropod; a perewinkle. 2. (colloquial) prise out or extract.

'which'

a woman practicing sorcery.

wite

'white' & 'wight'

(Scottish) blame; reproach.

withe 1. a willow twig. 2. a thin brick partition dividing the flues of a chimney.

wither

'whither'

fade; dry up.

withers 1. the ridge between the shoulder bones of a horse.

270 2. fades; dries up.

wittol

2. past participle of 'worst'.

'whittle'

(archaic) a man who knows of and tolerates his wife's infidelity.

woe

'whoa'

grievous distress/trouble/affliction.

wog 1. (colloquial) derogatory term for anyone of Middle Eastern extract. 2. (colloquial) any unspecified illlness e.g a cold or stomach pain.

won

'one' 'would'

the material of trees/forests.

woodbine 1. the common European honeysuckle. 2. (colloquial) an Englishman.

wooden 1. consisting/made of wood. 2. (usually referring to a person) dull; stupid; lacking emotion.

woodpecker 1. a bird of the family Picidae, with a chisel bill for boring into wood. 2. (colloquial) a machine gun.

woodpeckers 1. birds of the family Picidae, with chisel bill for boring into wood. 2. (colloquial) machine guns.

woof

woolly 1. covered with wool. 2. lacking in definition/incisiveness; confused.

'whop'

(colloquial) a derogatory term for a person of Italian appearance.

wops

'whops'

(colloquial) a derogatory term for persons of Italian appearance.

word

'whirred'

a symbol formed by using letters.

wore

'what' & 'watt'

(archaic) 1st and 3rd person singular of 'wit'.

would

'wood'

subjunctive of 'will'.

'whau'

1. an exclamation of joy/surprise etc. 2. a slow variation in sound pitch fidelity.

wrack

'rack'

1. wreckage. 2. sea-weed.

wrangle 1. argue; dispute; debate. 2. (US) tend to/care for horses.

wrangled 1. argued; disputed; debated. 2. (US) tended to/cared for horses.

wrangler 1. one who argues/disputes/debates. 2. (US) one who tends to/cares for horses.

wranglers 1. those who argue/dispute/debate. 2. (US) those who tend to/care for horses. 1. argues; disputes; debates. 2. (US) tends to/cares for horses.

wrangling 1. arguing; disputing; debating. 2. (US) tending to/caring for horses.

wrap

'rap'

enfold; enclose.

wrapped

'rapped' & 'rapt'

past tense of 'wrap'.

wrapper

'rapper'

one who wraps up goods/boxes/parcels etc.

wrappers

'rappers'

those who wrap up goods/boxes/parcels etc.

'whirled'

wraps

'rapping'

enfolding; enclosing.

'raps'

enfolds; encloses.

'warn'

wreak

'wurst'

wreaks

past participle of 'wear'.

worst

wot

wrapping

the earth/environment etc.

worn

1. value; excellence; usefulness. 2. (archaic) happen; betide.

'war'

past tense of 'wear'.

world

worth

wrangles

1. the weft in a loom; the yarn that interlaces with the warp. 2. the sound of a dog barking.

wop

'wart'

1. an herbaceous plant. 2. an infusion of malt during fermentation.

wow

past tense of 'win'.

wood

wort

'reak', 'reek' & 'reke'

avenge; give satisfaction to.

sickest; most unhealthy; most undesirable etc.

worsted 1. firmly twisted yarn used for weaving.

'reeks'

avenges; gives satisfaction to.

wreck a ruin/destruction.

'reck'

271 wrecks

'recks' & 'rex'

writer

ruins; destroys.

wren

'renne' 'rest'

1. twist; deflect; distort. 2. a key for tuning a harp.

wrested

1. twisted; deflected; distorted. 2. used a key for tuning a harp.

wresting

'resting'

1. twisting; deflecting; distorting. 2. using a key for tuning a harp.

wrests

'rests'

1. twists; deflects; distorts. 2. uses a key for tuning a harp.

wretch

'retch'

a miserable/despicable person.

wretches

'retches'

miserable/despicable persons.

wrick

'rick'

slightly sprain/strain.

wricks

'ricks'

slightly strains/sprains.

wright

'right', 'rite' & 'write'

a workman/maker of things.

wrights

'rights', 'rites' & 'writes'

workmen; makers of things.

wring

'ring'

squeeze; twist.

wringer

'ringer'

a machine that twists/squeezes.

wringers

'ringers'

machine for squeezing/twisting.

wringing

'ringing'

squeezing; twisting.

wrings

'rings'

squeezes; twists.

wrinkle 1. a ridge/furrow/corrugation/crease. 2. (colloquial) an artful method; clever trick or device.

wrinkles 1. ridges; furrows; corrugations; creases. 2. (colloquial) artful methods; clever tricks or devices.

wrinkly 1. having numerous wrinkles. 2. (colloquial) an old person.

writ

'rit'

a formal or legal document.

write

'wright', 'rite' & 'right'

'rights', 'rites' & 'wrights'

constructs sentences on paper etc, with language.

writing 'rested'

'reiter' & 'righter'

one who writes stories/books.

writes

a small bird.

wrest

inscribe with a pen/pencil; trace symbols.

'righting'

the act of composing sentences using language.

writs

'rits'

formal or legal documents.

wrote

'rote'

past tense of 'write'.

wrought

'rort' & 'raught'

worked; performed; made.

wry

'rye'

distort; skew; grimace.

wurst

'worst'

a type of sausage.

wynd

'whined', 'wined' & 'wind'

(Scottish) a narrow lane/alley in a town.

'X,Y,Z' Words 272 xenia 1. (botany) the influence of pollen on endosperm. 2. offerings/presents/gifts to a ruler/church.

xi

'sigh', 'sey', 'sye' & 'scye'

the 14th letter of the Greek alphabet.

y

'why'

the 25th letter of the alphabet. 1. a long-haired wild ox of Tibet. 2. (colloquial) empty/vacuous conversation. 1. pull/jerk/tug sharply. 2. (colloquial) an American, especially a northerner during the American civil war.

yanks 1. pulls/jerks/tugs sharply. 2. (colloquial) Americans, especially northerners during the American civil war.

'yapp'

bark shrilly; chatter/talk idly.

'yap'

a kind of bookbinding.

yard 1. a unit of measurement, three feet. 2. a piece of enclosed ground/property.

yards 1. pieces of enclosed ground/property. 2. many measurements of three feet.

yarn 1. any spun thread. 2. (colloquial) a story/tale/narrative.

yarns 1. (colloquial) stories; tales; narratives. 2. spun threads.

yawl 1. howl; yell. 2. a kind of small boat.

yawls 1. howls; yells. 2. kinds of small boats.

yawning 1. wide open; gaping. 2. indicating drowsiness/sleepiness.

yaws 1. fails to hold straight course. 2. a tropical disease - framboesia.

yea 1. yes.

1. desire strongly; feel longing for. 2. curdle milk.

yearned 1. desired strongly; felt longing for. 2. curdled milk. 1. desiring strongly; feeling longing for. 2. curdling milk.

yearns

yank

yapp

yearn

yearning

yak

yap

2. synonym for 'so' or 'this' when indicating size/height etc.

1. desires strongly; feels longing for. 2. curdles milk.

yellow 1. the color between green and orange. 2. (slang) cowardly.

yen 1. a unit of Japanese money. 2. (slang) a longing/yearning.

yet

'yett'

still; up to; in addition; even; besides.

yett

'yet'

(Scottish) a gate/door.

yew

'ewe', 'you', 'u' & 'yu'

the wood of a slow-growing tree.

yews

'use' & 'ewes'

a number of yew trees.

yield 1. produce; bring forth. 2. give up; surrender.

yielded 1. gave up; surrendered. 2. produced; brought forth.

yielding 1. giving up; surrendering. 2. producing; bringing forth.

yields 1. gives up; surrenders. 2. produces; brings forth.

yoke

'yolk'

the wooden cross-piece for oxen.

yokes

'yolks'

many wooden cross-pieces for oxen.

yolk

'yoke'

the yellow part of an egg.

yolks

'yokes'

many yellow parts of eggs.

273 yore

'your'

olden times.

you

'ewe', 'yew', 'u' & 'yu'

the second person pronoun, singular and plural.

your

'yore'

of/belonging to/done by you.

ys (y's)

'wise' & 'whys'

plural form for the letter 'y'.

yu

'ewe', 'yew', 'u' & 'you'

precious jade - nephrite or jadeite.

zap 1. give an electric shock to something; cook food in a microwave oven. 2. have vitality or show lively action.

zephyr 1. a balmy breeze/light wind. 2. a kind of dress-material.

zest 1. enthusiasm; eagerness; relish. 2. (obsolete) lemon/orange peel.

zip 1. a light sharp sound. 2. energy; get-up-and-go; pep. 3. a fastening device; use a fastening device.

zipped 1. used a fastening device. 2. made a light sharp sound.

zipping 1. using a fastening device. 2. making a light sharp sound.

zips 1. fastening devices; uses a fastening device. 2. light sharp sounds.

zoom 1. a plane's steep climb. 2. (photogtaphy) a quick change from long shot to close-up.

zoomed 1. climbed steeply (of a plane). 2. (photography) changed from longshot to closeup quickly.

zooming 1. a plane's steep climbing. 2. (photography ) quick changing from longshot to closeup.

zooms 1. climbs steeply (of a plane). 2. (photography) changes quickly from longshot to closeup.