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#163679 11/23/06 03:46 AM
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Plane and plain are two words that are spelled differently, pronounced the same, and can share a meaning, namely a flat surface. Two questions:

Is there a term for word pairs like this?
Are there other similar word pairs?

#163680 11/23/06 06:51 AM
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I don't know about the "can share a meaning" bit, but:

homophone noun each of two or more words having the same pronunciation but different meanings, origins, or spelling, e.g., new and knew . � each of a set of symbols denoting the same sound or group of sounds.

also see:

homograph noun each of two or more words spelled the same but not necessarily pronounced the same and having different meanings and origins (e.g., bow 1 and bow 2 ). DERIVATIVES homographic adjective

So, maybe you need two words to express what you mean: "synonymous homophones" for example.

#163681 11/23/06 12:15 PM
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They do both come from the same Latin word

#163682 11/23/06 12:16 PM
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Was just thinking about this one today and it is a little confusing!

Bartleby to the rescue:

A plain is �a broad, flat expanse of country,� and so the corresponding adjective means �level,� �lacking decoration,� �unpretentious,� and �uncluttered and obvious.� Used of persons, plain means �homely or lacking in beauty.� A plane is �a geometrically flat surface,� �a tool for smoothing wood to make it flat,� �a kind of tree,� and any of a number of specialized names for surfaces of like qualities, such as the planes of a glider or airplane. Plain and plane are homophones, but confusion can arise when you spell the name of the specialized flat surface you have in mind: is it a plane or a plain? Plain is topographical at the outset, and plane, geometrical, but from there on, your dictionary should be your guide.

bartleby

#163683 11/23/06 12:43 PM
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Homonymous synonym?


Ceci n'est pas un seing.

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