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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1
stranger
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OP
stranger
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1 |
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?
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 631
addict
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addict
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 631 |
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.
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Joined: Dec 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
They do both come from the same Latin word
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,055
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,055 |
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
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2005
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Ceci n'est pas un seing.
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