Usage

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Gratis, gratuitous and gratuity

Gratis is an adverb which means free, without charge. Gratis stems from the mid-fifteenth century, from a contraction of the Latin word gratiis meaning for thanks, without recompense, for nothing. Gratuitous is an adjective which describes something done for no good reason, an action which is uncalled for. The adverb …

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Credible, creditable or credulous

Credible is an adjective which means believable or trustworthy, convincing, able to persuade people of a successful outcome. Derived words are credibility, credibly, and credibleness. Credible first appears in the late fourteenth century from the Latin credibilis, meaning worthy to be believed. Creditable is an adjective which means deserving of acknowledgement, …

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Coiffure vs coiffeur

A coiffure is a hairstyle, an arrangement of hair on a person’s head. Coiffure usually refers to an elaborate styling of the hair. Coiffure may also function as a transitive verb, related words are coiffures, coiffured, coiffuring. The adjective form is coiffured. Coiffure comes from the mid-seventeenth century French word, …

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Clamor vs clamber

Clamor means an uproar, a loud outcry or sustained noise. Clamor may also be used as an intransitive verb or transitive verb, meaning to make or bring about a loud outcry or a sustained noise. Related words are clamors, clamored, clamorer, clamorous and clamoring. The British spellings are clamour, clamours, …

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Jackanapes

A jackanapes is a presumptive, conceited person. Jackanapes can also refer to a rambunctious child. Jackanapes is a dated term that first appeared in the mid-fifteenth century as Jack Napes, referring to a tame ape. The name Jack Napes was then applied to a duke who was accused of treason …

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What Is a Byproduct Definition Examples 1

What Is a Byproduct? – Definition and Examples

Actions, processes, and behaviors have an initial result, but many also have a secondary reaction called a byproduct. Some are welcome, and some are not. This is a well-used and recognized word in the English language, and knowing its proper use and spelling is essential. Let’s take a look at …

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Animate vs adamant

Animate means to make alive or to give inspiration or put into motion, to cause something to move as if alive. Animate is a transitive verb, which is a verb which takes an object. Animate may also be used as an adjective to describe something which has life or vigor. …

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Seminal

Seminal refers to a work, an event, a person or idea that proves to be a strong influence on later developments. A seminal idea, book, leader, etc., is the earliest, primary driving force that is often not recognized as such until a later point in time.  Seminal is an adjective, …

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May be or maybe

May be designates a possibility. When written as two separate words, may be is used as a verb. If you can substitute the words could be or might be in your sentence, then you are using may be as a verb and it should be written as two separate words. …

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Inpatient or outpatient

An inpatient is a person who takes up residence in a hospital while undergoing treatment, the inpatient stays in the hospital for at least one night. Inpatient is also used as an adjective to modify what sort of care a person is receiving or may expect to receive. An outpatient …

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