Existent vs. extant
Something extant is old and continues to exist. Something existent simply exists and may be old or new.
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Decimate
= (1) to destroy a large part of or (2) to inflict great destruction on something. Its Latin definitions are irrelevant.
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Careen vs. career
Careen = to move fast in an uncontrolled way. Career = to move at full speed, especially in an uncontrolled way. This new sense of “careen” bothers some people, as it has fairly recently supplanted older senses.
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Make hay
1. short for make hay while the sun shines, referring to the wisdom of taking advantage of opportunities before they go away; 2. to turn (something) to one’s advantage.