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Sepulcher, crypt, catacomb or mausoleum

Sepulcher, crypt, catacomb and mausoleum are all places where the dead are laid to rest. However, there are some differences between the terms. We will examine the definitions of the words sepulcher, crypt, catacomb and mausoleum, where these words came from and some examples of their use in sentences. A sepulcher (American spelling) or sepulchre (British spelling) is a small room in which a dead body is laid to rest. Most properly, a sepulcher is cut out of rock and …

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Bachelor’s or bachelors degree and master’s or masters degree

The spellings of the terms bachelor’s degree and master’s degree can be confusing. We will examine the definitions of these two terms and where they came from, the correct spellings and some examples of their use in sentences. A bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate degree obtained from a college or university from a program that usually lasts four years. The term bachelor’s degree is derived from baccalaureate, which is derived from the Latin word baccalaureus which means a student who …

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Man’s best friend

Man’s best friend is a phrase from a proverb that is attributed to King Frederick of Prussia. We will examine exactly who is considered man’s best friend, where the expression came from and some examples of its use in sentences. The phrase man’s best friend is part of the proverb “A dog is man’s best friend.” The dog has undergone an interesting evolution in the minds and hearts of human beings. For a long time the dog was considered little …

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Mutually Exclusive Meaning Examples in a Sentence 2

Mutually Exclusive – Meaning and Examples in a Sentence

Have you used the term “mutually exclusive” before? Did you understand what it really means? Such a simple term, but if you don’t fully understand what it means, you might be using it in the wrong context. So, take a moment to check out my breakdown of the term “mutually exclusive” and see for yourself if you’ve got it right. Mutually Exclusive Meaning Explained When two things are mutually exclusive, it means that if one exists or happens, then the …

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Mogul

The word mogul has two very different meanings, which can be attributed to two different origins of the term. We will examine the definitions of the word mogul, where the word came from and some examples of its use in sentences. Most often, the word mogul is used to mean a powerful and important businessman, usually within the film, television or news industries. This meaning of mogul is derived from the Indian emporers who ruled during the sixteenth through nineteenth …

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Straw man and man of straw

The terms straw man and man of straw are two idioms that mean the same thing, but one is primarily a British term and one is primarily an American term. An idiom is a word, group of words or phrase that has a figurative meaning that is not easily deduced from its literal definition. We will examine the meanings of the terms straw man and man of straw, where these idioms came from and where they are primarily used, as …

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Out of whole cloth

Out of whole cloth is an American idiom that entered the English language in the early 1800s. We will examine the phrase out of whole cloth, the correct grammatical use of the term and some examples of its use in sentences. Out of whole cloth describes something that is untrue and has no grounding in the facts. The expression is generally used in the phrases made out of whole cloth, make out of whole cloth, makes out of whole cloth, …

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Metaphor

A metaphor is a figure of speech that is not meant to be understood by its literal meaning, and is a favorite device of poets. We will examine the definition of the word metaphor, where it came from and some examples of its use in sentences. A metaphor is a word or phrase in which one thing is referred to as another, different thing. A metaphor is a comparison or a symbol that is used to describe imagery.  Using a …

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Mutually assured destruction or mutual assured destruction

Mutually assured destruction and mutual assured destruction are phrases that were first used in the 1960s. We will examine the definitions of the phrases mutually assured destruction and mutual assured destruction, where these terms came from and some examples of their use in sentences. Mutually assured destruction and mutual assured destruction are terms for a doctrine of national security. Mutually assured destruction is a doctrine that depends on two or more countries possessing the means to annhialate each other with …

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Massage vs message

Massage and message are two words that are very close in spelling and pronunciation, but have different meanings. We will examine the definitions of the words massage and message, where these words came from and some examples of their use in sentences. Massage is the act of kneading muscles or manipulating muscles in order to relieve pain or tension. Massage is also used figuratively to mean to manipulate facts and figure in order to come up with the conclusion one …

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