A bell is a hollow cup-like object, usually metal, that rings when struck by means of a clapper on the inside of it. An electronic tone simulating the sound of a bell is also called a bell, as is an object which is shaped like a bell. Bell may be used as a verb to mean attaching a bell to an animal or object, related words are bells, belled, belling. A belle is an extremely attractive young lady or woman, …
While is a period of time. While may be used as a conjunction to mean during a certain period of time or on the other hand. While may also be used as a verb to mean to pass time in a pleasant way, related words are whiles, whiled, whiling. While comes from the Old English word hwile, which means a space of time. Wile means cunning, a tricky or seductive ploy. Wile is usually rendered in the plural, wiles. Wile …
Hair refers to the threadlike strands that grows out of the skin of humans, mammals and other animals as well as plants. Hair may refer to one strand or hair may be used as a collective noun to refer to all of the growth covering a head or other body part. Hair may be used as a noun or an adjective, it comes from the Old English word hær. A hare is a small mammal related to the rabbit. Hares …
Air is 1.) the invisible substance that surrounds Earth, consisting of oxygen, nitrogen and other invisible gases 2.) the space above Earth, 3.) to give expression to 4.) a distinctive quality 5.) a simple tune 6.) to ventilate something. Air is one of the top one thousand frequently used words in the English language according to the Oxford English Dictionary. An heir is someone legally entitled to property or a title upon a certain person’s demise. Heir may also be …
A kernel is the edible portion of a seed, nut or fruit that is inside a stone or shell. Kernel may also mean the essential part of something. Kernel comes from the Old English word cyrnel which means seed, pip. A colonel is a high-ranking officer in an army or air force. A colonel ranks higher than a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general. Colonel comes into the English language in the sixteenth century from the Middle French coronel, …
Are you confused between the words “grate” and “great”? Don’t worry, it’s not just you. These two words sound exactly the same, and one of them has three different definitions. So, I’ll explain what “great” and “grate” mean in all their contexts and show you how to use them correctly. Grate or Great: What’s the Difference? “Grate” and “great” are clearly homophones because they sound the same when spoken. The differences are in the spelling and context. The word “grate” …
For is a preposition that means 1.) in favor of 2.) directed to 3.) over a certain amount of time 4.) in exchange 5.) appropriate to 6.) suiting the needs of . For may also be used as a conjunction. According to Oxford English Dictionary, for is one of the top one thousand most used words in the English language and probably derives from the German word für. Four is the number after three and before five, it also is …
Dew is the condensation that collects on surfaces from the water vapor in the air. Dew is often associated with the morning, and the word dew is often used figuratively to mean freshness, youth, innocence. Dew is primarily used as a noun but may also be used as a verb, related words are dews, dewed, dewing. Dewy is the adjective form. Do means to perform a task or action, to solve or work out a problem, to be adequate, to …
A cache is hidden provisions or treasure, or the hiding place for hidden provisions or treasure. The cache of a computer is the memory that can be accessed quickly. Cache may also be used as a verb, related words are caches, cached, caching. Cache is French Canadian trappers’ slang, as a back-formation from the French word cacher which means to hide or conceal. Cash is legal tender, money. Cash is also used as a verb to mean exchange a bank …
Bolder means braver, more fearless. Bolder may also mean more impudent, not shy, distinct. Bolder is the comparative form of the adjective bold, the superlative form is boldest. Bold comes from the Old English words beald and bald, meaning bold, brave, confident, strong. A boulder is an enormous rounded rock. The city of Boulder, Colorado takes its spelling from Boulder Creek, a waterway well known for its gigantic boulders. The word boulder enters the English language in the 1300s from …