A homograph is a
word that has more than one meaning.
Where its pronunciation differs with the second meaning, it is called a
heteronym or a heterophone.
Sometimes they can
appear in one sentence with different meanings and sounds.
One might be a verb, the other a noun.
As with figures of
speech like paraprosdokians[i],
homographs provide further amusing evidence of the subtle richness and
quirkiness of the English language.
As a demonstration,
here are examples in single sentences used in both senses:-
·
The
bandage was wound around the wound;
·
I bow
to the creative genius of bow tie couturiers;
·
the debating
competition judges were content with the content of my speech;
·
the
entrance to the archaeological site of Petra in Jordan cannot fail but to
entrance the visitor;
·
the
motorcyclist moped when he realised that a thief had taken his moped;
·
the
verbose judge spoke in one long sentence after another, announcing that his
verdict was to sentence the criminal to life in prison;
·
the
dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse;
·
we must
polish the Polish furniture;
·
the
soldier decided to desert his platoon in the desert;
·
since
there is no time like the present, he thought it was opportune to deliver the
present;
·
a sea bass
was painted on the head of the rock band’s bass drum;
·
I did
not object to the object;
·
the
insurance for the invalid was declared invalid after passing its expiry date;
·
there
was a row among the oarsmen about how to row;
·
they
were too close to the door to close it;
·
the
buck does strange things when the does are present;
·
a
seamstress and her sewer fell down into a sewer line;
·
the wind
was too strong to wind down the sail;
·
upon
seeing the vandal’s tear on the painting, I shed a tear;
·
I had
to subject the subject to a series of tests;
·
how can
I intimate this family secret to my most intimate friend?
©Michael McSorley 2018
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