HomoNYMS at Hepburn's HOMOPHONYMIUM

HomoNYMS
Words ... | Spelled SAME | Sound SAME | Meaning DIFFERENT |

All the words in this list are Public Domain. The design of this presentation is copyright Š2006 by Wayne Hepburn. Use and distribution of this file is permitted for nonprofit purposes only. Brief definitions are given solely to aid in understanding the pronunciation of familiar words which may have more than one meaning and/or pronunciation.

Using this word list:

Homonyms come primarily in sets of two, sometimes more than two words, which sound alike and are spelled the same but have significantly different meanings. Brief definitions are shown to enable distinguishing the meanings but in not purported to be adequate to properly define the words.

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a or A	the indefinite article in English
a or A	name of the alphabet letter

aba	fabric made from hair of camel or goat
aba	a loose sleeveless robe worn by Arabs

abalienate [d]	estrange
abalienate [d]	legal term in title transfers
abalienate	medical terms for mentaal aberration

abalienation	estrangement
abalienation	transferring a title
abalienation	mental derangement

abba	familar of father applied to God
abba	bishops' title in some denominations

abduction [s]	being kidnapped
abduction [s]	in physiology - change in body part position
abduction [s]	a type of argument in logic

aberration [s]	deviation from what is considered the norm
aberration [s]	in astronomy - apparent displacement of star
aberration [s]	mental dreangement

abhor [red][s]	oppose
abhor [red] [s]	hate or loathe

abhorrence	opposition
abhorrence	hatred

abhorrent	repugnant
abhorrent	hated

abhorring	repugnance
abhorring	loathing

abide [s]	inhabit or stay in a place
abide [s]	endure or bear up under

about	close by
about	approximately
about	nautical term - to come about, tack

absence [s]	being away
absence [s]	lacking something - absence of

absent	missing or gone
absent	want of something

absentee	one who is missing or away
absentee	remote owner or landlord

absorb [ed][er][ing] [s]	soak up as a sponge
absorb [ed][er][ing] [s]	completely engage in

abstract	summary of information / summarize
abstract	not concrete or material - 'in the abstract'

abyss	deep water or pit
abyss	in heraldry - center of escutcheon

academic	pertaining to schools or education
academic	speculative; not applicable, moot

acanthus	in botany - a certain type plant
acanthus	in architecture - a style of column ornamentation

accent [s]	emphasis
accent [s]	particular speech sounds

accentuate	emphasize - 'accentuate the psitive'
accentuate	mark with accents in printing

accessory	jewelry, hat, purse, gloves, etc.
accessory	partner in a criminal act

accessories	items added to enhance appearnce or performance
accessories	partners in crime

accident	unintended event
accident	in grammer - nonessential attribute of a word
accident	in heraldry - a nonessential mark in arms

accidental	happening by chance
accidental	nonessential accoutrements
accidental	complimentary after colors from staring

accipiter	raptor type of bird
accipiter	nose bandage

accolade [s]	ceremony of knighthood
accolade [s]	applause and praise

accordion	n. musical instrument
accordion	adj. pleated

ace [s]	n. in playing cards: rank above king or below 2 per game rules
ace [s]	adj. / n. top performer - "Flying Ace"
ace [s]	v. succeed or beat out - "ace the exam"

aces	npl. playing cards - one in each suit
aces	n.pl. top performers - "Flying Ace"
aces	v. succeeds or wins easily - "aces the exam"

aim [ed][s][ing]	v. target
aim [ed][s][ing]	n. intent, goal

ash	n. type of tree
ash	n. wood from ash tree
ash	n. fine particulate residue from burning

ass [es]	n. donkey like animal
ass [es]	n. fool, dolt
ass [es]	n. buttocks [slang]

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babe [s]	n. infant
babe [s]	n. slang: woman, especially highly attractive
babe [s]	n. colloq. inexperienced, unwitting - "babe in the woods"
Babe	n. term of endearment - "I've got you Babe"

baby	n. infant
Baby	n. term of endearment - "I've got you Babe"

ball [s]	n. social event; cotillion; dance
ball [s]	n. toy or sports device to be thrown
ball [s]	n. spherical object
ball [s][ed][ing]	v. have a good time "let's ball"
ball [s][ed][ing]	v. slang for coital intercourse
balls	n. slang for human testicles; also courage or hutzpah
balling	v. specific activity in game of Jacks - "balling the jack"

band [s]	n. group of musicians or desperadoes or thieves
band [s][ed][ing]	n. surrounding strap device - steel band, rubber band, etc
band [s][ed][ing]	v. band together

bang [s]	v. hit or bump; bang into an object
bang [s]	n. hair style

bank [s]	n. money repository; lending institution
bank [s]	n. natural earthworks confining body of water; river bank, etc.
bank [s][ed][er][ing]	v. ricochet or carom; bank shot in billiards
bank [s][ed][er][ing]	v. elevate at an angle as in bank a roadway curve
bank [s][ed][er][ing]	v. rely or depend upon; "bank on this"
bank [s][ed][er][ing]	v. set a fire on hold for the night
banker [s]	n. person engaged in financial banking system

bark [s]	n. outer covering of a tree
bark [s][er][ing]	n./v. sound made by dogs, seals & some other animals
bark [s][er][ing]	n./v. churlish loud manner of speech - "barks orders"
barker	n. pitchman at a circus or fair

base [s]	n. foundation
base [s]	n. alkaline substance as opposed to acid
base [s]	a. common or vulgar
base [s]	n. location [baseball, military, etc]

based	a. founded on
based	a. headquartered or residing at

basing	p. predicating or founding on
basing	p. situating at

bat [s]	n. flying rodent
bat [s]	n. sports games implement
bat [s]	v. hit, typically a ball using a bat / swat at e.g. flies, bugs, etc. / knock down

batter [s][er]	n. user of bat
batter	n. cooking mixture [pancakes, cakes, etc]
batter [s][er]	v. assault; beat up

batteries	n.pl. portable electric sources
batteries	n.pl. military gun emplacements
batteries	n.pl. crimes; assaults

batting	p. hitting or swatting
batting	n. fluffy cotton filler

bear [s]	n: ursine mammal
bear [s]	v. support, carry

bit [s]	n. device used to control bridled horse
bit [s]	n. boring tool used in drill
bit [s]	n. computer jargon, 1/8 of a byte
bit [s]	n. small amount, e.g. 'little bit'
bit	v.pt. of bite

blade [s]	n. cutting part of knife, sword, tool, etc
blade [s]	n. certain shape object "blade of grass"
blade [s]	n. slang - dashing man "gay blade" [not homosexual]

blaze [s]	n. fire
blaze [s][d]	n. mark of certain type on horse's forehead
blaze [s][d]	n. trail mark on tree's bark
blaze [s][d]	v. cut through - "blaze a trail"
blazed	v.pt.. burned

blazer	adj. / n. serious conflagration
blazer	n. a trail maker

blazing	v.p. burning; on fire
blazing	v.p. marking a trail

blind	adj. unseeing; lacking vision
blind [s]	v. cause blindness whether temporary of permanent
blind [s]	n. window covering
blind [s]	n. hiding place [esp. for hunting]

blow [s]	v. push air
blow [s]	n. a hit 'strike a blow'

bluff [s]	n. high river bank; cliff like
bluff [s]	n. a deception, ususally in competition
bluff [s]	v. deceive as to intentions or position

blush [es][ing]	v. face becomes suffused with color; embarrasment
blush	n. cosmetic for coloring skin
blush [es][ing]	n. condition in which a coating dries improperly; model paint

bolt [s]	n. threaded cylindrical fastener mates with nut
bolt [s]	n. security device
bolt [s]	n. part of action in rifle, esp. single shot or bolt action weapon
bolt [s]	n. cloth roll as furnished from mill
bolt [s]	n. electrical discharge - bolt of lightning
bolt [s][ed][ing]	v. make secure
bolt [s][ed][ing]	v. flee; suddenly run away

bond [s]	n. a security or promise to pay
bond [s]	n. joining formed by adhesive
bond [s]	n. close relationship - "marital bond"
bond [s]	v. guarantee

bonded	adj. describes condition of joined elements - "bonded together"
bonded	v.pt. placed under bond

bonding	v.p. causing to join fast
bonding	v.p. placing under bond

bone [s]	n. part of skeletal structure - "neck bone connected to duh .."
bone [s]	v. remove bones from meat or fish prior to eating

boned	adj. having bones
boned	adj. / v.pt. removed bones from ...

boner [s]	n. mistake - "pulled a boner"
boner [s]	n. one who debones meat
boner [s]	adj. slang for penile rection

bong [s][ed][ing]	n. sound made by a large bell or gong; bonnng, bonnng
bong [s][ed][ing]	v. hit or strike. pt of bang
bong [s]	n. 20th cent slang for marijuana use

bonnet [s]	n. type of ladies' hat
bonnet [s]	n. cover
bonnet [s]	n. automobile hood in Brit English

boob [s]	adj. imecile or gullible person
boob [s]	n. human mammary; teat

book [s]	n. paper leaves bound together and covered
book [s][ed][er][ing]	v. engage or schedule -"book a flight", "book an act"
book [s][ed][er][ing]	v. place or accept wager on outcome of competition

boom [s]	n. lower spar on a sail
boom [s][ed][ing]	n. loud noise e.g. sonic boom; v. make a loud noise
boom [s][ed][ing]	v. expand prodigiously [boom town. business boom]

boomer [s]	n. class of people born during "baby boom"
boomer [s]	n. something which booms

bound	adj. tied up
bound	adj. required to or destined to

bowl [s]	n. circular dish
bowl [s][er][ing]	v. roll ball toward pins
bowler	n. type of hat
bowling	adj. modifier by usage - bowling shirt, bowling league

box	n. container or carton
box [ed][er][ing]	v. engage in fisticuffs
box [ed][er][ing]	v. place inside a box
boxer	n. breed of dog
boxer	n. / adj. style of men's undergarment - 'boxer shorts'

brace [s][d]	n./v./adj. support or reinforce
brace [s][d]	v. confrront
brace [s]	n. tool used for drilling by hand - holds the bit as in "brace & bit"
brace [s]	n. the symbols '{' and' }' used in writing and printing
brace [s]	n. a pair - as in "a brace of grouse" killed by hunting
braces	n. suspenders for holding up trousers
braces	n. orthodontic contraption for rearranging teeth

break [s]	n. fracture
break [s]	n. stroke of luck - "big break"
break [s]	v. fracture, interrupt

breaker [s]	n. fracturer
breaker [s]	n. ocean wave

broad	adj. wide
broad	n.sl. a woman or a "dame"

broke	v.pt. past tense of 'break' - "broke his arm"
broke	adj. devoid of financial resources; bankrupt; out of funds

bromide [s]	n. chemical compound salt of the element Bromine
bromide [s]	n. trite saying, often lacking credulity - "that old bromide?"

brush [es]	n. tool for painting
brush [es][ing]	v. apply with brush or wipe away
brush [es][ing]	v./n. encounter

buck [s]	n. slang for U.S. dollar
buck [s]	n. male deer
buck [s]	v. push against or defy "buck the system"

bug [s]	n. an insect
bug [s]	n.sl. an electronic eavesdropping device
bug [s]	v. install and/or use eavesdropping device
bug [s]	n.sl. a flaw or glitch, esp. in computer applications, but anywhere
bug [s]	v. annoy, pester - "stop bugging me"

bugged	v.pt. installed and/or used eavesdropping device
bugged	adj. has "bugs" installed
bugged	adj. faulty program - is "bugged"
bugged	v.pt. annoyed, pestered

bugger [s]	n. installer or user of listening bug
bugger [s]	n. annoying or dastardly person
bugger [s]	v, slang, British

buggy	adj. infested with bugs
buggy	n. carriage

bulb [s]	n. in horticulture - type of plant seed
bulb [s]	n. electric light bulb
bulb [s]	n. ovaloid object at bottom of mercury thermometer
bulb [s]	n. ovaloid squeezable object for expelling air or pumping

bunco or bunko	n/v. swindle, scam
bunco or bunko	n. parlor game played with dice; also as bonko

butter [s]	n. dairy product; v. apply butter to something
butter [s]	n. something which butts - a goat for instance

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cable [s]	n. stranded wire such as suspension bridge or electrical cable
cable [s]	n. somewhat obsolete term for message sent by undersea wire
cable [s]	v. to bind with cable
cable	adj. knitting style

cabled	adj. connected by cables
cabled	v.pt. sent a message

cabling	n. describes materiel
cabling	v. sending message(s)
cabling	v. hooking up

caboose [s]	n. last car on train
caboose [s]	n. slang. human derriere

callous [ed]	n. hardened skin
callous [ed]	adj. uncaring, indifferent, hard hearted

can	adj. able - "can do"
can [s]	n. container
can [s]	n. slang for toilet
can [s]	n. slang for buttocks
can [s][ned][ning]	v. place in can such as 'canning vegetables'
can [s][ned][ning]	v. terminate from employment; fire

cane [s]	n. certain plant stems e.g. bamboo, sugar cane
cane [s]	n. walking aid for blind or feeble
cane [s][d][r]	v. beat with a cane
cane [s][d][r]	v. makes or repairs using cane, such as chairs
caning	n. type of seating surface
caning	v. making or repairing with cane
caning	v. beating with a cane or stick

cant	n. slope
cant	v. whining chatter, complaining
canted	adj. slanted, tilted
canted	v.pt. complained

cape [s]	n. garment of cloak variety; Superman's cape
cape [s]	n. point of land - [Cape Hatteras]

card [s]	n. small stiff paper piece - "buisness card","greeting card" etc
card [s]	n. jokester - "he's a real card" sometimes sarcastically used
card [s]	n. rectangular plastic sheet - credit card, I.D. card, etc.
card [s][ed][ing]	n. device or machine for processing fibers \| v. using same
card [s][ed][ing]	v. to inspect ID cards for eligibility - membership or age

carriage	n. vehicle, esp horse-drawn
carriage	n. posture - style of walking & standing

case [s]	n. box, container, luggage, etc
case [s]	n. body of facts or evidence
case [s]	n. situation - "in case of fire break glass"
case [d][s]	v. enclose or insert in a case
case [d][s]	v. reconnoiter, as in "case the joint"

casing	n. cabinetry, woodwork, sausage tubing, etc.
casing	v.p. reconnoitering

catch [es]	n. hidden provision - "what's the catch"
catch [es]	n. results of effort - string of fish, rich husband, etc.
catch [es]	n. desirable objective - "he's a catch"
catch [es]	v. grasp an object in flight - thrown ball; trap a mouse

catholic	adj. universal
Catholic	n. adherent of Roman Catholicism

cave [s]	n. hole in the Earth - cavern
cave [s]	v. yield, surrender, collapse - a cave in"

caving	v.p. spelunking, exploring caverns
caving	v.p. giving in

cherry	n. fruit of the cherry tree; flavor
cherry	n. wood from the cherry tree
cherry	n. color
cherry	n./adj. slang for perfect condition; original; mint

china	n. dinnerware
China	n.pr. nation of

chip [s]	n. token as used in casinos
chip [s]	n. food snack; potato or corn chip
chip [s]	n. defect; chip on edge of plate, etc. \| adj. chipped
chip [s][ped][per]	v. cause a defect
chip [s]	v. donate, contribute - "chip in"
chipper	n. chip maker; person or machine
chipper	adj. displaying enthusiams, happiness

cinch [es]	adj. easily accomplished
cinch [es]	n. latch; part of saddle
cinch [es]	v. connect & tighten, latch

circle [s]	n. geometric shape
circle [s][d]	v. go around - "circle the globe"
circle [s][d]	v. surround; form a circle - "circle the wagons"

circling	v.p going around
circling	v.p. encircling; surrounding

clap [s][ped][ping]	v. applaud
clap [s][ped][ping]	v. strike, as a bell
clap	n. slang for veneral disease gonorhea

clapper [s]	n. one who applauds
clapper [s]	n. striking part of bell

clip	v. cut off
clip	adj. describes speed as in "moving at a good clip"

cloak [s]	n. garmet, sleeveless coat or cape
cloak [s]	v. conceal, hide, obscure

cloaked	adj. adorned by a cloak
cloaked	v.pt. hid, obscured

clog [s]	n. stoppage
clog [s]	n. type of shoe
clog [s]	v. stop up or interefere with flow

clogging	v.p. obstructing [traffic, flow, drains, etc]
clogging	v.p. form of dancing

cock [s][ed][ing]	v. prepare gun for firing
cock [s][ed][ing]	v. tilt to side [cock a hat]
cock [s][ed][ing]	v. tilt at an angle; adjust - "cock a hat to the side"
cock [s]	n. male of various bird species
cock [s]	n. slang for penis
cock [s]	adj. perjorative - "cock o'the walk"

coin [s]	n. money
coin [s][ed][er][ing]	v. mint money
coin [s][ed][er][ing]	v. invent - specifically "coin" a new word

cold	n. rhinovirus - "common cold"
cold	adj. ambient temperature

collar [s]	n. part of shirt or blouse at neck
collar [s]	n. retaining ring
collar [s][ed]	v. catch, apprehend
collared	adj. having a collar

common	adj. ordinary, plentiful
common	n. public space
common	adj. "in common" or jointly owned

conning	adj. submarine conning tower for reconnaisance
conning	cheating, deceiving

contract [s][ed][ing]	v. enter agreement
contract [s][ed][ing]	v. pull as in muscle action
contract [s][ed][ing]	v. get or catch as in a disease
contract [s][ed][ing]	v. shrink, withdraw, opposite of expand

contractor [s]	n. builder
contractor [s]	n. supplier or party to agreement
contractor [s]	n. providing contraction as in muscle

cop [s]	n. slang for policeman [abbrev. Constable On Patrol]
cop [s]	v. accept, admit to - "cop a plea"

copper	n. atomic elemental metal [Cu]
copper	n. slang for penny
copper	n. slang for policeman

cord [s]	n. small diameter rope [homonym w chord]
cord [s]	n. electrical wires [ extension cord, telephone cord, etc]
cord [s]	n. measure or quantity of cut logs - firewood

corn	n. edible starchy vegetable or crop thereof
corn	n. calloused or hardened skin, usually on foot
corn	adj. perjorative descriptive for certain types of humor, comedy

corner [s]	n. junction or intersection
corner [s]	v. trap in a corner

crab [s]	n. aquatic crustachean
crab [s]	n. grouchy person, complainer
crab [s]	v. engage in catching edible crabs

crabbing	v.p. complaining
crabbing	v.p. engaging in catching edible crabs

craft [s]	n. boat
craft [s]	n. method or skill
craft [s]	n. guile
craft [s]	v. skilfully make

crafty	adj. good at making, crafting
crafty	adj. deceitful, shifty

crane [s]	n. type of wading bird
crane [s]	n. hoisting machine
crane [s]	v. twist or stretch neck to see better

crater [s]	n. one who places things in a crate
crater [s]	n. impact depression on surface - "moon crater"

cream [s]	n. dairy product
cream [s]	v. substantially defeat in competition

critical [ly]	adj./adv. judgmental or discerning
critical [ly]	adj./adv. important, crucial or seminal moment or event
critical	adj. term in chemistry & physics - e.g. "critical mass"

crock	n. eartenware container as used in pickling
crock	adj. expresses disbelief; "that's a crock"

crook [s]	n. thief
crook [s]	n. shepherd's staff
crook [s]	n. bend in a river

crooked	adj. dishonest
crooked	adj. bent or meandering as a line, stream, path or road

cross [es]	n. religious symbol; geometric shape
cross	adj. ill humored - prone to anger
cross [es][ed]ing]	v. traverse; oppose
crossed	v.pt. removed; crossed off
crossing	n. place where one may cross [e.g. railroad crossing]

crowd [s][ed]	n.col. many people \| adj. crowded
crowd [s][ed]	v. push against "stop crowding me"

culture [s]	n. bacterial specimen
culture [s][d]	v. grow, husband
culture [s]	n. collective societal norms & mores
cutlure [s]	n. popular taste in music, art, etc
cultured	adj. recognized as having refined taste & appreciation
cultured	adj. produced by control - "cultured pearls" a opposed to naturally

cure [s]	n. a palliative - healing agent
cure [s][d]	v. heal
cure [s][d]	v. preserve by salting or smoking

curing	v.p. healing
curing	v.p. preserving

current	n. flow of water or electricity
current	adj. happening now or recently, contemporary

cycle [s]	n. iteration; one of repeating events
cycle [s]	v. operate a bicycle or unicycle

cycled	v. repeated through iterations
cycled	v.pt. operated cycle

cycling	p. repeating
cycling	p. operating a cycle machine

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darn [s][ed][ing]	expl. expression of disappointment; substitute for 'damn'
darn [s][ed][ing]	v. repair article of clothing

deal [s]	n/v. bargain; transaction
deal [s][er][ing]	v. sell, resell, as 'deal in dry goods' etc \| n. er, ing
deal [s][er][ing]	v. distribute playing cards to players \| n. er, ing

dear [er][est][ly]	n. object of affection; dear to one
dear [er][est][ly]	adj. expensive, pricey

deck [s]	n. platform; ship's topside surface
deck [s]	n. pack of playing cards
deck [s]	n. electronic device as in "tape deck" for recording
deck [s][ed][ing]	v. knock down
deck [s][ed][ing]	v. apply decking to

diner [s]	n. eatery
diner [s]	n. eater; one who dines

dive [s]	n.a plunge from a height; swimmers, airplanes, birds, etc
dive [s]	n.sl. low class nightclub
dive [s]	v. plunge from a height; swimmers, airplanes, birds, etc

divers	adj. many diverse kinds
divers	n.pl. ones who dive into water or activities

dodge [s]	n. a scheme to defraud
dodge [s]	v. avoid

dodger [s]	n. fraud practitioner
dodger [s]	n. avoider
Dodgers	n.pr. professional baseball team

dog [s]	n. type of canine animal
dog [s][ged][ging]	n./v. latch or stop
dog [s][ged][ging]	v. persistently pursue, follow, stalk

doll [s]	n. miniature replica of living animal or person
doll [s]	n.slang. a woman or kind helpful person - "she's a doll"

dolly	n. variant for 'doll'
Dolly	n.prop. diminuitive for name Doloroes

dope [s]	n. gullible or dumb person
dope [s]	n. type of coating such as model airplane paint
dope [s]	n. slang for certain drugs, notably marijuana, heroin, etc.
dope [s]	v. alter a substance chemically; inject a foreign substance
dope [s][d]	v. inject with drugs; dope a racehorse, etc.
dope [s][d]	v. apply coating of 'dope'

dopey	adj. not mentally bright; dumb; foolish - dopey thing to do
dopey	adj. under the influence of dope

draw [s][n]	n. advance against commission to be earned
draw [s]	v. to receive advances agaisnt commissions to be eraned
draw [s]	v. to illustrate - usually with pencil or ink on paper
draw [s][n]	v. pull or extract - "draw a wagon", 'draw water from a well"
drawn	adj. illustrated
drawn	adj. separated as in "drawn butter"
drawn	adj. looking peaked, worn, tired

drawer [s]	n. movable compartment in furniture
drawer [s]	n. person who draws or illustrates
drawer [s]	n. puller
drawers	n.pl. undergarments

drawing	v.p. receiving advances agaisnt commissions to be eraned
drawing [s]	n. an illustration
drawing [s]	v.p. pulling or extracting - "drawing a wagon", 'drawing water"

drink [s]	n. beverage, usually refers to alchollic type
drink [s]	v. ingest liquid

drip [s]	n. continous falling of liquid from a leak
drip [s]	v. leak droplets
drip [s]	n. socially inept; jerk

drive [s]	n. a roadway, street, boulevard
drive [s]	n. in golf, flight of ball from tee position; baseball - a line drive
drive [s]	n. excursion by automobile - "go for a drive"
drive [s][er][ing]	v. operate a moving vehicle
drive [s][er][ing]	v. send object to destination, target
drive [s][er][ing]	v. insert with force - a piling, a screw

drunk	adj. inebriated
drunk	v.pt. ingested liquid

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egg [s]	n. ovum, reproductive cell
egg [s]	n. good person [slang]
egg [s][ed][er][ing]	v. vandalize by throwing eggs
egg [s][ed][er][ing]	v. encourage, urge - "egg on"

ether [s]	n. flammable hydrocarbon used as an anesthetic
ether [s]	n. mythical cosmic gas

engage [s][d]	v. bethrothe
engage [s][d]	v. hire, appoint
engage [s][d]	v. clutch or involve in

engagement [s]	n. betrothal
engagement [s]	n. appointment, gig

engaging	v.p. betrothing, hiring, appointing, involving
engaging	adj. captiavtion as in personality

eye [s]

n. vision organ