Misleading Meanings of English Words
(words that don't mean what they look like or what many people assume that they should mean)
restive (RES tiv) (adjective), more restive, most restive
1. Relating to resisting control; difficult to control.
2. Characteristic of refusing to move, with reference to a horse or other animal.
2. Characteristic of refusing to move, with reference to a horse or other animal.
risible (RIZ uh buhl) (adjective), more risible, most risible
A reference to being capable of laughing or inclined to laugh.
1. A secret, quiet, and clever way of moving or behaving: The fox uses stealth and cunning to hunt its prey.
2. Chiefly in the U.S.; done or happening in a secret or quiet way that does not attract attention: Henry claims that his political enemies have been conducting a stealth campaign to block his nomination.
3. Used to describe military aircraft that are designed so that they cannot be easily seen by radar; such as, a stealth bomber or a stealth fighter.
4. Although the archaic meaning was "the act of stealing", it no longer has this connotation and so it is a misleading concept if anyone tries to use it with reference of "to steal" or "something that has been stolen".
2. Chiefly in the U.S.; done or happening in a secret or quiet way that does not attract attention: Henry claims that his political enemies have been conducting a stealth campaign to block his nomination.
3. Used to describe military aircraft that are designed so that they cannot be easily seen by radar; such as, a stealth bomber or a stealth fighter.
4. Although the archaic meaning was "the act of stealing", it no longer has this connotation and so it is a misleading concept if anyone tries to use it with reference of "to steal" or "something that has been stolen".
toothsome (TOOTH suhm) (adjective), more toothsome, most toothsome
A reference to having a pleasing smell, taste, or appearance.
1. A person who is filled with enthusiasm, as for a pursuit or hobby; an enthusiast.
2. A devout adherent of a cult or religion; a committed worshiper.
3. A person who is fervently devoted, as to a leader or an ideal; a faithful follower.
2. A devout adherent of a cult or religion; a committed worshiper.
3. A person who is fervently devoted, as to a leader or an ideal; a faithful follower.
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Showing page 2 out of 2 pages of 20 main-word entries or main-word-entry groups.