# Words one can get confused **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 18, 2022, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772 "2022-09-18T20:10:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 46
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2024, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/904 "2024-04-09T15:39:04Z")
**decedent** : dead person **decadent** : characterized by moral or cultural decline **descendant** : going down ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2024, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/905 "2024-04-09T17:01:38Z")
> [@bibliophage](#): > > **exitus** : (rare) a death, a fatality > > A local news source ran an article about traffic from the “mass exitus” after the eclipse. I _hate_ it when that happens. 😁 A touch of Moon madness and let the slaughter begin! ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2024, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/906 "2024-04-09T18:26:03Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > **descendant** : going down Descendant is also a noun identifying someone/something who/that is descended from an ancestor. Just to add to the confusion, there’s also Descendent: an adjective describing someone/something who/that is descended from an ancestor. Descendants are descendent. 25+ years ago on the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s engineering campus, a sculpture/water fountain was erected. It was supposed to be called “The Descendants’ Fountain”, but they screwed up and spelled it as “The Descendent’s Fountain,” cast in concrete. There was an expensive do-over and much embarrassment on the part of a large group of college-educated people who shoulda known better. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2024, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/907 "2024-04-10T05:25:14Z")
Inspired by a concurrent thread about banning abusively-exaggerated dog breed characteristics: conformation: degree of physical resemblance to an official standard representing “ideal” characteristics, especially for a show animal. “The horse’s conformation flaws included a too-long neck and slightly turned-out knees.” conformity: the practice of conforming to social conventions and norms so as not to seem “different” or “weird”. “In the 1950s the gray flannel business suit became a symbol of social conformity in general.” confirmation: assurance or validation of a particular statement or condition. “The news broadcast provided confirmation of the rumors that had been circulating.” ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2024, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/908 "2024-04-10T15:03:39Z")
like **deformation** and **deformity** ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2024, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/909 "2024-04-10T18:23:39Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > There was an expensive do-over and much embarrassment on the part of a large group of college-educated people who shoulda known better. I’d’ve left it. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/910 "2024-04-21T11:23:52Z")
**obtuse** : unintelligent, indistinct/deficient in understanding or perception **obscure** : indistinctly perceptible, dark. (Classic example I’ve just read on a messageboard for the development I live in - one of the Board members just described some complainant’s message as “unclear, even obtuse”, so that thread may well run and run with offence taken, etc.!) ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/911 "2024-04-21T11:25:55Z")
Thanks – makes that _Shawshank Redemption_ scene a bit less…obscure. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/912 "2024-04-21T17:47:52Z")
**specious** : superficially plausible, but actually wrong. **speciose** : applying to a taxonomic group - having many species. For example, the family _Orchidaceae_ (orchids) is speciose, largely because each species of orchid has a small range. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/913 "2024-04-21T22:26:42Z")
**spacious** : having the characteristic of ample room for the intended use. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/914 "2024-04-21T22:32:56Z")
**rout** : a group of people; the retreat of an enemy force, to force into disorderly retreat **route** : a road or way; to direct along a particular course ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2024, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/915 "2024-04-28T14:10:12Z")
**caliper(s)**: a device used to measure dimensions **caliber** : the diameter of a round or cylindrical body ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2024, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/916 "2024-04-28T14:21:54Z")
**illicit** : Unlawful, illegal, unpermitted **elicit** : Evoke, prompt for, invite ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2024, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/917 "2024-04-29T08:36:41Z")
**yuca** : alternate name for _cassava_ **yucca** : a genus of New World plants in the Asparagaceae family. Note the fact that these show up in today’s NYT Spelling Bee is a coincidence. I had them in mind to submit it before seeing the puzzle. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2024, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/918 "2024-04-29T15:51:11Z")
**virtual** : in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality; having efficacy due to some inherent natural qualities **virtuous** : full of virtue; having excellent moral character ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2024, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/919 "2024-05-08T14:50:20Z")
**convenance** : conventional propriety **convenience** : the quality of being convenient: suitability, amenity ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2024, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/920 "2024-05-08T14:52:54Z")
**beneficent** : given to acts that are kind, charitable, philanthropic, or beneficial **beneficial** : helpful, good **benevolent** : well wishing, having a disposition to do good ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2024, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/921 "2024-05-09T01:38:44Z")
**benefice** : a permanent Church appointment, typically that of a rector or vicar, for which property and income are provided in respect of pastoral duties. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2024, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/922 "2024-05-09T20:18:07Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > **convenance** : conventional propriety > **convenience** : the quality of being convenient: suitability, amenity conveyance: an act or process of transportation or transfer; to convey something from one place or situation to another. Also, a physical vehicle for conveying or transporting goods or people. The source of the classic malapropism “A gentleman always gets up and gives his seat to a lady in a public convenience.” 🤣 ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2024, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/923 "2024-05-13T20:06:39Z")
**viscous** : thick/sticky, neither quite liquid or solid **vicious** : cruel, aggressive/violent, fierce [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772.md?page=45) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772.md?page=47)