One of two or more words pronounced and/or spelled alike but different in meaning.

*Homonym* can be troublesome because it may refer to three distinct classes of words. Homonyms may be words with identical pronunciations but different spellings and meanings, such as *to, too,* and *two*. Or they may be words with both identical pronunciations and identical spellings but different meanings, such as *quail* (the bird) and *quail* (to cringe). Finally, they may be words that are spelled alike but are different in pronunciation and meaning, such as the *bow* of a ship and *bow* that shoots arrows. The first and second types are sometimes called *homophones*, and the second and third types are sometimes called *homographs*—which makes naming the second type a bit confusing. Some language scholars prefer to limit *homonym* to the third type.

(1) Of the same or a similar kind. (2) Of uniform structure or composition throughout.

A slab of rock is homogeneous if it consists of the same material throughout, like granite or marble. A neighborhood might be called homogeneous if all the people in it are similar, having pretty much the same background, education, and outlook. *Homogeneity* is fine in a rock, though some people find it a little boring in a neighborhood (while others find it comforting). Note that many people spell this word *homogenous*, and pronounce it that way too.

Developing from the same or a similar part of a remote ancestor.

In his famous discussion of the panda's thumb, Stephen Jay Gould carefully explains how this thumb is not homologous to the human thumb. Although the two digits are used in much the same way (the panda's thumb is essential for stripping bamboo of its tasty leaves, the staple of the panda's diet), the panda's thumb developed from a bone in its wrist and is an addition to the five “fingers” of its paw. The tiny stirrup and anvil bones of our inner ear, however, do seem to be homologous with the bones that allow a garter snake to swallow a frog whole.

(1) To treat (milk) so that the fat is mixed throughout instead of floating on top. (2) To change (something) so that its parts are the same or similar.

Homogenized milk has been around so long—about a hundred years—that many Americans have never seen milk with the cream on top, and probably think cream separation only happens in expensive yogurt. But *homogenize* was being used before anyone succeeded in getting milk and cream to mix. People who use the word often dislike the idea that everything is becoming the same, whether it's radio shows that are no longer produced locally or schools that rely too much on standardized testing.

To convince (someone) not to do something.

*Dissuade* is the opposite of *persuade*, though it's a less common word. The dissuading may be done by a person or by something else: A bad weather forecast may dissuade a fisherman from going out to sea that day, but a warning on a cigarette pack almost never dissuades a real smoker from having his or her next cigarette.

To cause to be confused or lost.

The Orient is the East (just as the Occident is the West). The verb *orient* comes from the traditional practice of building Christian churches so that the altar is at the building's easterly end—in other words, “orienting” the church. One reason for this practice is that the Book of Matthew says, “As the lightning comes from the East . . . so also will the Son of Man”—that is, just like the sun in the morning, Jesus in his Second Coming will appear in the East. *Orienteering* is participating in a cross-country race in which each person uses a map and compass to navigate the course. *Orient* comes from the word meaning “to rise” (like the sun), and still today it's easy for a hiker to become disoriented when an overcast sky hides the sun.

(1) To cause (someone or something) to seem dishonest or untrue. (2) To damage the reputation of (someone).

Since one meaning of *credit* is “trust,” *discredit* means basically “destroy one's trust.” A scientific study may be discredited if it turns out it was secretly written up by someone paid by a drug company. An autobiography may be discredited if someone discovers that the best parts came out of a novel. A lawyer may try to discredit testimony in a trial by revealing that the witness just got out of the slammer. Many political campaigns rely on discrediting one's opponents; desperate politicians have learned that, if they can claim that someone attacking them has been completely discredited, it might work even if it isn't true.

To force out of a place, especially a place of rest, hiding, or defense.

A *lodge* is usually a kind of roominghouse or hotel, and the verb *lodge* often means staying or sleeping in such a place. Thus, *dislodge* means removing a person or thing from where it's been staying. So, for instance, you might use a toothpick to dislodge a seed from between your teeth, police might use tear gas to dislodge a sniper from his hiding place, and a slate tile dislodged from a roof could be dangerous to someone hanging out on the street below.