Definition:
Two or more words (such as knew and new) that are pronounced the same but differ in meaning, origin, and sometimes spelling.
Etymology:
From the Latin, "same sound"Examples:
- The noun meat (the edible flesh of animals) and the verb meet (to come together or be introduced to). The noun is derived from the Old English word for food; the verb from the Old English word metan, with essentially the same meaning that it has today.
- The noun peace (freedom from strife) and the noun piece (a part of a larger thing). Peace comes from the Latin word (pax) for peace. Piece comes from the Vulgar Latin word (pettia) for piece.
