Page 21 - NTC's Dictionary of Easily Confused Words_0844257877.djvu
P. 21
beat-beet
of base [on] 'to establish a foundation for an idea.' □ She
almost always bases her opinions on hearsay.
• basis ['bes1s] a concept on which a reasoned conclusion is
based. (The plural is pronounced ['besiz].) D Three people will
be indicted for the crime on the basis of the woman's testimony.
basis See the main entry beginning with bases.
bass See the main entry beginning with base.
bate See the main entry beginning with bait.
bawled See the main entry beginning with bald.
bazaar-bizarre
• bazaar [b:)'zoa,.] a marketplace or fair for the sale of goods.
□ Multitudes of sights, sounds, and smells filled the bazaar in
the village square.
• bizarre [b1'zoa,.] odd; eccentric; out of the ordinary. D The
detective had a bizarre habit of inviting suspects to dinner.
be-bee
• be [bi] to exist; to live; to occupy space or time. D We'll be
grateful when winter ends and spring arrives.
• bee [bi] an insect that feeds on pollen and produces honey. D
A hive can have only one queen bee at a time.
• bee [bi] a gathering for a specific purpose. (Typically a
spelling bee, quilting bee, or a[corn] husking bee.) □ The entire
town turned out to watch the day-long spelling bee.
beach-beech
• beach [bitJ] a stretch of sandy or rocky area along a water's
edge. D Such interesting creatures as hermit crabs, brittle
stars, and jellyfish can be found on the beach after the tide
recedes.
• beach [bitJ] to run a boat or ship onto the shore. D The
sailors tried to beach their small vessel during the violent storm.
• beech [bitJ] a type of hardwood tree characterized by smooth
gray bark. D The beech in our backyard produces an ample
supply of nuts for the deer in winter.
bear See the main entry beginning with bare.
beat-beet
• beat [bit] to hit someone or something. □ I beat the rug in an
effort to remove as much dust and dirt from it as possible.
• beat [bit] to overcome someone or something; to defeat some-
one or something. D Our hometown football team is not likely
11