Sound and Sense, 50

We’re moving next to the homophone: a word pronounced the same as another but differing in meaning, whether spelled the same way or not, as heir and air. So … contronyms are words that have contradictory meanings (sanctiion = approve and disapprove; homophones sound alike but to not mean the same—and often are not spelled the same, either.

1. clause (noun): (a) a separate part of a legal document (b) a group of words containing a subject and a verb

2. claws (noun—pl): sharp, curved parts on the toe of an animal (such as a cat or bird)

“Now write me a dependent clause,”

The hoary English teacher said.

The cheetah thought about his paws

And what they’d do to Teacher’s head.

But he (the cheetah) knew, of course,

The clause about deportment, so

He kept his claws withdrawn—the source

Of innocence. He was a pro

Of patience. But he knew the day

Commencement came—the last hurrah

For Teacher. He had found a way

To eat that hoary teacher—raw.

The teacher was about to praise

The cheetah’s old dependent clause,

When cheetah struck! His eyes ablaze!

Roared: “I'm dependent on my claws!”