words with identical spellings but different meanings

I know that there is a name for the category of words with identical spellings but different meanings (like bat). Can anyone tell me what that name is?

[Red5]

I think they are homonyms.

See: http://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/homonym.html

Welcome to the forum!

[RonBee]

Originally Posted by sjakoby

I know that there is a name for the category of words with identical spellings but different meanings (like bat). Can anyone tell me what that name is?

Red is right, but I think the word you are looking for is homographs. Examples:

• wound, wind, saw, bear

:)

There are also heteronyms.

produce - verb - proDUCE - pr'DUCE

produce - noun - PRODUCE

I think a "heteronym" is a specific type of "homograph" which involves a change in which part of the word is given stress. Heteronyms are often given suprafixes. This usually determines whether a word is a noun or a verb.

suprafixation

http://www.sil.org/linguistics/Gloss...sASuprafix.htm

This would also have to do with adjectives and verbs, as in the following example.

perfect - adjective - PERf'ct -

perfect - verb - PERFECT

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=perfect

[RonBee]

Produce also belongs on the list. So does fine.

:)

Originally Posted by RonBee

Produce also belongs on the list. So does fine.

:)

Yes, it does. I've revised my previous reply.


:)