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    DELIQUESCE/ACQUIESCE

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    DELIQUESCE/ACQUIESCE 
    (A proofreader's note regarding “deliquesce” and “acquiesce”)

    By “deliquesce” and “acquiesce”
    A suffix twixt is shared,
    The e-s-c-e sameness there
    To introduce what's aired.

    This ending meaning “to become”
    Doth paint ahead a goal;
    In “deliquesce,” it's “liquid,” yes;
    The other, “quiet” soul.

    Thus “acquiesce,” quiescent-sort,
    Of “quiet acceptance” tells,
    A loath compliance without fuss
    Oft featured in its spells.

    “Become dissolved” to fluid state
    Is “deliquesce” at heart;
    To waste away or be destroyed;
    To slowly fall apart.

    “The contents of the saucer blest
    Were left to deliquesce;
    She felt she had to acquiesce
    Despite the chance of mess.”

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    PRACTICAL/PRACTICABLE

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    (A proofreader's note regarding “practical” and “practicable”)

    Since “practical” and “practicable” are practically alike,
    Partaking with “practice” an origin shared,
    At core in their meanings are actions and deeds;
    “Ability” therein they both have ensnared.

    While “practical” will qualify with “actual” or “real,”
    Contrasting “theoretical” as largely its deal,
    It also has “able to be put into use”
    As one of its meanings that others may steal.

    The culprit in chief is our “practicable” word,
    With “feasible” and “usable” to limit its sense.
    As noun or to persons it never will serve,
    Not being, like “practical,” surrounded by friends;

    For “practical” yet may “exam” give a name
    And signify “virtual” or “engaged with the act.”
    Including these meanings and “practicable” too,
    Makes “practical” broader—and safer, in fact.

    “As legal professional of scholarly repute,
    He cut out the word that his client found cute;
    For 'practical,' yes, there were reasons to root;
    The 'practicable' label, though, never would suit.”

    “Advising his clients to 'practicable' eschew,
    The legal environment requiring its due,
    He steered them to 'practical,' pointed and true,
    Avoiding the pitfalls that else would ensue.”

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    CREDIBLE/CREDITABLE

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    (A proofreader's note regarding “credible” and “creditable”)

    “Incredible” and “credible” do naturally relate
    By virtue of the spellings and their parentage as well.
    Approaching them in cousinship is “creditable” bland,
    Pretending to be “credible” and hoping there to sell.

    Aside from stricter meanings in the area of finance,
    It's usually restricted to “praiseworthy” as its kind;
    The rarer play of “creditable” as “worthy of belief”
    Doth give it yet an image like to “credible” in mind.

    This other sense of “creditable” is doubtable for some,
    While “credible” a step beyond “believable” will go.
    With “good enough for effectiveness” as possible intent,
    There's also then “convincing” as a meaning it may show.

    Let “creditable” represent "deserving true of praise"
    Aside from when one's credit in a business sense is meant.
    If “belief” is more the context, think of “credible” to start,
    Avoiding the confusion that these words may tend to send.

    “His prospects were precarious where he lay upon the ledge,
    Matched only by the vista so incredible in view.
    He risked his life for photos that might credible be judged
    Though 'creditable' was the goal in every effort new.”

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    MASSIF/MASSIVE

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    (A proofreader's note regarding “massif”and “massive”)

    The “massive” that's known in the English we speak
    Reveres a precursor in massa for “mass.”
    This Latin ancestor gave birth to “massif,”
    Which led to our “massive” but no more, alas.

    Restricted is “massive” to adjective roles,
    With shades of “impressive” by size or by weight.
    Its meanings as “large” beyond structure will go;
    “Severe” and “extensive” may also relate.

    “Massif,” in full contrast, is always a noun,
    Although the French cousin descriptor may play:
    A block of the crust of our planet the Earth
    Or mountain mass major, whichever you say.

    In our humble language, “massif” stands alone
    Without roles descriptive like “massive” at large.
    Perhaps consolation then “mastiff” provides,
    A giant called “gentle” by trainers who judge.

    "The monstrously massive dog at the front gate
    Did cause the sore hiker to wonder his fate;
    Massif had been conquered, this memorable date,
    But here was this mastiff to gloating deflate.”

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    IMMIGRATE/EMIGRATE

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    (A proofreader's note about “immigrate” and “emigrate”)

    In “immigrate” and “emigrate,”
    Migrate is given theme,
    With people moving place to place,
    Their eyes agleam with dream.

    All immigrants and emigrants
    Are moving in or out;
    They in-migrate and out-migrate;
    Perspective it's about.

    Thus “emigrate from” is the norm
    When saying “emigrate,”
    With “immigrate to” much preferred
    If latter reference made.

    The “e” so sharp in “exit” then
    Is key to keeping straight;
    When “leaving from,” not “coming in,”
    Make “emigrate” your date.

    “They emigrated from their homes,
    Bright emigrants with hope;
    On shore they stood as 'immigrants,'
    As seen from native scope.”

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    ingenious/ingenuous

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    ​(A proofreader's note about “ingenious” and “ingenuous”)

    “Ingenious,” “ingenuous” would seem to be twins,
    Alike in each feature except at the hinge;
    It’s only at “i” and conversely at “u”
    They manage disjoining and fail to impinge.

    They both have origins relating to birth,
    But meanings divergent make different their ways.
    “Ingenious” at times will “inventiveness” claim;
    “Ingenuous,” alas, may “naivety” grace.

    Remembering the difference is simple by sound;
    “Ingenious” when spoken will “genius” emit.
    “Ingenuous” instead may of “genuine” remind,
    A dose of the “candid” and “guileless” to wit.

    “Our Jeanie and Jenny were partners alone,
    With 'Jeanie Ingenious' as jack-of-all-trades;
    And if a new prospect was spiky on phone,
    Then 'Jenny Ingenuous' was calming in spades.”