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    COLLABORATE/CORROBORATE

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    (A proofreader's note regarding “collaborate” and “corroborate”)

    “Collaborate,” “corroborate” begin alike with “co,”
    Suggesting that “together” is the only way to go.
    “Corroborate” will strengthen, while “collaborate” will work,
    “Supporting” then and “laboring,” respectively, the quirk.

    “Make stronger now together” is “corroborate” at core,
    The added information aiding confirmation more.
    But “working close together” with a goal ahead to make –
    The essence of “collaborate” when meaning is at stake.

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    CUE/QUEUE

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    (A proofreader's note regarding “cue” and “queue”)

    Pronouncing “q” we end with “cue,”
    Which means a prompt to do;
    But giving “q” a longer tail 
    Creates for us a “queue.”

    Thus “queue” suggests a waiting-in-line,
    Its word of origin “tail.”
    Both “cue” and “queue” begin as nouns
    But will as verbs avail.

    A “cue” may signal, hint, or prompt,
    Or serve as gaming tool,
    While “queue” will range from sequencing
    To hairstyle fairly cool.

    Remember “-u-e” is doubled in “queue,”
    Whereas in “cue” it's one;
    The tail it makes appended there
    Extends and hints of “long.”
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    PROSPECTIVE/PERSPECTIVE

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    (A proofreader's note regarding “prospective” and “perspective”)

    A “prospect” perchance a vision will picture,
    Its “view” of a likely future;
    Relating then to “looking forward,”
    “Prospective” takes a posture.

    As adjective it functions solely,
    There “likely for the future.”
    “Expected for being or likewise becoming,”
    “Prospective” a promise will usher.

    “Perspective” no pledge is intended to honor,
    Its “point of view” essential:
    One's “attitude regarding something,”
    An art of rendition special.

    Thus noun as well its function favors,
    Not only the adjectival.
    “Perspective” imputes a capacity for viewing
    Relations true with no rival.

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    ELICIT/ILLICIT

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    (A proofreader's note regarding “elicit” and “illicit”)

    The “e” of elicit, the “e” of extract
    Are similar in meaning “away”;
    “Elicit” achieves the “drawing out”
    Through gentle persuasive sway.

    “Elicit” more at distance stands
    From sound-alike “illicit”;
    A verb it is, not adjective,
    Nor hidden by nature or spirit.

    “Illicit” serves as adjective,
    “Illegal,” “forbidden,” “wrongful.”
    The “ill” of illicit may hint at deceit,
    An aid to memory thankful.

    The “licit” in life is “permissible,”
    “Conforming to law” and “legit.”
    Converting with “not” by adding the “il,”
     We figure “illicit” unfit.

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    Brut/Brute

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    (A proofreader's note about “brut” and “brute”)

    In wines a “brut” holds dryness supreme,
    Its name reflecting “raw”;
    The human “brute” is rough and cruel,
    Not bound by social law.

    “The Bradley brute was vastly uncouth,
    And nothing he said would soothe;
    He offered a brut to even the score
    While bragging of stolen loot.

    They balked at the talk of its provenance,
    This brut intended to quell;
    Then scoffing and chuckles and certainty of jest--
    The brute no longer so swell.”

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    DISBURSE/DISPERSE

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    ​(A proofreader's note regarding “disburse” and “disperse”)

    To pay out money, “disburse,”
    A person may carry a burse.
    From cash he will “part”
    As planned from the start,
    Thus “dis” as in distance rehearse.

    “Disperse” will not money involve,
    Though “parting” of groups it will solve.
    On persons or things
    All spread to the wings,
    Examples of “scatter” evolve.

    With movement both words are concerned.
    One only to finance is turned.
    “Disburse” always money
    Will have in its journey,
    Perhaps in exchange for what's pawned.