Difference between revisions of "Feu - few - phew"
From Hull AWE
DavidWalker (Talk | contribs) m |
PeterWilson (Talk | contribs) m |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
The [[homophone]]s '''few''' and '''phew''' are not likely to be confused. They are pronounced the same way: {{IPA|fju}}. | The [[homophone]]s '''few''' and '''phew''' are not likely to be confused. They are pronounced the same way: {{IPA|fju}}. | ||
*'''Few''' is an [[adjective]] or [[preposition]] meaning 'not many'. (For more detail, see [[A few - few]]). | *'''Few''' is an [[adjective]] or [[preposition]] meaning 'not many'. (For more detail, see [[A few - few]]). | ||
| − | *'''Phew'''! is an [[interjection]] expressing relief, or, in older times, | + | *'''Phew'''! is an [[interjection]] expressing relief, or, in older times, weariness, disgust or impatience, etc. |
::'''''[[etymology|Etymological]] note''''': ''[[OED]]'' (2005) says "Imitative, representing the action of puffing or blowing away with the lips." | ::'''''[[etymology|Etymological]] note''''': ''[[OED]]'' (2005) says "Imitative, representing the action of puffing or blowing away with the lips." | ||
*There is also a third [[homophone]], a legal term, more used in Scots than English law, but also by historians of all western European countries: '''feu'''. This is a form of, and [[cognate]] with, '''fee'''. It is a form of land-holding which gives rise to the word '''feudal'''. The feudal system was based on the obligations a tenant owed to the lord from whom he held the land '''in fee'''. Nowadays, '''feu duty''' is usually paid in money. | *There is also a third [[homophone]], a legal term, more used in Scots than English law, but also by historians of all western European countries: '''feu'''. This is a form of, and [[cognate]] with, '''fee'''. It is a form of land-holding which gives rise to the word '''feudal'''. The feudal system was based on the obligations a tenant owed to the lord from whom he held the land '''in fee'''. Nowadays, '''feu duty''' is usually paid in money. | ||
Revision as of 11:28, 11 May 2023
The homophones few and phew are not likely to be confused. They are pronounced the same way: IPA: /fju/.
- Few is an adjective or preposition meaning 'not many'. (For more detail, see A few - few).
- Phew! is an interjection expressing relief, or, in older times, weariness, disgust or impatience, etc.
- Etymological note: OED (2005) says "Imitative, representing the action of puffing or blowing away with the lips."
- There is also a third homophone, a legal term, more used in Scots than English law, but also by historians of all western European countries: feu. This is a form of, and cognate with, fee. It is a form of land-holding which gives rise to the word feudal. The feudal system was based on the obligations a tenant owed to the lord from whom he held the land in fee. Nowadays, feu duty is usually paid in money.
