Here are examples of familiar English words with unexpected or lesser-known meanings, along with illustrative sentences:  

### Examples of Familiar Words with Uncommon Meanings  

1. **Table** (verb)  

   *Common meaning:* A piece of furniture.  

   *Uncommon meaning:* To postpone discussion.  

   > "The committee decided to *table* the motion until next month."  

2. **Novel** (adjective)  

   *Common meaning:* A book-length story.  

   *Uncommon meaning:* New or unusual.  

   > "Scientists discovered a *novel* approach to recycling plastic."  

3. **Mine** (noun)  

   *Common meaning:* Excavation site for minerals.  

   *Uncommon meaning:* Explosive device.  

   > "Soldiers cleared the area of land *mines* after the war."  

4. **Sentence** (verb)  

   *Common meaning:* Grammatical unit.  

   *Uncommon meaning:* To assign punishment.  

   > "The judge will *sentence* the defendant tomorrow."  

5. **Fluke** (noun)  

   *Common meaning:* Lucky accident.  

   *Uncommon meaning:* Flatfish, or a whale’s tail fin.  

   > "Marine biologists studied the *fluke* of the humpback whale."  

6. **Pupil** (noun)  

   *Common meaning:* Student.  

   *Uncommon meaning:* The dark center of an eye.  

   > "Bright light causes the *pupil* to contract."  

7. **Bolt** (verb)  

   *Common meaning:* Fastener or lightning strike.  

   *Uncommon meaning:* To flee suddenly.  

   > "The horse *bolted* when it heard thunder."  

8. **Strike** (noun)  

   *Common meaning:* Hit or work stoppage.  

   *Uncommon meaning:* Discovery of oil/gold.  

   > "The prospectors celebrated a major gold *strike* in Alaska."  

9. **Tender** (adjective)  

   *Common meaning:* Gentle or sore.  

   *Uncommon meaning:* Offering payment (legal/financial).  

   > "Payment must be made by legal *tender*."  

10. **Brook** (verb)  

    *Common meaning:* Small stream.  

    *Uncommon meaning:* Tolerate (often negative).  

    > "She will *brook* no interference with her plans."