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."
