Introduction:
This week, we explore the intriguing aspect of English vocabulary where everyday words hold lesser-known or unexpected definitions. We invite all club members to share examples of familiar words that possess obscure or surprising meanings. Your contributions will help uncover the hidden depths of the language and enrich our collective knowledge. Join in by listing your discoveries and discussing how these unique definitions can enhance our communication skills. Let's dive in and learn together!

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."  

I learnt this word from TNBC (The Nightmare Before Christmas)

ground(adj.)

*Common meaning:* The solid surface of the earth

*Uncommon meaning:* The past tense of  "grind", to be reduced to small bits or be crushed to a fine powder

> "The coffee beans are ground in the coffee machine."

liquid(adj)

*Common meaning:* something can flow, like water, juice, etc.

*Uncommon meaning:* 1. the pure, clear and beautiful sound 

> "liquid song of birds"

2. clear like water

>"liquid eyes"

I think I know a lot of examples, but I cannot think of them immediately

style (n.)

Common meaning: particular way in which sth is done or particular way of design

Uncommon meaning: the quality of being attractive and made or done to a high standard

Example: While his clothes are tidy, they are always wrinkled and display a lack of style.

conclude(verb)

*Common meaning:* To decide by reasoning and come to a conclusion

*Uncommon meaning:* To bring to an end

> "This film concludes with a sad song."

light(adj.)

*Common meaning:* Electromagnetic radiation that is visible, perceivable by the normal human eye as colors between red and violet

*Uncommon meaning:* Of comparatively little phisical weight or density

> "Balsa is a light wood."

force(n.)

*Common meaning:* To compel through pressure or necessity

*Uncommon meaning:* Military strength

> "The general detached a small force to go and guard the palace."

cause(n.)

*Common meaning:* The producer of an effect, result, or consequence.

*Uncommon meaning:* The interests of a person or group engaged in a struggle.

> "The new recruit will join our cause."

chalk(n)
common meaning: something teachers use to write on a blackboard.
uncommon meaning: a kind of soil called "bai e".

They wander like specters on the fringes of the Dreamscape, carefully concealing their emotions and avoiding memories that smell sour or bitter.

There are two words worth mentioning in this sentence.

1.specter

common meaning: sth unpleasant that people are afraid might happen in the future

uncommon ones: a ghost

2.fringe

common meaning: the front part of sb’s hair that is cut so that it hangs over their

uncommon meaning: the outer edge of an area or a group