Select the sentence containing the homonym of the highlighted word:
The abbey walls displayed an ancient paten of silver.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The correct answer is option 3 i.e. The tailor cut a circular paten from wool fabric.
A homonym is a word that is spelled or pronounced like another word but has a different meaning.
Word in the Question: Paten (Context: Silver/Abbey walls)
-
Meaning 1: A small metal plate, typically made of gold or silver, used to hold the bread (Eucharist) during a religious service. This is the definition used in the original sentence and in options 1, 2, and 4.
The Homonym in Option 3: Paten (Context: Tailor/Wool fabric)
-
Meaning 2: In specific historical or regional contexts of tailoring and textiles, a paten (sometimes spelled as patten but used homonymically here) refers to a stiffened support, a circular piece of material, or a specific type of template used in construction.
Why other options are incorrect:
-
Option 1: Refers to the religious plate (Eucharist).
-
Option 2: Refers to the religious plate (Art history/dating).
-
Option 4: Refers to the religious plate (Relic enclosure).
Hence, the chosen option is correct.