The verbs repeat and reiterate are so close in meaning that reading their definitions might in itself feel like a repetitive act. To repeat something is to say or utter it again. To reiterate something is to say or do it again, or, to repeat it, often excessively. So how are they different? Reiterate is more commonly used for emphasis—that is, to underscore that something is important and therefore worth saying again, perhaps in a different way than first articulated: At the end of the interview, the candidate reiterated her interest in the role. Repeat, on the other hand, is commonly used to talk about the reproduction of words or sounds without the suggestion of importance: The contestant in the spelling bee asked the judge to repeat the word and definition.

We’re pretty sure you know what a leaf is—but do you know how a leaf differs from a frond? Leaf is a general term for a wide variety of expanded, usually green organs born by the stem of a plant. The more specific noun frond is a term for a large, finely divided leaf. Most commonly, frond is used to refer to the leaves of ferns or certain palms. Other useful, nontechnical words we use to differentiate leaves include needle (as of a pine), leaflet (a small or young leaf), and blade (the leaf of a plant, especially of a grass or cereal). Something that bears fronds or that resembles a frond can be described as frondose.

The noun departure is a general term used to refer to an act or instance of going away or leaving (the time of departure; a hasty departure). It can also refer to a divergence or deviation, as from a standard or rule (a departure from accepted teaching methods). The noun exodus deals with the act of leaving on a larger scale, more specifically to a departure or emigration, usually of a large number of people: June marked the beginning of the annual summer exodus to the country and shore. When treated as a proper noun, Exodus refers to the departure of the Israelites from Egypt under Moses, or to the second book of the Bible, containing an account of the Exodus.