Rapes

/reɪps/ noun

Definition

A plant with yellow flowers that produces seeds used to make oil; also the plural of a serious violent crime.

Etymology

The plant comes from Latin 'rapum' (turnip). The criminal definition comes from Latin 'rapere' (to seize, to take by force), which shares an ancient root meaning 'to grab.' The two meanings evolved from completely different roots.

Kelly Says

This word perfectly demonstrates how English has homophones with totally unrelated meanings—one is agricultural (used for canola oil) and one is a grave crime. Context is absolutely everything.

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