Sensory overload

September 11th, 2009 at 07:00am Barry Wood

Here’s a group of words just begging to be mixed up.

The verb “censure” means “to express strong disapproval of,” while “censor” takes disapproval to another level by restricting or actually prohibiting the use of something.

As nouns, a “censure” is a condemnation, formal or otherwise, and a “censor” is a person in charge of limiting or shutting off access to information.

Both can be traced to the Latin verb “censere” for “to tax, value, judge.”

In ancient Rome, a “censor” was a magistrate in charge of taking the census and, later, overseeing public morals.

Also in this mix are “censer,” “an ornamented container in which incense is burned,” and “sensor,” a general term applied to various kinds of devices that detect, measure, record, transmit, etc.

Three of them are homonyms; only “censure” is pronounced differently, with a “sh” sound in the middle.

“Censure” is sort of a slap on the wrist for someone who has behaved badly. “Censorship” is generally an affront to all.

Entry Filed under: homonyms, definitions, word origins