Key Characteristics of Heteronyms:
* Same Spelling: The words have identical spellings.
* Same Pronunciation: The words sound alike.
* Different Meanings: The words have distinct and unrelated meanings.
Examples of Heteronyms:
* "Bat" (a nocturnal flying mammal) and "bat" (a piece of equipment used in baseball)
* "Bow" (a knot tied with two loops) and "bow" (to bend at the waist)
* "Wind" (to move by blowing) and "wind" (a current of air)
* "Lead" (a heavy metal) and "lead" (to guide or direct)
Distinction from Homonyms:
While heteronyms are a type of homonym, not all homonyms are heteronyms.
* Homonyms: Words that sound the same and have the same spelling but different meanings.
* Heteronyms: A subset of homonyms where the words have different meanings despite having identical spellings and pronunciations.
Significance in Language:
Heteronyms are interesting examples of how language can be ambiguous and require context to understand the intended meaning. They can also add humor and complexity to writing.
Note: The term "heteronymy" is sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to any kind of word relationship involving different meanings. However, the strict definition focuses on words with identical spellings and pronunciations.