Homophones for auxin, oxen

auxin / oxen [ˈɑksən]

auxin – n. – plant physiology, plant growth hormone

oxen – n.pl. of ox – large, domesticated ruminants, Bos taurus

Discussions

Auxin versus Oxen: How to choose the right term

The difference may seem obvious: a small plant hormone and very large mammals. The trick lies in the sound and people’s lack of familiarity with plant physiology. Some also question the difference between the [ɑ] and [ɔ]. This depends on your dictionary. From what we could find, they are used interchangeably for both words.

How to remember which is which

1.    The second is the plural of ox. The first is a singular.

2.    Then we look at the spelling. Just remember that the -en plural ending for ‘oxen’ is an antique from Old English and extremely rare in current usage.

Quotes

auxin

In monocots, families of auxin transporters are enlarged and often include duplicated genes and proteins with high sequence similarity.

~The Role of Auxin Transporters in Monocots Development (2014) – Sara Balzan, Gurmukh S. Johal, Nicola Carraro

oxen

The first machinery did not arrive until 1992, when a tractor replaced the aging oxen for ploughing and transport.

~How China’s Reform and Opening-up improved the Lives of Working People (2018) – Xin Hau Publishing