Identity, identification.—Identity is "the state of being the same." Identification denotes "the act of determining what a given thing, or who a given person, is."
Import, importance.—Import, in the sense of "meaning," must be distinguished from importance, "the quality of being important."
Invention, discovery.—We invent something new, contrived or produced for the first time. We discover what existed before, but remained unknown.
Limit, limitation.—Limit, in the sense of "bound," is preferable to limitation, since limitation also means "the act of limiting," or a "restriction."
Lot, number.—Lot denotes "a distinct part or parcel": as, "The auctioneer sold the goods in ten lots." The word does not mean "a great number"; therefore it is improperly used in the sentences: "He has lots of money," and "I know a lot of people in New York."
Majority, plurality.—A majority is more than half the whole number; a plurality is the excess of votes given for one candidate over those given for another, and is not necessarily a majority when there are more than two candidates.
Negligence, neglect.—"Negligence is used of a habit or trait; neglect, of an act or succession of acts."[36]
Novice, novitiate.—Novice properly means one who is new in any business or calling; novitiate, the state or time of being a novice.
Organism, organization.—An organism is a "living body composed of a number of essential parts." Organization denotes "the act of organizing," or "an organized body of persons," as a literary society.
Part, portion.—"Part is the general word for that which is less than the whole: as, the whole is equal to the sum of all its parts.... Portion is often used in a stilted way where part would be simpler and better; portion has always some suggestion of allotment or assignment: as, this is my portion; a portion of Scripture. 'Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me.'"[37]