taxwise = (1) adv., viewed with taxes in mind {today, real estate is a better investment taxwise than it was a few years ago}; or (2) adj., (of an investment) undertaken in a way that minimizes taxes {the fund encourages taxwise investing}; (of an investor) prudent in taking measures to avoid taxes {when you set up a retirement account, be taxwise}.
tear gas, n. ; teargas, v.t. This term is spelled as two words for the noun, one for the verb. The inflected forms are “teargassed” and “teargassing.”
technical; technological. The distinction is sometimes a fine one. “Technical” = (1) of or relating to a particular science, art, or handicraft; or (2) of or relating to vocational training. “Technological” = (1) of or relating to the science of practical or industrial arts; or (2) of or relating to innovative gadgetry and computers. “Technological” connotes recent experimental methods and development, whereas “technical” has no such connotation.
technique; *technic. “Technique” is standard. *"Technic" is a variant spelling to be avoided — e.g.: “I have heard this remedy [eye-muscle exercises] praised by those whom it has helped (the novelist Aldous Huxley has written a glowing and laudatory book about this technic [read ‘technique’]).” Norman Lewis, Better English 238 (rev. ed. 1961).
*Invariably inferior form.
For information about the Language-Change Index click here.
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Quotation of the Day: “Generalizations have their place; so have abstract words; but every student will find if he analyzes his style that he is given to using both generalizations and abstractions, when specific statements and concrete words would be much more effective.” Percy Marks, Better Themes: A College Text-Book of Writing and Rewriting 147 (1933).
