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520.1 metal, meddle, medal, mettle

Metal is an element like iron or gold. Meddle means “to interfere or take interest in.” Medal is an award. Mettle, a noun, refers to quality of character.

Isaac Newton did meddle in alchemy, a medieval science that tried to turn base metals into gold.

The soldier’s bravery proved her mettle and earned her the Congressional Medal of Honor.

520.2 miner, minor

A miner digs in the ground for valuable ore. A minor is a person who is not legally an adult. A minor problem is one of no great importance.

Selling alcohol to minors is a major offense, not a minor one.

520.3 moral, morale

Moral relates to what is right or wrong. Morale refers to a person’s attitude or mental condition.