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“Pica” or “Pika”

pica / pika are similar-sounding terms with different meanings (referred to as homophones). To better understand the differences, see below for definitions, pronunciation guides, and example sentences using each term.

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Definitions

What each term means

Same sound, different spellings and meanings, shown with a pronunciation guide for each term.

pica p·AY·k·ah

  • nounan eating disorder, frequent in children, in which non-nutritional objects are eaten persistently.
  • nounmagpies.

pika

  • nounsmall short-eared burrowing mammal of rocky uplands of Asia and western North America.
Usage

Examples in context

Real sentences for each spelling. Hover an example to copy it.

“pica”

  • …variant was fitted with 42 pica molds, though these are now…
  • …are engaged for a 30 pica slug, fewer are engaged as…
  • C. picae: magpie (pica pica hudsonia)1
  • Pica Press, Nr.

“pika”

  • …fox, marten, river otter, mink, pika, grizzly bear, coyote, mountain goat,…
  • …is licensed in French by Pika Édition, in Korean by Haksan…
  • GAF Pika
  • …is a peak located beside Pika Peak in Banff National Park,…
  • …includes Mount Richardson, Ptarmigan Peak, Pika Peak.

Examples are Wikipedia snippets under the CC ShareAlike 3.0 license. Definitions are drawn from WordNet.

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