Periods in periods result in my contraction.
One of which appears in the expanded starting fraction.
I am often confused with that is taken from "in d'nest".
To exhibit explicit qualities is how you'd use me best.
Hint 1:
One of the lines contains an instruction to reveal a clue.
Hint 2:
Each line will help verify to conclude the correct answer but line 3 contains the most obvious clue. If you analyse it literally that is.
Hint 3:
One line describes the definition of the 'word'.
One line describes how it sounds.
One line describes a 'word' it is commonly confused with.
And one line describes how it looks.
Final hint:
Combine ample clues with the red herring and you have your answer.