brav·er·y /ˈbrāv(ə)rē/, noun: 1. the quality or state of being brave (the ability to endure or face unpleasant conditions or behavior without showing fear); courageous behavior or character “It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.” J. K. Rowling, 1965 – “There is a certain enthusiasm in liberty, that... Read More

ho·ri·zon /həˈrīzən/, noun: 1. the line where the earth’s surface appears to intersect with the sky “As you seek new opportunity, keep in mind that the sun does not usually reappear on the horizon where last seen.” Robert Brault, 1938 – “We have always held to the hope, the belief, the conviction that there is a better life, a better world, beyond the horizon.”... Read More

Thank you for the wonderful dictionaries. If I don’t understand a word I look it up and it makes my vocabulary much better. There are many other uses for it too. My dictionary also shows maps of the continents on Earth and it shows a picture of the planets in order. It also helps me pronounce words that I can’t read. Now when I... Read More

noun /ˈyün-yən/ 1. an act of joining two or more things together “Rare is the union of beauty and purity.” Juvenal, c. late 1st and early 2nd century CE 2. something that is made into one “Form follows function – that has been misunderstood. Form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union.” Frank Lloyd Wright, 1867 – 1959 3. an organized... Read More

the·o·ret·i·cal /THēəˈredək(ə)l/, adjective: 1. based on or calculated through a supposition or system of ideas explaining something rather than by experience or practice “The theoretical understanding of the world, which is the aim of philosophy, is not a matter of great practical importance to animals, or to savages, or even to most civilized men.” Bertrand Russell, 1872 – 1970 “Theoretical physics is one of... Read More

cat·kin /ˈkatkən/, noun: 1. a long cluster of small flowers hanging from the branches of trees (particularly deciduous, e.g., hazel, willow or birch) in the spring But suppose the endlessly dead were to wake in us some emblem: they might point to the catkins hanging from the empty hazel trees, or direct us to the rain descending on black earth in early spring. –... Read More

/CHärm/ noun: 1. the ability or quality of giving delight or arousing admiration “To write without clarity and charm is a miserable waste of time and ink.” Cicero 107 BCE – 44 BCE 2. a small ornament worn on a necklace or bracelet to symbolize a person or event “In two decades I’ve lost a total of 789 pounds. I should be hanging from... Read More

/ˈmīnd/ noun: the organized conscious and unconscious of a person that enables them to be aware of the world and their experiences “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” Buddha verb: to regard as important; pay special attention “Speak your mind and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter,... Read More

/vīˈvāSHəs/, adjective: 1. lively in temper, conduct, or spirit; sprightly “Without books I would not have become a vivacious reader, and if you are not a reader you are not a writer.” Ken Follett, 1949 – “Modesty, is the graceful calm virtue of maturity; bashfulness, the charm of vivacious youth.” Mary Wollstonecraft, 1759 -1797 2. (especially of a woman) attractive for her lively, outgoing... Read More

There/ THer/, adverb: 1. a place or position “Look well into thyself; there is a source of strength which will always spring up if thou wilt always look there.” Marcus Aurelius, 120 CE – 180 CE example: When the English mountain climber George Leigh Mallory was asked why he wanted to climb Mount Everest, he responded, “Because it’s there.” Their/ Ther/, determiner: 1. belonging... Read More