Chocolate /ˈCHäk(ə)lət/ Today is National Chocolate Day! Have you stocked up on candies for this upcoming Halloween? adjective 1) flavored with carob beans or cacao seeds “Chocolate is an excellent flavor for ice cream but both unreasonable and disconcerting in chewing gum.” — Fran Lebowitz (1950 – ) 2) of a grayish to deep reddish brown to deep grayish brown “Personally, I like a... Read More

Derivative /dəˈrivədiv/ adjective 1) resulting from derivation “A derivative work must incorporate some or all of a preexisting ‘work’ and add new original copyrightable authorship to that work.” — U.S. Copyright Office 2) copied or adapted from others “Calling something “derivative” isn’t necessarily a knock. Lots of bands are derivative in ways that expand the sound they’re copping.” — Marc Masters noun 3) something... Read More

Electric /əˈlektrik/ adjective 1) of, relating to, or operated by electricity “Franklin’s invention of the lightning-rod was not intended to utilize electric force, but to guard life and property from the perils of the thunder-storm.” — Alfred Russel Wallace (1823 – 1913) 2) emotionally exciting, thrilling “I’d say we’re all just ghosts on a wire seeking the prick of an electric thought.” — Robert... Read More

Structure /ˈstrək(t)SHər/ noun 1) something made up of a number of parts held or put together in a specific way “The bones of my architecture are very much related to the structure, to the physical fact of how a building can stand up; it’s also related to geometry and a certain understanding of the architecture in which there is a balance between expression and... Read More

Theorem /ˈTHēərəm/ noun 1) an idea demonstrably true or assumed to be so “The great poem and the deep theorem are new to every reader, and yet are his own experiences, because he himself recreates them.” — Jacob Bronowski (1908 – 1974) 2) (in math) a proposition provable on the basis of explicit assumptions, a proven proposition “The elegance of a mathematical theorem is... Read More

Ingrained /inˈɡrānd/ adjective 1) firmly established, deep-rooted “The moment we believe that success is determined by an ingrained level of ability as opposed to resilience and hard work, we will be brittle in the face of adversity.”  — Joshua Waitzkin (1976 – ) 2) worked deeply into the texture or fiber “In some cases laundering cannot remove the last trace of ingrained soil that... Read More

Arctic /ˈärktik/ adjective 1) extremely cold, frigid “The winter is an arctic summer.” — Henry David Thoreau (1817 – 1862) 2) of or pertaining to a geographic area extending from the North Pole to the northern timberline “The world cannot live without the Arctic; it affects every living thing on Earth and acts as a virtual thermostat, reflecting sunlight and cooling the planet.” —... Read More

Monsoon /mänˈso͞on/ noun a wind system that effects large climatic regions and reverses direction seasonally, especially the Asiatic monsoon that produces dry and wet seasons in India and southern Asia “The strength and behavior of monsoons varies with geography, ocean conditions such as El Niño cycles, as well as in response to climate events and processes.” – NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)

“Education comprehends all that series of instruction and discipline which is intended to enlighten the understanding, correct the temper, and form the manners and habits of youth, and fit them for usefulness in their future stations.” — Noah Webster (1758 – 1843) Happy Birthday to Noah Webster, and Happy National Dictionary Day! Instruction /inˈstrəkSHən/ noun 1) the act, practice, or profession of instructing “A... Read More

Native /ˈnādiv/ adjective 1) existing or belonging to one by nature “Our native language is like a second skin, so much a part of us we resist the idea that it is constantly changing, constantly being renewed.” — Casey Miller (1919 – 1997) 2) being such by birth or origin “Coming back to your native land after an absence of many years is a... Read More