collage col-lage / kō-läzh, kə-läzh   noun 1. a work of art created by pasting various objects and materials together on a surface Anyone who’s ever put a stamp on an envelope or a note on their refrigerator knows what it’s like to make a collage. Elliott Hundley, 1975 –   2. an art form created by pasting various objects and materials together on a surface Collage is... Read More

memento me-men-to / mə-mĕn-tō noun (plural mementos or mementoes) 1. a token as a reminder; a souvenir or keepsake I thought the pen had been a good pen and that it had done enough for me, and so, with the idea of keeping it for a sort of memento on which I could look later with tender eyes, I put it into my waistcoat pocket. From... Read More

frisson fris-son / frē-sōN   noun 1. a sudden tremble due to extreme excitement; a sudden thrill As a columnist, I realize that whatever amount of corruption I expose, half my readers will block it out, although they may get a frisson of joy in the process. Margaret Carlson, ? –

complexion com-plex-ion / kəm-plĕk-shən   noun 1. the general appearance, character, nature or aspect The mind does not take its complexion from the skin. Frederick Douglass, 1818 – 1895   2. the natural color, texture and general appearance of the skin, particularly that of the face If any personal description of me is thought desirable, it may be said, I am, in height, six feet, four... Read More

vie vie / vī   verb (vied, vying, vies)  1. to contend; to compete for superiority or victory There is no way of making a business successful that can vie with the policy of promoting those who render exceptional service. Andrew Carnegie, 1835 – 1919   2. (obsolete) to bet; to make a wager Please help us find an appropriate sample sentence for this meaning of vie.

obfuscate ob-fus-cate / ŏb-fə-skāt, ŏb-fŭs–kāt   verb 1. to confuse, to muddle Opportunism is self interest seeking with guile often involving subtle forms of deceit, especially calculated efforts to mislead, distort, disguise, obfuscate, or otherwise confuse. Oliver E. Williamson, 1932 – 2020   2. to make difficult to see; to dim or darken Smoke obfuscated the skies over a significant part of the Midwest and dimness came... Read More

subconscious sub-con-scious / sŭb-kŏn-shəs   adjective 1. not completely alert and aware of one’s surroundings, thoughts, sensations, etc. Whatever we plant in our subconscious mind and nourish with repetition and emotion will one day become a reality. Earl Nightingale. 1921 – 1989   2. existing in the mind just below the level of consciousness By squaring all with love, trying to love rather than trying to be loved,... Read More

destination des-ti-na-tion / dĕs-tə-nā-shən   noun 1. the place where one is going or has been sent I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination. Jimmy Dean, 1928 – 2010   2. a goal; the final purpose of an endeavor or for which one is destined By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly... Read More

gripe gripe / grīp   noun 1. (informal) a complaint, particularly one that is constant or nagging That’s probably one of my biggest gripes with the Internet – that it settles for mediocrity and disinformation, which puts all information on the same level. Harlan Ellison, 1934 –   2. (usually gripes) a sharp, painful spasm in the intestines In the jaundice the choler is wanting, and the icterical... Read More

pizza piz-za / pēt-sə   noun 1. a dish of Italian origin consisting of a baked flat crust covered with cheese, tomato sauce, etc. All food starting with p is comfort food: pasta, potato chips, pretzels, peanut butter, pastrami, Pizza, pastry. Sara Paretsky, 1947 –