Vast /vast/ adjective 1) very great in size, number, amount, or quantity “You may accumulate a vast amount of knowledge, but it will be of far less value to you than a much smaller amount if you have not thought it over for yourself.” -Arthur Schopenhauer (1788 – 1860) 2) very great in area or extent, immense “Literature is a vast bazaar where customers... Read More

Pollinate /ˈpäləˌnāt/ verb to transfer pollen from an anther (male) to a stigma (female) of a plant or flower in the process of fertilization that allows the growth of new fruit and seeds “Animals and plants provide us with life-saving drugs and food, they pollinate crops and provide important ingredients for many industrial processes.” -from Last Chance to See, by Mark Carwardine (1959 –... Read More

Preserve /prəˈzərv/ verb 1) to keep safe, as from injury or peril, to protect “Every creature is better alive than dead, men and moose and pine trees, and he who understands it aright will rather preserve its life than destroy it.” – Henry David Thoreau (1817 – 1862) 2) to maintain unchanged “Photographs are physically and chemically complex and require special care to preserve.”... Read More

Formality /fôrˈmalədē/ Noun adherence to established rules of etiquette and convention “We’ve become much more casual and much more relaxed in social interactions, where there was a formality and maybe a kind of respect at that time that doesn’t exist now.” – Radha Mitchell (1973 – )

Abate a-bate /əˈbāt/ verb to gradually lessen in amount or degree “Friendship improves happiness, and abates misery, by doubling our joys, and dividing our grief.” – Joseph Addison (1672 – 1719)

Calendar /ˈkaləndər/ Noun 1) a table of the days and months of the year “Every time you tear a leaf off a calendar, you present a new place for new ideas and progress.” – Charles Kettering (1876 – 1958) 2) a list or schedule of planned events “I love road trips — if you haven’t been on one in a while, it’s time to... Read More

Underwater /ˌəndərˈwôdər/ adjective occurring, used, or performed beneath the surface of the water “I can only think of one experience which might exceed in interest a few hours spent underwater, and that would be a journey to Mars.” – William Beebe (1877 – 1962)

Pachyderm /ˈpakəˌdərm/ Noun a large, thick-skinned animal such as an elephant or hippo “Tarzan laughed aloud and came closer above the head of the pachyderm.” – from The Jungle Tales of Tarzan, by Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875 – 1950)

Speed /ˈspēd/ noun 1) the rate at which something moves “Just remember, once you’re over the hill you begin to pick up speed.” – Charles M. Schulz (1922 – 2000) verb 2) to go quickly, to make haste “As you get older, time speeds up but life slows down.” – John C. Maxwell (1947 – )