euphoria eu-pho-ri-a / yo͞o-fôr-ē-ə noun 1. a feeling of great joy, vigor, well-being; high spirits It’s not possible to experience constant euphoria, but if you’re grateful, you can find happiness in everything. Pharrell Williams, 1973 – etymology A Neo-Latin word made up from the Greek prefix eu (well) and the verb phero (bear, carry). Thank you to Allen Ward for providing this etymology.

crucial cru-cial / kro͞o-shəl adjective 1. extremely important One man can be a crucial ingredient on a team, but one man cannot make a team.  Kareem Abdul Jabbar, 1947 – 2. vital; essential to the determination of a crisis Self-discipline is crucial to a simpler, more contented life. Dalai Lama, 1935 – etymology A French adjective from the Latin noun crux, crucis (cross, torture, misery) and Latin adjectival suffix -alis (belonging... Read More

paper pa-per / pā-pər adjective 1. made of the material known as paper To read a paper book is another experience: you can do it on a ship, on the branch of a tree, on your bed, even if there is a blackout.  Umberto Eco, 1932 – 2016 2. extremely thin or flimsy The line between education and brainwashing is paper thin.  Yana Toboso, 1984 – 3. pertaining to office... Read More

embezzle em-bez-zle /ĕm-bĕz-əl verb 1. to steal or misappropriate money or property that one has been entrusted with I like to think of it less as embezzling and more as an involuntary goodwill contribution. From “Cold Days: The Dresden Files, Book Fourteen”, by Jim Butcher, 1971 – etymology From the Old French verb besillier (destroy, pillage) plus the intensifying prefix en through the Anglo-Norman verb embesilier, embesillier, embesellier (steal, destroy) and... Read More

wolf wolf / wo͝olf plural is wolves / wo͝olvz noun 1. a wild dog of the genus Canis, similar to a coyote Fear makes the wolf bigger than he is. German Proverb 2. the fur from the wild canine of the genus Canis In very good condition, beautiful vintage ladies fur coat of wolf, size 42, lightly fitted. https://www.catawiki.com/l/8866395-a-wolf-fur-coat-gardin-bruges-size-42-belgium-1950s-70s 3. an animal with a wolf-like appearance and tendencies... Read More

kind kind / kīnd adjective 1. friendly, nice Do not look where the harvest is plentiful, but where the people are kind. Botswana Proverb 2. considerate or compassionate; thoughtful of others The kind man feeds his cat before sitting down to dinner.  Hebrew Proverb 3. courteous and gracious Kind words are worth much and they cost little. Traditional Proverb 4. helpful, providing assistance to others He who does... Read More

copious co-pi-ous / kō-pē-əs adjective 1. providing a plentiful supply Let peace, descending from her native heaven, bid her olives spring amidst the joyful nations; and plenty, in league with commerce, scatter blessings from her copious hand!  Daniel Boone, 1734 – 1820 2. abundant; great in quantity The flowers of the apple are perhaps the most beautiful of any tree’s, so copious and so delicious to... Read More

important im-por-tant / ĭm-pôr-tnt adjective 1. significant, of consequence Listening is the most difficult skill to learn and the most important to have. African Proverb 2. prominent; influential; widely known and well respected I suppose it’s part of being a good politician to be able to spot the most important men in any group without outside assistance. Leslie Ford (pseudonym of Zenith Jones Brown), 1898 – 1983 3. authoritative I... Read More

Be Awesome!  Be a Book Nut! Dr. Seuss, 1904 – 1991 awesome awe-some / ô-səm adjective 1. inspiring a feeling of overwhelming wonder It is an awesome thing to comprehend that what a human being dreams and imagines can be realized.  Vanna Bonta, 1958 – 2014 2. conveying or displaying a feeling of overwhelming wonder The most universally awesome experience that mankind knows is to stand alone on... Read More

civility ci-vil-i-ty / sĭ-vĭl-ĭ-tē noun 1. graciousness towards others, courtesy, politeness Civility costs nothing, and buys everything.  Lady Mary Wortley Montagu 1689-1792 2. an act of consideration for others The civilities of the great are never thrown away. Samuel Johnson, 1709 – 1784 etymology Through the Middle English and Old French noun civilite (politeness, civility) from the Latin noun civilitas (the science of politics, behavior appropriate for a citizen, politic... Read More