ferret fer-ret / fĕr-ĭt noun 1. a domesticated variety of polecat, Mustela putorius, raised for hunting purposes Here and there they rushed with wild screams and curses, diving under the sail, crouching behind booms, huddling into corners like rabbits when the ferrets are upon them, as helpless and as hopeless.  From “The White Company” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, 1859 – 1930 2. a small rodent,... Read More

name name / nām adjective 1.  famous or well known We will provide you with the best prices on top name brands! 2. bearing the words one is called or known by I wear a name tag to help people find me.  Eoin Colfer, 1965 – noun 1. a word that identifies something and differentiates it from others; the word or words by which something is known What’s in... Read More

essential es-sen-tial / ĭ-sĕn-shəl adjective 1. indispensable, completely necessary A dictionary is an essential tool for a quality education; you cannot do your best work without one. Caroline Brost, The Dictionary Project 2. fundamental; inherent An essential aspect of creativity is not being afraid to fail.  Edwin Land, 1909 – 1991 3. totally, without exception; perfect A soul connection is a resonance between two people who respond to... Read More

eradicate e-rad-i-cate / ĭ-răd-ĭ-kāt verb 1. to destroy completely Words are more powerful than perhaps anyone suspects, and once deeply engraved in a child’s mind, they are not easily eradicated.  From “I Knew a Phoenix: Sketches for an Autobiography” by May Sarton, 1912 – 1995 2. to pull up by the roots Prejudices, it is well known, are most difficult to eradicate from the heart whose soil... Read More

sparky spark-y / spär-kē adjective lively and energetic; vivacious What a child wants and deserves is a parent who is SPARKY! From “Danny the Champion of the World” by Roald Dahl, 1916 – 1990 etymology An adjective formed from the English noun “spark,” which comes from the Anglo-Saxon noun spearca (spark) through its Middle English variants sparke, sperke, spearke. Special thanks to Allen Ward for providing this etymology.

effort ef-fort / ĕf-ərt noun 1. an unwavering or sincere attempt Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence – is the key to unlocking our potential.  Winston Churchill 1874-1965 2. a strenuous action, usually requiring great mental or physical energy What is written without effort is in general read without pleasure.  Samuel Johnson, 1709 – 1784 3. an accomplishment It was his finest effort to date; he wanted... Read More

fate fate / fāt noun 1. one’s destiny; fortune or luck that follows a person or thing Venture all; see what fate brings.  Vietnamese Proverb 2. that which ultimately determines the course of events and outcome In the presence of Fate, the physician becomes a fool.  Arabian Proverb 3. the final result; the ultimate outcome No fate is worse than a life without a love. Mexican Proverb 4. destruction,... Read More

pool pool / po͞ol noun 1. a pond or other small body of still water, usually fresh I do not want a friend who smiles when I smile, who weeps when I weep; for my shadow in the pool can do better than that. Confucius, 551 BC – 479 BC 2. a puddle; a small collection of liquid gathered or spilled on a surface Standing pools gather filth. German Proverb... Read More

criticism crit-i-cism /  krĭt-ĭ-sĭz-əm noun 1. the act of expressing disapproval based on perceived flaws or mistakes; censure Criticism is a study by which men grow important and formidable at very small expense.  Samuel Johnson, 1709 – 1784 2. a comment expressing disapproval, fault or judgement based on perception Criticism is something you can avoid by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.  American Proverb... Read More

plant plant / plănt verb 1.  to put a seed in the ground for growth He who plants a garden plants happiness.  German Proverb 2.  to sow with seeds or trees, shrubs, etc. If you want to be happy for a year, plant a garden; if you want to be happy for life, plant a tree.  English Proverb 3.  to place deeply in the ground or some... Read More