browse / ˈbrau̇z   verb   of animals, to graze The goat must browse where she is tied. Romanian Proverb   to skim or look through casually It is time to browse through the precious books that have meant the most to you, that you may rediscover illuminating phrases and sentences to light your pathway to the future. Wilferd Peterson, 1900-1995   to view... Read More

mon-arch / ˈmä-nərk   noun   a sovereign, like a king or queen, whose position is hereditary If pushed to say what I like about Elizabeth, who, as I’m sure most of you know, overtook Queen Victoria this week to become our longest serving monarch, it would be her uncomplaining, getting-on-with-it ethic. John Niven, 1968-   the sole ruler of a country or state... Read More

term / ˈtərm   noun   a word or expression that has an exact meaning or is particular to some branch of learning Creativity is a catchall term for a variety of distinct thought processes. from ‘Proust Was a Neuroscientist’ by Jonah Lehrer, 1981-   expressions given in a specified way Knowing that we must preserve ecosystems with as many of their interacting species... Read More

Grandiloquent   gran-dil-o-quent / ɡrænˈdɪl.ə.kwənt   adjective   speaking in a tone that suggests pomposity or condescension Never be grandiloquent when you want to drive home a searching truth. Henry Ward Beecher, 1813-1887   Grandiloquence   gran-dil-o-quence / gran-ˈdi-lə-kwən(t)s   noun   a bombastic style or manner of speaking and writing I see there is a good deal of grandiloquence in my book –... Read More

u-nique / yu̇-ˈnēk   adjective   unlike anything else Every person born in this world represents something new, something that never existed before, something original and unique. Martin Buber, 1878-1965   being one of its kind Each second we live is a new and unique moment of the universe; a moment that never was before and never will be again. Pablo Casals, 1876-1973  ... Read More

ran-dom / ˈran-dəm   adjective   lacking purpose, reason or plan When you expand your awareness, seemingly random events will be seen to fit into a larger purpose. Deepak Chopra, 1946-   made, done or chosen with no specific purpose Once you begin to acknowledge random acts of kindness – both the ones you have received and the ones you have given – you... Read More

triv-ia / ˈtri-vē-ə   noun   plural, nonessential matters or pieces of information Life is brutal that way…the loss of irrecoverable moments amid trivia and distraction. Dan Simmons, 1948-   a quiz game testing players’ knowledge of random information In a fast-paced world, today’s popular brand could be tomorrow’s trivia question. Wayne Calloway, 1935-1998

clan-des-tine / klan-ˈde-stən, also -ˌstīn or -ˌstēn or ˈklan-də-   adjective   surreptitious Enter each day with the expectation that the happenings of the day may contain a clandestine message addressed to you personally. Sam Keen, 1931-     done in secrecy, often for purposes of deception Behind innocence there gathers a clotted mass of superstition, of twisted and misdirected impulse; clandestine flirtation, fads,... Read More

drill / ‘dril   noun (1)   a long tool with sharp edges, used to bore holes, typically by rotating All I had was a drill, an electric drill. James Dyson, 1947-   military exercises for marching or other such practices A hard drill makes an easy battle. Alexander Suvorov, 1730-1800   a repetitive, methodical exercise used for memorization The pleasures of being read... Read More

gamble gam-ble  /  găm-bəl   noun   a risky venture Prayer is never just an emergency flare or desperate anxious gamble. Timothy Keller, 1950 –   a bet or wager A person who has not made peace with his losses is likely to accept gambles that would be unacceptable to him otherwise. Daniel Kahneman, 1934 –   verb   to play a game for... Read More