pre-cious / ˈpre-shəs   adjective   highly priced or valued Wisdom is more precious than rubies. Proverbs 3:15, The Holy Bible   deeply cherished; special There comes a precious moment in all of our lives when we are tapped on the shoulder and offered the opportunity to do something very special that is unique to us and our abilities, what a tragedy it would... Read More

mis-no-mer / ˌmis-ˈnō-mər   noun   the wrong name or designation for something Time-management is a misnomer, the challenge is to manage ourselves. from ‘The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People’ by Stephen Covey, 1932-2012   the use of the wrong name Maybe we don’t recognize satisfaction because it is disguised as radical generosity, a strange misnomer in a consumer culture. from ‘7: An... Read More

cur-mud-geon /  kər-ˈmə-jən   noun   a bad-tempered old person, usually a man Anybody who notices unpleasant facts in the have-a-nice-day world we live in is going to be designated a curmudgeon. Paul Fussell, 1924-2012

hand-writ-ing / ˈhand-ˌrī-tiŋ   noun   the practice of forming letters with a pen or pencil …Handwriting (and trying to improve it) is a tedious and time-intensive task – so getting adequately motivated is the first real step. Michelle No, ?-, buzzfeed.com/michelleno/handwriting-for-adults   words formed by using a pen or pencil …bad handwriting should be regarded as a sign of an imperfect education. Mahatma... Read More

pe-ruse / pə-ˈrüz   verb   to regard or study thoroughly, paying attention to detail I do love perusing the dictionary to find how many words I don’t use – words that have specific, sharp, focused meaning. Geoffrey Rush, 1951-   to look through something quickly; to browse Advertisements are now so numerous that they are very negligently perused. Samuel Johnson, 1709-1784   to... Read More

waist   waist  /  wāst   noun   the part of the human body between the ribs and the hips Your waist size should not be more than half your height. Mehmet Oz, 1960 –   the narrow part of the body of an insect between its thorax and abdomen Wasps are distinguishable from bees by their pointed lower abdomens and the narrow “waist,”... Read More

speech / ˈspēch   noun   the communication of thoughts through talking We must have reasons for speech but we need none for silence. French Proverb   a conversation A kind speech and forgiveness is better than alms followed by injury. Islamic Proverb   anything that is said People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom... Read More

synonym   syn-o-nym / ˈsi-nə-ˌnim   noun   one of two or more words that have the same meaning in the same language ‘Google’ is not a synonym for ‘research’. Dan Brown, 1964-   a word or phrase that has become so closely associated with something that it comes to embody it Greatness is so often a courteous synonym for great success. Philip Guedalla,... Read More

men-tor / ˈmen-ˌtȯr   noun   an experienced person who is seen as a guide and advisor A mentor is someone who sees more talent and ability within you than you see in yourself, and helps bring it out of you. Bob Proctor, 1934-   a tutor Mentors and apprentices are partners in an ancient human dance, and one of teaching’s great rewards is... Read More

need / ˈnēd   noun   an obligation One who believes in himself has no need to convince others. Laozi, 601 BC-c. 531 BC   a lack of something vital or useful There is no need like the lack of a friend. Irish Proverb   a physical or mental requirement Above and beyond looking after your physical needs, it can be very helpful to... Read More