gu-ru / ˈgu̇r-(ˌ)ü   noun   in Hinduism, a teacher who guides one’s spirit Without a Guru none can cross over to the other shore. Guru Nanak, 1469-1539   a guide or personal mentor in a certain field of study If there’s anything weirder than an introverted writer going to lost of social functions, it’s an introverted writer being converted into an accidental guru.... Read More

or-ange / ˈär-inj   noun   a globe shaped citrus fruit which contains seeds, with a yellowish-reddish rind and an edible pulp If the family were a fruit, it would be an orange, a circle of sections, held together but separable – each segment distinct. Letty Cottin Pogrebin, 1939-   a yellow and red hue Orange is the happiest color. Frank Sinatra, 1915-1998  ... Read More

coruscant co-rus-cant / kə-ˈrə-skənt adjective   gleaming, sparkling brilliantly Not since Joan Sutherland used to dazzle us from the Met’s stage […] has a Met audience heard quite such coruscant pyrotechnics [as from Italian mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli in La Cenerentola]. John Ardoin, 1935-2001, “Love Match: In Cenerentola, Glitter is More Bartoli Than Glass,” Dallas Morning News, 11/13/1997   coruscation co-rus-ca-tion / kȯr-ə-ˈskā-shən noun  ... Read More

bail   bail   /  bāl   noun   a bond or pledge backed with money or property Excessive bail shall not be required nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. From the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution, passed by Congress September 25, 1789   the system which permits a temporary release from prison as the result of a security... Read More

mel-o-dy / ˈme-lə-dē   noun   an arrangement of musical noted in a rhythmic pattern There’s a melody in everything. And once you find the melody, then you connect immediately with the heart. […] nothing penetrates the heart faster than the melody. Carlos Santana, 1947-   a succession of pleasing sounds I love the melody of an unknown language, the strange food, all the surprises of... Read More

pick-le / ˈpi-kəl   noun   a liquid used for preserving food, typically made with vinegar or salt Life – a spiritual pickle preserving the body from decay. Ambrose Bierce, 1842-c. 1914   any vegetable which has been soaked in brining liquid, especially a cucumber Good ideas, like good pickles, are crisp, enduring, and devilishly hard to make. Rushworth Kidder, 1944-2012   a predicament... Read More

wan-der-lust / ˈwän-dər-ˌləst   noun   a deep longing and desire for travel A person susceptible to “wanderlust” is not so much addicted to movement as committed to transformation. Pico Iyer, 1957-   Wanderlust is incurable. Mark Jenkins, 1970-

rock / räk   noun   a large stone mass, often forming a cliff In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. Thomas Jefferson, 1743-1826   a mass of solid mineral material Better to have a diamond with a few small flaws than a rock that is perfect. Indian Proverb   foundation [Love] is the rock... Read More

pub-lic /  ˈpə-blik   adjective   open for general view or consumption (public forum or meeting) Actual human discourse happens within a number of contexts, not in some sort of unified public forum. Rowan Williams, 1950-   of or relating to the general population (public funds) Justice is the result of public opinion. Chinese Proverb   of or relating to being in a position... Read More

cli-ché / klē-ˈshā   noun   an expression that is overused to the point that it has become trite and unoriginal Last, but not least, avoid clichés like the plague. William Safire, 1929-2009   in drama, writing, etc., a stereotypical theme or situation; an expected trope I think to be oversensitive about clichés is like being oversensitive about table manners. Evelyn Waugh, 1903-1966  ... Read More