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

sense /  ˈsen(t)s   noun   the way in which one perceives the world through sensory organs Of the five senses, smell is the one with the best memory. Rebecca McClanahan, 1950-   plural, consciousness; awareness To go out of your mind once a day is tremendously important, because by going out of your mind you come to your senses. Alan Watts, 1915-1973  ... Read More

in·cor·ri·gi·ble  /  ĭn-kôr-ĭ-jə-bəl,  ĭn- kŏr– ĭ-jə-bəl   adjective   not able to be corrected or reformed There may be some incorrigible human beings who cannot be changed except by God’s own mercy to that one person. Warren E. Burger, 1907 – 1995   firmly established, not able to be removed Weakness is the only fault that is incorrigible. Francois de La Rochefoucauld, 1613 –... Read More

e-lect / i-ˈlekt   adjective   chosen or picked Braschi had always had an academic streak, and even in remote Subiaco the educated abbot had “gathered around him an elect circle of canons and other cultivated persons […] from ‘Papacy and Politics in Eighteenth-Century Rome: Pius VI and the Arts’ by Jeffrey Collins, ?-   selected for a position but not yet inducted […]... Read More

out-reach / ˌau̇t-ˈrēch   verb   to exceed Our ability to create has outreached our ability to use wisely the products of our inventions. Whitney M. Young, 1921-1971   to extend beyond […] happy is he […] whose flight unchecked, outreaches life and readily comprehends the language of flowers and of all mute things. Charles Baudelaire, 1821-1867   noun   the act of extending... Read More

meal / ˈmēl   noun (1)   the food eaten at a specific time of the day, i.e., breakfast, lunch, dinner Eat when the meal is ready, speak when the time is ripe. Ethiopian Proverb   an instance of eating food at a certain time of day A good breakfast cannot take the place of the evening meal. Chinese Proverb   noun (2)  ... Read More

saint / ˈsānt   noun   a person who lives an exceptional and holy life, leading to their canonization in the Catholic Church We should blush for shame to show so much resentment at what is done or said against us, knowing that so many injuries and affronts have been offered to our Redeemer and the saints. Teresa of Avila, 1515-1582   a virtuous... Read More

scare / ˈsker verb 1.      to frighten or fill with terror It’s not the violence of the few that scares me, it’s the silence of the many. Martin Luther King, Jr., 1929-1968 noun 1.      an instance of fear A good scare is worth more to a man than good advice. Edgar Watson Howe, 1853-1937 2.      panic in large groups of people Millions of tiny caterpillars that shoot toxic hairs have triggered a... Read More

scare / ˈsker   verb   to frighten or fill with terror It’s not the violence of the few that scares me, it’s the silence of the many. Martin Luther King, Jr., 1929-1968   noun   an instance of fear A good scare is worth more to a man than good advice. Edgar Watson Howe, 1853-1937   panic in large groups of people Millions... Read More