dam   dam  /  dăm   noun   a wall built across a river or lake that controls water flow Words, like tranquil waters behind a dam, can become reckless and uncontrollable torrents of destruction when released without caution and wisdom. William Arthur Ward, 1921 – 1994   a barrier controlling the flow of liquids or other matter Law and order exist for the... Read More

so-lip-sism / ˈsō-ləp-ˌsi-zəm   noun   the theory that only the self exists or can be proven to exist I discover in my experiential space evidence for the wrongness of solipsism, and this evidence is called beauty. Timothy Morton, 1968-   extreme self-absorption If the concept of identification suggested that an individual experiences a work as a mirror in which he might recognize himself,... Read More

qui-et / ˈkwīət   adjective   making little to no sound You must keep quiet or say only things that improve silence. Greek Proverb   having little to no motion; calm The heart of the wise man lies quiet like limpid water. Cameroonian Proverb   free from sound or extraneous noise There comes a time in every life when the world gets quiet and... Read More

pic-ture / ˈpik(t)SHər   noun   a visual representation of something or someone, like a painting, photograph, etc. A picture can hide as much as it reveals. Alexandra Petri, 1988-   a vivid description that triggers a mental image It is too easy to say ‘what if’ and paint a picture of a perfect world. Darren Shan, 1972-   a copy or example Justice... Read More

thrift / Thrift   noun   the management of money; frugality Thrift is independence. Chinese Proverb   a credit union or savings bank, also called a ‘ institution Thrifts are generally smaller, local institutions and don’t have the reach or resources of a large national bank. Rosemary Peavler, ?- , thebalancesmb.com/thrift-institution-393341   any plant belonging to genus Armeria, which contains low-growing perennial herbs There... Read More

capital cap-i-tal  /  kăp-ĭ-tl   adjective   first, primary, main Since the most ancient times, all men, and particularly those who endeavored in the practice of medicine, have brought closer together two natural phenomena of capital importance: illness or fever and fermentation. Louis Pasteur, 1822 – 1895   excellent, top-notch When I come upon anything-in Logic or in any other hard subject-that entirely puzzles... Read More

beg-gar / ˈbe-gər   noun   one who asks for money on the street, sometimes making their living this way There are people who can never forgive a beggar for their not having given him anything. Karl Kraus, 1874-1936   an impoverished person The man who has really won the love of one good woman in this world, I do not care if he... Read More

quick / kwik   adjective   fast to develop or happen Life seems but a quick succession of busy nothings. Jane Austen, 1775-1817   done in a fast manner The Art Snob can be recognized in the home by the quick look he gives the pictures on your walls, quick but penetrating, as though he were undressing them. Russell Lynes, 1910-1991   fast to... Read More

shark / ˈshärk   noun (1) any of a number of mostly marine fish belonging to subclass elasmobranch, ranging in size from a few inches to over 40 feet long, having a tough, dull-colored skin, and a predatory nature We provoke a shark every time we enter the water where sharks happen to be, for we forget: The ocean is not our territory –... Read More

friend-ly / ˈfren(d)-lē   adjective   showing kindly interest With a friendly word you get farther than with a club. Ukrainian Proverb   not hostile You can proclaim the truth also in a friendly way. Turkish Proverb   serving a beneficial purpose Cheerfulness is the best promoter of health and is as friendly to the mind as to the body. Joseph Addison, 1672-1719  ... Read More