be·nev·o·lent /bəˈnevələnt/, adjective: 1. having a kind and generous disposition “A good commander is benevolent and unconcerned with fame.” Sun Tzu, 544 BCE – 496 BCE “But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life, and thanks to a benevolent arrangement the greater part of life is sunshine.” Thomas Jefferson, 1743 – 1826 “To feel much for others... Read More

Cape /kāp/, noun: 1. a point of land extending out into an ocean or lake (often capitalized and used as a proper noun) example: Located on the Virginia coast, the Rotary Club of Cape Charles has participated in The Dictionary Project since 2005, donating over 1,000 dictionaries to local students. “When you are at home, your troubles can never defeat you.” African Proverb from... Read More

legion le·gion /ˈlējən/, noun: 1. a large military force “Legions and fleets are not such sure bulwarks of imperial power as a numerous family.” Publius Cornelius Tacitus, 56 BC – 117 BC 2. any of the national associations of former servicemen and servicewomen instituted after World War I example: The American Legion and its Auxiliary Units are the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization,... Read More

enroll / inˈrōl / verb: to be entered as a member of an institution or registered as a participant “A watchful eye must be kept on ourselves, lest while we are building ideal monuments of renown and bliss here, we neglect to have our names enrolled in the annals of Heaven.” James Madison, 1751 – 1836 “Enroll your body, soul and spirit and engage... Read More

Spontaneous spon·ta·ne·ous /spänˈtānēəs/ adjective: 1. done, said, or produced as a result of a sudden impulse, without premeditation or apparent external cause “Success isn’t a result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire.” Arnold H. Glasow, 1905 – 1998 “Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility.” William Wordsworth, 1770 – 1850 2.... Read More

Dream /drēm/ 1. noun: a strongly desired purpose or goal “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” Walt Disney, 1901 – 1966 2. noun: a series of thoughts, visions, or feelings that happen during sleep “Dreams are today’s answers to tomorrow’s questions.” Edgar Cayce, 1877 – 1945 3. verb: to contemplate and conceptualize a desired purpose or... Read More

/jək-stə-pə-ˈzi-sh(ə)n/, noun: 1. the act or an instance of placing two or more things side by side “We live in a world of constant juxtaposition between joy that’s possible and pain that’s all too common. We hope for love and success and abundance, but we never quite forget that there is always lurking the possibility of disaster.” Marianne Williamson, 1952 – 2. the state... Read More

/ ēkwəˈlibrēəm /, noun: 1. a state of physical balance, “Journey with me to a true commitment to our environment. Journey with me to the serenity of leaving to our children a planet in equilibrium.” Paul Tsongas, 1941 – 1997 2. a calm state of mind; mental or emotional composure, “My faith helps me overcome such negative emotions and find my equilibrium.” Dalai Lama,... Read More

broad·cast /ˈbrôdˌkast/ 1. verb: to publicly transmit information (often by means of radio or television) “If to live is to progress, if you are lucky, from foolishness to wisdom, then to write novels is to broadcast the various stages of your foolishness.” Jane Smiley, 1949 – 2. verb: to scatter or sow (as seed) over a broad area “Truth never yet fell dead in... Read More

im·pact / ˈimˌpakt/ noun: 1. come into forcible contact with another object “A moment of impact has potential for change—it has ripple effects far beyond what we could predict.” Nicholas Sparks, 1965 – 2. a strong effect on someone or something “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” Jackie Robinson, 1919 – 1972 The Rotary Club of... Read More