rung rung / rŭng noun 1. one of the rods on a ladder that forms a step The rung of a ladder was never meant to rest upon, but only to hold a man’s foot long enough to enable him to put the other somewhat higher. Thomas Huxley, 1825 – 1895 2. a crosspiece between the legs of a chair, often used to strengthen the chair By... Read More

combine com-bine / kŏm–bīn as a noun and verb definition 4; kəm-bīn as a verb for definition 1 – 3 noun 1. a piece of farm equipment used for cutting and threshing when harvesting grain You might be a redneck if your bumper sticker says, My other car is a combine. Jeff Foxworthy, 1958 – 2. a combination, particularly groups of people united in a cause or for commercial... Read More

deserve de-serve / dĭ-zûrv verb 1. to merit or be worthy of; to earn by service It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not deserve them. Mark Twain, pen name of Samuel L. Clemens, 1835 – 1910

sprung sprung / sprŭng verb 1. past tense and past participle of the verb “spring” Many a time, from a bad beginning great friendships have sprung up. Terence, c. 195 BC – 159 BC

scion sci-on / sī-ən noun 1. a descendant, child, offspring or heir, particularly one in a wealthy or eminent family He was a young prince, the scion of a proud house that traced its lineage back to the grand old days of Rome well nigh two thousand years ago. From “The Innocents Abroad” by Mark Twain, pen name of Samuel L. Clemens, 1835 – 1910 2. a detached... Read More

coop coop / ko͞op noun 1. a pen; a hen house; a small cage You need a plan for everything, whether it’s building a cathedral or a chicken coop. John Goddard, 1924 – 2013 2. a small, cramped space THE stir of children with fresh dresses on, And men who meet and say unguarded words, And women from the coops Of drudgeries released; From “A Saint” by Padraic... Read More

hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia hip-po-po-to-mon-stro-ses-quip-pe-dal-i-o-pho-bi-a /                                                                    hĭp-ō-pŏ-tō-mŏn-strō-səs-kwĭ-pə-dăl-ē-ō-fō-bē-ə noun 1. the fear of long words Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is one of the longest words in the dictionary — and, in an ironic twist, is the name for a fear of long... Read More

restive res-tive / rĕs-tĭv adjective 1. restless; impatient, particularly of control or in response to delays or restraints; uneasy; unsettled; fidgety She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain ball. From “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, 1859 – 1930 2. obstinate; stubborn; refusing to follow commands or to move This reply was made... Read More