folly fol-ly / fŏl-ē noun (plural follies) 1. lack of good sense, thought or understanding; foolishness Nobody so wise but has a little folly to spare. German Proverb 2. an instance of foolishness There is no folly equal to that of throwing away friendship in a world where friendship is so rare. Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1803 – 1873 3. a costly or foolish venture It is best to learn wisdom from the follies of others. Latin... Read More

courtesy cour-te-sy / kûr-tĭ-sē adjective 1. performed out of politeness As the heir to an earldom, Stephen was obliged to pay a courtesy call on the British ambassador, and the ambassador, in his turn, was expected to invite Stephen to parties and introduce him around. From “The Man from St. Petersburg” by Ken Follett, 1949 – 2. provided without cost; free; complimentary Those who attend events with... Read More

envision en-vi-sion / ĕn-vĭzh-ən verb 1. to imagine possible outcomes or future occurrences If you could envision the type of person God intended you to be, you would rise up and never be the same again. From “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens” by Sean Covey, 1964 –

optimist op-ti-mist / ŏp-tə-mĭst noun 1. one who looks on the bright side of things A pessimist is a well-informed optimist. Russian Proverb 2. Optimist, a member of Optimist International, a volunteer organization made up of more than 2,900 local Optimist Clubs throughout the world that is dedicated to “Bringing Out the Best in Kids” By providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in youth, our... Read More

hike hike / hīk noun 1. a lengthy walk, a trek If I can get a hike in on a regular basis I know I will feel better and I will be stronger. Tara Moss, 1973 – 2. an abrupt increase (in prices, wages, etc.) The president has little chance of enacting the proposed tax hikes given Republican control of the House but they serve as a... Read More

fallen fall-en / fô-lən adjective 1.  killed In battle These fallen heroes represent the character of a nation who has a long history of patriotism and honor – and a nation who has fought many battles to keep our country free from threats of terror. Michael N. Castle, 1939 – 2. having a loss of one’s reputation, honor or chastity; dishonored; disgraced The basic premise of the... Read More

park park / pärk noun 1. land, often preserved in a natural state, designated for public recreational use The scenic ideals that surround even our national parks are carriers of a nostalgia for heavenly bliss and eternal calmness. Robert Smithson, 1938 – 1973 2. an enclosed area used for playing sports; a sports stadium If people don’t want to come out to the ball park, nobody’s gonna... Read More

plateau pla-teau / plă-tō noun 1. an elevated plain The path led at first through undulating grounds, and thence to a plateau, where pastures and tilled fields alternated. From “A Simple Soul” by Gustave Flaubert, 1821 – 1880 2. a relatively long, stable period, level or state; a time or state of little or no growth or decline History knows no resting places and no plateaus. Henry... Read More

sunrise sun-rise / sŭn–rīz noun 1. the time or event each day, in the early morning when the sun first appears in the east, above the horizon; sunup Nothing is more beautiful than the loveliness of the woods before sunrise. George Washington Carver, c. 1864 – 1943 2. the visual appearance of the sky when the sun first rises on the eastern horizon Next time a sunrise... Read More

burger burg-er / bûr-gər noun 1. hamburger; a sandwich made with a cooked ground beef patty served on a bun The fridge had been emptied of all Dudley’s favorite things — fizzy drinks and cakes, chocolate bars and burgers — and filled instead with fruit and vegetables and the sorts of things that Uncle Vernon called “rabbit food.” From “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” by... Read More