sire sire / sīr noun 1. a father; a biological male parent I had rather aske of my sire browne bread, then borrow of my neighbour white. George Herbert, 1593 – 1633 2. the male parent of an animal, especially used of a horse or other domesticated animal Every foal is not like its sire. Danish Proverb 3. creator or founder Toil, says the proverb, is the sire... Read More

janitor jan-i-tor / jăn-ĭ-tər noun 1. one who takes care of the cleaning or maintenance of a building Apply yourself at whatever you do, whether you’re a janitor or taking your first summer job, because that work ethic will be reflected in everything you do in life. Tyler Perry , 1969 –

trepidation trep-i-da-tion / trĕp-ĭ-dā-shən noun 1. fear; a feeling of dread or anxiety But the first lie in the series is the one you make with the greatest trepidation and the heaviest heart. Michael Chabon, 1963 – 2. (archaic) a condition of involuntary trembling or palpitation They pass the planets sev’n, and pass the fix’d, And that crystalline sphere whose balance weighs The trepidation talk’d, and that first-mov’d.... Read More

reservation res-er-va-tion / rĕz-ər-vā-shən noun 1. an agreement made in advance to hold a place for someone Have your name put in the Lamb’s Book of Life in Heaven so you’ll be sure you’ve got your reservation confirmed for one of those mansions in God’s golden Space City! David Berg, 1919 – 1994 2. hesitation; qualm; doubt Any man worth his salt will stick up for... Read More

grease grease / grēs (as a noun) and grēs or grēz (as a verb) noun 1. a soft or melted animal fat Many Texas barbecue fanatics have a strong belief in the beneficial properties of accumulated grease. Calvin Trillin, 1935 – 2. any thick, oily matter, particularly that used as a lubricant I hate to be a kicker, I always long for peace, But the wheel that... Read More

quell quell / kwĕl verb 1. to calm; to quiet It is a happy thing that time quells the longings of vengeance and hushes the promptings of rage and aversion. From “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë, 1816 – 1855 2. to suppress; to bring under control forcibly No tempest or conflagration, however great, is harder to quell than mob carried away by the novelty of power. Marcus... Read More

fetid (also foetid) fet-id / fĕt-ĭd, fē-tĭd adjective 1.  having a terrible, offensive smell; stinking; foul One wondered about this, as also about the swarms of flies which hung about the scene, literally blackening the air, and the strange, fetid odor which assailed one’s nostrils, a ghastly odor, of all the dead things of the universe. From “The Jungle” by Upton Sinclair, 1878 – 1968

frank frank / frăngk adjective 1. candid, honest, forthright, direct and straightforward in speech and expression If everyone were clothed with integrity, if every heart were just, frank, kindly, the other virtues would be well-nigh useless. Moliere, 1622 – 1673 2. evident; readily perceived; unmistakable Often, the first presentation of allergy is discovered during the comprehensive exam’s case history, rather than the patient showing up with frank symptoms. John... Read More

frivolous friv-o-lous / frĭv-ə-ləs adjective 1. not serious; silly; foolish One who is serious all day will never have a good time, while one who is frivolous all day will never establish a household. Ptahhotpe, c. 25th – 24th century B.C. 2. of little weight or importance; trivial It is an endless and frivolous pursuit to act by any other rule than the care of satisfying... Read More

fated fat-ed / fā-tĭd adjective 1. destined; bound to happen; predetermined Delusions, errors and lies are like huge, gaudy vessels, the rafters of which are rotten and worm-eaten, and those who embark in them are fated to be shipwrecked. Gautama Buddha, 567 BC – 484 BC 2. marked for death or ruin; doomed If the British Empire is fated to pass from life into history, we must hope it will not be... Read More