expansive ex-pan-sive / ĭk-spăn-sĭv adjective 1. able to or tending to expand The more expansive government is, the more perils people face in daily lives, be it from IRS agents or from child support services, or from other agencies that often have little or no legal restraints on their power. James Bovard, 1956 – 2. extensive; large in range or size Being willing to change allows you to... Read More

heroine her-o-ine / hĕr-ō-ĭn noun 1. a famous woman, admired for exceptional bravery, ability or achievement There are always these moments in life when the limits of suffering are reached and we become heroes and heroines. Katherine Mansfield, 1888 – 1923 2.  the main female character in a story, play, film, etc. Heroine: girl who is perfectly charming to live with, in a book. Mark Twain, pen name... Read More

unconditional un-con-di-tion-al / ŭn-kən-dĭsh-ə-nəl   adjective 1. free from restrictions, limitations or conditions; absolute What it’s like to be a parent: It’s one of the hardest things you’ll ever do but in exchange it teaches you the meaning of unconditional love. From “The Wedding” by Nicholas Sparks, 1965 –

nonce nonce / nŏns noun 1. the current time or happening What is wanted for the nonce is, that folks should be as agreeable as possible in conversation and demeanor; so that good humor may be said to be one of the very best articles of dress one can wear in society. William Makepeace Thackeray, 1811 – 1863

gesture ges-ture / jĕs-chər noun 1. a movement of the hand, body or face that expresses ideas or feelings We see that every external motion, act, gesture, whether voluntary or mechanical, organic or mental, is produced and preceded by internal feeling or emotion, will or volition, and thought or mind. H. P. Blavatsky, 1831 – 1891 2. an act or something that is said as a formality... Read More

prior pri-or / prī-ər adjective 1. occurring earlier in time or order Prior to any questioning, the person must be warned that he has a right to remain silent, that any statement he does make may be used as evidence against him and that he has a right to the presence of an attorney, either retained or appointed. Earl Warren, 1891 – 1974  2. preceding; existing or... Read More

spurious spu-ri-ous / spyo͝or-ē-əs adjective 1. counterfeit; not real or genuine America overflows with specious “victims” demanding redress for spurious grievances. George Will, “Reform in Baseball as In Life”, www.sfgate.com. April 2, 2001 2. untrustworthy; invalid; incorrect Correlations are not explanations and besides, they can be as spurious as the high correlation in Finland between foxes killed and divorces. Gunnar Myrdal. 1898 – 1987 3. in plants, having a... Read More

salsa sal-sa / säl-sə noun 1. a spicy sauce usually made from chopped raw vegetables or fruit, particularly tomatoes, onions and peppers Over the past decade, Americans have grown to love salsa on everything from scrambled eggs to the more traditional dishes of Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage. Julie Garden-Robinson, “From the Garden to the Table: Salsa!”, www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/publications/garden-table-salsa, accessed April 26, 2023 2. a type of music originating... Read More

largesse (also largess) lar-gesse / lär-zhĕs, lär-jĕs, lär–jĕs noun 1. the generous giving of gifts, favors, etc., often as if to an inferior Big-government proponents embrace both the power of the federal government and the idea that millions of Americans ought to be dependent on its largesse. Gary Bauer, 1946 – 2. a gift or money that has been given, often in a showy way The... Read More

wretch wretch / rĕch noun 1. a person who is miserably unhappy or unfortunate Hatred, in the course of time, kills the unhappy wretch who delights in nursing it in his bosom. Giacomo Casanova, 1725 – 1798 2. a vile, despicable person Hell is crowded with ungrateful wretches. Italian Proverb