ornithology or-ni-thol-o-gy / ôr-nə-thŏl-ə-jē noun 1. the scientific study of birds It is much better to learn the elements of geology, of botany, or ornithology and astronomy by word of mouth from a companion than dully from a book. Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1803 – 1882

squabble squab-ble / skwŏb-əl noun 1. a noisy quarrel about something petty or trivial Time cures sorrows and petty squabbles, because we all change and are no longer the same persons. Blaise Pascal, 1623 – 1662 verb 1. to quarrel over something trivial We study ourselves three weeks, we love each other three months, we squabble three years, we tolerate each other thirty years, and then the children... Read More

thereupon there-up-on / thâr-ə-pŏn, thâr-ə-pôn adverb 1. concerning that; referring to that; upon that Living at a river, one comes to know the nature of the fish therein; Dwelling by a mountain, one learns to recognize the language of the birds thereupon.  Chinese Proverb 2. immediately following Thereupon he began to pray to Hercules, without other exertion.  From “Hercules and the Carter” a Fable by Aesop, 620 BC... Read More

savior sav-ior /  sāv-yər noun 1. someone who saves others from danger or evil My first true love : singing – Its been the savior of many poor boy, and God I know I’m one. Eric Burdon, 1941 – 2. Savior, in Christianity, Jesus Christ As the grace grows nearer my theology is growing strangely simple, and it begins and ends with Christ as the only... Read More

sacrosanct sac-ro-sanct / săk-rō-săngkt adjective 1. most sacred; inviolable Right to freedom of speech and expression is one of the most cherished rights and sacrosanct in nature.  Rupesh Kumar Singh, “Freedom of Speech and Expression and Reasonable Restrictions: An Analysis”, ‘Indian Journal of Law and Legal Research”, August 21, 2021 2. above criticism; beyond reproach The feminization of America has made emotions sacrosanct while condemning as cold and... Read More

din din / dĭn noun 1. a loud, inharmonious, confusion of noise; a cacophony Solitude is a way to defend the spirit against the murderous din of our materialism. Thomas Merton. 1915 – 1968 verb 1. to make or subject to a loud racket The voice was familiar, a strict feminine sound dinning in my ears. www.fanfiction.net/s/3577793/6/You-Know-Who, accessed April 8, 2022 2. to instill through constant repetition Good heavens!... Read More

doyenne doy-enne / doi-ĕn, dwä-yĕn   noun 1. a woman who is the senior member of a group As Countess Karolyi doesn’t come, I am the Doyenne, and shall have to go in first, led by Sir Francis Seymour. From “Letters of a Diplomat’s Wife 1883 – 1900” by Mary Alsop King Waddington, 1833 – 1923   etymology The feminine form of the French masculine noun doyen (a... Read More

syncretism syn-cre-tism /  sĭng-krĭ-tĭz-əm, sĭn-krĭ-tĭz-əm noun 1. the attempted reconciliation or fusion of differing or opposing principles or beliefs in philosophy or religion Instances of religious syncretism—as, for example, Gnosticism (a religious dualistic system that incorporated elements from the Oriental mystery religions), Judaism, Christianity, and Greek religious philosophical concepts—were particularly prevalent during the Hellenistic period (c. 300 bce–c. 300 ce). Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “religious... Read More

repartee rep-ar-tee / rĕp-ər-tē, rĕp-ər-tā, rĕp-är-tē, rĕp-är-tā noun 1. a quick, clever reply Repartee is something we think of twenty-four hours too late.  Mark Twain, 1835 – 1910 2. conversation filled with quick, clever remarks Thus, with laugh and jest, and good-natured repartee, did these men bear the pangs of hunger for many days. From “The Red Eric” by R.M. Ballantyne, 1825 – 1894 3. skill in coming up... Read More

obviate ob-vi-ate / ŏb-vē-āt verb 1. to prevent from happening; to make unnecessary The precept, “Know yourself,” was not solely intended to obviate the pride of mankind; but likewise that we might understand our own worth. Marcus Tullius Cicero, 106 BC – 43 BC etymology From the Latin verb obvio, obviare, obviavi, obviatum (stand in the way of, go against, oppose) formed from the Latin adjective obvius, obvia, obvium (standing in... Read More