bias bi-as / bī-əs adjective 1. in a slanting manner, obliquely, diagonally Bias cut tops and dresses accentuate body curves and drape beautifully with a few soft folds. Olga Balasa, “How to Cut Fabric on the Bias”, www.ageberry.com/how-to-cut-fabric-on-bias, January 3, 2023 noun 1. a diagonal line going across the grain of a woven fabric When a pattern is cut on the bias, it means that the pattern... Read More

hover hov-er / hŭv-ər, hŏv-ər verb 1. to remain suspended floating, flying, or fluttering in the air And to lose the chance to see frigatebirds soaring in circles above the storm, or a file of pelicans winging their way homeward across the crimson afterglow of the sunset, or a myriad terns flashing in the bright light of midday as they hover in a shifting maze above... Read More

sunset sun-set / sŭn–sĕt adjective 1. pertaining to a law that ends a government program or agency at a specified time, provided it is not extended Sunset provisions are clauses embedded in legislation that cause regulatory boards and agencies to automatically expire after a given length of time unless positive action is taken to extend their lifespan, thereby forcing them to undergo review on a regular basis.... Read More

done done / dŭn adjective 1. finished; completed The man who says it cannot be done, should not interrupt a man who is doing it. Chinese Proverb 2. sufficiently cooked To roast anything, just apply a light coating of oil to a food, season it, and place it in a low walled pan and put it in a hot oven until it is done. “Cooking Terms and Techniques”,... Read More

arrive ar-rive / ə-rīv verb 1. to reach a destination The one who does not make you happy when he arrives makes you happy when he leaves. Bengali Proverb 2. to occur or take place currently, after the passing of some time When one has faith that the spring thaw will arrive, the winter winds seem to lose some of their punch. Robert Veninga, 1941 – 3. to... Read More

guesthouse guest-house / gĕst-hous   noun 1.  a small structure for guests to dwell that is separate from the main house The gated one-third-acre compound includes a Southern Colonial-style main house built in 1921, a guesthouse and a swimming pool. Lauren Beale, “Orson Welles’ former home in Sunset Strip area is for sale”, ‘Los Angeles Times’, www.latimes.com/home/la-hm-hotprop-orson-welles-20110729-story.html,  July 29, 2011   2. a bed-and-breakfast; a house that... Read More

leprechaun lep-re-chaun / lĕp-rĭ-kŏn, lĕp-rĭ-kôn noun 1. a mischievous elf-like creature, from Irish folklore, who, if captured, is said to grant wishes or reveal the location of a hidden pot of gold Imagine if we were all magical leprechauns, and every wish ever made on a four-leaf clover obliged us to help others obtain their wishes. Richelle E. Goodrich, ? –

drizzle driz-zle / drĭz-əl noun 1. a very light, gentle rain of minute droplets of water Let your love be like drizzle: it comes softly, but still swells the river. Madagascan Proverb verb 1. to rain lightly It began to drizzle rain and he turned on the windshield wipers; they made a great clatter like two idiots clapping in church. From “Wise Blood” by Flannery O’Connor, 1925 –... Read More

punctual punc-tu-al / pŭngk-cho͞o-əl adjective 1. arriving, observing or done at the exact time arranged; on time; prompt Sir Walter Scott, in lending a book one day to a friend, cautioned him to be punctual in returning it. From “Life and Literature” by J. Purver Richardson, ? – ?

deign deign / dān verb 1. to condescend to give, permit, provide, etc.; to vouchsafe Live, then, and be happy, beloved children of my heart, and never forget, that until the day God will deign to reveal the future to man, all human wisdom is contained in these two words, ‘Wait and Hope. From “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas, 1802 – 1870 2.... Read More