tradition tra-di-tion / trə-dĭsh-ən   noun 1. the passing down of cultural customs, practices or beliefs through generations, particularly through word of mouth Tradition means handing on all that is of value to the next generation. Henry Lewis Bullen, 1857 – 1938   2. a custom, practice or belief passed within families or social groups from one generation to another All major religious traditions carry basically the... Read More

midnight mid-night / mĭd–nīt adjective 1. pertaining to 12 o’clock at night Let my lamp at midnight hour be seen in some high lonely tower.  British Proverb 2. dark or gloomy Midnight blue is the only color that can ever compete with black. Christian Dior, 1905 – 1957 noun (no plural) 1. 12 o’clock at night, often referred to as the middle of the night One hour’s sleep before midnight,... Read More

conclusion con-clu-sion / kən-klo͞o-zhən noun 1. the final part; the end If, on a rare occasion, it is necessary to speak with some severity in order to make a grievous crime felt, we should always, at the conclusion of the rebuke, add some kind words.  Alphonsus Liguori. 1696 – 1787   2. the outcome or end result Passion makes the best observations and the sorriest conclusions.  Jean... Read More

festivity fes-tiv-i-ty / fĕ-stĭv-ĭ-tē noun (plural festivities) 1. a merry and fun celebration or occasion A resolute and wise refusal to take part in festivities will be an incentive for introspection and self-purification. Mahatma Gandhi, 1869 – 1948 2. the joyous, happy characteristics of a celebratory event or festival; gaiety The table is a meeting place, a gathering ground, the source of sustenance and nourishment, festivity, safety, and... Read More

responsibility re-spon-si-bil-i-ty / rĭ-spŏn-sə-bĭl-ĭ-tē   noun 1. the quality or state of being accountable or answerable for one’s actions or obligations You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today. Abraham Lincoln, 1809 – 1865   2. something or someone for which one is in charge of or responsible for; an obligation Failure is nature’s plan to prepare you for great responsibilities.  Napoleon Hill,... Read More

goblet gob-let /  gŏb-lĭt noun 1. a vessel with a foot and a stem, used for drinking Those who set aside the bottle of bitterness and lift instead the goblet of gratitude can find a purifying drink of healing, peace, and understanding. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, 1940 – 2. (archaic) a bowl shaped utensil, without handles, used for drinking

rejoice re-joice / rĭ-jois verb 1. to feel joyful and happy He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.  Epictetus, 55 – c. 135 2. (archaic) to make glad or joyful She is a girl who rejoices my heart, and, please God, she will rejoice it yet more.  From “Under the Willow... Read More

blessed bless-ed / blĕs-ĭd   adjective 1. worthy of or regarded with profound adoration, devotion, or worship Still through the cloven skies they come with peaceful wings unfurled, and still their heavenly music floats o’er all the weary world; above its sad and lowly plains, they bend on hovering wing, and ever o’er its Babel sounds the blessed angels sing. Lyrics from “It Came Upon the Midnight... Read More

package pack-age / păk-ĭj   noun 1. something packed, wrapped up, or tied together; a parcel When a man is wrapped up in himself he makes a pretty small package.  John Ruskin, 1819 – 1900   2. a container or other such wrapping into which something is placed to store, transport or sell The best things come in small packages. Latin Proverb   3. a group of components... Read More

Scrooge or scrooge scrooge / skro͞oj   noun 1. one who is miserly, stingy or selfish Within one’s own family, money is not the measure of things, unless the person is an absolute Scrooge. Margaret Atwood, 1939 –   etymology From the made-up name of the tightfisted, hardhearted miser Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens’ novel “A Christmas Carol”, perhaps inspired by the British dialect... Read More