democratic dem-o-crat-ic / dĕm-ə-krăt-ĭk   adjective 1. pertaining to or supporting a form of government where the people retain the power either directly or through elected representatives The best way to enhance freedom in other lands is to demonstrate here that our democratic system is worthy of emulation. Jimmy Carter, 1924 –   2. for the benefit of all Knowledge is the most democratic source of... Read More

gerund ger-und / jĕr-ənd noun 1. in Latin, a noun formed from a verb, used in all cases except the nominative, expresses generalized or incomplete action Latin gerunds are formed by taking the present base plus the thematic vowel, adding -nd- and first/second-declension neuter singular endings, for example, videndum, meaning “(the act of) seeing,” or credendum, meaning “(the act of) believing.” www.usu.edu/markdamen/latin1000/Presentation/transcriptions/39T.pdf, accessed July 29, 2022 2. a... Read More

belligerent bel-lig-er-ent / bə-lĭj-ər-ənt adjective 1. hostile, pugnacious, aggressive; ready to fight Peace as a goal is an ideal which will not be contested by any government or nation, not even the most belligerent. Aung San Suu Kyi, 1945 – 2. pertaining to or waging war My attempt and prayer are and will be for an honorable peace between belligerent nations in the least possible time. Mahatma Gandhi,... Read More

democracy de-moc-ra-cy / dĭ-mŏk-rə-sē   noun 1. a form of government where the power is retained by the people either directly or through elected representatives Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education. Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1882 – 1945   2. a political unit that is governed by the people Democracy is “government... Read More

infliction in-flic-tion / ĭn-flĭk-shən noun 1. the act of imposing something unpleasant or unwelcome that must be endured Military necessity does not admit of cruelty – that is, the infliction of suffering for the sake of suffering or for revenge, . . . nor of torture to extort confessions. Abraham Lincoln, 1809 – 1865 2. something that is imposed on another, such as punishment or suffering Death comes... Read More

republic re-pub-lic / rĭ-pŭb-lĭk   noun 1. a form of government in which the people, through elected representatives, retain the supreme power; or the political unit or nation with such a government I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Pledge was originally written... Read More

histrionics his-tri-on-ics / hĭs-trē-ŏn-ĭks noun 1. overly dramatic or emotional behavior No histrionics, just the facts. Rush Limbaugh, 1951 – 2021 2. theatrical performance; dramatic presentation I prefer the smaller acting than big histrionics. Viggo Mortensen, 1958 –

perplexing per-plex-ing / pər-plĕks-ĭng adjective 1. difficult to grasp or understand clearly; puzzling We have been given the gift of life in this perplexing world to become who we ultimately are: creatures of boundless love, caring compassion, and wisdom. Wayne Teasdale, 1945 – 2004

cymbal cym-bal / sĭm-bəl noun 1. a large round, concave metal plate that is struck with another or with a drumstick to make a clashing sound, used as a percussion instrument Though I speak with the tongues of men and angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. I Corinthians 13:1-3 (KJV) __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ symbol sym-bol / sĭm-bəl noun 1. anything that stands... Read More

métier mé-tier / mĕ-tyā, mā-tyā noun 1. an occupation; a field of business or trade, particularly one that is well suited for a person Monsieur, I begged my aunt to have me taught lace-mending soon after we came to Brussels, because I knew it was a METIER, a trade which was easily learnt, and by which I could earn some money very soon. From “The Professor” by... Read More