succor suc-cor / sŭk-ər noun 1. aid, assistance, relief You find in friendship the surety of good counsel, the emulation of good example, sympathy in our griefs, succor in our distress.  Anne-Therese de Marguenat de Courcelles, 1647 – 1733 2. someone or something that provides help, assistance or relief There is beauty in art, in literature, in science, and in every triumph of intelligence, all of which... Read More

disinfectant dis-in-fec-tant / dĭs-ĭn-fĕk-tənt adjective 1. causing the destruction of bacteria and other harmful microorganisms     I keep disinfectant wipes in my bag for when I have to use a supermarket trolley or something like that.  Paula Radcliffe, 1973 – noun 1. an element that destroys bacteria and other harmful microorganisms The best natural disinfectant, sunshine; the best germ disinfectant, formaldehyde; the best physical disinfectant, soap; the best... Read More

perseverance per-se-ver-ance / pûr-sə-vîr-əns noun 1. unwavering persistence in a purpose, belief or course of action even when difficulties are encountered Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance.  Samuel Johnson, 1709 – 1784 2. in Calvinistic theology, the doctrine that all those called by God will remain in a state of grace until death, when salvation will be given This perseverance is the promise... Read More

grounding ground-ing / ground-ĭng noun the teaching or instruction in the fundamentals of a field of knowledge that reconnect you to the earth to have positive effects on the body. Grounding is most effective when you have someplace to go. When you know where you are going, grounding brings you strength and confidence; when you’re stagnant, you get caught in the past. Tony Curl,... Read More

superstition su-per-sti-tion / so͞o-pər-stĭsh-ən noun 1. excessive reverence for that which is unknown or mysterious Superstition is the religion of the feeble minds.  Edmund Burke, 1729 – 1797 2. an irrational belief that certain outcomes are caused by something that is not logically connected to the outcome According to a Russian superstition, bird poop that lands on you or something that belongs to you will bring... Read More

opinion o-pin-ion / ə-pĭn-yən noun 1. a belief stronger than an impression but not substantiated with proof The person who has no opinion will seldom be wrong.  French Proverb 2. the current, widespread or prevailing point of view A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows the public opinion.  Chinese Proverb 3. the judgement given by an expert If you have a doctor who would be... Read More

spooky spook-y / spo͞o-kē adjective 1. causing one to think of ghosts or phantoms; ghostly In Victorian Britain, spooky winter’s tales were part of the Christmas season, often told after dinner, over port or coffee. Michael Dirda, 1948 – 2. scary I’ve made up stuff that’s turned out to be real, that’s the spooky part. Tom Clancy, 1947 – 2013 3. nervous and jumpy; easily scared I was... Read More

cauldron or caldron caul-dron / kôl-drən noun 1. a large pot or similar vessel, often with handles, used for boiling A good word quenches more than a cauldron of water.  Portuguese Proverb 2. a condition of great distress, turmoil or agitation resembling a boiling pot He felt a breath of fear on his neck at the thought that he must take his army into that cauldron.  From “The... Read More

spook spook / spo͞ok noun 1.  a ghost or phantom When the spooks have a midnight jamboree They break it up with fiendish glee Ghosts are bad, but the one that’s cursed Is the Headless Horseman, he’s the worst  Lyrics from the song “The Headless Horseman” from the 1949 Disney movie “The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad” 2. a spy You don’t need to be a spook... Read More

moose moose / mo͞os noun (plural moose) 1. a very large North American deer of the Genus Alces, having a long rounded snout, humped shoulders and the males large flattened antlers; members of the same Genus are called elk in Europe I am as strong as a bull moose and you can use me to the limit. Theodore Roosevelt, 1858 – 1919 2. a member of the Loyal... Read More