rationalize ra-tion-al-ize / răsh-ə-nə-līz verb 1. to explain away, to make excuses, to justify one’s own or another’s attitude with logical or plausible reasons even if these are not true or appropriate Never rationalize anything that feels wrong. Louise Erdrich, 1954 – 2. to explain or think in a logical or sensible way Happiness is a mystery like religion, and it should never be rationalized.  G. K.... Read More

gender gen-der / jĕn-dər noun 1. the sex of a living thing; the state of being male or female The only ineradicable difference between men and women is gender.  From “The Co-Citizens” by Corra Mae Harris, 1869 – 1935           2. males or females as a group In parts of the world where sex education is beset with taboos — including the United States — it is still... Read More

lexicographer lex-i-cog-ra-pher / lĕk-sĭ-kŏg-rə-fər noun 1. a person who writes or compiles dictionaries Lexicographer: a writer of dictionaries, a harmless drudge, that busies himself in tracing the original, and detailing the signification of words.  Samuel Johnson, 1709 – 1784

louse louse / lous Noun (plural lice for definitions 1 and 2; plural louses for definition 3) 1. any of a number of small wingless parasitic insects that live on the skin of mammals and birds Sir, there is no settling the point of precedency between a louse and a flea. Samuel Johnson, 1709 – 1784 2. a small insect that feeds by sucking sap from plants... Read More

contagion con-ta-gion / kən-tā-jən noun 1. the transmission of disease through direct or indirect contact Poverty can fuel contagion, but contagion can also create or deepen impoverishment.  Vidya Diwakar, “From pandemics to poverty: the implications of coronavirus for the furthest behind”, www.odi.org/blogs/16754-pandemics-poverty-implications-coronavirus-furthest-behind, March 10, 2020 2. a disease that is contagious Doctor Boyleston, likewise, inoculated many persons; and while hundreds died who had caught the contagion from the... Read More

orchard or-chard /  ôr-chərd noun 1. a grove or garden where trees are grown for their fruit or nuts In an orchard there should be enough to eat, enough to lay up, enough to be stolen, and enough to rot upon the ground. Samuel Madden, 1686 – 1765 2. trees grown to produce fruits or nuts One who doesn’t appreciate the apple, won’t appreciate the orchard. ... Read More

pumpkin pump-kin / pump-kĭn, pŭm-kĭn, pŭng-kĭn noun 1. a round, often large fruit, in the gourd family, having a think rind, pulpy flesh and many seeds, used in cooking One cannot manage too many affairs; like pumpkins in water, one pops up while you try to hold down the other.  Chinese Proverb 2. a course, creeping vine of the genus Cucurbita, which bears a round,... Read More

illness ill-ness /  ĭl-nĭs  noun: 1. a disease or period of sickness affecting the body or mind The best doctor prevents illness, an average doctor visits when the illness is imminent, and the unskilled doctor treats your present illness.  Chinese Proverb etymology From the Old Norse adjective illr (bad, wrong, evil) and the English noun-forming suffix “-ness” (from the Anglo-Saxon –ness/-nyse/-nys) signifying a state or condition). Thank you to... Read More

reap reap / rēp verb 1. to cut or gather the harvest Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant. Robert Louis Stevenson, 1850-1894 2. to receive a return or result Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must undergo the fatigue of supporting it. Thomas Paine, 1737 – 1809 etymology From the Anglo-Saxon verb reopan/repan/ripan (tear, pull out,... Read More

gaze gaze / gāz noun 1. a steady, intent look Often there is eloquence in a silent gaze.  Latin Proverb verb 2. to stare or look at steadily and intently especially in admiration, awe or thought No one regards what is before his feet; we all gaze on the stars. Quintus Ennius, 239 BC – 169 BC etymology From the Middle English verb gasen/gazen (stare at, look steadily at), probably... Read More