unite u-nite / yo͞o-nīt verb 1. to combine; to put together or be joined as one whole When spiders’ webs unite, they can tie up a lion.  Ethiopian Proverb 2. to bring together or combine for a common purpose, belief, action, etc. Necessity unites.   German Proverb 3. to enter into an alliance I will unite with anyone to do good, but with no one to do harm. ... Read More

fruition fru-i-tion / fro͞o-ĭsh-ən noun 1. fulfillment, realization The pain of discipline is short, but the glory of the fruition is eternal.  Harriet Beecher Stowe, 1811 – 1896 2. the enjoyment derived from realization or attainment Marriage is a partnership in which each inspires the other, and brings fruition to both of you.  Millicent Carey McIntosh, 1898 – 2001 3. the state of bearing fruit Our opinions do... Read More

doughnut or donut (less common spelling) dough-nut / dō-nŭt, dō-nət noun 1. a fried cake rolled in sugar, usually round with a hole in the middle Don’t look at the hole in the doughnut. Look at the whole doughnut. Branch Rickey, 1881 – 1965 2. something that is shaped like a thick ring; a toroid Polish doughnuts are low viscosity, optically thick, radiation pressure... Read More

irascible i-ras-ci-ble / ĭ-răs-ə-bəl, ī-răs-ə-bəl adjective 1. easily angered, irritable The most irascible person is most likely to become apathetic in dangerous situations. Franz Grillparzer, 1791 – 1872 2. characterized by anger He who gets the better of an irascible temperament conquers his worst enemy. Publilius Syrus, c. 85 BC – 43 BC

euphemism eu-phe-mism / yo͞o-fə-mĭz-əm noun 1. an inoffensive term used in place of one that is considered offensive or distressful Frankness is usually a euphemism for rudeness. Muriel Spark, 1918 – 2006 2. the use of an inoffensive phrase or word in place of one that is offensive or distressful Euphemism is common in hospital and medical facilities where bodily functions need to be... Read More

recess re-cess / rē-sĕs, rĭ-sĕs noun 1. a short intermission, a temporary stoppage of a pursuit or action In court, jurors are admonished by the judge at every recess not to discuss the case or form any opinions until the case is given to them for deliberations. Robert Shapiro, 1942 – 2. a break during the school day for students to play or relax... Read More

grammar gram-mar / ˈgra-mər noun 1. the study of sentence structure Grammar is to a writer what anatomy is to a sculptor, or the scales to a musician. B.J. Chute, 1913-1987 2. the way in which sentences are constructed in a language Writing is an act of faith, not a trick of grammar. E.B. White, 1899-1985 3. the rules for how language is structured... Read More

prank prank / ˈpraŋk noun 1. a trick, usually done in a mischievous manner If wit is the most sophisticated form of humor, pranks are the most juvenile. Maureen Dowd, 1952- verb 1. to play a trick on someone Pranking exposes the truth that underneath this appearance of order is joy, laughter, and disorder. Mac Barnett, 1982- 2. to dress ostentatiously He pranked himself... Read More

arbor ar-bor / är-bər noun 1. a place shaded by trees or shrubs The sight of a pleasant arbor puts it in our mind to sit there. “The Art of Public Speaking” by Dale Carnagey (AKA Dale Carnegie), 1888 – 1955, and J. Berg Esenwein, 1867 – 1946 2. a framework that is covered with vines or other climbing plants that provides shade I... Read More

petrichor pet-ri-chor / pĕt-rĭ-kôr noun the pleasant, earthy smell produced when rain falls on warm, dry ground Petrichor, the smell of rain on dry earth nuzzles the senses and the same feeling is triggered while sniffing the yellowed pages of old books! Navanita Varadpande, “Smell is a gateway to one’s memories” ‘Gulf News’, June 28, 2019 Etymology from the ancient Greek words petra (rock)... Read More