Barrel /ˈberəl/ noun 1. a large container shaped like a cylinder What we need is a cup of understanding, a barrel of love, and an ocean of patience. – Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1623) 2. the long metal tube forming part of a gun Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun. – Mao Zedong (1893-1976) verb to move forward quickly in... Read More

Depth /depTH/ noun 1. wisdom, intellect We can judge our progress by the courage of our questions and the depth of our answers, our willingness to embrace what is true rather than what feels good. – Carl Sagan (1934 – 1996) 2. the distance from the top downward The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known... Read More

Cobbler /ˈkäblər/ noun 1. someone who makes and repairs shoes Behind him stood the shadowed cubbies of a cobbler’s shop, the toes of dozens of shoes peeking out like the noses of eels in their holes. – from Words of Radiance, by Brandon Sanderson (1975 – ) 2. an iced drink made with wine, sugar, and lemon Cobblers are shaken drinks served with straws... Read More

Conservation /ˌkänsərˈvāSHən/ noun 1. the planned management of natural resources to prevent loss, destruction, or waste Conservation is the preservation of life on Earth, and that, above all else, is worth fighting for. – Rob Stewart (1961 – ) 2. (physics) the principle by which the quantity of something remains constant in a system Conservation of energy (the First Law of Thermodynamics) is a... Read More

Canoe /kəˈno͞o/ noun a narrow, light boat tapered at the ends that is moved with paddles A journey by canoe along ancient waterways is a good way to rediscover our lost relationship with the natural world and the Creator who put it together so long ago. – Bill Mason (1929-1988) verb to travel in a canoe The first thing you must learn about canoeing... Read More

Indisputable /ˌindəˈspyo͞odəb(ə)l/ adjective undeniable, unquestionable Believe me, most people resist change, even when it promises to be for the better…but change will come, and if you acknowledge this simple but indisputable fact of life, and understand that you must adjust to all change, then you will have a head start. – Arthur Ashe (1943 – 1993)

Intermittent /ˌin(t)ərˈmitnt/ adjective coming and going at intervals, not continuous Music never stops, it is only the listening that is intermittent. – Henry David Thoreau (1817 – 1862)

Apparatus /ˌapəˈradəs,ˌapəˈrādəs/ noun equipment, a collection or set of implements for a specific purpose And even when the apparatus exists, novelty ordinarily emerges only for the man who, knowing with precision what he should expect, is able to recognize that something has gone wrong. – from The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, by Thomas S. Kuhn

Purloin /pərˈloin/ verb to steal, to obtain without permission He flies through the air with the greatest of ease, This daring young man on the flying trapeze; His figure is handsome, all girls he can please And my love he purloined her away. – George Leybourne (1842-1884)