wun-der-kind / ˈvu̇n-dər-ˌkint   noun   a child or young person who is extremely skilled in a craft Just 26, Bernstein was the wunderkind of American music. Joseph Horowitz, 1948-, washingtonexaminer.com/weekly-standard/a-wunderkind-at-100

frost / ˈfrȯst   noun   a covering of tiny frozen crystals, created from the atmosphere during the night All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost. J.R.R. Tolkien, 1892-1973   the act or process of freezing The first and last frosts... Read More

zest / zest   noun   keen enthusiasm What hunger is in relation to food, zest is in relation to life. Bertrand Russell, 1872-1970   a piece of the peel of a citrus fruit, used to flavor food …adding a little lemon zest is one of the best ways to wake up a dish that needs a little extra something. Kristin Tice Studeman, ?-,... Read More

slay   slay  /  slā   verb   to kill or murder Let necessity, and not your will, slay the enemy who fights against you. Saint Augustine, 354 – 430   (slang) to overwhelm; to strongly affect From the red carpet to her sure-to-be epic performance, one thing is for certain—she’s gonna slay.  Quinn Keaney, ? –   to destroy Slander slays three persons:... Read More

ex-change / iks-ˈchānj   verb   to trade one thing for another reciprocally Discussion is an exchange of knowledge; an argument an exchange of ignorance. Robert Quillen, 1887-1948   to replace a thing with another When life gives you lemons, you exchange them at the store for something more edible. Grace Helbig, 1984-   to give up or part with something to be replaced... Read More

san-guine / ˈsaŋ-gwən   adjective   cheerfully optimistic or hopeful That glorious vision of doing good is so often the sanguine mirage of so many good souls. from ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ by Charles Dickens, 1812-1870   bloodred While far overhead hang gloriously Large luscious berries of sanguine dye, For the best grows highest, always highest, Upon the mulberry-tree. from ‘The Mulberry-Tree’ by... Read More

con-tempt  /   kən-tĕmpt   noun   scorn, disrespect You can have no influence over those for whom you have underlying contempt. Martin Luther King, Jr., 1929 – 1968   the state of being disgraced or despised Pride defeats its own end, by bringing the man who seeks esteem and reverence into contempt.  Henry Bolingbroke, 1366 – 1413   deliberate disobedience of, or disregard for,... Read More

im-pec-ca ble / im-ˈpek-ə-bəl   adjective   without fault or flaw When the mind is clear, behavior is always impeccable. Sylvia Boorstein, 1936-   sinless; unable to sin The dead, with each passing day in the afterlife, become more and more impeccable to those who remain earthbound. Anna Godbersen, 1980-

tack   tack  /  tăk   noun   (in equestrian regard) a broad name for horseback riding gear; saddles, bridles, reigns, etc. Cowboys have traditionally used many different kinds of materials including leather, rope and more recently paracord to create all manner of tack for horses. Nicky Ellis, “Tips to Help You Make your Own Horse Tack Using Para Cord”, www.horsesandfoals.com, July 18, 2019... Read More

ad-vent / ˈad-ˌvent   noun   in Christianity, the four weeks leading up to Christmas (usually capitalized) It is the beauty of Advent to awaken in all of us memories of goodness and thus to open doors of hope. Pope Benedict XVI, 1927-   in Christianity, the arrival of Christ (usually capitalized) We celebrate the First Advent to whet our appetites for the Second.... Read More