coruscant co-rus-cant / kə-ˈrə-skənt adjective   gleaming, sparkling brilliantly Not since Joan Sutherland used to dazzle us from the Met’s stage […] has a Met audience heard quite such coruscant pyrotechnics [as from Italian mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli in La Cenerentola]. John Ardoin, 1935-2001, “Love Match: In Cenerentola, Glitter is More Bartoli Than Glass,” Dallas Morning News, 11/13/1997   coruscation co-rus-ca-tion / kȯr-ə-ˈskā-shən noun  ... Read More

bail   bail   /  bāl   noun   a bond or pledge backed with money or property Excessive bail shall not be required nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. From the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution, passed by Congress September 25, 1789   the system which permits a temporary release from prison as the result of a security... Read More

mel-o-dy / ˈme-lə-dē   noun   an arrangement of musical noted in a rhythmic pattern There’s a melody in everything. And once you find the melody, then you connect immediately with the heart. […] nothing penetrates the heart faster than the melody. Carlos Santana, 1947-   a succession of pleasing sounds I love the melody of an unknown language, the strange food, all the surprises of... Read More

pick-le / ˈpi-kəl   noun   a liquid used for preserving food, typically made with vinegar or salt Life – a spiritual pickle preserving the body from decay. Ambrose Bierce, 1842-c. 1914   any vegetable which has been soaked in brining liquid, especially a cucumber Good ideas, like good pickles, are crisp, enduring, and devilishly hard to make. Rushworth Kidder, 1944-2012   a predicament... Read More

wan-der-lust / ˈwän-dər-ˌləst   noun   a deep longing and desire for travel A person susceptible to “wanderlust” is not so much addicted to movement as committed to transformation. Pico Iyer, 1957-   Wanderlust is incurable. Mark Jenkins, 1970-

rock / räk   noun   a large stone mass, often forming a cliff In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. Thomas Jefferson, 1743-1826   a mass of solid mineral material Better to have a diamond with a few small flaws than a rock that is perfect. Indian Proverb   foundation [Love] is the rock... Read More

pub-lic /  ˈpə-blik   adjective   open for general view or consumption (public forum or meeting) Actual human discourse happens within a number of contexts, not in some sort of unified public forum. Rowan Williams, 1950-   of or relating to the general population (public funds) Justice is the result of public opinion. Chinese Proverb   of or relating to being in a position... Read More

cli-ché / klē-ˈshā   noun   an expression that is overused to the point that it has become trite and unoriginal Last, but not least, avoid clichés like the plague. William Safire, 1929-2009   in drama, writing, etc., a stereotypical theme or situation; an expected trope I think to be oversensitive about clichés is like being oversensitive about table manners. Evelyn Waugh, 1903-1966  ... Read More

sense /  ˈsen(t)s   noun   the way in which one perceives the world through sensory organs Of the five senses, smell is the one with the best memory. Rebecca McClanahan, 1950-   plural, consciousness; awareness To go out of your mind once a day is tremendously important, because by going out of your mind you come to your senses. Alan Watts, 1915-1973  ... Read More

in·cor·ri·gi·ble  /  ĭn-kôr-ĭ-jə-bəl,  ĭn- kŏr– ĭ-jə-bəl   adjective   not able to be corrected or reformed There may be some incorrigible human beings who cannot be changed except by God’s own mercy to that one person. Warren E. Burger, 1907 – 1995   firmly established, not able to be removed Weakness is the only fault that is incorrigible. Francois de La Rochefoucauld, 1613 –... Read More