waist   waist  /  wāst   noun   the part of the human body between the ribs and the hips Your waist size should not be more than half your height. Mehmet Oz, 1960 –   the narrow part of the body of an insect between its thorax and abdomen Wasps are distinguishable from bees by their pointed lower abdomens and the narrow “waist,”... Read More

speech / ˈspēch   noun   the communication of thoughts through talking We must have reasons for speech but we need none for silence. French Proverb   a conversation A kind speech and forgiveness is better than alms followed by injury. Islamic Proverb   anything that is said People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom... Read More

synonym   syn-o-nym / ˈsi-nə-ˌnim   noun   one of two or more words that have the same meaning in the same language ‘Google’ is not a synonym for ‘research’. Dan Brown, 1964-   a word or phrase that has become so closely associated with something that it comes to embody it Greatness is so often a courteous synonym for great success. Philip Guedalla,... Read More

men-tor / ˈmen-ˌtȯr   noun   an experienced person who is seen as a guide and advisor A mentor is someone who sees more talent and ability within you than you see in yourself, and helps bring it out of you. Bob Proctor, 1934-   a tutor Mentors and apprentices are partners in an ancient human dance, and one of teaching’s great rewards is... Read More

need / ˈnēd   noun   an obligation One who believes in himself has no need to convince others. Laozi, 601 BC-c. 531 BC   a lack of something vital or useful There is no need like the lack of a friend. Irish Proverb   a physical or mental requirement Above and beyond looking after your physical needs, it can be very helpful to... Read More

ex-is-ten-tial / eg-(ˌ)zi-ˈsten(t)-shəl   adjective   of or relating to the state of being or existing We are always doing something to cover up our basic existential anxiety. Charlotte Joko Beck, 1917-2011   grounded or based in the experience of being The rightful claim to dissent is an existential right. Friedrich Dürrenmatt, 1921-1990   having a place or being in time and space The... Read More

rye   rye  /  rī   noun   a cool climate annual grass (Secale cereale) A shallow, worn-out soil should not be used for corn, but for cowpeas or rye. From “Agriculture for Beginners” by Charles William Burkett, 1873 – 1962   the grain of Secale cereale which is ground into flour, used to make whiskey or used as food for livestock Every New... Read More

they / ˈt͟hā   pronoun   those people, animals, etc. Some people want to be praised for the rest of their lives for what they have done well for one day. Chinese Proverb   used to refer to an unspecified person or people, or people in general Listen to what they say of the others and you will know what they say about you.... Read More

ten-u-ous / ˈten-yə-wəs   adjective   lacking substance; very flimsy or weak The same thing that makes friendship so valuable is what makes it so tenuous: it is purely voluntary. from ‘We Learn Nothing’ by Tim Kreider, ?-   very thin As we drove out of Louton and the road began a series of sweeping curves that climbed up the mountain, the tenuous thread... Read More

ea-gle / ˈē-gəl   noun   any large bird of prey belonging to hawk family Accipitridae which lives primarily in North America Even the mightiest eagle comes down to the treetops to rest. Ugandan Proverb   in golf, a score of two below par on a single hole There’s no question that the galleries still like to see birdies and eagles. Arnold Palmer, 1929-2016... Read More