gist gist / jĭst noun 1. the main idea or point; the essential part Though a seeker since my birth, Here is all I’ve learned on earth, This the gist of what I know: Give advice and buy a foe.  From “A Garland of Precepts” by Phyllis McGinley, 1905 – 1978 2. in law, the basis for a legal action In the case at hand the... Read More

peep peep / pēp noun 1. a quick or furtive look When I want to take God at his word exactly, I take a peep out the window at His creation. From “The Poisonwood Bible” by Barbara Kingsolver, 1955 – 2. the first instance of coming into sight or appearing On the morrow, at the peep of day, Rosalind was off to seek her lord. From “The Quest of... Read More

doctor doc-tor / dŏk-tər noun 1. a physician or medical practitioner Medicines cure diseases but only doctors can cure patients. Carl Jung 2. a person with a PhD an academic professional degree meaning doctor of philosophy Dr. is not just my prefix it’s my superpower. Anonymous verb 1. to falsify; to change the content or the appearance of something such as a document or picture in... Read More

blossom blos-som / blŏs-əm noun 1. a flower or group of flowers especially on a tree or bush Blossom by blossom the spring begins. Algernon Charles Swinburne, 1837 – 1909 2. the time of or state when buds open to become flowers An apple tree in full blossom is like a message, sent fresh from heaven to earth, of purity and beauty.  Henry Ward Beecher, 1813 – 1887... Read More

appropriate ap-pro-pri-ate /      ə-prō-prē-ĭt as an adjective      ə-prō-prē-āt as a verb adjective 1. suitable; proper Appropriate action means to advance your own goals, without unintentional harm to anyone else. Steven Brust, 1955 – verb 1. to allocate; to set aside for a specific purpose or use We will never get anywhere with our finances until we pass a law saying that every... Read More

tort tort – tôrt noun 1. a civil wrong, independent of a contract, that causes personal injury or property damage, for which compensation may be sought through a civil suit We regard an action of Contract as an action to prevent or compensate for a breach of a promise; an action of Tort as an action to punish or compensate for a wrong, such as assault... Read More

adore a-dore / ə-dôr Verb: 1. to love someone very much, with great devotion and respect Stop running to those who ignore you and start running to those who adore you. Joseph Simmons, 1964- 2. to like very much If you wear things you adore, you just look better.  Margherita Missoni, 1983 – 3. to worship I die adoring God, loving my friends, not hating my enemies,... Read More

incense in-cense / ĭn-sĕns as a noun and verb 1 and 2 ĭn-sĕns as a verb 3 noun 1. a pleasant scent ; an aroma ; a nice fragrance It’s important to read a book, but also to hold the book, to smell the book… it’s perfume, it’s incense, it’s the dust of Egypt. Ray Bradbury, 1920 – 2012 2. a fragrant substance that is burned to... Read More

dear dear / dîr adjective 1. regarded with deep affection; cherished Through the wrinkles of time, through the bowed frame of years, you will always see the dear face and feel the warm heart union of your eternal love. Alfred Armand Montapert, 1906 – 1997 2. expensive, costly Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other, and scarce in that. Benjamin Franklin, 1706 –... Read More

mow mow / mou as a noun; mō as a verb noun 1.  in a barn, the place where hay or grain is stored The stables were on either side of this floor and the mows were above. From “Sheila of Big Wreck Cove” by James A. Cooper, 1910 – 1935    2. a stack of hay or grain in a barn Our old shepherd dog had been nosing... Read More