interact in-ter-act / ĭn-tər-ăkt verb 1. to relate mutually to; to act together with or on another Leaders should interact with everyone in their organization as if the interaction is being recorded and will be used as a training film on how to treat colleagues, coworkers, and customers. Bill Crawford, Ph.D, ? –

comparison com-par-i-son / kəm-păr-ĭ-sən noun 1. the act of examining two or more things with the view of discovering the similarities or differences Comparisons make enemies of our friends. American Proverb 2. the state of association based on similarities and differences What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you. Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1803 – 1882 3. a... Read More

ponder pon-der / pŏn-dər verb 1. to think about something carefully and thoroughly, to contemplate, to consider The optimist pleasantly ponders how high his kite will fly; the pessimist woefully wonders how soon his kite will fall. William Arthur Ward, 1921 – 1994

rouse rouse / rouz noun 1. the act of awakening or provoking or a signal to get up At last this remark of his gave me a sudden rouse. From “The Facts Concerning the Recent Carnival of Crime in Connecticut” by Mark Twain, pen name of Samuel Clemens, 1835 – 1910 2. (obsolete) an alcoholic beverage ‘Fore heaven, they have given me a rouse already. From “Othello” by... Read More

scant scant / skănt adjective 1. barely sufficient; limited Books that children read but once are of scant service to them; those that have really helped to warm our imaginations and to train our faculties are the few old friends we know so well that they have become a portion of our thinking selves. From “Books and Men” by Agnes Repplier, 1855 – 1950 2. insufficient in amount;... Read More

dubious du-bi-ous / do͞o-bē-əs, dyo͞o-bē-əs adjective 1. uncertain, not yet determined The world is full of hopeful analogies and handsome, dubious eggs, called possibilities. George Eliot, pen name of Mary Ann Evans, 1819 – 1880 2. doubtful or suspicious; questionable He is a friend who, in dubious circumstances, aids in deeds when deeds are necessary.  Plautus, 254 BC – 184 BC 3. untrustworthy; suspect Information obtained under dubious... Read More

leftover left-o-ver / left–ō-vər adjective 1.  left as an unused portion or amount; remaining Always strive to give your spouse the very best of yourself; not what’s leftover after you have given your best to everyone else. Dave Willis, 1970 – noun 1.  a portion or amount remaining after use; remainder ‘Solid wastes’ are the discarded leftovers of our advanced consumer society. Jimmy Carter, 1924 –... Read More

spice spice / spīs noun 1. any of a number of aromatic plant substances used to add flavor You can make just about any foods taste wonderful by adding herbs and spices. Jorge Cruise, 1971 – 2. collectively, the aromatic plant substances used for flavoring If you cooked without spice or seasoning, you’d come up with something you could eat, but it wouldn’t satisfy. From “Dance Upon... Read More

thanks thanks / thăngks noun 1. an acknowledgment of gratitude for kindness, favor, or the like When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the morning light, for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food, and the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies with yourself. Tecumseh, 1768 – 1813 2. gratitude; thoughts or feelings of gratefulness... Read More

aroma a-ro-ma / ə-rō-mə noun 1. smell; scent; fragrance; a property that is detected by one’s sense of smell It’s not the aroma of the soup that tells you whether it’s sweet or not, but it’s the tongue’s taste. African Proverb 2. a pervading, subtle quality or tone Behave so the aroma of your actions may enhance the general sweetness of the atmosphere. Henry David Thoreau 1817-1862