car-ni-val / kärnəvəl   noun   a traveling show which provides amusements and rides If the only vision we have of ourselves comes from the social mirror – from the current social paradigm and from the opinions, perceptions, and paradigms of the people around us – our view of ourselves is like the reflection in a crazy mirror room at the carnival. Stephen Covey,... Read More

gai-e-ty / gāədē   noun   the state of being cheerful or joyous The most profound joy has more of gravity than of gaiety in it. Michel de Montaigne, 1533-1592   merrymaking; festivities; often plural Most writers flourish greatly on a simple, healthy routine with occasional time off for gaiety. Dorothea Brande, 1893-1948   finery; showy dress; elegance Simplicity and elegance are never boring:... Read More

prob-lem / präbləm   noun   a matter or situation which requires a solution; a question involving doubt or uncertainty A problem is a chance for you to do your best. Duke Ellington, 1899-1974   a proposition in mathematics requiring solution by mathematical operation It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer. Albert Einstein, 1879-1955   difficulty in... Read More

ex-qui-site / ek’skwizət   adjective   marked by flawless, beautiful and/or delicate craftsmanship or execution What I see in the book is an exquisite form of technology: one that doesn’t require a power source and can be passed from hand to hand and lasts a lot longer than an electronic reader. Louise Erdrich, 1954-   marked by subtle understanding or keen sensitivity I would... Read More

in-fin-ite / ‘infənət   adjective   extending indefinitely Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former. Albert Einstein, 1879-1955   immeasurably great We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope. Martin Luther King, Jr., 1929-1968   unlimited or unmeasurable with regards to space, time, etc. Hope is the magic carpet that transports us... Read More

in-con-ve-nient / inkən’vēnyənt   adjective   inappropriate; untimely Poverty is not a disgrace, but it’s terribly inconvenient. Milton Berle, 1908-2002   not suitable for one’s purpose The novelist has a responsibility to adhere to the facts as closely as possible, and if they are inconvenient, that’s where the art comes in. Hilary Mantel, 1952-

dis-po-si-tion / dispə’ziSH(ə)n   noun   prevailing mood or temperament For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstances but by our disposition. Martha Washington, 1731-1802   the tendency of someone or something to act in a certain manner under a set of circumstances Nothing in human nature is so God-Like as the disposition... Read More

in-teg-ri-ty / inˈteɡrədē   noun   adherence to a strict moral code; honesty Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody’s going to know whether you did it or not. Oprah Winfrey, 1954-   the state of being whole; completeness An artist fights to retain the integrity of a work so that it remains a strong, clear vision. Maya Lin, 1959-  ... Read More

print / print   noun 1. a mark created by applied pressure; impression The fact is that when you do something from your heart, you leave a heart print. Alice Walker, 1944- 2. material with words which have been pressed on in ink Education is when you read the fine print; experience is what you get when you don’t. Pete Seeger, 1919-2014 3. block... Read More

o-pe-ra / ˈäp(ə)rə noun a dramatic composition featuring singers and instrumentalists, in which all dialogue is sung with accompaniment No good opera plot can be sensible, for people do not sing when they are feeling sensible. H. Auden, 1907-1973   the score of a musical drama I seem to write an opera about every 20 years; if you live long enough you can write... Read More