palatable pal-at-a-ble / păl-ə-tə-bəl adjective 1. tasty; having an acceptable taste Water is said to be potable; indeed, some declare it our natural beverage, although even they find it palatable only when suffering from the recurrent disorder known as thirst, for which it is a medicine. From “The Unabridged Devil’s Dictionary” by Ambrose Bierce, 1842 – 1914 2. acceptable or agreeable to one’s mind or feelings Democracy... Read More

tenderly ten-der-ly / tĕn-dər-lē adverb 1. with kindness, gentleness and affection Speak tenderly; let there be kindness in your face, in your eyes, in your smile, in the warmth of your greeting. Mother Teresa, 1910 – 1997 2. In a way that is easy to cut or chew A hot, tenderly cooked heap of rice is comfort food, just the way it is. Tejal Rao, “Perfect... Read More

perspicacity per-spi-cac-i-ty / pûr-spĭ-kăs-ĭ-tē noun 1. the intellectual ability to keenly perceive, discern or understand I intend to bring you strength, joy, courage, perspicacity, defiance. André Gide, 1869 – 1951

defend de-fend / dĭ-fĕnd verb 1. to fight to protect something; to guard against attack or harm Freedom is the sure possession of those alone who have the courage to defend it. Pericles 495 BC -429 BC 2. to stand up for something in the face of criticism; uphold; justify Venture not to defend what your judgment doubts of. English Proverb 3. in an oral examination, to provide... Read More

brittle brit-tle / brĭt-l adjective 1. easily broken or snapped; fragile Man is harder than a stone and more brittle than an egg. Bulgarian Proverb 2. lacking compassion or sensitivity; cold “Now, my boy, times have changed,” Del Mar addressed him in cold, brittle tones. From “Michael, Brother of Jerry” by Jack London, 1876 – 1916 3. irritable; rudely brusque Bush gave a brittle reply, calling such remarks... Read More

philanthropic phil-an-throp-ic / fĭl-ən-thrŏp-ĭk adjective 1. showing concern for mankind; marked by charitable actions or assistance; benevolent We cannot preserve philanthropic and charitable values if we detach them completely from our fundamental personal beliefs and convictions. Robert L. Payton, 1926 – 2011

colonel colo-nel / kûr-nəl noun 1. a commissioned officer in the US Army, Air Force or Marine Corps, ranking above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general or a similar rank in other countries When we find him again, his mustachios and the title of Colonel on his card are the only relics of his military profession. From “Vanity Fair” by William Makepeace Thackeray, 1811... Read More

unselfish un-self-ish / ŭn-sĕl-fĭsh adjective 1.  generous; concerned about others more than oneself; altruistic Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation’s compassion, unselfish caring, patience, and just plain love for one another. Erma Bombeck, 1927 – 1996

wonky won-ky / wŏng-kē adjective 1. unsteady; wobbly; shaky That thought made Ki-jeong want to straighten out the rumpled bed sheets and make the bed up neatly, fold a thick piece of paper and stick it beneath the wonky chair leg to balance it, attach a deadbolt to the flimsy goshiwon door, and take the purple trench coat off of the dingy wall, place it in a... Read More

fecund fe-cund / fē-kənd, fĕk-ənd adjective 1. able to produce fruit, offspring, etc. in abundance; fruitful; fertile  The rain, the humid flux descending from heaven for both man and animal, for both thick and strong, germinated the wheat, swelled the furrows with fecund mud and brought forth the buds in the orchards. Aeschylus, c. 525 BC – c. 456 BC 2. very productive intellectually; prolific A sterile mind... Read More