Visceral David Zapatka Do you occasionally find yourself having a gut reaction to a comment or situation you are exposed to? Do you notice yourself or others having immediate strong emotional reactions to stimuli with no basis in logic, reason or intellect? These reactions/emotions are described as visceral, this month’s word. Visceral – adjective vis·cer·al ˈvi-sə-rəl,…
Tag: Word of the Month
Features, April 2016
Word of the Month
David Zapatka Are you one of those people who enjoy looking at the moon? What is your favorite phase of the moon? The romantics love the full moon while others prefer the crescent or gibbous moon. Some say the new moon. Grandson Trace loves to see the moon in the sky and read what the…
Features, March 2016
Word of the Month: Tenace
David Zapatka This month’s Word of the Month is tenace, a word commonly used in the world’s best card game, bridge. Unlike what many may think, this word has nothing to do with the words “ten” and “ace” being combined to mean something special. However, an ace frequently plays a role in the meaning of…
Features, February 2016
Word of the Month: Intoxicate
David Zapatka Reader and fellow Wisdom Seeker book club member, Sandy Goldschein, suggested our word for this month after reading about bliss in the December issue; intoxicating. Intoxicate /inˈtäksəkāt/ verb; of alcohol, a drug; to make (someone) unable to think and behave normally; to excite, please or elate (someone) to the point of enthusiasm or frenzy. Origin of…
Features, January 2016
Word of the Month: Enrapture
David Zapatka Reader Kim Park writes, “The December word of the month, bliss, struck such a beautiful chord with me, I began to think of words with a similar feel. I have always had a fondness for the word enrapture. It goes well with bliss and also brings up images of great happiness and delight.”…
Features, December 2015
Word of the Month
David Zapatka This month’s word of the month is a long-time favorite of mine, bliss. I was first introduced to this deep and meaningful word in the early ‘70s when someone explained to me that a state of complete happiness is achievable. The word used for this complete and enduring state of happiness is bliss.…
Features, October 2015
Word of the Month
Antimacassar David Zapatka Reader and fellow New Adventures In Learning student, Terry Meury, suggested a word for something we have all seen but few would be able to properly name; antimacassar / æntɪməˈkæsə/. You will certainly remember seeing armrest covers on sofas and headrest covers on chairs in your parents’ or grandparents’ homes. You may have…
Features, September 2015
Word of the Month: Empath part II
Dave Zapatka This month’s word of the month, “empath,” is derived from the Greek “em” (in) and “pathos” (feeling), the term “empath” means one who is able to “feel into” others’ thoughts and feelings. Empaths may be lucid dreamers. They may dream in detail and are inquisitive of dream content. They often feel their dreams…
Features, August 2015
Word Of The Month
Empath Dave Zapatka Born in fiction novels and movies, this month’s word of the month, “empath,” has found its way into the field of psychology and common vernacular. Derived from the Greek “em” (in) and “pathos” (feeling), the term empath means one who is able to feel into others’ thoughts and feelings. Empaths are highly…
Features, July 2015
Word of the Month: Ephemeral vs. Ethereal
David Zapatka Reader, friend and fellow table tennis player, June Wagner, explains that the words “ephemeral” and “ethereal” are sometimes used inappropriately since they sound so familiar. They are very different. “Ephemeral” (əˈfem(ə)rəl) refers to something that is brief, fleeting or quickly passing. “Ethereal” (əˈthirēəl) refers to something lacking material substance, marked by unusual delicacy…