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Ambiguity
Ambiguity: (n) uncertainty or inexactness of meaning in language Shouldn’t that be the United States of Ambiguity? It is now a national pastime–maybe better phrased, our universal slogan. In the...
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America
America: ( n) a landmass in the Western Hemisphere that consists of the continents of North and South America joined by the Isthmus of Panama. Is it an idea? Is it a connecting tissue of continents?...
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Anderson, Marion
Anderson, Marion: (1888-1959): U.S. Opera singer initially barred from giving concerts in the United States because of racial discrimination. She gained international success and became the first...
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Anoint
Anoint: (v) 1. to smear or rub with oil, typically as part of a religious ceremony 2. to confer divine or holy office. I’m not much for ceremony. The rituals that normally happen in politics, religion...
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Anti-American
Anti-American (adj): hostile to the interests of the United States; opposed to Americans. If you will allow me to characterize an entire nation in the context of the growth spurt of an average human...
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Antic
Antic: (adj) grotesque or bizarre What happens when you use two words to define one word and the two words you apply–which were meant to be synonyms–have absolutely nothing to do with each other?...
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Anti-choice
Anti-choice: (adj) opposed to a woman’s right to choose a medically induced abortion. Like most amazing opportunities in life, America presents a bewildering blending of responsibility and blessing....
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Anti-establishment
Anti-establishment (adj): against the establishment or established authority. There is no good idea that wasn’t once anti-establishment. Why? Because it’s just too easy to establish something. All...
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Anti-government
Antigovernment (adj): opposition to a government or the administration in office. Of the people, by the people and for the people… I think that’s the right order. What is a government of the people?...
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Anti-Semitism
Anti-Semitism (n): a hostility toward or prejudice against Jews. It is the duty of those who have suffered to make sure that they are not the perpetrators of suffering on the lives of others. This is...
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Aria
Aria: (n) a long, unaccompanied solo for voice, typically in an opera or oratorio. If human beings were not so pretentious, we would almost be fun. At least it would be closer. Over the years, I have...
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Barring
Barring: (prep) except for; if not for. Democracy is a bitch. Just about the time you think she’s going to be faithful to your cause, she turns her back and flirts with other suitors not to your...
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Bilingual
Bilingual: (adj) fluent in two languages. Perhaps one of the better definitions of “honorable” is sharing one’s experience while freely admitting it is limited. I have an exciting life, filled with...
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Bittersweet
Bittersweet: (adj) sweet with a bitter aftertaste. There is a reality that follows every miracle. A “morning after” to each and every excitement. An epilogue to a happy ending. There is an unwelcome...
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Bubble
Bubble: (n) used to refer to a fortunate situation that is isolated from reality or unlikely to last. When my parents told me there was no Santa Claus, the revelation that the rumor had been greatly...
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Budge
Budge: (v) to move slightly I am an oxymoron. For I will tell you of a certainty, I am a domesticated gypsy. Or a gypsy, domesticated. Half of my journey has been raising a family of fine sons, who...
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Celsius
Celsius: (adj) a scale of temperature in which water freezes at 0° and boils at 100° I was terrified. I had to believe it was true because my Weekly Reader printed it. This was the small newspaper...
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Chosen
Chosen: (adj) having been selected as the best or most appropriate. Without spraying dark, sticky thoughts into the air, I must admit that if I knew what I know now, I might not have chosen to be...
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Clue
Clue: (n) a piece of evidence “There is a way that seems right unto a man…” So true. Even people who are crazy do things that honor what they think is right. That’s why right is often so wrong. Right...
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Collision
Collision: (n) an instance of one moving object or person striking violently against another. Striking violently. Or is it just an accident? Perhaps a meeting of the minds. The truth of the matter is,...
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