quern [ˈkwərn]:
origin: before the 12th century; Middle English, from Old English cweorn (or cwyrn)

noun
A round, stone mill used for grinding grain that works just as well today as it did thousands of years ago; an excellent example of early technology and biblical metaphor for the daily grind (and humbling necessities) of life itself.

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In modern slang, a nimrod is an inept person, socially or otherwise -- foolish, rude, unable or unwilling to do anything right. The term has its origins in Nimrod, from the Hebrew Nimrōdh, a biblical king, ruler of Shinar. Renowned for his power and hunting ability, his name became sort of a generic term for a skilled hunter, a tyrant or a powerful ( Read more... )

min·a·ret [ˌmɪnəˈrɛt,]:
origin: Arabic manāra (منارة)= "lighthouse"

nounUpon the horizons of primarily Middle Eastern countries, you will see buildings resembling beautiful spokes, sticking up as if they grew like stalagmites from the very ground -- in fact, they are ancient facades around little more than winding slender staircase that one may ( Read more... )

quo·rum [ˈkwȯr-əm]:
origin: (1455) "quorum of the Shire" or the justices collectively; Latin qui= "who" or Latin quōrum= whom.

nounI attended a government meeting over the weekend, and due to delays in traffic caused by an important baseball game, the head of the meeting explained, "We do not currently have enough people for a quorum, so this ( Read more... )

hal·le·lu·jah [ˌhælɪˈluːjə]:
origin: (1525-35) Hebrew; הַלְּלוּיָהּ = “Hallel” + “Jah” or Praise Jehovah/God

interjection“Hallel” means to praise, shine forth, or be worthy of commendation. “Jah” is a shortened form of “Jehovah“, transliterated from the Hebrew word יהוה or YHWH -- a word that is not actually meant to have a proper pronunciation ( Read more... )

can·on [ˈkænən]:
origin: (13th Century) Greek; kanōn= rule", Latin; canonicus= one living under a rule

noun
Dr. Who as personal jesus, stories falling outside the accepted episodic happenstance are to be properly labeled "alternate universe" or AU. "Headcanon" as concepts existing only in one's brain or desire. "Retcon" short for retroactive ( Read more... )

na·chash [naw-khawsh']:
origin: (Talmud) Hebrew= נחש; Old French= serpent, Latin= serpentem, accusative form of serpēns.


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pu·rim [ˈpʊərɪm]:
origin: (1535) Hebrew; pūrīm= "lots"; the casting of dice by Haman to schedule the massacre date {Esth 9:24-26}

nounLong ago and far away there was a man named Mordecai, who was cousin and foster parent to the fair & just Queen Ester. Mordecai was Jewish, as is the queen (secretly), but Hamman the Prime Minister of the King ( Read more... )

In honor of the first day of the shortest month...this entry is all about love. Don't feel left out or resentful on Valentine's Day, because there are so many types and forms of love to acknowledge that go beyond the obvious! Four of which are explored in The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis.

AGAPE
a·ga·pe [ä-gä′pā]:
origin: (1600's) Greek, ἀγάπη= love

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dou·la [ˈdu lə]:
origin: Greek; doule= female servant

noun
A trained woman in charge of providing emotional & physical support before, during, and after pregnancy. Whereas, a "midwife" provides medical support and assists in the birthing process specifically.

glos·so·la·li·a [ˌɡlɒsəˈleɪlɪə]:
origin: (1875) Greek; glssa= tongue + lalein= to ( Read more... )