Definition: (noun) Whiskey illegally distilled from a corn mash. Synonyms: bootleg, corn liquor. Usage: I drank too much moonshine last night, and now I have a terrible hangover. Discuss

noun: 1. An act of purification by means of rituals. 2. The purging of those associated with crimes committed under an earlier regime.

«Non c’è dubbio che la stampa abbia vinto rispetto ai social perché il pubblico ha capito la fatica che c’è dietro la verifica delle notizie. Basti guardare alla curva discendete degli audio anonimi che all’inizio della emergenza giravano tramite Whatsapp: oggi nessuno gli da più credito.» (Tommaso Labate)

© Michael Scherr(*1973), Werbetexter und Aphoristiker

Definition: (verb) Speak unfavorably about. Synonyms: badmouth, drag through the mud, traduce. Usage: He is always maligning his wife when she is not around, telling people what a bad spouse and mother she is. Discuss

noun: A performance in which one person plays multiple characters, typically all of them.

noun: A device for lifting or hauling, using a rope or cable wound around a cylinder. verb tr.: To extract, lift, or bring forth with deliberate, steady effort.

Gott würfelt nicht. Albert EinsteinDeutscher Physiker und Nobelpreisträger1879 – 1955

Definition: (noun) Mercifulness as a consequence of being lenient or tolerant. Synonyms: lenience, mildness. Usage: I promise to show all the lenity in my power; but if the charges brought against this Bonapartist hero prove correct, why, then, you really must give me leave to order his head to be cut off. Discuss

Man ist in Deutschland allzu bereit, sich offenkundig zum Bösen zu bekennen, solange es so aussieht, als wollte diesem die Geschichte recht geben. Thomas MannDeutscher Schriftsteller und Nobelpreisträger (Literatur 1929)1875 – 1955

© Heimito Nollé(*1970), Medienanalyst

Definition: (adjective) Grave or even gloomy in character. Synonyms: melancholy. Usage: The Colonel, with little sense of humor and of the fitness of things, related a somber episode of those dark and bitter days. Discuss

noun: A nimble, cunning thief or a pickpocket.

Das Streben nach Vollkommenheit macht manchen Menschen vollkommen unerträglich. Pearl S. BuckUS-amerik. Schriftstellerin und Nobelpreisträgerin1892 – 1973

noun: A hypocritical person who pretends to have high moral principles.

«Ho sempre con me delle piccole medaglie raffiguranti Zarathustra che mi ha dato mia madre. Sono come piccoli bottoncini che porto sempre all’occhiello anche nei concerti.» (Zubin Mehta)

Drei Dinge helfen, die Mühseligkeiten des Lebens zu tragen: Die Hoffnung, der Schlaf und das Lachen. Immanuel KantDeutscher Philosoph1724 – 1804

Jacques Bénigne Bossuet(1627 – 1704), französischer Theologe und Kirchenpolitiker, Historiker und Bischof von Meaux

Definition: (adjective) Expressed without speech. Synonyms: mute, unspoken, tongueless. Usage: Never a hearty breakfaster, he had found himself under the influence of her wordless disapproval physically unable to consume the fried egg that confronted him. Discuss

noun: One who poses as a model of deportment: the way in which one conducts oneself.

Das Menschenleben ist seltsam eingerichtet: Nach den Jahren der Last hat man die Last der Jahre. Johann Wolfgang von GoetheDeutscher Schriftsteller1749 – 1832

© Werner Hadulla(1926 – 2018), Journalist, Radio- und Fernsehautor

Definition: (noun) Elegance by virtue of fineness of manner and expression. Synonyms: breeding, genteelness. Usage: She was ladylike, too, after the manner of the feminine gentility of those days; characterized by a certain state and dignity, rather than by the delicate…grace which is now recognized as its indication. Discuss

noun: A smug, self-satisfied person.

«Le donne delle mie commedie mi sono talmente entrate nel cuore e nella testa che mentre m'ingegno di farle capire a quelli che m'ascoltano, sono esse che hanno finito per confortare me.» (Eleonora Duse)

Die besten Dinge im Leben sind nicht die, die man für Geld bekommt. Albert EinsteinDeutscher Physiker und Nobelpreisträger1879 – 1955

Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce(1842 – 1914), genannt Bitter Pierce, US-amerikanischer Journalist und Satiriker

Definition: (adjective) Of the highest quality. Synonyms: A-one, ace, crack, first-rate, super, tiptop, tops. Usage: Everyone wants a top-notch specialist when it comes to laser eye surgery. Discuss

«La musica mi ha sempre aiutato a sentire le mie emozioni. E so che è così per tutti, non devi essere un artista per capirlo. Quello che scrivo e che canto nasce per trasmettere un senso di benessere.» (Rihanna)

© Ernst Ferstl(*1955), österreichischer Lehrer, Dichter und Aphoristiker

Definition: (adjective) Without compunction or human feeling. Synonyms: inhuman, insensate, cold. Usage: These callous, cold-blooded killers butchered six people. Discuss

Georges Courteline(1858 – 1929), eigentlich Georges Moineaux, französischer Dramatiker und Lustspielautor

Definition: (verb) To get the better of by cunning or ingenuity. Synonyms: outsmart, overreach, circumvent, outfox, beat. Usage: She managed to outwit the police and escape to the safe house with the loot. Discuss

noun: One not to be believed or taken seriously.

«Le cose della maniera sua furono tenute in pregio grandissimo. » (Pietro Perugino)

Nicht die Gewehrkugeln und Generäle machen Geschichte, sondern die Massen. Nelson MandelaSüdafrikanischer Freiheitskämpfer und Friedensnobelpreisträger1918 – 2013

noun: One with a shriveled body and/or mind.

« Ecco, da piccolo è stata la cosa più difficile che ho dovuto imparare: separare questi due aspetti della vita. Io sono sempre stato un tipo aperto, amichevole, uno a cui piace raccontare le proprie cose agli altri piloti. A 11 anni andavamo a mangiare tutti insieme il pezzo di pizza o il piatto di…

Oft verliert man das Gute, wenn man das Bessere sucht. Pietro MetastasioItalienischer Dichter1698 – 1782

Unbekannt

Definition: (verb) Rise up as in fear. Synonyms: uprise, stand up. Usage: The creaking of the house at night makes the hair on the nape of my neck bristle. Discuss

noun: 1. An unprincipled or dishonest person. 2. An attendant, servant, or a knight’s page.

Es würde sehr wenig Böses auf Erden getan werden, wenn das Böse niemals im Namen des Guten getan werden könnte. Marie von Ebner-EschenbachÖsterreichische Schriftstellerin1830 – 1916

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe(1749 – 1832), gilt als einer der bedeutendsten Repräsentanten deutschsprachiger Dichtung

Definition: (adjective) Denoting or deriving from or distinctive of the ways of living built up by a group of people. Synonyms: cultural. Usage: In my family, holidays are celebrated with lavish meals featuring ethnic foods that remind us of our ancestors' Eastern European roots. Discuss

noun: One excessively concerned about appearance; a fop, a dandy.

«Ho indossato il guanto nero sulla mano destra e Carlos quello sinistro dello stesso paio. Il mio pugno alzato voleva dire il potere dell'America nera. Quello di Carlos l'unità dell'America nera. Insieme abbiamo formato un arco di unità e forza.» (Tommie Smith)

© Peter Brück(*1957), Kommunikationstrainer, Diversity Management

Definition: (noun) A leather-covered bludgeon with a short, flexible shaft or strap, used as a hand weapon. Synonyms: cosh, sap. Usage: He was beaten so badly with the blackjack that he suffered several broken bones. Discuss

noun: 1. A coward. 2. An outlaw. 3. A miser. adjective: 1. Cowardly. 2. Treacherous. 3. Miserly.

«Hai mai conosciuto quegli uomini che in vecchiaia scoprono il sesso e la religione? Diventano ansiosi, ardenti, instancabili.» (Mario Vargas Llosa)

«Neppure l'amicizia viene prima della rivoluzione per un rivoluzionario. La prima cosa è la rivoluzione. Poi, tutto il resto.»

Besser einander beschimpfen als einander beschießen. Winston ChurchillBritischer Politiker und Nobelpreisträger1874 – 1965

© Margot S. Baumann(*1964), Schweizer Lyrikerin und Aphoristikerin

© Erhard Blanck(1942 – 2024), deutscher Heilpraktiker, Schriftsteller und Maler

Definition: (adjective) Capable of leading to physiological or psychological dependence. Synonyms: addictive. Usage: Cocaine is a habit-forming drug. Discuss

«Se detesti la maleducazione, devi sempre dire grazie e per favore. Dire grazie cambia la giornata a te e a chi se lo sente dire.» (Luca Argentero)

Eine Investition in Wissen bringt noch immer die besten Zinsen. Benjamin FranklinUS-Staatsmann, Ökonom und Naturforscher1706 – 1790

Definition: (verb) Laugh quietly. Synonyms: snicker. Usage: The rude tourists snigger at the locals' outdated ways and dress. Discuss

noun: A place of exile, punishment, or hard labor.

François de La Rochefoucauld(1613 – 1680), François VI. de La Rochefoucauld, franz. Offizier, Diplomat und Schriftsteller

Definition: (noun) A store that sells alcoholic beverages for consumption elsewhere. Synonyms: liquor store, package store. Usage: He went into an off-licence to buy a bottle of cider. Discuss

verb tr.: To send to a remote location as a form of punishment.

«Dare un corpo e una forma perfetta ad un pensiero. Questo – e solo questo – è essere un artista.» (Jacques-Louis David)

Friedrich von Schiller(1759 – 1805), Johann Christoph Friedrich Schiller, ab 1802 von Schiller, deutscher Arzt, Dichter, Philosoph und Historiker; gilt als einer der bedeutendsten deutschsprachigen Dramatiker und Lyriker

Definition: (noun) Light teasing repartee. Synonyms: backchat, banter, give-and-take. Usage: Excitement instantly seized the whole party: a running fire of raillery and jests was proceeding when Sam returned. Discuss

noun: 1. A remote and exotic land, steeped in mystery, richness, and bliss. 2. A literary name for China.

© Hans Norbert Janowski(*1938), deutscher Theologe, Publizist und Aphoristiker

Definition: (verb) To examine or explore by touching (an organ or area of the body), usually as a diagnostic aid. Synonyms: feel. Usage: The nurse palpated the patient's stomach but felt nothing out of the ordinary. Discuss

«Lavorare, misurandomi di volta in volta con esperienze diverse, mi pare fosse esattamente quello che desideravo. Il mio esempio sono gli uomini di spettacolo americani: cantanti, intrattenitori, attori, comici, ballerini, presentatori.» (Johnny Dorelli)

noun: Peace or settlement in which very harsh terms are imposed on the defeated side.

Eine Wahrheit kann erst wirken, wenn der Empfänger für sie reif ist. Christian MorgensternDeutscher Dichter, Schriftsteller und Übersetzer1871 – 1914

© Michael Scherr(*1973), Werbetexter und Aphoristiker

Definition: (adjective) Brash; undisguised. Synonyms: brazen, insolent, audacious, barefaced, bodacious, brassy. Usage: John's excuse for missing work was such a bald-faced lie that his boss immediately fired him. Discuss

noun: 1. A sanctuary. 2. A lawless place.

© peter e. schumacher(1941 – 2013), Aphorismensammler und Publizist

Definition: (adjective) Able to provide for or support oneself without the help of others. Synonyms: self-sustaining. Usage: A strong and self-reliant man, he had all his life ignored companionship, had been well content to live without friends, self-contained and self-sufficient. Discuss

«Si può concludere che il disegno altro non sia che un'apparente espressione e dichiarazione di ciò che si ha nell'animo.» (Giorgio Vasari)

Der Tod eines Mannes ist eine Tragödie, aber der Tod von Millionen nur eine Statistik. Josef StalinRussischer Diktator1878 – 1953

© Melanie Fechner(*1985), deutsche Philosophin

Definition: (noun) A chemical substance that destroys or inhibits the growth of fungi. Synonyms: antifungal, antimycotic. Usage: Dr. Johnson prescribed a fungicide to treat her patient's athlete's foot. Discuss

«In Italia il bambino ha soltanto il calcio, non sognerà mai qualcosa di diverso da uno stadio pieno e un pallone tra i piedi. Chiamiamo le cose con il loro nome: questa è dittatura.» (Fabio Cannavaro)

noun: 1. A pocketknife, with multiple blades and other tools such as scissors, saw, corkscrew, can opener, etc. 2. A person or object with many diverse skills or functions.

Die ganz Schlauen sehen um fünf Ecken und sind geradeaus blind. Benjamin FranklinUS-Staatsmann, Ökonom und Naturforscher1706 – 1790

© Kurt Wolfgang Ringel(*1948), Chemiefacharbeiter und Diplom-Ingenieur, Freidenker aus Sachsen

Definition: (noun) Readily combustible material, such as dry twigs, used to kindle fires. Synonyms: kindling, spunk, touchwood, punk. Usage: One of the fishermen struck light from a stone, set fire to some tinder, and by the aid of a match lit a lantern. Discuss

noun: 1. A machine powered by wind. 2. An imagined enemy, opponent, or threat. verb tr., intr.: To move or to cause to move like a windmill.

Glück ist Liebe, nichts anderes. Wer lieben kann, ist glücklich. Hermann HesseDeutscher Schriftsteller1877 – 1962

Definition: (noun) The rhythmic contraction and expansion of the arteries with each beat of the heart. Synonyms: heartbeat. Usage: An icy hand seemed to grasp my heart and check its pulsation, as I bent over him, gazing with breathless intensity upon the ghastly, upturned face. Discuss

«Mi piaceva uscire la sera e avere un bell'uomo al mio fianco che mi diceva quanto ero bella o quanto grande era la mia arte.» (Tamara De Lempicka)

noun: A water pump shared by people within a small area. adjective: Of local, often trivial, interest or importance.

Ein schlechtes Gewissen ist der beste Beweis für ein gutes Gedächtnis. Selma LagerlöfSchwedische Schriftstellerin und Nobelpreisträgerin1858 – 1940

© Wolf-Georg Kirst(*1953), Journalist

Definition: (verb) Play boisterously. Synonyms: frisk, frolic, gambol, lark, rollick, romp, run around, skylark, sport, disport. Usage: The children cavorted in the water, splashing and ducking each other. Discuss

« A tredici anni chi l'ha capita l'importanza di quel palco? Io suonavo, cantavo… noi pensavamo a fare gli scherzi a tutti, chiudevamo tutti nei camerini, mettevamo il sapone nelle maniglie, facevamo il panico… tutto tranne che gli artisti… perché noi eravamo dei bambini, non potevamo comportarci da grandi.» (Jessica Morlacchi)

noun: 1. A mechanism consisting of a toothed wheel or bar engaged by a pawl to allow controlled movement in one direction only. 2. An incremental change, typically in one direction and irreversible. verb tr., intr.: To move or to cause to move in small increments, especially progressively or irreversibly.

Léon Gambetta(1838 – 1882), französischer Politiker, Gegner Napoleons III., war zeitweise Innenminister, Kriegsminister und Finanzminister

Definition: (verb) To go beyond (a limit); exceed. Synonyms: transgress, trespass. Usage: The hotel was criticized for its $11 million Christmas tree adorned with gold and precious stones by those who felt it overstepped the bounds of taste. Discuss

«Il cielo non conosce ira pari all'amore che si trasforma in odio, né l'inferno una furia pari a una donna respinta.» (William Congreve)

«L'arte astratta dovrebbe esser goduta come la musica: nei momenti in cui puoi averne voglia o meno.»