noun: A curse.

Definition: (noun) (Often followed by "of") a large number or amount or extent. Synonyms: great deal, hatful, lot, peck, mickle, mint, quite a little, slew, spate, tidy sum, wad, stack, raft, mountain, pile, plenty, mass, batch, heap, deal, flock, pot, mess, sight. Usage: The President faces a passel of domestic issues. Discuss

«Si può costruire un trono con le baionette, ma non ci si sederà su di esso a lungo.»

Die Bildung kommt nicht vom Lesen, sondern vom Nachdenken über das Gelesene. Carl HiltySchweizer Staatsrechtler und Laientheologe1833 – 1909

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

Definition: (adjective) (Of persons) lacking art or knowledge. Synonyms: uncultured, artless. Usage: Never had they witnessed such power of mastication, and such marvelous capacity of stomach, as in this native and uncultivated gastronome. Discuss

«La scienza ci insegna a non trascurare niente, a non disdegnare gli inizi modesti, in quanto nel piccolo sono sempre presenti i principi del grande, come nel grande è contenuto il piccolo.» (Michael Faraday)

Unbekannt

adverb: Formerly: in the past.

Definition: (noun) An incrustation that forms on the teeth and gums. Synonyms: calculus, tophus. Usage: The dentist told me that I should brush and floss my teeth twice a day to help prevent the accumulation of tartar in my mouth. Discuss

«L’uomo è la più infelice e la più fragile fra tutte le creature, e nello stesso tempo la più orgogliosa.» (Michel Foucault)

Man kann die Erfahrung nicht früh genug machen, wie entbehrlich man in der Welt ist. Johann Wolfgang von GoetheDeutscher Schriftsteller1749 – 1832

© Stefan Fleischer(*1938), Rentner, vorher Organisator einer Großbank

adjective: Loyal; honest; true.

Definition: (adjective) Feeling or expressing pain or sorrow for sins or offenses. Synonyms: remorseful, rueful, ruthful. Usage: He was so contrite that he wrote me a letter of apology. Discuss

«Credo fermamente nell'atteggiamento positivo delle persone per affrontare anche le sfide più scoraggianti.» (Farrah Fawcett)

© Michael Scherr(*1973), Werbetexter und Aphoristiker

noun: 1. A cut, notch, slit, etc. made by a cutting tool. 2. The width of such a cut.

Definition: (verb) Inhabit or live in; be an inhabitant of. Synonyms: inhabit, live, dwell. Usage: Millions of as yet undiscovered creatures populate the ocean depths. Discuss

«Ho pensato all'origine di tutti i numeri quadrati e ho scoperto che essi derivano dal regolare aumento dei numeri dispari. L'1 è un quadrato e da esso è prodotto il primo quadrato, chiamato 1; aggiungendo 3 a questo, si ottiene il secondo quadrato, 4, la cui radice è 2; se a questa somma viene aggiunto…

© Wolfgang Buschmann(*1943), Lehrer und Autor

noun: A person perceived as uncouth, unpleasant, and of lower social standing.

Definition: (verb) Subject to harsh criticism. Synonyms: scald, whip. Usage: The Senator blistered the administration in his speech on Friday. Discuss

«La sfera è una forma magica. La superficie lucida rispecchia ciò che c'è intorno, restituendo una percezione dello spazio diversa da quello reale, e crea mistero. Rompere questa forma perfetta mi permette di scoprirne le fermentazioni interne mostruose e pure.» (Arnaldo Pomodoro)

«Noi artisti siamo dotati di una particolare sensibilità nell'assorbire e nell'esprimere quello che ci sta attorno, a volte senza nemmeno capire dove si può arrivare.»

© Fred Ammon(*1930), Aphoristiker

Definition: (noun) Disagreement among those expected to cooperate. Synonyms: discord. Usage: The sparks of dissension soon kindled into a blaze; and the colonies, or rather, as they quickly declared themselves, the States, became a scene of strife and bloodshed for years. Discuss

«E chi maje po' penzà a dimane | nasce priggiuniero.» (Nino D’Angelo)

Willst du den Charakter eines Menschen erkennen, so gib ihm Macht. Abraham LincolnUS-Staatsmann und 16. Präsident der USA1809 – 1865

© Rudolf Kamp(*1946), Dr. phil., Philosoph, Andragoge, Aphoristiker

Definition: (adjective) Lacking foresight or scope. Synonyms: unforesightful, myopic, short. Usage: The shortsighted board members derided the plan, which would cost the company money at the outset but could set it on track to earn billions in future years. Discuss

«Ho lavorato con registi e star internazionali di quasi tutte le provenienze del pianeta. Lontano da Roma, possibilmente, dove non ho distrazioni. E non ho mai girato uno spot pubblicitario.» (Franco Nero)

Es hängt von dir selbst ab, ob du das neue Jahr als Bremse oder als Motor benutzen willst. Henry FordGründer von Ford1863 – 1947

© Michael Wollmann(*1990), Philosoph, Herausgeber und Aphoristiker

noun: 1. A fine-grained stone or tool for sharpening blades. 2. A precision tool with a rotating abrasive tip, used to enlarge or smooth a hole. verb tr. 1. To sharpen on a hone. 2. To enlarge or smooth a hole using a honing tool. 3. To refine or perfect a skill through long practice.

Definition: (verb) Detain in conversation by or as if by holding on to the outer garments of; as for political or economic favors. Synonyms: lobby. Usage: It is not easy to buttonhole her for an interview. Discuss

© Siegfried Wache(*1951), technischer Zeichner, Luftfahrzeugtechniker und Buchautor

noun: 1. A resin secreted by the lac insect and purified for use in varnishes, paints, inks, sealing waxes, phonograph records, etc. 2. A phonograph record, especially a 78 rpm. 3. A severe defeat or beating. verb tr.: 1. To coat or treat with shellac. 2. To thrash soundly. 3. To defeat decisively, especially in…

Definition: (adjective) Very foolish. Synonyms: insane, mad. Usage: She devised a harebrained scheme to get her money back, but it ended up landing her in jail. Discuss

Anna Dix(1874 – 1947), deutsche Dichterin

verb intr.: To act in a servile manner. verb tr.: To move or roll on small wheels. noun: 1. A low bed that slides under another bed. Also known as a truckle bed or a trundle bed. 2. A small wheel. 3. A small barrel-shaped cheese.

Definition: (verb) Desire strongly or persistently. Synonyms: long, yearn. Usage: There, my lady cousin; there stands the most undutiful child in the world; she hankers after a beggarly rascal, and won't marry one of the greatest matches in all England. Discuss

© Stefan Rogal(*1965), Autor, Herausgeber und Kolumnist

Definition: (verb) Revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis. Synonyms: spin, reel, whirl. Usage: The airplane gyrated about in the sky in a most alarming fashion. Discuss

Fallen ist weder gefährlich noch eine Schande. Liegenbleiben ist beides. Konrad Adenauer1. Bundeskanzler von Deutschland1876 – 1967

noun: 1. A current moving contrary to the main current, especially in a circular motion, in a fluid such as air or water. 2. A trend, fashion, or opinion that runs counter to the prevailing one. verb tr., intr.: To move or cause to move in a circular, countercurrent motion.

Definition: (noun) The attribute of being brief or fleeting. Synonyms: brevity, briefness. Usage: The superficiality and transience of the club scene is part of its appeal for young people. Discuss

«Sapevo che da ragazzine i Solara ci erano sembrati molto belli, che andavano avanti e indietro per il rione sul loro Millecento come i guerrieri antichi sui carri da guerra, che una sera ci avevano difeso in piazza dei Martiri dalla gioventù agiata di Chiaia, che Marcello avrebbe voluto sposare Lila ma che poi aveva…

© Thomas Häntsch(*1958), Fotograf

Definition: (noun) A conceited and self-centered person. Synonyms: swellhead. Usage: Mr. Whittleworth is an insufferable egotist with delusions of omnipotence, but we tolerate him because he pays us well. Discuss

Klamer Schmidt(1746 – 1824), Klamer Eberhard Karl Schmidt, deutscher Dichter, gehörte zu dem von Johann Wilhelm Ludwig Gleim gegründeten Halberstädter Freundschafts- und Dichterkreis

Definition: (noun) A building with glass walls and roof; for the cultivation and exhibition of plants under controlled conditions. Synonyms: greenhouse, nursery. Usage: This kind of plant is very delicate and needs to be grown in a glasshouse. Discuss

«E' più importante fare clic con la gente che cliccare il pulsante che scatta le fotografie.» (Alfred Eisenstaedt)

Sei deines Willens Herr und deines Gewissens Knecht. Marie von Ebner-EschenbachÖsterreichische Schriftstellerin1830 – 1916

© Gerhard Kocher(*1939), Dr. rer. pol., Schweizer Politologe und Gesundheitsökonom

noun: 1. A megalomaniac tyrant, especially one whose arrogance is undone by time. 2. A symbol of the impermanence of power and pride.

Therese Keiter(1859 – 1925), geb. Kellner, Pseudonym: M. Herbert, deutsche Schriftstellerin

noun: A wildly extravagant, foolish, and self-indulgent person.

Definition: (noun) One that closely imitates or mimics another. Synonyms: aper, emulator, imitator. Usage: Stop being such a copycat and get your own hobbies! Discuss

«La Gran Bretagna è un paese che rispetta la privacy. I britannici sono probabilmente gli unici al mondo che non hanno l'obbligo di portare con sé documenti d'identità. Se a uno di loro viene chiesto di dimostrare chi è, di solito gli basta esibire una lettera con il suo indirizzo, come se questo potesse dimostrare…

Lucius Annaeus Seneca(ca. 4 v. Chr. – 65 n. Chr.), genannt Seneca der Jüngere; römischer Philosoph, Stoiker, Schriftsteller, Naturforscher und Politiker; Selbsttötung auf Geheiß seines ehem. Schülers Nero (Römischer Kaiser von 54 – 68)

noun: 1. Something temptingly close, yet out of reach. 2. A stand or case for liquor decanters, designed to display them while preventing access.

noun: A cruel and wicked tyrant.

Definition: (noun) A person who reduces the intensity (e.g., of fears) and calms and pacifies. Synonyms: allayer, reliever. Usage: She indeed veiled her grief and strove to act the comforter to us all. Discuss

© Martin Gerhard Reisenberg(1949 – 2023), Diplom-Bibliothekar und Autor

«Dall'11 settembre 2001 ho deciso di lasciarmi andare, di arrendermi completamente alla vita. C'è qualcosa di positivo in questo. Quando smetti di cercare di fare in modo che le cose accadano, queste accadono. Ho imparato ad arrendermi alla vita, a tutto quello che l'universo vuole da me. Dopo quella tragedia che ho deciso di farmi…

© Sylvia Tubbesing

Definition: (noun) The term during which some position is held. Synonyms: tenure, term of office. Usage: During his incumbency, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt instituted the New Deal to counter the Great Depression. Discuss

«Ragione, io ti sacrifico alla brezza della sera.» (Aimè Cèsaire)

Fernöstliche Weisheit

Definition: (verb) Expose to radiation. Synonyms: ray. Usage: The government regulators insist that we irradiate farm produce so as to destroy bacteria. Discuss

«Qualsiasi idiota è capace di prendere una tigre per i coglioni, ma ci vuole un eroe per continuare a stringere. (Geometra Meneghetti)» (Enrico Bertolino)

© Ebo Rau(*1945), deutscher Mediziner

adjective: Stereotypical. noun: A company or department that provides actors for minor or background roles, often based on stereotypical appearances.

Definition: (noun) The state of being unsure of something. Synonyms: doubtfulness, dubiousness, uncertainty. Usage: Here, too, he was disappointed; and then all was afloat, in the painful incertitude of doubt and conjecture. Discuss

Gib jedem Tag die Chance, der schönste deines Lebens zu werden. Mark TwainUS-Schriftsteller1835 – 1910

© Manfred Hinrich(1926 – 2015), Dr. phil., deutscher Philosoph, Philologe, Lehrer, Journalist, Kinderliederautor, Aphoristiker und Schriftsteller

noun: A person who is dangerously obsessive and vengeful, especially when spurned.

noun: 1. An extremely cold spell. 2. A prolonged period of global cooling or glaciation. 3. A state of emotional letdown, disillusionment, or waning enthusiasm. 4. A metaphor for death or the end of life.

Definition: (noun) Someone who educates young people. Synonyms: educator. Usage: My grandfather was a born pedagogue; it gave him great pleasure to impart information. Discuss

«L'arte non è ciò che vedi, ma ciò che fai vedere agli altri. » (Edgar Degas)

© Melanie Fechner(*1985), deutsche Philosophin

noun: An incompetent bungling person.

Definition: (noun) A person of no influence. Synonyms: nobody, cipher. Usage: After losing the gubernatorial election, she was written off as a political nonentity. Discuss

«Come può un tizio arrampicarsi sugli alberi, dire “Io Tarzan, tu Jane” e guadagnare milioni? Il pubblico perdona il mio modo di recitare perché sa che sono stato un atleta. Sanno che non sono un impostore.» (Johnny Weissmuller)

© Stefan Fleischer(*1938), Rentner, vorher Organisator einer Großbank

noun: A violently aggressive person, especially one who disregards rules or authority.

Definition: (noun) A macintosh made from cotton fabric treated with oil and pigment to make it waterproof. Synonyms: oilskin. Usage: It was pouring all day, but thanks to my new slicker, I stayed nice and dry. Discuss

«Gli standard che ci imponiamo ci distruggono, crediamo che si debba essere bianchi o neri, ma in realtà è possibile vivere solo nel grigio, altrimenti viviamo nella paura.» (Guillermo del Toro)

Wir erschrecken über unsere eigenen Sünden, wenn wir sie an anderen erblicken. Johann Wolfgang von GoetheDeutscher Schriftsteller1749 – 1832

Georg Christoph Lichtenberg(1742 – 1799), deutscher Physiker und Meister des Aphorismus

Definition: (noun) The trait of remaining calm and seeming not to care; a casual lack of concern. Synonyms: unconcern, indifference. Usage: He looked about him always, with the cold, easy nonchalance of the man of the world. Discuss