hy·po·thet·i·cal
(hº"p…-thµt"¹-k…l) also hy·po·thet·ic (-thµt"¹k) --adj. Abbr. hyp. 1. Of, relating to, or based on a hypothesis: a hypothetical situation. See Synonyms at theoretical. 2.a. Suppositional; uncertain. See Synonyms at supposed. b. Conditional; contingent. [From Greek hupothetikos from hupothetos placed under, supposed, from hupotithenai to suppose. See HYPOTHESIS.] -hy"po·thet"i·cal n. -hy"po·thet"i·cal·ly adv.the·o·ret·i·cal
(th¶"…-rµt"¹-k…l) also the·o·ret·ic (-rµt"¹k) --adj. 1. Of, relating to, or based on theory. 2. Restricted to theory; not practical: theoretical physics. 3. Given to theorizing; speculative. [Late Latin the½r¶ticus, from Greek the½r¶tikos, from the½r¶tos, observable, from the½rein, to look at. See THEOREM.] --the"o·ret"i·cal·ly adv.the·o·re·ti·cian
(th¶"…r-¹-t¹sh"…n, thîr"¹-) n. One who formulates, studies, or is expert in the theory of a science or an art.the·o·ret·ics
(th¶"…-rµt"¹ks) n. (used with a sing. verb). The theoretical part of a science or an art.the·o·ry
(th¶"…-r¶, thîr"¶) n., pl. the·o·ries. 1.a. Systematically organized knowledge applicable in a relatively wide variety of circumstances, especially a system of assumptions, accepted principles, and rules of procedure devised to analyze, predict, or otherwise explain the nature or behavior of a specified set of phenomena. b. Such knowledge or such a system. 2. Abstract reasoning; speculation. 3. A belief that guides action or assists comprehension or judgment: rose early, on the theory that morning efforts are best; the modern architectural theory that less is more. 4. An assumption based on limited information or knowledge; a conjecture. [Late Latin the½ria, from Greek, from the½ros, spectator : probably thea, a viewing + -oros, seeing.]phe·nom·e·na
(f¹-n¼m"…-n…) n. Plural of phenomenon.phe·nom·i·cal
(f¹-n¼m"…-n¼n", -n…n) n., pl. phe·nom·e·na (-n…). 1. An occurrence, a circumstance, or a fact that is perceptible by the senses. 2., pl. phe·nom·e·nons.a. An unusual, significant, or unaccountable fact or occurrence; a marvel. b. A remarkable or outstanding person; a paragon. See Synonyms at wonder. 3. Philosophy. a. That which appears real to the mind, regardless of whether its underlying existence is proved or its nature understood. b. In Kantian philosophy, the appearance of an object to the mind as opposed to its existence in and of itself, independent of the mind. 4. Physics. An observable event. [Late Latin phaenomenon from Greek phainomenon from neuter present participle of phainesthai to appear. See bh³-1 below]————————————————————
USAGE NOTE:
Phenomenon is the only singular form of this noun; phenomena is the usual plural. Phenomenons may also be used as the plural in nonscientific writing when the meaning is "extraordinary things, occurrences, or persons": They were phenomenons in the history of musice·nom·e·nal
(f¹-n¼m"…-n…l) adj. 1. Of, relating to, or constituting phenomena or a phenomenon. 2. Extraordinary; outstanding: a phenomenal feat of memory. 3. Philosophy. Known or derived through the senses rather than through the mind. --phe·nom"e·nal·ly adv.sen·su·al
(sµn"sh›-…l) adj. 1. Relating to or affecting any of the senses or a sense organ; sensory. 2.a. Of, relating to, given to, or providing gratification of the physical and especially the sexual appetites. See Synonyms at sensuous. b. Suggesting sexuality; voluptuous. c. Physical rather than spiritual or intellectual. d. Lacking in moral or spiritual interests; worldly. --sen"su·al·ly adv. --sen"su·al·ness n.per·cept
(pûr"sµpt") n. 1. The object of perception. 2. A mental impression of something perceived by the senses, viewed as the basic component in the formation of concepts; a sense datum. [From Latin perceptum, neuter past participle of percipere, to perceive. See PERCEIVE.]pre·cept
(pr¶"sµpt") n. 1. A rule or principle prescribing a particular course of action or conduct. 2. Law. An authorized direction or order; a writ. [Middle English, from Old French, from Latin praeceptum, from neuter past participle of praecipere, to advise, teach : prae-, pre- + capere, to take; see kap- below.]————————————————————
kap-.
Important derivatives are: have, heavy, haven, hawk1, heave, cable, capable, caption, captive, catch, chase1, accept, conceive, deceive, except, intercept, municipal, occupy, participate, perceive, receive, recover, capsule, chassis.kap-.
To grasp. I. Basic form *kap-. 1. HEDDLE, from Old English hefeld, thread used for weaving, heddle (a device which grasps the thread), from Germanic *haf-. 2. HAFT, from Old English hæft, handle, from Germanic *haftjam. 3. Form *kap-o-. HAVE, from Old English habban, to have, hold, from Germanic *habai-, *hab¶n. 4. HEAVY, from Old English hefig, heavy, from Germanic *hafigaz, "containing something," having weight. 5. HAVEN, from Old English hæfen, a haven, from Germanic *hafn½-, perhaps "place that holds ships." 6. HAWK1, from Old English h(e)afoc, hawk, from Germanic *habukaz. 7. (see per1) Latin combining form -ceps (< *kap-s), "taker." 8. GAFF1, from Provençal gafar, to seize, from Germanic *gaf-, probably akin to kap-. II. Suffixed form *kap-yo-. 1. HEAVE, from Old English hebban, to lift, from Germanic *hafjan. 2. CABLE, CAPABLE, CAPACIOUS, CAPIAS, CAPSTAN, CAPTION, CAPTIOUS, (CAPTIVATE), CAPTIVE, CAPTOR, CAPTURE, CATCH, (CHASE1), ACCEPT, ANTICIPATE, CONCEIVE, DECEIVE, EXCEPT, INCEPTION, (INCIPIENT), INTERCEPT, INTUSSUSCEPTION, MUNICIPAL, NUNCUPATIVE, OCCUPY, PARTICIPATE, PERCEIVE, PRECEPT, RECEIVE, (RECOVER), RECUPERATE, (RX), SUSCEPTIBLE, from Latinatin capere, to take, seize, catch. III. Lengthened-grade variant form *k½p-. 1.a. BEHOOF, from Old English beh½f, use, profit, need; b. BEHOOVE, from Old English beh½fian, to have need of. Both a and b from Germanic compound *bi-h½f, "that which binds," requirement, obligation (*bi-, intensive prefix; see ambhi), from *h½f-. 2. COPEPOD, from Greek k½p¶, oar, handle. [Pokorny kap- 527. Compare ghabh-.]con·ceive
(k…n-s¶v") v. con·ceived, con·ceiv·ing, con·ceives. --tr. 1. To become pregnant with (offspring). 2. To form or develop in the mind; devise: conceive a plan to increase profits. 3. To apprehend mentally; understand: couldn't conceive the meaning of that sentence. 4. To be of the opinion that; think: didn't conceive such a tragedy could occur. --intr. 1. To form or hold an idea: Ancient peoples conceived of the earth as flat. 2. To become pregnant. [Middle English conceiven, from Old French concevoir, conceiv-, from Latin concipere : com-, intensive pref.; see COM- + capere, to take; see kap- below.] --con·ceiv"a·bil"i·ty or con·ceiv"a·ble·ness n. --con·ceiv"a·ble adj. --con·ceiv"a·bly adv. --con·ceiv"er n.————————————————————
kap-.
Important derivatives are: have, heavy, haven, hawk1, heave, cable, capable, caption, captive, catch, chase1, accept, conceive, deceive, except, intercept, municipal, occupy, participate, perceive, receive, recover, capsule, chassis.kap-.
To grasp. I. Basic form *kap-. 1. HEDDLE, from Old English hefeld, thread used for weaving, heddle (a device which grasps the thread), from Germanic *haf-. 2. HAFT, from Old English hæft, handle, from Germanic *haftjam. 3. Form *kap-o-. HAVE, from Old English habban, to have, hold, from Germanic *habai-, *hab¶n. 4. HEAVY, from Old English hefig, heavy, from Germanic *hafigaz, "containing something," having weight. 5. HAVEN, from Old English hæfen, a haven, from Germanic *hafn½-, perhaps "place that holds ships." 6. HAWK1, from Old English h(e)afoc, hawk, from Germanic *habukaz. 7. (see per1) Latin combining form -ceps (< *kap-s), "taker." 8. GAFF1, from Provençal gafar, to seize, from Germanic *gaf-, probably akin to kap-. II. Suffixed form *kap-yo-. 1. HEAVE, from Old English hebban, to lift, from Germanic *hafjan. 2. CABLE, CAPABLE, CAPACIOUS, CAPIAS, CAPSTAN, CAPTION, CAPTIOUS, (CAPTIVATE), CAPTIVE, CAPTOR, CAPTURE, CATCH, (CHASE1), ACCEPT, ANTICIPATE, CONCEIVE, DECEIVE, EXCEPT, INCEPTION, (INCIPIENT), INTERCEPT, INTUSSUSCEPTION, MUNICIPAL, NUNCUPATIVE, OCCUPY, PARTICIPATE, PERCEIVE, PRECEPT, RECEIVE, (RECOVER), RECUPERATE, (RX), SUSCEPTIBLE, from Latin capere, to take, seize, catch. III. Lengthened-grade variant form *k½p-. 1.a. BEHOOF, from Old English beh½f, use, profit, need; b. BEHOOVE, from Old English beh½fian, to have need of. Both a and b from Germanic compound *bi-h½f, "that which binds," requirement, obligation (*bi-, intensive prefix; see ambhi), from *h½f-. 2. COPEPOD, from Greek k½p¶, oar, handle. [Pokorny kap- 527. Compare ghabh-.]con·ceive
(k…n-s¶v") v. con·ceived, con·ceiv·ing, con·ceives. --tr. 1. To become pregnant with (offspring). 2. To form or develop in the mind; devise: conceive a plan to increase profits. 3. To apprehend mentally; understand: couldn't conceive the meaning of that sentence. 4. To be of the opinion that; think: didn't conceive such a tragedy could occur. --intr. 1. To form or hold an idea: Ancient peoples conceived of the earth as flat. 2. To become pregnant. [Middle English conceiven, from Old French concevoir, conceiv-, from Latin concipere : com-, intensive pref.; see COM- + capere, to take; see kap- below.] --con·ceiv"a·bil"i·ty or con·ceiv"a·ble·ness n. --con·ceiv"a·ble adj. --con·ceiv"a·bly adv. --con·ceiv"er n.————————————————————
kap-.
Important derivatives are: have, heavy, haven, hawk1, heave, cable, capable, caption, captive, catch, chase1, accept, conceive, deceive, except, intercept, municipal, occupy, participate, perceive, receive, recover, capsule, chassis.kap-.
To grasp. I. Basic form *kap-. 1. HEDDLE, from Old English hefeld, thread used for weaving, heddle (a device which grasps the thread), from Germanic *haf-. 2. HAFT, from Old English hæft, handle, from Germanic *haftjam. 3. Form *kap-o-. HAVE, from Old English habban, to have, hold, from Germanic *habai-, *hab¶n. 4. HEAVY, from Old English hefig, heavy, from Germanic *hafigaz, "containing something," having weight. 5. HAVEN, from Old English hæfen, a haven, from Germanic *hafn½-, perhaps "place that holds ships." 6. HAWK1, from Old English h(e)afoc, hawk, from Germanic *habukaz. 7. (see per1) Latin combining form -ceps (< *kap-s), "taker." 8. GAFF1, from Provençal gafar, to seize, from Germanic *gaf-, probably akin to kap-. II. Suffixed form *kap-yo-. 1. HEAVE, from Old English hebban, to lift, from Germanic *hafjan. 2. CABLE, CAPABLE, CAPACIOUS, CAPIAS, CAPSTAN, CAPTION, CAPTIOUS, (CAPTIVATE), CAPTIVE, CAPTOR, CAPTURE, CATCH, (CHASE1), ACCEPT, ANTICIPATE, CONCEIVE, DECEIVE, EXCEPT, INCEPTION, (INCIPIENT), INTERCEPT, INTUSSUSCEPTION, MUNICIPAL, NUNCUPATIVE, OCCUPY, PARTICIPATE, PERCEIVE, PRECEPT, RECEIVE, (RECOVER), RECUPERATE, (RX), SUSCEPTIBLE, from Latin capere, to take, seize, catch. III. Lengthened-grade variant form *k½p-. 1.a. BEHOOF, from Old English beh½f, use, profit, need; b. BEHOOVE, from Old English beh½fian, to have need of. Both a and b from Germanic compound *bi-h½f, "that which binds," requirement, obligation (*bi-, intensive prefix; see ambhi), from *h½f-. 2. COPEPOD, from Greek k½p¶, oar, handle. [Pokorny kap- 527. Compare ghabh-.]in·fant
(¹n"f…nt) n. 1. A child in the earliest period of life, especially before he or she can walk. 2. Law. A person under the legal age of majority; a minor. --in·fant adj. 1. Of or being in infancy. 2. Intended for infants or young children. 3. Newly begun or formed: an infant enterprise. [Middle English, from Old French enfant, from Latin ºnf³ns, ºnfant-, from ºnf³ns, not able to speak, young : in-, not; see IN-1 + f³ns, present participle of f³rº, to speak; see bh³-2 below.]————————————————————
WORD HISTORY:
Anyone who has ever responded to the cries of a howling infant may find it difficult to believe the etymology of the word infant. The source of our word is the Latin word ºnf³ns (stem form, or form to which inflections are added, ºnfant-), meaning "a little child; strictly, one who does not yet speak." The noun is from the adjective ºnf³ns, meaning "not having the power of speech" and "newly born" and made up of the negative prefix in- and the present participle f³ns, "speaking," of the verb f³rº, "to speak." Latin ºnf³ns and its Old French descendant enfant could both be used to refer to a speaking child, and the earliest recorded use (around 1384) of their Middle English descendant infaunte, the ancestor of our word, is in the sense "child." This use gave rise to our legal sense of infant, "a minor," thus reminding us of individuals who can be very talkative indeed.————————————————————
bh
³-2. Important derivatives are: fable, fate, infant, preface, prophet, abandon, banish, bandit, fame, phono-, symphony, confess, blame.bh
³-2. To speak. Contracted from *bha…-. 1. FABLE, FATE; AFFABLE, (FANTOCCINI), INEFFABLE, INFANT, (INFANTRY), PREFACE, from Latin f³rº, to speak. 2. -PHASIA; APOPHASIS, PROPHET, from Greek phanai, to speak. 3.a. BAN1, from Old English bannan, to summon, proclaim, and Old Norse banna, to prohibit, curse; b. BANAL, BANNS; ABANDON, from Old French ban, feudal jurisdiction, summons to military service, proclamation, Old French bandon, power, and Old English gebann, proclamation; c. BANISH, from Old French banir, to banish; d. CONTRABAND, from Late Latin bannus, bannum, proclamation; e. BANDIT, from Italian bandire, to muster, band together (< "to have been summoned"). a, b, c, d, and e all from Germanic suffixed form *ban-wan, *bannan, to speak publicly (used of particular kinds of proclamation in feudal or prefeudal custom; "to proclaim under penalty, summon to the levy, declare outlaw"). 4. Suffixed form *bh³-ni-. a. BOON1, from Old Norse b½n, prayer, request; b. BEE1, perhaps from Old English b¶n, prayer, from a Scandinavian source akin to Old Norse b½n, prayer. Both a and b from Germanic *b½ni-. 5. Suffixed form *bh³-ma. a. FAME, FAMOUS; DEFAME, INFAMOUS, from Latin f³ma, talk, reputation, fame; b. EUPHEMISM, from Greek ph¶m¶, saying, speech. 6. Suffixed o-grade form *bh½-n³. PHONE2, -PHONE, PHONEME, PHONETIC, PHONO-, -PHONY; ANTHEM, (ANTIPHON), APHONIA, CACOPHONOUS, EUPHONY, SYMPHONY, from Greek ph½n¶, voice, sound, and (denominative) ph½nein, to speak. 7. Suffixed zero-grade form *bh…-to-. CONFESS, PROFESS, from Latin fat¶rº, to acknowledge, admit. 8. (BLAME), BLASPHEME, from Graek blasph¶mos, evil-speaking, blasphemous (first element obscure). [Pokorny 2. bh³- 105.]The Bible
The Bible The BIBLE, the holy book of JUDAISM and CHRISTIANITY, is the most widely known book in the English-speaking world. It is divided into two main parts, commonly called the OLD TESTAMENT and the NEW TESTAMENT. The best-known books of the Old Testament are GENESIS, EXODUS, the PSALMS, the Book of JOB, ECCLESIASTES, the SONG OF SOLOMON, and the Book of ISAIAH. The thirty-nine books make up the holy Scripture for Judaism. Christianity at a later period built upon Judaism and included the Old Testament as the first part of its own Scripture, adding the New Testament, which consists of twenty-seven books. Its main books are the four GOSPELS — MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE, and JOHN, which relate the life of JESUS and his teachings — and the BOOK OF REVELATION. No one in the English-speaking world can be considered literate without a basic knowledge of the Bible. Literate people in INDIA, whose religious traditions are not based on the Bible but whose common language is English, must know about the Bible in order to understand English within their own country. All educated speakers of American English need to understand what is meant when someone describes a contest as being between DAVID and Goliath, or whether a person who has the "wisdom of SOLOMON" is wise or foolish, or whether saying "My cup runneth over" means the person feels fortunate or unfortunate. Those who cannot use or understand such allusions cannot fully participate in literate English. The Bible is also essential for understanding many of the moral and spiritual values of our CULTURE, whatever our religious beliefs. The story of ABRAHAM and ISAAC concerns our deepest feelings about the relations between parents and children. The story of Job is a major representation in our tradition of being patient during suffering. The PARABLES and sayings of JESUS, such as "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth," are so often alluded to that they need to be known by Americans of all faiths. The linguistic and cultural importance of the Bible is a fact that no one denies. Nonetheless, elementary knowledge of the Bible has declined among young people in recent years. School authorities have felt that teaching about the Bible might be offensive to some parents, and might even be illegal, in light of recent decisions of the SUPREME COURT disallowing prayer in the public schools. The dilemma for Americans is that the CONSTITUTION forbids the teaching of religion in the public schools, and even without that legal prohibition, our schools should not impose religious teaching over the objections of parents. Is there a solution to this dilemma? No person in the modern world can be considered educated without a basic knowledge of all the great religions of the world — ISLAM, CONFUCIANISM, TAOISM, BUDDHISM, Judaism, and Christianity. But our knowledge of Judaism and Christianity needs to be more detailed than that of other great religions, if only because of the historical accident that has embedded the Bible in our thought and language. The Bible is a central book in our culture, just as the KORAN is central in other nations, whose citizens need to know more about the Koran than about the Bible. The logical conclusion is that our schools need to teach more about the Bible than about the Koran, but they have a responsibility to teach about both. Far from being illegal or undesirable, teaching about the Bible is not only consistent with our Constitution, it is essential to our literacy.Adam and Eve
The Bible In the BIBLE, the first man and the first woman. The Book of GENESIS tells that God created Adam by breathing life into "the dust of the ground." Later, God created Eve from Adam's rib. God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of EDEN, telling them that they could eat the fruit of all the trees in the garden except the fruit of the TREE OF KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL. They lived happily until the serpent (SATAN) tempted Eve to eat the FORBIDDEN FRUIT. She ate, and gave the fruit to Adam, who also ate; they immediately became aware and ashamed of their nakedness. Because of Adam and Eve's disobedience, God drove them from the garden into the world outside, where Eve would suffer in childbirth, and Adam would have to earn his livelihood by the sweat of his brow. The most dire consequence of Adam and Eve's disobedience was death: " DUST THOU ART," said God, " AND UNTO DUST SHALT THOU RETURN." After their expulsion, Eve gave birth to sons, first CAIN AND ABEL, and then Seth, and thus Adam and Eve became the parents of mankind. Adam and Eve's sin, and their consequent loss of God's grace and of the enjoyment of PARADISE, is referred to as the FALL OF MAN or simply "the Fall."alpha and omega
(AL-fuh, oh-MEG-uh)The Bible The beginning and the end. In the Greek alphabet, in which the NEW TESTAMENT was written, alpha is the first letter and omega is the last. In the BOOK OF REVELATION, God says, "I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last," meaning that he remains from the beginning to the end of time.angels
The Bible Spirits who live in HEAVEN with God; also the DEVILS of HELL, who are angels fallen from goodness. In the BIBLE, angels are often sent to earth, sometimes with a human appearance, to bring the messages of God to people, to guide and protect them, or to execute God's punishments. (See ABRAHAM AND ISAAC, ANNUNCIATION, CHERUBIM, DANIEL IN THE LIONS' DEN, JACOB'S LADDER, LOT'S WIFE, LUCIFER, PASSOVER, PLAGUES OF EGYPT, SATAN, and SODOM AND GOMORRAH.)Ask, and it shall be given you
Ararat
Chosen People
Chosen People
covenant
covenant
World Politics A contract formed between two or more parties that is sealed with solemn vows. Political covenants usually involve pledges of mutual assistance and allegiance.Noah and the Flood
The Bible The account in the Book of GENESIS of how, several generations after the life of ADAM, the wickedness of people made God regret that he had created them, and made him resolve to send a flood that would destroy all the living creatures in the world. God decided to spare Noah and his family, who lived virtuously, and to allow them to repopulate the earth. God commanded Noah to build an ark (a large, rudderless ship), and to take his wife, three sons, and three daughters-in-law into it, along with a pair of each of the earth's animals. When Noah had done so, God sent forty days and forty nights of rain, until the entire globe was flooded, and all living creatures were drowned. When the rain ended, Noah released a dove from the ark. When it returned with an OLIVE BRANCH in its beak, Noah knew that the waters had receded, and that he and his family could begin a new life. After NOAH'S ARK came to rest on Mount ARARAT, and Noah and the other people and animals left it, God set a rainbow in the HEAVENS as a sign that he would never again destroy the world by flood.Nobel Prizes
World Politics Prizes given annually for achievement in PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY, literature, peace, ECONOMICS, and medicine and PHYSIOLOGY. The prizes were founded by a Swedish munitions maker, Alfred Nobel, and are considered a mark of worldwide leadership in the fields in which they are given. Nobel winners, called NOBEL LAUREATES, receive their prizes in ceremonies in STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, except for the peace prize, which is presented in OSLO, NORWAY.Eve
The Bible In the Book of GENESIS, the first woman. (See ADAM AND EVE and CREATION.)Adam and Eve
The Bible In the BIBLE, the first man and the first woman. The Book of GENESIS tells that God created Adam by breathing life into "the dust of the ground." Later, God created Eve from Adam's rib. God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of EDEN, telling them that they could eat the fruit of all the trees in the garden except the fruit of the TREE OF KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL. They lived happily until the serpent (SATAN) tempted Eve to eat the FORBIDDEN FRUIT. She ate, and gave the fruit to Adam, who also ate; they immediately became aware and ashamed of their nakedness. Because of Adam and Eve's disobedience, God drove them from the garden into the world outside, where Eve would suffer in childbirth, and Adam would have to earn his livelihood by the sweat of his brow. The most dire consequence of Adam and Eve's disobedience was death: " DUST THOU ART," said God, " AND UNTO DUST SHALT THOU RETURN." After their expulsion, Eve gave birth to sons, first CAIN AND ABEL, and then Seth, and thus Adam and Eve became the parents of mankind. Adam and Eve's sin, and their consequent loss of God's grace and of the enjoyment of PARADISE, is referred to as the FALL OF MAN or simply "the Fall."sar·a·band
also sar·a·bande (s²r"…-b²nd") n. 1. A stately court dance of the 17th and 18th centuries, in slow triple time. 2. The music for this dance. [French sarabande, from Spanish zarabanda.]Sar·ah
(sâr"…). In the Old Testament, the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac.Babylon
The Bible The capital of the ancient empire of BABYLONIA, which conquered ISRAEL in the sixth century B.C. The JEWS were exiled to Babylon, which they found luxurious and corrupt. The PROPHET DANIEL became a counsellor to the king of Babylon (see HANDWRITING ON THE WALL), and eventually the ISRAELITES were allowed to return to their homeland. (See also DANIEL IN THE LIONS' DEN.) A "Babylon" is any place of sin and corruption. This event in Jewish history is known as the Babylonian captivity. One of the most famous PSALMS begins, "By the waters of Babylon, we lay down, yea we wept."Babylon
(BAB-uh-luhn; BAB-uh-lon) World History to 1550 A city in ancient MESOPOTAMIA, famed for its hanging gardens (one of the SEVEN WONDERS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD), and for the sensual lifestyle of its people. The ISRAELITES were taken captive into Babylon in the sixth century B.C.Nativity
The Bible The birth of JESUS, described in two of the GOSPELS (MATTHEW and LUKE). When Jesus' parents, MARY and JOSEPH, traveled from NAZARETH to BETHLEHEM to take part in a government census, they found that there was no room for them in the local inn. Mary gave birth to Jesus in a common stable and laid him in a manger (a feeding trough for livestock). CHRISTIANS believe that Jesus' birth fulfilled many OLD TESTAMENT prophecies and was attended by miraculous events, such as a star above Bethlehem that drew local shepherds as well as the WISE MEN, or MAGI, from a distant land. The Nativity is celebrated at CHRISTMAS. We date our present historical era from the birth of Jesus, referring to the years before his birth as B.C. (before CHRIST) and the years after his birth as A.D. (anno Domini, a LATIN PHRASE meaning "in the year of the Lord").an·no Dom·i·ni
(²n"½ d¼m"…-nº", d¼m"…-n¶) adv. Abbr. A.D., A.D. In a specified year of the Christian era. [Medieval Latin : ann½, in the year + Domini, genitive of Dominus, Lord.]the·o·rize
(th¶"…-rºz", thîr"ºz) v. the·o·rized, the·o·riz·ing, the·o·riz·es. --intr. 1. To formulate theories or a theory; speculate. --tr. To propose a theory about. --the"o·ri·za"tion (-…r-¹-z³"sh…n) n. --the"o·riz"er n.——
SYNONYMS:
theoretical, abstract, academic, hypothetical, speculative. The central meaning shared by these adjectives is "concerned primarily with theories or hypotheses rather than practical considerations": theoretical linguistics; abstract reasoning; a purely academic discussion; a hypothetical statement; speculative knowledge.hypothetical imperative
n. In the ethical system of Immanuel Kant, a moral command that is conditional on personal motive or desire.hy·poth·e·sis
Ye cannot serve God and mammon
The Bible A teaching of JESUS, meaning that his followers cannot love God and money ("mammon") at the same time.Go west, young man
American History to 1865 A favorite saying of the nineteenth-century journalist HORACE GREELEY, referring to opportunities on the frontier. Another writer, John Soule, apparently originated it.ser·e·nade
(sµr"…-n³d", sµr"…-n³d") n. 1. Music. A complimentary performance given to honor or express love for someone. 2. South Atlantic U.S. See shivaree. See Regional Note at shivaree. 3. Music. An instrumental composition written for a small ensemble and having characteristics of the suite and the sonata. --ser·e·nade v. ser·e·nad·ed, ser·e·nad·ing, ser·e·nades. Music. --tr. 1. To perform a serenade for. --intr. To perform a serenade. [French sérénade, from Italian serenata, from sereno, calm, clear, the open air, from Latin ser¶nus. See SERENE.] --ser"e·nad"er n.ser·en·dip·i·ty
(sµr"…n-d¹p"¹-t¶) n. The faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident. [From the characters in the Persian fairy tale The Three Princes of Serendip, who made such discoveries, from Persian Sarandºp, Sri Lanka, from Arabic Sarandºb.] --ser"en·dip"i·tous adj. --ser"en·dip"i·tous·ly adv.————————————————————
WORD HISTORY:
We are indebted to the English author Horace Walpole for coining the word serendipity. In one of his 3,000 or more letters, on which his literary reputation primarily rests, and specifically in a letter of January 28, 1754, Walpole says that "this discovery, indeed, is almost of that kind which I call Serendipity, a very expressive word." Perhaps the word itself came to him by serendipity. Walpole formed the word on an old name for Sri Lanka, Serendip. He explained that this name was part of the title of "a silly fairy tale, called The Three Princes of Serendip: as their highnesses traveled, they were always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things which they were not in quest of . . . One of the most remarkable instances of this accidental sagacity (for you must observe that no discovery of a thing you are looking for, comes under this description) was of my Lord Shaftsbury [Anthony Ashley Cooper], who happening to dine at Lord Chancellor Clarendon's [Edward Hyde], found out the marriage of the Duke of York [later James II] and Mrs. Hyde [Anne Hyde, Clarendon's daughter], by the respect with which her mother [Frances Aylesbury Hyde] treated her at table."se·rene
(s…-r¶n") adj. 1. Unaffected by disturbance; calm and unruffled. See Synonyms at calm. 2. Unclouded; fair: serene skies and a bright blue sea. 3. Often Serene. Used as a title and form of address for certain members of royalty: Her Serene Highness; His Serene Highness. [Middle English, from Latin ser¶nus, serene, clear.] --se·rene"ly adv. --se·rene"ness n.Finding the word sequence "
serenade... serendipity... serene" just waiting in orderIn dreams serendipitous
discovery continually leads our progress by grand design.
Indeed we
owe both revelation and invention unto this process of nightly renewal.
Spiritual attainment and scientific achievement equally share blessing in
this regard.
Serenade... Serendipity...
Serene...
Free our dreams to sing along and
rest this story for only love
source find destiny.
i·den·ti·ty
(º-dµn"t¹-t¶) n., pl. i·den·ti·ties. 1. The collective aspect of the set of characteristics by which a thing is definitively recognizable or known: "If the broadcast group is the financial guts of the company, the news division is its public identity" (Bill Powell). 2. The set of behavioral or personal characteristics by which an individual is recognizable as a member of a group. 3. The quality or condition of being the same as something else. 4. The distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity; individuality. 5. Mathematics. a. An equation that is satisfied by any number that replaces the letter for which the equation is defined. b. Identity element. [French identité, from Old French identite, from Late Latin identit³s, from Latin idem, the same (influenced by Late Latin essentit³s, being, and identidem, repeatedly) from id, it. See i- below.]————————————————————
i-.
Important derivatives are: yonder, yea, yes, yet, if, identity, item.i-.
Pronominal stem. 1. ILK1, from Old English ilca, same, from Germanic *is-lºk-, same (*lºk-, like; see lºk-). 2. YON, from Old English geon, that, from Germanic *jaino-, *jeno-. 3.a. YOND, (YONDER), from Old English geond, as far as, yonder, from Germanic *jend-; b. BEYOND, from Old English geondan, beyond, from Germanic *jendana-. 4. Extended forms *y³m, *y³i. YEA, YES, from Old English g¶a, affirmative particle, and g¶se, yes (see es-), from Germanic *j³, *jai. 5. YET, from Old English gºet, gºeta (preform uncertain), still. 6. Relative stem *yo- plus particle. IF, from Old English gif, if, from Germanic *ja-ba. 7. Basic form *i-, with neuter *id-em. ID, IDEM, (IDENTICAL), IDENTITY; (IDENTIFY), from Latin is, he (neuter id, it), and ºdem, same. 8. Suffixed form *i-tero-. ITERATE; (REITERATE), from Latin iterum, again. 9. Suffixed and extended form *it(…)-em. ITEM, from Latin item, thus, also. 10. Stem *i- plus locatival particle *-dha-i. IBIDEM, from Latin ibº-dem, in the same place. 11. Suffixed variant form *e-tero-. (see ko-). [Pokorny 3. e- 281.]can·dle
(k²n"dl) n. 1.a. A solid, usually cylindrical mass of tallow, wax, or other fatty substance with an axially embedded wick that is burned to provide light. b. Something resembling this object in shape or use. 2. Abbr. c Physics. a. An obsolete unit of luminous intensity, originally defined in terms of a wax candle with standard composition and equal to 1.02 candelas. Also called international candle. b. See candela. --can·dle tr.v. can·dled, can·dling, can·dles. To examine (an egg) for freshness or fertility by holding it before a bright light. [Middle English candel, from Old English and from Anglo-Norman candele, both from Latin cand¶la, from cand¶re, to shine. See kand- below.] --can"dler n.————————————————————
kand-.
Important derivatives are: candid, candidate, candle, candor, incandesce, incense.kajd-.
To shine. 1. Suffixed (stative) form *kand-¶-. CANDENT, CANDID, (CANDIDA), (CANDIDATE), CANDLE, CANDOR; INCANDESCE, from Latin cand¶re to shine. 2. (INCENDIARY), INCENSE1, INCENSE2 from Latin compound incendere, to set fire to, kindle (in-, in; see en), from transitive *candere, to kindle. [Pokorny kand- 526.]vigil light
n. 1. A small candle kept burning in the chancel of Christian churches to symbolize the presence of the Holy Sacrament; an altar light. 2. A candle lighted by a worshiper for a special devotional purpose. 3. A light or candle kept burning at a shrine or before an iconvig·il
(v¹j"…l) n. 1.a. A watch kept during normal sleeping hours. b. The act or a period of observing; surveillance. 2. The eve of a religious festival as observed by devotional watching. 3. Often vigils. Ritual devotions observed on the eve of a holy day. [Middle English vigile, a devotional watching, from Old French, from Latin vigilia, wakefulness, watch, from vigil, awake. See weg- below.]————————————————————
weg-.
Important derivatives are: wake1, waken, watch, bivouac, wait, vegetable, vigor, vigil, vigilante, reveille, velocity.weg-.
To be strong, be lively. 1. Suffixed o-grade form *wog-¶-. WAKE1, from Old English wacan, to wake up, arise, and wacian, to be awake, from Germanic *wak¶n. 2. Suffixed o-grade form *wog-no-. WAKEN, from Old English wæcnan, wæcnian, to awake, from Germanic *waknan. 3. WATCH, from Old English wæccan, to be awake, from Germanic *wakjan. 4. Suffixed form *weg-yo-. (WICCA), (WICKED), WITCH; (BEWITCH), from Old English wicca, sorcerer, wizard (feminine wicce, witch), from Germanic *wikkjaz, necromancer (< "one who wakes the dead"). 5. BIVOUAC, from Old High German wahta, watch, vigil, from Germanic *wahtw½. 6.a. WAIT, from Old North French waitier, to watch; b. WAFT, from Middle Dutch and Middle Low German wachten, to watch, guard. Both a and b from Germanic *waht-. 7. Suffixed (causative) o-grade form *wog-eyo-. VEGETABLE, from Latin veg¶re, to be lively. 8. Suffixed (stative) form *weg-¶-. VIGOR, from Latin vig¶re, to be lively. 9. Suffixed form *weg-(e)li-. VEDETTE, VIGIL, (VIGILANT), VIGILANTE; REVEILLE, SURVEILLANT, from Latin vigil, watchful, awake. 10. Suffixed form *weg-slo-. VELOCITY, from Latin v¶l½x, fast, "lively."wake
1 (w³k) v. woke (w½k) or waked (w³kt), waked or wok·en (w½"k…n), wak·ing, wakes. --intr. 1.a. To cease to sleep; become awake: overslept and woke late. b. To stay awake: Bears wake for spring, summer, and fall and hibernate for the winter. c. To be brought into a state of awareness or alertness: suddenly woke to the danger we were in. 2. To keep watch or guard, especially over a corpse. --tr. 1. To rouse from sleep; awaken. 2. To stir, as from a dormant or inactive condition; rouse: wake old animosities. 3. To make aware of; alert: The shocking revelations finally woke me to the facts of the matter. 4.a. To keep a vigil over. b. To hold a wake over. --wake n. 1. A watch; a vigil. 2. A watch over the body of a deceased person before burial, sometimes accompanied by festivity. Also called Regional: viewing. 3. wakes. (used with a sing. or pl. verb). Chiefly British. a. A parish festival held annually, often in honor of a patron saint. b. An annual vacation. [Middle English wakien, waken, from Old English wacan, to wake up and wacian, to be awake, keep watch; see weg- below.] --wak"er n.USAGE NOTE:
The pairs wake, waken and awake, awaken have formed a bewildering array since the Middle English period. All four words have similar meanings, though there are some differences in use. Only wake is used in the sense "to be awake," as in expressions like waking (not wakening) and sleeping, every waking hour. Wake is also more common than waken when used together with up; and awake and awaken never occur in this context: She woke up (rarely wakened up; never awakened up or awoke up). Some writers have suggested that waken should be used only transitively and awaken only intransitively, but there is ample literary precedent for usages such as He wakened early and They did not awaken her. In figurative senses awake and awaken are more prevalent: With the governor's defeat the party awoke to the strength of the opposition to its position on abortion. The scent of the azaleas awakened my memory of his unexpected appearance that afternoon years ago.REGIONAL NOTE:
Regional American dialects vary in the way that certain verbs form their principal parts. Northern dialects seem to favor forms that change the internal vowel in the verb—hence dove for the past tense of dive, and woke for wake: They woke up with a start. Southern dialects, on the other hand, tend to prefer forms that add an -ed to form the past tense and the past participle of these verbs: The children dived into the swimming hole. The baby waked up early.born-again Christian
Resurrection
no-silver-threads-or-golden-need-just-the-word
American Heritage Dictionary