a word or two with you

When I was young, I was always told to look up words when I'm reading. I don't remember that I paid heed to the suggestion, but now I do. I love words, their etymology, and learning some symbolic connection between sound, evolution, meaning and sight of a word. Here are some good words to mull over that I've come across lately. Okay, the last one I just put on there because I love it and want everyone else to love it, too:

kaffeklatsch - kaf·fee·klatsch (kŏf'ē-klăch', -kläch', kô'fē-)

n.

1. A casual social gathering for coffee and conversation.

megalomania - meg·a·lo·ma·ni·a (mĕg'ə-lō-mā'nē-ə, -mān'yə)

n.

1. A psychopathological condition characterized by delusional fantasies of wealth, power, or omnipotence.
2. An obsession with grandiose or extravagant things or actions.

diphthong - dif-thawng

n.
A complex speech sound or glide that begins with one vowel and gradually changes to another vowel within the same syllable, as (oi) in boil or (ī) in fine.



philosophy - φιλοσοφία [Greek] "phil - o- sophia"

n.
1. love of wisdom

2. the rational investigation of the truths and principles of being, knowledge, or conduct.

3. a system of principles for guidance in practical affairs.

4. investigation of the nature, causes, or principles of reality, knowledge, or values, based on logical reasoning rather than empirical methods.

5. the critical analysis of fundamental assumptions or beliefs.

6. the discipline comprising logic, ethics, aesthetics, metaphysics, and epistemology.

7. a system of values by which one lives.