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.»