“ For me, conferences are like little mental vacations: a chance to go visit an interesting place for a couple of days, and come back rested and refreshed with new ideas and perspectives. Erin McKean
“ Bud·dhism n. a widespread Asian religion or philosophy, founded by Siddartha Gautama in northeastern India in the 5th century BC. Buddhism has no creator god and gives a central role to the doctrine o… Erin McKean
“ Po·lit·bu·ro n. (pl. -ros) the principal policymaking committee of a Communist Party. (Politburo) this committee in the former Soviet Union, founded in 1917. Also called (1952-66) PRESIDIUM. from Ru… Erin McKean
“ Large, long-necked ungulate mammal of arid country, with long slender legs, broad cushioned feet, and either one or two humps on the back. Camels can survive for long periods without food or drink, ch… Erin McKean
“ DATED used in reference to refinement or gentility: [as adj.] she had a certain lavender charm. 2 a pale blue color with a trace of mauve. ■ v. [trans.] perfume with lavender. Middle English: from An… Erin McKean
“ V. (plopped, plop·ping) fall or cause to fall with such a sound: [intrans.] the stone plopped into the pond | [trans.] she plopped a sugar cube into the cup. Erin McKean
“ Pad (also launch·ing pad ) n. the area on which a rocket stands for launching, typically consisting of a platform with a supporting structure. launch ve·hi·cle n. a rocket-powered vehicle used to send… Erin McKean
“ If you want someone to stop listening to you go ahead and yell. If you want them to listen to every word, whisper. -Mimi Erin McKean
“ Dearth n. [in sing.] a scarcity or lack of something: there is a dearth of evidence. See note at LACK. Middle English derthe (originally in the sense 'shortage and dearness of food') Erin McKean
“ La·va·bo n. (pl. -boes) (in the Roman Catholic Church) a towel or basin used for the ritual washing of the celebrant's hands at the offertory of the Mass. - ritual washing of this type. - DATED a was… Erin McKean
“ Leaf through) turn over (the pages of a book or the papers in a pile), reading them quickly or casually: he leafed through the stack of notes. Erin McKean
“ In·vei·gle v. [trans.] persuade (someone) to do something by means of deception or flattery: we cannot inveigle him into putting pen to paper. See note at TEMPT. Erin McKean
“ Consist with) ARCHAIC be consistent with: the information perfectly consists with our friend's account. ■ n. [RAILROAD] late Middle English (in the sense 'be located or inherent in'): from Latin cons… Erin McKean
“ Pter·an·o·don n. a large tailless pterosaur of the Cretaceous period, with a long toothless beak, a long bony crest, and a wingspan of up to 7 m. Erin McKean
“ Linch·pin (also lynch·pin) n. 1 a pin passed through the end of an axle to keep a wheel in position. Erin McKean
