* Abuse
Definitions:
The improper or harmful use of something.
Physical, emotional, or verbal mistreatment of a person, animal, or resource.
Etymology:
From Latin abusus (“misuse”), from abuti (“to use up, misuse”), formed from ab- (“away”) + uti (“to use”).
* Accountability
Definitions:
The responsibility to justify one’s actions and accept the consequences.
A state of being answerable to oneself, others, or authority.
Etymology:
From Old French acont (“account”), from Latin computare (“to calculate, count”), later evolving to mean responsibility.
* Alchemy
Definitions:
An ancient philosophical and proto-scientific tradition that seeks to understand transformation on physical, spiritual, and metaphysical levels.
While popularly associated with the attempt to turn base metals into gold, its deeper purpose was the pursuit of enlightenment, self-perfection, and universal knowledge.
Etymology:
From Old French alquimie → from Arabic al-kīmiyāʾ (الكيمياء) → from Greek khēmeia (χημεία), meaning “the art of transmutation”.
Khēmeia is believed to have originated from the Egyptian word Khem (or Khemia), meaning "black land", referring to both Egypt’s rich soil and its deep esoteric knowledge.
The Arabic al- prefix means “the”, making al-kīmiyāʾ translate roughly to “the art of transformation”.
* Allegory
Definitions:
A symbolic narrative in which characters, events, or settings represent abstract ideas, moral qualities, or deeper truths.
A literary or artistic device used to convey a hidden meaning, often moral, spiritual, or political.
Etymology:
From Greek allēgoria (“veiled language, figurative speech”), from allos (“other”) + agoreuein (“to speak publicly”).
Definitions:
A landmass comprising North, Central, and South America.
A term often used to refer specifically to the United States of America.
Etymology:
Named after the Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci (1454–1512), who first suggested that the lands discovered by Europeans were a new continent, not part of Asia. The name first appeared on a 1507 world map by cartographer Martin Waldseemüller.
* Angel
Definitions:
A spiritual being often seen as a messenger or protector in various religions.
A kind, compassionate person (e.g., “She’s an angel”).
Etymology:
From Latin angelus, from Greek angelos (“messenger”).
*Aura
Definitions:
A subtle, intangible energy field believed to surround a person or object.
A distinctive atmosphere or impression surrounding someone or something.
Etymology:
From Latin aura ("breeze, air"), from Greek aura (αὔρα), meaning "breeze" or "breath."
*Balance
Definitions:
A condition in which different elements are in the correct proportions.
A stable mental or emotional state.
Etymology:
From Old French balance (“scales for weighing”), from Late Latin bilancia (bi- "two" + lanx "plate of a scale").
*Black
Definitions:
The darkest color, the absence or complete absorption of light.
Symbolically used to represent strength, mystery, mourning, or power.
Etymology:
From Old English blæc (“dark, ink, black”), from Proto-Germanic blakaz, meaning "burnt" or "darkened."
*Blessing
Definitions:
A prayer or act of bestowing divine favor.
Something that brings happiness, benefit, or relief.
Etymology:
From Old English blētsian or blētsung (“to mark with blood in a religious ritual”), related to blōd (“blood”). The meaning later evolved to "confer holiness."
*Breath
Definitions:
The air taken into and expelled from the lungs.
A momentary pause or slight movement of air.
Etymology:
From Old English brǣð (“odor, exhalation”), of Germanic origin, related to breathe.
*Chosen
Definitions:
Selected for a special purpose or position.
A term used in religious or spiritual contexts to denote divine selection.
Etymology:
From Old English ceosan ("to choose"), from Proto-Germanic keusanan, meaning "to test, to try, to select."
*Conscience
Definitions:
A person’s inner sense of right and wrong that guides behavior.
In psychology, an internalized moral compass shaped by culture and upbringing.
Etymology:
From Latin conscientia (“knowledge within oneself”), from con- (“together”) + scire (“to know”).
*Consideration
Definitions:
Careful thought before making a decision.
Kindness and thoughtfulness toward others.
Etymology:
From Latin consideratio (“examination, contemplation”), from considerare (“to observe, reflect upon”), possibly related to sidus (“star”), originally meaning "to observe the stars" in divination.
* Consumerism
Definitions:
The practice of excessively buying and valuing material goods.
An economic ideology that promotes consumption as a path to well-being.
Etymology:
From Latin consumere (“to take up, use”), from con- (“completely”) + sumere (“to take”).
*Contract
Definitions:
A formal or legally binding agreement.
To shrink or tighten (as in muscles contracting).
Etymology:
From Latin contractus (“agreement, drawing together”), from contrahere (“to draw together, unite, enter into an agreement”).
*Control
Definitions:
The ability to direct or influence something.
A restraint or limitation placed on something or someone.
Etymology:
From Old French contreroller (“to check against a duplicate register”), from contre (“against”) + role (“roll, document”).
*Curse
Definitions:
A spoken or written wish for harm to befall someone.
A persistent problem or misfortune believed to be caused by supernatural forces.
Etymology:
Possibly from Old English cursian, of uncertain origin, potentially related to the idea of invoking divine punishment.
*Darkness
Definitions:
The absence of light.
A metaphor for ignorance, mystery, or evil.
Etymology:
From Old English deorc (“dark, obscure, hidden”), with Germanic roots.
*Deception
Definitions:
The act of misleading or tricking someone.
A false appearance or belief.
Etymology:
From Latin deceptio (“cheating, fraud”), from decipere (“to deceive”), from de- (“down, away”) + capere (“to take”).
*Detachment
Definitions:
A state of emotional disconnection or neutrality.
A military unit sent on a specific mission.
Etymology:
From French détachement, from détacher (“to detach”), from Old French des (“apart”) + atachier (“to attach”).
*Demonic
Definitions:
Related to demons or supernatural malevolent beings.
Fiercely energetic or driven, as in “a demonic intensity.”
Etymology:
From Greek daimonikos (“of a spirit or deity”), from daimon (“spirit, lesser deity”), later associated with evil in Christian theology.
*Distractions
Definitions:
Things that divert attention from a primary focus.
A state of mental disturbance or preoccupation.
Etymology:
From Latin distrahere (“to pull apart, separate”), from dis- (“apart”) + trahere (“to drag, pull”).
*Divine
Definitions:
Related to God or a deity.
Exceptionally good or beautiful.
Etymology:
From Latin divinus (“pertaining to a deity”), from divus (“godlike”), related to deus (“god”).
*Elevate
Definitions:
To lift something to a higher position.
To improve moral or intellectual status.
Etymology:
From Latin elevare (“to raise, lift up”), from e- (“out, up”) + levare (“to lighten, lift”).
*Ethical
Definitions:
Related to moral principles or right conduct.
Following accepted standards of behavior in a profession.
Etymology:
From Greek ethikos (“relating to character”), from ethos (“habit, custom, character”).