A father and son went fishing one day. While they were out in the boat, the boy suddenly became curious about the world around him. He asked his father, "How does this boat float?"
The father replied, "Don"t rightly know, son."
A little later, the boy looked at his father and asked, "How do fish breath underwater?"
Once again the father replied, "Don"t rightly know, son."
A little later the boy asked his father, "Why is the sky blue?"
Again, the father replied, "Don"t rightly know, son."
Finally, the boy asked his father, "Dad, do you mind my asking you all of these questions?"
The father replied, "Of course not, you don"t ask questions, you never learn nothin"."
v. (-ring) (often foll. By in, with) continue steadfastly or determinedly; persist. perseverance n. [latin: related to *severe]
PERSIMMON
n. - tropical evergreen tree.
- its edible tomato-like fruit. [algonquian]
PERSONAGE
n. Person, esp. Of rank or importance.
PERSONIFY
v. (-ies, -ied) 1 represent (an abstraction or thing) as having human characteristics.
- symbolize (a quality etc.) By a figure in human form.
- (usu. As personified adj.) Be a typical example of; embody (she personifies youthful arrogance; he was niceness personified). personification n.
PERSONNEL
department n. Part of an organization concerned with the appointment, training, and welfare of employees.
- n. Staff of an organization, the armed forces, a public service, etc. [french, = personal]
PERTINENT
adj. (often foll. By to) relevant. pertinence n. Pertinency n. [latin: related to *pertain]
PESSIMISM
n. - tendency to be gloomy or expect the worst.
- philos. Belief that this world is as bad as it could be or that all things tend to evil. pessimist n. Pessimistic adj. Pessimistically adv. [latin pessimus worst]
PESTICIDE
n. Substance for destroying pests, esp. Insects.
PESTILENT
adj. - deadly.
- harmful or morally destructive.
- colloq. Troublesome, annoying.
PETERSHAM
n. Thick corded silk ribbon. [lord petersham, name of an army officer]
