Educational

caducity

[kuh-doo-si-tee]

the infirmity or weakness of old age; senility

crwth

[krooth]

ancient Celtic instrument that is similar to a violin

sagacious

[suh-gey-shuhs]

having or showing acute mental discernment and keen practical sense; shrewd

contemporary

[kuhn-tem-puh-rer-ee]

of the present time; modern

quisling

[kwiz-ling]

a person who betrays his or her own country by aiding an invading enemy, often serving later in a puppet government; a traitor

diegetic

[dahy-uh-jet-ik]

(of sound in a movie, television program, etc.) occurring within the context of the story and able to be heard by the characters

frazil

[fraz-uhl]

ice crystals formed in turbulent water, as in swift streams or rough seas

aphelion

[uh-fee-lee-uhn]

the point farthest from the sun in the path of an orbiting celestial body (such as a planet)

conflate

[kuhn-fleyt]

to fuse into one entity; merge

sarcophagus

[sahr-kof-uh-guhs]

a stone coffin, typically adorned with a sculpture or inscription and associated with the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Rome, and Greece

chthonian

[thoh-nee-uhn]

of Classical Mythology, relating to the deities, spirits, and other dwellings under the earth

portend

[pawr-tend]

to indicate in advance; to foreshadow or presage, as an omen does

yarborough

[yahr-bur-oh]

a hand in which no card is higher than a nine

poignant

[poin-yuhnt]

keenly distressing to the feelings

dissimulate

[dih-sim-yuh-leyt]

to disguise or conceal under a false appearance; dissemble

fatuous

[fach-oo-uhs]

foolish or inane, especially in an unconscious, complacent manner; silly; witless

tantamount

[tan-tuh-mount]

equivalent, as in value, force, effect, or signification

repine

[ri-pahyn]

to be fretfully discontented; fret; complain

imperious

[im-peer-ee-uhs]

domineering in a haughty manner; dictatorial; overbearing

pretermit

[pree-ter-mit]

to let pass without notice; disregard

strident

[strahyd-nt]

making or having a harsh sound; grating; creaking

pecuniary

[pi-kyoo-nee-er-ee]

of or relating to money

excoriate

[ik-skawr-ee-eyt]

to denounce or berate severely; flay verbally

diatribe

[dahy-uh-trahyb]

a bitter, sharply abusive denunciation, attack, or criticism