Educational

repine

[ri-pahyn]

to be fretfully discontented; fret; complain

obsequious

[uhb-see-kwee-uhs]

characterized by or showing servile obedience and excessive eagerness to please; deferential; fawning:

luminous

[loo-muh-nuhs]

radiating or reflecting light; shining; bright

risible

[riz-uh-buhl]

causing or capable of causing laughter; laughable; ludicrous

diatribe

[dahy-uh-trahyb]

a bitter, sharply abusive denunciation, attack, or criticism

hesperidium

[hes-puh-rid-ee-uhm]

the fruit of a citrus plant

strident

[strahyd-nt]

making or having a harsh sound; grating; creaking

onomatopoeia

[on-uh-mat-uh-pee-uh]

the formation of a word, as cuckoo, meow, honk, or boom, by imitation of a sound made by or associated with its referent; often used for rhetorical, dramatic, or poetic effect

fipple

[fip-uhl]

a plug stopping the upper end of a pipe, as a recorder or a whistle, and having a narrow slit through which the player blows

accrete

[uh-kreet]

to grow together; adhere (usually followed by to)

obviate

[ob-vee-eyt]

to anticipate and prevent or eliminate (difficulties, disadvantages, etc.) by effective measures; render unnecessary

adjourn

[uh-jurn]

to suspend the meeting of (a club, legislature, committee, etc.) to a future time, another place, or indefinitely

exoneration

[ig-zon-uh-rey-shuhn]

the act of clearing someone of blame or of an accusation or criminal charge

aerostat

[air-uh-stat]

an airship or hot-air balloon, especially one that is tethered

ailurophile

[ahy-loor-uh-fahyl]

a person who likes cats; cat fancier

crwth

[krooth]

ancient Celtic instrument that is similar to a violin

frazil

[fraz-uhl]

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

weave

[weev]

to interlace (threads, yarns, strips, fibrous material, etc.) so as to form a fabric or material

execrable

[ek-si-kruh-buhl ]

utterly detestable; abominable; abhorrent

virulence

[vir-yuh-luhns]

venomous hostility or intense temper

anaphora

[uh-naf-er-uh]

the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses

relegate

[rel-i-geyt]

to send or consign to an inferior position, place, or condition

precarious

[pri-kair-ee-uhs]

dependent on circumstances beyond one's control; uncertain; insecure

halcyon

[hal-see-uhn]

calm; peaceful; tranquil