Educational

entrench

[en-trench]

establish (an attitude, habit, or belief) so firmly that change is very difficult or unlikely

castigate

[kas-ti-geyt]

to criticize or reprimand severely

zwetschenwasser

[zwet-shun-waz-er]

a colorless plum brandy with a bitter almond taste

strident

[strahyd-nt]

making or having a harsh sound; grating; creaking

apologia

[ap-uh-loh-jee-uh]

a defense especially of one's opinions, position, or actions

imbricate

[im-bri-keyt]

overlapping in sequence, as tiles or shingles on a roof

invidious

[in-vid-ee-uhs]

calculated to create ill will or resentment or give offense; hateful

perambulate

[per-am-byuh-leyt]

to walk through or over; travel through; traverse

blanch

[blahnch]

to scald briefly and then drain, as peaches or almonds to facilitate removal of skins, or as rice or macaroni to separate the grains or strands

incriminate

[in-krim-uh-neyt]

to accuse of or present proof of a crime or fault

insolent

[in-suh-luhnt]

boldly rude or disrespectful; contemptuously impertinent; insulting

paraselene

[par-uh-si-lee-nee]

Meteorology—a bright moonlike spot on a lunar halo; a mock moon

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

altruism

[al-troo-iz-uhm]

the principle or practice of unselfish concern for or devotion to the welfare of others (opposed to egoism)

horripilation

[haw-rip-uh-ley-shuhn]

the erection of hairs on the skin due to cold, fear, or excitement

imminent

[im-uh-nuhnt]

projecting or leaning forward; overhanging

apprise

[uh-prahyz]

to give notice to; inform; advise (often followed by 'of')

disparate

[dis-per-it]

distinct in kind; essentially different; dissimilar

viscous

[vis-kuhs]

of a glutinous nature or consistency; sticky; thick; adhesive

obsequious

[uhb-see-kwee-uhs]

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

petty

[pet-ee]

of little or no importance or consequence

obdurate

[ob-doo-rit]

unmoved by persuasion, pity, or tender feelings; stubborn; unyielding

anfractuous

[an-frak-choo-uhs]

characterized by windings and turnings; sinuous; circuitous

virulent

[vir-yuh-luhnt, vir-uh-]

actively poisonous; intensely noxious