Unique

austere

[aw-steer]

severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance

equanimous

[ih-kwan-uh-muhs]

having or showing equanimity; even-tempered

condign

[kuhn-dahyn]

well-deserved; fitting; adequate

curmudgeon

[ker-muhj-uhn]

a bad-tempered, difficult, cantankerous person

ensconce

[en-skons]

to settle securely or snugly; to cover or shelter; hide securely

cicerone

[sis-uh-roh-nee]

a guide who gives information about antiquities and places of interest to sightseers

quire

[kwahyuhr]

a collection of 24 or sometimes 25 sheets of paper of the same size and quality: one twentieth of a ream

corybantic

[kawr-uh-ban-tik]

wild; frenzied

juggernaut

[juhg-er-nawt]

any large, overpowering force or object, such as war, a giant battleship, or a powerful football team

standoffish

[stand-aw-fish]

somewhat aloof or reserved; cold and unfriendly

calumniate

[kuh-luhm-nee-eyt]

to make false and malicious statements about; slander

emollient

[ih-mol-yuhnt]

an emollient medicine, lotion, salve, etc.

salubrious

[suh-loo-bree-uhs]

favorable to or promoting health; healthful

yeoman

[yoh-muhn]

performed in a workmanlike, valiant, and useful manner, especially in situations involving a great deal of effort

quintessence

[kwin-tes-uhns]

the pure and concentrated essence of a substance

dirigible

[dir-i-juh-buhl]

an airship

badinage

[bad-n-ahzh]

light, playful banter or raillery

parsimonious

[pahr-suh-moh-nee-uhs]

unwilling to spend money or use resources

oblique

[oh-bleek]

neither perpendicular nor parallel to a given line or surface; slanting; sloping

sashay

[sa-shey]

to glide, move, or proceed easily or nonchalantly

pernicious

[per-nish-uhs]

causing insidious harm or ruin; ruinous; injurious; hurtful

beamish

[bee-mish]

beaming with happiness, optimism, or anticipation

ebullient

[ih-buhl-yuhnt]

overflowing with fervor, enthusiasm, or excitement; high-spirited

perfidy

[perfidy]

deliberate breach of faith or trust; faithlessness; treachery