Educational
underpin
[uhn-der-pin]
to prop up or support from below; strengthen, as by reinforcing a foundation
cryptic
[krip-tik]
mysterious in meaning; puzzling; ambiguous
purport
[per-pawrt]
to present, especially deliberately, the appearance of being; profess or claim, often falsely
akimbo
[uh-kim-boh]
with hands on the hips and elbows turned outward
lush
[luhsh]
luxuriant, rich, or abundant
contagion
[kuhn-tey-juhn]
the process by which disease is transmitted from one person to another by direct or indirect means.
overplay
[oh-ver-play]
to overemphasize or exaggerate
hoodwink
[hood-wingk]
to deceive or trick
eggcorn
[eg-kawrn]
a word or phrase that is a seemingly logical alteration of another word or phrase that sounds similar and has been misheard or misinterpreted
melancholy
[mel-uhn-kol-ee]
a gloomy state of mind, especially when habitual or prolonged; depression
recant
[ri-kant]
say that one no longer holds an opinion or belief, especially one considered heretical.
contumacious
[kon-too-mey-shuhs]
stubbornly perverse or rebellious; willfully and obstinately disobedient
sforzando
[sfawrt-sahn-doh]
performed with sudden emphasis
defy
[dih-fy]
to openly resist or challenge
innocuous
[ih-nok-yoo-uhs]
not likely to irritate or offend; inoffensive
phlegm
[flem]
self-possession, calmness, or composure
cognizant
[kog-nuh-zuhnt]
having cognizance; aware
penniless
[pen-i-lis]
without any money whatsoever; totally impoverished; destitute
civility
[si-vil-i-tee]
courtesy; politeness
morass
[muh-ras]
an area of muddy or boggy ground
adventurous
[adv-ent-ur-ous]
willing to take risks or try new experiences; full of excitement and daring.
excoriate
[ik-skawr-ee-eyt]
to denounce or berate severely; flay verbally
totter
[tot-er]
to sway or rock on the base or ground, as if about to fall
transcend
[tran-send]
to rise above or go beyond; overpass; exceed