Educational

arbitrary

[ahr-bi-trer-ee]

subject to individual will or judgment without restriction; contingent solely upon one's discretion

debilitating

[duh-bi-luh-tay-tuhng]

tending to weaken or enfeeble

vilify

[vil-uh-fahy ]

to speak ill of; defame; slander

surfeit

[sur-fit]

excess; an excessive amount

melancholy

[mel-uhn-kol-ee]

a gloomy state of mind, especially when habitual or prolonged; depression

abominate

[ab-om-in-at-e]

to detest or loathe intensely.

subway

[suhb-wey]

a train built partly or entirely underground for local transit in metropolitan areas.

sardonic

[sahr-don-ik]

characterized by bitter or scornful derision; mocking; sneering; cynical

disciplined

[d-isk-ipl-in-ed]

showing self-control, order, and adherence to rules or training.

construe

[kuhn-stroo]

to deduce by inference or interpretation; infer

eloquent

[el-uh-kwuhnt]

having or exercising the power of fluent, forceful, and appropriate speech

neolithic

[nee-uh-lith-ik]

Of, relating to, or characteristic of the last phase of the Stone Age, marked by the domestication of animals, development of agriculture, and manufacturing of pottery and textiles; beginning in 9000–8000 B.C. in the Middle East.

commiserate

[kuh-miz-uh-reyt]

to feel or express sorrow or sympathy for; empathize with; pity

polemic

[puh-lem-ik]

a controversial argument, as one against some opinion, doctrine, etc.

ricochet

[rik-uh-shey]

the motion of an object or a projectile in rebounding or deflecting one or more times from the surface over which it is passing or against which it hits a glancing blow