Educational

malapropism

[mal-uh-prop-iz-uhm]

an act or habit of misusing words ridiculously, especially by the confusion of words that are similar in sound

portend

[pawr-tend]

to indicate in advance; to foreshadow or presage, as an omen does

nettle

[net-l]

to irritate, annoy, or provoke

irradiate

[ih-rey-dee-eyt]

to shed rays of light upon; illuminate

fabricate

[fab-ri-keyt]

to devise or invent (a legend, lie, etc.)

crestfallen

[krest-faw-luhn]

dejected; dispirited; discouraged

smorgasbord

[smawr-guhs-bawrd]

an extensive array or variety

persnickety

[per-snik-i-tee]

overparticular; fussy

disrespectful

[dis-ri-spekt-fuhl]

showing a lack of respect

willies

[wil-eez]

a strong feeling of nervousness or unease

rouse

[rouz]

to stir or incite to strong indignation or anger

inject

[in-jekt]

to introduce a substance into something, typically a body or system

prerogative

[pri-rog-uh-tiv]

a right, privilege, etc., limited to a specific person or to persons of a particular category

parboil

[pahr-boil]

to boil for a short amount of time; pre-cook

swathe

[swoth]

to wrap, bind, or swaddle with bands of some material; wrap up closely or fully

salient

[sey-lee-uhnt]

prominent or conspicuous

circumspect

[sur-kuhm-spekt]

watchful and discreet; cautious; prudent; well-considered

absquatulate

[ab-skwoch-uh-leyt]

to flee; abscond

abide

[ab-ide-ide]

to put up with

navigate

[nav-i-geyt]

to move on, over, or through (water, air, or land) in a ship, aircraft, etc.

pachyderm

[pak-i-durm]

a very large mammal with thick skin, especially an elephant, rhinoceros, or hippopotamus

writhe

[rahyth]

to shrink mentally in discomfort or embarrassment.

energy

[en-er-jee]

the capacity for activity or the strength required to do work

bemuse

[bih-myooz]

to cause to be mildly amused, especially in a detached way