Educational

askance

[uh-skans]

with suspicion, mistrust, or disapproval

mystifying

[mis-tuh-fahy-ing]

to perplex (a person) by playing upon the person's credulity; bewilder purposely

harlequin

[hahr-luh-kwin]

fancifully varied in color, decoration, etc.

objectivity

[obj-ekt-iv-ity]

the quality of being impartial, unbiased, and based on facts rather than personal feelings.

torque

[tawrk]

the ability of an element that rotates, like a gear or shift, to overcome resistance

coax

[kohks]

to manipulate to a desired end by adroit handling or persistent effort

gallant

[gal-uhnt ]

brave, spirited, noble-minded, or chivalrous

fabricate

[fab-ri-keyt]

to make by art or skill and labor; construct

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

dock

[dok]

a platform for loading or unloading ships; to deduct something

pitiable

[pit-ee-uh-buhl]

evoking or deserving pity; lamentable; miserable; contemptible

parboil

[pahr-boil]

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

incendiary

[in-sen-dee-er-ee]

used or adapted for setting property on fire

fabricate

[fab-ri-keyt]

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

aqueous

[ey-kwee-uhs]

of, like, or containing water

accrete

[uh-kreet]

to grow together; adhere (usually followed by to)

plaza

[plah-zuh]

a public square in a city or town.

bandicoot

[ban-di-koot]

a mainly insectivorous marsupial native to Australia and New Guinea

dissonance

[dis-uh-nuhns]

inharmonious or harsh sound; discord; cacophony

zealous

[zel-uhs]

full of, characterized by, or due to zeal; ardently active, devoted, or diligent

teeming

[tee-ming]

abounding or swarming with something, as with people

echo

[ech-o]

a sound or event that repeats or imitates another, often heard after a delay.

murmur

[mur-mer]

to speak in a low tone or indistinctly

vacuous

[vak-yoo-uhs]

without contents; empty