Unusual
elixir
[ih-lik-ser]
a sweetened, aromatic solution of alcohol and water containing, or used as a vehicle for, medicinal substances
bastion
[bas-chuhn]
fortification; a projecting portion of a rampart or fortification that forms an irregular pentagon attached at the base to the main work
collude
[kuh-lood]
to act together through a secret understanding, especially with evil or harmful intent
bridle
[brahyd-l]
to control or hold back; restrain; curb
fastidious
[fa-stid-ee-uhs]
excessively particular, critical, or demanding; hard to please
callow
[kal-oh]
(of a young bird) featherless; unfledged
spurn
[spurn]
to reject with disdain; scorn
dissent
[dih-sent]
to differ in sentiment or opinion, especially from the majority; withhold assent; disagree (often followed by from)
triturate
[trich-uh-reyt]
to reduce to fine particles or powder by rubbing, grinding, bruising, or the like; pulverize
berate
[bih-reyt]
to scold; rebuke
scamper
[skam-per]
to run or go hastily or quickly
vociferate
[voh-sif-uh-reyt]
to speak or cry out loudly or noisily; shout; bawl
grok
[grok]
to communicate sympathetically
abrasive
[uh-brey-siv]
tending to annoy or cause ill will; overly aggressive
susurrus
[soo-sur-uhs]
a soft murmuring or rustling sound; whisper
ensue
[en-soo]
to follow in order; come afterward, especially in immediate succession
adamantine
[ad-uh-man-teen]
too hard to cut, break, or pierce
volplane
[vol-pleyn]
to glide toward the earth in an airplane, with no motor power or with the power shut off
hector
[hek-ter]
to act in a blustering, domineering way; be a bully
tohubohu
[toh-hoo-boh-hoo]
chaos; disorder; confusion
reminisce
[rem-uh-nis]
to recall past experiences, events, etc.; indulge in reminiscence
felicitate
[fi-lis-i-teyt]
to make happy (archaic)
discursive
[dih-skur-siv]
passing aimlessly from one subject to another; digressive; rambling
cherubic
[chuh-roo-bik]
of or having the nature of a cherub, or an angel represented as a rosy-cheeked child with wings; angelic