Educational
open
[oh-puhn]
not closed or locked; accessible to others
writhe
[rahyth]
to twist or contort the body in pain or discomfort
monocracy
[moh-nok-ruh-see]
government by only one person; autocracy
drowse
[drouz]
to be dull or sluggish
guru
[goo-roo]
a spiritual teacher, especially one who imparts initiation.
amorphous
[uh-mawr-fuhs]
without a clearly defined shape or form; lacking a clear structure or focus
prerogative
[pri-rog-uh-tiv]
a right, privilege, etc., limited to a specific person or to persons of a particular category
prodigious
[pruh-dij-uhs]
extraordinary in size, amount, extent, degree, force, etc.
pretend
[pr-et-end]
to act as if something is true when it is not; also refers to make-believe behavior.
deleterious
[del-i-teer-ee-uhs]
injurious to health
energy
[en-er-jee]
the capacity for activity or the strength required to do work
elicit
[ih-lis-it]
to draw or bring out or forth; educe; evoke
willies
[wil-eez]
a strong feeling of nervousness or unease
intellect
[in-tuh-lekt]
the ability to think and reason
stalactite
[stuh-lak-tahyt]
a deposit, usually of calcium carbonate, shaped like an icicle, hanging from the roof of a cave or the like, and formed by the dripping of percolating calcareous water
proud
[proud]
feeling deep satisfaction from one's achievements or possessions
suborn
[suh-bawrn]
to bribe or induce (someone) unlawfully or secretly to perform some misdeed or to commit a crime
tyro
[tahy-roh]
a beginner in learning anything; novice
brighten
[bry-ten]
to make or become lighter, happier, or more vivid
viscous
[vis-kuhs]
of a glutinous nature or consistency; sticky; thick; adhesive
gawk
[gawk]
to stare stupidly; gape
circumspect
[sur-kuhm-spekt]
watchful and discreet; cautious; prudent; well-considered
glean
[gleen]
to gather slowly and laboriously, bit by bit
equinox
[ee-kwuh-noks]
the time or date (twice each year) at which the sun crosses the celestial equator, when day and night are of approximately equal length