Uncommon

axiom

[ak-see-uhm]

a self-evident truth that requires no proof

kinetic

[ki-net-ik]

pertaining to motion

frosty

[fr-osty]

cold enough to produce frost; also used to describe unfriendly or distant behavior.

counterfeit

[kown-ter-fit]

fake; false

mephitic

[muh-fit-ik]

offensive to the smell

craving

[kr-av-ing]

a strong desire or longing for something, often food or drink.

astonish

[uh-ston-ish]

to greatly surprise or amaze someone

prothalamion

[proh-thuh-ley-mee-on]

a song or poem celebrating an upcoming wedding

logorrhea

[law-guh-ree-uh]

pathologically incoherent, repetitious speech; incessant or compulsive talkativeness

gossamer

[gos-uh-mer]

of or like gossamer; extremely light, flimsy, or delicate

loaded

[l-oad-ed]

heavily burdened or full, often referring to wealth, possessions, or physical weight.

pleonasm

[plee-uh-naz-uhm]

the use of more words than are necessary to express an idea; redundancy

gaze

[gayz]

to look steadily and intently at something

eschew

[es-choo]

to abstain or keep away from; shun; avoid

tarnish

[tahr-nish]

to lose or cause to lose luster, especially as a result of exposure to air or moisture

etui

[ey-twee]

a small case for needles and toiletries

fiddlehead

[fid-l-hed]

one of the young unfurling fronds of certain ferns that are often eaten as greens.

mournful

[morn-ful]

feeling or expressing sorrow or grief

chockablock

[chok-uh-blok]

extremely full; crowded; jammed

chthonic

[tha-nik]

of or relating to the deities, spirits, and other beings dwelling under the earth

toadstool

[toad-​stool]

a kind of fungus similar to a mushroom, consisting of a round cap on a short stem, and that is often poisonous

ambiguity

[am-bi-gyoo-i-tee]

the quality of being open to more than one interpretation

supreme

[soo-preem]

highest in rank, power, or quality

yeoman

[yoh-muhn]

performed in a workmanlike, valiant, and useful manner, especially in situations involving a great deal of effort