Unusual

defenestrate

[dee-fen-uh-streyt]

to throw (a person or thing) out of a window

bewitched

[b-ew-itch-ed]

enchanted or under a magical spell; also refers to being captivated or charmed.

hegemonic

[hej-uh-mon-ik]

having hegemony or dominance

collude

[kuh-lood]

to act together through a secret understanding, especially with evil or harmful intent

stultify

[stuhl-tuh-fahy ]

to render absurdly or wholly futile or ineffectual, especially by degrading or frustrating means

abrasive

[uh-brey-siv]

tending to annoy or cause ill will; overly aggressive

epistemology

[ih-pis-tuh-mol-uh-jee]

a branch of philosophy that investigates the origin, nature, methods, and limits of human knowledge

bonfire

[bon-fahy-er]

a large open-air fire, typically used for celebration

propitiate

[pruh-pish-ee-eyt]

to make favorably inclined; appease; conciliate

plaintiff

[pleyn-tif]

petitioner (in court of law)

attrit

[uh-trit]

to wear down (an opposing military force) by numerical superiority in troops or firepower

bumptious

[buhmp-shuhs]

offensively self-assertive

triturate

[trich-uh-reyt]

to reduce to fine particles or powder by rubbing, grinding, bruising, or the like; pulverize

sartorial

[sahr-tawr-ee-uhl]

of or relating to tailors or their trade

nonplussed

[non-pluhst]

completely puzzled or perplexed by something unexpected

virtuoso

[vur-choo-oh-soh]

a person who has special knowledge or skill in a field

harangue

[huh-rang ]

a scolding or a long or intense verbal attack; diatribe

curb

[k-urb]

to restrain or control something; also refers to the raised edge of a street.

abrasive

[uh-brey-siv]

tending to abrade; causing abrasion; abrading

glower

[glou-er]

to look or stare with sullen dislike, discontent, or anger

summarize

[s-umm-ar-iz-e]

to provide a brief and concise statement of the main points.

exploit

[ex-plo-oit]

make full use of and derive benefit from

nostrum

[nos-truhm]

a medicine sold with false or exaggerated claims and with no demonstrable value; quack medicine

defenestrate

[dee-fen-uh-streyt]

to suddenly remove (a person) from an important position or office