Uncommon
pedagogy
[ped-uh-goh-jee]
the function or work of a teacher; teaching
foible
[foi-buhl]
a minor weakness or failing of character; slight flaw or defect
loquacious
[loh-kwey-shuhs]
talking or tending to talk much or freely; talkative; chattering; babbling; garrulous
tarantism
[tar-uhn-tiz-uhm]
a mania characterized by an uncontrollable impulse to dance, especially as prevalent in southern Italy from the 15th to the 17th century, popularly attributed to the bite of the tarantula
cavil
[kav-uhl]
to raise irritating and trivial objections; find fault with unnecessarily
repugnant
[ri-puhg-nuhnt]
in conflict with; incompatible with
tortuous
[tawr-choo-uhs]
full of twists, turns, or bends; twisting, winding, or crooked
epitome
[ih-pit-uh-mee]
a person or thing that is typical of or possesses to a high degree the features of a whole class
confabulate
[kuhn-fab-yuh-leyt]
to converse informally; chat
adversary
[ad-ver-ser-ee]
one's opponent in a contest, conflict, or dispute
alacrity
[uh-lak-ri-tee]
cheerful readiness, promptness, or willingness
darg
[dahrg]
a day's work
succedaneum
[suhk-si-dey-nee-uhm]
a substitute
ignominious
[ig-nuh-min-ee-uhs]
marked by or attended with ignominy; discreditable, humiliating
blithe
[blahyth]
showing a casual and cheerful indifference considered to be callous or improper
desideratum
[dih-sid-uh-rey-tuhm]
something wanted or needed
irascible
[ih-ras-uh-buhl]
having or showing a tendency to be easily angered
persiflage
[pur-suh-flahzh]
light and slightly contemptuous mockery or banter
perspicacious
[pur-spi-key-shuhs]
having a ready insight into and understanding of things
draconian
[drey-koh-nee-uhn]
excessively harsh and severe
boondoggle
[boon-dog-uhl]
work or activity that is wasteful or pointless but gives the appearance of having value
militate
[mil-i-teyt]
to have a substantial effect; weigh heavily
winsome
[win-suhm]
sweetly or innocently charming; winning; engaging
paean
[pee-uhn]
a song of praise, joy, or triumph