Educational

rebuff

[ri-buhf ]

to give a rebuff to; check; repel; refuse; drive away

arty

[ahr-tee]

pretentious or overly interested in artistic pursuits

committed

[k-omm-itt-ed]

dedicated or loyal to a cause, person, or activity.

impromptu

[im-promp-too]

made or done without previous preparation

lotion

[l-oshun]

a liquid or cream applied to the skin for moisturizing or healing.

rejuvenate

[rejuvenate]

to make young again; restore to youthful vigor, appearance, etc.

possessions

[puh-zesh-uns]

items that someone owns

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

exponent

[ek-spoh-nuhnt]

a person who believes in and promotes the truth or benefits of an idea or theory.

disparage

[dih-spar-ij]

to speak of or treat slightingly; depreciate; belittle

swathe

[swoth]

to wrap, bind, or swaddle with bands of some material; wrap up closely or fully

dock

[dok]

a platform for loading or unloading ships; to deduct something

clangor

[klang-er]

a loud, resonant sound

dissonance

[dis-uh-nuhns]

inharmonious or harsh sound; discord; cacophony

pontificate

[pon-tif-i-keyt]

express one's opinions in a way considered annoyingly pompous and dogmatic

estranged

[ih-streynjd]

no longer in a friendly or affectionate relationship with a family member or friend, and typically living apart

suborn

[suh-bawrn]

to bribe or induce (someone) unlawfully or secretly to perform some misdeed or to commit a crime

pitiable

[pit-ee-uh-buhl]

evoking or deserving pity; lamentable; miserable; contemptible

prosperous

[pros-per-uhs]

having or characterized by financial success or good fortune; flourishing; successful

deplete

[dih-pleet]

to decrease seriously or exhaust the abundance or supply of

quisling

[kwiz-ling]

a person who betrays his or her own country by aiding an invading enemy, often serving later in a puppet government; a traitor

ambidextrous

[am-bi-dek-struhs]

able to use both hands equally well

winnow

[win-oh]

to free (grain) from the lighter particles of chaff, dirt, etc., especially by throwing it into the air and allowing the wind or a forced current of air to blow away impurities

spawned

[spawnd]

brought forth ; generated, produced.