Educational

culpable

[kuhl-puh-buhl]

deserving blame or censure; blameworthy

prolific

[pruh-lif-ik]

producing in large quantities or with great frequency; highly productive

vocational

[voh-key-shuh-nl]

of, relating to, or connected with a vocation or occupation

zealous

[zel-uhs]

full of, characterized by, or due to zeal; ardently active, devoted, or diligent

kismet

[kiz-met]

fate; destiny

incandescent

[in-kuhn-des-uhnt]

glowing or white with heat

ascetic

[uh-set-ik]

relating to asceticism, the doctrine that one can reach a high spiritual state through the practice of extreme self-denial or self-mortification

construe

[kuhn-stroo]

to deduce by inference or interpretation; infer

oracle

[awr-uh-kuhl]

a priest or priestess acting as a medium through whom advice or prophecy was sought from the gods in classical antiquity

flippant

[flip-uhnt]

frivolously disrespectful, shallow, or lacking in seriousness

disparage

[dih-spar-ij]

to bring reproach or discredit upon; lower the estimation of

halcyon

[hal-see-uhn]

calm; peaceful; tranquil

elide

[ih-lahyd]

to suppress or omit; ignore or pass over

vignette

[vin-yet]

an engraving, drawing, photograph, or the like that is shaded off gradually at the edges so as to leave no definite line at the border

contemporary

[kuhn-tem-puh-rer-ee]

of the present time; modern

preposterous

[pri-pos-ter-uhs]

completely contrary to nature, reason, or common sense; utterly foolish; absurd; senseless

sommelier

[suhm-uhl-yey]

a wine butler; also used to denote a certified wine professional

horripilation

[haw-rip-uh-ley-shuhn]

the erection of hairs on the skin due to cold, fear, or excitement

incumbent

[in-kuhm-buhnt]

necessary for (someone) as a duty or responsibility

unabashed

[uhn-uh-basht]

not ashamed, disconcerted, or apologetic; boldly certain of one's position

criterion

[krahy-teer-ee-uhn]

a standard of judgment or criticism; a rule or principle for evaluating or testing something

wield

[weeld]

to exercise (power, authority, influence, etc.), as in ruling or dominating

swift

[swift]

coming, happening, or performed quickly or without delay

vestige

[ves-tij]

a surviving evidence or remainder of some condition, practice, etc.