Educational

accretion

[uh-kree-shuhn]

an increase by natural growth or by gradual external addition; growth in size or extent

scathing

[skey-thing]

bitterly severe, as in a remark

knell

[nel]

the sound made by a bell rung slowly, especially for a death or a funeral

triskaidekaphobia

[tris-kahy-dek-uh-foh-bee-uh]

a fear of the number 13

oratorical

[awr-uh-tawr-i-kuhl]

given to oratory

stalactite

[stuh-lak-tahyt]

a deposit, usually of calcium carbonate, shaped like an icicle, hanging from the roof of a cave or the like, and formed by the dripping of percolating calcareous water

hegemony

[hi-jem-uh-nee]

leadership or dominance, especially by one country or social group over others

zeitgeber

[tsahyt-gey-ber]

an environmental cue, as the length of daylight or the degree of temperature, that helps to regulate the cycles of an organism's biological clock

chasten

[chey-suhn]

to inflict suffering upon for purposes of moral improvement; chastise

grommet

[grom-it]

an eyelet placed in a hole in a sheet or panel to protect or insulate a rope or cable passed through it or to prevent the sheet or panel from being torn

vituperate

[vahy-too-puh-reyt]

to use or address with harsh or abusive language; revile

scrutinize

[skroot-n-ahyz]

to examine in detail with careful or critical attention

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

phyllo

[fee-loh]

flaky, tissue-thin layers of pastry used in baked desserts and appetizers

stentorian

[sten-tawr-ee-uhn]

very loud or powerful in sound

imperious

[im-peer-ee-uhs]

domineering in a haughty manner; dictatorial; overbearing

torque

[tawrk]

the ability of an element that rotates, like a gear or shift, to overcome resistance

abgesang

[ab-guh-zong]

the concluding section in musical and poetic bar form

embellish

[em-bel-ish]

to beautify by or as if by ornamentation; ornament; adorn

frenzied

[fren-zeed]

wildly excited, enthusiastic, or agitated; frantic

impetuous

[im-pech-oo-uhs]

acting or done quickly and without thought or care

culpable

[kuhl-puh-buhl]

deserving blame or censure; blameworthy

unduly

[uhn-doo-lee]

in an improper or inappropriate manner

trestle

[tres-uhl]

a frame typically composed of a horizontal bar or beam rigidly joined or fitted at each end to the top of a transverse A-frame, used as a barrier, a transverse support for planking