Educational

infinitesimal

[in-fin-i-tes-uh-muhl]

extremely small; an indefinitely small quantity

imminent

[im-uh-nuhnt]

projecting or leaning forward; overhanging

stentorian

[sten-tawr-ee-uhn]

very loud or powerful in sound

heuristic

[hyoo-ris-tik]

encouraging a person to learn, discover, understand, or solve problems on his or her own, as by experimenting, evaluating possible answers or solutions, or by trial and error

luminous

[loo-muh-nuhs]

radiating or reflecting light; shining; bright

nonsensical

[non-sen-si-kuhl]

having little or no meaning; making little or no sense

portend

[pawr-tend]

to indicate in advance; to foreshadow or presage, as an omen does

diphthong

[dif-thawng]

a sound formed by the combination of two vowels in a single syllable, in which the sound begins as one vowel and moves toward another (as in coin, loud, and side)

sanctimonious

[sangk-tuh-moh-nee-uhs]

making a hypocritical show of religious devotion, piety, righteousness

avuncular

[uh-vuhng-kyuh-ler]

acting like an uncle, as in being kind, patient, generous, etc., especially to younger people

contumacious

[kon-too-mey-shuhs]

stubbornly perverse or rebellious; willfully and obstinately disobedient

triskaidekaphobia

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

a fear of the number 13

triptych

[trip-tik]

three panels or compartments side by side with pictures or carvings

entrench

[en-trench]

establish (an attitude, habit, or belief) so firmly that change is very difficult or unlikely

halcyon

[hal-see-uhn]

calm; peaceful; tranquil

commensurate

[kuh-men-ser-it]

corresponding in amount, magnitude, or degree

apologia

[ap-uh-loh-jee-uh]

a defense especially of one's opinions, position, or actions

subterfuge

[suhb-ter-fyooj]

an artifice or expedient used to evade a rule, escape a consequence, hide something, etc.

fatuous

[fach-oo-uhs]

foolish or inane, especially in an unconscious, complacent manner; silly; witless

vernal

[vur-nl]

of, in, or appropriate to spring

mendacious

[men-dey-shuhs]

telling lies, especially habitually; dishonest; untruthful

sagacious

[suh-gey-shuhs]

having or showing acute mental discernment and keen practical sense; shrewd

noetic

[noh-et-ik]

originating in or apprehended by the reason

pretermit

[pree-ter-mit]

to let pass without notice; disregard