Uncommon

limpid

[lim-pid]

clear, transparent, or pellucid (as water, crystal, or air)

titter

[tit-er ]

to laugh in a restrained, self-conscious, or affected way, as from nervousness or in ill-suppressed amusement

underpin

[uhn-der-pin]

to prop up or support from below; strengthen, as by reinforcing a foundation

malfeasance

[mal-fee-zuhns]

the performance by a public official of an act that is legally unjustified, harmful, or contrary to law; wrongdoing (used especially regarding an act in violation of a public trust)

undulating

[uhn-juh-leyt-ing]

having a sinuous or wavelike shape or motion

vespertine

[ves-per-tin]

of, relating to, or occurring in the evening

forestall

[fohr-stawl]

to prevent, hinder, or thwart by action in advance

haboob

[huh-boob]

a thick dust storm or sandstorm that blows in the deserts of North Africa and Arabia or on the plains of India

shrewd

[shrood]

having or showing astute or sharp judgment in practical matters, sometimes at the cost of moral compromise

prolixity

[proh-lik-si-tee]

a tendency to speak or write at great or tedious length

swarthy

[swawr-thee]

dark (of skin color, complexion, etc.)

droke

[drohk]

a valley with steeply sloping sides

mediate

[mee-dee-eyt]

to act between parties to effect an agreement, compromise, reconciliation, etc.

bovine

[boh-vahyn]

of or relating to the subfamily Bovinae, which includes cattle, buffalo, and kudus

wizened

[wiz-uhnd]

withered; shriveled

satiate

[sey-shee-eyt]

to supply something with excess, such as disgust or weary

court

[kawrt]

to seek the affections of; woo

ramify

[ram-uh-fahy]

to divide or spread out into branches or branchlike parts; extend into subdivisions

neutralize

[noo-truh-lahyz]

to make (something) ineffective; counteract; nullify

supplant

[suh-plant]

to take the place of (another), as through force, scheming, strategy, or the like

paean

[pee-uhn]

a song of praise, joy, or triumph

apprehensive

[ap-ri-hen-siv]

uneasy or fearful about something that might happen

sacrosanct

[sak-roh-sangkt]

above or beyond criticism, change, or interference

foist

[foist]

to force upon or impose fraudulently or unjustifiably (usually followed by on or upon)