Uncommon
ambiguity
[am-bi-gyoo-i-tee]
the quality of being open to more than one interpretation
talisman
[tal-is-muhn]
a stone, ring, or other object, engraved with figures or characters supposed to possess occult powers and worn as an amulet or charm
antipathy
[an-tip-uh-thee]
a strong feeling of dislike
blistering
[blis-ter-ing]
very hot or severe; harshly critical
tryst
[trist, trahyst]
a private romantic rendezvous between lovers
utmost
[uht-mohst]
being at the farthest point or extremity; farthest
minacious
[mi-ney-shuhs]
menacing; threatening
clinometer
[klahy-nom-i-ter]
an instrument used for measuring the angle or elevation of slopes
shambolic
[sham-bah-lik]
chaotic, disorganized, or confused
craving
[kr-av-ing]
a strong desire or longing for something, often food or drink.
ineluctable
[in-i-luhk-tuh-buhl]
incapable of being evaded; inescapable
frosty
[fr-osty]
cold enough to produce frost; also used to describe unfriendly or distant behavior.
eschew
[es-choo]
to abstain or keep away from; shun; avoid
egregious
[ih-gree-juhs]
extraordinary in some bad way; glaring; flagr
ostensible
[o-sten-suh-buhl]
outwardly appearing as such; professed; pretended
confer
[kuhn-fur]
to consult together; compare opinions; carry on a discussion or deliberation
scurrilous
[skur-uh-luhs]
humorously insulting
extract
[ekstr-akt]
to remove or obtain something, often with effort or force; also refers to a concentrated substance.
chide
[chahyd]
to express disapproval of; scold; reproach
palindrome
[pal-in-drohm]
a word, line, verse, number, sentence, etc., reading the same backward as forward, as "Madam, I'm Adam" or "Poor Dan is in a droop"
vex
[veks]
to irritate; annoy; provoke
surmise
[ser-mahyz]
to think or infer without certain or strong evidence; conjecture; guess
arabesque
[ar-uh-besk]
fine arts; a sinuous, spiraling, undulating, or serpentine line or linear motif
acquiesce
[ak-wee-es]
to assent tacitly; submit or comply silently or without protest; agree; consent