Uncommon

defer

[dih-fer]

to postpone or delay something; to yield to someone

milquetoast

[milk-tohst]

a very timid, unassertive, spineless person, especially one who is easily dominated or intimidated

tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs]

deceitfully indirect or morally crooked, as proceedings, methods, or policy; devious

imbibe

[im-bahyb]

to consume (liquids) by drinking; drink

loath

[lohth, lohth]

unwilling; reluctant; disinclined; averse

illicit

[ih-lis-it]

not legally permitted or authorized; unlicensed; unlawful

fisticuffs

[fis-tuh-kuhfs]

combat with the fists

boba

[boh-buh]

a sweet drink of taiwanese origin that consists of tea mixed typically with milk or fruit syrup and small balls of tapioca.

deride

[de-ryde]

to ridicule or mock someone or something

cadenza

[kuh-den-zuh]

an elaborate flourish or showy solo passage, sometimes improvised, introduced near the end of an aria or a movement of a concerto

droke

[drohk]

a valley with steeply sloping sides

discerning

[dih-sur-ning]

having or showing good judgment or insight

foolish

[foo-lish]

lacking good sense or judgment

discursive

[dih-skur-siv]

proceeding by reasoning or argument rather than intuition

terse

[ters]

brief and to the point

callow

[kal-oh]

(of a young bird) featherless; unfledged

desuetude

[des-wi-tood]

the state of being no longer used or practiced

zeitgeist

[tsahyt-gahyst]

the defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time

serendipitous

[ser-uhn-dip-i-tuhs]

come upon or found by accident; fortuitous

opprobrium

[uh-proh-bree-uhm]

harsh criticism or censure

schmooze

[shmooz]

to chat idly; gossip

brick

[br-ik]

a rectangular block of clay or similar material used in building; also refers to reliability.

perfidious

[per-fid-ee-uhs]

deliberately faithless; treacherous; deceitful

pellucid

[puh-loo-sid]

clear and transparent