Educational
underpin
[uhn-der-pin]
to prop up or support from below; strengthen, as by reinforcing a foundation
benign
[bih-nahyn]
pathology; not malignant; self-limiting
shibboleth
[shib-uh-lith]
a common saying or belief with little current meaning or truth
briny
[brahy-nee]
salty, especially referring to seawater
erode
[er-od-e]
to wear away or gradually diminish, often due to natural forces or overuse.
manuscript
[man-yuh-skript]
the original text of an author's work, handwritten or now usually typed, that is submitted to a publisher
construe
[kuhn-stroo]
to give the meaning or intention of; explain; interpret
eminent
[em-uh-nuhnt]
high in station, rank, or repute; prominent; distinguished
encapsulate
[en-kap-suh-leyt]
to summarize or condense
ricochet
[rik-uh-shey]
to move in this way, as a projectile
vouch
[vouch]
to support as being true, certain, reliable, etc.
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
full form
[fool form]
the complete version or expanded name of an abbreviation
aghast
[uh-gast]
struck with overwhelming shock or amazement; filled with sudden fright or horror
somnolent
[som-nuh-luhnt]
sleepy; drowsy
placate
[pley-keyt]
to appease or pacify, especially by concessions or conciliatory gestures
castigate
[kas-ti-geyt]
to criticize or reprimand severely
derail
[dee-reyl]
to cause to fail or become deflected from a purpose; reduce or delay the chances for success or development of
conviction
[val-i-deyt]
a fixed or firm belief
concede
[kuhn-seed]
to acknowledge as true, just, or proper; admit
quench
[kwench]
to slake, satisfy, or allay (thirst, desires, passion, etc.)
mitigate
[mit-i-geyt]
to lessen in force or intensity, as wrath, grief, harshness, or pain; moderate
apologize
[ap-ol-og-iz-e]
to express regret for a mistake or wrongdoing.
grandiose
[grand-dee-ohs]
more complicated or elaborate than necessary; overblown