Educational

circumspect

[sur-kuhm-spekt]

watchful and discreet; cautious; prudent; well-considered

dodecahedron

[doh-dek-uh-hee-druhn]

a three-dimensional shape having twelve plane faces, in particular a regular solid figure with twelve equal pentagonal faces

apprise

[uh-prahyz]

to give notice to; inform; advise (often followed by 'of')

vocational

[voh-key-shuh-nl]

of, relating to, or connected with a vocation or occupation

contemporary

[kuhn-tem-puh-rer-ee]

of the present time; modern

pendulous

[pen-juh-luhs]

hanging down loosely

shear

[sheer]

to cut something; to remove by or as if by cutting or clipping with a sharp instrument

mendacious

[men-dey-shuhs]

telling lies, especially habitually; dishonest; untruthful

triptych

[trip-tik]

three panels or compartments side by side with pictures or carvings

hesperidium

[hes-puh-rid-ee-uhm]

the fruit of a citrus plant

alabaster

[al-uh-bas-ter]

a finely granular variety of gypsum, often white and translucent, used for ornamental objects or work, such as lamp bases, figurines, etc.

obelus

[ob-uh-luhs]

a mark (− or ÷) used in ancient manuscripts to point out spurious, corrupt, doubtful, or superfluous words or passages

precipitate

[pri-sip-i-teyt]

headlong

altruism

[al-troo-iz-uhm]

the principle or practice of unselfish concern for or devotion to the welfare of others (opposed to egoism)

abjure

[ab-joor, ab-jur]

solemnly renounce

infinitesimal

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

extremely small; an indefinitely small quantity

pontificate

[pon-tif-i-keyt]

(in the Roman Catholic Church) officiate as bishop, especially at Mass

imprecate

[im-pri-keyt]

to invoke or call down (evil or curses), as upon a person

complicit

[kuhm-plis-it]

choosing to be involved in an illegal or questionable act, especially with others; having complicity

sanctimonious

[sangk-tuh-moh-nee-uhs]

making a hypocritical show of religious devotion, piety, righteousness

zwetschenwasser

[zwet-shun-waz-er]

a colorless plum brandy with a bitter almond taste

solipsism

[sol-ip-siz-uhm]

the theory that only the self exists, or can be proved to exist

apologia

[ap-uh-loh-jee-uh]

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

relegate

[rel-i-geyt]

to send or consign to an inferior position, place, or condition