Uncommon

gurn

[gurn]

make a comically or repulsively ugly face

plumbeous

[pluhm-bee-uhs]

resembling or containing lead; leaden

quandary

[kwon-duh-ree]

a state of perplexity or uncertainty, especially as to what to do; dilemma

dollop

[dol-uhp]

to dispense in dollops

valorous

[val-er-uhs]

showing great courage in the face of danger, especially in battle

wanton

[won-tn]

a sexually unrestrained woman

fulminate

[fuhl-muh-neyt]

to issue denunciations or the like

sycophant

[sik-uh-fuhnt, sik-uh-fant]

a self-seeking, servile flatterer; fawning parasite

obstreperous

[uhb-strep-er-uhs]

noisy and difficult to control

propitiate

[pruh-pish-ee-eyt]

to make favorably inclined; appease; conciliate

micawber

[mi-caw-ber]

one who is poor but lives in optimistic expectation of better fortune

equanimous

[ih-kwan-uh-muhs]

having or showing equanimity; even-tempered

rapprochement

[rap-rohsh-mahn]

an establishment or resumption of harmonious relations

provident

[prov-i-duhnt]

having or showing foresight; providing carefully for the future

prevaricate

[pri-var-i-keyt]

speak or act in an evasive way

alembic

[uh-lem-bik]

anything that transforms, purifies, or refines

collude

[kuh-lood]

to conspire in a fraud

belabor

[bih-ley-ber]

to explain, worry about, or work at (something) repeatedly or more than is necessary

diaphanous

[dahy-af-uh-nuhs]

very sheer and light; almost completely transparent or translucent

nadir

[ney-der]

the lowest point; point of greatest adversity or despair

detectorist

[dɪˈtɛktərɪst]

a person whose hobby is using a metal detector

cognizance

[kog-nuh-zuhns]

awareness, realization, or knowledge; notice; perception

millefleur

[meel-flur]

having a background sprinkled with representations of flowers, as certain tapestries or pieces of glasswork

persiflage

[pur-suh-flahzh]

light and slightly contemptuous mockery or banter