Educational

pachyderm

[pak-i-durm]

a very large mammal with thick skin, especially an elephant, rhinoceros, or hippopotamus

complacency

[kuhm-pley-suhn-see ]

a feeling of quiet pleasure or security, often while unaware of some potential danger, defect, or the like; self-satisfaction or smug satisfaction with an existing situation, condition, etc.

aqueous

[ey-kwee-uhs]

of, like, or containing water

proud

[proud]

feeling deep satisfaction from one's achievements or possessions

unabashed

[uhn-uh-basht]

not ashamed, disconcerted, or apologetic; boldly certain of one's position

bedraggled

[bih-drag-uhld]

dirty and disheveled

abide

[ab-ide-ide]

to put up with

execrable

[ek-si-kruh-buhl ]

utterly detestable; abominable; abhorrent

prerogative

[pri-rog-uh-tiv]

a right, privilege, etc., limited to a specific person or to persons of a particular category

hiatus

[hi-atu-tus]

a break or gap in duration or continuity

strident

[strahyd-nt]

making or having a harsh sound; grating; creaking

cackle

[k-akl-e]

to laugh in a high-pitched, often unpleasant manner; also refers to the sound made by chickens.

elicit

[ih-lis-it]

to draw or bring out or forth; educe; evoke

inveterate

[in-vet-er-it ]

settled or confirmed in a habit, practice, feeling, or the like

libertarian

[li-ber-ian]

advocating principles of liberty and free will

obliterate

[uh-blit-uh-reyt]

to blot out or render undecipherable (writing, marks, etc.); efface

pitiable

[pit-ee-uh-buhl]

evoking or deserving pity; lamentable; miserable; contemptible

coax

[kohks]

to manipulate to a desired end by adroit handling or persistent effort

interlay

[in-ter-ley]

to lay between; interpose

deleterious

[del-i-teer-ee-uhs]

injurious to health

mystifying

[mis-tuh-fahy-ing]

to perplex (a person) by playing upon the person's credulity; bewilder purposely

buttery

[buht-er-ee]

having the taste or texture of butter

amorphous

[uh-mawr-fuhs]

without a clearly defined shape or form; lacking a clear structure or focus

sienna

[see-en-uh]

a ferruginous earth used used as a yellowish-brown pigment (raw sienna) or, after roasting in a furnace, as a reddish-brown pigment (burnt sienna)