Educational

oracle

[awr-uh-kuhl]

a priest or priestess acting as a medium through whom advice or prophecy was sought from the gods in classical antiquity

polemic

[puh-lem-ik]

a controversial argument, as one against some opinion, doctrine, etc.

pervasive

[per-vey-siv]

spread throughout

hyperbole

[hahy-pur-buh-lee]

obvious and intentional exaggeration; an extravagant statement or figure of speech not intended to be taken literally, as “to wait an eternity.”

charismatic

[kar-iz-mat-ik]

of, having, or characteristic of charisma

vacillate

[vas-uh-leyt]

to waver in mind or opinion; be indecisive or irresolute

perusal

[puh-roo-zuhl]

a reading

prostrate

[pros-treyt ]

to cast (oneself) face down on the ground in humility, submission, or adoration

circumvent

[sur-kuhm-vent]

to go around or bypass

preposterous

[pri-pos-ter-uhs]

completely contrary to nature, reason, or common sense; utterly foolish; absurd; senseless

quench

[kwench]

to slake, satisfy, or allay (thirst, desires, passion, etc.)

sommelier

[suhm-uhl-yey]

a wine butler; also used to denote a certified wine professional

assiduous

[uh-sij-oo-uhs]

constant in application or effort; working diligently at a task; persevering; industrious; meticulous

plethora

[pleth-er-uh]

overabundance; excess

bereave

[bih-reev]

to deprive and make desolate, especially by death (usually followed by of)

anchorite

[ang-kuh-rahyt]

a person who has retired to a solitary place for a life of religious seclusion

buttress

[buh-tris]

any external prop or support built to steady a structure by opposing its outward thrusts, especially a projecting support built into or against the outside of a masonry wall

disseminate

[dih-sem-uh-neyt]

to scatter or spread widely, as though sowing seed; promulgate extensively; broadcast; disperse

halcyon

[hal-see-uhn]

calm; peaceful; tranquil

semaphore

[sem-uh-fawr]

an apparatus for conveying information by means of visual signals, as a light whose position may be changed

aberration

[ab-uh-rey-shuhn]

a departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically one that is unwelcome

placate

[pley-keyt]

to appease or pacify, especially by concessions or conciliatory gestures

avuncular

[uh-vuhng-kyuh-ler]

of or relating to an uncle

diatribe

[dahy-uh-trahyb]

a bitter, sharply abusive denunciation, attack, or criticism