Uncommon

riposte

[ri-pohst]

make a quick, clever reply to an insult or criticism

moria

[môr′ē-ə]

dullness of mind; mental lethargy; a mental state characterized by frivolity, joviality, and the inability to be serious

penchant

[pen-chuhnt]

a strong inclination, taste, or liking for something

pedagogy

[ped-uh-goh-jee]

the function or work of a teacher; teaching

aberrant

[uh-ber-uhnt]

deviating from the ordinary, usual, or normal type; exceptional; abnormal

egregious

[ih-gree-juhs]

extraordinary in some bad way; glaring; flagr

ostentatious

[os-ten-tey-shuhs]

characterized by or given to pretentious or conspicuous show in an attempt to impress others

libertine

[lib-er-teen, lib-er-tin]

characterized by a disregard of morality, especially in sexual matters; freethinking in matters of religion

acquisitive

[uh-kwiz-i-tiv]

tending or seeking to acquire and own, often greedily; eager to get wealth, possessions, etc.

despotism

[des-puh-tiz-uhm]

the rule of a despot; the exercise of absolute authority

verisimilitude

[ver-uh-si-mil-i-tood]

the appearance of truth; the quality of seeming to be true

malaise

[ma-leyz]

a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or uneasiness whose exact cause is difficult to identify

boondoggle

[boon-dog-uhl]

work or activity that is wasteful or pointless but gives the appearance of having value

ambrosial

[am-broh-zhuhl]

exceptionally pleasing to taste or smell; especially delicious or fragrant

valorous

[val-er-uhs]

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

lethargic

[luh-thahr-jik]

affected by lethargy; drowsy; sluggish; apathetic

obfuscate

[ob-fuh-skeyt, ob-fuhs-keyt]

to confuse, bewilder, or stupefy; to make obscure or unclear

loath

[lohth, lohth]

unwilling; reluctant; disinclined; averse

cognizance

[kog-nuh-zuhns]

awareness, realization, or knowledge; notice; perception

audacious

[aw-dey-shuhs]

showing an impudent lack of respect

clandestine

[klan-des-tin]

characterized by, done in, or executed with secrecy or concealment, especially for purposes of subversion or deception; private or surreptitious

limerence

[li-mer-uhns]

the state of being infatuated or obsessed with another person, typically experienced involuntarily and characterized by a strong desire for reciprocation of one's feelings but not primarily for a sexual relationship

furtive

[fur-tiv]

characterized by stealth; sly and secretive

scintillating

[sin-tl-ey-ting]

witty; brilliantly clever