Uncommon

volitional

[voh-lish-uh-nl]

done of one’s own will or choosing; deliberately decided or chosen

tessellate

[tes-uh-leyt]

to form small squares or blocks, as floors or pavements; form or arrange in a checkered or mosaic pattern

militate

[mil-i-teyt]

to have a substantial effect; weigh heavily

macerate

[mas-uh-reyt]

to soften or separate into parts by steeping in a liquid

convalesce

[kon-vuh-les]

to recover health and strength after illness; make progress toward recovery of health

forwonder

[fawr-wuhn-der]

to astonish; fill with wonder or amazement

fletcherize

[flech-uh-rahyz]

to chew (food) slowly and thoroughly

haughty

[haw-tee]

arrogantly superior and disdainful

saudade

[soh-dah-duh]

a deep emotional state of melancholic longing for a person or thing that is absent

roister

[roi-ster]

enjoy oneself or celebrate in a noisy or boisterous way

ensorcell

[en-sawr-suhl]

to bewitch, charm, or enchant

cachinnate

[kak-uh-neyt]

to laugh loudly or immoderately

flimflam

[flim-flam]

a piece of nonsense; twaddle; bosh

largesse

[lar- jes]

generosity of spirit or attitude

hegira

[hi-jahy-ruh]

any flight or journey to a more desirable or congenial place

verklempt

[ver-klempt]

overly emotional and unable to speak

ineffable

[in-ef-uh-buhl]

incapable of being expressed or described in words; inexpressible

girandole

[jir-uhn-dohl]

a brooch or earring consisting of a central ornament with usually three smaller ornaments hanging from it

plumbeous

[pluhm-bee-uhs]

resembling or containing lead; leaden

compunction

[kuhm-puhngk-shuhn]

a feeling of uneasiness or anxiety of the conscience caused by regret for doing wrong or causing pain; contrition; remorse

skerrick

[sker-ik]

a small piece or quantity; a bit

manavelins

[muh-nav-uh-linz]

miscellaneous pieces of gear and material

succuss

[suh-kuhs]

to shake up

saponify

[suh-pon-uh-fahy]

to convert (a fat) into soap by treating with an alkali