1. anatomy (n.) KK[əˋnætəmɪ]

the scientific study of the structure of human or animal bodies

We studied the anatomy of the snake.

2. cogent (adj.) KK[ˈkoʊ·dʒənt]

persuasive and well expressed

He makes a cogent argument for improving early childhood education.

3. rationalize (v.) KK[ˈræʃ·ə·nəlˌɑɪz]

to create a reason, explanation, or excuse for something

You can rationalize your way out of anything.

4. sordid (adj.) KK[ˈsɔrd·əd]

morally ugly, so that being involved makes you feel dirty

a sordid story

5. eclectic (adj.) KK[ɪˈklek·tɪk]

consisting of different types, methods, styles, etc.

It was an eclectic mix of our ethnic foods and traditional Thanksgiving food.

6. confide (v.) KK[kənˋfaɪd]

to show confidence by imparting secrets

Did she confide her plans to you?

Antonyms: hold, keep, retain

7. soothe (v.) KK[suð]

to bring comfort, solace, or reassurance to

We did not know how to soothe the bereaved mother.

Synonyms: assure, cheer, console

8. dexterity (n.) KK[dɛksˋtɛrətɪ]

mental skill or quickness

He's a teacher known for his imagination and verbal dexterity.

Synonyms: adroitness, cleverness

9. plenary (adj.) KK[ˋplinərɪ]

complete in every respect

A plenary meeting of the 500 members was held last summer.

Antonyms: imperfect, incomplete, partial

10. uphold (v.) KK[ʌpˋhold]

to give support to

They have a responsibility to uphold the law.

Synonyms: defend, justify, support, maintain

11. arduous (adj.) KK[ˋɑrdʒʊəs]

hard to accomplish or achieve

It must have been a very arduous task to build the pyramids.

Synonyms:hard, Augean, backbreaking, challenging

12. overwhelm (v.) KK[ˌoʊ·vərˈhwelm]

to be too much to deal with

The number of refugees overwhelmed the relief agencies in the area.

13. pertinent (adj.) KK[ˈpɜr·tən·ənt]

relating directly to the subject being considered; relevant:

a pertinent question

14. simile (n.) KK[ˈsɪm·ə·li]

English an expression including the words "like" or "as" to compare one thing with another

She was good at capturing a passing figure with an apt simile or comparison.

15. frisky (adj.) KK[ˈfrɪs·ki]

(of a person or an animal) playful or very active

The new intern is a little frisky.

16. slink (v.) KK[slɪŋk]

to walk or leave quietly, esp. because you do not want to be noticed or are ashamed of something

I was so embarrassed that I tried to slink away.

17. analogy (n.) KK[əˈnæl·ə·dʒi]

a comparison of the features or qualities of two different things to show their similarities

He was explaining that the mind has no form and is invisible, and that a useful analogy is of the mind being like the sky.

18. gladiator (n.) KK[ˈglæd·iˌeɪt̬·ər]

in ancient Rome, a man who fought another man or an animal as a public entertainment

19. personification (n.) KK[pərˌsɑn·ə·fɪˈkeɪ·ʃən]

the description of an object or an idea as if it had human characteristics

They paid tribute to the artist as "the personification of excellence."

20. hyperbole (n.) KK[hɑɪˈpɜr·bə·li]

a way of speaking or writing that makes someone or something sound much bigger, better, smaller, worse, more unusual, etc., than they are

Although he’s not given to hyperbole, Ron says we are light-years ahead of our time

21. genre (n.) KK[ˈʒɑn·rə]

a particular subject or style of literature, art, or music: the genre of landscape painting

22. notation (n.) KK[noʊˈteɪ·ʃən]

the system of written symbols used esp. in mathematics

23. connotation (n.) KK[ˌkɑn·əˈteɪ·ʃən]

a feeling or idea that is suggested by a word in addition to its basic meaning, or something suggested by an object or situation

"Resolute" means stubborn, but with a more positive connotation.

24. frostbite (n.) KK[ˋfrɔst͵baɪt]

to affect or injure by frost or frostbite

She is suffering from frostbite on her ears.

25. placate (v.) KK[ˋpleket]

to soothe or mollify especially by concessions

The administration placated protesters by agreeing to consider their demands.

Antonyms: anger, enrage, incense