(usually capitalized) A general term for the prehistoric period intermediate between the earliest period (‘Paleo-Indian’, ‘Paleo-American’, ‘American‐paleolithic’, &c.) of human presence in the Western Hemisphere, and the most recent prehistoric period (‘Woodland’, etc.).
ludicrous
[ˈlü-də-krəs]
Idiotic or unthinkable, often to the point of being funny.
debtor
[ˈde-tər]
A person or firm that owes money; one in debt; one who owes a debt
phantom
[ˈfan-təm]
A ghost or apparition.
personage
[ˈpərs-nij]
A person, especially one who is famous or important.
garb
[ˈgärb]
Fashion, style of dressing oneself up.
stationery
[ˈstā-shə-ˌner-ē]
Writing materials, envelopes, office materials
rescind
[ri-ˈsind]
To repeal, annul, or declare void; to take (something such as a rule or contract) out of effect.
incumbent
[in-ˈkəm-bənt]
The current holder of an office, such as ecclesiastical benefice or an elected office.
apocryphal
[ə-ˈpä-krə-fəl]
Of, or pertaining to, the Apocrypha.
unwieldy
[ˌən-ˈwēl-dē]
Lacking strength; weak.
misbegotten
[ˌmis-bi-ˈgä-tᵊn]
To beget wrongly or badly.
canon
[ˈka-nən]
A generally accepted principle; a rule.
cumbrous
[ˈkəm-b(ə-)rəs]
Unwieldy because of its weight; cumbersome.
notwithstanding
[ˌnät-with-ˈstan-diŋ]
An instance of the word "notwithstanding", often characteristic of legalese.
coolly
[ˈkuːl.li]
Coolish; somewhat cool in temperature
mnemonic
[ni-ˈmä-nik]
Anything (especially something in verbal form) used to help remember something.
superintendent
[ˌsü-p(ə-)rin-ˈten-dənt]
A person who is authorized to supervise, direct or administer something.
ointment
[ˈȯint-mənt]
A viscous preparation of oils and/or fats, usually containing medication, used as a treatment or as an emollient.
indispensable
[ˌin-di-ˈspen(t)-sə-bəl]
A thing that is not dispensable; a necessity.
stump
[ˈstəmp]
The remains of something that has been cut off; especially the remains of a tree, the remains of a limb.
flunk
[ˈfləŋk]
Of a student, to fail a class; to not pass.
pupil
[ˈpyü-pəl]
A learner under the supervision of a teacher or professor.
dissipate
[ˈdi-sə-ˌpāt]
To drive away, disperse.
befuddle
[bi-ˈfə-dᵊl]
To perplex, confuse (someone).
boob
[ˈbüb]
Idiot, fool.
bolster
[ˈbōl-stər]
A large cushion or pillow.
corroborate
[kə-ˈrä-bə-ˌrāt]
To confirm or support something with additional evidence; to attest or vouch for.
sacrilegious
[ˌsa-krə-ˈli-jəs]
Committing sacrilege; acting or speaking very disrespectfully toward what is held to be sacred.
newsstand
[ˈnüz-ˌstand]
An open stall, often on a street, where newspapers and magazines are on sale to the public
pastime
[ˈpas-ˌtīm]
Something which amuses, and serves to make time pass agreeably.
plebeian
[pli-ˈbē-ən]
A member of the plebs, the common citizens of ancient Rome.