conspicuous

(adj) – Something conspicuous is very easy to see or notice.

• Synonyms: obvious, clear, evident, noticeable
• Antonyms: inconspicuous, hidden, concealed, unclear, secret, unseen, clandestine
• Etymology: 1540s Latin, from com- meaning “with” + PIE *spek- meaning "to observe" + the Latin adjective-forming suffix -osus
• Example: When you choose your Heritage route, you want to make sure it's not too conspicuous.

improvise

(v.) - If you improvise, you do something without any preparation, usually because of unexpected events.

• Synonyms: make up, brainstorm, invent
• Antonyms: design, plan, prepare
• Etymology: 1826 Latin, from in- meaning "not" + provisus meaning either "foreseen" or "provided"
• Morphology: improvisation - n
• Example: I forgot to bring my notes, so I had to improvise when I gave my speech.

Click here for your chance to improvise!

nefarious

(adj) – Criminals are well-known for committing nefarious acts. Their deeds are bad and even downright horrible.

• Synonyms: bad, horrible, dreadful, evil, criminal, treacherous
• Antonyms: good, honorable, respectable, virtuous, worthy
• Etymology: 1600 Latin, from ne- meaning "not" (this is where we get the word nay) + fas meaning "right, lawful" which is related to fari which means "to speak" (this is actually where we get the word fame)
• Example: Mr. Curtain and his nefarious associates are always up to no good.

xenial

(adj) – Someone who is xenial is hospitable to guests, or especially strangers; friendly to newcomers.

• Synonyms: friendly, hospitable, welcoming, inviting
• Antonyms: unfriendly, inhospitable, unwelcoming, uninviting
• Etymology: Ancient Greek, from xenos ξένος (pronounced ksenos), meaning “guest, stranger, foreigner”
• Example: At Burlington Elementary, many students go out of their way to be xenial to newcomers.

gusto

(n.) - If you do something with gusto, you do it with a lot of energy and enthusiasm.

• Synonyms: energy, enthusiasm, excitement, delight, pleasure
• Antonyms: nonchalance, reluctance, hesitation
• Etymology: 1629 Latin, from gustus meaning "to taste," which actually comes from the ancient European root geus- meaning "enjoy or be pleased"
• Example: I talk to others about my class with great gusto!

One reason I adore you is that you do all things - including math - with gusto!

Click here to try today's fraction game:

http://www.quia.com/cb/95582.html

cryptic

(adj) - Something that is cryptic has a meaning that is mysterious or not easily understood.

• Synonyms: dark, evasive, hidden, inconspicuous, mystifying, secretive, vague
• Antonyms: clear, obvious, plain, conspicuous
• Etymology: 1630s Greek, from kryptos meaning "hidden"
• Morphology: crypt, encrypt
• Example: The Mysterious Benedict Society had to give and receive cryptic messages to Mr. Benedict in order to avoid revealing that they are secret agents inside the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened.

How well do you know Morse Code?

Click on the image below to reveal the cryptic messages... then use it to write your own!

For your post today, write a cryptic message in Morse Code!

Don't forget to ..- ... .   - --- -.. .- -.-- ...  .-- --- .-. -.. !

rendezvous

(n.) - A rendezvous is an arrangement to meet someone at a particular time and place, often secretly; a place where two or more people have arranged to meet.
*This can also be used as a verb.

• Synonyms: (n.) - appointment, meeting, date (v.) - assemble, meet, gather
• Etymology: 1591 French, from rendre meaning "present" + vous meaning "you."
• Example: After recess this afternoon, we will rendezvous in the room for a science activity.

Click here to help the kingdom rendezvous at the castle in Computation Castle!

squelch

(v) - To squelch something is to stop it from continuing to develop or spread. Also, squelch can be used to describe the sucking sound made by walking or moving in something soft and wet.

• Synonyms: squish, hold down, hold back, hamper, smother
• Antonyms: allow, release, encourage
• Etymology: 1620s English, meaning "to fall, drop, or stomp on something (soft) with crushing force," possibly an onomatopoeia because of the sound made. The use of this word to mean "squash" was first recorded in 1864.
• Example: Art teachers have to be very careful when showing examples so that they don't squelch their students' own creativity.

invincible

(adj) - Someone or something that is invincible is too strong to be destroyed or defeated.

• Synonyms: indestructible, bulletproof, unbeatable, untouchable, powerful
• Antonyms: vunlerable, breakable, endangered
• Etymology: Early 15th Century Latin, from in- meaning "not" + vincibilis meaning "conquerable," which comes from vincere meaning "to overcome" (which is also where we get the word victory)
• Morphology: invincibility - n
• Example: Many superheroes in movies, television, and books are supposed to be invincible.

strive

(v) - If you strive to do something, you make a great effort to achieve it.

• Synonyms: try, aim, contend, reach, work
• Antonyms: forget, skip, sit back
• Etymology: 1200 Old French, from estriver meaning "to quarrel, dispute," which comes from estrif meaning "quarrel" (which is also where we get the word strife)
• Morphology: striven - past tense verb
• Example: If you truly have ambition, you will work hard and strive for success.