Cadence (KAYD uns) - rhythm; the rise and fall of sounds Example: We wished the tone of Irwin's words would have a more pleasing cadence, but he spoke in a dull monotone.

Capricious (kuh PRISH us) - unpredictable, likely to change at any moment Sentence: The weather is often said to be capricious. One minute it's snowing, the next minute it's 120 degrees in the shade.

Conciliatory (kun SIL ee uh tor ee) - making peace; attempting to resolve a dispute through goodwill Sentence: To be conciliatory is to kiss and make up. Come on - be conciliatory!

Congenital (kun JEN uh tul) Definition: a trait or condition acquired between conception and birth; innate Sentence: A congenital birth defect is one that is present at birth but was not caused by one's genes.

Callow (KAL oh) Definition: immature Sentence: A teenager might show callow disregard for the feeling of adults.

Compendium (kum PEN dee um) Definition: a summary; an abridgment Sentence: A yearbook often contains a compendium of the offenses, foibles, and crimes of the members of the senior class.

Circumspect (SUR kum spekt) Definition: cautious Sentence: As a public speaker, Nick was extremely circumspect; he always took great care not to say the wrong thing or give offense.

Chimera (kye MEER uh) Definition: an illusion, a foolish fancy Sentence: Be careful not to mispronounce this word. It's apparent similarity to chimney is just a chimera.

Covet (KUV it) Definition: to wish for enviously Sentence: Billy coveted Bobby's bicycle and very nearly decided to steal it.

Categorical (kat uh GOR uh kil) Definition: unconditional, absolute Sentence: I categorically refuse to do anything whatsoever at any time; in any place, with anyone.

Castigate (KAS tuh gayt) Definition: to criticize severely; to chastise Sentence: Jim's mother-in-law castigated him for forgetting to pick her up at the airport

Chagrin (shuh GRIN) - humiliation; embarrassed disappointment Example: Much to my chagrin, I began to giggle during the eulogy at the funeral.

Circumvent (sur kum VENT) - to frustrate as though by surrounding Example: Our hopes for an early end of the meeting were circumvented by the chairperson's refusal to deal with the items on the agenda.

Chicanery (shi KAY nuh ree) - Trickery; deceitfulness; artifice, especially legal or political Example: Political news would be dull were it not for the chicanery of our elected officials.

Congenital (kun JEN uh tul) - a trait or condition acquired between conception and birth; innate Example: A congenital birth defect is one that is present at birth but was not caused by one's genes.

Compendium (kum PEN dee um) - a summary; an abridgment Example: A yearbook often contains a compendium of the offenses, foibles, and crimes of the members of the senior class.