nationalize Pronunciation: \ˈnash-nə-ˌlīz, ˈna-shə-nə-ˌlīz\ Function: verb Date: 1800 1 : to give a national character to 2 : to invest control or ownership of in the national government

obligate Pronunciation: \ˈä-blə-ˌgāt\ Function: transitive verb Etymology: Latin obligatus, past participle of obligare Date: 1533 1 : to bind legally or morally : constrain 2 : to commit (as funds) to meet an obligation

phobia Pronunciation: \ˈfō-bē-ə\ Function: noun Etymology: -phobia Date: 1786 : an exaggerated usually inexplicable and illogical fear of a particular object, class of objects, or situation

an unreasonable fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers or of that which is foreign or strange.

premonition Pronunciation: \ˌprē-mə-ˈni-shən, ˌpre-\ Function: noun Etymology: Middle English premunition, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin premunition-, premunitio, alteration of Late Latin praemonitio, from Latin praemonēre to warn in advance, at mind Date: 15th century 1 : previous notice or warning : forewarning 2 : anticipation of an event without conscious reason : presentiment

smattering Pronunciation: \ˈsma-tə-riŋ\ Function: noun Date: 1538 1 : superficial piecemeal knowledge <a smattering of carpentry, house painting, bricklaying — Alva Johnston> 2 : a small scattered number or amount <a smattering of spectators>

snobbish Pronunciation: \ˈsnä-bish\ Function: adjective Date: 1840 : being, characteristic of, or befitting a snob <a snobbish attitude>

momentous Pronunciation: \mō-ˈmen-təs, mə-\ Function: adjective Date: 1656 : important, consequential

precocious Pronunciation: \pri-ˈkō-shəs\ Function: adjective Etymology: Latin praecoc-, praecox early ripening, precocious, from prae- + coquere to cook — more at cook Date: 1650 1 : exceptionally early in development or occurrence 2 : exhibiting mature qualities at an unusually early age <a precocious child>

resuscitate Pronunciation: \ri-ˈsə-sə-ˌtāt\ Function: verb Inflected Form(s): re·sus·ci·tat·ed; re·sus·ci·tat·ing Etymology: Latin resuscitatus, past participle of resuscitare to reawaken, from re- + suscitare to rouse, Date: 1532 1: to revive from apparent death or from unconsciousness; also :  2 : come to, revive

scathing Function: adjective Date: 1794 : bitterly severe <a scathing condemnation> synonyms see caustic — scathingly adverb