Zimbabwe Spelling Bee 2026 Senior Word List

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards from the Senior Zimbabwe Spelling Bee handbook 2024-2026, covering general definitions, biology, literature, mythology, world history, and specialized terminology.

Abjure

To formally renounce a belief or cause.

Absquatulate

To leave abruptly; to flee.

Accismus

A form of irony where one pretends to refuse something one actually desires.

Achernar

A star in the constellation Eridanus.

Aesir

The principal group of gods in Norse mythology.

Aethalium

A type of fungus with a spore-producing structure.

Aglossal

Lacking a tongue; having no glossa.

Ahimsa

The principle of nonviolence toward all living beings.

Altazimuth

A type of telescope mount that allows for movement in altitude and azimuth.

Analepsis

A literary device involving a flashback.

Anicca

The Buddhist concept of impermanence.

Anomaliped

Having an abnormal or unusual number of feet.

Aphasia

A condition characterized by the loss of the ability to understand or express speech.

Aretalogy

A collection of the miracles or virtues of a saint.

Astaxanthin

A pigment found in certain algae and seafood, known for its antioxidant properties.

Attacca

To continue playing a piece of music without a pause.

Autochthonous

Indigenous; originating where it is found.

Azulejo

A painted tin-glazed ceramic tile.

Baleen

A filter-feeding system inside the mouths of some whales.

Bernoulli effect

The principle that describes the behavior of fluid flow and pressure.

Bisbigliando

A musical term indicating a whispering or soft sound.

Bouleversement

A disruption or upheaval; a significant change.

Cacoëthes

An irresistible urge to do something harmful or unwise.

Cermet

A composite material made of ceramic and metal.

Chalaza

The twisted, rope-like structures in an egg that hold the yolk in place.

Chiaroscurist

An artist who uses strong contrasts between light and dark.

Ciliopathy

A disease caused by dysfunction of cilia.

Cymotrichous

Having hair or bristles that are curled or wavy.

Deuterium

An isotope of hydrogen with one proton and one neutron.

Epixylous

Referring to organisms that live on or in wood.

Kakorrhaphiophobia

An extreme fear of failure.

Logorrhea

Excessive and often incoherent talkativeness or wordiness.

Malloseismic

Relating to small-scale seismic events or vibrations.

Phantasmagoria

A sequence of real or imaginary images like those seen in a dream.

Unalome

A symbol representing the path to enlightenment in Buddhist philosophy.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll.

Mitosis

The process of cell division that results in two daughter cells, each having the same number and kind of chromosomes as the parent nucleus.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid

Also known as DNA, a molecule that carries most of the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms.

Endothermic

Describing a reaction that absorbs heat from its surroundings.

Exothermic

Describing a reaction that releases heat to its surroundings.

Epigenetics

The study of changes in organisms caused by modification of gene expression rather than alteration of the genetic code itself.

Allegory

A narrative in which characters and events represent abstract ideas or moral qualities.

Bildungsroman

A novel that focuses on the psychological and moral growth of the protagonist.

Deus ex Machina

An unexpected power or event saving a seemingly hopeless situation.

Renaissance

A period of renewed interest and innovation in art, culture, and learning that took place in Europe during the 14th-17th centuries.

Apartheid

A policy of segregation and discrimination based on race, particularly associated with South Africa from 1948 to the early 1990s.

Tyrannosaurus Rex

A dinosaur name meaning 'Tyrant lizard king'; one of the largest carnivorous dinosaurs that ever lived.

Axolotl

A neotenic salamander known for its regenerative abilities.

Aegyptosaurus

Not explicitly defined, but listed as a Dinosaur Category candidate; derived from meaning 'Egypt lizard' in general context (Note: Based on transcript availability of similar terms).

Aegis

The protective shield or armor, often associated with Zeus or Athena in Greek mythology.

Bellerophon

A hero in Greek mythology, known for taming the winged horse Pegasus.

Adjudicate

To make an official decision in a legal case.

Habeas Corpus

A legal order requiring a person under arrest to be brought before a court or judge.

Nexalune

A term referring to the connection between the moon and human emotions.

Solustrance

A state of being where one's thoughts and feelings are aligned with the universe.