The Spelling Bee

Have you ever watched the National Spelling Bee? It is remarkable to see the kids at work. So many of them have studied so hard for years; this year's winner had a bit of a family legacy with his sister in the Bee three times. His name is Sameer Mishra. His repeats of the word were great, with slightly childlike emphasis but teenage bravado.

My favorite...

Are they any alternate pronunciations?

Can you repeat the word?

Can I have the full etymology, please?

And the origin was?

Can you use it in a sentence?

"Bobby saved a recipe for a risotto with taleggio and pine nuts."

(Well, that sounds delicious; I even tried to look one up, to no avail. I actually spelled taleggio without looking at the TV. Knew it was a cheese.)

He won on the word "guerdon". Do you know what it means? I'll put the answer in comments.