alabaster
All a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
All CEFR A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2
Content locale
EN Anglais BN Bengali HI Hindi ES Espagnol FR Français DE Allemand RU Russe ZH Chinois JA Japonais
All Vocabulary Cards All Vocabularies
C2 noun/adjective /ˈæl.əˌbæs.tər/

alabaster

albâtre (minéral blanc comme pierre)
Meaning
A fine-grained, usually white variety of gypsum, often used for carving; also describes something smooth and pale like alabaster.
Example
The statue was carved from pure alabaster.
La statue a été sculptée dans de l'albâtre pur.
C2 verb /əˈkuːtə/

accoutre

accoutrer
Meaning
to dress or equip, especially in something impressive or elaborate
Example
The knight was accoutred in shining armor.
Le chevalier était accoutré en armure brillante.
C2 adverb /əˈsʌndər/

asunder

en morceaux
Meaning
into separate parts; apart
Example
The ancient empire was torn asunder by war.
L'empire ancien a été déchiré en morceaux par la guerre.
C2 adjective /ˈæsɪnaɪn/

asinine

absurde
Meaning
Extremely foolish or stupid.
Example
It was an asinine idea to drive into the storm without checking the weather.
C'était une idée absurde de conduire dans la tempête sans vérifier la météo.
C2 adjective /ˌæd.vɛnˈtɪʃ.əs/

adventitious

accidentel
Meaning
Happening by chance or accident, not planned.
Example
His success was partly due to adventitious circumstances.
Son succès était en partie dû à des circonstances accidentelles.
C2 verb /ˈædjʊˌleɪt/

adulate

aduler excessivement
Meaning
to praise or flatter excessively
Example
The fans adulated the actor after his performance.
Les fans ont adulé l'acteur après sa performance.
C2 noun /əˈvɪdəti/

avidity

avidité
Meaning
extreme eagerness or enthusiasm
Example
He accepted the offer with avidity.
Il a accepté l'offre avec avidité.
C2 noun /ˈɑːrkeɪˌɪzəm/

archaism

archaïsme
Meaning
a word, expression, or style of language that is no longer in everyday use
Example
The poem is full of archaisms that give it an old-fashioned flavor.
Le poème est plein d'archaïsmes qui lui donnent un goût ancien.
C2 noun /əˌɡlɒməˈreɪʃən/

agglomeration

agglomération
Meaning
A mass or collection of things, sometimes clustered together.
Example
The city is an agglomeration of diverse cultures and communities.
La ville est une agglomération de cultures et de communautés diverses.
C2 noun /ˈæpəˌsteɪt/

apostate

apostat
Meaning
A person who renounces a religious or political belief or principle.
Example
He was labeled an apostate after abandoning the faith of his community.
Il a été étiqueté comme apostat après avoir abandonné la foi de sa communauté.
C2 noun /ˈænsɛstrɪs/

ancestress

ancêtre féminine
Meaning
a female ancestor; a woman from whom one is descended
Example
She discovered that her ancestress came from a small village in Bengal.
Elle a découvert que son ancêtre féminine venait d’un petit village du Bengale.
C2 noun /əˌbɑː.məˈneɪ.ʃən/

abomination

abomination
Meaning
a thing that causes disgust or hatred
Example
Slavery was considered an abomination.
L'esclavage était considéré comme une abomination.
C2 adverb /əˈmʌk/

amuck

de manière débridée
Meaning
in a frenzied, uncontrolled, or chaotic manner
Example
The bull ran amuck through the village.
Le taureau a couru de manière débridée à travers le village.
C2 verb /əˈsɪdɪfaɪ/

acidify

acidifier
Meaning
to make something acidic or more acidic
Example
Farmers worry that pollution will acidify the soil.
Les agriculteurs craignent que la pollution acidifie le sol.
C2 adjective /ˌækwiˈɛsənt/

acquiescent

soumis
Meaning
ready to accept something without protest, or to do what someone else wants
Example
He gave an acquiescent smile and agreed to the plan.
Il a souri d'un sourire soumis et a accepté le plan.
C2 noun /əˈfleɪtəs/

afflatus

inspiration divine
Meaning
a sudden divine inspiration or creative impulse
Example
The poet wrote the verses under a sudden afflatus of inspiration.
Le poète écrivit les vers sous une soudaine inspiration divine.
C2 noun /ˈæntiˌkraɪst/

antichrist

antéchrist
Meaning
A person regarded as the supreme opponent of Christ, often seen as a figure of ultimate evil.
Example
Some people fear the rise of an Antichrist in the future.
Certaines personnes redoutent l'ascension d'un Antéchrist dans le futur.
C2 noun /əbˈdʌktər/

abductor

ravisseur
Meaning
a person who kidnaps or forcibly takes someone away
Example
The police arrested the abductor after a nationwide search.
La police a arrêté le ravisseur après une longue recherche.
C2 adjective /ˈæpəzɪt/

apposite

approprié
Meaning
highly appropriate or relevant to what is being discussed
Example
Her remark was particularly apposite to the situation.
Son commentaire était particulièrement approprié à la situation.
C2 noun /ˈɑːrɡoʊ/

argot

argot spécialisé
Meaning
the specialized vocabulary or jargon of a particular group, especially one with a common interest or occupation
Example
The thieves communicated in an argot that outsiders could not understand.
Les voleurs ont communiqué dans un argot que les étrangers ne pouvaient pas comprendre.
C2 verb əˈtɛn.ju.eɪt

attenuate

atténuer
Meaning
To reduce the force, effect, or value of something; to make weak or thin.
Example
The medicine helps attenuate the pain.
Le médicament aide à atténuer la douleur.
C2 noun /ˌæd.ʌmˈbreɪ.ʃən/

adumbration

présage vague
Meaning
a vague foreshadowing or symbolic representation of something
Example
The play offers an adumbration of the political unrest to come.
La pièce offre un présage vague du malaise politique à venir.
C2 adjective /eɪˈrɪðmɪk/

arrhythmic

arythmique
Meaning
Lacking a regular rhythm or beat.
Example
The patient had an arrhythmic heartbeat.
Le patient avait un battement de cœur arythmique.
C2 verb /əˈpraɪz/

apprise

informer
Meaning
to inform or notify someone
Example
The manager will apprise the staff of the new policies.
Le responsable informera le personnel des nouvelles politiques.
C2 noun /ˈæntiruːm/

anteroom

antichambre
Meaning
A small room leading to a main one, often used as a waiting area.
Example
The guests waited in the anteroom before being called inside.
Les invités ont attendu dans l’antichambre avant d’être appelés à l’intérieur.
C2 noun /ɑːmz/

alms

aumône
Meaning
Money, food, or goods given to the poor as charity.
Example
The monk distributed alms to the needy villagers.
Le moine a distribué des aumônes aux pauvres villageois.
C2 adjective ˌeə.rəʊˈstæt.ɪk

aerostatic

aérostatique
Meaning
Relating to or involving gases (especially air) in equilibrium and the equilibrium of balloons or aircraft under the influence of such gases.
Example
Aerostatic designs ensure stability at high altitudes.
Les conceptions aérostatiques assurent la stabilité à haute altitude.
C2 verb /ˈæd.ʌm.breɪt/

adumbrate

préfigurer
Meaning
to foreshadow or suggest something in an unclear or indirect way
Example
The report adumbrates future economic challenges.
Le rapport préfigure les défis économiques futurs.
C2 noun /əˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/

annunciation

annonce, bonne nouvelle
Meaning
The announcement of something; in Christianity, the announcement by the angel Gabriel to Mary that she would conceive Jesus.
Example
The church celebrated the Feast of the Annunciation with a special service.
L'église a célébré la fête de l'Annonciation avec un service spécial.
C2 verb /ˌæntɪˈsiːd/

antecede

précéder
Meaning
to come before in time or order
Example
A short introduction usually antecedes the main text.
Une courte introduction précède généralement le texte principal.
C2 verb /əˈɡræn.daɪz/

aggrandize

agrandir
Meaning
To increase the power, wealth, or importance of a person or entity.
Example
The politician tried to aggrandize himself through exaggerated claims.
Le politicien a essayé de s'aggrandir à travers des affirmations exagérées.
C2 noun /ˈækəlaɪt/

acolyte

acolyte
Meaning
a follower or assistant, especially in a religious service or as a devoted supporter of a leader
Example
The senator arrived with a small group of acolytes who handled the press.
Le sénateur est arrivé avec un petit groupe d'acolytes qui s'occupaient de la presse.
C2 noun /ænˈtɪpədiːz/

antipodes

antipodes
Meaning
places on opposite sides of the Earth; also refers to things that are direct opposites
Example
Australia and Britain are often considered antipodes of each other.
L'Australie et la Grande-Bretagne sont souvent considérées comme des antipodes l'une de l'autre.
C2 verb /ˌæd ˈlɪb/

ad-lib

dire improvisé
Meaning
to speak or perform without preparation; to improvise
Example
The comedian ad-libbed a joke when the microphone failed.
Le comédien a improvisé une blague lorsque le microphone a échoué.
C2 adjective /əˈkɪliən/

achillean

achillien
Meaning
like or characteristic of Achilles; strong but vulnerable
Example
His achillean pride made him blind to danger.
Sa fierté achillienne le rendait aveugle au danger.
C2 noun /ˈæktʃuˌɛri/

actuary

actuaire
Meaning
A professional who analyzes financial risk using mathematics, statistics, and financial theory, especially in insurance and pensions.
Example
The actuary calculated the risk before finalizing the insurance policy.
L'actuaire a calculé le risque avant de finaliser la police d'assurance.
C2 noun əˌdʌl.təˈreɪ.ʃən

adulteration

adultération
Meaning
The action of making something poorer in quality by the addition of another substance.
Example
Adulteration of food is a serious health risk.
L'adultération des aliments est un grave risque pour la santé.
C2 verb /əˈsweɪdʒ/

assuage

apaiser
Meaning
To make an unpleasant feeling less intense; to ease or relieve.
Example
The kind words helped assuage her anxiety.
Les mots gentils ont aidé à apaiser son anxiété.
C2 noun /əˈfeɪ.ʒə/

aphasia

aphasie
Meaning
a medical condition that causes loss of ability to speak or understand language
Example
After the stroke, she was diagnosed with aphasia.
Après l'accident vasculaire cérébral, elle a été diagnostiquée d'une aphasie.
C2 verb /ˈæktʃueɪt/

actuate

activer
Meaning
to put into action or motion; to motivate or activate
Example
The engineer actuated the machine with a simple switch.
L'ingénieur a activé la machine avec un simple interrupteur.
C2 adjective /əˈbɔːrtɪv/

abortive

avorté
Meaning
Failing to produce the intended result; unsuccessful.
Example
Their abortive attempt to climb the mountain ended in retreat.
Leur tentative avortée de gravir la montagne s'est terminée par une retraite.
C2 noun /ˈæf.ə.rɪ.zəm/

aphorism

aphorisme
Meaning
a short, witty saying that expresses a general truth or principle
Example
He began his speech with an aphorism about life and success.
Il a commencé son discours par un aphorisme sur la vie et le succès.
C2 noun, verb /əˈfrʌnt/

affront

affront
Meaning
An action or remark that causes outrage or offense.
Example
He took her criticism as a personal affront.
Il a pris sa critique comme un affront personnel.
C2 verb /ˌæpərˈteɪn/

appertain

appartenir
Meaning
to relate to or be connected with something
Example
The rules only appertain to members of the club.
Les règles ne s'appliquent qu'aux membres du club.
C2 noun /æmˈbroʊʒə/

ambrosia

ambroisie
Meaning
The food of the gods in classical mythology; something extremely pleasing to taste or smell.
Example
The dessert was so delicious that it tasted like ambrosia.
Le dessert était tellement délicieux qu'il avait le goût d'ambrosia.
C2 noun /ˌæprəˈbeɪʃən/

approbation

approbation / éloge
Meaning
approval or praise
Example
The plan won the approbation of the board members.
Le plan a reçu l'approbation des membres du conseil.
C2 verb /ˈæntɪkweɪt/

antiquate

antiquée
Meaning
To make something old-fashioned or obsolete.
Example
The rise of digital cameras antiquated traditional film photography.
L'essor des appareils photo numériques a rendu obsolète la photographie sur film traditionnelle.
C2 verb /ˈæntɪdeɪtɪd/

antedated

daté antérieurement
Meaning
assigned to an earlier date than the actual one; happened earlier
Example
The letter was antedated to appear more official.
La lettre a été antidatée pour paraître plus officielle.
C2 noun /ˈɛəri/

aerie

nid d'aigle
Meaning
A large nest of a bird of prey, especially an eagle, typically built high in a tree or on a cliff.
Example
The eagle built its aerie on the high cliff.
L'aigle a construit son nid sur la haute falaise
C2 noun /əbˈhɒrəns/

abhorrence

abhorrence
Meaning
a feeling of strong disgust or hatred
Example
He expressed his abhorrence of racial discrimination.
Il a exprimé son abhorrence de la discrimination raciale.
C2 noun /ˈeɪ.pi.ə.rɪst/

apiarist

apiculteur
Meaning
a person who keeps and tends bees for honey production
Example
The apiarist collected fresh honey from the hives.
L'apiculteur a récolté du miel frais des ruches.
C2 noun /ˌæntɪˈtɒksɪn/

antitoxin

antitoxine
Meaning
A substance that neutralizes a specific toxin in the body.
Example
The doctor administered an antitoxin to counter the snake venom.
Le médecin a administré une antitoxine pour contrer le venin de serpent.
C2 noun /əˈbluːʃən/

ablution

ablution
Meaning
the act of washing oneself, often for religious purposes
Example
He performed his morning ablution before the prayer.
Il a effectué son ablution matinale avant la prière.
C2 adjective /əˈsɪdjʊləs/

acidulous

légèrement acide ou amer
Meaning
slightly sour or sharp in taste or manner
Example
The critic wrote an acidulous review of the movie.
Le critique a écrit une critique acide du film.
C2 adverb /əˈskæns/

askance

d'un air méfiant
Meaning
With suspicion, mistrust, or disapproval.
Example
She looked askance at his unusual proposal.
Elle regarda sa proposition étrange d'un air méfiant.
C2 verb /əˈɡlɒməˌreɪt/

agglomerate

agglomérer
Meaning
To collect or form into a mass or group.
Example
The dust particles began to agglomerate into larger clusters.
Les particules de poussière ont commencé à s'agglomérer en grands amas.
C2 noun /əˈbeɪəns/

abeyance

suspension temporaire
Meaning
a state of temporary suspension or inactivity
Example
The project was held in abeyance until funds became available.
Le projet a été suspendu jusqu'à ce que les fonds deviennent disponibles.
C2 noun /ˌæpəˈzɪʃən/

apposition

apposition (grammaire parallèle)
Meaning
a grammatical construction in which two elements are placed side by side, with one explaining the other
Example
In the phrase 'my friend John,' the word 'John' is in apposition to 'my friend.'
Dans l'expression 'mon ami Jean', le mot 'Jean' est en apposition à 'mon ami'.
C2 noun /ˈɔːldərmənʃɪp/

aldermanship

poste de conseiller
Meaning
The office, position, or dignity of an alderman.
Example
He was honored with aldermanship after years of service.
Il a été honoré du poste de conseiller après des années de service.
C2 adjective /əˈfɔːrsed/

Aforesaid

précédemment mentionné
Meaning
mentioned before; previously stated
Example
The aforesaid conditions must be met before approval.
Les conditions précédemment mentionnées doivent être remplies avant l'approbation.
C2 adjective /ˈæb.ə.rənt/

aberrant

aberrant
Meaning
deviating from what is normal or expected; abnormal
Example
His aberrant behavior shocked everyone at the meeting.
Son comportement aberrant a choqué tout le monde à la réunion.
C2 noun /ˈæpəfθɛm/

apophthegm

dicton ou maxime courte, concise et éducative
Meaning
A short, pithy, and instructive saying or maxim.
Example
She always had a witty apophthegm to share at meetings.
Elle avait toujours un apophtegme spirituel à partager lors des réunions.
C2 adjective /ˈæʒər/

azure

azur
Meaning
A bright blue color like that of a clear sky.
Example
The clear sky was painted in a deep shade of azure.
Le ciel clair était peint d'une teinte profonde d'azur.
C2 noun /ˈæbɪs/

abbess

abbesse (femme responsable d'un couvent)
Meaning
the woman in charge of a convent of nuns
Example
The abbess welcomed the visitors to the convent.
L'abbesse a accueilli les visiteurs au couvent.
C2 verb /ænˈtɪpəθaɪz/

antipathize

antipathiser
Meaning
to feel or express a strong dislike or aversion toward something or someone
Example
He seemed to antipathize with the new management's approach.
Il semblait antipathiser avec l'approche de la nouvelle direction.
C2 noun /ænˈtɪlədʒi/

antilogy

antilogie
Meaning
A contradiction in terms or ideas; inconsistency in speech or writing.
Example
The politician's statement was criticized for its antilogy.
La déclaration du politicien a été critiquée pour son antilogie.
C2 noun /ˌɛərəˈstætɪks/

aerostatics

aérostatique
Meaning
The branch of physics that deals with the equilibrium of air and gases and the forces acting on bodies in them.
Example
Aerostatics is essential for understanding how balloons float.
L'aérostatique est essentielle pour comprendre comment les ballons flottent.
C2 noun /ˈæntɪfɒn/

antiphon

antienne
Meaning
a short chant or verse sung responsively in Christian worship, typically sung before or after a psalm or canticle
Example
The choir sang the antiphon before beginning the main hymn.
Le chœur a chanté l'antienne avant de commencer l'hymne principal.
C2 noun /ˈæmjʊlət/

Amulet

amulette; talisman
Meaning
an ornament or small piece of jewelry thought to give protection against evil, danger, or disease
Example
She wore a silver amulet around her neck for good luck.
Elle portait un amulette en argent autour du cou pour la chance.
C2 adjective /ˌæn.θrə.pəˈdʒen.ɪk/

anthropogenic

anthropogénique
Meaning
Originating in human activity; caused by humans.
Example
Climate change is largely due to anthropogenic activities.
Le changement climatique est en grande partie dû à des activités anthropogéniques.
C2 adjective /əˈluːsɪv/

allusive

allusif
Meaning
Making indirect references or hints; suggestive without being explicit.
Example
The novel is full of allusive passages that point to classical literature.
Le roman est plein de passages allusifs qui font référence à la littérature classique.
C2 adjective /əˈθɜːrst/

athirst

asif, avideux
Meaning
Very eager or desirous for something.
Example
The explorer was athirst for adventure.
L'explorateur était asif d'aventure.
C2 noun /ˈæntɪˌtʃeɪmbər/

antechamber

antichambre
Meaning
a small room serving as an entry to a larger one
Example
The guests waited in the antechamber before being admitted to the hall.
Les invités ont attendu dans l'antichambre avant d'être admis dans la salle.
C2 verb /əˈvaʊtʃ/

avouch

affirmer
Meaning
to affirm or assert something as true
Example
He avouched his innocence before the judge.
Il a affirmé son innocence devant le juge.
C2 adjective /ˌæk.si.əˈmæt.ɪk/

axiomatic

autoévident, évidemment vrai sans besoin de preuve
Meaning
Self-evident, obviously true without need for proof
Example
It is axiomatic that hard work leads to success.
Il est autoévident que le travail acharné mène au succès.
C2 noun /ˌær.əˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/

arability

arabilité
Meaning
The quality of land being suitable for growing crops.
Example
The arability of land depends on soil quality and water availability.
L'arabilité du sol dépend de la qualité du sol et de la disponibilité de l'eau.
C2 verb /əˈbeɪs/

abase

abaisser
Meaning
to belittle or degrade someone
Example
He refused to abase himself before the king.
Il a refusé de s'abaisser devant le roi.
C2 noun /əˈbaɪdəns/

abidance

obéissance
Meaning
the act of following, accepting, or complying with something
Example
Her abidance by the rules impressed the committee.
Son obéissance aux règles a impressionné le comité.
C2 noun /ˈeɪ.viˌɛr.i/

aviary

volière
Meaning
a large enclosure for keeping birds
Example
The zoo built a new aviary for exotic parrots.
Le zoo a construit une nouvelle volière pour les perroquets exotiques.
C2 noun əˈlæk.rə.t̬i

alacrity

disponibilité rapide et joyeuse
Meaning
Brisk and cheerful readiness.
Example
He accepted the challenge with alacrity.
Il a accepté le défi avec alacrité.
C2 noun /əˈnɔɪnt.mənt/

anointment

onction
Meaning
The act of anointing, usually with oil, as part of a ritual or ceremony.
Example
The anointment of the new leader was a sacred ritual.
L'onction du nouveau leader était un rituel sacré.
C2 adjective /ænˈhaɪdrəs/

anhydrous

anhydre
Meaning
Containing no water.
Example
The chemist used anhydrous ammonia for the experiment.
Le chimiste a utilisé de l'ammoniac anhydre pour l'expérience.
C2 verb /əkˈsiːd/

accede

accéder
Meaning
to agree to a request, proposal, or demand; to assume an office or position
Example
The government finally acceded to the demands of the protesters.
Le gouvernement a finalement accédé aux demandes des manifestants.
C2 noun /ˈæpəˌlɔːɡ/

apologue

récit moral
Meaning
a short moral story or fable intended to teach a lesson
Example
The teacher used an old apologue to explain honesty to the children.
Le professeur a utilisé un ancien récit moral pour expliquer l'honnêteté aux enfants.
C2 noun /ˈiːsθiːt/ or /ˈɛsθiːt/

aesthete

esthète
Meaning
A person who has a special appreciation of art and beauty.
Example
The aesthete admired the subtle details of the painting.
L'esthète admirait les détails subtils de la peinture.
C2 noun /ˈæn.oʊd/

anode

électrode positive
Meaning
The positive electrode in a device such as a battery, where current flows into a polarized electrical device.
Example
The anode of the battery was corroded after long use.
L'électrode positive de la batterie a été corrodée après une longue utilisation.
C2 noun /ˈæsɪˌteɪt/

acetate

acétate
Meaning
a salt or ester of acetic acid; a synthetic material used in textiles and film
Example
The company produces acetate fibers for clothing.
L'entreprise produit des fibres d'acétate pour les vêtements.
C2 noun /ˈæk.rɪ.moʊ.ni/

acrimony

acrimonie
Meaning
Bitterness and anger, especially in speech or behavior.
Example
The divorce was filled with acrimony and disputes.
Le divorce était rempli d'acrimonie et de disputes.
C2 noun /əˈpɜːrtənəns/

appurtenance

accessoire / élément supplémentaire
Meaning
an accessory or supplementary part of something
Example
The garage is an appurtenance of the main house.
Le garage est un accessoire de la maison principale.
C2 adjective /ˌæk.rɪˈmoʊ.ni.əs/

acrimonious

amer et en colère
Meaning
Bitter and angry, often involving harsh words.
Example
The debate turned acrimonious after the controversial remark.
Le débat est devenu acrimonieux après le commentaire controversé.
C2 noun /əˈdɛpt.nəs/

adeptness

aptitude et habileté
Meaning
Skill and dexterity in a task.
Example
His adeptness in negotiations helped close the deal successfully.
Son aptitude dans les négociations a permis de conclure l'accord avec succès.
C2 noun /əˈpɒstəsi/

apostasy

apostasie
Meaning
The abandonment or renunciation of a religious or political belief.
Example
His public apostasy shocked his followers.
Son apostasie publique a choqué ses partisans.
C2 noun /ˈɔːrɪkl̩/

auricle

partie externe de l'oreille
Meaning
The external part of the ear; also an upper chamber of the heart in anatomy.
Example
The doctor examined the patient’s auricle for signs of infection.
Le médecin a examiné la partie externe de l'oreille du patient à la recherche de signes d'infection.
C2 verb /əˈfaɪəns/

affiance

fiancer
Meaning
to promise or pledge marriage; to formally engage
Example
They decided to affiance after years of friendship.
Ils ont décidé de se fiancer après des années d’amitié.
C2 noun /ˌækwəˈpɒnɪks/

aquaponics

aquaponie
Meaning
A system of aquaculture in which the waste produced by farmed fish or other aquatic animals supplies nutrients for plants grown hydroponically.
Example
Aquaponics efficiently utilizes water by integrating fish and plant farming.
L'aquaponie utilise l'eau efficacement en intégrant l'élevage de poissons et la culture de plantes.
C2 adjective /ˈæsənənt/

assonant

assonant
Meaning
Having or characterized by assonance; repeating similar vowel sounds.
Example
The poem is filled with assonant words that create a musical rhythm.
Le poème est rempli de mots assonants qui créent un rythme musical.
C2 noun /ˌær.əˈbesk/

arabesque

design orné
Meaning
a complex, ornate design featuring intertwined flowing lines, often used in architecture or ballet poses
Example
The ceiling was decorated with delicate arabesque patterns.
Le plafond était décoré de délicats motifs arabesques.
C2 noun /ˌæntiˈsaɪkloʊn/

anticyclone

anticyclone
Meaning
A weather system with high atmospheric pressure at its center, usually bringing calm and clear conditions.
Example
An anticyclone brought sunny weather across the region.
Un anticyclone a apporté du temps ensoleillé dans toute la région.
C2 noun /ˌædʒʊˈreɪʃən/

adjuration

supplication solennelle
Meaning
a solemn urging or appeal
Example
The priest made an adjuration for peace and unity.
Le prêtre a fait une supplication solennelle pour la paix et l'unité.
C2 noun əˈkjuː.ə.ti

acuity

acuité
Meaning
Sharpness or keenness of thought, vision, or hearing.
Example
His intellectual acuity made him a brilliant scientist.
Son acuité intellectuelle faisait de lui un scientifique brillant.
C2 verb /əˈleɪ/

allay

apaiser
Meaning
to reduce the intensity of fear, worry, or pain; to calm
Example
The teacher tried to allay the students’ fears before the exam.
L'enseignant a essayé de calmer les peurs des élèves avant l'examen.
C2 adjective /ˈæpəˌleɪt/

appellate

relatif aux appels
Meaning
relating to appeals in a court of law
Example
The case was taken to an appellate court.
L'affaire a été portée devant un tribunal d'appel.
C2 noun əˈdʒuː.dɪ.kə.tɪv ˈbɒd.i

adjudicative body

organe adjudicatif
Meaning
An official organization that has the authority to judge disputes and make decisions.
Example
The adjudicative body deliberated on the case.
L'organe adjudicatif a délibéré sur le cas.
C2 noun ˈɔː.tɑː.ki

autarky

autarcie, autosuffisance
Meaning
Economic independence or self-sufficiency; a policy of establishing a self-sufficient national economy.
Example
Some nations aim for autarky to reduce reliance on imports.
Certaines nations visent l'autarcie pour réduire leur dépendance aux importations.
C2 noun /əˈsɛt.ɪˌsɪz.əm/

asceticism

ascétisme, autodiscipline
Meaning
The practice of severe self-discipline and abstaining from indulgence, typically for religious or spiritual reasons.
Example
Asceticism has been a part of many religious traditions throughout history.
L'ascétisme a fait partie de nombreuses traditions religieuses à travers l'histoire.
C2 adjective /əˈpɜːrtənənt/

appurtenant

appartenant
Meaning
Belonging to or associated with something, often used in legal/property contexts.
Example
The right of way is appurtenant to the landowner’s property.
Le droit de passage est appartenant à la propriété du propriétaire.
C2 adjective, noun /ˈænθrəpɔɪd/

anthropoid

anthropoïde
Meaning
Resembling a human being in form; a primate such as apes and monkeys.
Example
The gorilla is considered an anthropoid ape.
Le gorille est considéré comme un anthropoïde.
C2 adjective /ˈæbdʒɛkt/

abject

abject
Meaning
extremely bad, unpleasant, and degrading
Example
They lived in abject poverty.
Ils vivaient dans une pauvreté abjecte.
C2 verb /əˈreɪn/

arraign

inculper
Meaning
to formally accuse someone in a court of law and ask them to respond to the charges
Example
The suspect was arraigned before the judge this morning.
Le suspect a été inculpé devant le juge ce matin.
C2 noun /ˈeɪʒən swɒmp iːl/

Asian swamp eel

anguille des marais asiatique
Meaning
a snake-like freshwater fish that can survive in muddy waters and is considered a delicacy in South Asian cuisine
Example
Asian swamp eel can breathe air and survive in shallow muddy waters.
L’anguille des marais asiatique peut respirer de l’air et survivre dans des eaux peu profondes et boueuses.
C2 adjective /ˌænθrəpəˈmɔːrfəs/

anthropomorphous

anthropomorphe
Meaning
having the form or attributes of a human
Example
The statue had an anthropomorphous shape resembling a human.
La statue avait une forme anthropomorphe ressemblant à un humain.
C2 adjective /ˈækwɪˌlaɪn/

aquiline

de type bec d'aigle
Meaning
curved like an eagle's beak; hooked
Example
He had an aquiline nose that gave him a distinguished appearance.
Il avait un nez de type bec d'aigle qui lui donnait une apparence distinguée.
C2 adverb /əˈmʌk/

amok

de manière incontrôlable
Meaning
Behaving uncontrollably and disruptively.
Example
The angry mob ran amok after the verdict was announced.
La foule en colère courut de manière incontrôlable après l'annonce du verdict.
C2 verb /əˈbreɪd/

abrade

usiner par friction
Meaning
to scrape or wear away the surface by friction or erosion
Example
The rough cloth can easily abrade the skin.
Le tissu rugueux peut facilement user la peau.
C2 noun /əˈmɛrɪkəˌnɪzəm/

americanism

américanisme
Meaning
A word, phrase, or practice characteristic of American English or culture.
Example
The term 'sidewalk' is an Americanism, while 'pavement' is used in British English.
Le terme « sidewalk » est un américanisme, tandis que « pavement » est utilisé dans l'anglais britannique.
C2 adjective /ˌæf.əˈrɪs.tɪk/

aphoristic

style aphoristique
Meaning
expressed in the style of a short, witty saying
Example
Her writing style is concise and aphoristic.
Son style d'écriture est concis et aphoristique.
C2 adjective, adverb /əˈfʊt/

afoot

en cours
Meaning
In progress; happening or being prepared.
Example
There are several new projects afoot in the company.
Il y a plusieurs nouveaux projets en cours dans l'entreprise.
C2 adjective /æbˈstruːs/

abstruse

abstrus
Meaning
Difficult to understand; obscure.
Example
The abstruse nature of the philosophical debate left many confused.
La nature abstruse du débat philosophique a laissé beaucoup de gens confus.
C2 noun /ˈænɪ siːd/

Ani seed

anis
Meaning
Small aromatic seeds used as a spice and for medicinal purposes, with a sweet licorice-like flavor
Example
Anise seeds are often used in traditional desserts and teas.
Les graines de fenouil sont souvent utilisées dans des desserts et des thés traditionnels.
C2 noun /əˈdjuː/

adieu

adieu
Meaning
A farewell or goodbye, often used in a formal or poetic sense.
Example
She bid her friends adieu before leaving for France.
Elle fit ses adieux à ses amis avant de partir pour la France.
C2 noun /ˌɔːskʌlˈteɪʃən/

auscultation

auscultation
Meaning
The act of listening to internal sounds of the body, typically using a stethoscope.
Example
The doctor performed auscultation to check the patient’s lungs.
Le médecin a effectué une auscultation pour vérifier les poumons du patient.