aplomb
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C2 noun /əˈplɒm/

aplomb

aplomb
Meaning
Complete and confident self-assurance or poise.
Example
She handled the difficult questions with aplomb.
Elle a gere les questions difficiles avec aplomb
C2 noun /bɒmˈbeɪ dʌk/

Bombay duck

poisson Bombay
Meaning
a type of lizardfish found in coastal waters, commonly eaten dried and salted in South Asia
Example
Bombay duck is a popular delicacy when dried and fried.
Le poisson Bombay est un mets populaire lorsqu'il est séché et frit.
C2 adjective /rɪˈprɛsəbl̩/

repressible

réprimable
Meaning
Capable of being restrained or suppressed.
Example
The movement proved to be hardly repressible.
Le mouvement s'est avéré être presque réprimable.
C2 noun /ˈhɑːstəlri/

hostelry

auberge
Meaning
An inn or lodging place, especially one for travelers.
Example
They stayed at a small hostelry near the mountains.
Ils ont séjourné dans une petite auberge près des montagnes.
C2 noun /ˈhoʊl.stər/

holster

étui
Meaning
A holder or case for carrying a gun, typically worn on a belt or shoulder.
Example
The sheriff kept his revolver in a leather holster.
Le shérif gardait son revolver dans un étui en cuir.
C2 noun /niːˈɒlədʒɪzəm/

neologism

néologisme
Meaning
A newly coined word or expression.
Example
The internet has given rise to many neologisms like 'selfie' and 'hashtag'.
Internet a donné naissance à de nombreux néologismes comme 'selfie' et 'hashtag'.
C2 noun /ˈdɛkəˌɡræm/

decagram

décagramme
Meaning
A metric unit of mass equal to ten grams.
Example
The package weighed exactly one decagram.
Le paquet pesait exactement un décagramme.
C2 adjective /ˈnjuː.trɪ.tɪv/

nutritive

nutritif
Meaning
Relating to nutrition; having nourishing qualities.
Example
The nutritive value of the fruit is very high.
La valeur nutritive du fruit est très élevée.
C2 noun /ˈɔːrzmən/

Oarsman

rameur
Meaning
a person who rows a boat, especially as a member of a racing crew
Example
The experienced oarsman rowed the boat across the river.
Le rameur expérimenté a ramé le bateau à travers le fleuve.
C2 verb /əˈdʒʌdʒ/

adjudge

juger
Meaning
to consider or declare officially in a legal or formal manner
Example
He was adjudged guilty by the court.
Il a été déclaré coupable par le tribunal.
C2 verb /ˈmɒrəlaɪz/

moralize

moraliser
Meaning
To comment on issues of right and wrong, often with an air of superiority.
Example
He tends to moralize about other people's choices.
Il a tendance à moraliser sur les choix des autres.
C2 noun /ɡreɪˈdeɪʃən/

gradation

gradation
Meaning
A gradual change from one stage, tone, or degree to another.
Example
The artist used subtle gradation of colors in her painting.
L'artiste a utilisé une gradation subtile des couleurs dans sa peinture.
C2 noun /ˌspoʊliˈeɪʃən/

spoliation

destruction
Meaning
The act of destroying or ruining something, often evidence or property.
Example
The court punished the company for the spoliation of evidence.
Le tribunal a puni l'entreprise pour la spoliation des preuves.
C2 verb /trænzˈmjuːt/

transmute

transmuter
Meaning
to change in form, nature, or substance
Example
Alchemy aimed to transmute lead into gold.
L'alchimie cherchait à transmuter le plomb en or.
C2 noun, verb /ˈæseɪ/

assay

analyse
Meaning
To test or analyze the quality, purity, or content of a substance; the act of such testing.
Example
The scientists assayed the mineral sample for gold content.
Les scientifiques ont analysé l'échantillon de minerai pour la teneur en or.
C2 verb /ˈtɪtəleɪt/

titillate

exciter
Meaning
To excite or amuse, especially in a slightly sexual or playful way.
Example
The comedian's jokes titillated the audience.
Les blagues du comédien excitaient le public.
C2 noun /ˈskɪz.əm/ or /ˈsɪz.əm/

schism

bonheur
Meaning
A division or split between strongly opposed parties, often in religion or organizations.
Example
The schism in the church led to the formation of two separate groups.
Elle n'a pas pu cacher son bonheur lorsqu'elle a reçu le prix.
C2 adjective /nɪˈfɛəriəs/

nefarious

néfaste, criminel ou moralement mauvais
Meaning
Wicked, criminal, or morally bad.
Example
The police uncovered a nefarious plot to cheat investors.
La police a découvert un complot néfaste pour tromper les investisseurs.
C2 noun /ˌtrænsfəˈriː/

transferee

cessionnaire
Meaning
A person to whom a right, property, or responsibility is transferred.
Example
The transferee must sign the contract before taking ownership.
Le cessionnaire doit signer le contrat avant de prendre possession.
C2 noun /ˈkær.ə.weɪ siːdz/

Caraway seeds

graines de carvi
Meaning
aromatic seeds of the caraway plant used as a spice in cooking and baking
Example
The bread was flavored with caraway seeds.
Le pain était parfumé aux graines de carvi.
C2 noun /ˈɡɜːrdər/

girder

poutre (en acier)
Meaning
a large, strong beam used to support buildings or bridges
Example
The steel girders held the weight of the bridge.
Les poutres en acier ont soutenu le poids du pont.
C2 noun /ˈbɔːl.səm ˈæp.əl/

Balsam apple

melon amer
Meaning
a bitter gourd vegetable with a bumpy green skin, also known as bitter melon
Example
Balsam apple is cooked with spices to reduce its bitter taste.
Le melon amer est cuit avec des épices pour réduire son goût amer.
C2 noun /ˈɪn.fɪ.del/

Infidel

infidèle
Meaning
a person who does not believe in religion or whose religious beliefs differ from one's own
Example
In historical contexts, crusaders often referred to their enemies as infidels.
Dans des contextes historiques, les croisés se référaient souvent à leurs ennemis comme des infidèles.
C2 adjective /ˌɛkspəˈdɪʃəs/

expeditious

rapide
Meaning
Done with speed and efficiency.
Example
The expeditious delivery of the package was appreciated.
La livraison rapide du colis a été appréciée.
C2 noun /kəˈrɑːləri/

corollary

conséquence directe ou naturelle
Meaning
a direct or natural consequence or result
Example
One corollary of the new policy was increased public awareness.
Une conséquence de la nouvelle politique a été l'augmentation de la sensibilisation du public.
C2 noun /ˈfɜːrnəri/

fernery

fernière, endroit où les fougères sont cultivées
Meaning
a place or greenhouse where ferns are cultivated
Example
The garden's fernery was full of exotic plants.
La ferniére du jardin était pleine de plantes exotiques.
C2 adjective /rɪˈzɪstləs/

resistless

irrésistible
Meaning
Impossible to resist; having an overpowering effect.
Example
She felt a resistless urge to laugh at the joke.
Elle a ressenti une envie irrésistible de rire à la blague.
C2 noun /wɛlp/

whelp

chiot
Meaning
a young offspring of a dog or other carnivorous mammal; sometimes used to mean an impudent young person
Example
The farmer found a wolf whelp hiding near the barn.
Le fermier a trouvé un chiot de loup caché près de la grange.
C2 verb /ˈkælsɪfaɪ/

calcify

durcir par dépôt de sels de calcium
Meaning
To harden by deposition of calcium salts; to become rigid or inflexible.
Example
Over time, the tissue began to calcify and lose flexibility.
Avec le temps, le tissu a commencé à se calcifier et a perdu de la flexibilité.
C2 noun /kɔˈrɪkə soˈbɔrnə/

Corica soborna

poisson kachki
Meaning
a small silvery fish species found in South Asian rivers, commonly used in local cuisine
Example
Corica soborna is a popular ingredient in traditional Bengali fish curry.
Corica soborna est un ingrédient populaire dans le curry de poisson bengali traditionnel.
C2 verb /lɪr/

leer

regard lubrique
Meaning
To look at someone in an unpleasant, sly, or sexually suggestive way.
Example
He leered at her in a way that made her uncomfortable.
Il l'a regardée d'une manière qui l'a rendue mal à l'aise.
C2 noun/adjective /ˈtraɪkʌlər/

tricolor

drapeau tricolore
Meaning
A flag with three colors; consisting of three colors.
Example
The French tricolor is one of the most famous national flags in the world.
Le drapeau tricolore français est l'un des drapeaux nationaux les plus célèbres au monde.
C2 noun /ˈkwɪzlɪŋ/

quisling

traître
Meaning
A traitor who collaborates with an enemy force occupying their country.
Example
During the war, he was branded a quisling for aiding the invaders.
Pendant la guerre, il a été étiqueté comme un quisling pour avoir aidé les envahisseurs.
C2 noun /ˌdɪsprəˈpɔːrʃən/

disproportion

disproportion
Meaning
a lack of balance or symmetry; an inequality
Example
There is a clear disproportion between rich and poor in many societies.
Il y a une claire disproportion entre les riches et les pauvres dans de nombreuses sociétés.
C2 adjective /laɪˈsɛnʃəs/

licentious

licencieux
Meaning
Lacking moral restraint; disregarding accepted rules of conduct.
Example
The novel was criticized for its licentious themes.
Le roman a été critiqué pour ses thèmes licencieux.
C2 noun /ɪmˈpɒs.tʃər/

Imposture

imposture; fraude; tromperie
Meaning
the practice of deceiving others by pretending to be someone else; fraudulent deception
Example
The elaborate imposture lasted for months before investigators uncovered the truth.
L'imposture élaborée a duré des mois avant que les enquêteurs ne découvrent la vérité.
C2 noun /ˈtrʌmpəri/

trumpery

nonsense sans valeur ou des choses ostentatoires mais sans valeur
Meaning
worthless nonsense or showy but worthless things
Example
The speech was full of political trumpery.
Le discours était plein de balivernes politiques.
C2 noun /ˈdæstərd/

dastard

lâche
Meaning
a cowardly or dishonorable person
Example
Only a dastard would betray his closest friend.
Seul un lâche trahirait son ami le plus proche.
C2 noun /ˌkɒməˈsɛəriət/

commissariat

service des approvisionnements
Meaning
A department responsible for supplying food and equipment, especially in the military.
Example
The army commissariat ensured that the soldiers had enough supplies.
Le service des approvisionnements de l'armée s'est assuré que les soldats avaient suffisamment de provisions.
C2 adjective ˈtɛnsaɪl

tensile

tensile
Meaning
Relating to tension; capable of being stretched.
Example
The tensile strength of the material is crucial for the construction project.
La résistance à la traction du matériau est cruciale pour le projet de construction.
C2 noun /ˈfaɪnəri/

finery

vêtements ou décorations luxueux
Meaning
expensive or elaborate clothes, decorations, or accessories
Example
She attended the party in her finest finery.
Elle est allée à la fête vêtue de sa plus belle tenue.
C2 adjective /ˌɪnkəmˈprɛsəbl/

incompressible

incompressible
Meaning
Not able to be pressed or squeezed into a smaller space.
Example
Liquids are generally considered incompressible.
Les liquides sont généralement considérés comme incompressibles.
C2 noun /ˌdɛspəˈrɑːdoʊ/

desperado

bandit
Meaning
A bold, reckless, or dangerous person, often a criminal.
Example
The sheriff was determined to capture the desperado who terrorized the town.
Le shérif était déterminé à capturer le bandit qui terrorisait la ville.
C2 noun /ræŋˈɡuːn ˈkriːpər/

Rangoon creeper

Rangoon creeper
Meaning
A climbing vine with fragrant flowers that change color from white to pink to red
Example
The Rangoon creeper covered the entire fence with its sweet-smelling flowers.
Le Rangoon creeper a couvert toute la clôture avec ses fleurs parfumées.
C2 noun /kɔːrˈteɪʒ/

cortege

cortège funèbre
Meaning
a solemn procession, especially for a funeral
Example
A cortege of mourners followed the hearse to the cemetery.
Un cortège de pleureurs a suivi le corbillard jusqu'au cimetière.
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 verb /ɪˈnəʊbəl/

ennoble

ennoblir
Meaning
to give someone a noble rank or to elevate in dignity or honor
Example
His selfless actions ennobled his character in the eyes of others.
Ses actions désintéressées ont ennobli son caractère aux yeux des autres.
C2 verb /ˈjuːləˌdʒaɪz/

eulogize

élogier
Meaning
To praise highly in speech or writing, especially in honor of someone who has died.
Example
They gathered to eulogize their beloved teacher.
Ils se sont réunis pour faire l'éloge de leur professeur bien-aimé.
C2 adjective /ˌoʊvərˈwiːnɪŋ/

overweening

arrogant excessif
Meaning
excessively arrogant or prideful
Example
His overweening pride cost him many friends.
Son excès de fierté lui a coûté de nombreux amis.
C2 noun /lɒx/ or /lɒk/

lough

lac
Meaning
An Irish or Scottish word for a lake or sea inlet.
Example
The fishermen lived by the lough for generations.
Les pêcheurs vivaient près du lac pendant des générations.
C2 adjective /səˈprɛsəbl̩/

suppressible

réprimable
Meaning
capable of being restrained, controlled, or prevented
Example
The symptoms of the disease are suppressible with medication.
Les symptômes de la maladie sont supprimables avec des médicaments.
C2 adjective /ˌʌnɪmˈpiːtʃəbl/

unimpeachable

irréprochable
Meaning
Not able to be doubted, questioned, or criticized; completely trustworthy.
Example
She is known for her unimpeachable honesty.
Elle est connue pour son honnêteté irréprochable.
C2 verb /ˈstʌltɪfaɪ/

stultify

rendre quelqu'un ou quelque chose stupide ou nuire à l'efficacité et à l'enthousiasme
Meaning
to make someone or something appear foolish, or to hinder effectiveness and enthusiasm
Example
The repetitive tasks seemed to stultify the workers' creativity.
Les tâches répétitives semblaient rendre les travailleurs moins créatifs.
C2 noun /kəˈmɛstɪbəl/

comestible

comestible
Meaning
An item of food that can be eaten.
Example
The picnic basket was full of delicious comestibles.
Le panier de pique-nique était plein de délicieuses comestibles.
C2 noun /dɪˈsɛnʃən/

dissension

dissension
Meaning
Strong disagreement or difference of opinion, especially leading to discord within a group.
Example
The meeting ended in dissension among the committee members.
La réunion s'est terminée par une dissension parmi les membres du comité.
C2 noun /ˈpoʊltɪs/

poultice

cataplasme chaud aux herbes
Meaning
a soft, moist mass of material applied to the body to relieve soreness and inflammation
Example
The nurse applied a warm poultice to his injured leg.
L'infirmière a appliqué un cataplasme chaud sur sa jambe blessée.
C2 noun /ˌɪnvəˈkeɪʃən/

invocation

invocation
Meaning
the act of calling upon a higher power for help, blessing, or inspiration
Example
The ceremony began with an invocation to the gods.
La cérémonie a commencé par une invocation aux dieux.
C2 adjective /ˈtɔːdri/

tawdry

bon marché et voyante mais de mauvaise qualité
Meaning
cheap and showy but of poor quality
Example
She wore a tawdry necklace that broke easily.
Elle portait un collier bon marché et voyante qui s'est cassé facilement.
C2 noun /ɪˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/

enunciation

énonciation, prononciation claire
Meaning
The act of saying or pronouncing words clearly and distinctly.
Example
His enunciation was clear during the presentation.
Son énonciation était claire pendant la présentation.
C2 adjective /ˈɡluː.tɪ.nəs/

glutinous

gluant
Meaning
Having a sticky or glue-like texture.
Example
The glutinous rice stuck together in the pot.
Le riz gluant est resté collé dans la casserole.
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 /ˈpɛtɪˌfɒɡ/

pettifog

discuter de futilités
Meaning
to argue or quibble over trivial matters; to engage in petty, dishonest practices
Example
The lawyer was accused of trying to pettifog instead of addressing the real issue.
L'avocat a été accusé d'essayer de discuter de questions futiles au lieu de traiter le vrai problème.
C2 verb /fɔɪst/

foist

imposer de force
Meaning
To impose something unwelcome or unnecessary on someone.
Example
He tried to foist his old books onto his friends.
Il a essayé d'imposer ses vieux livres à ses amis.
C2 adjective /dɪsˈpɛptɪk/

dyspeptic

dyspepsie, irritable
Meaning
Relating to indigestion or having a gloomy or irritable disposition.
Example
After the heavy meal, he felt dyspeptic and uncomfortable.
Après le repas copieux, il se sentait dyspeptique et mal à l'aise.
C2 noun /ˌɪlɪbəˈræləti/

illiberality

intolérance
Meaning
The quality of being illiberal; lack of tolerance or generosity.
Example
The illiberality of the new laws alarmed the citizens.
L'illibéralité des nouvelles lois a alarmé les citoyens.
C2 noun /dɪˌlæpɪˈdeɪʃən/

dilapidation

dilapidation
Meaning
The state of disrepair or ruin as a result of neglect.
Example
The old temple was in a state of dilapidation.
Le vieux temple était dans un état de dilapidation.
C2 adjective /ˈsɪbɪlaɪn/

sibylline

sibyllin
Meaning
Prophetic, mysterious, or cryptic in meaning.
Example
The old woman gave a sibylline warning about the future.
La vieille femme a donné un avertissement sibyllin sur l'avenir.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈsɛnʃənt/

insentient

insensible
Meaning
Lacking perception, consciousness, or sensation.
Example
The rock is an insentient object with no awareness.
Le rocher est un objet insensible sans conscience.
C2 adjective /ˈkɑːrpɪŋ/

carping

râleur
Meaning
continually complaining or finding fault in a petty way
Example
His carping attitude makes teamwork difficult.
Son attitude râleuse rend le travail en équipe difficile.
C2 adjective /rɪˈdjuːsəbl̩/

reducible

réductible
Meaning
capable of being simplified, lessened, or made smaller
Example
The problem is complex but reducible to a few basic principles.
Le problème est complexe mais réductible à quelques principes de base.
C2 noun /ˈɪkθiəˌsɔːrz/

ichthyosaurs

ichtyosaures (un type de reptile marin éteint)
Meaning
Extinct marine reptiles that resembled fish and dolphins, dominant during the Mesozoic era.
Example
Ichthyosaurs were swift predators of the ancient seas.
Les ichtyosaures étaient des prédateurs rapides des mers anciennes.
C2 verb /ˈlaɪ.ə.naɪz/

lionize

lioniser
Meaning
to treat someone as a celebrity or give a lot of public attention
Example
The press began to lionize the young scientist after his discovery.
La presse a commencé à lioniser le jeune scientifique après sa découverte.
C2 adjective /ˈfʌndʒəbl/

fungible

fongible
Meaning
interchangeable; able to replace or be replaced by another identical item
Example
In finance, money is considered a fungible asset.
En finance, l'argent est considéré comme un actif fongible.
C2 noun /məˈnæʒəri/

menagerie

collection d'animaux sauvages
Meaning
a collection of wild animals kept for exhibition; a diverse or strange group of people or things
Example
The circus had a menagerie of exotic animals.
Le cirque avait une collection d'animaux exotiques.
C2 noun /dɪˈstɪlər/

distiller

distillateur
Meaning
A person or company that makes alcoholic drinks or purified liquids by distillation.
Example
The distiller introduced a new brand of whiskey last year.
Le distillateur a lancé une nouvelle marque de whisky l'année dernière.
C2 noun /ˈkrɪsəndəm/

christendom

christendom
Meaning
the worldwide body or community of Christians
Example
The news spread quickly across Christendom.
La nouvelle s'est rapidement propagée à travers le christendom.
C2 noun /prəˈtuːbərəns/

protuberance

protubérance
Meaning
A rounded swelling or lump on a surface.
Example
The doctor examined the small protuberance on his arm.
Le médecin a examiné la petite protubérance sur son bras.
C2 noun /ˈskɔːrpiən fɪʃ/

Scorpion fish

poisson-scorpion
Meaning
a type of fish with venomous spines that belongs to the family Scorpaenidae
Example
The scorpion fish has dangerous spines that can inject venom.
Le poisson-scorpion a des épines dangereuses qui peuvent injecter du venin.
C2 noun /ˈkærəˌpeɪs/

carapace

carapace de tortue ou de crabe
Meaning
the hard shell covering the back of some animals like turtles and crabs
Example
The turtle withdrew into its carapace for protection.
La tortue s'est retirée dans sa carapace pour se protéger.
C2 noun /ˈmæləprɒˌpɪzəm/

malapropism

malapropisme
Meaning
the mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with amusing effect
Example
He is famous for his malapropism when speaking in public.
Il est célèbre pour son malapropisme lorsqu'il parle en public.
C2 adverb /ˈaɪsɪli/

icily

glacialement
Meaning
In a very cold, unfriendly, or hostile manner.
Example
She replied icily to his question.
Elle a répondu glaciellement à sa question.
C2 adjective /ˈmiː.di.əl/

medial

médial
Meaning
Situated in or pertaining to the middle; located toward the midline of the body or structure.
Example
The medial side of the knee is more prone to injury.
Le côté médial du genou est plus sujet aux blessures.
C2 adjective /ˈæfərənt/

afferent

afférent
Meaning
carrying impulses toward a central organ or part, especially toward the brain or spinal cord
Example
Afferent nerves carry signals from the body to the brain.
Les nerfs afférents transportent des signaux du corps vers le cerveau.
C2 adjective /ˈʃɑːpwɔːrn/

shopworn

usé / vieilli
Meaning
worn or faded from being displayed in a shop; no longer fresh or original
Example
The shopworn shoes were sold at a discount.
Les chaussures shopworn ont été vendues à prix réduit.
C2 noun /ˈlæriət/

lariat

lasso
Meaning
A long rope with a noose at one end used to catch animals such as cattle or horses.
Example
The cowboy threw his lariat to catch the stray horse.
Le cow-boy a lancé son lasso pour attraper le cheval errant.
C2 verb /pɔːrˈtɛnd/

portend

présager
Meaning
To be a sign or warning that something, especially something bad, is going to happen.
Example
Dark clouds portend a storm.
Les nuages sombres présagent une tempête.
C2 verb /ʃʌk/

shuck

éplucher
Meaning
To remove the outer covering, such as the husk of corn or shell of shellfish.
Example
She learned how to shuck oysters quickly.
Elle a appris à ouvrir les huîtres rapidement.
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 verb /lʌɡ/

lug

porter ou traîner quelque chose de lourd ou encombrant avec effort
Meaning
to carry or drag something heavy or cumbersome with effort
Example
He had to lug the suitcase up three flights of stairs.
Il a dû traîner la valise sur trois étages d'escaliers.
C2 adjective /ˈmɪn.dʒi/

Mingy

avare; pingre
Meaning
mean or stingy; unwilling to spend money
Example
He is too mingy to spend money on anything but necessities.
Il est trop radin pour dépenser de l'argent pour autre chose que les nécessités.
C2 adjective /ˌtaɪtˈfɪstɪd/

tightfisted

avare
Meaning
unwilling to spend money; stingy
Example
He is so tightfisted that he refuses to tip at restaurants.
Il est tellement avare qu'il refuse de donner un pourboire dans les restaurants.
C2 noun /ˈpærəpɛt/

parapet

mur de protection
Meaning
A low protective wall along the edge of a roof, balcony, or bridge.
Example
The soldier hid behind the parapet for protection.
Le soldat s'est caché derrière le parapet pour sa protection.
C2 noun /vərˈmɪl.jən/

Vermillion

couleur rouge-orangée brillante; un pigment de cette couleur
Meaning
a bright red-orange color; a pigment of this color
Example
The artist used vermillion paint for the sunset.
L'artiste a utilisé de la peinture vermillon pour le coucher du soleil.
C2 adjective /ˌpriːtərˈnætʃərəl/

preternatural

prétérnaturel
Meaning
Beyond what is normal or natural; extraordinary or supernatural.
Example
She had a preternatural ability to remain calm in any crisis.
Elle avait une capacité préternaturelle à rester calme dans n'importe quelle crise.
C2 noun /trəˈveɪl/

travail

travail pénible
Meaning
Painful or laborious effort; suffering or hardship.
Example
After years of travail, she finally completed her degree.
Après des années de travail pénible, elle a enfin obtenu son diplôme.
C2 noun /ˌnɒvəˈlɛt/

novellette

novellette
Meaning
A short novel or long short story.
Example
The author published a novellette as a preview of her upcoming series.
L'auteur a publié une novellette en avant-première de sa prochaine série.
C2 adjective /ɪɡˈzɔːstɪbəl/

exhaustible

épuisable
Meaning
able to be used up completely; not infinite
Example
Coal and oil are exhaustible resources.
Le charbon et le pétrole sont des ressources épuisables.
C2 noun /ˌɪkθiˈɒlədʒi/

ichthyology

ichtyologie
Meaning
The branch of zoology that deals with fish.
Example
He pursued a degree in ichthyology at the university.
Il a poursuivi un diplôme en ichtyologie à l'université.
C2 verb /ˈfjuːmɪˌɡeɪt/

fumigate

fumiger
Meaning
to disinfect or purify an area by using chemical fumes
Example
They fumigated the warehouse to kill the insects.
Ils ont fumigé l'entrepôt pour tuer les insectes.
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 verb /ɪnˈsteɪt/

instate

installer
Meaning
To set up in position, office, or authority.
Example
The board decided to instate her as the new director.
Le conseil a décidé de l'instaurer en tant que nouveau directeur.
C2 verb /bɪˈdɛk/

bedeck

décorer
Meaning
to decorate or adorn something in a showy way
Example
The hall was bedecked with flowers for the wedding.
La salle a été décorée de fleurs pour le mariage.
C2 noun /ˌkæt ə ˈnaɪn ˌteɪlz/

cat-o-nine-tails

fouet à neuf queues
Meaning
A whip with nine knotted cords, historically used for punishment.
Example
The sailor feared the cat-o-nine-tails more than the storm at sea.
Le marin avait plus peur du fouet à neuf queues que de la tempête en mer.
C2 noun /əbˈstɛtrɪks/

obstetrics

obstétrique
Meaning
The branch of medicine dealing with childbirth and care of women giving birth.
Example
She is studying obstetrics to become a specialist in childbirth.
Elle étudie l'obstétrique pour devenir spécialiste de l'accouchement.
C2 adjective /dɪˈfjuːzəbl/

diffusible

diffusable
Meaning
able to spread or be spread through a medium
Example
Oxygen is diffusible through cell membranes.
L'oxygène est diffusible à travers les membranes cellulaires.
C2 noun /ˈɛərəˌstæt/

aerostat

aérostat
Meaning
A lighter-than-air craft, such as a balloon, that is lifted by gas.
Example
The military used an aerostat for surveillance over the border.
L'armée a utilisé un aérostat pour la surveillance de la frontière.
C2 noun /ˈdʒɒs.stɪk/

Joss-stick

encens
Meaning
a thin stick of incense that is burned for its pleasant smell, especially in religious ceremonies
Example
She lit a joss-stick in the temple during her prayers.
Elle a allumé un bâton d'encens dans le temple pendant ses prières.
C2 adjective /ˌɛl.ɪˈdʒaɪ.ək/

elegiac

éligiaque
Meaning
Expressing sorrow, often for something past; resembling an elegy.
Example
The novel ends on an elegiac note, mourning the lost era.
Le roman se termine sur une note élégiaque, pleurant l'ère perdue.
C2 noun /ˈdɛkəˌɡɒn/

decagon

décagone
Meaning
A polygon with ten sides and ten angles.
Example
The geometry teacher drew a perfect decagon on the board.
Le professeur de géométrie a dessiné un parfait décagone au tableau.
C2 noun /kəˈraʊzl/

carousal

fête bruyante
Meaning
A noisy or lively drinking party or festivity.
Example
They were exhausted after a night of wild carousal.
Ils étaient épuisés après une nuit de fête bruyante.
C2 verb /rɪˈkjʊə/

recure

soigner à nouveau
Meaning
to cure again; to remedy a second time
Example
The doctor had to recure the wound after it reopened.
Le médecin a dû recurer la blessure après qu'elle se soit rouverte.
C2 verb /proʊˈskraɪb/

proscribe

interdire
Meaning
to forbid something by law or authority
Example
The new law will proscribe the use of harmful chemicals in farming.
La nouvelle loi interdira l'utilisation de produits chimiques nuisibles dans l'agriculture.
C2 noun /kɒn.tɪˈɡjuː.ɪ.ti/

contiguity

contiguïté
Meaning
the state of being in direct contact or next to each other
Example
The contiguity of the two countries facilitates trade.
La contiguïté des deux pays facilite le commerce.
C2 verb /prɪˈværɪkeɪt/

prevaricate

échapper à dire la vérité
Meaning
to avoid telling the truth by not giving a direct answer
Example
The politician began to prevaricate when asked about the scandal.
Le politicien a commencé à éviter lorsqu'on lui a posé des questions sur le scandale.
C2 adjective /prɪˈzʌmptɪv/

presumptive

présumé
Meaning
Based on probability or assumption rather than proof.
Example
She is the presumptive nominee for the party.
Elle est la candidate présumée pour le parti.
C2 noun /ˌpænəˈdʒɪrɪk/

panegyric

panégyrique, éloge
Meaning
a formal speech or piece of writing in praise of someone or something
Example
The author wrote a panegyric on the bravery of the soldiers.
L'auteur a écrit un panégyrique sur le courage des soldats.
C2 adjective /ˈbʌlbəs/

bulbous

bulbeux / arrondi
Meaning
Bulging, round, or swollen in shape; resembling a bulb.
Example
The frog had a bulbous nose and big eyes.
La grenouille avait un nez bulbeux et de grands yeux.
C2 adjective /əbˈsiːkwɪəs/

obsequious

servile
Meaning
Excessively obedient or attentive in a servile way.
Example
The waiter gave an obsequious bow to every customer.
Le serveur fit une révérence servile à chaque client.
C2 noun /ˈstrɪplɪŋ/

stripling

jeune homme
Meaning
a young man who is not yet fully grown
Example
The stripling dreamed of becoming a brave knight.
Le jeune homme rêvait de devenir un chevalier courageux.
C2 adjective /kəˈrɛlətɪv/

correlative

corrélatif
Meaning
having a mutual relationship; corresponding
Example
The increase in temperature is correlative with the melting of glaciers.
L'augmentation de la température est corrélative à la fonte des glaciers.
C2 adjective /dɪsˈkɜrsɪv/

discursive

discursif
Meaning
Tending to digress or move from topic to topic; lengthy and rambling.
Example
His discursive style made the lecture hard to follow.
Son style discursif a rendu la conférence difficile à suivre.