attenuation
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C2 noun əˌten.juˈeɪ.ʃən

attenuation

atténuation, réduction, affaiblissement
Meaning
The reduction of the force, effect, or value of something.
Example
The attenuation of sound waves affects communication.
L'atténuation des ondes sonores affecte la communication.
C2 noun /əˈnæb.ə.lɪ.zəm/

anabolism

anabolisme
Meaning
The set of metabolic pathways that construct molecules from smaller units, involving tissue repair and growth.
Example
Anabolism is essential for muscle growth and tissue repair.
L'anabolisme est essentiel pour la croissance musculaire et la réparation des tissus.
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 noun /ˈeɪ.pi.ˌɛr.i/

apiary

ruche
Meaning
A place where beehives are kept, especially for commercial purposes.
Example
The farmer built a new apiary to produce organic honey.
L'agriculteur a construit une nouvelle ruche pour produire du miel biologique.
C2 verb /əˈdʒʊər/

adjure

adjurer
Meaning
to urge or command someone solemnly, often under oath or a strong sense of duty
Example
The witness was adjured to tell the truth in court.
Le témoin a été adjuré de dire la vérité au tribunal.
C2 verb /əˈɡrɛs/

aggress

agresser
Meaning
to initiate an attack or show hostile behavior
Example
The army chose not to aggress without provocation.
L'armée a choisi de ne pas agresser sans provocation.
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 noun /ˌeɪd də ˈkæmp/

aide-de-camp

officier militaire agissant comme assistant confident d'un officier supérieur
Meaning
A military officer acting as a confidential assistant to a senior officer.
Example
The general was accompanied by his aide-de-camp during the ceremony.
Le général était accompagné de son aide-de-camp lors de la cérémonie.
C2 noun /ˌæk.rəˈfoʊ.bi.ə/

acrophobia

peur des hauteurs
Meaning
An extreme or irrational fear of heights.
Example
Her acrophobia prevented her from climbing the tall building.
Son acrophobie l'a empêchée de monter dans le grand bâtiment.
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 verb /ˈæbrəɡeɪt/

abrogate

abroger
Meaning
To formally repeal, cancel, or abolish a law, agreement, or custom.
Example
The government decided to abrogate the outdated treaty.
Le gouvernement a décidé d'abroger le traité obsolète.
C2 adjective /ɔːˈrɪfərəs/

auriferous

aurifère
Meaning
Containing or producing gold.
Example
The miners discovered an auriferous vein in the mountains.
Les mineurs ont découvert un filon aurifère dans les montagnes.
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 noun /ˈæp.ɪˌkʌl.tʃər/

apiculture

apiculture
Meaning
The practice of keeping and raising bees for honey and other products.
Example
Apiculture plays a vital role in agriculture by supporting pollination.
L'apiculture joue un rôle vital dans l'agriculture en soutenant la pollinisation.
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 /ˈætəvɪzəm/

atavism

atavisme
Meaning
The recurrence of traits or characteristics from a remote ancestor.
Example
The scientist noted atavism in the child’s physical features.
Le scientifique a noté de l'atavisme dans les caractéristiques physiques de l'enfant.
C2 noun /ˈiːdʒɪs/

aegis

protection
Meaning
The protection, backing, or support of a particular person or organization.
Example
The project was carried out under the aegis of the United Nations.
Le projet a été réalisé sous l'égide des Nations Unies.
C2 noun /ˈɑːm.lət/

Armlet

bracelet de bras
Meaning
a band worn around the upper arm as an ornament
Example
The traditional dancer wore golden armlets that gleamed in the spotlight.
La danseuse traditionnelle portait des bracelets dorés qui brillaient sous les projecteurs.
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 /ˌætəlˈjeɪ/

atelier

atelier (studio d'un artiste ou designer)
Meaning
A workshop or studio, especially for an artist or designer.
Example
The painter invited us to his atelier to view his new collection.
Le peintre nous a invités à son atelier pour voir sa nouvelle collection.
C2 noun /ˈɔːɡjʊri/

augury

augure
Meaning
A sign or omen that is believed to predict future events.
Example
The dark clouds were seen as an augury of an approaching storm.
Les nuages sombres étaient vus comme un augure d'une tempête imminente.
C2 noun /əˈnjuː.ɪ.ti/

annuity

rente annuelle
Meaning
a fixed sum of money paid to someone each year, typically for the rest of their life
Example
She receives an annuity from her late husband's insurance policy.
Elle reçoit une rente annuelle de la police d'assurance de son défunt mari.
C2 noun /ˌæk.wiˈes.əns/

acquiescence

acceptation tacite
Meaning
The reluctant acceptance of something without protest.
Example
His silent acquiescence to unfair rules was surprising.
Son acceptation tacite des règles injustes a été surprenante.
C2 verb /əˈbɑː.mə.neɪt/

abominate

abominer
Meaning
to feel hatred or loathing for something
Example
She abominates cruelty to animals.
Elle abhorre la cruauté envers les animaux.
C2 noun /əˈfreɪ/

affray

bagarre publique
Meaning
A public fight or noisy disturbance that causes alarm.
Example
The police were called to break up an affray outside the stadium.
La police a été appelée pour arrêter une altercation à l'extérieur du stade.
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 adjective /ˌæntɪˈθɛtɪkəl/

antithetical

antithétique
Meaning
Directly opposed or contrasted; mutually incompatible.
Example
His views were antithetical to the values of the organization.
Ses points de vue étaient antithétiques aux valeurs de l'organisation.
C2 verb /əˈniːl/

anneal

durcir par la chaleur
Meaning
To heat and cool metal or glass to make it stronger or less brittle.
Example
The blacksmith annealed the steel to improve its durability.
Le forgeron a anilé l'acier pour améliorer sa durabilité.
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 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 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 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 /əˈvɜːr/

aver

affirmer
Meaning
to state or assert something confidently and strongly
Example
She averred that she was innocent.
Elle affirmait qu'elle était innocente.
C2 adjective /ədˈmɒnɪtəri/

admonitory

d'avertissement
Meaning
giving or conveying a warning or reprimand
Example
She gave him an admonitory glance.
Elle lui a lancé un regard d'avertissement.
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 noun /ˈɔːldər/

alder

Arbre d'aulne
Meaning
A type of tree from the birch family that typically grows in wet ground and has simple, serrated leaves.
Example
The alder trees grew thick along the riverbank.
Les arbres d'aulne poussaient épais le long de la rive du fleuve.
C2 noun /ˈæltruɪst/

altruist

altruiste
Meaning
a person who has an unselfish concern for the welfare of others
Example
He is an altruist who always puts others' needs before his own.
Il est un altruiste qui met toujours les besoins des autres avant les siens.
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 /əˈɡrɒnəmɪst/

agronomist

agronome
Meaning
A scientist who studies soil management and crop production.
Example
The agronomist suggested new methods to improve rice yields.
L'agronome a suggéré de nouvelles méthodes pour améliorer les rendements du riz.
C2 noun /ˈɑːrbərɪˌkʌltʃər/

arboriculture

arboriculture
Meaning
the cultivation and management of trees and shrubs
Example
He studied arboriculture to improve urban green spaces.
Il a étudié l'arboriculture pour améliorer les espaces verts urbains.
C2 noun /ˈɔːriˌoʊl/

aureole

auréole
Meaning
A halo or radiance surrounding the head or body, often in religious art.
Example
The painting showed the saint with an aureole around his head.
Le tableau montrait le saint avec une auréole autour de sa tête.
C2 noun ˌæb.əˈreɪ.ʃən

aberration

aberration, déviation, anomalie
Meaning
A departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically one that is unwelcome.
Example
The scientist dismissed the data as an aberration.
Le scientifique a rejeté les données comme une aberration.
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 adjective /ˌæktʃuˈɛəriəl/

actuarial

actuariel
Meaning
Relating to actuaries or their work of analyzing financial risk and uncertainty, especially in insurance and pensions.
Example
The company relied on actuarial reports to set insurance premiums.
L'entreprise s'est appuyée sur des rapports actuariels pour fixer les primes d'assurance.
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 /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 adjective /eɪˈsɛfələs/

acephalous

sans tête
Meaning
having no leader or head; headless
Example
The acephalous group soon fell into disorganization.
Le groupe sans tête tomba bientôt dans la désorganisation.
C2 noun /ænˈtɪpəθi/

antipathy

antipathie
Meaning
a deep-seated feeling of dislike or aversion toward something or someone
Example
There was a mutual antipathy between the two rival companies.
Il y avait une antipathie mutuelle entre les deux entreprises rivales.
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 /ˈɑːrtɪfɪs/

artifice

artifice
Meaning
clever or cunning devices or tricks used to deceive others
Example
The politician's charm was nothing but artifice.
Le charme du politicien n'était rien d'autre qu'un artifice.
C2 adjective /ˈæbdʒɛkt/

abject

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

antiquary

antiquaire
Meaning
A person who studies, collects, or deals in antiques or ancient objects.
Example
The antiquary spent years collecting rare manuscripts from the medieval period.
L'antiquaire a passé des années à collecter des manuscrits rares de la période médiévale.
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 /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 /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 /ˈævərɪs/

avarice

avarice
Meaning
extreme greed for wealth or material gain
Example
His avarice led him to exploit his workers.
Son avarice l'a conduit à exploiter ses travailleurs.
C2 noun /əˈmʊr/

amour

amour secret
Meaning
A secret or illicit love affair.
Example
The novel tells the story of a forbidden amour between two characters.
Le roman raconte l'histoire d'un amour interdit entre deux personnages.
C2 verb /əˈbrɪdʒ/

abridge

abréger
Meaning
to shorten a text without losing its meaning
Example
The editor decided to abridge the long novel for young readers.
L'éditeur a décidé d'abréger le long roman pour les jeunes lecteurs.
C2 noun /ˌæriˈviːst/

arriviste

nouveau riche
Meaning
A person who has recently gained wealth or status but is considered arrogant or socially unsophisticated.
Example
The business world is full of ambitious arrivistes.
Le monde des affaires est rempli d’arrivistes ambitieux.
C2 adjective /æmˈbroʊʒiəl/

ambrosial

ambrosial
Meaning
Exceptionally pleasing to taste or smell; divine.
Example
The aroma of freshly baked bread was simply ambrosial.
L'arôme du pain fraîchement cuit était tout simplement ambrosial.
C2 adjective /əˈkjuː.zəˌtɔːr.i/

accusatory

accusateur
Meaning
Suggesting blame or indicating someone has done wrong.
Example
He gave her an accusatory glance.
Il lui lança un regard accusateur.
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 noun /ˌædjʊˈleɪʃən/

adulation

adulation excessive
Meaning
excessive admiration or flattery
Example
The singer enjoyed the adulation of her fans.
La chanteuse a apprécié l'adulation de ses fans.
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 adjective /əˈstrɪndʒənt/

astringent

astringent
Meaning
sharp or severe in manner or style; also describes a substance that contracts skin or body tissues
Example
Her astringent tone silenced the noisy class.
Son ton astringent a fait taire la classe bruyante.
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 verb /əbˈskɒnd/

abscond

fuir
Meaning
to leave secretly and quickly, often to avoid arrest or punishment
Example
The thief tried to abscond with the stolen jewelry.
Le voleur a essayé de fuir avec les bijoux volés.
C2 adverb /əˈbɛd/

abed

au lit
Meaning
in bed
Example
She stayed abed all day due to illness.
Elle est restée au lit toute la journée à cause de la maladie.
C2 adjective /əˈsɜːrbɪk/

acerbic

acerbe
Meaning
sharp, harsh, or bitter in tone or taste
Example
His acerbic comments offended many people in the meeting.
Ses commentaires acerbes ont offensé de nombreuses personnes lors de la réunion.
C2 noun /əˈluː.vi.əm/

alluvium

alluvion
Meaning
Fertile soil deposited by flowing water, especially in riverbanks.
Example
The alluvium in riverbanks is highly fertile for agriculture.
L'alluvion sur les rives des rivières est très fertile pour l'agriculture.
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 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.
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 /æbˈstiːmiəs/

abstemious

abstème
Meaning
not allowing oneself much food or drink; marked by moderation
Example
She lived an abstemious life, avoiding all luxuries.
Elle a vécu une vie abstemie, évitant tous les luxes.
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 adjective /ˌæntɪməˈrɪdiən/

antemeridian

avant midi
Meaning
Relating to the time before noon; occurring in the morning.
Example
She scheduled all her important meetings during the antemeridian hours.
Elle a planifié toutes ses réunions importantes pendant les heures avant midi.
C2 adjective /ˌæp.rɪˈhen.sə.bəl/

Apprehensible

compréhensible
Meaning
able to be understood or grasped; comprehensible
Example
The complex theory became apprehensible after the professor's explanation.
La théorie complexe est devenue compréhensible après l'explication du professeur.
C2 noun /ˈɔːspɪs/

auspice

augure, patronage
Meaning
A sign, omen, or divine token; also refers to protection or support.
Example
The project was launched under the auspice of the government.
Le projet a été lancé sous l'auspice du gouvernement.
C2 noun /əˈdʌltərənt/

adulterant

adulterant
Meaning
a substance added to something else, often food or drink, to reduce its quality or strength
Example
The laboratory found an adulterant in the milk samples.
Le laboratoire a trouvé un adulterant dans les échantillons de lait.
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 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 verb /əˈbʌt/

abut

border
Meaning
to be next to or share a border with
Example
The park abuts the river on the north side.
Le parc borde la rivière du côté nord.
C2 adjective /əˈdʌltəreɪtɪd/

adulterated

Meaning
describes food, drink, or medicine made weaker or impure by the addition of another substance
Example
Authorities seized adulterated drugs from the warehouse.
C2 noun /əˈrɪə/

arrear

arriéré
Meaning
A debt or payment that is overdue and unpaid.
Example
He was sued for an arrear of rent.
Il a été poursuivi pour un arriéré de loyer.
C2 adjective /əˈkɜːrsɪd/

accursed

maudit
Meaning
Doomed, detestable, or under a curse.
Example
The villagers avoided the accursed house on the hill.
Les villageois ont évité la maison maudite sur la colline.
C2 noun /ænˈtɪfəni/

antiphony

antiphonie
Meaning
a form of music in which two or more groups or choirs sing alternately in response to each other
Example
The cathedral's architecture was designed to enhance the effect of antiphony.
L'architecture de la cathédrale a été conçue pour améliorer l'effet de l'antiphonie.
C2 noun /ˈædʒ.ə.tənt/

Adjutant

cigogne adjoint
Meaning
a large water bird with long legs and neck, also known as adjutant stork
Example
The adjutant stork stood motionless in the shallow water.
La cigogne adjoint était immobile dans l'eau peu profonde.
C2 verb /ˈæd.l̩/

addle

embrouiller
Meaning
To confuse or muddle someone’s mind.
Example
The complicated instructions only served to addle him.
Les instructions compliquées n'ont servi qu'à le rendre confus.
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 /ˌæfɛkˈteɪʃən/

affectation

affectation
Meaning
an unnatural behavior or speech intended to impress others
Example
Her British accent was just an affectation to sound sophisticated.
Son accent britannique n'était qu'une affectation destinée à paraître sophistiquée.
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 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 noun /ˈæntɪk/

antic

farce
Meaning
a playful, funny, or silly act or gesture
Example
The children laughed at the clown’s antics.
Les enfants ont ri des farces du clown.
C2 noun /ˈæmɪti/

amity

amitié
Meaning
A friendly relationship between people or countries.
Example
The treaty helped maintain amity between the neighboring nations.
Le traité a aidé à maintenir l'amitié entre les nations voisines.
C2 adjective /ˌæntɪˈmʌndeɪn/

antemundane

avant la création du monde
Meaning
Existing or occurring before the creation of the world.
Example
Some myths speak of an antemundane chaos before order was established.
Certains mythes parlent d'un chaos antémundane avant l'établissement de l'ordre.
C2 verb /əˈbɛt/

abet

encourager un crime
Meaning
to encourage or assist someone to commit a crime or wrongdoing
Example
He was accused of abetting the criminals in their escape.
Il a été accusé d'avoir aidé les criminels dans leur fuite.
C2 verb /əˈkriːt/

accrete

accumuler
Meaning
to grow or increase gradually by accumulation or addition
Example
Dust particles accrete over time to form larger celestial bodies.
Les particules de poussière s'accumulent avec le temps pour former des corps célestes plus grands.
C2 adjective /əˈkwɪzətɪv/

acquisitive

Meaning
excessively interested in acquiring money or material things
Example
The acquisitive businessman bought every piece of land he could find.
C2 noun /ˌænɪmædˈvɜːʒən/

animadversion

critique
Meaning
Strong criticism or censure.
Example
The policy attracted severe animadversion from the public.
La politique a attiré une critique sévère du public.
C2 adjective /ɔːˈrɔːrəl/

auroral

relatif à l'aurore
Meaning
Relating to or resembling the aurora, especially the northern lights.
Example
The scientists observed auroral activity in the night sky.
Les scientifiques ont observé une activité aurorale dans le ciel nocturne.
C2 noun /əˈstɪɡmətɪzəm/

astigmatism

astigmatisme
Meaning
An eye defect causing blurred vision due to irregular curvature of the cornea or lens.
Example
She wears glasses to correct her astigmatism.
Elle porte des lunettes pour corriger son astigmatisme.
C2 verb /æbˈdʒʊər/

abjure

abjurer
Meaning
to formally renounce or give up a belief, cause, or claim
Example
He abjured his allegiance to the old regime.
Il renonça à sa fidélité au vieux régime.
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 adjective /ˌæntɪdəˈluːviən/

antediluvian

désuet
Meaning
extremely old-fashioned; belonging to the time before the biblical flood
Example
His views on women are positively antediluvian.
Ses opinions sur les femmes sont positivement démodées.
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 /ˈæpəˌθɛm/

apothegm

maxime, dicton
Meaning
A short, witty, and instructive saying or maxim.
Example
His speech was filled with apothegms about life and success.
Son discours était rempli de maximes sur la vie et le succès.
C2 noun /əˈspɜːr.ʒən/

aspersion

diffamation
Meaning
An attack on the reputation or integrity of someone.
Example
He cast an aspersion on her character.
Il a jeté une diffamation sur son caractère.
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 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/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 noun /əˈɡrɒnəmi/

agronomy

Agronomie
Meaning
The science and practice of soil management and crop production, focusing on the principles of plant and soil science to optimize agricultural productivity.
Example
Agronomy focuses on soil management and crop production.
L'agronomie se concentre sur la gestion des sols et la production de cultures.
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 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 noun ˌæm.ɔː.tɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

amortization

amortissement
Meaning
The process of paying off debt with regular payments over time.
Example
The amortization schedule showed a 10-year repayment plan.
Le calendrier d'amortissement a montré un plan de remboursement sur 10 ans.
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 /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 noun /əˈnækrəˌnɪzəm/

anachronism

anachronisme
Meaning
something that is out of its proper time period, especially something old-fashioned in a modern context
Example
Using a typewriter today feels like an anachronism.
Utiliser une machine à écrire aujourd'hui ressemble à un anachronisme.
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 verb /əˈlɪtəreɪt/

alliterate

répéter le même son consonantique au début des mots dans une phrase
Meaning
to repeat the same consonant sound at the beginning of words in a phrase or sentence
Example
The poet often alliterates words to create rhythm.
Le poète allite souvent les mots pour créer du rythme.
C2 adjective /ˈeɪ.li.ə.nə.bəl/

alienable

aliénable
Meaning
Able to be transferred or surrendered, usually referring to rights or property.
Example
Property rights are alienable and can be sold or transferred.
Les droits de propriété sont aliénables et peuvent être vendus ou transférés.
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.