batten
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C2 verb /ˈbætn/

batten

fixer
Meaning
To fasten or secure something tightly.
Example
They battened down the hatches before the storm.
Ils ont fixé les écoutilles avant la tempête.
C2 verb /bɪˈsmɜːrtʃ/

besmirch

ternir
Meaning
to damage someone's reputation; to make dirty or stained
Example
He tried to besmirch her good name with false rumors.
Il a essayé de ternir son bon nom avec de fausses rumeurs.
C2 verb /ˈbaʊdləˌraɪz/

bowdlerize

supprimer les parties offensantes
Meaning
to remove or modify parts of a text considered offensive or inappropriate
Example
The editor bowdlerized the novel to make it suitable for children.
L'éditeur a baudelérisé le roman pour le rendre adapté aux enfants.
C2 noun /blɑːtʃ/

blotch

tache
Meaning
a large, irregular spot or stain, often on skin or fabric
Example
His shirt had a red blotch from the spilled juice.
Sa chemise avait une tache rouge due au jus renversé.
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 adjective /bjuːˈkɒlɪk/

bucolic

bucolique
Meaning
Relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside and country life.
Example
They enjoyed a bucolic picnic by the river.
Ils ont apprécié un pique-nique bucolique au bord de la rivière.
C2 noun /ˈbroʊɡən/

brogan

chaussure lourde
Meaning
A heavy, sturdy shoe, often made of leather.
Example
The farmer wore old brogans while working in the field.
Le fermier portait de vieux brogans pendant qu'il travaillait dans le champ.
C2 verb /bɪˈfaʊl/

befoul

souiller
Meaning
to make dirty or polluted; to disgrace or corrupt
Example
The factory waste befouled the river.
Les déchets de l’usine ont souillé la rivière.
C2 noun /blæk ˈkɑːr.də.məm/

Black Cardamom

cardamome noir
Meaning
a large aromatic spice pod with a smoky flavor, commonly used in Indian and Middle Eastern cooking
Example
Add black cardamom to the curry for a rich, smoky flavor.
Ajoutez du cardamome noir au curry pour une saveur riche et fumée.
C2 verb /ˈbɒtənaɪz/

botanize

étudier les plantes
Meaning
to study plants in their natural environment
Example
They went to the forest to botanize during their vacation.
Ils sont allés dans la forêt pour étudier les plantes pendant leurs vacances.
C2 noun /ˈbroʊmiːn/

bromine

brome
Meaning
a dark red, dense, toxic liquid element used in making dyes, flame retardants, and medications
Example
Bromine is commonly used in water treatment chemicals.
Le brome est couramment utilisé dans les produits chimiques pour le traitement de l'eau.
C2 adjective /ˈbʌmpʃəs/

bumptious

prétentieux
Meaning
Arrogantly self-assertive or conceited.
Example
The bumptious student interrupted the teacher several times.
L'étudiant prétentieux a interrompu le professeur plusieurs fois.
C2 noun /ˈbɑːrtərər/

barterer

barteur
Meaning
A person who trades goods or services without using money.
Example
The barterer exchanged fruits for some pottery.
Le barteur a échangé des fruits contre des pots.
C2 adjective /bɪˈwɪtʃɪŋ/

bewitching

ensorcelant
Meaning
charming, enchanting, or captivating in a magical or irresistible way
Example
She wore a bewitching smile that captivated everyone in the room.
Elle portait un sourire ensorcelant qui a captivé tout le monde dans la pièce.
C2 noun /ˈbɛlfri/

belfry

clocher
Meaning
A bell tower, especially one attached to a church or building.
Example
The church belfry housed a large bronze bell.
Le clocher de l'église abritait une grande cloche en bronze.
C2 noun /ˈbærəˌɡræf/

barograph

instrument qui enregistre les variations de pression atmosphérique
Meaning
an instrument that records changes in atmospheric pressure
Example
The scientist checked the barograph for pressure variations.
Le scientifique a vérifié le barographe pour les variations de pression.
C2 adverb /ˈbruːskli/ or /ˈbrʌskli/

brusquely

brusquement
Meaning
in a blunt, abrupt, or rude manner
Example
She brusquely dismissed the suggestion.
Elle a rejeté la suggestion brusquement.
C2 verb /ˈbæstərdaɪz/

bastardize

dénaturer
Meaning
to corrupt or debase something by altering it from its original form; to change in a way that reduces quality or purity
Example
Critics argue that the remake bastardized the original novel.
Les critiques disent que le remake a dénaturé l’œuvre originale.
C2 noun /boʊ/

beau

amant
Meaning
a male admirer or boyfriend; a fashionable young man
Example
She arrived at the party with her beau.
Elle est arrivée à la fête avec son amant.
C2 noun /ˌbækəˈneɪliə/

bacchanalia

fête débridée
Meaning
A Roman festival of Bacchus celebrated with dancing, drinking, and revelry; any occasion of wild and drunken revelry.
Example
The novel describes the party as a bacchanalia of excess and joy.
Le roman décrit la fête comme une bacchanale d'excès et de joie.
C2 noun /bɪˈnɪɡnɪti/

Benignity

bonté; douceur; la qualité d'être bienveillant ou gracieux
Meaning
kindness; gentleness; the quality of being benign or gracious
Example
Her benignity towards all people made her beloved by everyone.
Sa bonté envers tous les gens l'a rendue aimée de tous.
C2 noun /ˈbrɪtɪˌsɪzəm/

briticism

mot ou caractéristique de l'anglais britannique
Meaning
a word, phrase, or characteristic feature of British English
Example
The word 'lorry' is a well-known Briticism.
Le mot 'lorry' est un briticisme bien connu.
C2 noun /bəˈsuːn/

bassoon

un type de hautbois (instrument à vent en bois de grande taille)
Meaning
a large woodwind instrument with a deep sound
Example
The orchestra featured a beautiful bassoon solo.
L'orchestre a présenté un magnifique solo de basson.
C2 noun /ˈbɑːr.nɪ.kəl/

Barnacle

balane
Meaning
a marine crustacean that attaches itself permanently to underwater surfaces
Example
The old ship's hull was covered with barnacles.
La coque du vieux navire était couverte de balanes.
C2 noun /bɛk/

beck

geste de signe / petit ruisseau
Meaning
a gesture of beckoning; a small stream or brook (chiefly Northern English)
Example
The servant came at his master's beck and call.
Le serviteur est venu à l'appel de son maître.
C2 adjective, noun /bɪˈtroʊðd/

betrothed

fiancé
Meaning
Engaged to be married; a person who is engaged.
Example
She introduced him as her betrothed.
Elle l'a présenté comme son fiancé.
C2 adjective /ˈbeɪnfəl/

baneful

nuisible
Meaning
Causing harm, ruin, or destruction; deadly or poisonous.
Example
His baneful influence ruined the community.
Son influence nuisible a ruiné la communauté.
C2 noun /ˈbrɪk ə ˌbræk/

bric-a-brac

objets décoratifs
Meaning
Small decorative objects or ornaments, often of little value.
Example
The shelves were filled with old bric-a-brac from her travels.
Les étagères étaient remplies de vieux objets décoratifs de ses voyages.
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 noun /ˈbɜːrɡər/

burgher

bourgeois
Meaning
A citizen of a town, typically a member of the wealthy middle class.
Example
The burgher was respected as a prosperous merchant in the city.
Le bourgeois était respecté comme un marchand prospère dans la ville.
C2 noun /bɛl/

belle

belle femme
Meaning
A beautiful woman, especially the most attractive woman at a gathering.
Example
She was the belle of the ball that evening.
Elle était la belle du bal ce soir-là.
C2 noun /ˈbaɪpɛd/

biped

bipède
Meaning
An animal that walks on two feet.
Example
Humans are examples of biped creatures.
Les humains sont des exemples d'êtres bipèdes.
C2 verb /ˈbɜːrnɪʃ/

burnish

lustrer
Meaning
To polish something by rubbing; to enhance or improve.
Example
He burnished the old table until it shone.
Il a lustré la vieille table jusqu'à ce qu'elle brille.
C2 noun /ˈbɛvi/

bevy

troupe, groupe
Meaning
A large group of people or things of a particular kind.
Example
A bevy of swans floated on the lake.
Un groupe de cygnes flottait sur le lac.
C2 noun /ˈbɜːrsər/

bursar

trésorier
Meaning
An official in a school or college responsible for financial affairs.
Example
The bursar approved the budget for the new library.
Le trésorier a approuvé le budget pour la nouvelle bibliothèque.
C2 noun /ˈbiːtənd raɪs/

Beatened rice

riz battu
Meaning
flattened rice; rice that has been parboiled, dried, and beaten into flat flakes
Example
Beaten rice is commonly eaten with milk and sugar for breakfast.
Le riz battu est généralement mangé avec du lait et du sucre au petit-déjeuner.
C2 noun /bɪsk/

bisque

soupe de fruits de mer
Meaning
A rich, creamy soup made from shellfish.
Example
We ordered lobster bisque at the restaurant.
Nous avons commandé une bisque de homard au restaurant.
C2 noun brəˈvɑː.dəʊ

bravado

un geste de courage ou de confiance qui n'est pas réel
Meaning
Show of courage or confidence that is not real.
Example
His bravado masked his nervousness before the performance.
Son bravado masquait son nervosité avant la performance.
C2 adjective /bɪˈsɒtɪd/

besotted

fou amoureux, obsédé
Meaning
strongly infatuated or obsessed with someone or something
Example
He was completely besotted with her charm.
Il était complètement fou amoureux de son charme.
C2 adjective /ˈbreɪsɪŋ/

bracing

revigorant
Meaning
Invigorating, refreshing, or providing strength and energy.
Example
The hikers enjoyed the bracing mountain air.
Les randonneurs ont apprécié l'air vivifiant de la montagne.
C2 noun /biˈætɪtjuːd/

beatitude

béatitude, une grande bénédiction ou bonheur, souvent en référence aux paroles de Jésus dans le Sermon sur la Montagne
Meaning
supreme blessedness or happiness, often used in reference to the sayings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount
Example
She felt a state of beatitude after receiving the good news.
Elle se sentait dans un état de béatitude après avoir reçu la bonne nouvelle.
C2 verb /bɪˈɡaɪl/

beguile

charmer / séduire par la tromperie
Meaning
to charm or enchant someone, often in a deceptive way
Example
She beguiled the audience with her storytelling.
Elle a charmé l'auditoire avec ses récits.
C2 adjective /bɒmˈbæstɪk/

bombastic

pompeux
Meaning
using pompous or inflated language with little meaning
Example
The professor’s bombastic lecture impressed no one.
Le discours pompeux du professeur n'a impressionné personne.
C2 noun /brəˈkeɪd/

brocade

tissu brodé
Meaning
a rich fabric woven with a raised pattern, often in gold or silver thread
Example
She wore a beautiful brocade dress to the wedding.
Elle portait une belle robe en brocart au mariage.
C2 noun /bəˈlɛəroʊ/

bolero

boléro (une danse espagnole ou une veste courte ouverte à l'avant)
Meaning
A Spanish dance in slow triple time, or a short jacket open at the front.
Example
The dancers performed a passionate bolero at the festival.
Les danseurs ont exécuté un boléro passionné lors du festival.
C2 noun /ˈbloʊˌhɑrd/

blowhard

personne prétentieuse
Meaning
a person who brags a lot or talks in a boastful way
Example
Everyone avoided the blowhard at the party because he wouldn't stop bragging.
Tout le monde évitait le prétentieux à la fête car il n'arrêtait pas de se vanter.
C2 adjective /ˈbrætɪʃ/

brattish

gâté
Meaning
acting like a spoiled child; behaving in an annoying, self-centered way
Example
The brattish boy threw a tantrum when he didn’t get his toy.
Le garçon gâté a fait une crise de colère lorsqu'il n'a pas eu son jouet.
C2 noun /ˌbæstərdaɪˈzeɪʃən/

bastardization

dégénérescence / altération
Meaning
the act of corrupting, degrading, or misrepresenting something
Example
Critics called the remake a bastardization of the original film.
Les critiques ont qualifié le remake de bastardisation du film original.
C2 noun /bəˈfuːn/

buffoon

bouffon
Meaning
A ridiculous but amusing person; a clown or jester.
Example
He acted like a buffoon at the party, making everyone laugh.
Il a agi comme un bouffon à la fête, faisant rire tout le monde.
C2 noun /blæk biː/

Black-bee

abeille noire
Meaning
a large dark-colored bee that makes a loud buzzing sound
Example
The black-bee was buzzing around the flowers in the garden.
L'abeille noire bourdonnait autour des fleurs dans le jardin.
C2 adjective /ˈbɛlɪˌkoʊs/

bellicose

belliqueux
Meaning
Showing a tendency to argue or fight; aggressive.
Example
His bellicose attitude often got him into unnecessary conflicts.
Son attitude belliqueuse le mettait souvent dans des conflits inutiles.
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 /ˌbuː.ɡənˈvɪl.i.ə/

Bougainvillea

bougainvillée
Meaning
a tropical climbing plant with colorful bracts surrounding small flowers
Example
The bougainvillea climbing over the garden wall creates a beautiful purple display.
La bougainvillée grimpant sur le mur du jardin crée une belle exposition violette.
C2 verb /ˈbaɪfərˌkeɪt/

bifurcate

diviser en deux parties
Meaning
to divide into two branches or parts
Example
The road bifurcates into two separate paths at the hill.
La route bifurque en deux chemins séparés au sommet de la colline.
C2 noun /ˈbuːt.leɪs/

Boot-lace

lacet de botte
Meaning
a cord or string used to fasten a boot or shoe
Example
I need to tie my boot-lace before going for a walk.
Je dois attacher mon lacet de botte avant de partir en promenade.
C2 noun /ˌbɪbliəʊˈmeɪniə/

bibliomania

bibliomanie
Meaning
An extreme obsession with collecting or possessing books.
Example
His bibliomania led him to fill every room with books.
Sa bibliomanie l'a poussé à remplir chaque pièce de livres.
C2 noun /ˈbrɪɡ.ənd/

brigand

brigand
Meaning
A member of a gang that ambushes and robs people in forests or mountains; a bandit.
Example
The travelers were attacked by brigands in the mountains.
Les voyageurs ont été attaqués par des brigands dans les montagnes.
C2 verb /bɪˈleɪbər/

belabor

insister
Meaning
to argue or elaborate on a subject in excessive detail; to attack verbally or physically
Example
The professor belabored the point until the students grew restless.
Le professeur a insisté sur le point jusqu'à ce que les étudiants deviennent agités.
C2 noun /ˈbʌt.ə.flaɪ piː/

Butterfly Pea

pois papillon
Meaning
a blue flowering plant with butterfly-shaped flowers, used to make herbal tea
Example
Butterfly pea flowers turn tea into a beautiful blue color.
Les fleurs de pois papillon donnent au thé une belle couleur bleue.
C2 noun /ˈbeɪlɔːr/

bailor

bailleur
Meaning
a person who temporarily transfers possession of goods or property to another under a bailment agreement
Example
The bailor entrusted the valuable artwork to the museum for safekeeping.
Le bailleur a confié l’œuvre d’art au musée.
C2 adjective /bɪˈnaɪtɪd/

benighted

obscur, ignorant
Meaning
In a state of intellectual or moral ignorance; overtaken by darkness.
Example
The explorers were lost in the benighted forest without any guide.
Les explorateurs se sont perdus dans la forêt obscure sans guide.
C2 adjective /ˈbʊərɪʃ/

boorish

rude
Meaning
Rude, insensitive, and lacking manners or refinement.
Example
His boorish behavior ruined the dinner party.
Son comportement rude a ruiné la fête du dîner.
C2 noun /beɪz/

baize

un type de tissu en laine épais
Meaning
A type of coarse woolen cloth, often green, used for covering tables such as billiard tables.
Example
The old card table was covered with worn baize.
La vieille table de cartes était recouverte de baize usé.
C2 adjective /beɪˈkoʊniən/

baconian

baconien
Meaning
Relating to the philosopher Francis Bacon or his method of scientific reasoning.
Example
The researcher followed a Baconian approach to observation and experimentation.
Le chercheur a suivi une approche baconienne de l'observation et de l'expérimentation.
C2 noun /ˈblændɪʃmənt/

blandishment

flatterie
Meaning
flattering or pleasing statement or action used to persuade someone gently
Example
She used every blandishment to win his support.
Elle a utilisé toutes les flatteries pour gagner son soutien.
C2 noun /ˈbriːtʃɪz/

Breeckes

pantalons jusqu'aux genoux
Meaning
knee-length trousers; short pants
Example
He wore riding breeches for the equestrian event.
Il portait des pantalons jusqu'aux genoux pour l'événement équestre.
C2 adjective /ˈbræsi/

brassy

tapageur
Meaning
loud and showy in a way that lacks good taste; resembling brass in color or sound
Example
She wore a brassy necklace that caught everyone’s attention.
Elle portait un collier tapageur qui attirait l'attention de tout le monde.
C2 verb /ˈbleɪzən/

blazon

afficher
Meaning
to display prominently or vividly
Example
The slogan was blazoned across the banner in bold letters.
Le slogan a été affiché en lettres grasses sur la bannière.
C2 adjective /ˈbʌsti/

busty

à forte poitrine
Meaning
having a large or full bust; describing a woman with a prominent chest
Example
The actress was often described as busty in fashion magazines.
L’actrice était souvent décrite comme à forte poitrine dans les magazines de mode.
C2 noun /ˈbiː.təl nʌt/

Betel-nut

noix de bétel
Meaning
seed of the areca palm tree, often chewed as a stimulant
Example
Betel-nut is commonly chewed in many South Asian countries.
La noix de bétel est couramment mâchée dans de nombreux pays d'Asie du Sud.
C2 adjective /ˈbæti/

batty

fou
Meaning
crazy or eccentric in behavior
Example
The old man down the street is a bit batty but harmless.
Le vieil homme dans la rue est un peu fou mais inoffensif.
C2 noun /brəˈvjʊrə/

bravura

virtuosité
Meaning
a display of great skill and brilliance, especially in music or performance
Example
The pianist delivered a bravura performance that left the audience spellbound.
Le pianiste a offert une prestation virtuose qui a laissé le public ébloui.
C2 noun /baɪˈmɛstər/

bimester

période de deux mois
Meaning
A period of two months.
Example
The academic program is divided into six bimesters.
Le programme académique est divisé en six bimestres.
C2 noun /ˈbrɔːdˌsaɪd/

broadside

attaque violente
Meaning
a strong verbal attack or a sheet of paper printed on one side
Example
The politician launched a broadside against his opponent.
Le politicien a lancé une attaque violente contre son opposant.
C2 noun, verb /ˈbɛvəl/

bevel

biseau
Meaning
A sloping edge or surface; to cut or shape an edge at an angle.
Example
The carpenter beveled the edges of the table.
Le menuisier a biseauté les bords de la table.
C2 adjective /ˈbɔːlki/

balky

têtu
Meaning
difficult, uncooperative, or stubborn
Example
The balky printer refused to work when needed most.
L'imprimante têtue a refusé de fonctionner quand elle en avait le plus besoin.
C2 noun /ˈbæs.tərd tiːk/

Bastard teak

teck bâtard
Meaning
A flowering tree with bright orange-red flowers, also known as flame of the forest
Example
The bastard teak tree blooms with vibrant orange flowers in spring.
L'arbre de teck bâtard fleurit avec des fleurs orange vibrantes au printemps.
C2 noun /ˈbrɒŋkəs/

bronchus

bronche
Meaning
either of the two main branches of the trachea that lead directly into the lungs
Example
The left bronchus carries air into the left lung.
Le bronchus gauche transporte l'air dans le poumon gauche.
C2 verb /ˈbɪloʊ/

billow

se gonfler comme des vagues
Meaning
To swell or rise in large waves or surges; to flow outward in a rolling motion.
Example
Smoke billowed from the burning building.
La fumée se gonflait comme des vagues depuis le bâtiment en feu.
C2 verb /bɪˈdaɪzən/

bedizen

orner de manière ostentatoire
Meaning
to dress up or decorate in a showy or tasteless way
Example
She was bedizened with cheap jewelry.
Elle était ornée de bijoux bon marché.
C2 verb /bɪˈtroʊð/

betroth

se fiancer
Meaning
To formally promise to marry someone; to engage.
Example
He was betrothed to the princess at a young age.
Il a été fiancé à la princesse à un jeune âge.
C2 noun /bjuːt/

butte

butte
Meaning
an isolated hill with steep sides and a flat top, common in arid regions
Example
The travelers could see a tall butte rising in the desert.
Les voyageurs pouvaient voir une haute butte se dresser dans le désert.
C2 adjective /ˈbuːtləs/

bootless

inutile
Meaning
Useless or futile; of no benefit.
Example
His bootless attempt to fix the machine only wasted time.
Sa tentative inutile de réparer la machine n'a fait que perdre du temps.
C2 noun /ˈbɑːr.bər/

Barbar

coiffeur
Meaning
a person whose job is to cut men's hair and shave or trim beards
Example
The barber gave him a perfect haircut for his wedding.
Le coiffeur lui a donné une coupe de cheveux parfaite pour son mariage.
C2 noun /ˈbʌskɪn/

buskin

botte épaisse
Meaning
A type of thick-soled boot that reaches halfway to the knee; also associated with tragic drama in ancient times.
Example
The actor wore a buskin as part of his classical costume.
L'acteur portait un buskin comme partie de son costume classique.
C2 adjective /ˈbɪz.ən.taɪn/ or /ˈbaɪ.zənˌtiːn/

byzantine

complexe
Meaning
Extremely complicated and detailed; relating to the Byzantine Empire or its style.
Example
The new tax regulations are so byzantine that few understand them.
Les nouvelles réglementations fiscales sont tellement complexes que peu de gens les comprennent.
C2 noun /ˈbɜːrdʒɪs/

burgess

citoyen de la ville
Meaning
A citizen of a town or borough with full rights of citizenship.
Example
In medieval times, a burgess had the right to vote and hold property.
Au Moyen Âge, un bourgeois avait le droit de voter et de posséder des biens.
C2 verb /ˈbraʊˌbiːt/

browbeat

intimider / contraindre
Meaning
To intimidate or bully someone into doing something
Example
The lawyer tried to browbeat the witness.
L'avocat a essayé d'intimider le témoin.
C2 adjective /bɪˈhoʊldən/

beholden

reconnaissant ou endetté
Meaning
indebted or obliged to someone for a service or help
Example
He felt beholden to his mentor for all the guidance.
Il se sentait reconnaissant envers son mentor pour toute l'orientation.
C2 adjective /bɪˈfʌdld/

befuddled

dérouté
Meaning
confused, unable to think clearly
Example
He looked befuddled after hearing the complex instructions.
Il avait l'air dérouté après avoir entendu les instructions complexes.
C2 verb /baɪd/

bide

attendre
Meaning
to wait patiently for the right time or opportunity
Example
He decided to bide his time before making a move.
Il a décidé d'attendre son moment avant de faire un mouvement.
C2 noun /ˈbreɪziər/

Brazier

ouvrier en laiton
Meaning
a worker in brass; a portable container for burning charcoal or coal
Example
The brazier crafted beautiful brass ornaments.
L'ouvrier en laiton a fabriqué de magnifiques bijoux en laiton.
C2 noun /bɪər/

bier

châssis funéraire
Meaning
a frame or stand on which a coffin or body is placed before burial or cremation
Example
The coffin was placed on the bier during the funeral service.
Le cercueil a été placé sur le châssis funéraire pendant le service funéraire.
C2 verb /ˈbeɪɪŋ/

baying

aboyer
Meaning
making a loud, prolonged barking or howling sound, especially of dogs
Example
The baying of the hounds echoed through the forest.
Les aboiements des chiens résonnaient à travers la forêt.
C2 verb /bɪˈhuːvz/

behooves

il est nécessaire
Meaning
third person singular form of 'behoove'; means it is proper or necessary
Example
It behooves every citizen to follow the law.
Il est nécessaire que chaque citoyen suive la loi.
C2 verb /bɪˈstraɪd/

bestride

dominer
Meaning
To sit or stand astride something; to dominate over.
Example
The statue bestrides the city square.
La statue domine la place de la ville.
C2 noun /ˌbrɪɡ.əˈdɪər/

brigadier

brigadier
Meaning
A military officer rank, usually commanding a brigade.
Example
The brigadier inspected the troops before the parade.
Le brigadier a inspecté les troupes avant le défilé.
C2 noun /bɪˈtroʊðəl/

betrothal

fiançailles
Meaning
The formal engagement to be married.
Example
Their betrothal was announced to the whole village.
Leurs fiançailles ont été annoncées à tout le village.
C2 verb /ˈbækbaɪt/

backbite

médire
Meaning
to speak negatively about someone who is not present; to slander behind someone’s back
Example
It is wrong to backbite your colleagues behind their backs.
Il est mal de médire de ses collègues en leur absence.
C2 noun /ˌbræɡəˈdoʊʃioʊ/

braggadocio

comportement prétentieux
Meaning
boastful or arrogant behavior; empty boasting
Example
His endless braggadocio annoyed everyone at the party.
Son comportement prétentieux sans fin agaçait tout le monde à la fête.
C2 noun /boʊl/

bole

tronc d'arbre
Meaning
the trunk of a tree
Example
The bole of the tree was thick and strong.
Le tronc de l'arbre était épais et solide.
C2 noun /bɑːrd/

bard

poète
Meaning
a poet, traditionally one reciting epics and associated with oral traditions
Example
Shakespeare is often called the Bard of Avon.
Shakespeare est souvent appelé le poète de l'Avon.
C2 noun /ˈbɪvuˌæk/

bivouac

bivouac
Meaning
a temporary camp without tents or cover, usually used by soldiers or mountaineers
Example
The climbers set up a bivouac on the mountainside.
Les grimpeurs ont installé un bivouac sur le flanc de la montagne.
C2 verb /bɪˈfuːl/

befool

tromper
Meaning
to deceive or trick someone into believing something false; to make someone appear foolish
Example
The scammer tried to befool innocent people with fake promises.
L'escroc a essayé de tromper des personnes innocentes avec de fausses promesses.
C2 adjective /ˈbɪliəs/

bilious

bilieux
Meaning
Relating to bile or an ill-tempered, irritable disposition.
Example
He became bilious after hearing the unfair criticism.
Il est devenu bilieux après avoir entendu la critique injuste.
C2 adjective /ˈbɑː.bər.əs/

Barbarous

barbare; cruel; sauvage
Meaning
extremely cruel; uncivilized; savage
Example
The barbarous treatment of prisoners was condemned by human rights organizations.
Le traitement barbare des prisonniers a été condamné par les organisations de droits de l'homme.
C2 noun /baɪt/

bight

courbure
Meaning
A bend or curve in a geographical feature, especially a coastline, or a loop in a rope.
Example
The sailors anchored in the calm waters of the bight.
Les marins ont jeté l'ancre dans les eaux calmes de la courbure.
C2 adverb /bɪˈtaɪmz/

betimes

tôt
Meaning
early; in good time
Example
She rose betimes to finish her work.
Elle s'est levée tôt pour finir son travail.
C2 noun /bel ˈæp.əl/

Bell apple

pomme cloche
Meaning
a tropical fruit with a crisp texture and sweet taste, scientifically known as Syzygium malaccense
Example
The bell apple tree produces beautiful red fruits that are popular in tropical regions.
L'arbre de pomme cloche produit de beaux fruits rouges populaires dans les régions tropicales
C2 adjective /ˈbɛərˌfeɪst/

barefaced

effronté
Meaning
shameless and undisguised; openly bold or unashamed
Example
He told a barefaced lie in front of everyone.
Il a raconté un mensonge effronté devant tout le monde.
C2 noun /briːtʃ/

breech

La partie arrière du canon d'une arme; une position d'un bébé dans l'utérus où les fesses ou les pieds sortent en premier à la naissance.
Meaning
The back part of a gun barrel; a position of a baby in the womb where the buttocks or feet come out first at birth.
Example
The rifle was loaded through the breech.
Le fusil a été chargé par la culasse.
C2 verb /bɪˈhəʊv/

behove

être approprié
Meaning
British spelling of 'behoove'; to be appropriate or necessary
Example
It would behove the company to listen to its customers.
Il serait approprié que l'entreprise écoute ses clients.
C2 noun /ˈbɒdɪs/

bodice

corsage
Meaning
the part of a woman's dress that covers the body from the neck to the waist
Example
She wore a dress with an embroidered bodice.
Elle portait une robe avec un corsage brodé.
C2 noun /bɜːrˈlɛsk/

burlesque

burlesque
Meaning
A humorous and exaggerated imitation of a serious work; a type of theatrical entertainment involving comedy and parody.
Example
The play was a clever burlesque of traditional opera.
La pièce était une burlesque ingénieuse de l'opéra traditionnel.
C2 verb /bɪˈhuːv/

behoove

être nécessaire ou approprié pour que quelqu'un fasse quelque chose
Meaning
to be necessary, proper, or appropriate for someone to do
Example
It would behoove you to study before the exam.
Il serait approprié que tu étudies avant l'examen.
C2 noun /ˈbrɪn.dʒəl/

Brinjal

aubergine
Meaning
a large purple vegetable that is white inside; also called eggplant
Example
My mother cooked brinjal curry for lunch.
Ma mère a cuisiné un curry d'aubergine pour le déjeuner.
C2 noun ˌbaɪ.oʊ.əˈveɪ.lə.bɪl.ə.ti

bioavailability

capacité d'absorption du corps
Meaning
The degree to which a substance can be absorbed and used by the body.
Example
Turmeric's bioavailability increases when consumed with black pepper.
La biodisponibilité du curcuma augmente lorsqu'il est consommé avec du poivre noir.
C2 noun /ˈbælæst/

ballast

ballast
Meaning
heavy material used to stabilize a ship or vehicle
Example
The ship was loaded with ballast to remain steady in the storm.
Le navire a été chargé de ballast pour rester stable dans la tempête.
C2 verb /bɪˈliːɡər/

beleaguer

assiéger, harceler
Meaning
to cause difficulties, troubles, or harassment; to surround with military forces
Example
The company was beleaguered by constant complaints from its customers.
L'entreprise était assiégée par des plaintes constantes de ses clients.
C2 noun /ˈbrɛviˌɛri/

breviary

livre de prières
Meaning
A book containing the service for each day, used in Christian liturgy.
Example
The monk read from the breviary during morning prayers.
Le moine a lu du livre de prières pendant les prières du matin.
C2 noun /ˈboʊsən/

boatswain

officier de bord
Meaning
a ship's officer in charge of equipment and the crew
Example
The boatswain supervised the sailors on deck.
Le bôt-swên a supervisé les marins sur le pont.