beck
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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 verb /ɪkˈspʌndʒ/

expunge

effacer
Meaning
To erase or remove completely, often something unwanted.
Example
He managed to expunge the embarrassing memory from his mind.
Il a réussi à effacer le souvenir embarrassant de son esprit.
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 adjective /ʌnˈtɛmpərd/

untempered

non tempéré
Meaning
not moderated or softened; lacking proper balance or control
Example
The untempered anger of the crowd caused chaos.
La colère non tempérée de la foule a provoqué le chaos.
C2 noun /broʊɡ/

brogue

chaussure robuste; accent
Meaning
A strong outdoor shoe; also a marked accent, especially Irish or Scottish.
Example
He bought a pair of stylish brogues for the wedding.
Il a acheté une paire de brogues élégantes pour le mariage.
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 noun /rɪˌkrɪmɪˈneɪʃən/

recrimination

contre-accusation
Meaning
an accusation made in response to an accusation; mutual blaming
Example
The debate quickly descended into mutual recriminations.
Le débat a rapidement dégénéré en contre-accusations mutuelles.
C2 verb /kəˈmɪz.ə.reɪt/

commiserate

exprimer de la sympathie ou de la compassion pour la malchance de quelqu'un
Meaning
To express sympathy or compassion for someone's misfortune.
Example
She called her friend to commiserate after his loss.
Elle a appelé son ami pour compatir après sa perte.
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 verb /ʧeɪf/

chafe

froter
Meaning
To make or become sore by rubbing; to feel irritation or impatience.
Example
The tight shoes began to chafe his heels.
Les chaussures serrées ont commencé à frotter ses talons.
C2 noun /ˈlɛvi/

levee

levée
Meaning
An embankment built to prevent the overflow of a river or to hold back water.
Example
The town built a levee to protect itself from flooding.
La ville a construit une levée pour se protéger des inondations.
C2 verb /ˈɛdɪfaɪ/

edify

édifier
Meaning
To instruct or improve someone morally or intellectually.
Example
Good books can both entertain and edify the reader.
Les bons livres peuvent à la fois divertir et édifier le lecteur.
C2 noun /ˌɪkθiˈɒlədʒɪst/

ichthyologist

ichtyologiste
Meaning
A scientist who studies fish.
Example
The ichthyologist discovered a new species of fish in the river.
L'ichtyologiste a découvert une nouvelle espèce de poisson dans la rivière.
C2 noun /ˈsɪniæst/

cineast

cinéaste
Meaning
A film enthusiast or filmmaker; a person deeply interested in cinema.
Example
As a true cineast, she spends most weekends watching classic films.
En tant que véritable cinéaste, elle passe la plupart de ses week-ends à regarder des films classiques.
C2 verb /seɪt/

sate

satisfaire
Meaning
To satisfy fully or to excess.
Example
The huge meal sated their hunger after the long journey.
Le gros repas a satisfait leur faim après le long voyage.
C2 noun /ˌvælɪˌtjuːdɪˈnɛəriən/

valetudinarian

personne hypocondriaque
Meaning
A person who is unduly anxious about their health or constantly concerned with minor ailments.
Example
He was regarded as a valetudinarian, always worrying about his health.
Il était considéré comme un hypocondriaque, toujours préoccupé par sa santé.
C2 adjective /ˈpjuːtətɪv/

putative

présumé
Meaning
commonly accepted or supposed; generally regarded as such
Example
He is the putative father of the child.
Il est le père présumé de l'enfant.
C2 verb /ˈɡʌzəl/

guzzle

boire goulûment
Meaning
to drink greedily or excessively
Example
He guzzled three cans of soda in a few minutes.
Il a bu trois canettes de soda en quelques minutes.
C2 noun /ˈvæləns/

valance

valance décorative
Meaning
A decorative drapery hung across the top of a window or bed.
Example
She chose a floral valance to match the curtains in her bedroom.
Elle a choisi une valance florale pour assortir les rideaux de sa chambre.
C2 adjective /ˈrɛkriənt/

recreant

lâche, traître
Meaning
cowardly or unfaithful to duty
Example
The recreant soldier abandoned his post in fear.
Le soldat lâche abandonna son poste par peur.
C2 adjective /kwəʊˈtɪdiən/

quotidian

quotidien, ordinaire
Meaning
Ordinary or everyday, especially when mundane.
Example
He focused on the quotidian details of family life.
Il s'est concentré sur les détails quotidiens de la vie familiale.
C2 adjective /ˌprɒfɪˈlæktɪk/

prophylactic

prophylactique
Meaning
intended to prevent disease or an unwanted outcome; protective
Example
The doctor prescribed a prophylactic treatment to prevent infection.
Le médecin a prescrit un traitement prophylactique pour prévenir l'infection.
C2 adjective /ˌmædʒɪˈstɪəriəl/

magisterial

magistériel
Meaning
Having the characteristics of a master or authority; commanding and dignified.
Example
The professor spoke in a magisterial tone during the lecture.
Le professeur a parlé d'une manière magistérielle pendant la conférence.
C2 adjective /ˈfrɛtfəl/

fretful

agité
Meaning
Feeling or showing distress or irritation.
Example
The baby was fretful all night and could not sleep.
Le bébé était agité toute la nuit et n'a pas pu dormir.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈdʒɛnjuəs/

ingenuous

ingénu
Meaning
Innocent, naive, and unsuspecting; showing childlike simplicity and sincerity.
Example
Her ingenuous smile revealed her genuine kindness.
Son sourire ingénu révélait sa véritable gentillesse.
C2 adjective /ˌɪndɪˈvɜːrtɪbəl/

indivertible

indivertible
Meaning
Not able to be turned aside or diverted.
Example
The judge's indivertible attention was on the case.
L'attention indivertible du juge était sur l'affaire.
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 /ˈlɪmərɪk/

limerick

un poème humoristique en cinq vers
Meaning
a humorous five-line poem with a specific rhythm and rhyme scheme (AABBA).
Example
She recited a funny limerick at the party.
Elle a récité un limerick amusant à la fête.
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 /ˌluːkjʊˈbreɪʃən/

lucubration

étude nocturne
Meaning
study or meditation, especially at night
Example
His novel was the result of long lucubration.
Son roman était le résultat de longues études nocturnes.
C2 verb /ˈblʌstər/

bluster

vantes
Meaning
to speak loudly in an aggressive or threatening way, often without real power
Example
The manager blustered about firing people but did nothing.
Le manager a menacé de renvoyer des gens mais n'a rien fait.
C2 adjective /dɪˈmjʊər/

demure

réservé
Meaning
reserved, modest, and shy
Example
She gave him a demure smile.
Elle lui donna un sourire réservé.
C2 verb /ˌriː.kəˈnɔɪ.tər/

reconnoiter

reconnaître
Meaning
to make a preliminary inspection or survey, especially of an area for military or strategic purposes
Example
The soldiers reconnoitered the area before advancing.
Les soldats ont reconnoîté la zone avant d'avancer.
C2 verb /bɪˈteɪk/

betake

se rendre à; recourir à
Meaning
to go or resort to a place or course of action, especially as a response; to apply oneself
Example
After dinner, she betook herself to her room to read.
Après le dîner, elle se rendit dans sa chambre pour lire.
C2 adjective /ˈɑːbdjʊrət/

obdurate

obstiné
Meaning
Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action.
Example
He remained obdurate despite everyone's pleas.
Il est resté obstiné malgré les suppliques de tout le monde.
C2 verb /ɛmˈbleɪzən/

emblazon

afficher de manière remarquable
Meaning
To decorate or display something in a noticeable or impressive way.
Example
The team's logo was emblazoned on their uniforms.
Le logo de l'équipe était emblazoné sur leurs uniformes.
C2 noun /ˈbɔːbəl/

bauble

bibelot
Meaning
A small, decorative trinket or ornament, often of little value.
Example
She wore a shiny bauble around her neck.
Elle portait un bibelot brillant autour de son cou.
C2 noun /ɪɡˈzɛmplɑːr/

exemplar

exemple
Meaning
A model or pattern to be copied or imitated.
Example
She is an exemplar of kindness and generosity.
Elle est un exemple de gentillesse et de générosité.
C2 adjective /prɪˈmɒnɪtəri/ or /ˌpriːməˈnɪtəri/

premonitory

prémonitoire
Meaning
giving a warning or prediction about something, especially something unpleasant
Example
He ignored the premonitory signs of illness.
Il a ignoré les signes prémonitoires de la maladie.
C2 noun /ˈbriːzˌweɪ/

breezeway

passage couvert
Meaning
A roofed outdoor passage, often connecting two buildings.
Example
The breezeway connected the house to the garage.
Le passage couvert reliait la maison au garage.
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 /daɪˈdæktɪk/

didactic

didactique
Meaning
Intended to teach, often with a moral lesson.
Example
The novel is not just entertaining but also didactic in nature.
Le roman n'est pas seulement divertissant, mais aussi didactique par nature.
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 /tʃəˈmeɪ.li/

Chameli

jasmin
Meaning
a variety of jasmine flower with small white fragrant petals
Example
The chameli flowers are commonly used to make garlands and perfumes.
Les fleurs de jasmin sont couramment utilisées pour faire des guirlandes et des parfums.
C2 noun /ˈmaɪ.nə/

Mynah

maina
Meaning
a tropical bird with dark feathers that can mimic human speech
Example
The mynah bird repeated every word I said.
L'oiseau maina a répété chaque mot que j'ai dit.
C2 adjective /ˌaɪsəʊˈθɜːrməl/

isothermal

isotherme
Meaning
Having or maintaining equal or constant temperature.
Example
The experiment was conducted under isothermal conditions.
L'expérience a été réalisée dans des conditions isothermes.
C2 noun /ˈmɒnəɡrɑːf/

monograph

monographie
Meaning
A detailed written study of a single specialized subject or aspect of it.
Example
The professor published a monograph on ancient pottery.
Le professeur a publie une monographie sur la poterie antique.
C2 noun /naɪt kwiːn/

Night queen

reine de la nuit
Meaning
a fragrant white flower that blooms at night and releases strong sweet scent
Example
The night queen flowers filled the garden with their sweet fragrance.
Les fleurs de la reine de la nuit ont rempli le jardin de leur douce fragrance.
C2 noun /sɪˈmɪlɪtjuːd/

Similitude

similitude; ressemblance
Meaning
the quality or state of being similar; resemblance
Example
The similitude between the two paintings suggested they were by the same artist.
La similitude entre les deux peintures a suggéré qu'elles avaient été réalisées par le même artiste.
C2 adjective /ˌbiːəˈtɪfɪk/

beatific

béatifique
Meaning
blissfully happy or showing great joy
Example
She had a beatific smile after hearing the good news.
Elle avait un sourire béatifique après avoir entendu les bonnes nouvelles.
C2 verb /biˈætɪfaɪ/

beatify

béatifier
Meaning
to make blessed or holy, especially in the Roman Catholic Church, to declare a deceased person to be among the blessed
Example
The pope decided to beatify the martyr for his faith and sacrifice.
Le pape a décidé de béatifier le martyr pour sa foi et son sacrifice.
C2 adjective /ɪkˌstɛmpəˈreɪniəs/

extemporaneous

dit sans préparation
Meaning
Spoken or done without preparation.
Example
He gave an extemporaneous speech at the meeting.
Il a fait un discours extemporané lors de la réunion.
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 noun /ˈmɒrəlɪst/

moralist

moraliste
Meaning
A person who teaches or promotes moral principles and values.
Example
The author was known as a strict moralist in his writings.
L'auteur était connu comme un moraliste strict dans ses écrits.
C2 noun /luːˈsɪd.ə.ti/

lucidity

lucidité
Meaning
Clarity of thought or style; the quality of being easily understood.
Example
His explanation had great lucidity, making it easy to understand.
Son explication avait une grande clarté, ce qui la rendait facile à comprendre.
C2 noun /oʊˈtɜːr/

hauteur

hauteur
Meaning
disdainful pride; arrogance
Example
His hauteur made it difficult for others to approach him.
Sa hauteur rendait difficile pour les autres de l'approcher.
C2 adjective /ˈvɜːrdənt/

verdant

verdoyant
Meaning
Green with grass or other rich vegetation; lush and fertile.
Example
The hills looked verdant after the monsoon rains.
Les collines semblaient verdoyantes après les pluies de la mousson.
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 adjective /ɪˈfjuːsɪv/

effusive

effusif
Meaning
Expressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained or heartfelt manner.
Example
She gave him an effusive welcome after his long journey.
Elle lui a réservé un accueil effusif après son long voyage.
C2 verb /ˌsuːpərˈhiːt/

superheat

surchauffer
Meaning
to heat a substance beyond its normal boiling point without it becoming vapor
Example
Engineers superheat the steam to increase the efficiency of the turbine.
Les ingénieurs surchauffent la vapeur pour augmenter l'efficacité de la turbine.
C2 noun /əˈkriːʃən/

accretion

accrétion
Meaning
The process of growth or increase, typically by the gradual accumulation of additional layers or matter.
Example
The accretion of wealth allowed him to invest in various projects.
L'accrétion de richesse lui a permis d'investir dans divers projets.
C2 noun /ˈsɛrəf/

seraph

séraphin
Meaning
An angelic being associated with light and purity, often depicted as a high-ranking angel in Christian theology.
Example
The stained-glass window depicted a seraph with outstretched wings.
Le vitrail représentait un séraphin avec des ailes déployées.
C2 noun /ˌnɛɡlɪˈʒeɪ/

negligee

peignoir léger en soie
Meaning
A woman's light dressing gown, often made of thin or silky material.
Example
She wore a silk negligee before going to bed.
Elle portait un peignoir en soie avant de se coucher.
C2 adjective /ˈæfəbəl/

affable

affable
Meaning
friendly, easy to talk to, and pleasant in manner
Example
He is such an affable host that everyone feels comfortable at his parties.
C'est un hôte tellement affable que tout le monde se sent à l'aise à ses fêtes.
C2 noun /ˈpɜːrtnəs/

pertness

effronterie
Meaning
boldness or forwardness in speech or behavior; sauciness
Example
Her pertness during the meeting surprised everyone.
Son effronterie lors de la réunion a surpris tout le monde.
C2 adjective /luːˈɡuːbriəs/

lugubrious

lugubre
Meaning
looking or sounding sad and dismal
Example
His lugubrious expression made everyone feel uneasy.
Son expression lugubre a mis tout le monde mal à l'aise.
C2 verb /dɪsˈbɜːrdən/

disburden

délester
Meaning
to relieve someone of a burden or load
Example
She disburdened herself of worries by sharing them with her friend.
Elle s'est libérée de ses soucis en les partageant avec son amie.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈflæpəbəl/

unflappable

imperturbable
Meaning
calm and composed, especially in difficult situations
Example
Despite the crisis, he remained unflappable and confident.
Malgré la crise, il est resté imperturbable et confiant.
C2 noun /ˈsɪnəd/

synod

synode
Meaning
An assembly of the clergy in a Christian church convened to decide on issues of doctrine or administration.
Example
The synod gathered to discuss reforms in the church.
Le synode s'est réuni pour discuter des réformes dans l'église.
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 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 adjective /ˌoʊpəˈlɛsənt/

opalescent

opalescent
Meaning
showing or reflecting a milky, iridescent light like an opal
Example
The opalescent sky glowed with shades of pink and blue.
Le ciel opalescent brillait avec des nuances de rose et de bleu.
C2 adjective /ˈek.wə.bəl/

Equable

équilibré
Meaning
calm and even-tempered; not easily disturbed
Example
He maintained an equable temperament throughout the crisis.
Il a maintenu un tempérament équable tout au long de la crise.
C2 noun /bəˈkuːl/

Bakul

fleur bakul
Meaning
a fragrant white flower native to South Asia, scientifically known as Mimusops elengi
Example
The sweet fragrance of bakul flowers filled the evening air in the village.
La douce fragrance des fleurs bakul a rempli l'air du soir dans le village.
C2 adjective /ˌdaɪəˈtɒmɪk/

diatomic

diatomique
Meaning
Consisting of two atoms.
Example
Oxygen is a diatomic molecule.
L'oxygène est une molécule diatomique.
C2 adjective /ˈkoʊltɪʃ/

coltish

fougueux
Meaning
Playful, energetic, and not fully mature or disciplined.
Example
The coltish boy ran around the field without a care.
Le garçon fougueux courait autour du champ sans souci.
C2 noun /ˈhɒdʒ.pɒdʒ/

hodgepodge

mélange confus
Meaning
A confusing mixture of different things; a jumble.
Example
The essay was a hodgepodge of unrelated ideas.
L'essai était un mélange confus d'idées non liées.
C2 verb /ˈnɪtˌpɪk/

nitpick

chercher des défauts
Meaning
To find and criticize small or unimportant faults in someone or something.
Example
She tends to nitpick about every little detail.
Elle a tendance à critiquer chaque petit détail.
C2 noun /ˈsaʊər wʊd ˈæp.əl/

Sour wood apple

pomme d'éléphant
Meaning
a tropical fruit with hard shell and tangy flesh; elephant apple
Example
The sour wood apple has a unique taste that many people enjoy.
La pomme d'éléphant a un goût unique que beaucoup de gens apprécient.
C2 noun /dɪˈpɔːrtmənt/

deportment

comportement
Meaning
A person's behavior or manners, especially in a formal situation.
Example
Her deportment during the ceremony impressed everyone.
Son comportement pendant la cérémonie a impressionné tout le monde.
C2 noun /ɡɑːrˈdiː.ni.ə/

Gardenia

gardénia
Meaning
a white or yellow fragrant flower with waxy petals
Example
The gardenia bush produced beautiful white flowers with a lovely scent.
Le buisson de gardénia a produit de belles fleurs blanches avec un parfum charmant.
C2 noun /ˈɛpəʊd/

epode

une forme de poème lyrique
Meaning
A form of lyric poem written in couplets, often following a strophe and antistrophe in classical Greek poetry.
Example
The poet concluded his ode with a striking epode.
Le poète a conclu son ode avec un épode frappant.
C2 noun /ˈpætrɪsaɪd/

patricide

patricide
Meaning
The act of killing one's own father.
Example
The ancient myth describes a son committing patricide to take the throne.
Le mythe ancien décrit un fils commettant un patricide pour prendre le trône.
C2 noun /ˈɪndɪkənt/

indicant

indicateur
Meaning
Something that indicates or points to a fact or condition.
Example
High fever is often an indicant of infection.
La fièvre élevée est souvent un indicateur d'infection.
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 /ˌɪn.trəˈɡreʃ.ən/

introgression

introgression génétique
Meaning
The transfer of genetic information from one species to another through repeated backcrossing.
Example
Introgression plays a significant role in plant breeding.
L'introgression joue un rôle important dans la reproduction des plantes.
C2 adjective /ˌɪndɪˈtɜːrmənət/

indeterminate

indéterminé
Meaning
Not exactly known, defined, or established; vague or uncertain.
Example
The project was delayed for an indeterminate amount of time.
Le projet a été retardé pour une période indéterminée.
C2 noun /ˌɔːrnɪˈθɑːlədʒi/

ornithology

ornithologie
Meaning
the scientific study of birds
Example
She pursued ornithology to understand the migration patterns of birds.
Elle a poursuivi l'ornithologie pour comprendre les schémas de migration des oiseaux.
C2 noun /ˈfrækɑː/

fracas

bagarre
Meaning
A noisy disturbance or quarrel.
Example
The fracas outside the bar drew the attention of the police.
La bagarre à l'extérieur du bar a attiré l'attention de la police.
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 adjective /ˈmɒθ ˌiːtən/

moth-eaten

mangé par les mites
Meaning
Damaged or worn out, especially by moths or age.
Example
He wore a moth-eaten sweater on the cold day.
Il portait un pull mangé par les mites par une journée froide.
C2 adjective /ˈmɪnətɔːri/

minatory

menaçant
Meaning
Expressing a threat; menacing.
Example
The criminal gave the witness a minatory look.
Le criminel a donné au témoin un regard menaçant.
C2 noun /ˌlæs.əˈreɪ.ʃən/

laceration

coupure profonde
Meaning
a deep cut or tear in skin or flesh
Example
He needed stitches for a laceration on his leg.
Il avait besoin de points pour une coupure profonde à sa jambe.
C2 noun /ˌvɛrɪsɪˈmɪlɪtjuːd/

verisimilitude

véracité
Meaning
the appearance of being true or real
Example
The movie was praised for its verisimilitude to actual events.
Le film a été salué pour sa véracité par rapport aux événements réels.
C2 noun /ˈrɪɡməˌroʊl/

rigmarole

perte de temps
Meaning
a long, complicated, and confusing process or story
Example
Getting a visa was such a rigmarole of paperwork and interviews.
Obtenir un visa a été une perte de temps entre papiers et entretiens.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈtiːtʃəbəl/

unteachable

impossible à enseigner
Meaning
not able or willing to learn; resistant to instruction or guidance
Example
He was so stubborn that he became almost unteachable.
Il était si têtu qu’il est devenu presque impossible à enseigner.
C2 noun /ɔːrˈθɑːɡrəfi/

orthography

orthographe
Meaning
The conventional spelling system of a language.
Example
English orthography can be confusing for learners.
L'orthographe anglaise peut être déroutante pour les apprenants.
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 /wɜːrl/

whorl

spirale
Meaning
A pattern of spirals or concentric circles, often found in fingerprints, shells, or flowers.
Example
The fingerprint displayed a clear whorl pattern.
L'empreinte digitale affichait un motif clair de spirale.
C2 noun /ˈɛlɪdʒi/

elegy

élegie
Meaning
A poem or song expressing sorrow, especially for someone who has died.
Example
The poet wrote an elegy for his late friend.
Le poète a écrit une élégie pour son ami défunt.
C2 verb /kənˈdʒɔɪn/

conjoin

joindre
Meaning
to join together or unite; to combine
Example
The two rivers conjoin just before reaching the sea.
Les deux rivières se rejoignent juste avant d'atteindre la mer.
C2 verb /fɔːrˈfɛnd/

forfend

protéger, défendre, prévenir
Meaning
to protect or defend against something undesirable; to prevent
Example
May good fortune forfend any danger from our journey.
Que la bonne fortune protège contre tout danger durant notre voyage.
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 adjective, noun /pləˈbiːən/

plebeian

personne commune
Meaning
common, ordinary, or belonging to the lower social classes
Example
The festival was enjoyed by both plebeian and noble citizens.
Le festival a été apprécié tant par les plébéiens que par les citoyens nobles.
C2 noun /ˈhɔːθɔːrn/

hawthorn

arbuste épineux
Meaning
A thorny shrub or small tree with white or pink flowers, often used for hedges.
Example
The garden was lined with blooming hawthorn bushes.
Le jardin était bordé de buissons de prunelliers en fleurs.
C2 noun /ˌdeɪnuːˈmɒ̃/

denouement

dénouement
Meaning
The final resolution or conclusion of a story, drama, or complicated situation.
Example
The novel's denouement was both surprising and satisfying.
Le dénouement du roman était à la fois surprenant et satisfaisant.
C2 noun /ˌsuː.pər.əˈbʌn.dəns/

superabundance

superabondance
Meaning
An excessive or overflowing amount of something.
Example
The garden was filled with a superabundance of flowers.
Le jardin était rempli d'une superabondance de fleurs.
C2 noun /pərˈsɪpiəns/

percipience

capacité de perception
Meaning
The ability to perceive, understand, or notice things quickly.
Example
His percipience in reading people made him a great negotiator.
Sa capacité de perception en lisant les gens a fait de lui un excellent négociateur.
C2 adjective /ˈfrɒθi/

frothy

mousseux
Meaning
Full of or covered with small bubbles; light and insubstantial.
Example
She ordered a cup of frothy cappuccino.
Elle a commandé une tasse de cappuccino mousseux.
C2 noun /ˈmɪn.i.ən/

minion

minion
Meaning
A follower or underling of a powerful person, especially a servile one.
Example
The dictator was surrounded by loyal minions who carried out his orders.
Le dictateur était entouré de ministres fidèles qui exécutaient ses ordres.
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 /njʊˈrældʒə/

neuralgia

douleur nerveuse
Meaning
intense, often intermittent pain along a nerve pathway
Example
The patient suffers from neuralgia in her face.
Le patient souffre de névralgie dans son visage.
C2 noun /ˈsælvoʊ/

salvo

salve
Meaning
A simultaneous discharge of guns or release of bombs; a sudden outburst of cheers or applause.
Example
The soldiers fired a salvo to honor the fallen general.
Les soldats ont tiré une salve pour honorer le général décédé.
C2 noun /ˈpælɪˌnoʊd/

palinode

palinodie
Meaning
a poem or statement in which the writer retracts something said in an earlier work
Example
The poet wrote a palinode to apologize for his earlier harsh words.
Le poète a écrit une palinodie pour s'excuser de ses paroles sévères précédentes.
C2 adjective /ˈhʌski/

husky

rauque
Meaning
deep, rough, and slightly hoarse voice; also refers to a strong and sturdy build
Example
He spoke in a husky voice after shouting all day.
Il a parlé d'une voix rauque après avoir crié toute la journée.
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 noun /səˈvɑːnt/

savant

bonheur
Meaning
a learned person, especially a distinguished scientist or scholar; sometimes used in the phrase ‘savant syndrome’ for someone with exceptional abilities alongside developmental differences
Example
The conference keynote was delivered by a linguistic savant who studies endangered languages.
Elle ne pouvait cacher sa bonheur lorsqu'elle a reçu le prix.
C2 adjective /koʊˈiːvəl/

coeval

contemporain
Meaning
Having the same age, date of origin, or duration; contemporary.
Example
The philosopher was coeval with the rise of modern science.
Le philosophe était contemporain avec l'essor de la science moderne.
C2 noun /dæmˈneɪ.ʃən/

Damnation

damnation éternelle; destruction
Meaning
condemnation to eternal punishment in hell; something that causes ruin or failure
Example
The preacher spoke about salvation and damnation in his sermon.
Le prédicateur a parlé du salut et de la damnation dans son sermon.
C2 adjective /ˈhæriːd/

harried

épuisé ou stressé
Meaning
feeling strained or stressed due to being overworked or constantly bothered
Example
The harried teacher struggled to calm the noisy classroom.
L'enseignant épuisé luttait pour calmer la salle de classe bruyante.
C2 noun dʒɛsˌtɪk.jʊˈleɪ.ʃənz

gesticulations

gesticulations
Meaning
Expressive hand or body movements while speaking to convey thoughts or emotions
Example
His energetic gesticulations made the speech more engaging.
Ses gesticulations énergiques ont rendu le discours plus captivant.