beeline
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C2 noun /ˈbiːlaɪn/

beeline

ligne droite
Meaning
a straight, direct route to a destination
Example
He made a beeline for the food table as soon as he entered the party.
Il a fait une ligne droite vers la table de nourriture dès qu'il est entré à la fête.
C2 noun /ˈtɒksɪn/

tocsin

cloche d'alarme
Meaning
an alarm bell or signal; a warning that something bad is about to happen
Example
The data breach sounded a tocsin for stricter security.
La fuite de données a retenti comme une cloche d'alarme pour une sécurité renforcée.
C2 adjective /ˌsɛm.iˈsɪv.ə.laɪzd/

semicivilized

semi-civilisé
Meaning
Partially civilized; having some aspects of civilization but not fully developed.
Example
The tribe was described as semicivilized by early explorers.
La tribu a été décrite comme semi-civilisée par les premiers explorateurs.
C2 verb /ˈstræɡəl/

straggle

se déplacer de manière irrégulière
Meaning
To move or spread in an irregular, scattered, or untidy way.
Example
The children began to straggle behind on the long hike.
Les enfants ont commencé à traîner derrière pendant la longue randonnée.
C2 adjective /ˌsɒpəˈrɪfɪk/

soporific

bonheur
Meaning
tending to induce drowsiness or sleep; causing sleepiness
Example
The professor's lecture was so soporific that half the class fell asleep.
Elle ne pouvait pas cacher son bonheur lorsqu'elle a reçu le prix.
C2 verb /ɪkˈstɛnjueɪt/

extenuate

excuser
Meaning
to make an offense, fault, or situation seem less serious by providing an excuse or explanation
Example
The lawyer tried to extenuate his client's actions by highlighting his difficult childhood.
L'avocat a essayé d'excuser les actions de son client en mettant en lumière son enfance difficile.
C2 adjective /ˈrɛd.ələnt/

redolent

odorant
Meaning
having a strong pleasant smell; strongly reminiscent or suggestive of something
Example
The kitchen was redolent of spices and fresh herbs.
La cuisine était odorante d'épices et d'herbes fraîches.
C2 adjective /ˈoʊdiəs/

odious

odieux
Meaning
extremely unpleasant or repulsive
Example
The dictator was remembered for his odious crimes.
Le dictateur a été rappelé pour ses crimes odieux.
C2 adjective /rɪˈfræktəri/

refractory

réfractaire
Meaning
Stubborn or resistant to control, authority, or treatment.
Example
The refractory child refused to follow the teacher's instructions.
L'enfant réfractaire a refusé de suivre les instructions du professeur.
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 /kənˈtjuː.ʒən/

contusion

contusion, ecchymose
Meaning
a bruise or injury without breaking the skin
Example
The boxer had several contusions after the match.
Le boxeur avait plusieurs contusions après le match.
C2 adjective /ɪmˈpɛn.ɪ.tənt/

impenitent

impénitent
Meaning
Not feeling regret or shame about one's actions.
Example
The criminal remained impenitent after the trial.
Le criminel est resté impénitent après le procès.
C2 noun /ˌɔːltərˈkeɪʃən/

altercation

altercation, dispute
Meaning
a noisy argument or quarrel
Example
There was a brief altercation between the two drivers.
Il y a eu une brève altercation entre les deux conducteurs.
C2 verb /bɪˈlaɪ/

belie

démentir
Meaning
To give a false impression of something; to contradict.
Example
His calm face belied his inner anxiety.
Son visage calme démentait son anxiété intérieure.
C2 noun /vəˈrɑːɡoʊ/

virago

femme autoritaire ou agressive
Meaning
a loud, overbearing woman; historically, a strong or courageous woman
Example
The play depicted the heroine as a fierce virago who defied tradition.
La pièce a dépeint l'héroïne comme une virago féroce qui défiait la tradition.
C2 noun /vɜːrˈtuː/

virtu

goût pour l'art
Meaning
a love of or taste for fine art, antiques, or curiosities
Example
The collector’s house was filled with objects of virtu.
La maison du collectionneur était remplie d'objets de virtu.
C2 adjective /ɛɡˈzɪɡjuəs/

exiguous

exigu
Meaning
small in amount; scanty or inadequate
Example
They survived on exiguous rations during the journey.
Ils ont survécu avec des rations exiguës pendant le voyage.
C2 noun /ˈmænˌtræp/

man-trap

piège à homme
Meaning
A trap designed to catch or injure humans; informally, a woman considered dangerously attractive.
Example
The old castle had a man-trap at the entrance.
Le vieux château avait un piège à homme à l'entrée.
C2 noun /pəˈtruːn/

poltroon

lâche
Meaning
a cowardly person
Example
He acted like a poltroon during the crisis.
Il a agi comme un lâche pendant la crise.
C2 verb /bɪˈwɪtʃ/

bewitch

envoûter
Meaning
to enchant or fascinate someone as if by magic
Example
The dancer's performance bewitched the audience.
La performance de la danseuse a enchanté le public.
C2 adjective kaɪˈmɛr.ɪ.kəl

chimerical

chimérique, irréalisable
Meaning
Illusory or impossible to achieve; existing only in imagination.
Example
His chimerical ideas often baffled realists.
Ses idées chimériques déconcertent souvent les réalistes.
C2 adjective /ˈfætʃuəs/

fatuous

fatuo
Meaning
silly or foolish, especially in a self-satisfied way
Example
His fatuous comments during the meeting annoyed everyone.
Ses commentaires fatuos pendant la réunion ont agacé tout le monde.
C2 verb /ˈfrɪzəl/

frizzle

frire jusqu'à ce que cela devienne croustillant et frisé
Meaning
to fry something until it becomes crisp and curled, or to make a sizzling noise
Example
The bacon began to frizzle in the pan.
Le bacon a commencé à crépiter dans la poêle.
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 /aɪˈtɪnərənt/

itinerant

itinérant
Meaning
Traveling from place to place, especially for work or duty.
Example
The itinerant teacher moved from village to village to educate children.
L'enseignant itinérant se déplaçait de village en village pour enseigner aux enfants.
C2 noun /ˈpɛntæd/

pentad

groupe de cinq
Meaning
A group or set of five things.
Example
The committee was divided into a pentad of working groups.
Le comité a été divisé en cinq groupes de travail.
C2 noun /ˌæŋɡləˈfoʊbiə/

anglophobia

anglophobie
Meaning
Dislike or fear of England, English people, or English culture.
Example
The politician was accused of promoting Anglophobia in his speeches.
Le politicien a été accusé de promouvoir l'anglophobie dans ses discours.
C2 adverb /ɪnˈdjuːbɪtəbli/

indubitably

indubitablement
Meaning
Without a doubt; certainly.
Example
She is indubitably the best candidate for the job.
Elle est indubitablement la meilleure candidate pour le poste.
C2 noun /mʌsk/

Musk

musc
Meaning
a strong-smelling substance secreted by certain animals, used in perfumes and traditional medicine
Example
The perfume contained natural musk that gave it an exotic fragrance.
Le parfum contenait du musc naturel qui lui a donné un parfum exotique.
C2 noun ˈdɒɡ.ɪd.nəs

doggedness

persévérance
Meaning
Stubborn persistence in achieving something without giving up.
Example
His doggedness in pursuing his goals was inspiring.
Sa persévérance dans la poursuite de ses objectifs était inspirante.
C2 adjective /blɑːˈzeɪ/

blase

blasé, indifférent
Meaning
unimpressed or indifferent to something because it has been experienced so often before
Example
After years of luxury travel, she felt blase about another trip to Paris.
Après des années de voyages de luxe, elle se sentit blasée par un autre voyage à Paris.
C2 verb /ˈdɒɡmətaɪz/

dogmatize

dogmatiser
Meaning
To state opinions or beliefs as if they were absolute truths.
Example
The professor tended to dogmatize on political issues.
Le professeur avait tendance à dogmatiser sur les questions politiques.
C2 noun /mɔːrˈtɪʃən/

mortician

employé des pompes funèbres
Meaning
a person whose job is to prepare dead bodies for burial or cremation and to arrange funerals
Example
The mortician prepared the body for the funeral service.
L'employé des pompes funèbres a préparé le corps pour le service funéraire.
C2 noun /ˈspæŋɡəl/

spangle

paillettes
Meaning
A small shiny piece of metal or plastic used for decoration on clothes.
Example
Her dress was covered with silver spangles that glittered in the light.
Sa robe était couverte de paillettes argentées qui brillaient à la lumière.
C2 adjective /ˌmɛrəˈtrɪʃəs/

meretricious

artificiel
Meaning
apparently attractive but having no real value or integrity.
Example
The design was flashy but meretricious.
Le design était flashy mais artificiel.
C2 adjective /ˌʌn.təˈwɔːrd/

untoward

inattendu
Meaning
Unexpected and inappropriate or inconvenient.
Example
The meeting ended without any untoward incidents.
La réunion s'est terminée sans incidents inattendus.
C2 noun /ˌɪnkrɪˈdjuːləti/

incredulity

incrédulité
Meaning
the state of being unwilling or unable to believe something
Example
She looked at him with incredulity after hearing the strange story.
Elle le regarda avec incrédulité après avoir entendu l'histoire étrange.
C2 noun /ˌmjuːtəˈbɪləti/

mutablility

mutabilité (faute d'orthographe)
Meaning
A misspelled form of 'mutability', meaning the quality of being changeable.
Example
The document contained the misspelled word 'mutablility' instead of 'mutability'.
Le document contenait le mot mal écrit 'mutablility' au lieu de 'mutability'.
C2 adjective /dɪˈklæməˌtɔri/

declamatory

style déclamatoire
Meaning
speaking in a loud, rhetorical, or dramatic way
Example
The politician’s declamatory style impressed some but irritated others.
Le style déclamatoire du politicien a impressionné certains, mais irrité d'autres.
C2 adjective /ˌʌnɪkˈsɛpʃənəbl/

unexceptionable

irréprochable
Meaning
Not open to objection; acceptable and unobjectionable
Example
His behavior was unexceptionable throughout the event.
Son comportement était irréprochable tout au long de l'événement.
C2 verb /bɪˈtaɪd/

betide

arriver
Meaning
to happen or occur, usually of something that befalls someone
Example
Woe betide anyone who breaks the rules.
Quiconque enfreint les règles, subira les conséquences.
C2 noun /ˈpɑːrsɪmoʊni/

parsimony

avarice
Meaning
extreme unwillingness to spend money or use resources
Example
His parsimony was evident in the way he avoided any unnecessary expenses.
Son avarice était évidente dans la façon dont il évitait toute dépense inutile.
C2 noun /ˈmaʊntɪˌbæŋk/

mountebank

charlatan
Meaning
A charlatan or trickster who deceives others, often for personal gain.
Example
The crowd was fooled by the mountebank’s false promises.
La foule a été trompée par les fausses promesses du charlatan.
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 noun /ˈfærɪsiː/

pharisee

personne hypocrite
Meaning
A member of an ancient Jewish sect; by extension, a self-righteous or hypocritical person.
Example
He acted like a pharisee, judging others while ignoring his own faults.
Il agissait comme un pharisien, jugeant les autres tout en ignorant ses propres défauts.
C2 adjective /əˈsɛt.ɪk/

ascetic

ascétique
Meaning
Practicing strict self-denial and abstaining from worldly pleasures, often for religious reasons.
Example
He lived an ascetic life in the mountains, far from worldly comforts.
Il vivait une vie ascétique dans les montagnes, loin des conforts mondains.
C2 adjective /juːˈnɪsənənt/

unisonant

harmonieux
Meaning
Sounding together or in harmony.
Example
The unisonant voices created a powerful effect.
Les voix harmonieuses ont créé un effet puissant.
C2 adjective /ˈmɔːrdənt/

mordant

mordant, critique ou sarcastique
Meaning
Having a sharp, critical, or biting quality; especially in humor.
Example
Her mordant wit often left her friends speechless.
Son esprit mordant laissait souvent ses amis sans voix.
C2 noun /ˈɪŋkjʊbəs/

incubus

esprit maléfique
Meaning
An oppressive or nightmarish burden; in folklore, an evil spirit that lies upon sleeping people.
Example
Debt became an incubus that weighed heavily on the family.
La dette est devenue un esprit maléfique qui pesait lourdement sur la famille.
C2 adjective /ˈfluːtɪd/

fluted

strié
Meaning
having grooves or ridges, often for decoration
Example
The vase had a beautiful fluted design around the rim.
Le vase avait un beau design strié autour du bord.
C2 noun /ˈpɒtˌbɔɪlə/

potboiler

livre de série B
Meaning
a book, play, or film produced quickly to make money rather than for artistic value
Example
The novel was dismissed by critics as a mere potboiler.
Le roman a été rejeté par les critiques comme un simple livre de série B.
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 adjective /spraɪ/

spry

dynamique
Meaning
active and lively, especially in old age
Example
The spry grandmother surprised everyone with her quick dance steps.
La grand-mère dynamique a surpris tout le monde avec ses pas de danse rapides.
C2 noun /ˈfræŋkɪnsɛns/

frankincense

encens
Meaning
An aromatic gum resin used in incense and perfumes, often in religious ceremonies.
Example
The temple was filled with the sweet smell of burning frankincense.
Le temple était rempli de l'odeur douce de l'encens brûlant.
C2 adjective /ˈfɪliəl/

filial

relatif à un fils ou une fille ; montrer du respect ou de l'affection envers les parents
Meaning
relating to a son or daughter; showing respect or affection toward parents
Example
He showed filial respect by caring for his aging parents.
Il a montré du respect filial en prenant soin de ses parents âgés.
C2 adjective /ˈsʌpliənt/

suppliant

suppliant
Meaning
Humbly or earnestly asking for something, especially from a person in authority.
Example
The suppliant man begged for mercy at the king's feet.
L'homme suppliant a supplié pour miséricorde aux pieds du roi.
C2 verb /ˌmɪsæprɪˈhɛnd/

misapprehend

mal comprendre
Meaning
to misunderstand or misinterpret something
Example
He misapprehended the teacher’s instructions and did the task incorrectly.
Il a mal compris les instructions du professeur et a fait la tâche incorrectement.
C2 adjective /ˈtɔːrʃəs/

tortious

acte illicite
Meaning
Relating to or involving a wrongful act leading to legal liability.
Example
The company was found guilty of tortious interference with contracts.
L'entreprise a été reconnue coupable d'interférence illicite avec les contrats.
C2 noun /ˈmædrɪɡəl/

madrigal

madrigal
Meaning
A short, lyrical poem set to music, typically from the Renaissance period.
Example
The choir performed a beautiful madrigal from the 16th century.
Le chœur a interprété un magnifique madrigal du XVIe siècle.
C2 adjective /ˈlɪmpɪd/

limpid

limpide
Meaning
Clear and transparent, easily understood.
Example
The limpid water of the lake reflected the sky perfectly.
L'eau limpide du lac reflétait parfaitement le ciel.
C2 verb /kædʒ/

cadge

quémander
Meaning
To beg or obtain something, especially food or money, without paying for it.
Example
He tried to cadge a free meal from the restaurant.
Il a essayé de quémander un repas gratuit au restaurant.
C2 noun /ˈʃæd.ək/

Shaddock

pomelo
Meaning
a large citrus fruit similar to grapefruit; pomelo
Example
The shaddock is the largest citrus fruit in the world.
Le shadok est le plus grand fruit agrume du monde.
C2 noun /ɪkˌsprəʊ.priˈeɪ.ʃən/

expropriation

expropriation
Meaning
The act of government taking private property, also known as confiscation, nationalization, or seizure.
Example
The land expropriation led to disputes among landowners.
L'expropriation des terres a entraîné des disputes entre les propriétaires fonciers.
C2 noun /əˈmæl.ɡəm/

amalgam

mélange
Meaning
a mixture or blend of different things
Example
The new policy is an amalgam of several previous laws.
La nouvelle politique est un mélange de plusieurs lois antérieures.
C2 adjective /ˈbʌksəm/

buxom

femme ronde et attrayante
Meaning
Plump, with a full figure and often large-breasted, especially used to describe women.
Example
The actress was described as a cheerful and buxom woman.
L'actrice a été décrite comme une femme joyeuse et ronde.
C2 adjective /ɪˈnjʊərd/

inured

habitué
Meaning
Accustomed to something, especially something unpleasant.
Example
After years of hardship, she was inured to suffering.
Après des années de souffrance, elle était habituée à la douleur.
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 noun /ɪˌkliːziˈæstɪk/

ecclesiastic

ecclésiastique
Meaning
A member of the clergy or church official.
Example
The council was attended by several high-ranking ecclesiastics.
Le conseil a été assisté par plusieurs ecclésiastiques de haut rang.
C2 noun /haɪˈdrɒmɪtər/

hydrometer

hydromètre
Meaning
An instrument used to measure the density or specific gravity of liquids.
Example
The brewer used a hydrometer to test the sugar content of the solution.
Le brasseur a utilisé un hydromètre pour tester la teneur en sucre de la solution.
C2 noun ট্রোপোস্ফিয়ার

troposphere

trophosphère
Meaning
The lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere where weather phenomena occur.
Example
The troposphere is where weather phenomena occur.
La troposphère est là où se produisent les phénomènes météorologiques.
C2 noun /kənˈtraɪ.vəns/

contrivance

appareil ou plan
Meaning
a device or plan that is cleverly or artificially created
Example
The clock was an intricate contrivance of gears and springs.
L'horloge était un dispositif complexe de rouages et de ressorts.
C2 noun /ˈræpsədi/

rhapsody

chanson exaltée/éloge
Meaning
an expression of great enthusiasm or an epic musical composition
Example
The singer’s performance was a rhapsody of emotions.
La performance du chanteur était une rhapsodie d'émotions.
C2 adjective /ˈsætərˌnaɪn/

saturnine

saturnien
Meaning
slow and gloomy in mood
Example
His saturnine expression made everyone in the room uncomfortable.
Son expression saturnienne rendait tout le monde dans la pièce mal à l'aise.
C2 adjective /ˈʌndjʊleɪtɪŋ/

undulating

ondulant
Meaning
Having a smoothly rising and falling form or motion like waves.
Example
We drove through undulating hills.
Nous avons conduit à travers des collines ondulantes.
C2 noun /ˈræp.aɪn/

rapine

pillages
Meaning
the violent seizure of someone's property
Example
The war was marked by rapine and destruction.
La guerre a été marquée par des pillages et des destructions.
C2 noun /ˈmɛtəfɔːrm/

metaphorm

forme métaphorique
Meaning
A coined or rare term sometimes used to describe a hybrid form of metaphor and form in literature or art.
Example
The poet introduced a metaphorm to blend imagery with structure.
Le poète a introduit une métaphorme pour mélanger l'imagerie avec la structure.
C2 noun /ɪnˈvaɪtər/

invitor

invitant
Meaning
a person who invites someone to an event, meeting, or place
Example
The invitor greeted all the guests warmly at the entrance.
L’invitant a accueilli les invités à l’entrée.
C2 noun /krəˈnɒmɪtər/

chronometer

chronomètre
Meaning
An instrument for measuring time precisely, especially used in navigation.
Example
The sailor relied on the chronometer to determine his position at sea.
Le marin a compté sur le chronomètre pour déterminer sa position en mer.
C2 adjective /ləˈsɪviəs/

lascivious

lascif
Meaning
showing an overt and often offensive sexual desire
Example
The lascivious remarks made everyone uncomfortable.
Les remarques lascives ont mis tout le monde mal à l'aise.
C2 noun /ˌpaɪroʊˈmeɪniæk/

pyromaniac

personne avec un désir incontrôlable d'incendier des choses
Meaning
A person with an uncontrollable desire to set things on fire.
Example
The pyromaniac was arrested for setting several buildings ablaze.
Le pyromane a été arrêté pour avoir incendié plusieurs bâtiments.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈsɛnseɪt/

insensate

insensible
Meaning
lacking physical sensation or empathy; without feeling or sensitivity
Example
The dictator's insensate cruelty shocked the world.
La cruauté insensible du dictateur a choqué le monde.
C2 noun /loʊd/

lode

filons minéraux
Meaning
A rich source of something, often a vein of valuable metal in the earth.
Example
The miners discovered a rich lode of silver.
Les mineurs ont découvert un riche filon d'argent.
C2 verb /həˈmɑː.dʒə.naɪz/

homogenize

homogénéiser
Meaning
To make uniform or similar by blending or mixing different elements.
Example
The company tried to homogenize its products across global markets.
L'entreprise a essayé d'homogénéiser ses produits sur les marchés mondiaux.
C2 noun /ˈʌŋɡwənt/

unguent

onguent
Meaning
A soothing or healing ointment applied to the skin.
Example
The doctor applied an unguent to heal the burn.
Le médecin a appliqué un onguent pour guérir la brûlure.
C2 noun /ˌɪnədˈvɜːrtəns/

inadvertence

inadvertance
Meaning
Failure to pay attention; carelessness.
Example
The error happened through sheer inadvertence.
L'erreur est survenue par pure inadvertance.
C2 adjective /ˈærənt/

arrant

complet, absolu
Meaning
complete or utter (used negatively, e.g., 'arrant nonsense')
Example
His excuse was arrant nonsense.
Son excuse était des bêtises complètes.
C2 noun /əˌɡlɒməˈreɪʃən/

agglomeration

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

laudatory

élogieux
Meaning
Expressing praise or admiration.
Example
She wrote a laudatory review of the new book.
Elle a écrit une critique élogieuse du nouveau livre.
C2 noun /sɪnˈtɪl.ə/

scintilla

petite étincelle
Meaning
A tiny trace or spark of a specified quality or feeling.
Example
There wasn’t a scintilla of doubt in her mind.
Il n'y avait pas une étincelle de doute dans son esprit.
C2 noun /ˈkɒn.kɔːd/

concord

accord ou harmonie
Meaning
Agreement or harmony between people or groups.
Example
The leaders worked towards international concord.
Les dirigeants ont travaillé pour la concorde internationale.
C2 noun /loʊm/

loam

sol argileux fertile
Meaning
Fertile soil mixture of sand, clay, and organic matter.
Example
Loam soil is ideal for agriculture due to its nutrient content.
Le sol loameux est idéal pour l'agriculture en raison de sa teneur en nutriments.
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 /ɪnˈfrækʃən/

infraction

infraction
Meaning
A violation or breach of a rule, law, or agreement.
Example
The student was punished for a minor infraction of the school rules.
L'étudiant a été puni pour une infraction mineure aux règles de l'école.
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 /ˈvɔːdəvɪl/

vaudeville

vaudeville
Meaning
A type of entertainment popular in the early 20th century, featuring a mixture of comedy, song, dance, and variety acts.
Example
The vaudeville show included comedians, magicians, and dancers.
Le spectacle de vaudeville comprenait des comédiens, des magiciens et des danseurs.
C2 adjective /ˈwɪnsəm/

winsome

charmant
Meaning
pleasant and attractive in a fresh, innocent, or charming way
Example
Her winsome smile instantly put the nervous guests at ease.
Son sourire charmant a immédiatement mis les invités nerveux à l'aise.
C2 noun /ˌpɛkəˈdɪloʊ/

peccadillo

petite erreur
Meaning
a small or minor fault or sin
Example
Forgetting to call was just a small peccadillo, not a serious mistake.
Oublier de téléphoner était juste une petite erreur, pas une grosse faute.
C2 noun /ˈaɪ.səˌbɑːr/

isobar

isobare
Meaning
A line on a weather map connecting points of equal atmospheric pressure.
Example
The meteorologist explained how isobars indicate wind speed and direction.
Le météorologue a expliqué comment les isobares indiquent la vitesse et la direction du vent.
C2 noun /ˌsɜːrkəmləˈkjuːʃn/

circumlocution

circonlocution
Meaning
the use of many words when fewer would do, especially to avoid stating something directly
Example
The politician's speech was filled with circumlocution.
Le discours du politicien était rempli de circonlocutions.
C2 noun /ˈwɪtlɪŋ/

witling

imbécile / faux sage
Meaning
a person who has little wit or pretends to be witty
Example
He acted like a witling among scholars.
Il a agi comme un imbécile parmi les érudits.
C2 adverb /ˈprɒksɪmətli/

proximately

près
Meaning
In a near or close manner; nearly.
Example
The village lies proximately to the river.
Le village est près de la rivière.
C2 adjective /ˈfæsaɪl/

Facile

facile; superficiel; manquant de profondeur
Meaning
easily achieved; superficial; lacking depth
Example
His facile explanation didn't address the real problem.
Son explication facile n'a pas abordé le vrai problème.
C2 verb /ˈmjuːtɪleɪt/

mutilate

mutiler
Meaning
to inflict serious damage on something, often by cutting or tearing
Example
The ancient manuscript was mutilated by careless handling.
Le manuscrit ancien a été mutilé par une manipulation négligente.
C2 noun /ˈhen.ə/

Henna

henné
Meaning
a reddish-brown dye made from the powdered leaves of a tropical shrub, used to color hair and decorate skin
Example
The bride's hands were beautifully decorated with intricate henna patterns for her wedding ceremony.
Les mains de la mariée étaient magnifiquement décorées de motifs complexes de henné pour sa cérémonie de mariage.
C2 noun /ænˈtɪlədʒi/

antilogy

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

highbrow

intellectuellement supérieur
Meaning
intellectually superior or cultured; often describing art, literature, or activities appealing to intellectual tastes
Example
The museum is known for its highbrow exhibitions.
Le musée est connu pour ses expositions intellectuelles.
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 /ˈhɑːr.bɪn.dʒər/

Harbinger

présage
Meaning
a person or thing that announces or signals the approach of another; a forerunner of something
Example
The first robin of spring is often considered a harbinger of warmer weather to come.
Le premier rouge-gorge du printemps est souvent considéré comme un présage d'un temps plus chaud à venir.
C2 verb /ˈɡræn.jʊ.leɪt/

granulate

granuler
Meaning
To form or cause to form into grains or small particles.
Example
The sugar began to granulate as it cooled.
Le sucre a commencé à se granuler lorsqu'il a refroidi.
C2 noun /maɪˈkrɑː.skə.pi/

microscopy

microscopie
Meaning
The use of a microscope to observe small objects or organisms.
Example
Microscopy revealed the structure of the cells.
La microscopie a révélé la structure des cellules.
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 noun /ˌpɜːrspɪˈkjuːəti/

perspicuity

perspicuité
Meaning
Clarity and ease in speech or writing; the quality of being clearly expressed.
Example
The perspicuity of his lecture made it easy for students to understand complex topics.
La perspicuité de sa conférence a facilité la compréhension des sujets complexes par les étudiants.
C2 verb /dʒaɪb/

jibe

insulter / être en harmonie
Meaning
to make an insulting remark; to be in agreement or harmony with
Example
His actions did not jibe with his words.
Ses actions ne collaient pas avec ses mots.
C2 noun /ˈbɑːrbərɪzəm/

Barbarism

barbarie
Meaning
extreme cruelty or brutality; absence of culture and civilization
Example
The barbarism of the war crimes shocked the entire international community.
Le barbarisme des crimes de guerre a choqué la communauté internationale.
C2 adjective /ˈmɛtəlˌsʌm/

mettlesome

courageux
Meaning
Full of courage and spirit; lively and spirited.
Example
The mettlesome young rider never backed down from a challenge.
Le jeune cavalier courageux n'a jamais reculé devant un défi.
C2 noun vəˈlɪʃən

volition

volonté
Meaning
The faculty or power of using one's will; the power of choosing or determining.
Example
She left the job of her own volition.
Elle a quitté le travail de son propre gré.
C2 noun /aɪˈkɒnəklæst/

iconoclast

iconoclaste
Meaning
A person who attacks or criticizes cherished beliefs, traditions, or institutions.
Example
He was known as an iconoclast who challenged old traditions.
Il était connu comme un iconoclaste qui défiait les anciennes traditions.
C2 noun /neɪv/

nave

nef centrale de l'église
Meaning
the central part of a church building intended to accommodate the congregation
Example
The choir sang beautifully in the church nave.
Le chœur a chanté magnifiquement dans la nef de l'église.
C2 adjective /ˌsuː.pɚˈsɪl.i.əs/

supercilious

arrogant
Meaning
Behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others; arrogant and disdainful.
Example
She gave him a supercilious smile as if he was beneath her.
Elle lui a fait un sourire arrogant comme s'il était en dessous d'elle.
C2 verb /miːt/

mete

distribuer
Meaning
To dispense or allot justice, punishment, or harsh treatment.
Example
The judge will mete out punishment according to the crime.
Le juge distribuera la punition en fonction du crime.