brusque
All a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
All CEFR A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2
Content locale
EN Anglais BN Bengali HI Hindi ES Espagnol FR Français DE Allemand RU Russe ZH Chinois JA Japonais
All Vocabulary Cards All Vocabularies
C2 adjective /bruːsk/ or /brʌsk/

brusque

brusque
Meaning
abrupt or blunt in manner or speech, often seen as rude
Example
His brusque reply ended the conversation.
Sa réponse brusque a mis fin à la conversation.
C2 noun /ˈkær.ə.weɪ siːdz/

Caraway seeds

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

erudition

érudition
Meaning
The quality of having or showing great knowledge or learning; scholarship.
Example
His erudition in history impressed the entire audience.
Son érudition en histoire a impressionné tout le public.
C2 adjective /ˈkeəwɔːn/

careworn

fatigué et préoccupé
Meaning
Showing signs of worry, stress, or exhaustion.
Example
His careworn face revealed years of struggle.
Son visage fatigué révélait des années de lutte.
C2 adjective /kəmˈprɛsəbl̩/

compressible

compressible
Meaning
Capable of being compressed or reduced in volume.
Example
Air is a compressible substance, unlike water.
L'air est une substance compressible, contrairement à l'eau.
C2 noun /əˈmɛrɪkəˌnɪzəm/

americanism

américanisme
Meaning
A word, phrase, or practice characteristic of American English or culture.
Example
The term 'sidewalk' is an Americanism, while 'pavement' is used in British English.
Le terme « sidewalk » est un américanisme, tandis que « pavement » est utilisé dans l'anglais britannique.
C2 noun /frɒnd/

frond

feuille
Meaning
A large, divided leaf of a fern, palm, or similar plant.
Example
The fern's frond stretched gracefully over the garden path.
La feuille de fougère s'est étendue gracieusement sur le chemin du jardin.
C2 verb /ˌɛvəˈnɛs/

evanesce

s'évanouir
Meaning
To disappear gradually; to fade away.
Example
The mist began to evanesce as the sun rose higher.
La brume a commencé à s'évanouir à mesure que le soleil montait plus haut.
C2 verb /ˈvaʊtʃ.seɪf/

vouchsafe

octroyer
Meaning
to grant or give something in a gracious or condescending manner
Example
He vouchsafed them a rare smile.
Il leur a octroyé un rare sourire.
C2 noun /ˌdɪspjuːˈteɪʃən/

disputation

dispute
Meaning
a formal debate or argument
Example
The disputation between the two scholars lasted for hours.
La disputation entre les deux érudits a duré des heures.
C2 noun /draɪd roʊz ˈpɛtəlz/

Dried Rose Petals

pétales de rose séchés
Meaning
dehydrated petals from roses used for culinary and aromatic purposes
Example
The dessert was garnished with dried rose petals.
Le dessert a été garni de pétales de rose séchés.
C2 noun /kɒŋk/

Conck

conque
Meaning
a shell, especially a large spiral one used as a horn or for decoration
Example
The priest blew the conch shell to signal the start of the ceremony.
Le prêtre a soufflé dans la coquille de conque pour signaler le début de la cérémonie.
C2 noun /ˈvæsəl/

vassal

vassal
Meaning
A person or country in a subordinate position to another, especially in feudal times under a lord.
Example
The king granted land to his vassal in return for loyalty and service.
Le roi a accordé des terres à son vassal en échange de loyauté et de service.
C2 noun /ˈθɝː.moʊ.klaɪn/

thermocline

thermocline
Meaning
A layer in a body of water in which temperature changes rapidly with depth.
Example
The thermocline separates warm surface water from cold deep water.
La thermocline sépare l'eau chaude de la surface de l'eau froide en profondeur.
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 /ˌsɪnjuˈɒsɪti/

sinuosity

sinuité
Meaning
The quality or state of being winding, curving, or having many turns.
Example
The sinuosity of the river made navigation challenging.
La sinuité du fleuve rendait la navigation difficile.
C2 noun /ˌdʒerənˈtɑːkrəsi/

gerontocracy

gérontocratie
Meaning
A system of government or control by old people.
Example
The country was seen as a gerontocracy, dominated by elderly leaders.
Le pays était perçu comme une gérontocratie, dominée par des dirigeants âgés.
C2 noun /oʊliˈændər/

Oleander

oléandre
Meaning
a poisonous evergreen shrub with clusters of white, pink, or red flowers
Example
The beautiful oleander flowers bloomed in the garden despite their toxic nature.
Les belles fleurs d'oléanre ont fleuri dans le jardin malgré leur nature toxique.
C2 noun /luːˈbrɪsɪti/

lubricity

lubrification
Meaning
the quality of being slippery or smooth; sometimes also refers to lewdness
Example
The lubricity of the surface made it difficult to walk on.
La lubrification de la surface rendait la marche difficile.
C2 noun /wɪt/

whit

une très petite quantité
Meaning
a very small part or amount
Example
He doesn't care a whit about the outcome.
Il ne se soucie pas d'un iota du résultat.
C2 noun /ˈbʊljən/

bullion

or ou argent en vrac
Meaning
Gold or silver in bulk before being coined or made into jewelry.
Example
The bank stores gold bullion in its vaults.
La banque conserve de l'or en vrac dans ses coffres.
C2 noun /ˈpɑːdreɪ/

padre

prêtre
Meaning
A title for a priest, especially in the Roman Catholic Church; also used informally for 'father'.
Example
The soldiers attended mass led by the padre.
Les soldats ont assisté à la messe dirigée par le prêtre.
C2 noun /ˌkæstɪˈɡeɪʃən/

castigation

critique sévère ou punition
Meaning
Severe criticism or punishment for wrongdoing.
Example
The manager’s harsh castigation shocked the entire team.
La sévère castigation du manager a choqué toute l'équipe.
C2 noun ˌkɒdʒɪˈteɪʃən

cogitation

réflexion, méditation
Meaning
The action of thinking deeply about something; contemplation
Example
After much cogitation, he made the final decision.
Après beaucoup de réflexion, il prit la décision finale.
C2 noun /ɪnˈtɜːrmənt/

interment

inhumation
Meaning
The act of burying a dead body in a grave or tomb.
Example
The interment took place at the family cemetery.
L'inhumation a eu lieu au cimetière familial.
C2 noun /bɒmˈbeɪ dʌk/

Bombay duck

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

multiform

multiforme
Meaning
Having many different forms or appearances.
Example
The festival was a multiform celebration of art, music, and culture.
Le festival était une célébration multiforme de l'art, de la musique et de la culture.
C2 adjective /ˌækrəˈmætɪk/

achromatic

achromatique
Meaning
without color; free from color
Example
The designer chose an achromatic palette of black, white, and gray.
Le designer a choisi une palette achromatique de noir, blanc et gris.
C2 adjective /ˌpɛstɪˈlɛnʃəl/

pestilential

pestilentiel
Meaning
Relating to or causing pestilence; very harmful, troublesome, or dangerous.
Example
The pestilential smell of the garbage filled the street.
L'odeur pestilentielle de la poubelle a rempli la rue.
C2 noun /ɪkˌspɒstjʊˈleɪʃən/

expostulation

protestation
Meaning
the act of expressing protest or disagreement
Example
His expostulation against the unfair rules was ignored.
Sa protestation contre les règles injustes a été ignorée.
C2 noun /ˌpaɪrəˈmeɪniə/

pyromania

désir incontrôlable de mettre le feu à des choses
Meaning
An uncontrollable desire to set things on fire.
Example
The suspect was diagnosed with pyromania after repeated incidents of arson.
Le suspect a été diagnostiqué avec la pyromanie après plusieurs incidents d'incendie criminel.
C2 noun /ˈskʌl.i.ən/

scullion

valet de cuisine
Meaning
a servant assigned the most menial kitchen tasks
Example
In medieval times, a scullion was responsible for cleaning pots and pans.
Au Moyen Âge, un scullion était responsable du nettoyage des casseroles et des poêles.
C2 adjective /ˈsɪbɪlaɪn/

sibylline

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

dead-heat

égalité parfaite
Meaning
a race or contest in which two or more competitors finish exactly equal
Example
The race ended in a dead-heat between the two runners.
La course s'est terminée par une égalité parfaite entre les deux coureurs.
C2 adjective /ˈoʊ.pən ˈhæn.dɪd/

Open-handed

généreux; libéral
Meaning
Generous; liberal; giving freely;
Example
He is very open-handed with his money and always helps those in need.
Il est très généreux avec son argent et aide toujours ceux qui en ont besoin.
C2 adjective /pəˈluːsɪd/

pellucid

transparent
Meaning
Transparently clear; easy to understand.
Example
The lake water was so pellucid that you could see the stones at the bottom.
L'eau du lac était tellement transparente que vous pouviez voir les pierres au fond.
C2 noun /ˈsɛpəlkər/

sepulcher

tombeau
Meaning
A small room or monument, cut in rock or built of stone, in which a dead person is buried.
Example
The ancient king was laid to rest in a grand sepulcher.
Le roi ancien a été enterré dans un grand tombeau.
C2 noun /ʃiːf/

sheaf

gerbe de blé
Meaning
a bundle of grain stalks laid lengthwise and tied together after reaping; a bundle of objects tied together
Example
The farmer carried a sheaf of wheat on his shoulder.
Le fermier portait une gerbe de blé sur son épaule.
C2 verb /ˈsnɪvəl/

snivel

pleurer ou se plaindre d'une manière faible ou agaçante
Meaning
to cry or complain in a weak or annoying way
Example
He began to snivel when he didn’t get his way.
Il a commencé à pleurer quand il n'a pas obtenu ce qu'il voulait.
C2 noun /ˌæpəˈleɪʃən/

appellation

titre / nom
Meaning
a name or title
Example
The city has earned the appellation 'The Big Apple'.
La ville a gagné le titre 'La Grande Pomme'.
C2 noun /ɪˌpɪstəˈmɒlədʒɪst/

epistemologist

épistémologue
Meaning
A scholar or expert who studies the nature, sources, and limits of knowledge.
Example
The epistemologist debated how humans can truly know anything with certainty.
L'épistémologue a débattu sur la façon dont les humains peuvent vraiment savoir quelque chose avec certitude.
C2 noun /ˈɛksɪdʒənsi/

exigency

urgence
Meaning
an urgent need or demand requiring immediate attention
Example
In times of war, the exigency of the situation requires quick decisions.
En temps de guerre, l'urgence de la situation nécessite des décisions rapides.
C2 noun /rɪˈkwaɪtəl/

requital

rétribution
Meaning
The act of returning something, such as a favor, service, or punishment; repayment or retaliation.
Example
She offered her time in requital for his kindness.
Elle a offert son temps en rétribution pour sa gentillesse.
C2 noun /ɪkˈspiːdiənsi/

expediency

opportunisme
Meaning
the quality of being convenient and practical despite possibly being improper or immoral
Example
He acted out of political expediency rather than principle.
Il a agi par opportunisme politique plutôt que par principe.
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 noun /ɪnˈtriːti/

entreaty

supplication
Meaning
An earnest or humble request or plea.
Example
She made an entreaty for peace during the heated argument.
Elle fit une supplication pour la paix pendant la discussion animée.
C2 adjective /ˌdɛfəˈrɛnʃəl/

deferential

respectueux
Meaning
Showing or expressing respect and high regard.
Example
He was always deferential toward his teachers.
Il était toujours respectueux envers ses enseignants.
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 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 /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 /blæsˈfiːm/

blaspheme

blasphémer
Meaning
to speak irreverently about God or sacred things
Example
He was accused of blaspheming during the heated argument.
Il a été accusé de blasphémer pendant la dispute intense.
C2 verb /bɪˈleɪ/

belay

sécuriser une corde
Meaning
to secure a rope by winding it around an object; to stop or cancel an order (nautical/military use)
Example
The climber asked his partner to belay the rope tightly.
L'escaladeur a demandé à son partenaire de sécuriser la corde serrée.
C2 verb /dɪˈræsɪˌneɪt/

deracinate

déraciner
Meaning
To uproot something completely; to displace people from their native environment or culture.
Example
The conflict deracinated many families from their homeland.
Le conflit a déraciné de nombreuses familles de leur terre natale.
C2 noun /ˈeɪʒən siː bæs/

Asian sea bass

bar asiatique
Meaning
a large predatory fish found in coastal waters and estuaries of the Indo-Pacific region, prized for its white meat
Example
Asian sea bass is highly valued in aquaculture for its fast growth.
Le bar asiatique est très apprécié en aquaculture pour sa croissance rapide.
C2 noun /nɪt/

nit

œuf de pou
Meaning
The egg or young form of a louse or other parasitic insect.
Example
The teacher noticed nits in the child’s hair.
L'enseignant a remarqué des œufs de pou dans les cheveux de l'enfant.
C2 verb /preɪt/

prate

bavarder de manière insensée
Meaning
to talk foolishly or at tedious length about something
Example
He would prate endlessly about his minor achievements.
Il parlait sans fin de ses petites réussites.
C2 noun /ˈkwɪzlɪŋ/

quisling

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

simper

sourire de manière stupide ou affectée
Meaning
to smile in a silly, self-conscious, or affected way
Example
She simpered at his compliment, clearly embarrassed.
Elle souriait d'une manière stupide à son compliment, clairement embarrassée.
C2 noun /ˈæntiruːm/

anteroom

antichambre
Meaning
A small room leading to a main one, often used as a waiting area.
Example
The guests waited in the anteroom before being called inside.
Les invités ont attendu dans l’antichambre avant d’être appelés à l’intérieur.
C2 adjective /fjuːˈnɪəriəl/

funereal

funéraire
Meaning
having the mournful, somber character of a funeral
Example
The room was filled with a funereal silence after the announcement.
La pièce était remplie d'un silence funéraire après l'annonce.
C2 noun /ˌsɪɡnɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/

signification

signification
Meaning
the meaning or sense conveyed by a word, action, or symbol
Example
The signification of the gesture was misunderstood.
La signification du geste a été mal comprise.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈkɒntɪnənt/

incontinent

incontinent
Meaning
lacking control over urination or defecation; lacking self-restraint
Example
The patient was incontinent after surgery.
Le patient était incontinent après l'opération.
C2 noun /lɒŋ ˈwɪskəd ˈkætfɪʃ/

Long whiskered catfish

poisson-chat à longues moustaches
Meaning
A type of freshwater fish with long whisker-like barbels around its mouth
Example
The fisherman caught a long whiskered catfish in the river.
Le pêcheur a attrapé un poisson-chat à longues moustaches dans la rivière.
C2 noun /ˈdɛvɪlri/

devilry

diablerie
Meaning
Wicked or cruel behavior; mischievous actions.
Example
The children were full of devilry on Halloween night.
Les enfants étaient pleins de diablerie lors de la nuit d'Halloween.
C2 verb /ɪnˈskɒns/

ensconce

s'installer confortablement, cacher
Meaning
to settle comfortably or securely in a place; to hide or shelter firmly
Example
She ensconced herself in a cozy armchair by the fireplace.
Elle s'est installée confortablement dans un fauteuil près de la cheminée.
C2 noun /ˈdʒæz.mɪn/

Jesmine

jasmin
Meaning
a climbing shrub with fragrant white or yellow flowers
Example
The jasmine flowers filled the garden with their sweet fragrance.
Les fleurs de jasmin remplissaient le jardin de leur douce fragrance.
C2 noun /ˈflɒtsəm/

flotsam

débris flottants
Meaning
Floating debris from a shipwreck or things discarded and left floating.
Example
The beach was littered with flotsam after the storm.
La plage était couverte de débris flottants après la tempête.
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 adjective /ɛkˈstrɪnzɪk/

extrinsic

extrinsèque
Meaning
Not part of the essential nature of someone or something; coming from outside.
Example
His motivation was largely extrinsic, driven by rewards and recognition.
Sa motivation était en grande partie extrinsèque, motivée par des récompenses et de la reconnaissance.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈkɒnstənt/

inconstant

inconstant
Meaning
frequently changing; not consistent or dependable
Example
His inconstant moods made it difficult to work with him.
Ses humeurs inconstantes rendaient difficile de travailler avec lui.
C2 adjective /fəˈlɪsɪtəs/

felicitous

approprié, adéquat ou agréable; marqué par la chance ou le bonheur
Meaning
well-chosen, appropriate, or pleasing; marked by good fortune or happiness
Example
She made a felicitous remark that lightened the mood.
Elle a fait une remarque appropriée qui a allégé l'atmosphère.
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 /əˈsɛvəˌreɪt/

asseverate

affirmer
Meaning
to affirm or declare positively and earnestly
Example
He asseverated that he had never seen the man before.
Il a affirmé qu'il n'avait jamais vu l'homme avant.
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 /ˌpɜːrtərˈbeɪʃn/

perturbation

perturbation
Meaning
A state of anxiety, disturbance, or disorder.
Example
The announcement caused a perturbation in the financial markets.
L'annonce a causé une perturbation sur les marchés financiers.
C2 adjective /əˈpɜːrtənənt/

appurtenant

appartenant
Meaning
Belonging to or associated with something, often used in legal/property contexts.
Example
The right of way is appurtenant to the landowner’s property.
Le droit de passage est appartenant à la propriété du propriétaire.
C2 noun/verb /ɡraʊtʃ/

grouch

râleur
Meaning
a person who complains a lot or to complain in a grumpy way
Example
He is such a grouch in the morning before coffee.
Il est toujours de mauvaise humeur avant le café.
C2 adjective /ˌser.ɪˈməʊ.ni.əs/

ceremonious

cérémonieux et poli
Meaning
marked by formality, politeness, or strict observance of customs
Example
He gave her a ceremonious bow before entering the hall.
Il lui a fait une révérence cérémonieuse avant d'entrer dans la salle.
C2 noun /draɪ ɡuːs ˈbɛri/

Dry goose berry

groseille séchée
Meaning
dehydrated amla fruit, rich in vitamin C and used for medicinal and culinary purposes
Example
Dry goose berry powder is excellent for hair growth.
La poudre de groseille séchée est excellente pour la croissance des cheveux.
C2 noun /ˈfʌriər/

furrier

fourreur
Meaning
A person who prepares or deals in furs.
Example
The furrier displayed fine coats in his shop.
Le fourreur a exposé de beaux manteaux dans son magasin.
C2 noun /ˈaɪdlər/

idler

fainéant
Meaning
A person who avoids work or spends time lazily.
Example
He was known as an idler who wasted his days.
Il était connu comme un fainéant qui gâchait ses journées.
C2 noun /ˈbrɪmˌstoʊn/

brimstone

soufre
Meaning
Sulfur, especially when considered as fiery and associated with hell or divine punishment.
Example
The preacher spoke of fire and brimstone to warn the congregation.
The preacher spoke of fire and brimstone to warn the congregation.
C2 verb /haɪˈpɒθɪkeɪt/

hypothecate

hypothéquer
Meaning
to pledge something, such as property, as security for a debt without giving up possession of it.
Example
The company hypothecated its assets to secure the loan.
L'entreprise a hypothéqué ses actifs pour sécuriser le prêt.
C2 noun /ˌdʒʊərɪsˈpruːdəns/

jurisprudence

jurisprudence
Meaning
The theory, philosophy, or science of law.
Example
She is a professor of jurisprudence at the university.
Elle est professeure de jurisprudence à l'université.
C2 adjective /ˌɪnkɒntrəˈvɜːtəbl/

incontrovertible

incontournable
Meaning
impossible to deny or dispute; unquestionable
Example
The evidence was incontrovertible and proved his innocence.
La preuve était incontestable et a prouvé son innocence.
C2 adjective /ˈkɒlərɪk/

choleric

colérique
Meaning
Easily angered; irritable and hot-tempered.
Example
His choleric nature often got him into arguments.
Sa nature colérique le mettait souvent dans des disputes.
C2 noun /ˈhɔːzər/

hawser

câble épais pour amarrer un navire
Meaning
A thick rope or cable used in mooring or towing a ship.
Example
The sailors secured the ship to the dock with a heavy hawser.
Les marins ont sécurisé le navire au quai avec un hawser lourd.
C2 adjective /roʊn/

roan

roan
Meaning
denoting an animal, especially a horse, having a coat of mixed colors, typically reddish-brown and white
Example
The rider mounted a roan horse with a speckled coat.
Le cavalier monta un cheval roan avec un pelage tacheté.
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 /pərˈdɪʃən/

perdition

bonheur
Meaning
A state of eternal spiritual ruin, often referring to hell or damnation.
Example
The preacher warned that greed would lead to perdition.
Elle ne pouvait pas cacher son bonheur lorsqu'elle a reçu le prix.
C2 verb /ˌɛfəˈvɛs/

effervesce

effervescence
Meaning
To give off bubbles of gas; to show excitement, liveliness, or enthusiasm.
Example
The soda began to effervesce as soon as it was opened.
Le soda a commencé à effervescir dès qu'il a été ouvert.
C2 noun /ˈfɒpəri/

foppery

esbroufe
Meaning
Foolish or excessive concern with one's appearance or manners; pretentious behavior.
Example
His obsession with fashion was dismissed as mere foppery.
Son obsession pour la mode a été rejetée comme une simple esbroufe.
C2 noun /ˌpriːdɪˈlɛkʃən/

predilection

prédilection
Meaning
A strong liking or preference for something.
Example
She has a predilection for classical music.
Elle a une prédilection pour la musique classique.
C2 noun /kɛn/

ken

compréhension
Meaning
one's range of knowledge or understanding
Example
Quantum physics is beyond my ken.
La physique quantique est au-delà de ma compréhension.
C2 adjective /ˌɪntərˈlɒkjətəri/

interlocutory

provisoire
Meaning
Given during the course of a legal action, not final but temporary or provisional.
Example
The judge issued an interlocutory order to maintain the status quo until the hearing.
Le juge a émis une ordonnance provisoire pour maintenir le statu quo jusqu'à l'audience.
C2 verb /ˌdɪskəmˈbɑːbjuleɪt/

discombobulate

déstabiliser
Meaning
to confuse or disconcert; to upset the normal order
Example
The sudden question seemed to discombobulate him.
La question soudaine sembla le déstabiliser.
C2 adjective /aɪˈdɒlətrəs/

idolatrous

idolatrique
Meaning
Excessively admiring or worshipping someone or something as an idol.
Example
The king was criticized for his idolatrous devotion to wealth.
Le roi a été critiqué pour sa dévotion idolâtrique à la richesse.
C2 noun /ˈklɔɪstər/

cloister

cloître
Meaning
a covered walk in a convent, monastery, or cathedral, typically with a wall on one side and a colonnade open to a quadrangle on the other.
Example
The monks walked silently through the cloister.
Les moines marchaient silencieusement à travers le cloître.
C2 verb /trænˈspoʊz/

transpose

transposer
Meaning
to change the order or position of something
Example
The editor transposed two paragraphs in the article.
L'éditeur a transposé deux paragraphes dans l'article.
C2 verb /ˈmæk.jʊˌleɪt/

maculate

maculer
Meaning
To stain, spot, or pollute something.
Example
The white cloth was maculated by ink stains.
Le tissu blanc a été souillé par des taches d'encre.
C2 noun /ˌænəlˈdʒiːziə/

analgesia

analgésie
Meaning
The inability to feel pain while still conscious.
Example
The doctor induced analgesia before performing the procedure.
Le médecin a induit l'analgésie avant de réaliser la procédure.
C2 adjective /ˈsloʊθfəl/

slothful

paresseux
Meaning
Lazy, idle, and unwilling to work.
Example
She was too slothful to get out of bed early.
Elle était trop paresseuse pour se lever tôt du lit.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈsɛndiˌɛri/

incendiary

incendiaire / provocateur
Meaning
designed to cause fires or stir up conflict
Example
The politician’s incendiary remarks angered the crowd.
Les remarques incendiaires du politicien ont mis en colère la foule.
C2 adjective /ˌɔːfˈkiː/

off-key

fausse note
Meaning
out of tune; not in accordance with expected standards
Example
The singer was slightly off-key during the performance.
Le chanteur était légèrement hors de ton pendant la performance.
C2 noun /ˈkwɒdrʊpɛd/

quadruped

quadrupède
Meaning
an animal that walks on four feet
Example
Most mammals are quadruped creatures adapted for running and stability.
La plupart des mammifères sont des créatures quadrupèdes adaptées à la course et à la stabilité.
C2 verb /pərˈlɔɪn/

purloin

voler
Meaning
to steal something, often in a sneaky or dishonest way
Example
He tried to purloin a book from the library without being noticed.
Il a essayé de voler un livre à la bibliothèque sans être remarqué.
C2 verb /ˈdʌmfaʊnd/

dumbfound

sidérer
Meaning
to greatly astonish or shock someone so they are temporarily speechless
Example
The magician's trick dumbfounded the audience.
Le tour de magie a sidéré le public.
C2 adjective /ˈmeɪndʒi/

mangy

sale et usé
Meaning
in poor condition, shabby, dirty, or affected by mange
Example
The stray dog looked mangy and weak.
Le chien errant avait l'air sale et faible.
C2 noun/verb /ɡraʊs/

grouse

se plaindre / un type d'oiseau
Meaning
A type of bird; or to complain or grumble persistently.
Example
He always grouses about the long hours at work.
Il se plaint toujours des longues heures de travail.
C2 noun /ɔːˈreɪʃən/

oration

discours
Meaning
A formal speech, especially one given on a ceremonial occasion
Example
The president delivered an inspiring oration.
Le président a prononcé un discours inspirant.
C2 adjective /ˌɛf.ɪˈkeɪ.ʃəs/

efficacious

efficace
Meaning
Successful in producing a desired or intended result; effective.
Example
The vaccine proved highly efficacious in preventing infections.
Le vaccin s'est révélé hautement efficace pour prévenir les infections.
C2 adjective /rɪˈfræɡəbəl/

refragable

réfutable
Meaning
Capable of being refuted or disproved.
Example
His argument was weak and easily refragable.
Son argument était faible et facilement réfutable.
C2 noun /ˈɡʌl.i/

gully

ravin, fossé
Meaning
A narrow channel or ravine worn away by water.
Example
After the storm, the road was cut by a deep gully.
Après la tempête, la route a été coupée par un ravin profond.
C2 adjective /məˈlɛfɪsənt/

maleficent

maléfique
Meaning
Causing harm or destruction, especially by supernatural means.
Example
The maleficent witch cursed the young princess.
La sorcière maléfique a maudit la jeune princesse.
C2 adjective /ˈtɪtjələr/

titular

titulaire
Meaning
holding a title or position in name only without real power; relating to the title of a work
Example
She is the titular head of the committee, but decisions are made by the coordinator.
Elle est la titulaire du comité, mais les décisions sont prises par le coordinateur.
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 adjective /əˈfɪʃəs/

officious

médicule
Meaning
Excessively eager to offer unwanted help or advice; meddlesome.
Example
The officious guard kept interrupting the visitors with unnecessary instructions.
Le garde médicule interrompait les visiteurs avec des instructions inutiles.
C2 noun /maɪˈkrɒmɪtər/

micrometer

micromètre
Meaning
A device used for measuring small distances with great accuracy.
Example
The engineer used a micrometer to measure the thickness of the wire.
L'ingénieur a utilisé un micromètre pour mesurer l'épaisseur du fil.
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 verb /ˌriː.kəˈpɪtʃ.ə.leɪt/

recapitulate

récapituler
Meaning
To summarize and state again the main points of something.
Example
The teacher asked the student to recapitulate the lesson.
Le professeur a demandé à l'étudiant de récapituler la leçon.
C2 verb /ɪkˈstɛmpəraɪz/

extemporize

improviser
Meaning
To speak or perform without preparation; improvise.
Example
The actor had to extemporize when he forgot his lines.
L'acteur a dû improviser lorsqu'il a oublié ses répliques.