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C2 noun /ˈkɒntrəriz/

contraries

choses opposées
Meaning
things that are completely different or opposite to each other
Example
Freedom and slavery are contraries in every sense.
La liberté et l'esclavage sont des contraires dans tous les sens.
C2 adjective /ˈdəʊ.lə.rəs/

dolorous

doloureux
Meaning
Expressing great sorrow or distress.
Example
He spoke in a dolorous tone after the loss.
Il a parlé sur un ton doloureux après la perte.
C2 noun /ˌsæv.wɑːr ˈfeər/

savoir-faire

habileté sociale
Meaning
The ability to act or speak appropriately in social situations; polished social skills.
Example
She handled the delicate situation with remarkable savoir-faire.
Elle a géré la situation délicate avec un remarquable savoir-faire.
C2 adjective /ˈblaɪðsəm/

blithesome

joyeux
Meaning
cheerful, carefree, and full of joy
Example
She entered the room with a blithesome smile that lifted everyone's spirits.
Elle entra dans la pièce avec un sourire joyeux qui remonta le moral de tout le monde.
C2 noun /ɪnˈvɛstɪtʃər/

investiture

cérémonie d'investiture
Meaning
the formal ceremony of conferring authority, rank, or office
Example
The king held an investiture ceremony for the new knight.
Le roi a organisé une cérémonie d'investiture pour le nouveau chevalier.
C2 noun /dɪnt/

dint

effort, marque d'un coup
Meaning
an impression or hollow made by a blow; force or power
Example
By dint of hard work, he achieved success.
Par dint de travail acharné, il a atteint le succès.
C2 noun /ˈneɪvəri/

knavery

fourberie
Meaning
dishonest or deceitful behavior; trickery
Example
The politician’s knavery was exposed by the media.
La fourberie du politicien a été exposée par les médias.
C2 verb /əˈkɒst/

accost

aborder de manière agressive
Meaning
to approach and speak to someone boldly or aggressively
Example
The reporter was accosted by protesters outside the courthouse.
Le reporter a été abordé par des manifestants devant le tribunal.
C2 noun /ˈæpəˌθɛm/

apothegm

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

disrepute

mépris
Meaning
the state of being held in low esteem or having a bad reputation
Example
The scandal brought the politician into disrepute.
Le scandale a mis le politicien dans le mépris.
C2 noun /ˌdʒer.ɪˈmaɪ.æd/

Jeremiad

complainte prolongée; lamentation; liste de malheurs
Meaning
a long mournful complaint or lamentation; a list of woes; a prolonged expression of grief
Example
The newspaper editorial was a jeremiad about the decline of moral values in society.
L'éditorial du journal était un jeremiad sur le déclin des valeurs morales dans la société.
C2 verb /ˌɪmpɔːrˈtuːnd/

importuned

demander de manière insistante
Meaning
asked someone persistently and pressingly for something
Example
She importuned her boss for a raise until he finally gave in.
Elle demandait de manière insistante une augmentation à son patron jusqu'à ce qu'il cède enfin.
C2 noun, adjective /ˈɡɒsəmər/

gossamer

quelque chose de délicat
Meaning
Something light, thin, and delicate, like a fine fabric or cobweb.
Example
The bride's veil was made of delicate gossamer fabric.
Le voile de la mariée était fait de tissu délicat de gossamer.
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 /dəˈɡerəˌtaɪp/

daguerreotype

photographie ancienne
Meaning
An early type of photograph produced on a silver or silver-covered copper plate.
Example
The museum displayed a rare daguerreotype of Abraham Lincoln.
Le musée a exposé un daguérotype rare d'Abraham Lincoln.
C2 noun /ˌtɜːsənˈtɛnəri/

tercentenary

tercentenaire
Meaning
The 300th anniversary of an event.
Example
The city celebrated its tercentenary with a grand festival.
La ville a célébré son tercentenaire avec un grand festival.
C2 noun /ˈkɒl.ə.kwi/

colloquy

conversation formelle
Meaning
A formal conversation or dialogue, often on serious or academic topics.
Example
The professors engaged in a deep colloquy about the future of education.
Les professeurs ont engagé une conversation approfondie sur l'avenir de l'éducation.
C2 noun /ˈfɜːrlɔːŋ/

furlong

unité de distance (220 yards ou environ 201 mètres)
Meaning
a unit of distance equal to 220 yards or about 201 meters
Example
The horse ran a furlong before slowing down.
Le cheval a couru un furlong avant de ralentir.
C2 adjective ˈmiː.ni.əl

menial

mineur
Meaning
Not requiring much skill and lacking prestige.
Example
He refused to do menial work.
Il a refusé de faire des travaux mineurs.
C2 verb /ˈhɛnˌpɛk/

henpeck

être constamment critiqué ou dominé par son épouse
Meaning
To continually criticize, nag, or dominate (especially a husband).
Example
He felt henpecked by his overly controlling wife.
Il se sentait constamment critiqué par sa femme dominante.
C2 noun /ˌhɛtərəʤəˈniːɪti/

heterogeneity

hétérogénéité
Meaning
the quality or state of being diverse in character or content
Example
The cultural heterogeneity of the city makes it vibrant and unique.
La hétérogénéité culturelle de la ville la rend vivante et unique.
C2 verb /ˈmɒlikɒdl/

mollycoddle

gâter
Meaning
To treat someone in an overprotective and indulgent way.
Example
Parents should avoid mollycoddling their children too much.
Les parents devraient éviter de gâter trop leurs enfants.
C2 noun /tɪlθ/

tilth

état du sol (aptitude à cultiver des cultures)
Meaning
The physical condition of soil in relation to its suitability for planting crops.
Example
The farmer checked the soil's tilth before planting the seeds.
Le fermier a vérifié l'état du sol avant de planter les graines.
C2 verb /prəˈpaʊnd/

propound

proposer
Meaning
To put forward an idea, theory, or point for consideration.
Example
The professor propounded a new theory on climate change.
Le professeur a proposé une nouvelle théorie sur le changement climatique.
C2 verb /ˈekspərˌɡeɪt/

expurgate

expurger
Meaning
To remove offensive or objectionable parts from a text or speech.
Example
The publisher decided to expurgate the novel before reprinting it.
L’éditeur a décidé d’expurger le roman avant de le réimprimer.
C2 noun /ˌsɪŋ.krəˈnɪs.ɪ.ti/

synchronicity

synchronicité
Meaning
The meaningful coincidence of two or more events that are not planned.
Example
The synchronicity of their thoughts amazed everyone.
La synchronicité de leurs pensées a étonné tout le monde.
C2 adjective /ˈrɛkənˌsaɪləbl̩/

reconcilable

réconciliable
Meaning
Capable of being resolved or made consistent.
Example
Their differences are reconcilable with honest communication.
Leurs différences sont réconciliables grâce à une communication honnête.
C2 noun /ˈprɑːflɪɡəsi/

profligacy

dépense excessive
Meaning
reckless wastefulness or extravagance
Example
His profligacy with money led him to bankruptcy.
Sa dépense excessive l'a conduit à la faillite.
C2 noun /tɑːrn/

tarn

lac de montagne
Meaning
A small mountain lake or pool.
Example
We camped near a tranquil tarn in the highlands.
Nous avons campé près d'un lac de montagne tranquille dans les Highlands.
C2 adjective /ˌæntɪdəˈluːviən/

antediluvian

désuet
Meaning
extremely old-fashioned; belonging to the time before the biblical flood
Example
His views on women are positively antediluvian.
Ses opinions sur les femmes sont positivement démodées.
C2 adjective /ˈseɪpiənt/

sapient

sage
Meaning
Wise, or appearing to be wise.
Example
The professor gave a sapient response to the complex question.
Le professeur a donné une réponse sage à la question complexe.
C2 noun /ˌmɒnəˈmeɪniə/

monomania

monomanie
Meaning
Excessive concentration or obsession with a single subject or idea.
Example
His monomania for collecting stamps worried his family.
Sa monomanie pour collectionner des timbres inquiétait sa famille.
C2 adjective /ˈkɒr.ə.ɡeɪ.tɪd/

corrugated

ondulé ou plié
Meaning
shaped into ridges and grooves; wrinkled or folded
Example
The roof was made of corrugated metal sheets.
Le toit était fait de feuilles de métal ondulé.
C2 noun /ˈbɪɡ.ə.mi/

bigamy

bigamie
Meaning
The act of marrying one person while still legally married to another.
Example
He was charged with bigamy after his second marriage was discovered.
Il a été accusé de bigamie après que son second mariage ait été découvert.
C2 verb ɪɡˈzɔːrt

exhort

exhorter
Meaning
To strongly encourage or urge someone to do something.
Example
The teacher exhorted students to work hard for exams.
Le professeur a exhorté les élèves à travailler dur pour les examens.
C2 noun /kənˈtɔːrʃənz/

contortions

pluriel de contorsion; plusieurs formes tordues ou déformées
Meaning
plural form of contortion; multiple twisted or bent shapes
Example
The magician's contortions left the crowd in awe.
Les contorsions du magicien ont laissé la foule bouche bée.
C2 noun /ˈprɒm.ən.tɔːr.i/

promontory

promontoire
Meaning
A high point of land or rock projecting into a body of water.
Example
The lighthouse stood on a promontory overlooking the sea.
Le phare se trouvait sur un promontoire surplombant la mer.
C2 noun /niːp/

neap

marée basse
Meaning
A tide just after the first or third quarters of the moon when the difference between high and low tide is least.
Example
During a neap tide, the water level change is minimal.
Pendant une marée basse, le changement du niveau de l'eau est minimal.
C2 verb /ˈpɛtɪˌfɒɡ/

pettifog

discuter de futilités
Meaning
to argue or quibble over trivial matters; to engage in petty, dishonest practices
Example
The lawyer was accused of trying to pettifog instead of addressing the real issue.
L'avocat a été accusé d'essayer de discuter de questions futiles au lieu de traiter le vrai problème.
C2 adjective /kəˈrɛlətɪv/

correlative

corrélatif
Meaning
having a mutual relationship; corresponding
Example
The increase in temperature is correlative with the melting of glaciers.
L'augmentation de la température est corrélative à la fonte des glaciers.
C2 adjective /ˌkɒnsæŋˈɡwɪniəs/

consanguineous

consanguin
Meaning
Related by blood; descended from the same ancestor.
Example
The study focused on genetic disorders in consanguineous families.
L'étude s'est concentrée sur les troubles génétiques dans les familles consanguines.
C2 noun /ˌɪnkənˈɡruːəti/

incongruity

incongruité
Meaning
The state of being inconsistent or out of place.
Example
The incongruity of his cheerful mood during the funeral shocked everyone.
L'incongruité de son humeur joyeuse pendant les funérailles a choqué tout le monde.
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 /ˈɑːsɪˌfaɪd/

ossified

transformé en os, rigide
Meaning
Turned into bone or become rigid; unwilling to change.
Example
The company had an ossified management structure that resisted innovation.
L'entreprise avait une structure de gestion rigide qui résistait à l'innovation.
C2 verb /ˈlɛvɪteɪt/

levitate

léviter
Meaning
to rise or float in the air, usually without visible support.
Example
The magician made the table levitate during the show.
Le magicien a fait léviter la table pendant le spectacle.
C2 noun /kɔˈrɪkə soˈbɔrnə/

Corica soborna

poisson kachki
Meaning
a small silvery fish species found in South Asian rivers, commonly used in local cuisine
Example
Corica soborna is a popular ingredient in traditional Bengali fish curry.
Corica soborna est un ingrédient populaire dans le curry de poisson bengali traditionnel.
C2 noun /ˈkɔːrmərənt/

cormorant

un grand oiseau marin noir qui attrape des poissons
Meaning
a large black sea bird that catches fish by diving
Example
The cormorant perched on the rock, drying its wings after a dive.
Le cormoran était perché sur la roche, séchant ses ailes après un plongeon.
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 adjective/noun /fɪˈduː.ʃi.er.i/

fiduciary

fiduciaire
Meaning
Involving trust, especially with regard to the relationship between a trustee and a beneficiary.
Example
Banks have fiduciary duties towards their clients.
Les banques ont des devoirs fiduciaires envers leurs clients.
C2 noun /ˈtʃɜː.nɪŋ stɪk/

Churning stick

bâton de barattage
Meaning
a wooden stick used for stirring and churning butter, milk, or other liquids
Example
Grandmother used a churning stick to make fresh butter.
La grand-mère a utilisé un bâton de barattage pour faire du beurre frais.
C2 adjective /kəˈprɪʃəs/

capricious

capricieux
Meaning
given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior
Example
The stock market can be capricious, shifting dramatically without warning.
Le marché boursier peut être capricieux, changeant de manière spectaculaire sans avertissement.
C2 adjective /ˈprɑːflɪɡət/

profligate

dissipateur
Meaning
recklessly extravagant or wasteful in resources
Example
The king was known for his profligate lifestyle.
Le roi était connu pour son style de vie dissipateur.
C2 verb /dʒɪr/

jeer

se moquer
Meaning
to laugh at someone or something in a cruel or mocking way
Example
The crowd began to jeer at the opposing team.
La foule a commencé à se moquer de l'équipe adverse.
C2 adjective /ræpˈtɔːriəl/

raptorial

rapace
Meaning
Relating to birds of prey or predatory behavior.
Example
The eagle is a raptorial bird with sharp talons.
L'aigle est un oiseau de proie avec des serres acérées.
C2 noun /ˈkæl.əm.ni/

Calumny

calomnie
Meaning
the making of false and defamatory statements about someone in order to damage their reputation
Example
The politician sued the newspaper for spreading calumny about his personal life.
Le politicien a poursuivi le journal pour avoir propagé des calomnies sur sa vie personnelle.
C2 verb /dɪˈstreɪn/

distrain

saisir
Meaning
to seize someone's property in order to obtain payment of rent or other money owed
Example
The landlord distrained the tenant's furniture for unpaid rent.
Le propriétaire a saisi les meubles du locataire pour loyer impayé.
C2 noun /koʊˈkɛt/

coquette

femme coquette
Meaning
a woman who flirts lightheartedly
Example
She was a coquette, always charming everyone at the party.
Elle était une coquette, charmant toujours tout le monde à la fête.
C2 noun /ˈpɔːrfəri/

porphyry

une roche ignée dure
Meaning
A hard igneous rock containing crystals, often used for decorative or building purposes.
Example
The ancient Romans used porphyry to make columns and statues.
Les anciens Romains ont utilisé le porphyre pour fabriquer des colonnes et des statues.
C2 noun /ˈɡæŋ.ɡriːn/

gangrene

gangrène
Meaning
The death of body tissue due to lack of blood supply or infection.
Example
If untreated, the wound may lead to gangrene.
Si elle n'est pas traitée, la plaie peut conduire à la gangrène.
C2 adjective /ˌpriːpəˈzɛsɪŋ/

prepossessing

attirant
Meaning
Attractive or appealing in appearance or manner.
Example
She had a prepossessing smile that charmed everyone.
Elle avait un sourire attrayant qui a charmé tout le monde.
C2 noun /ˌkʌmˈʌpəns/

comeuppance

châtiment mérité
Meaning
A deserved punishment or fate; just deserts.
Example
The corrupt official finally got his comeuppance in court.
Le fonctionnaire corrompu a enfin reçu sa punition méritée au tribunal.
C2 verb /ˌdɪsəˈvaʊ/

disavow

désavouer
Meaning
to deny responsibility for or connection with something
Example
He disavowed any involvement in the scandal.
Il a désavoué toute implication dans le scandale.
C2 noun /ˈsʌplɪkənt/

supplicant

suppliant
Meaning
A person who humbly or earnestly asks for something, usually from a person of authority.
Example
The temple was filled with supplicants seeking blessings.
Le temple était rempli de suppliants cherchant des bénédictions.
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 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 /ˈɑːrkeɪˌɪzəm/

archaism

archaïsme
Meaning
a word, expression, or style of language that is no longer in everyday use
Example
The poem is full of archaisms that give it an old-fashioned flavor.
Le poème est plein d'archaïsmes qui lui donnent un goût ancien.
C2 adjective /ˈslæp.dæʃ/

slapdash

fait à la va-vite
Meaning
done too quickly and carelessly; hasty and careless
Example
The report was written in a slapdash manner, full of errors.
Le rapport a été rédigé à la va-vite, plein d'erreurs.
C2 noun /ˈkæn.toʊ/

canto

canto
Meaning
A main division of a long poem, especially in epic poetry.
Example
The Divine Comedy is divided into several cantos.
La Divine Comédie est divisée en plusieurs cantos.
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 verb /ɪˈmæskjʊleɪt/

emasculate

émasculer
Meaning
To make someone weaker or less effective; to deprive of strength or vigor.
Example
The constant criticism emasculated his confidence.
La critique constante a émoussé sa confiance.
C2 noun /bleɪn/

Blain

cloque
Meaning
an inflammatory swelling or sore on the skin; a blister or pustule
Example
The doctor examined the blain on his arm.
Le médecin a examiné la cloque sur son bras.
C2 noun /ˈæntɪkwɛri/

antiquary

antiquaire
Meaning
A person who studies, collects, or deals in antiques or ancient objects.
Example
The antiquary spent years collecting rare manuscripts from the medieval period.
L'antiquaire a passé des années à collecter des manuscrits rares de la période médiévale.
C2 noun /ˈhæbɪtjuːd/

habitude

habitude, coutume
Meaning
a customary condition or mode of life; habitual practice
Example
He lived in a quiet habitude, avoiding the noise of the city.
Il vivait dans une habitude tranquille, évitant le bruit de la ville.
C2 verb /ˈɪməleɪt/

immolate

immoler
Meaning
To kill or sacrifice, especially by burning.
Example
The protesters threatened to immolate themselves in front of the building.
Les manifestants ont menacé de s'immoler devant le bâtiment.
C2 adjective /fəˈloʊniəs/

felonious

relatif à un crime grave
Meaning
relating to or involved in serious criminal activity
Example
He was charged with felonious assault after the incident.
Il a été accusé d'agression grave après l'incident.
C2 noun /rɪˈsɪdɪvɪst/

recidivist

récidiviste
Meaning
A person who repeatedly commits crimes, especially after having been punished.
Example
The police identified him as a recidivist who had been arrested several times before.
La police l'a identifié comme un récidiviste qui avait été arrêté plusieurs fois auparavant.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈkɑːdʒɪtənt/

incogitant

irréfléchi
Meaning
Lacking thought; inconsiderate or thoughtless.
Example
It was incogitant of him to make such a rude comment.
C'était incogitant de sa part de faire un commentaire aussi grossier.
C2 noun /ˈkɔːrnɪs/

cornice

corniche
Meaning
an ornamental molding around the wall of a room just below the ceiling
Example
The elegant cornice added a classical touch to the living room.
La corniche élégante a ajouté une touche classique au salon.
C2 noun /ˈɪəri/ or /ˈɛəri/

aery

nid de l'aigle
Meaning
An eagle’s nest, or a lofty, airy dwelling.
Example
The eagle perched proudly near its aery high on the cliff.
L'aigle s'est perché fièrement près de son aire, en haut de la falaise.
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 adjective /sɪˈkweɪʃəs/

sequacious

suiveur aveugle
Meaning
Lacking independence of thought; blindly following.
Example
The sequacious students never questioned their teacher's opinions.
Les étudiants séquacieux n'ont jamais remis en question les opinions de leur professeur.
C2 verb /diːˈfrɑːk/

defrock

révoquer un prêtre de sa fonction
Meaning
to officially remove a priest or minister from their position and authority
Example
The church decided to defrock the priest after the scandal.
L'église a décidé de démettre le prêtre après le scandale.
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 /ˈhɔːrn.bɪl/

Hornbill

Oiseau hornbill
Meaning
a large tropical bird with a large curved beak and often a horn-like projection
Example
The colorful hornbill perched on the highest branch.
Le hornbill coloré s'est posé sur la branche la plus haute.
C2 noun /ˈhɛdʒɪrə/ or /hɪˈdʒaɪrə/

hegira

exode, migration
Meaning
a journey, especially when undertaken to escape from a dangerous or undesirable situation
Example
The refugees began their hegira across the desert.
Les réfugiés ont commencé leur exode à travers le désert.
C2 noun /ˈkɪldʒɔɪ/

killjoy

rabat-joie
Meaning
a person who spoils the fun or enjoyment of others
Example
Don’t be a killjoy at the party.
Ne sois pas un rabat-joie à la fête.
C2 adjective /əˈkɜːrsɪd/

accursed

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

sartorial

relatif aux vêtements ou au style vestimentaire
Meaning
Of or relating to clothing or style or manner of dress.
Example
His sartorial choices were always on trend and admired.
Ses choix sartoriaux étaient toujours à la mode et admirés.
C2 noun /ˌmɛtəˈfɪzɪks/

metaphysics

métaphysique
Meaning
The branch of philosophy that deals with the fundamental nature of reality, existence, and the relationship between mind and matter.
Example
She studied metaphysics to understand the principles of existence beyond physical science.
Elle a étudié la métaphysique pour comprendre les principes de l'existence au-delà de la science physique.
C2 adjective /ˈfɪt.fəl/

fitful

par intermittence
Meaning
occurring in irregular bursts; not continuous or steady
Example
He had a fitful sleep due to the storm.
Il a eu un sommeil par intermittence à cause de la tempête.
C2 adjective /ˈkrɛstˌfɔːlən/

crestfallen

abattu
Meaning
sad and disappointed
Example
He looked crestfallen after hearing the bad news.
Il avait l'air abattu après avoir entendu les mauvaises nouvelles.
C2 adjective /ˈsiːmli/

seemly

approprié
Meaning
proper or appropriate in behavior or appearance
Example
It was not seemly to argue loudly during the ceremony.
Il n'était pas approprié de discuter bruyamment pendant la cérémonie.
C2 noun /ˌɔːrəˈtɔːri.oʊ/

oratorio

composition musicale religieuse
Meaning
A large-scale musical composition for orchestra, choir, and soloists, usually on a sacred theme, performed without costumes or scenery.
Example
Handel's 'Messiah' is one of the most famous oratorios ever written.
Le 'Messie' de Handel est l'un des oratorios les plus célèbres jamais écrits.
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 /ˈpɔːltər/

palter

parler de manière floue, tromper
Meaning
to act insincerely or deceitfully; to equivocate or lie
Example
He paltered when asked about his involvement in the deal.
Il a évité la question lorsqu'on lui a demandé son implication dans l'accord.
C2 noun /ˈflætʃələns/

flatulence

accumulation de gaz dans le système digestif
Meaning
the accumulation of gas in the digestive system; excessive gas in the stomach or intestines
Example
Eating beans can sometimes cause flatulence.
Manger des haricots peut parfois provoquer des flatulences.
C2 noun /meɪs/

mace

mace / sceptre
Meaning
a ceremonial staff carried as a symbol of authority or a weapon similar to a club
Example
The guard carried a mace as a symbol of authority.
Le garde portait un mace comme symbole d'autorité.
C2 noun /ˈdɛvɪltrɪ/

deviltry

mauvais tours
Meaning
Cruel or malicious behavior; mischief with an evil aspect.
Example
The villain’s deviltry terrified the townsfolk.
Les mauvais tours du méchant ont terrifié les habitants du village.
C2 adjective /rɪˈfjuː.tə.bəl/

Refutable

réfutable
Meaning
capable of being proven wrong or false; able to be disproved
Example
His theory was refutable because it could be tested experimentally.
Sa théorie était réfutable car elle pouvait être testée expérimentalement.
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 adjective /kɔːrˈpɔːriəl/

corporeal

corporel, matériel
Meaning
relating to the physical body; material or tangible
Example
Ghosts are often described as having no corporeal form.
Les fantômes sont souvent décrits comme n'ayant pas de forme corporelle.
C2 noun /dʒɔːnt/

jaunt

excursion courte
Meaning
A short journey or excursion, usually taken for pleasure.
Example
They went on a weekend jaunt to the countryside.
Ils sont partis en excursion courte à la campagne le week-end.
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 /dɪˈfoʊliənt/

defoliant

défoliant
Meaning
a chemical that causes leaves to drop from plants, often used in warfare or agriculture
Example
The army sprayed defoliant to clear the forest cover.
L'armée a pulvérisé un défoliant pour dégager le couvert forestier.
C2 adjective əˈsɪd.ju.əs

assiduous

assidu ou appliqué
Meaning
Showing great care and perseverance; diligent and hardworking.
Example
His assiduous efforts led to a successful career.
Ses efforts assidus l'ont conduit à une carrière réussie.
C2 adjective /ˈtɜːrbɪd/

turbid

trouble
Meaning
Cloudy, opaque, or thick with suspended matter; confused or obscure in meaning.
Example
The river water became turbid after the heavy rains.
L'eau de la rivière est devenue trouble après les fortes pluies.
C2 noun /ˈpɒlɪti/

polity

politique, système de gouvernement
Meaning
an organized society or form of government
Example
The ancient Greek polity had a system of city-states.
La politique grecque antique avait un système de cités-états.
C2 noun /ˈfaɪləm/

phylum

une catégorie principale dans la classification biologique, au-dessus de la classe et en dessous du règne
Meaning
a primary category in the biological classification of organisms, above class and below kingdom
Example
Humans belong to the phylum Chordata.
Les humains appartiennent au phylum Chordata.
C2 noun /ɪmˈpɒs.tʃər/

Imposture

imposture; fraude; tromperie
Meaning
the practice of deceiving others by pretending to be someone else; fraudulent deception
Example
The elaborate imposture lasted for months before investigators uncovered the truth.
L'imposture élaborée a duré des mois avant que les enquêteurs ne découvrent la vérité.
C2 noun /dəˈkɔɪt/

Dacoit

bandit
Meaning
a member of an armed gang of robbers; a bandit, especially in India and Myanmar
Example
The village was terrorized by a gang of dacoits who robbed travelers.
Le village a été terrorisé par un gang de bandits qui ont volé les voyageurs.
C2 adjective /kənˌtɛmpəˈreɪniəs/

contemporaneous

contemporané
Meaning
existing, happening, or occurring at the same time
Example
The two artists were contemporaneous and often influenced each other.
Les deux artistes étaient contemporains et se sont souvent influencés mutuellement.
C2 noun /miːd/

mead

hydromel
Meaning
An alcoholic drink made from fermented honey and water.
Example
The Vikings were known to drink large amounts of mead during feasts.
Les Vikings étaient connus pour boire de grandes quantités d'hydromel lors des festins.
C2 adjective /dɪˈsɛnʃənt/

dissentient

dissident
Meaning
Expressing or holding opinions that are opposed to the majority or official view.
Example
Only a few dissentient voices were heard during the debate.
Seules quelques voix dissidentes ont été entendues lors du débat.
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 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 noun /pəˈlɛmɪks/

polemics

polémique
Meaning
the art or practice of engaging in controversial debate or dispute
Example
The conference was full of polemics on economic reforms.
La conférence était pleine de polémiques sur les réformes économiques.
C2 phrase ˌdʒʊə.rɪs.pruːˈden.ʃəl ˈbentʃ.mɑːk

jurisprudential benchmark

repère juridique
Meaning
A legal standard or precedent that serves as a reference point for future legal decisions.
Example
The decision set a jurisprudential benchmark.
La décision a établi un repère juridique.
C2 noun /ˈɒn.rʌʃ/

onrush

ruée
Meaning
A sudden powerful forward or downward rush or flow.
Example
The onrush of water swept away the bridge.
La ruée d'eau emporta le pont.
C2 verb /ˈrɔɪstər/

roister

réjouir bruyamment
Meaning
to revel noisily; to engage in loud, boisterous celebration
Example
The fans roistered in the streets after the victory.
Les fans ont fait la fête dans les rues après la victoire.
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.