contrition
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 noun /kənˈtrɪʃ.ən/

contrition

contrition
Meaning
the state of feeling remorseful and repentant
Example
His contrition was evident after the apology.
Sa contrition était évidente après des excuses.
C2 verb /ɪnˈθrɔːl/

enthral

captiver
Meaning
To captivate or hold someone’s full attention.
Example
The magician’s performance enthralled the audience.
La performance du magicien a captivé l'audience.
C2 noun /reɪθ/

wraith

spectre
Meaning
A ghost or ghostlike image of someone, especially seen shortly before or after their death.
Example
A wraith appeared in the fog near the old castle.
Un spectre est apparu dans le brouillard près du vieux château.
C2 noun /ˌbenɪˈdɪkʃən/

Benediction

bénédiction
Meaning
a blessing, especially a ceremonial one; an expression of good wishes
Example
The priest gave his benediction to the newlyweds.
Le prêtre a donné sa bénédiction aux nouveaux mariés.
C2 noun juːˈbɪkwɪti

ubiquity

ubiquité
Meaning
The fact of appearing everywhere or of being very common.
Example
The ubiquity of smartphones has transformed communication.
L'ubiquité des smartphones a transformé la communication.
C2 noun /ˌfɑːrməkəˈpiːə/

pharmacopoeia

pharmacopée
Meaning
An official book listing medicinal drugs, their effects, and directions for use.
Example
The doctor referred to the pharmacopoeia to check the drug's proper dosage.
Le médecin a consulté la pharmacopée pour vérifier la dose correcte du médicament.
C2 noun /ˈfʌŋkʃəˌnɛri/

functionary

fonctionnaire
Meaning
a person who has official duties in an organization, especially one with little authority
Example
The minor functionary was responsible for filing reports.
Le fonctionnaire mineur était responsable du dépôt des rapports.
C2 adjective /ɛmˈpaɪriəl/

empyreal

céleste
Meaning
Heavenly, divine, or relating to the highest heavens.
Example
The poet described the empyreal beauty of the stars.
Le poète a décrit la beauté céleste des étoiles.
C2 verb əˈmiːljəreɪt

ameliorate

améliorer, perfectionner
Meaning
To make better; improve or enhance something.
Example
The new policies are designed to ameliorate living conditions.
Les nouvelles politiques sont conçues pour améliorer les conditions de vie.
C2 verb /dɪˈlæpɪdeɪt/

dilapidate

détériorer
Meaning
To cause something, especially a building, to fall into ruin or disrepair.
Example
The abandoned house began to dilapidate over the years.
La maison abandonnée a commencé à se détériorer au fil des ans.
C2 adjective /ˌæntɪˈmʌndeɪn/

antemundane

avant la création du monde
Meaning
Existing or occurring before the creation of the world.
Example
Some myths speak of an antemundane chaos before order was established.
Certains mythes parlent d'un chaos antémundane avant l'établissement de l'ordre.
C2 noun /rɪˈpruːf/

reproof

réprobation, censure
Meaning
An expression of blame or disapproval.
Example
His careless words drew a sharp reproof from his mother.
Ses paroles imprudentes ont provoqué une vive réprobation de sa mère.
C2 verb /ˈbændi/

bandy

échanger
Meaning
To pass (words, ideas, or gossip) back and forth in a casual or argumentative way.
Example
They bandied jokes across the table.
Ils échangeaient des blagues à travers la table.
C2 noun /ˈkɜːrtʃɪf/

kerchief

foulard
Meaning
a piece of cloth worn around the head or neck
Example
She wore a red kerchief on her head.
Elle portait un foulard rouge sur la tête.
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 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 adjective /rɪˈfrɪndʒənt/

refringent

réfringent
Meaning
Capable of refracting light or other waves.
Example
The refringent properties of the crystal bent the light into a spectrum.
Les propriétés réfringentes du cristal ont courbé la lumière en un spectre.
C2 noun /ˌɛləˈkjuːʃn/

elocution

élocution
Meaning
The skill of clear and expressive speech, especially in public speaking.
Example
She improved her elocution through constant practice.
Elle a amélioré son élocution grâce à une pratique constante.
C2 noun ˌæɡ.roʊˈiː.koʊˌsɪs.təm

agroecosystem

agrosystème
Meaning
An ecological system centered on agricultural activities and processes.
Example
A healthy agroecosystem improves soil fertility.
Un agroécosystème sain améliore la fertilité du sol.
C2 adjective /ˈbɔːdi/

bawdy

obscène
Meaning
humorously indecent or obscene, often in a sexual way
Example
The comedian’s bawdy jokes made the audience laugh and blush.
Les blagues obscènes du comédien ont fait rire le public et ont fait rougir certains.
C2 noun /fækˈsɪmɪli/

facsimile

copie
Meaning
an exact copy or reproduction of a document
Example
He sent a facsimile of the contract to the client.
Il a envoyé une copie du contrat au client.
C2 noun /dɪˈprævɪti/

depravity

dégrégation morale
Meaning
moral corruption; wickedness
Example
The film portrays the moral depravity of a corrupt society.
Le film dépeint la dégradation morale d'une société corrompue.
C2 noun /ˈʌn.dɚˌstɔː.ri/

understory

végétation inférieure
Meaning
The layer of vegetation beneath the main canopy of a forest.
Example
The understory of a rainforest is home to small mammals and insects.
La végétation inférieure d'une forêt tropicale est le foyer de petits mammifères et d'insectes.
C2 noun /ˌdɪsæprəˈbeɪʃən/

disapprobation

désapprobation
Meaning
strong disapproval, typically on moral grounds
Example
The policy was met with widespread disapprobation.
La politique a été accueillie par une désapprobation généralisée.
C2 adjective /ˈviː.ni.əl/

Venial

pardonnable; pas gravement faux; mineur
Meaning
forgivable; not seriously wrong; minor
Example
His late arrival was considered a venial offense.
Son arrivée tardive a été considérée comme une infraction vénielle.
C2 noun /ˈhɑː.mə.li/

Homily

homélie; discours religieux
Meaning
a religious discourse delivered as part of a church service; a tedious moralizing lecture
Example
The priest delivered an inspiring homily about compassion and forgiveness during Sunday service.
Le prêtre a prononcé une homélie inspirante sur la compassion et le pardon lors du service du dimanche.
C2 noun /briːtʃ/

breech

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

sapid

savoureux
Meaning
Having a pleasant taste; flavorful.
Example
The chef prepared a sapid dish that delighted everyone at the table.
Le chef a préparé un plat savoureux qui a enchanté tout le monde à table.
C2 adjective /ˈvɒl.jʊ.bəl/

Voluble

bavard; volubile
Meaning
speaking fluently and readily; talkative; having a continuous flow of words
Example
The voluble salesman talked for hours about his products.
Le vendeur bavard a parlé pendant des heures de ses produits.
C2 noun /pʌɡˈnæsɪti/

pugnacity

pugnacité
Meaning
A natural disposition to be combative or aggressive.
Example
The coach admired the player's pugnacity on the field.
L'entraîneur admirait la pugnacité du joueur sur le terrain.
C2 adjective /ˌɪndɪˈfætɪɡəbl̩/

indefatigable

inébranlable
Meaning
persisting tirelessly; incapable of being fatigued
Example
Her indefatigable spirit kept the team motivated during the long project.
Son esprit inébranlable a gardé l'équipe motivée pendant le long projet.
C2 adjective /dɪˈsɛnʃəs/

dissentious

diviseur
Meaning
Causing or likely to cause disagreement and conflict.
Example
His dissentious remarks divided the group further.
Ses remarques divisives ont encore plus divisé le groupe.
C2 noun /ɪˈreɪdiəns/

irradiance

irradiance
Meaning
the quality of shining brightly; the intensity of light falling on a surface
Example
The irradiance of the sun at noon was overwhelming.
L'irradiance du soleil à midi était accablante.
C2 noun /proʊˈskrɪp.ʃən/

proscription

interdiction
Meaning
the act of forbidding something, especially by law
Example
The proscription of child labor is an important human rights achievement.
L'interdiction du travail des enfants est une réalisation importante des droits humains.
C2 adjective /ˌɪnsəˈpɔːrtəbl̩/

insupportable

insupportable
Meaning
Too extreme or difficult to be endured.
Example
The heat was insupportable during the long journey.
La chaleur était insupportable pendant le long voyage.
C2 noun /ˈbɜːrsər/

bursar

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

glade

clairière
Meaning
An open space in a forest or woods.
Example
They rested in a sunny glade after their long hike.
Ils se sont reposés dans une clairière ensoleillée après leur longue randonnée.
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 adjective /ˈɔːrnəri/

ornery

irritable
Meaning
bad-tempered and combative; stubborn
Example
The ornery old man refused to leave his chair.
Le vieil homme irritable a refusé de quitter sa chaise.
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 adjective /ɪnˈsɪpiənt/

incipient

incipient
Meaning
in an initial stage; beginning to develop
Example
The incipient storm made the sky turn dark and heavy.
La tempête incipiente a fait assombrir le ciel et le rendre lourd.
C2 noun /ˌɪnəməˈrɑːtə/

inamorata

amante
Meaning
A woman with whom someone is in love; a female lover.
Example
He wrote a poem dedicated to his inamorata.
Il a écrit un poème dédié à son amante.
C2 adjective/noun /ɪnˈkɑːrnədiːn/

incarnadine

rouge incarnat
Meaning
a bright crimson or pinkish-red color
Example
The sky turned incarnadine at sunset.
Le ciel est devenu rouge incarnat au coucher du soleil.
C2 adjective fəˈleɪ.ʃəs

fallacious

fallacieux
Meaning
Based on false reasoning or misleading arguments.
Example
His argument was based on fallacious reasoning.
Son argument était basé sur des raisonnements fallacieux.
C2 noun /nɛˈkroʊsɪs/

necrosis

nécrose
Meaning
the death of body tissue due to disease, injury, or lack of blood supply
Example
The doctor explained that the patient’s wound showed signs of necrosis.
Le médecin a expliqué que la blessure du patient montrait des signes de nécrose.
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 /ˌɪnkrʌˈsteɪʃən/

incrustation

croûte
Meaning
a crust or hard coating formed on the surface of something
Example
The old pipes were blocked due to heavy incrustation of minerals.
Les vieilles tuyauteries étaient bloquées en raison d'une incrustation importante de minéraux.
C2 noun /pɛlf/

pelf

argent malhonnête
Meaning
Money, especially when gained dishonorably.
Example
The corrupt official was motivated only by pelf.
Le fonctionnaire corrompu était motivé uniquement par l'argent malhonnête.
C2 noun /ˈbroʊɡən/

brogan

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

Kinky

pratiques sexuelles non conventionnelles; cheveux frisés ou bouclés
Meaning
having or involving unconventional sexual practices; having tight curls or bends
Example
His kinky hair made him look unique.
Ses cheveux frisés le rendaient unique.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈskruːtəbl̩/

inscrutable

bonheur
Meaning
impossible to understand or interpret
Example
His inscrutable expression made it hard to know what he was thinking.
Elle n'a pas pu cacher son bonheur lorsqu'elle a reçu le prix.
C2 verb /kənˈdəʊl/

condole

exprimer des condoléances
Meaning
To express sympathy for someone who is suffering or grieving.
Example
Neighbors came to condole with the family after the tragedy.
Les voisins sont venus exprimer des condoléances à la famille après la tragédie.
C2 noun /ˈhɜːrmɪtɪdʒ/

hermitage

ermitage
Meaning
A secluded residence or retreat, often for a hermit or religious recluse.
Example
The monk spent years in a hermitage deep in the forest.
Le moine a passé des années dans un ermitage au fond de la forêt.
C2 noun /ˈhænd ˌrɪŋɪŋ/

hand-wringing

inquiétude excessive
Meaning
excessive worry or concern expressed in a visible or dramatic way.
Example
There was much hand-wringing over the political crisis.
Il y avait beaucoup de gestes dramatiques à propos de la crise politique.
C2 verb /ˌsɜːrkəmˈnævɪɡeɪt/

circumnavigate

faire le tour du monde
Meaning
to travel all the way around something, especially the earth
Example
Magellan was the first to circumnavigate the globe.
Magellan fut le premier à faire le tour du monde.
C2 noun /mɪˌsɛdʒəˈneɪʃən/

miscegenation

métissage
Meaning
the interbreeding of people considered to be of different racial types
Example
The law once prohibited miscegenation in many countries.
La loi interdisait autrefois la miscegénation dans de nombreux pays.
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 verb /ˈbeɪɪŋ/

baying

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

ineffable

ineffable
Meaning
Too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words.
Example
The beauty of the landscape was ineffable.
La beauté du paysage était ineffable.
C2 verb /kəˈraʊz/

carouse

faire la fête bruyamment
Meaning
to drink and enjoy oneself noisily, often with others
Example
They stayed up all night to carouse after the victory.
Ils sont restés éveillés toute la nuit pour faire la fête après la victoire.
C2 noun /ˈpiːs ɡʊdz/

Piece-goods

tissu au mètre
Meaning
textiles or fabrics sold by the yard or meter; cloth materials
Example
The tailor bought piece-goods from the wholesale market to make custom dresses.
Le tailleur a acheté des tissus au mètre au marché de gros pour fabriquer des robes sur mesure.
C2 noun /ˈʃɛvrən/

chevron

symbole en forme de V
Meaning
A V-shaped pattern, often used in military insignia or design.
Example
The sergeant’s uniform displayed three chevrons on the sleeve.
L'uniforme du sergent affichait trois chevrons sur la manche.
C2 verb /ˈwiːdəl/

wheedle

flatter pour convaincre
Meaning
to persuade or coax someone by using flattery or smooth talk
Example
She managed to wheedle extra pocket money from her father.
Elle a réussi à obtenir de l'argent de poche supplémentaire de son père.
C2 adjective /ˈfʊl.səm/

fulsome

éloges excessifs
Meaning
Excessively flattering or insincere; abundant or generous in amount.
Example
He offered fulsome praise to his boss.
Il a offert des éloges excessifs à son patron.
C2 noun /pɛnˈtæmɪtər/

pentameter

pentamètre
Meaning
A line of verse consisting of five metrical feet.
Example
Shakespeare often wrote his plays in iambic pentameter.
Shakespeare écrivait souvent ses pièces en pentamètre iambique.
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 adjective /ˌæntɪˈθɛtɪkəl/

antithetical

antithétique
Meaning
Directly opposed or contrasted; mutually incompatible.
Example
His views were antithetical to the values of the organization.
Ses points de vue étaient antithétiques aux valeurs de l'organisation.
C2 noun /sɛkˈstɛt/

sextet

sextuor
Meaning
a group of six people playing music or a piece written for six performers
Example
The jazz sextet filled the small club with a warm, layered sound.
Le sextuor de jazz a rempli le petit club avec un son chaud et superposé.
C2 noun /ˈdeɪ.ɪs/

Dais

estrade
Meaning
a raised platform, typically at one end of a room or hall, for speakers or honored guests
Example
The principal stood on the dais to address the entire school assembly.
Le directeur s'est tenu sur l'estrade pour s'adresser à toute l'assemblée scolaire.
C2 verb /ɪmˈpjuːn/

impugn

contester la vérité, la validité ou l'honnêteté d'une déclaration ou d'un motif
Meaning
to dispute the truth, validity, or honesty of a statement or motive
Example
The lawyer tried to impugn the credibility of the witness.
L'avocat a essayé de contester la crédibilité du témoin.
C2 adjective /ˌɪnɪkˈsprɛsəbl/

inexpressible

inexprimable
Meaning
Too strong or extreme to be expressed in words.
Example
She felt inexpressible joy at the news of her success.
Elle ressentit une joie inexprimable en apprenant son succès.
C2 noun /bəˈlɛəroʊ/

bolero

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

demotic

relatif au langage populaire
Meaning
relating to ordinary people or everyday language
Example
The poet used demotic language to connect with common readers.
Le poète a utilisé un langage relatif au langage populaire pour se connecter avec les lecteurs ordinaires.
C2 adjective /ˈwɪt.ləs/

Witless

imbécile; stupide; sans intelligence
Meaning
lacking intelligence or wisdom; foolish
Example
His witless remarks during the meeting embarrassed everyone present.
Ses remarques stupides pendant la réunion ont embarrassé tous les présents.
C2 noun /næt/

Gnat

moucheron
Meaning
a small flying insect that bites people and animals
Example
The gnat buzzed around my head while I was reading.
Le moucheron bourdonnait autour de ma tête pendant que je lisais.
C2 noun /ˌfɪziˈɒnəmi/

physiognomy

étude des traits du visage
Meaning
the study of facial features to judge character or personality
Example
He believed in physiognomy and tried to read people's personalities from their faces.
Il croyait à la physiognomonie et essayait de lire la personnalité des gens à partir de leurs visages.
C2 noun /bəˈfuːnəri/

buffoonery

bouffonnerie
Meaning
Foolish or ridiculous behavior intended to amuse.
Example
His constant buffoonery irritated the serious audience.
Sa bouffonnerie constante irritait le public sérieux.
C2 adjective /ˌsɒfəˈmɒrɪk/

sophomoric

immature
Meaning
showing immaturity and overconfidence, like a sophomore
Example
His sophomoric behavior embarrassed his friends.
Son comportement immature a embarrassé ses amis.
C2 noun /ˈæntiˌkraɪst/

antichrist

antéchrist
Meaning
A person regarded as the supreme opponent of Christ, often seen as a figure of ultimate evil.
Example
Some people fear the rise of an Antichrist in the future.
Certaines personnes redoutent l'ascension d'un Antéchrist dans le futur.
C2 noun /ˌmɛtəfɪˈzɪʃən/

metaphysician

métaphysicien
Meaning
A person who studies or is an expert in metaphysics.
Example
The metaphysician debated the essence of reality with his peers.
Le métaphysicien a débattu de l'essence de la réalité avec ses pairs.
C2 verb /ˌdɪspəˈzɛs/

dispossess

déposséder
Meaning
to deprive someone of land, property, or other possessions
Example
The new law threatened to dispossess many farmers of their land.
La nouvelle loi menaçait de déposséder de nombreux agriculteurs de leurs terres.
C2 verb /ˌoʊvərˈstraɪd/

overstride

franchir en faisant de grands pas
Meaning
To stride over something; to step across with long steps.
Example
He managed to overstride the narrow stream with ease.
Il a réussi à franchir le ruisseau étroit avec facilité.
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 noun /kwaɪˈiːtəs/

Quietus

mort ou quelque chose qui cause la mort ; une résolution finale
Meaning
death or something that causes death; a final settlement
Example
The hero received his quietus from the villain's sword.
Le héros a reçu son quietus de l'épée du vilain.
C2 verb /ɪˈreɪdieɪt/

irradiate

irradier
Meaning
to shine light on something; to expose to radiation; to illuminate or brighten
Example
The scientist used a lamp to irradiate the sample.
Le scientifique a utilisé une lampe pour irradier l'échantillon.
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 adjective /kənˈfɔːrməbl/

conformable

conforme
Meaning
Capable of being adapted or consistent with something; compliant.
Example
His actions were conformable to the rules of the institution.
Ses actions étaient conformes aux règles de l'institution.
C2 verb /daʊz/

dowse

chercher de l'eau ou des minéraux avec une baguette divinatoire; ou tremper ou éteindre avec un liquide.
Meaning
To search for underground water or minerals using a divining rod; also to drench or extinguish with liquid.
Example
The farmer tried to dowse for water in the dry field.
Le fermier a essayé de chercher de l'eau dans le champ sec.
C2 noun /ˌɑːpərˈtuːnɪzəm/

opportunism

opportunisme
Meaning
The practice of taking advantage of opportunities regardless of principles or ethics.
Example
His decision was driven by opportunism, not values.
Sa décision a été motivée par l'opportunisme, pas par des valeurs.
C2 verb /rɪˈsɪnd/

rescind

résilier
Meaning
to revoke, cancel, or repeal a law, order, or agreement
Example
The company decided to rescind the job offer.
L'entreprise a décidé de résilier l'offre d'emploi.
C2 noun /prɔːŋ/

prong

dent de fourchette
Meaning
a projecting pointed part, such as one of the pointed ends of a fork
Example
The fork has four prongs.
La fourchette a quatre dents.
C2 noun /kəˈkɒfəni/

cacophony

bruit discordant
Meaning
A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds.
Example
The cacophony of horns made it impossible to concentrate.
Le bruit discordant des klaxons rendait la concentration impossible.
C2 noun /ɪɡˈzækʃən/

exaction

exaction
Meaning
the act of demanding or obtaining something, especially unfairly
Example
The peasants suffered under the king's heavy exactions.
Les paysans ont souffert sous les lourdes exactions du roi.
C2 noun /bəˈθɪm.ə.tri/

bathymetry

bathymétrie
Meaning
The measurement of depth of water in oceans, seas, or lakes.
Example
Bathymetry is essential for understanding oceanic topography.
La bathymétrie est essentielle pour comprendre la topographie océanique.
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 verb /ˈɡɑːɡəl/

goggle

regarder avec de grands yeux
Meaning
to stare with wide open eyes, often in surprise or wonder
Example
The tourists goggled at the tall skyscrapers.
Les touristes regardaient avec étonnement les gratte-ciel hauts.
C2 noun /nuːt/

Newt

triton
Meaning
a small amphibian with a long tail that lives both in water and on land
Example
The newt swam gracefully in the pond.
Le triton nageait gracieusement dans l'étang.
C2 noun /ˈlɪɡ.ə.tʃər/

ligature

ligature
Meaning
A thing used for tying or binding tightly; in music/printing, two or more notes or letters joined together.
Example
The doctor used a ligature to stop the bleeding.
Le médecin a utilisé une ligature pour arrêter le saignement.
C2 noun /hɜːrs/

Hearse

voiture funéraire;
Meaning
a vehicle for conveying the coffin at a funeral; a funeral car
Example
The black hearse slowly made its way to the cemetery, followed by a procession of mourners.
Le corbillard noir s'est lentement dirigé vers le cimetière, suivi par une procession de personnes en deuil.
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 adjective /vɛˈstɪdʒiəl/

vestigial

vestigial
Meaning
Relating to a small, undeveloped remnant of something that was once much larger or more functional.
Example
Humans have a vestigial tailbone that no longer serves its original purpose.
Les humains ont un os du coccyx vestigial qui ne remplit plus sa fonction d'origine.
C2 adjective /sɒmˈnɪfərəs/

somniferous

somnifère
Meaning
Tending to induce sleep; soporific.
Example
The professor's somniferous lecture put half the class to sleep.
Le cours somnifère du professeur a endormi la moitié de la classe.
C2 noun /ˌnjʊə.rəʊˈdʒɛn.ɪ.sɪs/

neurogenesis

formation de nouvelles cellules nerveuses
Meaning
The process of forming new nerve cells in the brain.
Example
Scientists are studying neurogenesis to understand brain health.
Les scientifiques étudient la neurogénèse pour comprendre la santé du cerveau.
C2 adjective /ˈprɛfətɔːri/

prefatory

prélude
Meaning
serving as an introduction or preface
Example
He made some prefatory remarks before the lecture began.
Il a fait quelques remarques préliminaires avant que la conférence ne commence.
C2 noun /ˈstrɪk.tʃər/

stricture

restriction, critique
Meaning
a restriction or limitation; a critical remark
Example
The new law placed a severe stricture on free speech.
La nouvelle loi a imposé une restriction sévère à la liberté d'expression.
C2 noun /ˈpoʊ.ɪˌtæs.tər/

poetaster

un poète inférieur ou trivial
Meaning
an inferior or trivial poet
Example
He was mocked as a poetaster by the literary critics.
Il a été moqué comme un poétasteur par les critiques littéraires.
C2 noun, adjective /klɛərˈvɔɪənt/

clairvoyant

clairvoyant
Meaning
a person who claims to have clairvoyance; having the ability to see beyond normal senses
Example
The clairvoyant predicted that she would travel abroad soon.
Le clairvoyant a prédit qu'elle voyagerait bientôt à l'étranger.
C2 noun /ˈvɛrɪti/

verity

vérité
Meaning
a true principle or belief; the state of being true
Example
The verity of his statement was confirmed by evidence.
La véracité de sa déclaration a été confirmée par des preuves.
C2 verb /ˈwɔːbəl/

warble

chanter ou siffler avec une voix tremblante ou des trilles
Meaning
To sing or whistle with a quavering voice or with trills.
Example
The bird warbled a sweet tune in the morning.
L'oiseau a chanté une douce mélodie le matin.
C2 noun /ˈmʌŋɡrəl/

mongrel

chien bâtard
Meaning
A dog of mixed breed; sometimes used to describe something mixed or of inferior quality.
Example
The stray dog was a friendly mongrel.
Le chien errant était un chien bâtard amical.
C2 noun /ˈfaɪnəri/

finery

vêtements ou décorations luxueux
Meaning
expensive or elaborate clothes, decorations, or accessories
Example
She attended the party in her finest finery.
Elle est allée à la fête vêtue de sa plus belle tenue.
C2 noun /ˈsaɪnɪkjʊər/

sinecure

emploi facile
Meaning
a position requiring little or no work but giving financial benefit or status
Example
He was given a sinecure at the university as a reward for his loyalty.
Il a obtenu un emploi facile à l'université en récompense de sa loyauté.
C2 verb /kənˈvʌls/

convulse

secouer violemment; souffrir de contractions involontaires soudaines
Meaning
to shake violently; to suffer sudden involuntary contractions
Example
The patient convulsed during the seizure.
Le patient a convulsé pendant la crise.
C2 noun /niːˈɒkrəsi/

neocracy

Gouvernement dirigé par des fonctionnaires inexpérimentés ou nouveaux
Meaning
A government or leadership run by inexperienced or new officials.
Example
The sudden revolution led to a neocracy with inexperienced leaders.
La révolution soudaine a conduit à une néocratie avec des dirigeants inexpérimentés.
C2 verb /ˈræpsəˌdaɪz/

rhapsodize

rhapsodier
Meaning
to speak or write with great enthusiasm and admiration
Example
He would often rhapsodize about his travels to Europe.
Il parlait souvent avec enthousiasme de ses voyages en Europe.
C2 noun /dɪˈstreɪnər/

distrainor

saisie de biens
Meaning
a person, usually a landlord, who seizes another's property for unpaid debt or rent
Example
The distrainor took possession of the tenant's car until the debt was cleared.
Le distrainor a pris possession de la voiture du locataire jusqu'à ce que la dette soit réglée.
C2 noun /jɔːr/

yore

passé
Meaning
Time long past; bygone days.
Example
Legends of yore still inspire people today.
Les légendes du passé continuent d'inspirer les gens aujourd'hui.
C2 adjective /pjuːˈtrɛsənt/

putrescent

en décomposition
Meaning
undergoing the process of decay; rotting
Example
The putrescent odor made everyone leave the room.
L'odeur en décomposition fit fuir tout le monde hors de la pièce.
C2 noun /prɪˈsɛʃən/

precession

précession
Meaning
The slow movement of the axis of a spinning body around another axis, often referring to Earth's rotation.
Example
Astronomers study the precession of the equinoxes.
Les astronomes étudient la précession des équinoxes.
C2 noun /ˈpoʊ.ə.si/

poesy

poésie
Meaning
poetry; the art or composition of poems
Example
The anthology was filled with romantic poesy.
L'anthologie était remplie de poésie romantique.