darkling
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C2 adverb /ˈdɑːrklɪŋ/

darkling

dans l'obscurité
Meaning
In the dark or growing dark; dimly.
Example
The forest creatures moved darkling through the night.
Les créatures de la forêt se déplaçaient dans l'obscurité pendant la nuit.
C2 adjective /ˌdaɪəˈtɒmɪk/

diatomic

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

deliquesce

devenir liquide en absorbant l'humidité de l'air
Meaning
to become liquid by absorbing moisture from the air
Example
The salt began to deliquesce after being left in the humid room.
Le sel a commencé à se délier après avoir été laissé dans la pièce humide.
C2 noun /ˈdɛkəˌpɒd/

decapod

décapode
Meaning
An arthropod with ten limbs, such as crabs, lobsters, and shrimps.
Example
The lobster is a well-known decapod.
Le homard est un décapode bien connu.
C2 adjective /ˌdaɪəˈkrɪtɪkəl/

diacritical

diacritique
Meaning
Relating to a mark added to a letter to indicate a different pronunciation or stress.
Example
The word résumé has diacritical marks that change its meaning from resume.
Le mot 'résumé' a des marques diacritiques qui changent sa signification de 'resume'.
C2 verb /dʌn/

dun

exiger le paiement d'une dette
Meaning
to demand payment of a debt persistently
Example
The landlord dunned the tenant for unpaid rent.
Le propriétaire a demandé plusieurs fois le loyer impayé.
C2 adjective /dɪˈfjuːzəbl/

diffusible

diffusable
Meaning
able to spread or be spread through a medium
Example
Oxygen is diffusible through cell membranes.
L'oxygène est diffusible à travers les membranes cellulaires.
C2 adjective /dɪˈmoʊniˌæk/

demoniac

démoniaque
Meaning
possessed, produced, or influenced by a demon; frenzied or violent
Example
The soldiers fought with demoniac fury.
Les soldats ont combattu avec une furie démoniaque.
C2 adjective /dɛˈspɒtɪk/

despotic

despote
Meaning
exercising power in a cruel, oppressive, or authoritarian way
Example
The king’s despotic rule left the people in misery.
Le règne despote du roi a laissé le peuple dans la misère.
C2 adjective /ˌdɪsəˈfɛktɪd/

disaffected

mécontent
Meaning
Dissatisfied and rebellious, especially against authority or leadership.
Example
The reforms were introduced to calm the disaffected youth.
Les réformes ont été introduites pour calmer la jeunesse mécontente.
C2 noun /dɛnˈdrɒlədʒi/

dendrology

dendrologie
Meaning
the scientific study of trees and woody plants
Example
He is studying dendrology at the university.
Il étudie la dendrologie à l'université.
C2 verb /dɪˈskraɪ/

descry

apercevoir au loin
Meaning
to catch sight of something, especially something distant or obscure
Example
From the hilltop, they descried a small village in the distance.
Depuis le sommet de la colline, ils ont aperçu un petit village au loin.
C2 adjective /ˈdɔːrsəl/

dorsal

dorsal
Meaning
Relating to the back or upper side of an animal or body part.
Example
Sharks have a prominent dorsal fin.
Les requins ont une nageoire dorsale proéminente.
C2 verb /drəˈɡuːn/

dragoon

forcer
Meaning
to force someone to do something through coercion or intimidation
Example
The manager tried to dragoon the team into working overtime.
Le manager a essayé de forcer l'équipe à faire des heures supplémentaires.
C2 verb /dɪsˈmɛmbər/

dismember

dismembrer
Meaning
to cut or tear the limbs from a body; to divide into separate parts
Example
The king ordered his enemies to be dismembered.
Le roi a ordonné que ses ennemis soient dismembrés.
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 adjective /ˈdɪsənənt/

dissonant

dissonant
Meaning
Harsh and lacking harmony; conflicting.
Example
The orchestra produced a dissonant sound during rehearsal.
L'orchestre a produit un son dissonant pendant la répétition.
C2 noun /ˈdɛkəˌlɔːɡ/

decalogue

Décalogue
Meaning
The Ten Commandments in the Bible; a set of fundamental rules or principles.
Example
The priest gave a sermon on the importance of the Decalogue.
Le prêtre a donné un sermon sur l'importance du Décalogue.
C2 verb /dɪˈsɛvər/

dissever

séparer
Meaning
To separate or cut apart.
Example
The treaty sought to dissever the two hostile regions.
Le traité a cherché à séparer les deux régions hostiles.
C2 verb /ˈdɪðər/

dither

hésiter
Meaning
to be indecisive or unable to make a decision
Example
He dithered for hours before choosing a restaurant.
Il a hésité pendant des heures avant de choisir un restaurant.
C2 noun /ˈdʌblɪt/

doublet

doublet / veste ajustée
Meaning
a close-fitting jacket worn by men in the Renaissance; also, a pair of similar things
Example
The actor wore a velvet doublet for the Shakespearean play.
L'acteur a porté un doublet en velours pour la pièce de Shakespeare.
C2 adjective /ˈdaʊ.di/

dowdy

démodé / usé
Meaning
unfashionable, dull, or shabby in appearance
Example
She wore a dowdy dress to the party.
Elle portait une robe démodée à la fête.
C2 verb /dɪsˈkʌmfɪt/

discomfit

déconcerter
Meaning
to make someone feel uneasy, embarrassed, or confused
Example
The interviewer’s tough questions discomfited the candidate.
Les questions difficiles de l'intervieweur ont déstabilisé le candidat.
C2 adjective /daɪˈɒsɪsən/

diocesan

relatif à un diocèse
Meaning
relating to a diocese or the district under the supervision of a bishop in the Christian Church
Example
The diocesan council met to discuss church affairs.
Le conseil diocésain s'est réuni pour discuter des affaires de l'église.
C2 verb /dɪˈtruːd/

detrude

pousser vers le bas ou vers l'extérieur
Meaning
To thrust or force something downward or outward.
Example
The violent waves detruded rocks from the cliff.
Les vagues violentes ont poussé les roches de la falaise.
C2 noun /doʊˈniː/

donee

bénéficiaire
Meaning
A person who receives a gift or donation.
Example
The scholarship fund’s donee expressed heartfelt gratitude.
Le bénéficiaire du fonds de bourses a exprimé une sincère gratitude.
C2 noun /ˈdɛkəˌɡræm/

decagram

décagramme
Meaning
A metric unit of mass equal to ten grams.
Example
The package weighed exactly one decagram.
Le paquet pesait exactement un décagramme.
C2 noun /djuːˈplɪsɪti/

duplicity

duplicité
Meaning
Deceitfulness or double-dealing; dishonesty.
Example
Her duplicity was revealed during the investigation.
Sa duplicité a été révélée lors de l'enquête.
C2 verb /ˌdɪskəˈmoʊd/

discommode

déranger
Meaning
To cause inconvenience or trouble to someone.
Example
I hope my request does not discommode you.
J'espère que ma demande ne vous dérangera pas.
C2 adjective /ˌdɪspjuːˈteɪʃəs/

disputatious

disputeur
Meaning
fond of or given to argument and debate
Example
His disputatious nature often led to heated conversations.
Sa nature disputée menait souvent à des conversations animées.
C2 verb /dɪsˈroʊb/

disrobe

se déshabiller
Meaning
to remove one's clothes
Example
The monk disrobed before entering the river.
Le moine s'est déshabillé avant d'entrer dans la rivière.
C2 noun /daɪˈvɛstɪtʃər/

divestiture

désinvestissement
Meaning
the action of selling off or disposing of business interests or assets
Example
The divestiture of the subsidiary was completed last year.
La désinvestissement de la filiale a été achevé l'année dernière.
C2 adjective /dɪsˈkɜrsɪv/

discursive

discursif
Meaning
Tending to digress or move from topic to topic; lengthy and rambling.
Example
His discursive style made the lecture hard to follow.
Son style discursif a rendu la conférence difficile à suivre.
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 noun /ˈdɛθsˌhɛd/

deaths-head

crâne
Meaning
A representation of a human skull, often used as a symbol of death.
Example
The pirate flag was marked with a grim deaths-head.
Le drapeau pirate était marqué d'un sinistre crâne.
C2 verb /dɪˈfoʊlieɪt/

defoliate

dépouiller
Meaning
to strip leaves from a tree, plant, or area, often using chemicals
Example
The farmers defoliated the fields before harvest.
Les agriculteurs ont dépouillé les champs avant la récolte.
C2 noun /ˈdræɡˌnɛt/

dragnet

filtre
Meaning
A systematic search or investigation, often by police to catch criminals.
Example
The police launched a dragnet to capture the fugitives.
La police a lancé un filtre pour capturer les fugitifs.
C2 verb /dɪˈsɛmbəl/

dissemble

dissimuler
Meaning
to conceal one's true motives, feelings, or beliefs; to pretend
Example
He tried to dissemble his anger with a forced smile.
Il a essayé de dissimuler sa colère avec un sourire forcé.
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 adjective /ˈdjuːtiəs/

duteous

obéissant
Meaning
dutiful; obedient and respectful
Example
The duteous child always followed her parents’ instructions.
L'enfant obéissant suivait toujours les instructions de ses parents.
C2 adjective /dɪˈtɜːrmɪnət/

determinate

déterminé
Meaning
having exact and definite limits or form
Example
The contract is for a determinate period of two years.
Le contrat est pour une période déterminée de deux ans.
C2 noun /dɪsˈtɛmpər/

distemper

maladie virale affectant les animaux, en particulier les chiens
Meaning
a viral disease affecting animals, especially dogs; also refers to a state of disorder
Example
The dog was diagnosed with distemper and needed immediate care.
Le chien a été diagnostiqué avec la distemper et avait besoin de soins immédiats.
C2 adjective /ˈdæpəld/

dappled

tacheté
Meaning
Marked with spots or patches of light and shade or different colors.
Example
The forest floor was dappled with sunlight.
Le sol de la forêt était tacheté de lumière solaire.
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 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 adjective /ˈdəʊl.səm/

dolesome

triste
Meaning
Filled with grief or sadness; mournful.
Example
The dolesome ballad brought tears to their eyes.
La ballade triste a apporté des larmes à leurs yeux.
C2 noun /dɪsˈdʒʌŋkʃən/

disjunction

disjonction
Meaning
A lack of connection between things; separation or disunity.
Example
There is a clear disjunction between theory and practice.
Il existe une claire disjonction entre la théorie et la pratique.
C2 verb /ˌdɒmɪˈnɪə/

domineer

dominer
Meaning
to assert one's will over another in an arrogant way
Example
He tends to domineer over his younger colleagues.
Il a tendance à dominer ses collègues plus jeunes.
C2 noun /drɒs/

dross

dross
Meaning
worthless or unwanted material; rubbish or impurities
Example
Most of his early writings were considered dross.
La plupart de ses premiers écrits étaient considérés comme de la dross.
C2 adjective /dɪˈrɪzəbl/

derisible

ridiculisable
Meaning
deserving ridicule or mockery
Example
His excuse was so weak that it was plainly derisible.
Son excuse était si faible qu'elle était manifestement ridiculisable.
C2 adjective /ˌdɛlɪˈkwɛsənt/

deliquescent

qui devient liquide en absorbant l'humidité
Meaning
tending to become liquid by absorbing moisture from the air
Example
Sugar is not deliquescent, but salt can be.
Le sucre n'est pas déliquescent, mais le sel peut l'être.
C2 noun /ˈdɪktəm/

dictum

dicton
Meaning
A formal pronouncement, authoritative statement, or maxim.
Example
The judge’s dictum clarified the principle of equality before the law.
Le dictum du juge a clarifié le principe de l'égalité devant la loi.
C2 verb /ˈdɔːd(ə)l/

dawdle

traîner
Meaning
to waste time by being slow or idle
Example
Stop dawdling and finish your homework.
Arrête de traîner et finis tes devoirs.
C2 adjective /ˈdɛdˌpæn/

deadpan

impassible
Meaning
Deliberately impassive or expressionless in manner.
Example
She delivered the joke in a completely deadpan voice.
Elle a livré la blague avec une voix complètement impassible.
C2 noun /dɪˈtraɪtəs/

detritus

détritus
Meaning
Waste or debris of any kind; fragments left from destruction or decay.
Example
The riverbank was covered with detritus after the flood.
Le rivage était couvert de débris après l'inondation.
C2 noun /daɪn/

dyne

unité de force (système cgs)
Meaning
A unit of force in the centimeter-gram-second (cgs) system equal to 10⁻⁵ newtons.
Example
The physicist measured the force in dynes.
Le physicien a mesuré la force en dynes.
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 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 noun /dɪˈkæmɪtər/

decameter

décamètre
Meaning
A metric unit of length equal to ten meters.
Example
The field was measured in decameters for accuracy.
Le terrain a été mesuré en décamètres pour plus de précision.
C2 noun /ˌdɛkəˈsɪləbəl/

decasyllable

décasyllabe
Meaning
A line of verse with ten syllables.
Example
The poet often wrote in decasyllable form.
Le poète écrivait souvent en forme de décasyllabe.
C2 noun/adjective /ˈdɪstæf/

distaff

lié aux femmes, côté maternel
Meaning
Relating to women or the maternal side of a family; also a tool for spinning thread.
Example
She came from the distaff side of a noble family.
Elle venait du côté maternel d'une famille noble.
C2 adjective /ˈdɪstəl/

distal

distal
Meaning
situated away from the center of the body or from the point of attachment
Example
The doctor examined the distal end of the patient’s arm.
Le médecin a examiné l'extrémité distale du bras du patient.
C2 noun /ˈdeɪ.mæn/

day-man

travailleur journalier
Meaning
a worker employed by the day; a day laborer
Example
The farmer hired a day-man to help with the harvest.
Le fermier a embauché un travailleur journalier pour aider à la récolte.
C2 noun /dɪˈsɛmbələr/

dissembler

hypocrite
Meaning
a person who conceals their real feelings or intentions; a hypocrite or pretender
Example
The politician was accused of being a dissembler who never revealed his true plans.
Le politicien a été accusé d'être un hypocrite qui n'a jamais révélé ses vrais projets.
C2 adjective /ˈdʌktaɪl/

ductile

ductile
Meaning
capable of being stretched into a thin wire without breaking; easily influenced
Example
Gold is a very ductile metal.
L'or est un métal très ductile.
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 adjective /dɪˈkrɛpɪt/

decrepit

délabré
Meaning
worn out or weakened by age or neglect
Example
The decrepit old house was on the verge of collapse.
La vieille maison délabrée était sur le point de s'effondrer.
C2 noun /draɪd ˈfɛnjʊˌɡriːk livz/

Dried Fenugreek Leaves

feuilles séchées de fenugrec
Meaning
dehydrated leaves of the fenugreek plant used as a herb in cooking
Example
Add dried fenugreek leaves to the curry for extra flavor.
Ajoutez des feuilles séchées de fenugrec au curry pour plus de saveur.
C2 adjective /ˌdɛməˈnaɪəkəl/

demoniacal

démoniaque
Meaning
characteristic of or resembling a demon; wildly evil
Example
He gave a demoniacal laugh that terrified everyone.
Il a donné un rire démoniaque qui a terrifié tout le monde.
C2 noun /ˈdaɪətraɪb/

diatribe

diatribe
Meaning
A forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something.
Example
The politician launched a diatribe against his opponents.
Le politicien a lancé une diatribe contre ses opposants.
C2 noun /ˈdɔːrmər/

dormer

fenêtre mansardée
Meaning
A window that projects vertically from a sloping roof.
Example
The old house had a dormer overlooking the garden.
La vieille maison avait une fenêtre mansardée donnant sur le jardin.
C2 noun /dɪˈpɑːzɪtər/

depositor

dépôtiste
Meaning
a person who places money in a bank or financial institution
Example
The bank provides insurance to protect depositors’ funds.
La banque fournit une assurance pour protéger les fonds des déposants.
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 verb /ˈdɒdə/

dodder

trembler en marchant
Meaning
To move in a weak and unsteady way, especially due to old age.
Example
The old man doddered across the street with a cane.
Le vieil homme marchait en tremblant dans la rue avec une canne.
C2 noun /ˌdiːlɛkˈteɪʃən/

delectation

plaisir
Meaning
great pleasure or delight
Example
She read the story aloud for the delectation of her friends.
Elle a lu l'histoire à voix haute pour le plaisir de ses amis.
C2 noun /ˈdɛskænt/

descant

mélodie supplémentaire
Meaning
An additional melody or counterpoint sung or played above the main melody.
Example
The choir added a beautiful descant to the hymn.
Le chœur a ajouté une belle mélodie supplémentaire à l'hymne.
C2 adjective /daɪˈæfənəs/

diaphanous

diaphane
Meaning
Light, delicate, and translucent.
Example
She wore a diaphanous dress that shimmered in the sunlight.
Elle portait une robe diaphane qui scintillait sous la lumière du soleil.
C2 adjective /ˌdɒktrɪˈnɛər/

doctrinaire

doctrinaire
Meaning
stubbornly devoted to a theory or doctrine without regard to practical considerations
Example
His doctrinaire approach to politics alienated many supporters.
Son approche doctrinaire de la politique a aliéné de nombreux partisans.
C2 prefix /dɪs-/

dys-

préfixe signifiant anormal, mauvais, difficile ou défectueux
Meaning
A prefix meaning abnormal, bad, difficult, or impaired.
Example
Words like 'dysfunction' and 'dyslexia' use the prefix dys- to indicate difficulty or impairment.
Des mots comme 'dysfonction' et 'dyslexie' utilisent le préfixe dis- pour indiquer une difficulté ou un handicap.
C2 noun /ˈdəʊ.lər/

dolor

douleur
Meaning
A state of great sorrow or distress.
Example
The nation was in deep dolor after the tragedy.
La nation était dans une grande douleur après la tragédie.
C2 adjective /dɪsˈdʒʌŋktɪv/

disjunctive

disjonctif
Meaning
Serving to separate or divide; expressing a choice between alternatives.
Example
In grammar, 'or' is a disjunctive conjunction.
En grammaire, 'ou' est une conjonction disjonctive.
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 /diːˈlɪmɪt/

delimit

délimiter
Meaning
to fix the boundaries or limits of something
Example
The treaty was signed to delimit the borders of the two countries.
Le traité a été signé pour délimiter les frontières des deux pays.
C2 noun /ˈdɪti/

ditty

petite chanson
Meaning
a short, simple song or poem
Example
She sang a cheerful little ditty while cooking.
Elle chanta une petite chanson joyeuse en cuisinant.
C2 noun /daɪˈɡrɛʃən/

digression

digression
Meaning
A temporary departure from the main subject in speech or writing.
Example
Her story was full of interesting digressions.
Son histoire était pleine de digressions intéressantes.
C2 noun /dɜːrdʒ/

dirge

élégie
Meaning
A mournful song, piece of music, or poem expressing grief, often for the dead.
Example
The choir sang a solemn dirge at the funeral.
La chorale a chanté une élégie solennelle lors des funérailles.
C2 adjective /dɪˈstɛnsəbl̩/

distensible

distensible
Meaning
Capable of being stretched or expanded.
Example
The stomach is a distensible organ that can expand after eating.
L'estomac est un organe distensible qui peut se dilater après avoir mangé.
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 verb /ˈdɛpjʊˌtaɪz/

deputize

nommer comme adjoint
Meaning
To appoint someone as a deputy; to act as a substitute or representative.
Example
The sheriff decided to deputize several locals to help maintain order.
Le shérif a décidé de désigner plusieurs habitants pour aider à maintenir l'ordre.
C2 noun /dɪˈsɪstəns/

desistance

désistance
Meaning
The act of stopping or ceasing from some action or behavior.
Example
The court urged his desistance from further unlawful activities.
Le tribunal l'a encouragé à cesser toute activité illégale supplémentaire.
C2 verb /dɪˈdʒɛkt/

deject

dégrader
Meaning
to make someone feel sad, depressed, or dispirited
Example
The news of his failure seemed to deject him deeply.
Les nouvelles de son échec semblaient le déprimer profondément.
C2 noun /ˌdaɪ.jʊˈret.ɪk/

diuretic

diurétique
Meaning
A substance that promotes the production of urine.
Example
Coffee has a mild diuretic effect.
Le café a un léger effet diurétique.
C2 noun /ˈdɪfθɒŋ/

diphthong

diphtongue
Meaning
A complex vowel sound that begins with one vowel and glides into another within the same syllable.
Example
The word 'coin' contains a diphthong.
Le mot 'coin' contient un diphtongue.
C2 verb /dɪsˈpɔːrt/

disport

se divertir
Meaning
To amuse oneself in a lively or playful way.
Example
The children disported themselves in the garden.
Les enfants se sont amusés dans le jardin.
C2 noun /ˈdeb.juː.tɑːnt/

debutante

jeune femme faisant sa première apparition formelle dans la société
Meaning
A young woman making her first formal appearance in society.
Example
The debutante wore a white gown at the ball.
La debutante portait une robe blanche au bal.
C2 noun /doʊlt/

dolt

imbécile
Meaning
A stupid or slow-witted person.
Example
Only a dolt would believe such a story.
Seul un imbécile croirait à une telle histoire.
C2 verb /ˈdɛsɪkreɪt/

desecrate

désacraliser
Meaning
to treat a sacred place or object with disrespect or violation
Example
The vandals desecrated the ancient temple walls with graffiti.
Les vandales ont désacralisé les murs du temple ancien avec des graffitis.
C2 noun /dɪˈmeɪn/

demesne

terres attachées à un manoir
Meaning
Land attached to a manor and retained for the owner's use.
Example
The castle was surrounded by its vast demesne.
Le château était entouré par ses vastes terres attachées à un manoir.
C2 verb /ˈdɛsɪkeɪt/

desiccate

dessécher
Meaning
to dry up completely or remove the moisture from something
Example
The hot sun can quickly desiccate plants in the desert.
Le soleil chaud peut rapidement dessécher les plantes dans le désert.
C2 verb /dɪsˈbɜːrdən/

disburden

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

diadem

diadème
Meaning
A crown or headband worn as a symbol of royalty or authority.
Example
The queen wore a glittering diadem at the coronation.
La reine portait une diadème étincelante lors du couronnement.
C2 noun/verb /dɪsˈfeɪvər/

disfavor

désapprobation / aversion
Meaning
disapproval or dislike; to regard with disapproval
Example
The new policy fell into disfavor with the public.
La nouvelle politique est tombée en disgrâce auprès du public.
C2 noun /dɪˈpoʊnənt/

deponent

témoignage
Meaning
A person who gives testimony under oath, especially in a written deposition.
Example
The deponent confirmed the accuracy of the statement during the trial.
Le témoin a confirmé l'exactitude de la déclaration pendant le procès.
C2 noun /ˌdɛspəˈrɑːdoʊ/

desperado

bandit
Meaning
A bold, reckless, or dangerous person, often a criminal.
Example
The sheriff was determined to capture the desperado who terrorized the town.
Le shérif était déterminé à capturer le bandit qui terrorisait la ville.
C2 adjective /ˈdʌlsɪt/

dulcet

doux
Meaning
sweet and soothing (often used ironically)
Example
She was enchanted by his dulcet voice.
Elle était enchantée par sa voix douce.
C2 noun /ˌdɪsɪˈpeɪʃən/

dissipation

dissipation
Meaning
the process of disappearing or wasting; excessive indulgence in pleasure
Example
The dissipation of his fortune left him in poverty.
La dissipation de sa fortune l'a laissé dans la pauvreté.
C2 verb /ˌdɪskəmˈpoʊz/

discompose

déstabiliser
Meaning
To disturb the order or calmness of something or someone.
Example
The unexpected question seemed to discompose her.
La question inattendue sembla la déstabiliser.
C2 noun /ˈdɔɪən/

doyen

personne respectée
Meaning
The most respected or prominent person in a particular field.
Example
He is regarded as the doyen of modern literature in the country.
Il est considéré comme le doyen de la littérature moderne dans le pays.
C2 noun /dɪˈklɪvɪti/

declivity

pente
Meaning
a downward slope of ground
Example
They carefully climbed down the declivity of the hill.
Ils ont grimpé prudemment la pente de la colline.
C2 verb /diːˈmæɡnɪtaɪz/

demagnetize

démagnétiser
Meaning
To remove or reduce the magnetic properties of something.
Example
The technician demagnetized the old cassette tape.
Le technicien a démagnétisé la vieille cassette.
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 /djuːˈɛnə/

duenna

gouvernante
Meaning
an older woman acting as a governess or chaperone, especially in Spanish families
Example
The young lady was accompanied by a duenna during the festival.
La jeune fille était accompagnée par une duéna pendant le festival.
C2 verb /dɪˈnjuːd/

denude

dénuder
Meaning
to strip something of its covering, possessions, or assets
Example
The forest was denuded of trees by illegal logging.
La forêt a été dénudée d'arbres par l'abattage illégal.
C2 verb /dɪˈnɒmɪˌneɪt/

denominate

dénommer
Meaning
to give a name or designation to something
Example
The currency was denominated in dollars.
La monnaie a été dénommée en dollars.
C2 adjective /ˈdekərəs/

decorous

décoratif
Meaning
showing proper and polite behavior; marked by good taste
Example
The audience gave a decorous applause after the performance.
Le public a applaudi de manière décorative après la performance.
C2 noun /ˌdɪʃəˈbiːl/

dishabille

déshabillé
Meaning
The state of being only partly or loosely dressed; casual or careless attire.
Example
She answered the door in a state of dishabille, wearing just a robe.
Elle a répondu à la porte dans un état de déshabillé, portant seulement un peignoir.
C2 noun /ˈdɛrɪk/

derrick

tour de forage
Meaning
A framework or tower used for supporting a crane, especially for oil drilling or lifting heavy loads.
Example
The workers assembled a derrick at the oil drilling site.
Les ouvriers ont assemblé une tour de forage sur le site de forage de pétrole.
C2 noun /ˈdoʊtɪdʒ/

dotage

vieillesse
Meaning
The period of old age, especially when one is weak or senile.
Example
He spent his dotage reminiscing about his youth.
Il a passé sa vieillesse à se remémorer sa jeunesse.
C2 verb /ˌdɪsɪnˈtɜːr/

disinter

désenterrer
Meaning
to dig up something buried, especially a body
Example
The archaeologists disinterred ancient remains from the site.
Les archéologues ont désenterré des restes anciens du site.
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 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.