nicety
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C2 noun /ˈnaɪsəti/

nicety

subtilité
Meaning
a fine or subtle detail, or a refined, delicate aspect of something
Example
The lawyer explained the legal niceties of the case.
L'avocat a expliqué les subtilités juridiques de l'affaire.
C2 verb /ɪnˈtriːt/

entreat

supplier
Meaning
To ask earnestly or beg someone to do something.
Example
She entreated him to stay a little longer.
Elle le supplia de rester un peu plus longtemps.
C2 noun /ˈrɒndoʊ/

rondo

composition musicale (avec un thème récurrent)
Meaning
a musical composition with a recurring leading theme
Example
The pianist ended the recital with a lively rondo.
Le pianiste a terminé le récital par un rondo animé.
C2 adjective /ˌnɒnkəˈmɪtl̩/

noncommittal

évasif
Meaning
Not expressing or showing a clear opinion, decision, or commitment.
Example
She gave a noncommittal reply when asked about her future plans.
Elle a donné une réponse évasive lorsqu'on lui a demandé ses projets d'avenir.
C2 noun /ˈɑːrɡoʊ/

argot

argot spécialisé
Meaning
the specialized vocabulary or jargon of a particular group, especially one with a common interest or occupation
Example
The thieves communicated in an argot that outsiders could not understand.
Les voleurs ont communiqué dans un argot que les étrangers ne pouvaient pas comprendre.
C2 noun /maɪˈnjuːʃə/

minutia

détails insignifiants
Meaning
a small or trivial detail of something
Example
He was bored by the minutia of office paperwork.
Il était ennuyé par les détails insignifiants des papiers de bureau.
C2 noun /dɪˌlæpɪˈdeɪʃən/

dilapidation

dilapidation
Meaning
The state of disrepair or ruin as a result of neglect.
Example
The old temple was in a state of dilapidation.
Le vieux temple était dans un état de dilapidation.
C2 adjective /bɪˈnɪɡnənt/

benignant

bienveillant, généreux
Meaning
Kindly and benevolent in nature.
Example
The teacher’s benignant attitude made the students feel comfortable.
L'attitude bénigne du professeur a rendu les étudiants à l'aise.
C2 noun /ˈpɜːrtnəs/

pertness

effronterie
Meaning
boldness or forwardness in speech or behavior; sauciness
Example
Her pertness during the meeting surprised everyone.
Son effronterie lors de la réunion a surpris tout le monde.
C2 adjective /əˈfɔːrsed/

Aforesaid

précédemment mentionné
Meaning
mentioned before; previously stated
Example
The aforesaid conditions must be met before approval.
Les conditions précédemment mentionnées doivent être remplies avant l'approbation.
C2 noun /kroʊn/

crone

vieille femme
Meaning
An old woman, often one who is thin and ugly, sometimes associated with witch-like qualities.
Example
The children were scared by the story of the wicked crone in the forest.
Les enfants ont eu peur de l'histoire de la vieille femme méchante dans la forêt.
C2 noun /dʒɛˌstɪkjʊˈleɪʃən/

gesticulation

gesticulation
Meaning
a gesture, especially a dramatic one, used instead of speaking or to emphasize speech
Example
His speech was full of passionate gesticulations.
Son discours était rempli de gesticulations passionnées.
C2 noun /ˈbɪvuˌæk/

bivouac

bivouac
Meaning
a temporary camp without tents or cover, usually used by soldiers or mountaineers
Example
The climbers set up a bivouac on the mountainside.
Les grimpeurs ont installé un bivouac sur le flanc de la montagne.
C2 noun /ˈkærəm/

Carom

carvi
Meaning
aromatic seeds of a plant used as a spice, especially in Indian cooking
Example
Carom seeds are often used in traditional Indian bread recipes.
Les graines de carvi sont souvent utilisées dans les recettes traditionnelles de pain indien.
C2 adjective /ˈfɒp.ɪʃ/

Foppish

excessivement préoccupé par son apparence et ses vêtements ; vaniteux à propos de l'habillement
Meaning
excessively concerned with one's appearance and clothes; vain about dress
Example
His foppish behavior and expensive clothes made him stand out.
Son comportement foppish et ses vêtements chers le rendaient remarquable.
C2 noun /ˌɛmjʊˈleɪ.ʃən/

emulation

émulation
Meaning
Reproducing something or following someone to achieve success.
Example
The software allows the emulation of old video games on modern devices.
Le logiciel permet l'émulation de vieux jeux vidéo sur des appareils modernes.
C2 noun /ˈtrɛntʃərmən/

trencherman

goinfre
Meaning
a person who eats in a hearty or robust manner; a big eater
Example
The trencherman devoured the feast with great enthusiasm.
Le goinfre dévora le festin avec un grand enthousiasme.
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 adjective /ˈlɪsɪt/

licit

licite
Meaning
Permitted by law or by rules; legal.
Example
The trade of certain goods is licit under international law.
Le commerce de certains biens est licite selon le droit international.
C2 verb /ˌmɪsəˈproʊpriˌeɪt/

misappropriate

détourner
Meaning
to use something dishonestly or illegally for one's own purposes
Example
He was accused of misappropriating company funds.
Il a été accusé d'avoir détourné les fonds de l'entreprise.
C2 noun /ˈflɪpənsi/

flippancy

légèreté
Meaning
lack of seriousness; showing a disrespectful or trivial attitude
Example
His flippancy during the meeting offended his colleagues.
Sa légèreté pendant la réunion a offensé ses collègues.
C2 noun /ˈbɜːrsər/

bursar

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

staccato

détaché
Meaning
short and detached in sound or style, often used in music
Example
The pianist played the notes in a staccato rhythm.
Le pianiste a joué les notes dans un rythme détaché.
C2 noun /ˈsɒfɪstri/

sophistry

sophistique
Meaning
the use of clever but false arguments, often to deceive
Example
The politician's speech was full of sophistry.
Le discours du politicien était plein de sophistique.
C2 noun /dɪˈdʒɛnərəsi/

degeneracy

dégénérescence
Meaning
The state of decline or deterioration, often in moral, cultural, or physical qualities.
Example
The novel portrays the moral degeneracy of a corrupt society.
Le roman dépeint la dégénérescence morale d'une société corrompue.
C2 noun /ˈtɜːrpɪtuːd/

turpitude

dépravation
Meaning
depraved or wicked behavior or character
Example
The judge condemned the criminal’s act of moral turpitude.
Le juge a condamné l'acte de dépravation morale du criminel.
C2 noun /sɜːrˈsiːs/

surcease

cessation
Meaning
a temporary or final ending or stopping of something
Example
The noise finally came to a surcease after midnight.
Le bruit a finalement cessé après minuit.
C2 adjective /ɔːˈrɪfərəs/

auriferous

aurifère
Meaning
Containing or producing gold.
Example
The miners discovered an auriferous vein in the mountains.
Les mineurs ont découvert un filon aurifère dans les montagnes.
C2 verb /ˈvaɪtəlaɪz/

vitalize

vitaliser
Meaning
To give life, energy, or strength to something.
Example
Fresh air and exercise can vitalize the body and mind.
L'air frais et l'exercice peuvent vitaliser le corps et l'esprit.
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 /ʧeɪf/

chafe

froter
Meaning
To make or become sore by rubbing; to feel irritation or impatience.
Example
The tight shoes began to chafe his heels.
Les chaussures serrées ont commencé à frotter ses talons.
C2 noun /ˌiː.tiˈɒ.lə.dʒi/

etiology

étiologie
Meaning
the cause or origin of a disease or condition
Example
Doctors are studying the etiology of the new virus.
Les médecins étudient l'étiologie du nouveau virus.
C2 adjective /ˈbɪliəs/

bilious

bilieux
Meaning
Relating to bile or an ill-tempered, irritable disposition.
Example
He became bilious after hearing the unfair criticism.
Il est devenu bilieux après avoir entendu la critique injuste.
C2 adjective əˈdrɔɪt

adroit

habile, astucieux, adroit
Meaning
clever or skillful in using the hands or mind.
Example
She is adroit at solving complex problems.
Elle est habile à résoudre des problèmes complexes.
C2 noun /flɛk/

fleck

tache petite
Meaning
a small spot or mark, often of a different color
Example
There was a fleck of paint on the floor.
Il y avait une tache de peinture sur le sol.
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 adjective /ˌævəˈrɪʃəs/

avaricious

avide
Meaning
having or showing extreme greed for wealth or material gain
Example
The avaricious landlord increased the rent unfairly.
Le propriétaire avide a augmenté le loyer de manière injuste.
C2 noun /ˌkɑːrt ˈblɑːnʃ/

carte blanche

carte blanche
Meaning
complete freedom to act as one wishes
Example
The manager gave her team carte blanche to design the project.
Le responsable a donné à son équipe carte blanche pour concevoir le projet.
C2 noun /ˈlɪθəˌtaɪp/

lithotype

lithotype (surface d'impression)
Meaning
a printing surface or type made for lithography
Example
The printer used a lithotype to produce multiple copies of the design.
L'imprimante a utilisé un lithotype pour produire plusieurs copies du design.
C2 noun /meɪndʒ/

mange

gale
Meaning
a skin disease in animals caused by parasitic mites, leading to hair loss and sores
Example
The stray dog was suffering from mange.
Le chien errant souffrait de gale.
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 /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 verb /ruː/

rue

regretter
Meaning
To feel regret or sorrow about something.
Example
She will rue the day she trusted him.
Elle regrettera le jour où elle lui a fait confiance.
C2 noun, verb /ˈkaʊntərˌtʃɑːrdʒ/

countercharge

contre-accusation
Meaning
an opposing charge or accusation; to make an opposing attack
Example
The lawyer filed a countercharge against the accuser.
L'avocat a déposé une contre-accusation contre l'accusateur.
C2 noun /ˈvɪtrioʊl/

vitriol

critique acerbe
Meaning
harsh and bitter criticism
Example
The politician faced vitriol from the public.
Le politicien a fait face à une critique acerbe du public.
C2 adjective /ˌʌn.rɪˈdʒɛn.ər.ət/

unregenerate

intransigeant
Meaning
Not reformed or showing no signs of change; stubbornly refusing to reform or repent.
Example
He remained an unregenerate opponent of progress.
Il est resté un opposant intransigeant du progrès.
C2 noun /ˌpæl.ənˈkiːn/

Palanquin

palanquin
Meaning
a covered chair or bed carried on poles by bearers
Example
The bride was carried to the wedding ceremony in an ornate palanquin.
La mariée a été transportée à la cérémonie de mariage dans un palanquin orné.
C2 verb /ʌnˈfɛtər/

unfetter

délier
Meaning
to release from restraint or restriction; to free
Example
The new law will unfetter small businesses from excessive regulations.
La nouvelle loi libérera les petites entreprises des régulations excessives.
C2 noun /ˈtɪŋktʃər/

tincture

une légère trace, un médicament fabriqué en dissolvant une drogue dans de l'alcool
Meaning
a slight trace of something; a medicine made by dissolving a drug in alcohol
Example
There was a tincture of sadness in her smile.
Il y avait une légère trace de tristesse dans son sourire.
C2 noun /ˈhoʊl.stər/

holster

étui
Meaning
A holder or case for carrying a gun, typically worn on a belt or shoulder.
Example
The sheriff kept his revolver in a leather holster.
Le shérif gardait son revolver dans un étui en cuir.
C2 noun /ˈɔːldərmən/

alderman

membre du conseil municipal
Meaning
An elected member of a municipal council in certain cities and towns.
Example
The alderman proposed a new plan for community parks.
L'adjoint au maire a proposé un nouveau plan pour les parcs communautaires.
C2 noun /vɪˈsɪsɪtjuːd/

vicissitude

vicissitudes de la vie
Meaning
A natural change or succession of one thing to another; the ups and downs of life.
Example
The vicissitude of life often teaches resilience.
Les vicissitudes de la vie enseignent souvent la résilience.
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 /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 adjective /ˈkwɒdreɪt/

quadrate

carré
Meaning
square or nearly square; having four sides or being suited or corresponding to something
Example
The tiles had a neat quadrate shape that made the floor look orderly.
Les carreaux avaient une forme carrée nette qui donnait à le sol un aspect ordonné.
C2 adjective /ˌfæntæzməˈɡɒrɪkəl/

phantasmagorical

fantasmagorique
Meaning
Having a fantastic, dreamlike, or surreal appearance, often shifting or illusory.
Example
The movie created a phantasmagorical vision of another world.
Le film a créé une vision fantasmagorique d'un autre monde.
C2 noun /ˈɛpənɪm/

eponym

personne dont le nom a été donné à une invention ou un lieu
Meaning
A person after whom a discovery, invention, place, or other thing is named.
Example
Sandwich is an eponym named after the Earl of Sandwich.
Sandwich est un éponyme nommé d'après le comte de Sandwich.
C2 verb /læmˈbeɪst/

lambaste

réprimander sévèrement
Meaning
to criticize someone or something harshly; to reprimand severely
Example
The teacher lambasted the students for not completing their homework.
Le professeur a sévèrement réprimandé les étudiants pour ne pas avoir fait leurs devoirs.
C2 noun /əˈkwɪtəns/

acquittance

quittance
Meaning
a written receipt acknowledging payment or discharge of a debt
Example
He demanded an acquittance after paying the loan.
Il a exigé une quittance après avoir payé le prêt.
C2 noun /ˌfɪzɪˈɑːkrəsi/

physiocracy

fisiocratie
Meaning
an economic theory that land and its natural products are the source of wealth
Example
Physiocracy emphasized the importance of agriculture in national wealth.
La fisiocratie a souligné l'importance de l'agriculture dans la richesse nationale.
C2 verb /ˈhæri/

harry

harceler, attaquer
Meaning
to constantly attack, harass, or annoy
Example
The army harried the enemy with sudden raids.
L'armée a harcelé l'ennemi avec des raids soudains.
C2 noun /rɪˈpæst/

repast

repas
Meaning
A meal or the food eaten during a meal.
Example
They enjoyed a delicious repast by the riverside.
Ils ont apprécié un délicieux repas au bord de la rivière.
C2 adjective /pɪˈskætɔːrɪəl/

piscatorial

relatif à la pêche
Meaning
relating to fishing or fishermen
Example
He has a deep knowledge of piscatorial techniques and fish species.
Il a une connaissance approfondie des techniques piscatoires et des espèces de poissons.
C2 noun /ˈkɔːrsər/

courser

cheval rapide ou cheval de chasse
Meaning
a swift horse or a hunting horse
Example
The knight rode a fast courser into battle.
Le chevalier monta un coursier rapide au combat.
C2 noun /ˈlɛvi/

levee

levée
Meaning
An embankment built to prevent the overflow of a river or to hold back water.
Example
The town built a levee to protect itself from flooding.
La ville a construit une levée pour se protéger des inondations.
C2 noun /bel ˈæp.əl/

Bell apple

pomme cloche
Meaning
a tropical fruit with a crisp texture and sweet taste, scientifically known as Syzygium malaccense
Example
The bell apple tree produces beautiful red fruits that are popular in tropical regions.
L'arbre de pomme cloche produit de beaux fruits rouges populaires dans les régions tropicales
C2 noun /dɪˈsweɪʒən/

dissuasion

dissuasion
Meaning
The act of persuading someone not to take a course of action.
Example
Her dissuasion prevented him from making a bad investment.
Sa dissuasion l'a empêché de faire un mauvais investissement.
C2 noun /rɪˈfrækʃən/

refraction

réfraction
Meaning
The bending of light, sound, or other waves when they pass from one medium to another of different density.
Example
The refraction of light in water makes objects appear bent.
La réfraction de la lumière dans l'eau fait apparaître les objets comme courbés.
C2 noun /ˈænɪ siːd/

Ani seed

anis
Meaning
Small aromatic seeds used as a spice and for medicinal purposes, with a sweet licorice-like flavor
Example
Anise seeds are often used in traditional desserts and teas.
Les graines de fenouil sont souvent utilisées dans des desserts et des thés traditionnels.
C2 verb /ɛnˈkɪndl/

enkindle

enflammer, inspirer
Meaning
to set on fire or inspire strong emotion
Example
The speech enkindled hope in the audience.
Le discours a enflammé l'espoir dans l'auditoire.
C2 noun /ˈhɛptəˌɡɒn/

heptagon

héptagone
Meaning
A polygon with seven sides and seven angles.
Example
The math teacher drew a heptagon on the board.
Le professeur de mathématiques a dessiné un héptagone au tableau.
C2 noun /kənˌdʒiː.niˈæl.ə.t̬i/

congeniality

affabilité
Meaning
The quality of being pleasant, friendly, and easy to talk to.
Example
His congeniality makes him popular among friends.
Son affabilité le rend populaire parmi ses amis.
C2 adjective /ˈspiːʃəs/

specious

fallacieux
Meaning
Superficially plausible but actually false; misleading in appearance.
Example
The politician’s argument was specious, sounding convincing but lacking real evidence.
L'argument du politicien était fallacieux, il semblait convaincant mais manquait de preuves réelles.
C2 adjective /ˈprɒɡnəθəs/

prognathous

prognathe
Meaning
Having jaws that project forward beyond the rest of the face.
Example
The fossil displayed a distinctly prognathous skull structure.
Le fossile affichait une structure de crâne distinctement prognathe.
C2 noun /ˈniːəˌfaɪt/

neophyte

néophyte
Meaning
A beginner or novice in a subject, skill, or belief.
Example
As a neophyte in programming, she often asked for guidance from her mentor.
En tant que néophyte en programmation, elle demandait souvent des conseils à son mentor.
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 /ˈænɪməs/

animus

hostilité / but
Meaning
A strong feeling of hostility; motivation or purpose behind an action.
Example
His speech was driven by animus against the policy.
Son discours était motivé par l'hostilité envers la politique.
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 /ˈsɪbɪləns/

sibilance

son sifflant
Meaning
A hissing or hushing sound, especially in speech with 's' or 'sh'.
Example
The poet used sibilance to create a soft, hissing effect in the verse.
Le poète a utilisé la sibilance pour créer un effet doux et sifflant dans le vers.
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 /ˌluː.mɪˈnɛs.əns/

luminescence

luminescence
Meaning
The emission of light by a substance not resulting from heat; a type of cold light.
Example
The luminescence of the fireflies lit up the forest.
La luminescence des lucioles a éclairé la forêt.
C2 noun /foʊ ˈpɑː/

faux pas

faute sociale
Meaning
a social blunder or mistake in etiquette
Example
He committed a major faux pas by forgetting her birthday.
Il a commis une grande faute sociale en oubliant son anniversaire.
C2 adjective ˌeə.rəʊˈstæt.ɪk

aerostatic

aérostatique
Meaning
Relating to or involving gases (especially air) in equilibrium and the equilibrium of balloons or aircraft under the influence of such gases.
Example
Aerostatic designs ensure stability at high altitudes.
Les conceptions aérostatiques assurent la stabilité à haute altitude.
C2 noun /ɪˈlɛk.trə.taɪp/

electrotype

électrotype
Meaning
A duplicate printing plate made by electroplating a mold of the original.
Example
The printer used an electrotype to produce multiple copies of the page.
L'imprimeur a utilisé un électrotype pour produire plusieurs copies de la page.
C2 noun /ˌpɛntəˈhiːdrən/

pentahedron

pentaèdre
Meaning
A solid geometric figure with five faces.
Example
In geometry class, the teacher explained the structure of a pentahedron.
Dans le cours de géométrie, le professeur a expliqué la structure d'un pentaèdre.
C2 verb /ˈreə.rɪ.faɪ/

rarefy

raréfier, affiner
Meaning
To make something less dense or more refined.
Example
The air rarefies as you climb higher into the mountains.
L'air se raréfie à mesure que vous montez plus haut dans les montagnes.
C2 noun /ɪmˈpruː.dəns/

Imprudence

imprudence; négligence; témérité
Meaning
the quality of being imprudent; lack of care for consequences; recklessness
Example
His financial imprudence led to bankruptcy within just two years.
Son imprudence financière a conduit à la faillite en seulement deux ans.
C2 noun /əˈdjuː/

adieu

adieu
Meaning
A farewell or goodbye, often used in a formal or poetic sense.
Example
She bid her friends adieu before leaving for France.
Elle fit ses adieux à ses amis avant de partir pour la France.
C2 adjective /ˌɪnɔːˈspɪʃəs/

Inauspicious

néfaste
Meaning
unlucky; showing signs that future success is unlikely; unfavorable
Example
The dark clouds seemed inauspicious for the wedding.
Les nuages sombres semblaient néfastes pour le mariage.
C2 noun /ˈɪntərˌveɪl/

intervale

terre basse le long d'une rivière, généralement fertile et plate
Meaning
A low-lying tract of land along a river, usually fertile and flat.
Example
The farmers cultivated crops on the lush intervale by the river.
Les agriculteurs ont cultivé des cultures dans l'intervalle fertile près de la rivière.
C2 noun /ˈlæki/

lackey

domestique
Meaning
a person who is overly willing to serve or obey someone else
Example
He treated his assistant like a mere lackey.
Il a traité son assistant comme un simple domestique.
C2 noun /ˈaʊtˌrɪɡər/

outrigger

structure de stabilisation
Meaning
a projecting structure on a boat, used for stability, or a boat fitted with such support
Example
The fisherman paddled his outrigger canoe across the lagoon.
Le pêcheur a pagayé sa pirogue avec un outrigger à travers la lagune.
C2 noun /əˈbaɪdəns/

abidance

obéissance
Meaning
the act of following, accepting, or complying with something
Example
Her abidance by the rules impressed the committee.
Son obéissance aux règles a impressionné le comité.
C2 noun /ˌæŋɡləˈfoʊbiə/

anglophobia

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

importunate

importun
Meaning
Persistent to the point of annoyance or intrusion
Example
The importunate salesman kept calling despite repeated refusals.
Le vendeur importun a continué à appeler malgré les refus répétés.
C2 adjective /bɪˈfʌdld/

befuddled

dérouté
Meaning
confused, unable to think clearly
Example
He looked befuddled after hearing the complex instructions.
Il avait l'air dérouté après avoir entendu les instructions complexes.
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 /əˈvɪdəti/

avidity

avidité
Meaning
extreme eagerness or enthusiasm
Example
He accepted the offer with avidity.
Il a accepté l'offre avec avidité.
C2 noun /ˈkɪzmɛt/

kismet

destin
Meaning
Destiny or fate.
Example
Meeting her on that day felt like pure kismet.
La rencontrer ce jour-là a ressemblé à un pur destin.
C2 adjective /ɔːˈɡʌst/

august

auguste
Meaning
Respected and impressive; inspiring reverence or admiration.
Example
The king entered the hall with an august presence.
Le roi entra dans la salle avec une présence auguste.
C2 verb /kəˈmɪŋɡəl/

commingle

mélanger
Meaning
To mix or blend different things together.
Example
The charity does not commingle donations with operational funds.
La charité ne mélange pas les dons avec les fonds opérationnels.
C2 verb /ˈbaʊdləˌraɪz/

bowdlerize

supprimer les parties offensantes
Meaning
to remove or modify parts of a text considered offensive or inappropriate
Example
The editor bowdlerized the novel to make it suitable for children.
L'éditeur a baudelérisé le roman pour le rendre adapté aux enfants.
C2 adjective /ˈdɛsəlˌtɔːri/

desultory

désordonné
Meaning
lacking a clear plan, purpose, or enthusiasm
Example
His desultory conversation bored the audience.
Sa conversation désordonnée ennuyait le public.
C2 verb /ɪˈkwɪvəˌkeɪt/

equivocate

parler de manière ambiguë
Meaning
To speak ambiguously or avoid giving a clear answer.
Example
The politician equivocated when asked about the scandal.
Le politicien a équivoqué lorsqu'on lui a posé des questions sur le scandale.
C2 noun /ˈvɪzɪdʒ/

visage

bonheur
Meaning
A person's face or facial expression.
Example
Her stern visage intimidated the children.
Elle ne pouvait pas cacher sa joie lorsqu'elle a reçu le prix.
C2 noun /ˈkɒn.tɪ.nəns/

continence

continence
Meaning
self-restraint, especially regarding bodily functions or desires
Example
He practiced continence to maintain focus on his studies.
Il a pratiqué la continence pour maintenir son attention sur ses études.
C2 adjective /ˈtɪd.li/

Tiddley

légèrement ivre; petit ou minuscule
Meaning
slightly drunk; small or tiny
Example
After a few drinks, he felt a bit tiddley.
Après quelques verres, il se sentit un peu tiddley.
C2 adjective /kəˈmoʊdiəs/

commodious

spacieux
Meaning
spacious and comfortable; having plenty of room
Example
They rented a commodious apartment in the city.
Ils ont loué un appartement spacieux en ville.
C2 adjective /vaɪˈtjuːpərəbl̩/

vituperable

méprisable
Meaning
Deserving of blame, censure, or harsh criticism.
Example
His reckless actions made him vituperable in the eyes of his colleagues.
Ses actions imprudentes l'ont rendu méprisable aux yeux de ses collègues.
C2 adjective /ˈkræbɪd/

crabbed

difficile à lire, de mauvais caractère
Meaning
difficult to read or understand; ill-tempered
Example
His handwriting was crabbed and almost illegible.
Son écriture était difficile à lire et presque illisible.
C2 noun /ˈhaʊsˌbreɪkɪŋ/

housebreaking

infraction de domicile
Meaning
the crime of breaking into a house with intent to steal
Example
The thief was arrested for housebreaking.
Le voleur a été arrêté pour infraction de domicile.
C2 verb /ˈnuːkliˌeɪt/

nucleate

nucléaire
Meaning
to form into a nucleus or bring together into a central part
Example
The droplets began to nucleate around tiny particles in the air.
Les gouttes ont commencé à se nucléer autour des petites particules dans l'air.
C2 noun /əˌkædəˈmɪʃən/

academician

académicien
Meaning
a member of an academy; a scholar or expert in a field of study
Example
The academicians gathered to discuss the future of education.
Les académiciens se sont réunis pour discuter de l'avenir de l'éducation.
C2 noun /prɪˈzɛntmənt/

presentment

présentation formelle
Meaning
The act of presenting something formally or officially; a formal statement or document.
Example
The lawyer made a presentment of the evidence to the court.
L'avocat a fait une présentation des preuves devant le tribunal.
C2 verb /ˈdæli/

dally

traîner
Meaning
To act or move slowly; to waste time; also to engage in a casual romantic relationship.
Example
He dallied in the garden instead of starting his work.
Il a traîné dans le jardin au lieu de commencer son travail.
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 /ˈven.tʃər.əs/

Venturous

aventurier; audacieux
Meaning
willing to take risks; adventurous; bold
Example
The venturous explorer climbed the dangerous mountain.
L'explorateur audacieux a grimpé la montagne dangereuse.
C2 adjective /vəˈnɪəriəl/

venereal

vénérien
Meaning
relating to sexual intercourse or sexually transmitted diseases
Example
Doctors warn about the dangers of venereal diseases.
Les médecins avertissent des dangers des maladies vénériennes.
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 adjective /ʌkˈsɔːriəs/

uxorious

excessivement dévoué à sa femme
Meaning
excessively fond of or submissive to one's wife
Example
He was so uxorious that he agreed with everything his wife said.
Il était tellement uxorien qu'il était d'accord avec tout ce que sa femme disait.
C2 noun /ˈfɔːrʃɔːr/

foreshore

rivage
Meaning
The part of the shore between the high and low tide marks
Example
Children were playing on the foreshore, collecting shells.
Les enfants jouaient sur le rivage, ramassant des coquillages.