pyrotechnic
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C2 adjective /ˌpaɪroʊˈtɛknɪk/

pyrotechnic

pyrotechnique
Meaning
Relating to fireworks or spectacular displays involving fire.
Example
The city celebrated with a grand pyrotechnic display on New Year's Eve.
La ville a célébré avec un grand spectacle pyrotechnique lors de la veille du Nouvel An.
C2 adjective /əˈɡɒɡ/

agog

Meaning
Highly excited by eagerness, curiosity, or anticipation.
Example
The children were agog with excitement as they waited for the magician to appear.
C2 noun /ˈfoʊ.nə.ɡræm/

phonogram

symbole phonétique
Meaning
a written symbol representing a speech sound
Example
The teacher showed how each phonogram represents a particular sound.
L'enseignant a montré comment chaque phonogramme représente un son particulier.
C2 adjective /ˈræfɪʃ/

raffish

non conventionnel et légèrement discrédité mais attrayant
Meaning
unconventional and slightly disreputable but attractive
Example
He had a raffish charm that made him popular in the city.
Il avait un charme raffish qui le rendait populaire dans la ville.
C2 adjective /ˈsæŋɡwɪˌnɛri/

sanguinary

sanglant
Meaning
Involving or causing much bloodshed; bloodthirsty.
Example
The battle was one of the most sanguinary conflicts of the war.
La bataille a été l'un des conflits les plus sanglants de la guerre.
C2 verb /ɛksˈproʊprieɪt/

expropriate

exproprier
Meaning
To take property from its owner, especially by authority or for public use.
Example
The government decided to expropriate the land for a new highway.
Le gouvernement a décidé d'exproprier la terre pour une nouvelle autoroute.
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 noun /pərˈsɪpiəns/

percipience

capacité de perception
Meaning
The ability to perceive, understand, or notice things quickly.
Example
His percipience in reading people made him a great negotiator.
Sa capacité de perception en lisant les gens a fait de lui un excellent négociateur.
C2 adjective ˈɛr.jʊ.daɪt

erudite

érudit ou savant
Meaning
Having or showing great knowledge or learning; scholarly and intellectual.
Example
The professor's erudite lecture fascinated the students.
Le discours érudit du professeur a fasciné les étudiants.
C2 adjective /ˌsɒpəˈrɪfɪk/

soporific

bonheur
Meaning
tending to induce drowsiness or sleep; causing sleepiness
Example
The professor's lecture was so soporific that half the class fell asleep.
Elle ne pouvait pas cacher son bonheur lorsqu'elle a reçu le prix.
C2 noun /ˈθiːɪzəm/

theism

théisme
Meaning
Belief in the existence of a god or gods, especially a creator who intervenes in the universe.
Example
Theism is central to many world religions.
Le théisme est central dans de nombreuses religions du monde.
C2 verb /ˌæntɪˈsiːd/

antecede

précéder
Meaning
to come before in time or order
Example
A short introduction usually antecedes the main text.
Une courte introduction précède généralement le texte principal.
C2 noun /ˈsætər/

satyr

bonheur
Meaning
a creature from Greek mythology depicted as a lustful being, often half-man and half-goat; by extension, a lecherous man
Example
In the museum mural, a satyr plays the panpipes while dancing in the woods.
Elle n'a pas pu cacher son bonheur lorsqu'elle a reçu le prix.
C2 noun /ˈpɛntəˌɡræm/

pentagram

pentagramme
Meaning
A five-pointed star often used as a symbol in magic, mysticism, or religion.
Example
The wizard drew a pentagram on the floor as part of the ritual.
Le magicien a tracé un pentagramme sur le sol dans le cadre du rituel.
C2 noun /ˈsɒfɪst/

sophist

sophiste
Meaning
a person who uses clever but misleading arguments
Example
He was dismissed as a sophist who twisted facts to win debates.
Il a été rejeté comme un sophiste qui déformait les faits pour gagner des débats.
C2 noun /ˈɔːrdnəns/

ordnance

fournitures militaires
Meaning
Military supplies including weapons, ammunition, and combat equipment.
Example
The army stored ordnance in a secure facility outside the city.
L'armée a stocké des fournitures militaires dans une installation sécurisée en dehors de la ville.
C2 adjective /ˌser.ɪˈməʊ.ni.əs/

ceremonious

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

statuesque

statuesque
Meaning
Having the grace, beauty, or dignity of a statue; tall and attractively proportioned.
Example
She had a statuesque figure that turned heads wherever she went.
Elle avait une silhouette statuaire qui attirait les regards partout où elle allait.
C2 verb /ˈæmərˌtaɪz/

amortize

amortir
Meaning
To gradually reduce or pay off a debt with regular payments.
Example
They plan to amortize the mortgage over 20 years.
Ils prévoient d'amortir l'hypothèque sur 20 ans.
C2 adjective /ˈfluːtɪd/

fluted

strié
Meaning
having grooves or ridges, often for decoration
Example
The vase had a beautiful fluted design around the rim.
Le vase avait un beau design strié autour du bord.
C2 adjective /prɪˈmɒnɪtəri/ or /ˌpriːməˈnɪtəri/

premonitory

prémonitoire
Meaning
giving a warning or prediction about something, especially something unpleasant
Example
He ignored the premonitory signs of illness.
Il a ignoré les signes prémonitoires de la maladie.
C2 verb /ɛksˈhjuːm/

exhume

exhumer
Meaning
to dig out something buried, especially a body from the ground
Example
The archaeologists decided to exhume the ancient remains.
Les archéologues ont décidé d'exhumer les restes anciens.
C2 verb /lʌɡˈʒʊrieɪt/

luxuriate

se livrer à des plaisirs
Meaning
to enjoy something in a self-indulgent way; to take pleasure in great comfort
Example
She luxuriated in the warm bubble bath after a long day.
Elle s'est luxurieuse dans le bain à bulles chaud après une longue journée.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈtræn.sɪ.dʒənt/

intransigent

intransigeant, têtu, obstiné
Meaning
Unwilling or refusing to change one's views or to agree about something.
Example
His intransigent stance delayed the agreement.
Son attitude intransigeante a retardé l'accord.
C2 noun /vɪm/

vim

vigueur
Meaning
energy and enthusiasm
Example
She performed the dance with great vim and vigor.
Elle a exécuté la danse avec une grande vigueur et énergie.
C2 noun /stɒˈkeɪd/

stockade

clôture en bois
Meaning
a defensive barrier made of strong posts or timbers, often around a fort or prison
Example
The prisoners were kept inside the wooden stockade.
Les prisonniers ont été gardés à l'intérieur de la clôture en bois.
C2 adjective /ˈrɪbɔːld/

ribald

blagues vulgaires
Meaning
Referring to sexual matters in a humorous or vulgar way.
Example
The comedian’s ribald jokes made the audience laugh uncomfortably.
Les blagues vulgaires du comédien ont fait rire le public de manière inconfortable.
C2 noun /ˈnoʊzˌɡeɪ/

nosegay

bouquet de fleurs
Meaning
a small bunch of flowers, typically given as a gift or carried for decoration
Example
She carried a nosegay of fresh roses to the ceremony.
Elle a porté un bouquet de roses fraîches à la cérémonie.
C2 noun /bɪər/

bier

châssis funéraire
Meaning
a frame or stand on which a coffin or body is placed before burial or cremation
Example
The coffin was placed on the bier during the funeral service.
Le cercueil a été placé sur le châssis funéraire pendant le service funéraire.
C2 noun /ˌpaɪrəˈmeɪniə/

pyromania

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

jute

jute
Meaning
a long, soft, shiny plant fiber used to make rope, bags, sacks, and coarse cloth
Example
Jute is widely used to make eco-friendly bags and ropes.
Le jute est utilisé pour fabriquer des sacs écologiques.
C2 adjective /ˈʌŋk.tʃu.əs/

unctuous

flatteur
Meaning
Excessively flattering or ingratiating; oily in texture.
Example
His unctuous tone made everyone uncomfortable.
Son ton flatteur a mis tout le monde mal à l'aise.
C2 verb /əbˈvɜːrt/

obvert

inverser
Meaning
To turn something so as to face in a different direction; in logic, to convert a proposition by negating both subject and predicate.
Example
The teacher asked the students to obvert the statement for practice.
Le professeur a demandé aux étudiants de convertir la déclaration pour s'exercer.
C2 verb /səˈfjuːz/

suffuse

envahir
Meaning
to gradually spread through or over something
Example
A warm glow suffused her face as she smiled.
Une lueur chaude envahit son visage lorsqu'elle sourit.
C2 noun /ˌrɛprəˈbeɪʃən/

reprobation

réprobation
Meaning
Strong disapproval or condemnation; rejection by God as beyond salvation.
Example
The teacher’s face showed clear reprobation at the student’s rude remark.
Le visage du professeur montrait une réprobation nette face à la remarque impolie de l'étudiant.
C2 noun /ˌvælɪˈdɪkʃən/

valediction

discours d'adieu
Meaning
The act of saying farewell; a formal goodbye.
Example
The professor gave a touching valediction at his retirement ceremony.
Le professeur a prononcé un discours émouvant d'adieu lors de sa cérémonie de retraite.
C2 noun /ˈfoʊksl/

forecastle

forecastle
Meaning
The forward part of a ship below the deck, traditionally used as living quarters for the crew.
Example
The sailors gathered in the forecastle after their shift.
Les marins se sont rassemblés dans le forecastle après leur quart.
C2 noun /ˈfaɪər.brænd/

firebrand

un agitateur
Meaning
a person who is passionate about a cause, often inciting change or action
Example
The activist was a true firebrand, inspiring everyone around him to join the protest.
L'activiste était un véritable agitateur, inspirant tout le monde autour de lui à rejoindre la protestation.
C2 noun /ˈræŋ.kər/

rancor

rancune
Meaning
A feeling of deep and bitter anger or resentment.
Example
There was a rancor between the two rivals that never faded.
Il y avait une rancune entre les deux rivaux qui ne s'est jamais estompée.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈseɪʃiət/

insatiate

insatiable
Meaning
impossible to satisfy; always wanting more
Example
He had an insatiate desire for power.
Il avait un désir insatiable de pouvoir.
C2 noun /weɪf/

Waif

un enfant sans abri ou abandonné; une personne ou un animal errant
Meaning
a homeless or abandoned child; a stray person or animal
Example
The charity helps waifs and strays find homes and families.
La charité aide les orphelins et les vagabonds à trouver des foyers et des familles.
C2 noun /ˈɔːldər/

alder

Arbre d'aulne
Meaning
A type of tree from the birch family that typically grows in wet ground and has simple, serrated leaves.
Example
The alder trees grew thick along the riverbank.
Les arbres d'aulne poussaient épais le long de la rive du fleuve.
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 /kiˌɑːrəˈskjʊəroʊ/

chiaroscuro

contraste dramatique entre lumière et ombre
Meaning
The use of strong contrasts between light and dark in art or literature to create a dramatic effect.
Example
The artist's painting used chiaroscuro to highlight the figure's face.
Le tableau de l'artiste a utilisé le chiaroscuro pour mettre en valeur le visage de la figure.
C2 noun /kəˈtæb.ə.lɪ.zəm/

catabolism

catabolisme
Meaning
The breakdown of complex molecules in living organisms to form simpler ones together with the release of energy; destructive metabolism.
Example
Catabolism plays a crucial role in cellular energy production.
Le catabolisme joue un rôle crucial dans la production d'énergie cellulaire.
C2 verb /lɑːl/

loll

s'asseoir paresseusement
Meaning
To sit, lie, or stand in a lazy, relaxed way.
Example
He lolled on the sofa after a long day at work.
Après une longue journée de travail, il s'est affalé sur le canapé.
C2 noun /kəˈpriːs/

caprice

caprice
Meaning
a sudden, unpredictable change of mood or behavior
Example
She bought the expensive dress on a caprice.
Elle a acheté la robe chère sur un caprice.
C2 adjective /ˈlɪtərəl/

littoral

littoral
Meaning
Related to or situated on the shore of the sea or a lake.
Example
The littoral zone is home to many unique marine species.
La zone littorale est le domicile de nombreuses espèces marines uniques.
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 /ˈpjuːɪsəns/

puissance

puissance
Meaning
Great power, strength, or influence.
Example
The empire showed its puissance through vast armies.
L'empire a montré sa puissance à travers de vastes armées.
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 /næˈteɪʃən/

natation

natation
Meaning
The act or sport of swimming.
Example
She took lessons in natation to improve her swimming skills.
Elle a pris des cours de natation pour améliorer ses compétences en natation.
C2 verb /kənˈtɔːrt/

contort

tordre
Meaning
to twist or bend out of the normal shape
Example
She contorted her face in pain after the injury.
Elle tordit son visage de douleur après la blessure.
C2 adjective /ˈvɪtriəs/

vitreous

vitreux
Meaning
having a glass-like appearance or quality
Example
The mineral has a vitreous shine.
Le minéral a un éclat vitreux.
C2 noun /ˈtʃælɪs/

chalice

calice
Meaning
A large cup or goblet, typically used for drinking wine in religious ceremonies.
Example
The priest lifted the golden chalice during the ceremony.
Le prêtre a levé le calice en or pendant la cérémonie.
C2 noun /ˈætəvɪzəm/

atavism

atavisme
Meaning
The recurrence of traits or characteristics from a remote ancestor.
Example
The scientist noted atavism in the child’s physical features.
Le scientifique a noté de l'atavisme dans les caractéristiques physiques de l'enfant.
C2 verb /flɛdʒ/

fledge

prêter
Meaning
To develop wing feathers large enough for flight; to bring up until able to fly.
Example
The young birds will fledge in a few weeks.
Les jeunes oiseaux vont se préparer à voler dans quelques semaines.
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 /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 verb /ɪnˈsnɛər/

ensnare

piéger
Meaning
to catch or trap, often by trickery or deceit
Example
The hunter ensnared the rabbit with a net.
Le chasseur a piégé le lapin avec un filet.
C2 noun /ˌluːkjʊˈbreɪʃən/

lucubration

étude nocturne
Meaning
study or meditation, especially at night
Example
His novel was the result of long lucubration.
Son roman était le résultat de longues études nocturnes.
C2 verb /ɪkˈstɛmpəraɪz/

extemporize

improviser
Meaning
To speak or perform without preparation; improvise.
Example
The actor had to extemporize when he forgot his lines.
L'acteur a dû improviser lorsqu'il a oublié ses répliques.
C2 adjective /əˈvʌŋkjələr/

avuncular

sympathique comme un oncle
Meaning
kind and friendly, like an uncle
Example
He had an avuncular manner that made everyone feel comfortable.
Il avait une manière avunculaire qui mettait tout le monde à l'aise.
C2 verb /ˌæpərˈteɪn/

appertain

appartenir
Meaning
to relate to or be connected with something
Example
The rules only appertain to members of the club.
Les règles ne s'appliquent qu'aux membres du club.
C2 noun /ˈkɔːrpəskəl/

corpuscle

petite particule ou cellule, en particulier cellule sanguine
Meaning
a small particle or cell, especially a blood cell
Example
Red corpuscles carry oxygen throughout the body.
Les globules rouges transportent l'oxygène dans tout le corps.
C2 adjective /ˌrɛpərˈtɔːriəl/

repertorial

répertorial
Meaning
Relating to or characteristic of a repertoire, especially in journalism or performance contexts.
Example
The journalist's repertorial style captured every detail of the unfolding story.
Le style répertorial du journaliste a capturé chaque détail de l'histoire en cours.
C2 adjective /ˈtriːkli/

treacly

Excessivement sucré ou sentimental, comme de la mélasse.
Meaning
Excessively sweet or sentimental, like treacle.
Example
The movie was too treacly for my taste.
Le film était trop sirupeux pour mon goût.
C2 adjective /ˈfæl.oʊ/

fallow

jachère
Meaning
Describing land that is left unplanted for a period to restore its fertility, allowing soil to recover nutrients and break pest and disease cycles.
Example
Farmers leave their fields fallow to restore soil fertility.
Les agriculteurs laissent leurs champs en jachère pour restaurer la fertilité du sol.
C2 noun əˌten.juˈeɪ.ʃən

attenuation

atténuation, réduction, affaiblissement
Meaning
The reduction of the force, effect, or value of something.
Example
The attenuation of sound waves affects communication.
L'atténuation des ondes sonores affecte la communication.
C2 adjective /ˈmɒn.teɪn/

montane

relatif aux régions montagneuses; trouvé dans les environnements montagneux
Meaning
Relating to mountainous regions; found in mountain environments.
Example
Montane forests host a variety of unique species.
Les forêts montagnardes abritent une variété d'espèces uniques.
C2 noun /ˈɛksplɪkeɪtər/

explicator

explicateur
Meaning
a person who explains or interprets something in detail
Example
The critic served as an explicator of the poet’s complex works.
Le critique a servi d'explicateur des œuvres complexes du poète.
C2 noun /lɪˈnoʊ.li.əm/

linoleum

linoléum
Meaning
a durable, washable floor covering made from solidified linseed oil, wood flour, or cork dust on a canvas backing
Example
They decided to cover the kitchen floor with linoleum.
Ils ont décidé de recouvrir le sol de la cuisine avec du linoléum.
C2 noun /kɪˈrɒpədɪst/

chiropodist

pédicure-podologue
Meaning
A healthcare professional who diagnoses and treats foot problems.
Example
The chiropodist treated her painful corns and calluses.
Le pédicure-podologue a traité ses cors et callosités douloureux.
C2 noun /ɪnˈkɒnstənsi/

inconstancy

inconstance
Meaning
The quality of changing frequently or being unreliable.
Example
The inconstancy of the weather makes planning difficult.
L'inconstance du temps rend la planification difficile.
C2 noun /rɪˌdʒuːvəˈnɛsəns/

rejuvenescence

rejuvenescence
Meaning
the action or process of becoming young or fresh again
Example
The forest showed signs of rejuvenescence after the rains.
La forêt a montré des signes de rajeunissement après la pluie.
C2 verb /ˈhæroʊ/

harrow

tourmenter / herse
Meaning
to cause distress or torment; also to break up and smooth soil with a farm tool
Example
The tragic news harrowed the entire family.
La tragique nouvelle a tourmenté toute la famille.
C2 noun /ˌnɒvəˈlɛt/

novellette

novellette
Meaning
A short novel or long short story.
Example
The author published a novellette as a preview of her upcoming series.
L'auteur a publié une novellette en avant-première de sa prochaine série.
C2 adjective /ˈnʌpʃəl/

nuptial

nuptial
Meaning
Relating to marriage or weddings.
Example
The couple prepared for their nuptial ceremony with great joy.
Le couple s'est préparé pour leur cérémonie nuptiale avec grande joie.
C2 noun /ˈseɪ.ɡoʊ/

Sago

sago
Meaning
starchy foodstuff obtained from the pith of various tropical palm stems
Example
She prepared sago pudding for dessert.
Elle a préparé du pudding de sago pour le dessert.
C2 verb /vɪˈtjuːpəreɪt/

vituperate

vitupérer
Meaning
To criticize harshly or abuse verbally.
Example
The politician was quick to vituperate his opponents during the debate.
Le politicien a vite vitupéré ses opposants pendant le débat.
C2 verb /ˈtɪtəleɪt/

titillate

exciter
Meaning
To excite or amuse, especially in a slightly sexual or playful way.
Example
The comedian's jokes titillated the audience.
Les blagues du comédien excitaient le public.
C2 noun /mɔːrˈtɪʃən/

mortician

employé des pompes funèbres
Meaning
a person whose job is to prepare dead bodies for burial or cremation and to arrange funerals
Example
The mortician prepared the body for the funeral service.
L'employé des pompes funèbres a préparé le corps pour le service funéraire.
C2 verb /dɪˈbɑːrk/

debark

débarquer
Meaning
to disembark or get off a ship, aircraft, or vehicle
Example
The passengers debarked as soon as the ship docked.
Les passagers ont débarqué dès que le navire a accosté.
C2 noun /ˈkɒnsənəns/

consonance

consonance, harmonie
Meaning
Agreement or harmony among parts; a pleasing combination of sounds in music or words.
Example
The consonance between their ideas made the project successful.
La consonance entre leurs idées a rendu le projet réussi.
C2 noun /nɪt/

nit

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

olive-branch

branche d'olivier
Meaning
A symbol of peace or reconciliation; an offer to end conflict.
Example
He extended an olive-branch to his rival after years of hostility.
Il a tendu une branche d'olivier à son rival après des années d'hostilité.
C2 noun /hɑrˈmoʊniəm/

Harmonium

harmonium
Meaning
a keyboard musical instrument similar to an organ, using air to produce sound
Example
She played devotional songs on the harmonium at the temple.
Elle jouait des chants dévotionnels sur l'harmonium au temple.
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 adjective /ˈkɑːrnəl/

carnal

carnel
Meaning
Relating to physical, especially sexual, desires and appetites.
Example
The book explores the conflict between spiritual and carnal desires.
Le livre explore le conflit entre les désirs spirituels et carnels.
C2 verb /ˈfɛstər/

fester

empirer, s'intensifier
Meaning
to become worse or more intense, often through neglect or infection
Example
If grievances are ignored, they may fester into resentment.
Si les plaintes sont ignorées, elles peuvent devenir du ressentiment.
C2 noun /wɛlt/

welt

marque
Meaning
A raised mark on the skin, usually from a blow or allergic reaction.
Example
He had a red welt on his arm after the bee sting.
Il avait une marque rouge sur son bras après la piqûre d'abeille.
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 adjective /ˈmeɪndʒi/

mangy

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

parturition

accouchement
Meaning
The act of giving birth; childbirth.
Example
The doctor explained the stages of parturition to the students.
Le médecin a expliqué les étapes de l'accouchement aux étudiants.
C2 noun /vəˈliːɪti/

velleity

désir faible
Meaning
A wish or inclination not strong enough to lead to action.
Example
His interest in painting never grew beyond a mere velleity.
Son intérêt pour la peinture n'a jamais dépassé un simple désir faible.
C2 noun /ˈrɛvəlri/

revelry

fête
Meaning
Lively and noisy festivities, especially involving drinking and dancing.
Example
The sound of revelry could be heard throughout the night.
Le bruit de la fête se faisait entendre toute la nuit.
C2 noun /ˈzaɪtɡaɪst/

zeitgeist

esprit de l'époque
Meaning
The defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time.
Example
The novel perfectly captures the zeitgeist of the 1960s.
Le roman capture parfaitement l'esprit de l'époque des années 60.
C2 noun /feɪt/

fete

fête, célébration
Meaning
a celebration or festival, often in honor of someone
Example
The village held a grand fete to celebrate the harvest.
Le village a organisé une grande fête pour célébrer la récolte.
C2 noun /ˈpɛtjʊləns/

petulance

pétulance
Meaning
The quality of being childishly sulky or bad-tempered.
Example
His petulance during the meeting annoyed everyone.
Sa pétulance pendant la réunion a agacé tout le monde.
C2 adjective, noun /ˈɡreɪtɪŋ/

grating

son désagréable / grille métallique
Meaning
Harsh and unpleasant to the senses, especially sound; a framework of bars covering an opening.
Example
The teacher's grating voice made it hard to concentrate.
La voix désagréable de l'enseignant rendait la concentration difficile.
C2 adjective /ˈdɔːnt.ləs/

dauntless

intrépide, courageux, déterminé
Meaning
Showing fearlessness and determination; brave and resolute.
Example
The dauntless soldier fought against all odds.
Le soldat intrépide a combattu contre toutes les adversités.
C2 noun /ɛθˈnɒlədʒi/

ethnology

ethnologie
Meaning
the study of the characteristics of different peoples and the differences and relationships between them
Example
She specialized in ethnology to better understand cultural diversity.
Elle s'est spécialisée en ethnologie pour mieux comprendre la diversité culturelle.
C2 noun /ˈsʌbtərˌfjuːdʒ/

subterfuge

subterfuge
Meaning
Deceit used to achieve one's goal; a trick or excuse to evade something.
Example
They used subterfuge to avoid paying taxes.
Ils ont utilisé le subterfuge pour éviter de payer des impôts.
C2 adjective /ˈæfərənt/

afferent

afférent
Meaning
carrying impulses toward a central organ or part, especially toward the brain or spinal cord
Example
Afferent nerves carry signals from the body to the brain.
Les nerfs afférents transportent des signaux du corps vers le cerveau.
C2 adjective /ˈtrʌŋkeɪtɪd/

truncated

raccourci
Meaning
shortened by cutting off a part; cut short
Example
The meeting was truncated due to time constraints.
La réunion a été raccourcie en raison des contraintes de temps.
C2 adjective /ˈvoʊlənt/

volant

volant
Meaning
able to fly or moving swiftly
Example
The volant bird soared gracefully across the sky.
L'oiseau volant s'est élevé gracieusement dans le ciel.
C2 noun /aɪˈdɒlətri/

idolatry

idolâtrie
Meaning
The worship of idols or extreme admiration for someone or something.
Example
The priest condemned the idolatry practiced in the village.
Le prêtre a condamné l'idolâtrie pratiquée dans le village.
C2 verb /əˈvʌls/

avulse

arracher
Meaning
to tear away or separate forcibly, especially in medical or geological contexts
Example
The surgeon had to avulse the damaged tissue during the operation.
Le chirurgien a dû arracher le tissu endommagé pendant l'opération.
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 adjective /prɪˈhɛnsɪbəl/

prehensible

préhensible
Meaning
capable of being grasped or seized
Example
The tool has a prehensible handle that improves safety.
L'outil a une prise préhensible qui améliore la sécurité.
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 /ˌæprəˈbeɪʃən/

approbation

approbation / éloge
Meaning
approval or praise
Example
The plan won the approbation of the board members.
Le plan a reçu l'approbation des membres du conseil.
C2 noun /seɪn/

seine

grand filet
Meaning
A large fishing net that hangs vertically in the water.
Example
The fishermen cast their seine into the river.
Les pêcheurs ont jeté leur grand filet dans la rivière.
C2 noun /ˌæriˈviːst/

arriviste

nouveau riche
Meaning
A person who has recently gained wealth or status but is considered arrogant or socially unsophisticated.
Example
The business world is full of ambitious arrivistes.
Le monde des affaires est rempli d’arrivistes ambitieux.
C2 noun /ˈɪnroʊd/

inroad

progrès
Meaning
An advance or significant progress, often at the expense of something else.
Example
The company made significant inroads into the mobile market.
L'entreprise a réalisé des progrès significatifs sur le marché mobile.
C2 noun /ˈʌŋkʃən/

unction

unction
Meaning
The act of anointing as part of a religious or ceremonial ritual; excessive or insincere flattery.
Example
The priest performed the holy unction with solemnity.
Le prêtre a accompli l'unction sacrée avec solennité.
C2 noun, adjective /nɒn ˈkɒmbətənt/

non-combatant

non-combattant
Meaning
a person not engaged in fighting during a war, such as civilians or medical staff
Example
The Red Cross workers were treated as non-combatants in the conflict.
Les travailleurs de la Croix-Rouge ont été traités comme des non-combattants dans le conflit.
C2 noun /bɛk/

beck

geste de signe / petit ruisseau
Meaning
a gesture of beckoning; a small stream or brook (chiefly Northern English)
Example
The servant came at his master's beck and call.
Le serviteur est venu à l'appel de son maître.
C2 adjective /ˌæp.rɪˈhen.sə.bəl/

Apprehensible

compréhensible
Meaning
able to be understood or grasped; comprehensible
Example
The complex theory became apprehensible after the professor's explanation.
La théorie complexe est devenue compréhensible après l'explication du professeur.
C2 noun /ˌɛksɪˈɡjuːɪti/

exiguity

insuffisance
Meaning
the quality of being scanty or meager in amount
Example
The exiguity of resources made the project difficult to complete.
L'insuffisance des ressources a rendu le projet difficile à terminer.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈɛstɪməbl/

inestimable

inestimable
Meaning
Too great or valuable to be measured or estimated.
Example
Her contribution to the project was of inestimable value.
Sa contribution au projet avait une valeur inestimable.