retrench
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 verb /rɪˈtrɛntʃ/

retrench

réduire les dépenses, licencier des employés
Meaning
to reduce costs, spending, or staff to save resources
Example
The company had to retrench employees due to financial difficulties.
L'entreprise a dû licencier des employés à cause de difficultés financières.
C2 adjective /baɪˈkæmərəl/

bicameral

bicaméral
Meaning
Having two branches or chambers, especially in a legislature.
Example
The United States has a bicameral legislature consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Les États-Unis ont une législature bicamérale composée du Sénat et de la Chambre des représentants.
C2 verb /ˈpɜːrdʒər/

perjure

parjurer
Meaning
To knowingly tell a lie in a court of law after swearing to tell the truth.
Example
He was accused of trying to perjure himself during the trial.
Il a été accusé d'avoir essayé de parjurer pendant le procès.
C2 verb /pərˈveɪ/

purvey

fournir
Meaning
to supply or provide goods, services, or information, often as a business
Example
The company purveys organic food to health-conscious customers.
L'entreprise fournit des aliments biologiques aux clients soucieux de leur santé.
C2 noun /ˈlæriət/

lariat

lasso
Meaning
A long rope with a noose at one end used to catch animals such as cattle or horses.
Example
The cowboy threw his lariat to catch the stray horse.
Le cow-boy a lancé son lasso pour attraper le cheval errant.
C2 noun /ˈmædʒɪstrəsi/

magistracy

bureau judiciaire
Meaning
The office, authority, or district of a magistrate.
Example
He was proud to serve in the local magistracy for over a decade.
Il était fier de servir dans le bureau judiciaire local pendant plus d'une décennie.
C2 noun /ˈstrɪplɪŋ/

stripling

jeune homme
Meaning
a young man who is not yet fully grown
Example
The stripling dreamed of becoming a brave knight.
Le jeune homme rêvait de devenir un chevalier courageux.
C2 noun /kəˈnɑːrd/

canard

un canular
Meaning
a false or unfounded story or rumor
Example
The article turned out to be nothing more than a canard.
L'article s'est avéré n'être rien de plus qu'un canular.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈwəʊntɪd/

unwonted

inhabituel
Meaning
Unusual, uncommon, or out of the ordinary.
Example
She spoke with an unwonted gentleness that surprised everyone.
Elle parla avec une douceur inhabituelle qui surprit tout le monde.
C2 noun /ˈmɪsəl/

missal

missel
Meaning
a book containing the texts used in the Catholic Mass throughout the year
Example
The priest read from the missal during the ceremony.
Le prêtre a lu dans le missel pendant la cérémonie.
C2 adjective /ˌɪndɪˈsɜːrnəbl/

indiscernible

indiscernable
Meaning
Impossible or difficult to see, notice, or distinguish.
Example
The difference between the two shades was almost indiscernible.
La différence entre les deux teintes était presque indiscernable.
C2 noun dɪsˈbɜːs.mənt

disbursement

décaissement
Meaning
The payment of money from a fund.
Example
The company's disbursement of salaries was delayed.
Le décaissement des salaires de l'entreprise a été retardé.
C2 adjective /trænzˈæl.paɪn/

transalpine

au-delà des Alpes
Meaning
situated beyond or across the Alps, especially from the viewpoint of Italy
Example
The Romans referred to France as Transalpine Gaul.
Les Romains appelaient la France la Gaule transalpine.
C2 noun /ˌdɪsɪnklɪˈneɪʃən/

disinclination

désintérêt
Meaning
a lack of willingness or desire to do something
Example
She showed a clear disinclination to join the meeting.
Elle a montré un désintérêt évident à rejoindre la réunion.
C2 noun /lɑːrˈʒes/

largess

générosité
Meaning
Generosity in giving gifts or money.
Example
The foundation survived thanks to the largess of wealthy donors.
La fondation a survécu grâce à la générosité des donateurs fortunés.
C2 adjective /ɑːrˈbɔːr.i.əl/

arboreal

relatif aux arbres
Meaning
Relating to trees or living in trees; tree-dwelling.
Example
Monkeys are arboreal animals that spend most of their time in trees.
Les singes sont des animaux arboricoles qui passent la majeure partie de leur temps dans les arbres.
C2 adjective /ˈhʌski/

husky

rauque
Meaning
deep, rough, and slightly hoarse voice; also refers to a strong and sturdy build
Example
He spoke in a husky voice after shouting all day.
Il a parlé d'une voix rauque après avoir crié toute la journée.
C2 noun /ˈpʌlkrɪˌtjuːd/

pulchritude

beauté
Meaning
physical beauty
Example
The actress was admired for her pulchritude as well as her talent.
L'actrice a été admirée pour sa beauté et son talent.
C2 adjective /raɪˈpɛə.ri.ən/

riparian

relatif ou situé sur les rives d'un fleuve ou d'un autre cours d'eau
Meaning
Relating to or situated on the banks of a river or other watercourse.
Example
Riparian vegetation helps prevent soil erosion along rivers.
La végétation riparienne aide à prévenir l'érosion des sols le long des rivières.
C2 noun /ˈveɪnɡlɔːri/

vainglory

vanité
Meaning
Excessive vanity or boastfulness about one's achievements.
Example
His speech was filled with vainglory and self-praise.
Son discours était rempli de vanité et d'autopromotion.
C2 noun /ˈmɒkəsɪn/

moccasin

mocassin
Meaning
A soft leather shoe, traditionally worn by Native Americans, often made from deerskin.
Example
He slipped on a pair of comfortable moccasins before going outside.
Il a mis des mocassins confortables avant de sortir.
C2 noun /ˌiː.mɛnˈdeɪ.ʃən/

emendation

rectification
Meaning
a correction or improvement made to a text
Example
The article required several emendations before it was ready for print.
L'article a nécessité plusieurs rectifications avant d'être prêt pour l'impression.
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 /ˈɛdi/

eddy

tourbillon
Meaning
A circular movement of water, air, or smoke, counter to the main current, causing a small whirlpool or turbulence.
Example
The canoe was caught in an eddy near the rocks.
Le canoë a été pris dans un tourbillon près des rochers.
C2 verb /dɪˈspɒnd/

despond

se laisser abattre
Meaning
to lose confidence or hope; to become dejected
Example
After repeated failures, he began to despond.
Après des échecs répétés, il a commencé à se laisser abattre.
C2 noun /əbˈhɒrəns/

abhorrence

abhorrence
Meaning
a feeling of strong disgust or hatred
Example
He expressed his abhorrence of racial discrimination.
Il a exprimé son abhorrence de la discrimination raciale.
C2 noun əˈdʒuː.dɪ.kə.tɪv ˈbɒd.i

adjudicative body

organe adjudicatif
Meaning
An official organization that has the authority to judge disputes and make decisions.
Example
The adjudicative body deliberated on the case.
L'organe adjudicatif a délibéré sur le cas.
C2 verb /ˈæd.l̩/

addle

embrouiller
Meaning
To confuse or muddle someone’s mind.
Example
The complicated instructions only served to addle him.
Les instructions compliquées n'ont servi qu'à le rendre confus.
C2 noun /ˈɪrɪtənsi/

irritancy

irritation
Meaning
the quality or state of causing irritation; legal or formal invalidation
Example
The constant noise became an irritancy to the neighbors.
Le bruit constant est devenu une irritation pour les voisins.
C2 noun /loʊm/

loam

sol argileux fertile
Meaning
Fertile soil mixture of sand, clay, and organic matter.
Example
Loam soil is ideal for agriculture due to its nutrient content.
Le sol loameux est idéal pour l'agriculture en raison de sa teneur en nutriments.
C2 noun /ˈɔːldərmənʃɪp/

aldermanship

poste de conseiller
Meaning
The office, position, or dignity of an alderman.
Example
He was honored with aldermanship after years of service.
Il a été honoré du poste de conseiller après des années de service.
C2 noun /lɪˈvaɪəθən/

leviathan

monstre marin géant
Meaning
a huge sea monster or something very large and powerful.
Example
The ship looked like a leviathan on the horizon.
Le navire ressemblait à un monstre marin géant à l'horizon.
C2 verb /ɪˈfeɪs/

efface

effacer
Meaning
To erase or wipe out something; to make oneself inconspicuous.
Example
Time had effaced the letters on the old gravestone.
Le temps avait effacé les lettres sur la vieille pierre tombale.
C2 noun /ˈtɪl.ər/

Tiller

paysan
Meaning
a person who tills or cultivates land; a farmer
Example
The tiller worked hard in the fields every morning.
Le paysan travaillait dur dans les champs chaque matin.
C2 adjective /ˈʌndjʊleɪtɪŋ/

undulating

ondulant
Meaning
Having a smoothly rising and falling form or motion like waves.
Example
We drove through undulating hills.
Nous avons conduit à travers des collines ondulantes.
C2 noun /rɪˈdʒɔɪndər/

rejoinder

réplique
Meaning
a quick or witty reply; a response to a remark or argument
Example
His sharp rejoinder silenced the crowd.
Sa réplique acérée a fait taire la foule.
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 noun /kəˈdævər/

cadaver

cadavre
Meaning
A dead human body, especially one used for medical study.
Example
Medical students dissected the cadaver to learn about human anatomy.
Les étudiants en médecine ont disséqué le cadavre pour apprendre l'anatomie humaine.
C2 verb /ˈsʌli/

sully

salir
Meaning
to damage the purity, integrity, or reputation of something
Example
The scandal sullied the politician’s reputation.
Le scandale a sali la réputation du politicien.
C2 noun /ˈflætʃələns/

flatulence

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

perspicacious

perspicace
Meaning
Having keen insight and understanding; showing acute mental discernment.
Example
The detective's perspicacious nature helped solve the mystery.
La nature perspicace du détective a aidé à résoudre le mystère.
C2 noun /krəˈdjuːlɪti/

credulity

crédule
Meaning
A tendency to be too ready to believe that something is real or true.
Example
The scam succeeded because of the victim's credulity.
L'escroquerie a réussi en raison de la crédulité de la victime.
C2 noun /ˈæpəˌlɔːɡ/

apologue

récit moral
Meaning
a short moral story or fable intended to teach a lesson
Example
The teacher used an old apologue to explain honesty to the children.
Le professeur a utilisé un ancien récit moral pour expliquer l'honnêteté aux enfants.
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 adjective /ˌen.zɪˈmæt.ɪk/

enzymatic

relatif aux enzymes
Meaning
Relating to or involving enzymes, which are proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions in living organisms.
Example
Enzymatic reactions regulate metabolism in the human body.
Les réactions enzymatiques régulent le métabolisme dans le corps humain.
C2 adjective /ɪmˈpɛn.ɪ.tənt/

impenitent

impénitent
Meaning
Not feeling regret or shame about one's actions.
Example
The criminal remained impenitent after the trial.
Le criminel est resté impénitent après le procès.
C2 noun /ˈɒbsɪkwi/

obsequy

obsèque
Meaning
A funeral rite, usually used in plural form obsequies.
Example
The village gathered for the obsequy of their beloved teacher.
Le village s'est réuni pour l'obseque de leur cher professeur.
C2 noun /ɪnˈtɛɡ.jʊ.mənt/

integument

revêtement externe
Meaning
A natural outer covering, such as skin, shell, or rind.
Example
The snake sheds its integument as it grows.
Le serpent mue de son revêtement externe à mesure qu'il grandit.
C2 noun /ˌɪnədˈvɜːrtəns/

inadvertence

inadvertance
Meaning
Failure to pay attention; carelessness.
Example
The error happened through sheer inadvertence.
L'erreur est survenue par pure inadvertance.
C2 noun /ˈdjʊərəns/

durance

prison
Meaning
imprisonment or confinement
Example
The prisoner spent years in durance before his release.
Le prisonnier a passé des années en prison avant sa libération.
C2 verb /ˈbæstərdaɪz/

bastardize

dénaturer
Meaning
to corrupt or debase something by altering it from its original form; to change in a way that reduces quality or purity
Example
Critics argue that the remake bastardized the original novel.
Les critiques disent que le remake a dénaturé l’œuvre originale.
C2 noun /ˌmɑːhəˈrɑːdʒə/

maharaja

maharaja
Meaning
A great king, especially a ruler of one of the principal states in India.
Example
The maharaja lived in a grand palace surrounded by gardens.
Le maharaja vivait dans un grand palais entouré de jardins.
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 noun /kəˌmɒd.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/

commodification

marchandisation
Meaning
The transformation of goods, services, ideas, or social relations into market commodities.
Example
The commodification of education has increased tuition costs.
La marchandisation de l'éducation a augmenté les frais de scolarité.
C2 noun /ˈtrʌmpəri/

trumpery

nonsense sans valeur ou des choses ostentatoires mais sans valeur
Meaning
worthless nonsense or showy but worthless things
Example
The speech was full of political trumpery.
Le discours était plein de balivernes politiques.
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 /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.
C2 noun əˌmæl.ɡəˈmeɪ.ʃən

amalgamation

fusion, amalgame, intégration
Meaning
The action, process, or result of combining or uniting.
Example
The amalgamation of AI and big data is transforming industries.
La fusion de l'IA et des grandes données transforme les industries.
C2 noun /waɪl/

wile

ruse, tromperie
Meaning
A trick or clever scheme meant to deceive or outwit someone.
Example
He used every wile to win her trust.
Il a utilisé toutes ses ruses pour gagner sa confiance.
C2 adjective /ˈdɪsəluːt/

dissolute

dissolu
Meaning
lacking moral restraint; indulging excessively in sensual pleasures
Example
He led a dissolute life filled with parties and gambling.
Il a mené une vie dissolue remplie de fêtes et de jeux d'argent.
C2 noun /ɪmˈpaɪ.ə.ti/

Impiety

impiété
Meaning
lack of piety or reverence, especially for a god; disrespect or irreverence toward religious matters
Example
His impiety shocked the religious community when he mocked their sacred ceremonies.
Son impiété a choqué la communauté religieuse lorsqu'il s'est moqué de leurs cérémonies sacrées.
C2 noun /ˈɡɜːrn.zi/

Guernsey

pull-over
Meaning
a knitted sweater; a type of woolen pullover
Example
He wore a warm guernsey during the cold winter evening.
Il portait un pull chaud lors de la froide soirée d'hiver.
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 /ˈvæləns/

valance

valance décorative
Meaning
A decorative drapery hung across the top of a window or bed.
Example
She chose a floral valance to match the curtains in her bedroom.
Elle a choisi une valance florale pour assortir les rideaux de sa chambre.
C2 noun /ˈvoʊtəri/

votary

dévot
Meaning
A devoted follower or admirer of someone or something.
Example
He is a votary of classical music and attends every concert.
Il est un dévot de la musique classique et assiste à chaque concert.
C2 adjective /kənˈkɒmɪtənt/

concomitant

concomitant
Meaning
Naturally accompanying or associated with something.
Example
Increased stress is often concomitant with long working hours.
Le stress accru est souvent concomitant avec de longues heures de travail.
C2 noun (plural) /ˌmæk.ɪˈneɪ.ʃənz/

machinations

machinations
Meaning
complicated and secret plans, often intended to cause harm
Example
The politician was brought down by his own machinations.
Le politicien a été abattu par ses propres machinations.
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 noun /ˌpɛrəɡrɪˈneɪʃən/

peregrination

pérégrination
Meaning
A long journey or wandering, especially on foot.
Example
Their peregrination across Asia lasted two years.
Leurs pérégrinations à travers l'Asie ont duré deux ans.
C2 noun /ɪnˈfriːkwəns/

infrequence

infréquence
Meaning
The state of occurring rarely or at long intervals.
Example
The infrequence of their meetings made it hard to maintain close ties.
L'infréquence de leurs réunions rendait difficile le maintien de liens étroits.
C2 verb /ɪnˈveɪɡəl/

inveigle

manipuler
Meaning
To persuade someone to do something by deception or flattery.
Example
She inveigled him into signing the contract.
Elle l'a dupé pour qu'il signe le contrat.
C2 noun /bʊr/

Boor

personne grossière; rustre
Meaning
a rough and bad-mannered person; someone who lacks refinement or culture
Example
The wealthy businessman was actually a boor who showed no respect for others.
L'homme d'affaires riche était en fait un rustre qui ne montrait aucun respect envers les autres.
C2 noun /ɪkˈstɛnsər/

extensor

muscle extenseur
Meaning
a muscle that serves to extend or straighten a limb or part of the body.
Example
The extensor muscles in the arm help straighten the elbow.
Les muscles extenseurs du bras aident à redresser le coude.
C2 noun /məˈlɪŋɡərər/

malingerer

personne qui simule une maladie
Meaning
a person who pretends to be sick to avoid duty or work
Example
The manager suspected that John was a malingerer.
Le responsable soupçonnait que John était un malingerer.
C2 noun /ˈlæŋɡər/

languor

langueur
Meaning
A state of tiredness, inertia, or dreamy relaxation.
Example
The hot afternoon filled her with languor.
L'après-midi chaud l'a remplie de langueur.
C2 adjective /vərˈmɪkjələr/

vermicular

comme un ver
Meaning
having a shape or appearance like a worm; worm-like
Example
The artist used a vermicular design to decorate the border of the manuscript.
L'artiste a utilisé un design vermiculaire pour décorer le bord du manuscrit.
C2 adjective /kənˈsʌmptɪv/

consumptive

consumptif
Meaning
Relating to or characterized by consumption; historically used to describe someone suffering from tuberculosis.
Example
The doctor advised against consumptive habits.
Le médecin a déconseillé les habitudes consumptives.
C2 adjective /ˈæbdʒɛkt/

abject

abject
Meaning
extremely bad, unpleasant, and degrading
Example
They lived in abject poverty.
Ils vivaient dans une pauvreté abjecte.
C2 adjective /ˈɒkjʊlər/

ocular

oculaire
Meaning
Relating to the eye or vision.
Example
The patient was referred to a specialist for ocular treatment.
Le patient a été orienté vers un spécialiste pour un traitement oculaire.
C2 noun /kɒzˈmɒɡ.ə.ni/

cosmogony

cosmogonie
Meaning
the study or theory of the origin of the universe
Example
The book provides an overview of different cosmogonies throughout history.
Le livre présente un aperçu des différentes cosmogonies à travers l'histoire.
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 /məˈbɒkrəsi/

mobocracy

gouvernance par la foule
Meaning
Rule or control by a mob or mass of people, often disorderly.
Example
The protest turned into mobocracy when the crowd started destroying property.
La protestation s'est transformée en mobocratie lorsque la foule a commencé à détruire des biens.
C2 adjective /sɛnˈsɔːriəs/

censorious

excessivement critique
Meaning
severely critical of others
Example
She was always censorious about her colleagues' mistakes.
Elle était toujours très critique vis-à-vis des erreurs de ses collègues.
C2 noun /ˈflɛkʃən/

flection

flexion
Meaning
The act of bending or the state of being bent, especially of a limb or joint.
Example
The doctor tested the patient's knee flection during the examination.
Le médecin a testé la flexion du genou du patient lors de l'examen.
C2 verb /ˈɛkskʌlpeɪt/

exculpate

exculper
Meaning
to show or declare that someone is not guilty of wrongdoing
Example
The lawyer worked hard to exculpate his client.
L'avocat a travaillé dur pour exculper son client.
C2 verb /lɪr/

leer

regard lubrique
Meaning
To look at someone in an unpleasant, sly, or sexually suggestive way.
Example
He leered at her in a way that made her uncomfortable.
Il l'a regardée d'une manière qui l'a rendue mal à l'aise.
C2 noun /ˈmænˌtræp/

man-trap

piège à homme
Meaning
A trap designed to catch or injure humans; informally, a woman considered dangerously attractive.
Example
The old castle had a man-trap at the entrance.
Le vieux château avait un piège à homme à l'entrée.
C2 noun /ˈænɪməlˌkjuːl/

animalcule

animalcule
Meaning
A microscopic animal, especially a protozoan or other minute organism.
Example
The scientist observed an animalcule moving under the microscope.
Le scientifique a observé un animalcule se déplaçant sous le microscope.
C2 noun /ˈfɔːrkɔːrt/

forecourt

cour
Meaning
an open area in front of a large building, especially a petrol station or hotel
Example
The car was parked in the hotel forecourt.
La voiture était garée dans la cour de l'hôtel.
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 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 /ˌɡrɛnəˈdɪə/

grenadier

grenadier
Meaning
A soldier who specialized in throwing grenades; later used to describe an elite infantryman.
Example
The grenadier stood proudly at the front of the regiment.
Le grenadier se tenait fièrement devant le régiment.
C2 noun /rɪˈfɛktəri/

refectory

réfectoire
Meaning
a dining hall, especially in a monastery, convent, or school
Example
Students had lunch in the refectory.
Les étudiants ont déjeuné dans le réfectoire.
C2 noun /kænˈtɑː.tə/

cantata

cantate
Meaning
A vocal composition with instrumental accompaniment, typically in several movements, often involving a choir.
Example
The choir performed a beautiful cantata during the festival.
Le chœur a interprété une belle cantate pendant le festival.
C2 adjective /ˈmɔːrɪbʌnd/

Moribund

moribond; en déclin ou mourant
Meaning
near death; dying; in a state of decline or decay
Example
The moribund patient was in critical condition.
Le patient moribond était dans un état critique.
C2 adjective /həˈmɑː.lə.ɡəs/

homologous

homologue (structure)
Meaning
Having the same relation, relative position, or structure, especially due to evolutionary origin.
Example
The wings of bats and the arms of humans are homologous structures.
Les ailes des chauves-souris et les bras des humains sont des structures homologues.
C2 noun /ˌhæŋ.ki ˈpæŋ.ki/

Hanky-Panky

escroquerie; activité suspecte; comportement malhonnête; tromperie
Meaning
dishonest or suspicious activity; unethical behavior; trickery or deception
Example
The audit revealed some hanky-panky in the company's financial records.
L'audit a révélé de la fraude dans les registres financiers de l'entreprise.
C2 adjective /ˈpɑːrtəbl/

partible

divisible
Meaning
capable of being divided or separated
Example
The estate was partible among the heirs.
Le bien était divisible entre les héritiers.
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 /tʃɜːrl/

churl

rustre
Meaning
A rude, boorish, or ill-mannered person.
Example
The waiter was such a churl that customers left unhappy.
Le serveur était un tel rustre que les clients sont partis mécontents.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈkɒnstənt/

inconstant

inconstant
Meaning
frequently changing; not consistent or dependable
Example
His inconstant moods made it difficult to work with him.
Ses humeurs inconstantes rendaient difficile de travailler avec lui.
C2 noun /kəˈdɛnzə/

cadenza

un passage solo élaboré
Meaning
An elaborate solo passage in a piece of music, usually near the end.
Example
The pianist performed a brilliant cadenza before the final movement.
Le pianiste a exécuté une brillante cadenza avant le dernier mouvement.
C2 verb /ˈstjuːpɪˌfaɪ/

stupefy

stupéfier
Meaning
to make someone unable to think clearly, usually because of surprise or shock
Example
The magician's tricks stupefied the audience.
Les tours du magicien ont stupéfié le public.
C2 adjective /ˈtjuːtɪlɑːr/

tutelar

tutélaire
Meaning
Serving as a guardian or protector.
Example
The tutelar spirit of the forest was believed to protect travelers.
On croyait que l'esprit tutélaire de la forêt protégeait les voyageurs.
C2 verb /əˈɡræn.daɪz/

aggrandize

agrandir
Meaning
To increase the power, wealth, or importance of a person or entity.
Example
The politician tried to aggrandize himself through exaggerated claims.
Le politicien a essayé de s'aggrandir à travers des affirmations exagérées.
C2 noun /moʊˈtɪləti/

motility

motilité
Meaning
The ability of an organism or cell to move independently.
Example
The motility of sperm is crucial for successful fertilization.
La motilité des spermatozoïdes est cruciale pour la fertilisation réussie.
C2 adjective /ˈeksɪkrəbl/

execrable

exécrable
Meaning
Extremely bad or unpleasant.
Example
The movie was so execrable that many people left the theater early.
Le film était tellement exécrable que beaucoup de gens sont partis tôt du cinéma.
C2 noun /ˈtɒnʃər/

tonsure

tonsure
Meaning
the practice of shaving or cutting the hair on the scalp, especially in a religious context
Example
The monk received his tonsure as part of his religious initiation.
Le moine a reçu sa tonsure dans le cadre de son initiation religieuse.
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, noun /pləˈbiːən/

plebeian

personne commune
Meaning
common, ordinary, or belonging to the lower social classes
Example
The festival was enjoyed by both plebeian and noble citizens.
Le festival a été apprécié tant par les plébéiens que par les citoyens nobles.
C2 noun /baɪˈmɛstər/

bimester

période de deux mois
Meaning
A period of two months.
Example
The academic program is divided into six bimesters.
Le programme académique est divisé en six bimestres.
C2 noun /ˈfɔːrˌpiːk/

forepeak

avant du navire
Meaning
The compartment in the forward part of a ship, often used for storage.
Example
The sailors stored extra ropes in the forepeak.
Les marins ont rangé des cordes supplémentaires dans l'avant du navire.
C2 noun /ˈmæn.li.nəs/

manliness

virilité
Meaning
The quality of being manly; courage, strength, and honor associated with men.
Example
His manliness was admired by his peers.
Sa virilité a été admirée par ses pairs.
C2 adjective /ˈreə.rɪ.faɪd/

rarefied

rarefié
Meaning
Of high moral, intellectual, or cultural value; distant from ordinary life.
Example
He works in the rarefied world of classical music.
Il travaille dans le monde rarefié de la musique classique.
C2 adjective /ˌpriːpəˈzɛsɪŋ/

prepossessing

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

epigram

épigramme
Meaning
A short, witty saying or poem that expresses an idea in a clever way.
Example
Oscar Wilde was famous for his sharp epigrams.
Oscar Wilde était célèbre pour ses épigrammes aiguisés.
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 noun /ɡæf/

gaff

gaffe
Meaning
A social blunder or mistake; also a hook or device used in fishing or theater.
Example
He made a major gaff during the meeting by forgetting the client's name.
Il a fait une grosse gaffe pendant la réunion en oubliant le nom du client.
C2 noun /ˈheɪ.deɪ/

Hey day

l'âge d'or; la période de gloire; le sommet
Meaning
the period of a person's or thing's greatest success, popularity, or vigor; prime time
Example
During her heyday as a singer, she performed in sold-out concerts around the world.
Pendant son âge d'or en tant que chanteuse, elle a performé dans des concerts à guichets fermés à travers le monde.