signification
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C2 noun /ˌsɪɡnɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/

signification

signification
Meaning
the meaning or sense conveyed by a word, action, or symbol
Example
The signification of the gesture was misunderstood.
La signification du geste a été mal comprise.
C2 adjective /rɪˈmjuːnərətɪv/

remunerative

rémunérateur
Meaning
Financially rewarding or profitable.
Example
He chose a remunerative career in medicine.
Il a choisi une carrière rémunératrice en médecine.
C2 adjective /ˌhɛtərəʊˈmɔːrfɪk/

heteromorphic

hétéromorphique
Meaning
Having different forms or shapes, especially in the same species or organism.
Example
Butterflies are heteromorphic during their life cycle, changing forms from larva to adult.
Les papillons sont hétéromorphes pendant leur cycle de vie, changeant de forme de larve à adulte.
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 verb /ˈɡlaʊ.ər/

glower

regarder avec colère
Meaning
To look at someone with an angry or sullen expression.
Example
He glowered at his rival across the room.
Il regarda son rival de l'autre côté de la pièce avec colère.
C2 noun /ˈpɒtˌbɔɪlə/

potboiler

livre de série B
Meaning
a book, play, or film produced quickly to make money rather than for artistic value
Example
The novel was dismissed by critics as a mere potboiler.
Le roman a été rejeté par les critiques comme un simple livre de série B.
C2 adjective /ˌɛvəˈnɛsənt/

evanescent

éphémère
Meaning
Quickly fading or disappearing; lasting for only a very short time.
Example
The beauty of the sunset was evanescent, fading within minutes.
La beauté du coucher du soleil était éphémère, disparaissant en quelques minutes.
C2 noun, verb /ˈhæmstrɪŋ/

hamstring

tendon à l'arrière de la cuisse; en tant que verbe, rendre quelqu'un ou quelque chose inefficace ou l'empêcher de fonctionner efficacement
Meaning
a tendon at the back of the thigh; as a verb, to cripple or severely restrict the effectiveness of someone or something.
Example
Budget cuts hamstrung the organization’s plans.
Les réductions budgétaires ont affaibli les plans de l'organisation.
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 adjective /ˈpɒndərəbl/

ponderable

qui peut être considéré, pensable
Meaning
able to be considered or thought about
Example
The evidence was substantial and ponderable.
La preuve était substantielle et pensable.
C2 noun /ˈɡʌp.i fɪʃ/

Guppy fish

poisson guppy
Meaning
a small colorful freshwater fish popular in aquariums, known for its vibrant colors and easy breeding
Example
The guppy fish is perfect for beginners who want to start an aquarium.
Le poisson guppy est parfait pour les débutants qui veulent commencer un aquarium.
C2 noun /ˈhʌvəl/

hovel

taudis
Meaning
a small, poorly built, and dirty house
Example
The refugees lived in a makeshift hovel.
Les réfugiés vivaient dans un taudis improvisé.
C2 adjective /dɪˈrɒɡətɪv/

derogative

dérogatoire
Meaning
Expressing a low opinion or showing lack of respect.
Example
He made a derogative remark about her work.
Il a fait une remarque dérogatoire sur son travail.
C2 noun /ˌmɛtəfɪˈzɪʃən/

metaphysician

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

Witless

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

orison

prière
Meaning
a prayer, especially a devout or formal one
Example
He whispered a quiet orison before going to sleep.
Il murmura une prière silencieuse avant de dormir.
C2 adjective /ˈəʊ.dər.əs/

Odorous

parfumé; aromatique
Meaning
having a strong smell; fragrant; aromatic
Example
The garden was filled with odorous flowers.
Le jardin était rempli de fleurs parfumées.
C2 verb /djuːp/

dupe

tromper
Meaning
To deceive or trick someone into believing or doing something.
Example
He was duped into buying a fake watch.
Il a été dupé en achetant une montre contrefaite.
C2 adjective /ˌɛkspəˈdɪʃəs/

expeditious

rapide
Meaning
Done with speed and efficiency.
Example
The expeditious delivery of the package was appreciated.
La livraison rapide du colis a été appréciée.
C2 adjective /ˈspaɪnəs/

spinous

épineux
Meaning
Having spines or thorn-like projections
Example
The spinous cactus was difficult to handle without gloves.
Le cactus épineux était difficile à manipuler sans gants.
C2 noun /ˈkɒl.ə.kwi/

colloquy

conversation formelle
Meaning
A formal conversation or dialogue, often on serious or academic topics.
Example
The professors engaged in a deep colloquy about the future of education.
Les professeurs ont engagé une conversation approfondie sur l'avenir de l'éducation.
C2 verb /ˈæntɪdeɪt/

antedate

antérioriser
Meaning
to be earlier in time; to assign a date earlier than the actual one
Example
The manuscript antedates the modern printing press.
Le manuscrit précède l'invention de l'imprimerie moderne.
C2 noun /ˈsɛkstənt/

sextant

sextant
Meaning
a navigational instrument with a graduated arc of 60°, used to measure the angle between a celestial object and the horizon
Example
Using a sextant, the navigator fixed the ship’s position at noon.
En utilisant un sextant, le navigateur a fixé la position du navire à midi.
C2 noun /tʃəˈmeɪ.li/

Chameli

jasmin
Meaning
a variety of jasmine flower with small white fragrant petals
Example
The chameli flowers are commonly used to make garlands and perfumes.
Les fleurs de jasmin sont couramment utilisées pour faire des guirlandes et des parfums.
C2 verb /ˈhɛnˌpɛk/

henpeck

être constamment critiqué ou dominé par son épouse
Meaning
To continually criticize, nag, or dominate (especially a husband).
Example
He felt henpecked by his overly controlling wife.
Il se sentait constamment critiqué par sa femme dominante.
C2 noun /ˈfɔɪbəl/

foible

petite faiblesse
Meaning
A minor weakness or eccentricity in someone's character.
Example
She loved him despite his little foibles.
Elle l'aimait malgré ses petites faiblesses.
C2 adjective ˌsʌr.əpˈtɪʃ.əs

surreptitious

secret
Meaning
Kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of; done stealthily.
Example
She took a surreptitious glance at his notes.
Elle jeta un regard furtif sur ses notes.
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 adjective /suːˈpɜːrnəl/

supernal

céleste
Meaning
Relating to the heavens; celestial or divine.
Example
The painting captured a supernal beauty that felt otherworldly.
La peinture a capturé une beauté céleste qui semblait d'un autre monde.
C2 noun /ɔːˈreɪʃən/

oration

discours
Meaning
A formal speech, especially one given on a ceremonial occasion
Example
The president delivered an inspiring oration.
Le président a prononcé un discours inspirant.
C2 noun /prɪˈhɛnʃən/

prehension

action de saisir; capacité à saisir quelque chose
Meaning
the act of grasping or seizing; the ability to take hold of something
Example
Therapists assessed the patient's prehension during hand therapy.
Les thérapeutes ont évalué la préhension du patient pendant la thérapie manuelle.
C2 noun /ˈmoʊlər/

molar

molaire
Meaning
A large tooth at the back of the mouth used for grinding food.
Example
The dentist had to extract his wisdom molar.
Le dentiste a dû extraire sa dent de sagesse.
C2 noun /ˈbʌskɪn/

buskin

botte épaisse
Meaning
A type of thick-soled boot that reaches halfway to the knee; also associated with tragic drama in ancient times.
Example
The actor wore a buskin as part of his classical costume.
L'acteur portait un buskin comme partie de son costume classique.
C2 noun /muˈleθi/

Mulethi

racine de réglisse
Meaning
licorice root, a sweet-tasting herb used in traditional medicine and cooking
Example
She prepared a herbal tea with mulethi to soothe her sore throat.
Elle a préparé un thé à base de mulethi pour soulager sa gorge douloureuse.
C2 noun /ˌɪnkænˈteɪʃən/

incantation

incantation
Meaning
a series of words used as a magic spell or charm
Example
The wizard chanted an incantation to summon the spirits.
Le magicien a récité une incantation pour invoquer les esprits.
C2 noun /ˈrɛv.ər.i/

reverie

rêverie; rêverie éveillée
Meaning
A state of being pleasantly lost in one's thoughts; a daydream.
Example
Lost in reverie, he didn't hear his name being called.
Perdu dans la rêverie, il n’entendit pas son nom être appelé.
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 verb /ˈhæloʊ/

hallow

sanctifier
Meaning
to honor as holy; to make sacred or greatly respected
Example
The ancient temple was hallowed by centuries of worship.
L'ancien temple a été sanctifié par des siècles de dévotion.
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 /ˈbʊlrʌʃ/

bulrush

jonc
Meaning
A tall plant with long leaves that grows in or near water, also known as a cattail.
Example
The pond was surrounded by tall bulrushes swaying in the wind.
L'étang était entouré de hauts jonc swaying dans le vent.
C2 adjective /flɛgˈmæt.ɪk/

phlegmatic

phlegmatique
Meaning
having an unemotional and stolidly calm disposition
Example
Despite the chaos, he remained phlegmatic and composed.
Malgré le chaos, il est resté flégmatique et composé.
C2 noun /əˈrɪə/

arrear

arriéré
Meaning
A debt or payment that is overdue and unpaid.
Example
He was sued for an arrear of rent.
Il a été poursuivi pour un arriéré de loyer.
C2 noun/verb /ˈpɪləri/

pillory

dispositif de châtiment public
Meaning
a device for publicly punishing someone / to expose to public ridicule
Example
The corrupt official was placed in the pillory for the town to jeer at.
Le fonctionnaire corrompu a été mis en pilori pour que la ville se moque de lui.
C2 adjective /ˈhæriːd/

harried

épuisé ou stressé
Meaning
feeling strained or stressed due to being overworked or constantly bothered
Example
The harried teacher struggled to calm the noisy classroom.
L'enseignant épuisé luttait pour calmer la salle de classe bruyante.
C2 noun /ˌpæliˈeɪʃən/

palliation

soulagement
Meaning
relief of symptoms without curing the underlying disease or problem
Example
Palliation is often the focus of care for terminally ill patients.
Le soulagement est souvent l'objectif principal des soins pour les patients en phase terminale.
C2 noun /ˈsɪɡnət/

cygnet

cygneon
Meaning
a young swan
Example
The cygnet swam closely behind its mother.
Le cygneon nageait juste derrière sa mère.
C2 adjective /pɒnˈtɪfɪkəl/

pontifical

relatif à un pape ou un évêque ; pompeux ou prétentieux
Meaning
relating to a pope or bishop; pompous or self-important
Example
His pontifical manner annoyed the other members of the committee.
Son comportement prétentieux agaçait les autres membres du comité.
C2 noun /əˈbluːʃən/

ablution

ablution
Meaning
the act of washing oneself, often for religious purposes
Example
He performed his morning ablution before the prayer.
Il a effectué son ablution matinale avant la prière.
C2 adjective /ˌpɛntəˈveɪlənt/

pentavalent

pentavalent
Meaning
Having a valence of five, especially in chemistry.
Example
Phosphorus can exist in a pentavalent state.
Le phosphore peut exister dans un état pentavalent.
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 verb ˈɪnʌndeɪt

inundate

inonder, submerger quelqu'un ou quelque chose avec des choses ou des personnes à traiter
Meaning
To flood; overwhelm someone or something with things or people to be dealt with
Example
The company was inundated with requests after the advertisement.
L'entreprise a été inondée de demandes après la publicité.
C2 adjective /ɡɑːrˈɡæntʃuən/

gargantuan

gigantesque
Meaning
Extremely large; enormous.
Example
They served a gargantuan meal at the feast.
Ils ont servi un repas gigantesque au banquet.
C2 noun /ˈɔːrzmən/

Oarsman

rameur
Meaning
a person who rows a boat, especially as a member of a racing crew
Example
The experienced oarsman rowed the boat across the river.
Le rameur expérimenté a ramé le bateau à travers le fleuve.
C2 noun /ˈpɒmfrɪt/

Pomfret

poisson pomfret
Meaning
A deep-bodied marine fish with silvery scales, popular in Asian cuisine
Example
The restaurant serves delicious pomfret curry with rice.
Le restaurant sert un délicieux curry de pomfret avec du riz.
C2 noun /ˌlɪt.əˈrɑː.ti/

literati

littérateurs
Meaning
well-educated, literary, or scholarly people
Example
The event was attended by poets, critics, and other members of the literati.
L'événement a été assisté par des poètes, des critiques et d'autres membres des littérateurs.
C2 verb /ˌdɪspəˈzɛs/

dispossess

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

deprave

pervertir
Meaning
to corrupt morally; to make someone immoral or wicked
Example
The novel was criticized for attempting to deprave the minds of young readers.
Le roman a été critiqué pour avoir tenté de pervertir l'esprit des jeunes lecteurs.
C2 noun /ˈbɪɡ.ə.mi/

bigamy

bigamie
Meaning
The act of marrying one person while still legally married to another.
Example
He was charged with bigamy after his second marriage was discovered.
Il a été accusé de bigamie après que son second mariage ait été découvert.
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 /ˈtʃaɪ.nə bɑːks/

China box

jasmin d'oranger
Meaning
a small evergreen shrub with tiny white fragrant flowers
Example
The China box plant produced clusters of small white flowers.
La plante de jasmin d'oranger a produit des grappes de petites fleurs blanches.
C2 noun /ˈdɒldrəmz/

doldrums

morosité
Meaning
A state of inactivity, stagnation, or low spirits; also a region near the equator with calm winds.
Example
After the project failed, the team was stuck in the doldrums for months.
Après l'échec du projet, l'équipe était bloquée dans le marasme pendant des mois.
C2 adjective /daɪˈɜːrnəl/

diurnal

diurne
Meaning
active during the day; occurring daily
Example
Most birds are diurnal creatures, active in daylight hours.
La plupart des oiseaux sont des créatures diurnes, actives pendant les heures de clarté.
C2 adjective /ˌæd.vɛnˈtɪʃ.əs/

adventitious

accidentel
Meaning
Happening by chance or accident, not planned.
Example
His success was partly due to adventitious circumstances.
Son succès était en partie dû à des circonstances accidentelles.
C2 noun /kəˈkɒfəni/

cacophony

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

blasphemous

blasphématoire
Meaning
showing disrespect or lack of reverence for God or sacred things
Example
The book was banned for its blasphemous content.
Le livre a été interdit pour son contenu blasphématoire.
C2 noun /ˈθrɛnədi/

threnody

threnodie, chant funèbre
Meaning
A song, poem, or speech of mourning for someone who has died; a lament.
Example
The poet composed a moving threnody for the fallen soldiers.
Le poète a composé une threnodie émouvante pour les soldats tombés.
C2 adjective /sʌbˈlɪŋɡwəl/

sublingual

sublingual
Meaning
situated or applied under the tongue
Example
The doctor prescribed a sublingual tablet for faster absorption.
Le médecin a prescrit un comprimé sublingual pour une absorption plus rapide.
C2 noun /ˌpɜːrspɪˈkjuːəti/

perspicuity

perspicuité
Meaning
Clarity and ease in speech or writing; the quality of being clearly expressed.
Example
The perspicuity of his lecture made it easy for students to understand complex topics.
La perspicuité de sa conférence a facilité la compréhension des sujets complexes par les étudiants.
C2 noun /kəmˈpleɪsəns/

complacence

Meaning
a feeling of quiet pleasure or self-satisfaction, often without awareness of potential danger
Example
His complacence prevented him from noticing the risks.
C2 noun /dʒæm/

jamb

montant de porte
Meaning
The side post or surface of a doorway, window, or fireplace.
Example
The carpenter carefully measured the width of the door jamb.
Le menuisier a soigneusement mesuré la largeur du montant de la porte.
C2 adjective /səˈleɪʃəs/

salacious

lascif
Meaning
Having or conveying undue or inappropriate sexual interest.
Example
The tabloid published a salacious story about the celebrity.
Le tabloïd a publié une histoire lascive sur la célébrité.
C2 adjective /ˌaɪ.kə.nəˈklæs.tɪk/

iconoclastic

Caractérisé par l'attaque ou le rejet des croyances, des traditions ou des valeurs établies.
Meaning
Characterized by attacking or rejecting cherished beliefs, traditions, or established values.
Example
Her iconoclastic views challenged the conventional wisdom of the industry.
Ses vues iconoclastes ont défié la sagesse conventionnelle de l'industrie.
C2 adjective /sɪˈbeɪʃəs/

sebaceous

relatif au sébum
Meaning
Relating to or secreting sebum, an oily substance from the skin.
Example
Acne is often caused by overactive sebaceous glands.
L'acné est souvent causée par des glandes sébacées hyperactives.
C2 noun /ˈvaɪəl/

viol

un type d'instrument à cordes ancien
Meaning
A stringed musical instrument of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, played with a bow and similar to but distinct from the violin family.
Example
The musician played an old viol in the chamber music concert.
Le musicien a joué un vieux viall dans le concert de musique de chambre.
C2 adjective /ˈflæs.ɪd/

Flaccid

flasque; mou; tombant;
Meaning
soft and limp; lacking firmness; drooping
Example
The plant's leaves became flaccid after days without water.
Les feuilles de la plante sont devenues flasques après plusieurs jours sans eau.
C2 verb /ɪˈmeɪʃieɪt/

emaciate

amaigrir
Meaning
To make abnormally thin or weak, usually because of illness or lack of food.
Example
The prisoners were emaciated after months without proper food.
Les prisonniers ont été amaigris après des mois sans nourriture appropriée.
C2 noun ˈoʊʃən ˌstrætɪfɪˈkeɪʃən

ocean stratification

stratification océanique
Meaning
The formation of layers in ocean water due to differences in density.
Example
Ocean stratification affects marine biodiversity.
La stratification océanique affecte la biodiversité marine.
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 noun /ˈklaɪmɪŋ fɪʃ/

Climbing-fish

poisson grimpeur
Meaning
a type of fish that can climb trees and survive out of water for short periods
Example
The climbing-fish can move from one pond to another by climbing trees.
Le poisson grimpeur peut se déplacer d'un étang à l'autre en grimpant aux arbres.
C2 noun /tiːˈtoʊtəlɪzəm/

teetotalism

abstinence totale d'alcool
Meaning
the practice or principle of abstaining completely from alcoholic drinks
Example
He practiced teetotalism throughout his life.
Il a pratiqué le teetotalisme toute sa vie.
C2 noun /ˌdɪsæprəˈbeɪʃən/

disapprobation

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

contortion

une forme tordue ou pliée; l'action de tordre hors de la forme normale
Meaning
a twisted or bent shape; the act of twisting out of the normal shape
Example
The gymnast's contortion amazed the audience.
La contorsion du gymnaste a étonné le public.
C2 noun /ˌɛksəˈdʒiːsɪs/

exegesis

exégèse
Meaning
A critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially a religious scripture.
Example
The professor gave a detailed exegesis of the biblical passage.
Le professeur a donné une exégèse détaillée du passage biblique.
C2 noun /pəˈlɛmɪks/

polemics

polémique
Meaning
the art or practice of engaging in controversial debate or dispute
Example
The conference was full of polemics on economic reforms.
La conférence était pleine de polémiques sur les réformes économiques.
C2 noun /ˌθɜː.məʊˈdʒen.ɪ.sɪs/

thermogenesis

processus de production de chaleur
Meaning
The process of heat production in living organisms, often associated with burning calories and energy expenditure.
Example
Spicy foods can enhance thermogenesis and calorie burning.
Les aliments épicés peuvent améliorer la thermogenèse et la combustion des calories.
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 /ˌbluː ˈblʌd/

Blue-blood

sang bleu
Meaning
a person of noble birth; aristocrat
Example
She came from a family of blue-bloods with centuries of royal heritage.
Elle venait d'une famille de sang bleu avec des siècles d'héritage royal.
C2 adjective /pʌŋkˈtɪliəs/

punctilious

pointilleux
Meaning
Showing great attention to detail or correct behavior.
Example
She was punctilious in her attention to etiquette.
Elle était pointilleuse dans son attention à l'étiquette.
C2 verb /dɔːb/

daub

badigeonner
Meaning
to spread a thick or sticky substance carelessly on a surface
Example
The children daubed paint all over the walls.
Les enfants ont badigeonné la peinture partout sur les murs.
C2 adjective /pəˈlɛmɪkəl/

polemical

polemique
Meaning
relating to or involving strongly critical or controversial writing or speech
Example
She wrote a polemical article challenging traditional beliefs.
Elle a écrit un article polémique remettant en question les croyances traditionnelles.
C2 noun /ˌklɛptəˈmeɪniæk/

kleptomaniac

personne avec une envie irrépressible de voler
Meaning
A person with an irresistible urge to steal, typically without need or profit.
Example
The kleptomaniac was caught shoplifting again.
Le kleptomane a été pris en flagrant délit de vol dans un magasin à nouveau.
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 /əˈprəʊ.bri.əm/

opprobrium

opprobre, déshonneur
Meaning
Harsh criticism or public disgrace.
Example
The scandal brought opprobrium on the politician.
Le scandale a apporté l'opprobre au politicien.
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 verb /ˈfrɪtər/

fritter

gaspiller
Meaning
To waste time, money, or energy on trivial matters.
Example
He frittered away his savings on unnecessary gadgets.
Il a gaspillé ses économies sur des gadgets inutiles.
C2 verb /əˈvaʊtʃ/

avouch

affirmer
Meaning
to affirm or assert something as true
Example
He avouched his innocence before the judge.
Il a affirmé son innocence devant le juge.
C2 verb /ˈblændɪʃ/

blandish

flatter
Meaning
to flatter or coax someone with kind words or praise in order to influence them
Example
He blandished the officials with compliments to gain their support.
Il a flatté les responsables pour obtenir leur soutien.
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 /ˈɒnwiː/ or /ˈɑːnwiː/

ennui

ennui
Meaning
A feeling of boredom, listlessness, or dissatisfaction arising from lack of excitement.
Example
After weeks of doing nothing, he sank into a deep sense of ennui.
Après des semaines à ne rien faire, il est tombé dans un profond ennui.
C2 noun /trəˈveɪl/

travail

travail pénible
Meaning
Painful or laborious effort; suffering or hardship.
Example
After years of travail, she finally completed her degree.
Après des années de travail pénible, elle a enfin obtenu son diplôme.
C2 noun /ˈbɛnɪsən/

benison

bénédiction
Meaning
A blessing or benefit.
Example
The rain was a benison for the drought-stricken farmers.
La pluie était une bénédiction pour les agriculteurs frappés par la sécheresse.
C2 verb /rɪˈspaɪər/

respire

respirer
Meaning
To breathe in and out; to inhale and exhale.
Example
Plants also respire to release energy.
Les plantes respirent aussi pour libérer de l'énergie.
C2 noun /leɪð/

lathe

tour
Meaning
A machine for shaping wood, metal, or other material by rotating it against a cutting tool.
Example
The carpenter used a lathe to shape the wooden bowl.
Le menuisier a utilisé un tour pour façonner le bol en bois.
C2 noun /ˈhɒɡz.hɛd/

hogshead

grand fût
Meaning
A large cask or barrel, traditionally used for storing liquids like wine or beer.
Example
The cellar was filled with hogsheads of ale.
La cave était remplie de grands fûts de bière.
C2 adjective /juːˈbɪkwɪtəs/

ubiquitious

omniprésent
Meaning
Present, appearing, or found everywhere.
Example
Smartphones have become ubiquitous in modern society.
Les smartphones sont devenus omniprésents dans la société moderne.
C2 noun /ˈprɒsədi/

prosody

prosodie
Meaning
The patterns of rhythm and sound used in poetry and speech.
Example
The professor explained how prosody affects the mood of a poem.
Le professeur a expliqué comment la prosodie affecte l'humeur d'un poème.
C2 noun /ˈæntɪkwɛri/

antiquary

antiquaire
Meaning
A person who studies, collects, or deals in antiques or ancient objects.
Example
The antiquary spent years collecting rare manuscripts from the medieval period.
L'antiquaire a passé des années à collecter des manuscrits rares de la période médiévale.
C2 noun /ˈaɪ.səˌbɑːr/

isobar

isobare
Meaning
A line on a weather map connecting points of equal atmospheric pressure.
Example
The meteorologist explained how isobars indicate wind speed and direction.
Le météorologue a expliqué comment les isobares indiquent la vitesse et la direction du vent.
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 adjective /ˌʌnpriːpəˈzɛsɪŋ/

unprepossessing

peu attrayant
Meaning
not attractive or appealing in appearance
Example
Despite his unprepossessing looks, he was very kind and intelligent.
Malgré son apparence peu attrayante, il était très gentil et intelligent.
C2 verb /ˈbeɪɪŋ/

baying

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

fugacious

éphémère
Meaning
Lasting only a short time; fleeting or ephemeral.
Example
Youth is beautiful but fugacious.
La jeunesse est belle mais éphémère.
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 /ˈkoʊməˌtoʊs/

comatose

comateux
Meaning
In a state of deep unconsciousness, resembling or related to coma.
Example
The comatose patient was kept under constant observation.
Le patient comateux a été maintenu sous surveillance constante.
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 adjective /sɛnˈtɛnʃəs/

sententious

moraliste; qui donne des leçons
Meaning
Given to moralizing in a pompous or affected manner.
Example
His sententious remarks annoyed the audience.
Ses remarques moralisatrices ont agacé le public.
C2 verb /diːˈnæʃənəlaɪz/

denationalize

dénationaliser
Meaning
to transfer ownership from the government to private individuals or companies
Example
The government decided to denationalize the bank to encourage private investment.
Le gouvernement a décidé de dénationaliser la banque pour encourager les investissements privés.
C2 verb /həˈmɑː.dʒə.naɪz/

homogenize

homogénéiser
Meaning
To make uniform or similar by blending or mixing different elements.
Example
The company tried to homogenize its products across global markets.
L'entreprise a essayé d'homogénéiser ses produits sur les marchés mondiaux.
C2 noun ˌfjuːmɪˈɡeɪʃən

fumigation

fumigation
Meaning
The practice of disinfecting or purifying an area using gas or smoke.
Example
Fumigation is an effective method to control pest infestations.
La fumigation est une méthode efficace pour contrôler les infestations de parasites.
C2 noun /wɛlp/

whelp

chiot
Meaning
a young offspring of a dog or other carnivorous mammal; sometimes used to mean an impudent young person
Example
The farmer found a wolf whelp hiding near the barn.
Le fermier a trouvé un chiot de loup caché près de la grange.