syncopated
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C2 adjective /ˈsɪŋkəˌpeɪtɪd/

syncopated

syncopé
Meaning
Characterized by displaced beats or rhythms, especially in music.
Example
The jazz piece had a syncopated rhythm that energized the crowd.
Le morceau de jazz avait un rythme syncopé qui a énergisé la foule.
C2 adjective /ˈtɔːrpɪd/

torpid

léthargique
Meaning
Mentally or physically inactive; sluggish or lethargic.
Example
After the long hike, he felt torpid and unmotivated.
Après la longue randonnée, il se sentait léthargique et démotivé.
C2 adjective /ˌmæl.əˈfɪʃ.ənt/

maleficient

malfaisant
Meaning
Doing harm or evil; having a harmful effect.
Example
The maleficient acts of the tyrant ruined the kingdom.
Les actes malfaisants du tyran ont ruiné le royaume.
C2 verb /ˈkælsɪfaɪ/

calcify

durcir par dépôt de sels de calcium
Meaning
To harden by deposition of calcium salts; to become rigid or inflexible.
Example
Over time, the tissue began to calcify and lose flexibility.
Avec le temps, le tissu a commencé à se calcifier et a perdu de la flexibilité.
C2 noun /ˈpruːdəri/

prudery

pruderie
Meaning
the behavior or attitude of people who are too easily shocked or offended by sexual matters
Example
His prudery often made others uncomfortable during open discussions.
Sa pruderie rendait souvent les autres mal à l'aise lors des discussions ouvertes.
C2 noun/verb /ˈrɛkəmˌpɛns/

recompense

compensation
Meaning
to compensate someone for loss or harm suffered; compensation given for damage or injury
Example
The company offered financial recompense to the injured worker.
La société a offert une compensation financière au travailleur blessé.
C2 noun /ˈpɛrɪstaɪl/

peristyle

perronne entourée de colonnes
Meaning
A continuous porch formed by a row of columns surrounding the perimeter of a building or courtyard.
Example
The Roman villa featured a beautiful peristyle garden.
La villa romaine présentait un beau jardin péristyle.
C2 noun /ˈɑːrbɪtər/

arbiter

arbitre
Meaning
a person who has the authority to settle a dispute or decide an issue
Example
The principal acted as the arbiter in the conflict between the students.
Le principal a agi en tant qu'arbitre dans le conflit entre les élèves.
C2 noun /ˈeə.rəm/

Arum

arum
Meaning
a plant with large arrow-shaped leaves and a white spathe, also known as taro
Example
Arum leaves are commonly used in Bengali cuisine for cooking.
Les feuilles d'Arum sont couramment utilisées dans la cuisine indienne pour la cuisson.
C2 verb /ˈprɑː.məl.ɡeɪt/

promulgate

promulguer
Meaning
To announce or make a law, decree, or idea officially known.
Example
The government promulgated new regulations on data privacy.
Le gouvernement a promulgué de nouvelles régulations sur la confidentialité des données.
C2 verb /ˌpriːɪˈstæblɪʃ/

preestablish

préalablement établir
Meaning
To establish or set up beforehand.
Example
Certain rules were preestablished before the meeting.
Certaines règles ont été préétablies avant la réunion.
C2 noun /ˈfɜːrðərəns/

furtherance

avancement
Meaning
The advancement or promotion of something.
Example
The new policy was introduced in furtherance of social justice.
La nouvelle politique a été introduite en vue de la justice sociale.
C2 noun /ˈkɪldʒɔɪ/

killjoy

rabat-joie
Meaning
a person who spoils the fun or enjoyment of others
Example
Don’t be a killjoy at the party.
Ne sois pas un rabat-joie à la fête.
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 /ˈswɑːvɪti/

suavity

douceur et charme
Meaning
smoothness and charm in manner
Example
His suavity made him popular in social gatherings.
Sa douceur et son charme le rendaient populaire dans les rassemblements sociaux.
C2 adjective /ɪˈrɛzəluːt/

irresolute

indécis
Meaning
uncertain or indecisive; lacking determination
Example
He stood irresolute at the crossroads, unsure which path to take.
Il resta indécis au carrefour, ne sachant quel chemin prendre.
C2 adjective /prəˈtuːbərənt/

protuberant

proéminent
Meaning
Sticking out or bulging.
Example
His protuberant belly showed after the meal.
Son ventre proéminent est apparu après le repas.
C2 verb /pɑːrtʃ/

parch

sècher
Meaning
to make something extremely dry, especially by exposure to heat
Example
The scorching sun began to parch the fields.
Le soleil brûlant a commencé à sécher les champs.
C2 noun /ˈpɑːdreɪ/

padre

prêtre
Meaning
A title for a priest, especially in the Roman Catholic Church; also used informally for 'father'.
Example
The soldiers attended mass led by the padre.
Les soldats ont assisté à la messe dirigée par le prêtre.
C2 verb /ˈdʌmfaʊnd/

dumbfound

sidérer
Meaning
to greatly astonish or shock someone so they are temporarily speechless
Example
The magician's trick dumbfounded the audience.
Le tour de magie a sidéré le public.
C2 adjective ˈmiː.ni.əl

menial

mineur
Meaning
Not requiring much skill and lacking prestige.
Example
He refused to do menial work.
Il a refusé de faire des travaux mineurs.
C2 noun /dɜːrdʒ/

dirge

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

funereal

funéraire
Meaning
having the mournful, somber character of a funeral
Example
The room was filled with a funereal silence after the announcement.
La pièce était remplie d'un silence funéraire après l'annonce.
C2 noun /kəˈbɑl/

Cabal

cabal
Meaning
a secret political clique or faction
Example
The journalists exposed a cabal of corrupt politicians working together.
Les journalistes ont exposé un cabal de politiciens corrompus travaillant ensemble.
C2 noun /ˈhæknɪ/

hackney

cheval de location, usé
Meaning
a horse kept for ordinary riding or hire; also used for something overused or trite
Example
The old hackney was still pulling the carriage.
Le vieux cheval de location tirait encore la carriole.
C2 noun /ˈæpədʒiː/

apogee

apogée
Meaning
the highest or most distant point; the climax or peak of something
Example
The empire reached its apogee during the 18th century.
L'empire a atteint son apogée au XVIIIe siècle.
C2 verb /ˈfʌdəl/

fuddle

embrouiller
Meaning
To confuse or stupefy, especially with alcohol or overwhelming information.
Example
The complicated instructions fuddled the new employees.
Les instructions compliquées ont embrouillé les nouveaux employés.
C2 adjective /ˌɪnkɒntrəˈvɜːtəbl/

incontrovertible

incontournable
Meaning
impossible to deny or dispute; unquestionable
Example
The evidence was incontrovertible and proved his innocence.
La preuve était incontestable et a prouvé son innocence.
C2 adjective /ˌɛnkəˈmiːæstɪk/

encomiastic

élogieux
Meaning
Expressing praise; laudatory.
Example
The book was filled with encomiastic remarks about the author.
Le livre était rempli de remarques élogieuses sur l'auteur.
C2 noun dʒʊˈdɪʃəsnɪs

judiciousness

jugement judicieux, sagesse
Meaning
Having, showing, or done with good judgment or sense.
Example
Her judiciousness in making decisions was appreciated.
Sa sagesse dans la prise de décision a été appréciée.
C2 noun /ˌmjuːtəˈbɪləti/

mutablility

mutabilité (faute d'orthographe)
Meaning
A misspelled form of 'mutability', meaning the quality of being changeable.
Example
The document contained the misspelled word 'mutablility' instead of 'mutability'.
Le document contenait le mot mal écrit 'mutablility' au lieu de 'mutability'.
C2 noun /ˌfoʊ.nəˈlɑː.dʒi/

phonology

phonologie
Meaning
the study of the sound system of a language
Example
She is studying phonology to understand how sounds function in English.
Elle étudie la phonologie pour comprendre comment les sons fonctionnent en anglais.
C2 adjective /ˈprɛʃənt/ or /ˈpriːʃənt/

prescient

prévoyant
Meaning
having or showing knowledge of events before they take place
Example
The prescient investor sold his shares just before the market crashed.
L'investisseur prévoyant a vendu ses actions juste avant que le marché ne s'effondre.
C2 noun /ˌsuːdəʊəˈpɒsəl/

pseudapostle

faux apôtre
Meaning
a false or pretended apostle
Example
The preacher was condemned as a pseudapostle.
Le prédicateur a été condamné en tant que faux apôtre.
C2 noun /ˈkærɪt/

caret

caret (^)
Meaning
A proofreading symbol (^) used to indicate where something should be inserted.
Example
The editor placed a caret to show where the missing word should go.
L'éditeur a placé un caret pour montrer où le mot manquant devrait aller.
C2 noun /ˈdɪfɪdəns/

diffidence

manque de confiance en soi
Meaning
Lack of self-confidence; shyness or modesty.
Example
Her diffidence made it hard for her to speak in public.
Son manque de confiance en elle rendait difficile de parler en public.
C2 noun /ˈɡɒz.lɪŋ/

gosling

oisonnet
Meaning
a young goose
Example
The mother goose carefully protected her goslings.
La mère oie a protégé ses oisons avec soin.
C2 noun /ˈnaɪɪˌlɪzəm/

nihilism

nihilisme
Meaning
The rejection of all religious and moral principles, often in the belief that life is meaningless.
Example
The philosopher was criticized for promoting nihilism.
Le philosophe a été critiqué pour avoir promu le nihilisme.
C2 noun /ˈpɜːrvjuː/

purview

domaine
Meaning
the scope or range of authority, responsibility, or knowledge
Example
The case does not fall within the purview of this court.
L'affaire ne relève pas de la compétence de ce tribunal.
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 /ˈpɛdəˌɡɒɡ/

pedagogue

enseignant
Meaning
a teacher, especially a strict or formal one
Example
The old pedagogue insisted on discipline in the classroom.
Le vieux pédagogue insista sur la discipline dans la classe.
C2 noun /fækˈtoʊtəm/

factotum

homme à tout faire
Meaning
an employee who does many different types of work; a general servant
Example
He worked as a factotum, handling both clerical and maintenance duties.
Il travaillait comme un factotum, s'occupant à la fois des tâches administratives et de maintenance.
C2 noun /ˈpɜːrkwɪzɪt raɪt/

perquisiteperquisiteright

droit aux avantages supplémentaires
Meaning
a legal right to certain benefits or privileges associated with a job or office
Example
The judge enjoyed certain perquisite rights attached to his position.
Le juge a profité de certains droits supplémentaires liés à sa fonction.
C2 adjective /ˈdʒɔːndɪst/

jaundiced

partial / envieux / affecté par la jaunisse
Meaning
Affected by or displaying prejudice, envy, or bitterness; also refers to having a yellowish discoloration of the skin due to jaundice.
Example
She gave a jaundiced view of the project after her proposal was rejected.
Elle a donné une vision partiale du projet après que sa proposition ait été rejetée.
C2 noun /skɪf/

skiff

petit bateau
Meaning
a small, light boat usually for one person
Example
The fisherman paddled his skiff across the lake.
Le pêcheur a pagayé son petit bateau à travers le lac.
C2 adjective /ˈfræk.ʃəs/

Fractious

irritable; querelleur; difficile à contrôler
Meaning
irritable and quarrelsome; difficult to control; bad-tempered
Example
The fractious child refused to follow any of the teacher's instructions.
L'enfant fractieux a refusé de suivre les instructions de l'enseignant.
C2 adjective /ˈpɔːrtli/

portly

corpulent
Meaning
Having a stout or somewhat fat body, often implying dignity or authority.
Example
The portly man entered the room with confidence.
L'homme corpulent est entré dans la pièce avec confiance.
C2 noun /ˌætəlˈjeɪ/

atelier

atelier (studio d'un artiste ou designer)
Meaning
A workshop or studio, especially for an artist or designer.
Example
The painter invited us to his atelier to view his new collection.
Le peintre nous a invités à son atelier pour voir sa nouvelle collection.
C2 adjective /ˈtriːzənəbl/

treasonable

trahison
Meaning
Relating to or involving the crime of treason.
Example
The general was accused of treasonable conduct.
Le général a été accusé de conduite traitresse.
C2 adjective /ɪkˈspɒzɪtəri/

expository

expositif
Meaning
intended to explain or describe something
Example
The teacher gave an expository lecture on the topic.
Le professeur a donné une conférence expositive sur le sujet.
C2 noun /ˈsʌbtrəˌhɛnd/

subtrahend

minuende
Meaning
a number that is to be subtracted from another number
Example
In the equation 10 - 4, the number 4 is the subtrahend.
Dans l'équation 10 - 4, le nombre 4 est le minuende.
C2 noun /ˈkɒn.tɪ.nəns/

continence

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

thoroughgoing

complet, absolu
Meaning
carried out to the full extent; absolute and complete
Example
She is a thoroughgoing professional in every sense.
Elle est une professionnelle complète dans tous les sens.
C2 noun /ɪˈlɛk.trə.taɪp/

electrotype

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

aerie

nid d'aigle
Meaning
A large nest of a bird of prey, especially an eagle, typically built high in a tree or on a cliff.
Example
The eagle built its aerie on the high cliff.
L'aigle a construit son nid sur la haute falaise
C2 noun /kəˈliːdʒən/

collegian

étudiant universitaire
Meaning
a student of a college
Example
The collegians were preparing for the cultural festival.
Les collégiens se préparaient pour le festival culturel.
C2 verb /bɪˈstruː/

bestrew

répandre
Meaning
To scatter or cover something with objects or substances.
Example
The ground was bestrewn with autumn leaves.
Le sol était couvert de feuilles d'automne.
C2 adjective /ˈpɜːˌblaɪnd/

purblind

aveugle ou ignorant
Meaning
Having impaired or defective vision; lacking insight or understanding.
Example
The purblind approach to the problem led to many mistakes.
L'approche purblinde du problème a conduit à de nombreuses erreurs.
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 adjective /ˌænθrəpəˈmɔːrfɪk/

anthropomorphic

anthropomorphique
Meaning
attributing human characteristics to non-human things, like animals or objects
Example
The cartoon shows an anthropomorphic cat walking on two legs.
Le dessin animé montre un chat anthropomorphique marchant sur deux pattes.
C2 adjective /ˈɡɛə.rɪʃ/

garish

excessivement brillant et voyant
Meaning
Excessively bright and showy, often in a tasteless or unattractive way.
Example
The room was decorated with garish neon lights.
La pièce était décorée avec des lumières néon excessivement brillantes.
C2 adjective /rɪˈdaʊ.tə.bəl/

redoubtable

redoutable
Meaning
formidable, especially as an opponent; inspiring fear or respect
Example
She was a redoubtable leader who commanded respect from all.
Elle était une leader redoutable qui commandait le respect de tous.
C2 verb /ˈsʌn.dər/

sunder

séparer
Meaning
To split apart or separate, especially with force.
Example
The war sundered families and friends.
La guerre a séparé des familles et des amis.
C2 adjective /ɪˈnɪkwɪtəs/

iniquitous

iniquité
Meaning
grossly unfair and morally wrong
Example
Slavery was one of the most iniquitous practices in history.
L'esclavage était l'une des pratiques les plus iniquitous de l'histoire.
C2 verb /ˈtʃeɪfɪŋ/

chafing

irriter par frottement
Meaning
To make sore by rubbing; to become irritated.
Example
The rough shoes were chafing his heels.
Les chaussures rugueuses lui frottaient les talons.
C2 noun /ˈdaɪəˌdɛm/

diadem

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

auroral

relatif à l'aurore
Meaning
Relating to or resembling the aurora, especially the northern lights.
Example
The scientists observed auroral activity in the night sky.
Les scientifiques ont observé une activité aurorale dans le ciel nocturne.
C2 adjective /ˈsɪlieɪtɪd/

ciliated

ciliée
Meaning
Having minute hairlike projections (cilia) on the surface of cells or organisms.
Example
The ciliated cells in the respiratory tract help move mucus out of the lungs.
Les cellules ciliées dans le tractus respiratoire aident à déplacer le mucus hors des poumons.
C2 adjective /kəˈpeɪ.ʃəs/

Capacious

spacieux; grand; vaste;
Meaning
having a lot of space inside; roomy and spacious
Example
The capacious hall can accommodate five hundred people.
La salle spacieuse peut accueillir cinq cents personnes.
C2 noun /ˌdɛd ˈhiːt/

dead-heat

égalité parfaite
Meaning
a race or contest in which two or more competitors finish exactly equal
Example
The race ended in a dead-heat between the two runners.
La course s'est terminée par une égalité parfaite entre les deux coureurs.
C2 noun /rɪˈfræk.tər/

refractor

réfracteur
Meaning
A type of telescope that uses lenses to focus light.
Example
Refractor telescopes use lenses to focus light.
Les télescopes réfracteurs utilisent des lentilles pour focaliser la lumière.
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 /ˈæl.ɪ.mənt/

aliment

aliment
Meaning
food or nourishment that sustains life
Example
Fruits and vegetables are important aliments for a healthy body.
Les fruits et légumes sont des aliments importants pour un corps sain.
C2 adjective /ɔːˈɡʌst/

august

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

forebode

présager
Meaning
To predict or have a strong inner feeling of a future misfortune or evil.
Example
Dark clouds forebode a coming storm.
Les nuages sombres présagent une tempête à venir.
C2 adverb /ɪnˈdjuːbɪtəbli/

indubitably

indubitablement
Meaning
Without a doubt; certainly.
Example
She is indubitably the best candidate for the job.
Elle est indubitablement la meilleure candidate pour le poste.
C2 adjective /ˈsloʊθfəl/

slothful

paresseux
Meaning
Lazy, idle, and unwilling to work.
Example
She was too slothful to get out of bed early.
Elle était trop paresseuse pour se lever tôt du lit.
C2 noun /ˈbʌt.ər fɪʃ/

Butter-fish

poisson beurre
Meaning
a small, smooth-skinned marine fish
Example
The butter-fish is popular in Bengali cuisine.
Le poisson beurre est populaire dans la cuisine bengalie.
C2 noun /oʊˈtɜːr/

hauteur

hauteur
Meaning
disdainful pride; arrogance
Example
His hauteur made it difficult for others to approach him.
Sa hauteur rendait difficile pour les autres de l'approcher.
C2 verb /ˈtrʌk.əl/

truckle

se soumettre
Meaning
To submit or yield obsequiously to someone in power.
Example
He refused to truckle to the demands of the corrupt officials.
Il a refusé de se soumettre aux demandes des fonctionnaires corrompus.
C2 noun /ˈʌndərlɪŋ/

underling

subordonné
Meaning
a person of low rank or importance; a subordinate
Example
The manager ordered his underlings to finish the task quickly.
Le directeur a ordonné à ses subordonnés de terminer rapidement la tâche.
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 noun /ˈpʌndʒənsi/

pungency

pungence
Meaning
The quality of having a strong, sharp taste or smell.
Example
The pungency of garlic filled the kitchen.
La pungence de l'ail a rempli la cuisine.
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 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 ˈpɑː.stər.ə.lɪ.zəm

pastoralism

pastoralisme, système de pâturage basé sur l'herbe
Meaning
A form of animal husbandry where domesticated animals are released onto large vegetated outdoor lands for grazing.
Example
Pastoralism is a traditional way of managing livestock.
Le pastoralisme est une manière traditionnelle de gérer le bétail.
C2 adjective /ræpˈtɔːriəl/

raptorial

rapace
Meaning
Relating to birds of prey or predatory behavior.
Example
The eagle is a raptorial bird with sharp talons.
L'aigle est un oiseau de proie avec des serres acérées.
C2 noun /ˈsfɛrɔɪd/

spheroid

sphéroïde
Meaning
A three-dimensional shape that is almost spherical but slightly flattened or elongated.
Example
The Earth is not a perfect sphere but an oblate spheroid.
La Terre n'est pas une sphère parfaite mais un sphéroïde oblat.
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 verb /ʌnˈfɛtər/

unfetter

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

philander

flirter
Meaning
to engage in casual or frivolous romantic or sexual relationships
Example
He was known to philander with many women in town.
Il était connu pour flirter avec de nombreuses femmes en ville.
C2 verb /ˈsʌpjʊˌreɪt/

suppurate

supurer
Meaning
to form or discharge pus, usually as a result of infection
Example
The wound began to suppurate after a few days.
La plaie a commencé à suppurer après quelques jours.
C2 noun /foʊ ˈpɑː/

faux pas

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

fructify

fructifier
Meaning
To make fruitful or productive; to bear fruit.
Example
The new policies will help fructify the economic potential of the region.
Les nouvelles politiques aideront à fructifier le potentiel économique de la région.
C2 verb /ˌnɒnˈplʌst/

nonplused

perplexe
Meaning
Past tense of nonplus; surprised and confused.
Example
She was completely nonplused by his sudden decision.
Elle était complètement perplexe par sa décision soudaine.
C2 noun /ˈbɑːr.kəˌroʊl/

barcarole

barcarole
Meaning
a traditional Venetian boat song, often in 6/8 time
Example
The orchestra played a beautiful barcarole that reminded me of Venice.
L'orchestre a joué une belle barcarole qui m'a rappelé Venise.
C2 noun /ˈkæt.kɪn/

Catkin

Chaton
Meaning
a drooping, often tasseled cluster of small flowers found on willow and birch trees
Example
The willow tree's catkins swayed gently in the spring breeze.
Les chatons du saule se balançaient doucement dans la brise printanière.
C2 noun /ˈʌmbrɪdʒ/

umbrage

mécontentement, offense
Meaning
A feeling of resentment or offense.
Example
She took umbrage at his rude remark.
Elle s'est vexée par sa remarque grossière.
C2 verb /dɪˈlæpɪdeɪt/

dilapidate

détériorer
Meaning
To cause something, especially a building, to fall into ruin or disrepair.
Example
The abandoned house began to dilapidate over the years.
La maison abandonnée a commencé à se détériorer au fil des ans.
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 adjective /ˈliːənaɪn/

leonine

léonin
Meaning
Of or resembling a lion.
Example
His leonine hair made him stand out in the crowd.
Ses cheveux léonins le faisaient ressortir dans la foule.
C2 noun /ˈtʌtʃ.stoʊn/

Touchstone

étalon; critère
Meaning
a standard or criterion by which something is judged or recognized; a test of genuineness
Example
His honesty became the touchstone by which all other employees were measured.
Son honnêteté est devenue l'étalon par lequel tous les autres employés étaient mesurés.
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 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 /ˈfɒpəri/

foppery

esbroufe
Meaning
Foolish or excessive concern with one's appearance or manners; pretentious behavior.
Example
His obsession with fashion was dismissed as mere foppery.
Son obsession pour la mode a été rejetée comme une simple esbroufe.
C2 noun /pəˈlæv.ər/

palaver

discussion inutile / agitation
Meaning
prolonged and idle discussion; fuss or unnecessary talk
Example
After much palaver, they finally agreed on the plan.
Après beaucoup de discussion inutile, ils ont finalement accepté le plan.
C2 noun /ˈtaɪroʊ/

tyro

débutant
Meaning
A beginner or novice in a field or activity.
Example
As a tyro in programming, she needed constant guidance.
En tant que débutant en programmation, elle avait besoin d'une orientation constante.
C2 adjective /əˈpɒ.krɪ.fəl/

apocryphal

douteux
Meaning
Of doubtful authenticity, though widely circulated as true.
Example
The story about him saving the village is probably apocryphal.
L'histoire de lui sauvant le village est probablement douteuse.
C2 verb, adjective /ˈstraɪeɪt/

striate

striée
Meaning
to mark with stripes or grooves; striped or streaked in appearance
Example
The rock surface was striated by glacial movement.
La surface de la roche a été striée par le mouvement glaciaire.
C2 adverb /əˈbɛd/

abed

au lit
Meaning
in bed
Example
She stayed abed all day due to illness.
Elle est restée au lit toute la journée à cause de la maladie.
C2 noun /ˌdɛkəˈsɪləbəl/

decasyllable

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

chimerical

chimérique, irréalisable
Meaning
Illusory or impossible to achieve; existing only in imagination.
Example
His chimerical ideas often baffled realists.
Ses idées chimériques déconcertent souvent les réalistes.
C2 noun /ˈbuːt.leɪs/

Boot-lace

lacet de botte
Meaning
a cord or string used to fasten a boot or shoe
Example
I need to tie my boot-lace before going for a walk.
Je dois attacher mon lacet de botte avant de partir en promenade.
C2 noun /ˈspuːnərɪzəm/

spoonerism

spounérisme
Meaning
A verbal error in which the initial sounds of words are swapped to create a humorous effect.
Example
He made a spoonerism by saying 'queer old dean' instead of 'dear old queen'.
Il a fait un spounérisme en disant 'vieux doyen bizarre' au lieu de 'vieille reine chère'.
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 adjective /ʌnˈlɛtəd/

unlettered

analphabète
Meaning
lacking education or the ability to read and write; illiterate
Example
The unlettered villagers relied on oral traditions to preserve their history.
Les villageois analphabètes dépendaient des traditions orales pour préserver leur histoire.
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 verb /ˈtɪtər/

titter

rire timidement
Meaning
to laugh in a quiet, nervous, or restrained way
Example
The students began to titter when the projector froze.
Les étudiants ont commencé à rire timidement lorsque le projecteur s'est figé.
C2 noun /ˈflæɡ ˌɒfɪsər/

flag-officer

officier de pavillon
Meaning
a senior naval officer entitled to fly a flag to mark the command
Example
The flag-officer reviewed the fleet before the ceremony.
L'officier de pavillon a examiné la flotte avant la cérémonie.
C2 verb /ˌpriːɪɡˈzɪst/

preexist

exister au préalable
Meaning
to exist beforehand or before something else
Example
These customs preexist the arrival of modern technology.
Ces coutumes existaient avant l'arrivée de la technologie moderne.
C2 noun /ɪkˈsɪʒən/

excision

excision
Meaning
the act of cutting something out, especially by surgical removal
Example
The excision of the infected tissue prevented further complications.
L'excision du tissu infecté a empêché d'autres complications.