understory
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C2 noun /ˈʌn.dɚˌstɔː.ri/

understory

végétation inférieure
Meaning
The layer of vegetation beneath the main canopy of a forest.
Example
The understory of a rainforest is home to small mammals and insects.
La végétation inférieure d'une forêt tropicale est le foyer de petits mammifères et d'insectes.
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 noun /dɪˈtraɪtəs/

detritus

détritus
Meaning
Waste or debris of any kind; fragments left from destruction or decay.
Example
The riverbank was covered with detritus after the flood.
Le rivage était couvert de débris après l'inondation.
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 noun /ˈvɪntnər/

vintner

vigneron / vendeur de vin
Meaning
A person who makes or sells wine.
Example
The vintner explained the process of making red wine.
Le vigneron a expliqué le processus de fabrication du vin rouge.
C2 adjective /kəmˈprɛsəbl̩/

compressible

compressible
Meaning
Capable of being compressed or reduced in volume.
Example
Air is a compressible substance, unlike water.
L'air est une substance compressible, contrairement à l'eau.
C2 adjective əˈsɪd.ju.əs

assiduous

assidu ou appliqué
Meaning
Showing great care and perseverance; diligent and hardworking.
Example
His assiduous efforts led to a successful career.
Ses efforts assidus l'ont conduit à une carrière réussie.
C2 adjective /ˈɛdɪfaɪɪŋ/

edifying

édifiant
Meaning
Providing moral or intellectual instruction or enlightenment.
Example
The documentary was both entertaining and edifying.
Le documentaire était à la fois divertissant et édifiant.
C2 adjective /ˈnæti/

natty

chic
Meaning
Neat, stylish, and fashionable in appearance.
Example
He looked very natty in his new suit.
Il avait l'air très chic dans son nouveau costume.
C2 noun /ˈlæn.sɪt/

lancet

couteau chirurgical
Meaning
a small, sharp, two-edged surgical knife used for making small incisions
Example
The doctor used a lancet to prick the patient’s finger for a blood test.
Le médecin a utilisé un lancet pour piquer le doigt du patient pour un test sanguin.
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 /ʌnˈstɪntɪŋ/

unstinting

généreux
Meaning
given generously without holding back
Example
She received unstinting support from her family.
Elle a reçu un soutien généreux de sa famille.
C2 noun /sɪˈrɒkoʊ/

sirocco

vent chaud et sec
Meaning
A hot, dry wind blowing from North Africa across the Mediterranean to southern Europe.
Example
The sirocco made the city unbearably hot and dusty.
Le sirocco a rendu la ville insupportablement chaude et poussiéreuse.
C2 noun /ˈɑːrkeɪndʒəl/

archangel

archange
Meaning
A high-ranking angel, often considered a chief messenger or leader among angels.
Example
Michael is often depicted as the most powerful archangel.
Michel est souvent représenté comme l'archange le plus puissant.
C2 verb /ˈkɒr.ʌ.skeɪt/

coruscate

scintiller
Meaning
to sparkle or flash brightly
Example
The fireworks coruscated across the night sky.
Les feux d'artifice scintillèrent à travers le ciel nocturne.
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 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 /sælv/

salve

baume
Meaning
An ointment used to promote healing of the skin or as protection.
Example
She applied a salve to the burn on her hand.
Elle a appliqué un baume sur la brûlure de sa main.
C2 adjective /ˈsiːmi/

seamy

dégradé, sordide
Meaning
Morally degraded, unpleasant, or sordid.
Example
The novel reveals the seamy side of city life.
Le roman révèle le côté sordide de la vie en ville.
C2 noun /ˈdændi/

dandy

homme qui accorde trop d'attention à son apparence et à ses vêtements
Meaning
a man who gives too much attention to his appearance and clothes
Example
The young dandy spent hours grooming himself before the party.
Le jeune dandy a passé des heures à se préparer avant la fête.
C2 noun /ˈdʒɪb.ɪt/

Gibbet

potence
Meaning
a gallows for hanging criminals; an upright post with a projecting arm for hanging the bodies of criminals
Example
In medieval times, criminals were often executed on a gibbet as a public warning.
Au Moyen Âge, les criminels étaient souvent exécutés sur une potence comme avertissement public.
C2 noun /ˌkiː.təʊˈdʒen.ɪ.sɪs/

ketogenesis

processus de production de cétones
Meaning
The metabolic process by which the liver produces ketones from fatty acids, providing an alternative energy source during low carbohydrate availability.
Example
Ketogenesis occurs during fasting or low-carb diets.
La cétogenèse se produit lors du jeûne ou des régimes pauvres en glucides.
C2 noun /ˌɪmprɪˈmɑːtər/

imprimatur

imprimatur
Meaning
An official license or approval, especially to publish a book.
Example
The book was released with the official imprimatur of the church.
Le livre a été publié avec l'imprimatur officiel de l'église.
C2 noun /draɪ ɡuːs ˈbɛri/

Dry goose berry

groseille séchée
Meaning
dehydrated amla fruit, rich in vitamin C and used for medicinal and culinary purposes
Example
Dry goose berry powder is excellent for hair growth.
La poudre de groseille séchée est excellente pour la croissance des cheveux.
C2 adjective /kəmˈpleɪzənt/

complaisant

trop complaisant
Meaning
willing to please others or to accept what they do or say without protest
Example
He was too complaisant to refuse their demands.
Il était trop complaisant pour refuser leurs demandes.
C2 adjective /ˌdaɪəˈtɒmɪk/

diatomic

diatomique
Meaning
Consisting of two atoms.
Example
Oxygen is a diatomic molecule.
L'oxygène est une molécule diatomique.
C2 verb /əˈsɪdɪfaɪ/

acidify

acidifier
Meaning
to make something acidic or more acidic
Example
Farmers worry that pollution will acidify the soil.
Les agriculteurs craignent que la pollution acidifie le sol.
C2 adjective /ˈfiːtɪd/

foetid

fétide
Meaning
having an offensive, unpleasant smell
Example
The foetid smell from the garbage made it hard to breathe.
L'odeur fétide des ordures rendait la respiration difficile.
C2 noun /kənˈtɔːrʃənz/

contortions

pluriel de contorsion; plusieurs formes tordues ou déformées
Meaning
plural form of contortion; multiple twisted or bent shapes
Example
The magician's contortions left the crowd in awe.
Les contorsions du magicien ont laissé la foule bouche bée.
C2 verb /dɪˈfreɪ/

defray

financer
Meaning
to provide money to pay the costs of something
Example
The grant will help defray the cost of education.
La bourse aidera à financer le coût de l'éducation.
C2 adjective /ˈmæk.jʊˌleɪ.tɪd/

maculated

maculé
Meaning
Spotted or stained; marked with blemishes.
Example
The maculated surface of the old mirror gave it a unique charm.
La surface maculée du vieux miroir lui donna un charme unique.
C2 adjective /ˈkʌvətəs/

covetous

convoiteux
Meaning
having or showing a strong desire for someone else's possessions
Example
She gave him a covetous look when he showed his new watch.
Elle lui lança un regard convoiteux lorsqu'il montra sa nouvelle montre.
C2 noun /əˈɡrɒnəmɪst/

agronomist

agronome
Meaning
A scientist who studies soil management and crop production.
Example
The agronomist suggested new methods to improve rice yields.
L'agronome a suggéré de nouvelles méthodes pour améliorer les rendements du riz.
C2 adjective /prɪˈzʌmptɪv/

presumptive

présumé
Meaning
Based on probability or assumption rather than proof.
Example
She is the presumptive nominee for the party.
Elle est la candidate présumée pour le parti.
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 ˌhiː.məˈfɪl.i.ə

hemophilia

hémophilie
Meaning
A medical condition in which the ability of the blood to clot is severely reduced, causing the sufferer to bleed severely from even a slight injury.
Example
Hemophilia treatment benefits from genetic editing.
Le traitement de l'hémophilie bénéficie de l'édition génétique.
C2 noun /ˌdɪskwɪˈzɪʃən/

disquisition

disquisition
Meaning
A long or elaborate discussion or written essay on a particular subject.
Example
The professor gave a lengthy disquisition on ancient philosophy.
Le professeur a donné une disquisition approfondie sur la philosophie antique.
C2 noun /ˈɒksɪdənt/

occident

occident
Meaning
The countries of the West, especially Europe and America.
Example
The Occident has a long history of philosophical thought.
L'Occident a une longue histoire de pensée philosophique.
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, noun /blæb/

blab

bavarder; divulguer un secret
Meaning
to talk too much or reveal secrets carelessly; excessive or foolish talk
Example
He accidentally blabbed the surprise to everyone.
Il a révélé la surprise par erreur.
C2 noun /vɪˈsɪsɪtjuːd/

vicissitude

vicissitudes de la vie
Meaning
A natural change or succession of one thing to another; the ups and downs of life.
Example
The vicissitude of life often teaches resilience.
Les vicissitudes de la vie enseignent souvent la résilience.
C2 adjective /sɪˈkweɪʃəs/

sequacious

suiveur aveugle
Meaning
Lacking independence of thought; blindly following.
Example
The sequacious students never questioned their teacher's opinions.
Les étudiants séquacieux n'ont jamais remis en question les opinions de leur professeur.
C2 prefix /dɪs-/

dys-

préfixe signifiant anormal, mauvais, difficile ou défectueux
Meaning
A prefix meaning abnormal, bad, difficult, or impaired.
Example
Words like 'dysfunction' and 'dyslexia' use the prefix dys- to indicate difficulty or impairment.
Des mots comme 'dysfonction' et 'dyslexie' utilisent le préfixe dis- pour indiquer une difficulté ou un handicap.
C2 verb /bɪˈɡaɪl/

beguile

charmer / séduire par la tromperie
Meaning
to charm or enchant someone, often in a deceptive way
Example
She beguiled the audience with her storytelling.
Elle a charmé l'auditoire avec ses récits.
C2 verb /əˈbeɪs/

abase

abaisser
Meaning
to belittle or degrade someone
Example
He refused to abase himself before the king.
Il a refusé de s'abaisser devant le roi.
C2 noun /roʊˈtʌn.də.ti/

rotundity

rondeur
Meaning
the quality of being round or plump
Example
The rotundity of the balloon made it float gracefully.
La rondeur du ballon l'a fait flotter gracieusement.
C2 adjective /ˈfækʃəs/

factious

factionnel
Meaning
causing disagreement or division within a group; inclined to form factions
Example
The debate became factious, splitting the committee into rival camps.
Le débat est devenu factionnel, divisant le comité en camps rivaux.
C2 adjective ˌɪn.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃəs

inefficacious

inefficace
Meaning
Not producing any or the desired effect; ineffective.
Example
The treatment was inefficacious in curing the disease.
Le traitement a été inefficace pour guérir la maladie.
C2 adjective /ˈhæl.si.ən/

halcyon

serein
Meaning
calm, peaceful, and happy; denoting a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful
Example
She often reminisces about the halcyon days of her childhood.
Elle se souvient souvent des jours sereins de son enfance.
C2 noun /ˈæntɪˌtʃeɪmbər/

antechamber

antichambre
Meaning
a small room serving as an entry to a larger one
Example
The guests waited in the antechamber before being admitted to the hall.
Les invités ont attendu dans l'antichambre avant d'être admis dans la salle.
C2 noun /ˌɔːrəˈtɔːri.oʊ/

oratorio

composition musicale religieuse
Meaning
A large-scale musical composition for orchestra, choir, and soloists, usually on a sacred theme, performed without costumes or scenery.
Example
Handel's 'Messiah' is one of the most famous oratorios ever written.
Le 'Messie' de Handel est l'un des oratorios les plus célèbres jamais écrits.
C2 verb /ɪsˈtʃuː/

eschew

éviter
Meaning
to deliberately avoid or abstain from something
Example
She chose to eschew junk food for a healthier diet.
Elle a choisi d'éviter la malbouffe pour un régime plus sain.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈfeɪnd/

unfeigned

authentique
Meaning
genuine; not pretended or insincere
Example
She expressed unfeigned joy at her friend's success.
Elle a exprimé une joie authentique lors du succès de son amie.
C2 noun /ɪmˈpɒs.tʃər/

Imposture

imposture; fraude; tromperie
Meaning
the practice of deceiving others by pretending to be someone else; fraudulent deception
Example
The elaborate imposture lasted for months before investigators uncovered the truth.
L'imposture élaborée a duré des mois avant que les enquêteurs ne découvrent la vérité.
C2 noun/verb /ˈmæn.ə.kəl/

manacle

entrave
Meaning
A metal shackle for fastening someone's hands or ankles; also to restrain with such shackles.
Example
The prisoner was manacled before being taken to court.
Le prisonnier a été enchaîné avant d'être emmené au tribunal.
C2 adjective /ɪˈmɛrɪtəs/

emeritus

professeur émérite
Meaning
having retired but allowed to retain their title as an honor
Example
He is a professor emeritus at the university.
Il est professeur émérite à l'université.
C2 noun /ˌkɔːrnjuˈkoʊpiə/

cornucopia

une abondance ou un approvisionnement débordant de quelque chose
Meaning
an abundance or overflowing supply of something
Example
The festival offered a cornucopia of fruits and sweets.
Le festival a offert une cornucopia de fruits et de bonbons.
C2 adjective /ˈɡɔːdi/

gaudy

voyant
Meaning
excessively showy or flashy, often in a tasteless way
Example
She wore a gaudy necklace that clashed with her elegant dress.
Elle portait un collier voyant qui jurait avec sa robe élégante.
C2 noun /ˌmɪsˈtʃæns/

mischance

malchance
Meaning
An unfortunate accident or event; bad luck.
Example
By mischance, he missed the last train home.
Par malchance, il a raté le dernier train pour rentrer chez lui.
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 verb /rɪˈpruːv/

reprove

réprimander
Meaning
to criticize or correct someone gently or disapprove of their actions
Example
The teacher reproved the student for being late.
L'enseignant a réprimandé l'élève pour son retard.
C2 adjective /ˈrævənɪŋ/

ravening

affamé et avide
Meaning
Extremely hungry and greedy; voracious.
Example
The ravening wolves circled the camp.
Les loups affamés ont encerclé le camp.
C2 adjective /pruːˈdɛnʃəl/

prudential

prudentiel
Meaning
involving or showing prudence, especially in financial or business matters
Example
The bank has set prudential rules to protect depositors.
La banque a mis en place des règles prudentielles pour protéger les déposants.
C2 noun /ˌsɪŋ.krəˈnɪs.ɪ.ti/

synchronicity

synchronicité
Meaning
The meaningful coincidence of two or more events that are not planned.
Example
The synchronicity of their thoughts amazed everyone.
La synchronicité de leurs pensées a étonné tout le monde.
C2 adjective /ˈfædɪʃ/

faddish

mode éphémère
Meaning
Following a temporary trend or fashion
Example
Wearing neon clothes was a faddish style in the 1980s.
Porter des vêtements néon était un style fad en les années 1980.
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 noun /fiːf/

fief

un terrain de terre détenu sous le système féodal ; un domaine ou une zone de contrôle
Meaning
an estate of land held under the feudal system; a domain or area of control
Example
The knight was granted a fief by the lord for his service.
Le chevalier a reçu un fief du seigneur pour ses services.
C2 verb /rɪˈkjʊə/

recure

soigner à nouveau
Meaning
to cure again; to remedy a second time
Example
The doctor had to recure the wound after it reopened.
Le médecin a dû recurer la blessure après qu'elle se soit rouverte.
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 noun /əˈsper.ɪ.ti/

asperity

asperité
Meaning
Harshness of tone, manner, or surface.
Example
She spoke with asperity when she was interrupted.
Elle parla avec aspérité lorsqu'elle fut interrompue.
C2 noun /flæks/

flax

lin
Meaning
a plant whose fibers are used to make linen and whose seeds are edible
Example
Flax is often used in making linen fabrics.
Le lin est souvent utilisé pour fabriquer des tissus en lin.
C2 noun /ˈtraɪdənt/

trident

trident
Meaning
A three-pronged spear, often associated with Neptune or Poseidon.
Example
The statue of Poseidon holds a mighty trident.
La statue de Poséidon tient un puissant trident.
C2 adjective /ˈmiː.di.eɪ.tɪv/

mediative

relatif à la médiation
Meaning
Related to mediation, helping to resolve conflicts through diplomatic means.
Example
His mediative skills helped resolve the conflict.
Ses compétences médiatrices ont aidé à résoudre le conflit.
C2 noun /ˈfetiʃ/

fetich

fétiche
Meaning
an object believed to have magical powers or to be inhabited by a spirit
Example
The villagers treated the statue as a powerful fetich.
Les villageois traitaient la statue comme un fétiche puissant.
C2 adjective /nɪˈfɛəriəs/

nefarious

néfaste, criminel ou moralement mauvais
Meaning
Wicked, criminal, or morally bad.
Example
The police uncovered a nefarious plot to cheat investors.
La police a découvert un complot néfaste pour tromper les investisseurs.
C2 adjective /ˈneb.jə.ləs/

Nebulous

vague; flou; nébuleux
Meaning
vague or unclear; lacking definite form; hazy
Example
His plans for the future remain nebulous and unclear.
Ses projets pour l'avenir restent nébuleux et flous.
C2 noun /ˌθiːəˈloʊdʒən/

theologian

théologien
Meaning
A person who studies or is an expert in theology.
Example
Theologians often debate complex questions of faith and morality.
Les théologiens débattent souvent de questions complexes de foi et de moralité.
C2 adjective /ˈæfəbəl/

affable

affable
Meaning
friendly, easy to talk to, and pleasant in manner
Example
He is such an affable host that everyone feels comfortable at his parties.
C'est un hôte tellement affable que tout le monde se sent à l'aise à ses fêtes.
C2 noun /ˈʃaɪstər/

shyster

escroc
Meaning
a person, especially a lawyer, who uses unscrupulous or dishonest methods
Example
The businessman was exposed as a shyster who cheated clients.
L'homme d'affaires a été exposé comme un escroc qui trompait les clients.
C2 noun /ˌrɛtəˈrɪʃən/

rhetorician

rhéteur
Meaning
A person who is skilled in the art of rhetoric or persuasive speaking/writing.
Example
The rhetorician captivated the audience with his eloquence.
Le rhéteur a captivé l'auditoire avec son éloquence.
C2 noun /ˌmæk.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/

Machination

machination; intrigue;
Meaning
a clever scheme or artful plot, usually with evil intent; crafty designing or plotting
Example
The villain's machinations were finally exposed.
Les machinations du méchant ont finalement été exposées.
C2 noun /əˈreɪ.bi.ən ˈdʒæz.mɪn/

Arabian Jasmine

jasmin arabe
Meaning
A fragrant white flower native to South and Southeast Asia, commonly used in perfumes and religious ceremonies
Example
The Arabian jasmine filled the garden with its sweet fragrance.
Le jasmin arabe a rempli le jardin de son doux parfum.
C2 noun /ˈɡæŋ.ɡriːn/

gangrene

gangrène
Meaning
The death of body tissue due to lack of blood supply or infection.
Example
If untreated, the wound may lead to gangrene.
Si elle n'est pas traitée, la plaie peut conduire à la gangrène.
C2 adverb /ˌpɛlˈmɛl/

pell-mell

de manière désordonnée
Meaning
In a confused, rushed, or disorderly manner.
Example
The children ran pell-mell through the playground.
Les enfants ont couru de manière désordonnée à travers la cour de récréation.
C2 noun /ˈɪŋkjʊbəs/

incubus

esprit maléfique
Meaning
An oppressive or nightmarish burden; in folklore, an evil spirit that lies upon sleeping people.
Example
Debt became an incubus that weighed heavily on the family.
La dette est devenue un esprit maléfique qui pesait lourdement sur la famille.
C2 noun /ˌɛləˈkjuːʃn/

elocution

élocution
Meaning
The skill of clear and expressive speech, especially in public speaking.
Example
She improved her elocution through constant practice.
Elle a amélioré son élocution grâce à une pratique constante.
C2 noun /əbˈstɛtrɪks/

obstetrics

obstétrique
Meaning
The branch of medicine dealing with childbirth and care of women giving birth.
Example
She is studying obstetrics to become a specialist in childbirth.
Elle étudie l'obstétrique pour devenir spécialiste de l'accouchement.
C2 noun /ˈɡævəl/

gavel

marteau
Meaning
A small ceremonial mallet used by a judge or an auctioneer to signal attention or mark a decision.
Example
The judge struck the gavel to call the court to order.
Le juge a frappé le marteau pour ordonner l'ouverture de l'audience.
C2 noun /ˌɪnkənˈɡruːəti/

incongruity

incongruité
Meaning
The state of being inconsistent or out of place.
Example
The incongruity of his cheerful mood during the funeral shocked everyone.
L'incongruité de son humeur joyeuse pendant les funérailles a choqué tout le monde.
C2 noun /ˌɪkθiˈɒlədʒɪst/

ichthyologist

ichtyologiste
Meaning
A scientist who studies fish.
Example
The ichthyologist discovered a new species of fish in the river.
L'ichtyologiste a découvert une nouvelle espèce de poisson dans la rivière.
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 verb /bɪˈstraɪd/

bestride

dominer
Meaning
To sit or stand astride something; to dominate over.
Example
The statue bestrides the city square.
La statue domine la place de la ville.
C2 noun /ˈoʊvərlɔːrd/

overlord

seigneur
Meaning
A ruler, master, or person of great power and authority over others.
Example
The peasants were forced to pay taxes to their overlord.
Les paysans ont été forcés de payer des impôts à leur seigneur.
C2 verb /ˈsʌplɪˌkeɪt/

supplicate

supplier
Meaning
To ask for something earnestly or humbly, often in a religious context.
Example
The villagers supplicated the gods for rain during the drought.
Les villageois supplièrent les dieux pour la pluie pendant la sécheresse.
C2 verb /kənˈdʒiːl/

congeal

congeler
Meaning
to become thick or solid, especially from cooling
Example
The soup began to congeal after being left on the table.
La soupe a commencé à se congeler après avoir été laissée sur la table.
C2 adjective /ˈwɪnsəm/

winsome

charmant
Meaning
pleasant and attractive in a fresh, innocent, or charming way
Example
Her winsome smile instantly put the nervous guests at ease.
Son sourire charmant a immédiatement mis les invités nerveux à l'aise.
C2 noun /hɪˈdʒɛməni/ or /ˈhɛdʒəmoʊni/

hegemony

hégémonie
Meaning
leadership or dominance, especially by one state or group over others
Example
The empire maintained its hegemony over neighboring states.
L'empire a maintenu sa hégémonie sur les états voisins.
C2 verb /ˈɒsɪfaɪ/

ossify

ossifier
Meaning
to turn into bone or become rigid and inflexible
Example
With age, some tissues tend to ossify.
Avec l'âge, certains tissus ont tendance à s'ossifier.
C2 verb /læmˈpuːn/

lampoon

ridiculiser
Meaning
to publicly criticize or ridicule someone or something with humor, irony, or sarcasm
Example
The cartoonist lampooned the politician for his contradictory statements.
Le caricaturiste a ridiculisé le politicien pour ses déclarations contradictoires.
C2 verb /dʒaʊst/

joust

lutte à cheval
Meaning
to engage in a medieval contest on horseback with lances; to compete or argue
Example
The knights prepared to joust in front of the cheering crowd.
Les chevaliers se sont préparés à lutter à cheval devant la foule enthousiaste.
C2 noun /məˈnɪʃən/

monition

avertissement
Meaning
A warning or caution, often of a religious or moral nature.
Example
The priest gave a monition against dishonesty.
Le prêtre a donné un avertissement contre la malhonnêteté.
C2 verb /ˈvɪtrɪfaɪ/

vitrify

transformer en verre
Meaning
to turn into glass or a glass-like substance by heat
Example
Sand can vitrify under intense heat.
Le sable peut se transformer en verre sous une chaleur intense.
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 adjective /rɪˈfræɡəbəl/

refragable

réfutable
Meaning
Capable of being refuted or disproved.
Example
His argument was weak and easily refragable.
Son argument était faible et facilement réfutable.
C2 verb /ɪnˈveɪ/

inveigh

critiquer sévèrement
Meaning
To speak or write about something with great hostility and criticism.
Example
He inveighed against the corruption in government.
Il a critiqué sévèrement la corruption dans le gouvernement.
C2 adjective /ˌfærɪˈseɪɪkəl/

pharisaical

pharisaïque
Meaning
Excessively concerned with formal rules or outward show of morality, often in a hypocritical way.
Example
His pharisaical behavior made people doubt his sincerity.
Son comportement pharisaïque a fait douter les gens de sa sincérité.
C2 verb /ˈmɒlɪfaɪ/

mollify

apaiser
Meaning
To calm or soothe someone's anger or anxiety.
Example
The manager tried to mollify the angry customers with discounts.
Le responsable a essayé d'apaiser les clients en colère avec des réductions.
C2 adjective /ˈsɜːrkəmskraɪbd/

circumscribed

circonscrit
Meaning
restricted or limited in scope or freedom
Example
Her freedom of choice was circumscribed by social rules.
Sa liberté de choix était circonscrite par les règles sociales.
C2 adjective /ˌhaɪpərˈkrɪtɪkl/

hypercritical

hypercritique
Meaning
Excessively or unreasonably critical.
Example
The teacher was often hypercritical of small mistakes.
Le professeur était souvent hypercritique envers les petites erreurs.
C2 verb /ˈsʌblɪmeɪt/

sublimate

transformer en activités supérieures
Meaning
to redirect strong emotions or desires into socially acceptable activities or channels
Example
She sublimated her anger into painting beautiful landscapes.
Elle a sublimé sa colère en peignant de beaux paysages.
C2 verb /dɪsˈteɪn/

distain

mépriser
Meaning
to treat with scorn or contempt (archaic form of disdain)
Example
He would never distain those who had less fortune than him.
Il ne méprisait jamais ceux qui avaient moins de fortune que lui.
C2 noun /ˌkælɪsˈθɛnɪks/

calisthenics

exercice physique
Meaning
exercises that use body weight for strength and flexibility
Example
She practices calisthenics every morning in the park.
Elle pratique la calisthénie chaque matin dans le parc.
C2 adjective /ˈlaɪðsəm/

lithesome

souple et gracieux
Meaning
gracefully flexible and supple
Example
Her lithesome figure allowed her to move like a ballerina.
Sa silhouette souple lui permettait de bouger comme une ballerine.
C2 noun /ˈweɪstrəl/

wastrel

dépensier, fainéant
Meaning
A person who wastes time, money, or resources; an idler or spendthrift.
Example
The young man was dismissed as a wastrel by his family.
Le jeune homme a été rejeté comme un gaspilleur par sa famille.
C2 adjective /ˌdɪsəˈfɛktɪd/

disaffected

mécontent
Meaning
Dissatisfied and rebellious, especially against authority or leadership.
Example
The reforms were introduced to calm the disaffected youth.
Les réformes ont été introduites pour calmer la jeunesse mécontente.
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 /juːˌtrɑː.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/

eutrophication

excès de nutriments dans un lac ou un autre plan d'eau
Meaning
Excessive richness of nutrients in a lake or other body of water, frequently due to runoff from the land, which causes a dense growth of plant life and death of animal life from lack of oxygen.
Example
Excess fertilizers lead to eutrophication in lakes.
Les fertilisants excessifs entraînent l'eutrophisation dans les lacs.
C2 noun /kɒŋk/

Conch

conque
Meaning
a large sea shell that can be used as a horn; the marine mollusk that lives in such a shell
Example
The fisherman blew the conch shell to signal the end of the day.
Le pêcheur a soufflé dans la conque pour signaler la fin de la journée.
C2 noun /æmˈbroʊʒə/

ambrosia

ambroisie
Meaning
The food of the gods in classical mythology; something extremely pleasing to taste or smell.
Example
The dessert was so delicious that it tasted like ambrosia.
Le dessert était tellement délicieux qu'il avait le goût d'ambrosia.
C2 noun /dɪnt/

dint

effort, marque d'un coup
Meaning
an impression or hollow made by a blow; force or power
Example
By dint of hard work, he achieved success.
Par dint de travail acharné, il a atteint le succès.
C2 adjective /ˈfʌŋɡəs/

fungous

semblable à un champignon
Meaning
relating to or resembling a fungus
Example
The damp basement had a fungous smell.
Le sous-sol humide avait une odeur semblable à un champignon.