usurious
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C2 adjective /juːˈʒʊəriəs/

usurious

usuraire
Meaning
Charging excessively high interest rates on loans.
Example
The bank was accused of offering loans at usurious rates.
La banque a été accusée d'offrir des prêts à des taux usuraires.
C2 verb /ˈbɜːrdʒən/

burgeon

croître rapidement
Meaning
To grow or develop rapidly; to flourish.
Example
The city's population began to burgeon after the new factory opened.
La population de la ville a commencé à croître rapidement après l'ouverture de la nouvelle usine.
C2 adjective /ˈfɒp.ɪʃ/

Foppish

excessivement préoccupé par son apparence et ses vêtements ; vaniteux à propos de l'habillement
Meaning
excessively concerned with one's appearance and clothes; vain about dress
Example
His foppish behavior and expensive clothes made him stand out.
Son comportement foppish et ses vêtements chers le rendaient remarquable.
C2 noun /ˌriːkruːˈdɛsəns/

recrudescence

recrudescence
Meaning
a new outbreak or revival of something that had subsided, especially an undesirable condition
Example
Health officials warned of a recrudescence of measles in several districts.
Les responsables de la santé ont averti d'une recrudescence de la rougeole dans plusieurs districts.
C2 adjective /ˈlaɪbələs/

libelous

diffamatoire
Meaning
containing or constituting a false published statement that damages a person's reputation
Example
The article was found to be libelous and had to be retracted.
L'article a été jugé diffamatoire et a dû être retiré.
C2 adjective /dɪˈmoʊniˌæk/

demoniac

démoniaque
Meaning
possessed, produced, or influenced by a demon; frenzied or violent
Example
The soldiers fought with demoniac fury.
Les soldats ont combattu avec une furie démoniaque.
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 noun /ˌpærəˈnɔɪæk/

paranoiac

personne paranoïaque
Meaning
A person who suffers from paranoia or exhibits extreme, irrational distrust and suspicion.
Example
The paranoiac refused to leave his house, fearing everyone was against him.
La personne paranoïaque a refusé de quitter sa maison, craignant que tout le monde soit contre lui.
C2 verb /slʌf/ or /sluː/

slough

mue de peau / zone marécageuse
Meaning
To shed or cast off (like dead skin); also a swampy or muddy area.
Example
The snake sloughed off its old skin.
Le serpent s'est débarrassé de sa vieille peau.
C2 noun əˌklaɪ.mə.tɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

acclimatization

acclimatation
Meaning
The process of adapting to a new environment or condition.
Example
The hikers needed time for acclimatization to high altitudes.
Les randonneurs ont eu besoin de temps pour l'acclimatation aux hautes altitudes.
C2 noun /əˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/

annunciation

annonce, bonne nouvelle
Meaning
The announcement of something; in Christianity, the announcement by the angel Gabriel to Mary that she would conceive Jesus.
Example
The church celebrated the Feast of the Annunciation with a special service.
L'église a célébré la fête de l'Annonciation avec un service spécial.
C2 verb /ˈlɪk.wɪ.faɪ/

liquefy

liquéfier
Meaning
to make or become liquid
Example
The heat will liquefy the butter in a few minutes.
La chaleur liquéfiera le beurre en quelques minutes.
C2 adjective /kəˈprɪʃəs/

capricious

capricieux
Meaning
given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior
Example
The stock market can be capricious, shifting dramatically without warning.
Le marché boursier peut être capricieux, changeant de manière spectaculaire sans avertissement.
C2 adverb /hərˈmɛtɪkli/

hermetically

hermétiquement
Meaning
In a way that is completely airtight or sealed off.
Example
The jars were hermetically sealed to preserve freshness.
Les bocaux ont été hermétiquement scellés pour préserver la fraîcheur.
C2 noun /ˈkæt.aɪ.ɒn ɪksˌtʃeɪndʒ/

cation-exchange

échange cationique
Meaning
A chemical process in soil that helps retain nutrients.
Example
The cation-exchange capacity of soil affects plant growth.
La capacité d'échange cationique du sol influence la croissance des plantes.
C2 noun /spjuːm/

spume

écume
Meaning
Froth or foam, especially found on waves or liquids.
Example
The waves crashed against the rocks, leaving spume in the air.
Les vagues se sont écrasées contre les rochers, laissant de l'écume dans l'air.
C2 noun /ˈɒbsɪkwiːz/

obsequies

rites funéraires
Meaning
Funeral rites or ceremonies.
Example
The obsequies for the late leader drew thousands of mourners.
Les rites funéraires du leader défunt ont attiré des milliers de personnes en deuil.
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 noun /θiˈɒkrəsi/

theocrasy

théocratie
Meaning
Government or rule by religious leaders or clergy.
Example
Theocrasy often merges religious authority with political power.
La théocratie fusionne souvent l'autorité religieuse avec le pouvoir politique.
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 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 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 /ˌdɪsɪˈpeɪʃən/

dissipation

dissipation
Meaning
the process of disappearing or wasting; excessive indulgence in pleasure
Example
The dissipation of his fortune left him in poverty.
La dissipation de sa fortune l'a laissé dans la pauvreté.
C2 noun /dʒɛˌstɪkjʊˈleɪʃən/

gesticulation

gesticulation
Meaning
a gesture, especially a dramatic one, used instead of speaking or to emphasize speech
Example
His speech was full of passionate gesticulations.
Son discours était rempli de gesticulations passionnées.
C2 noun /weɪf/

Waif

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

vituperable

méprisable
Meaning
Deserving of blame, censure, or harsh criticism.
Example
His reckless actions made him vituperable in the eyes of his colleagues.
Ses actions imprudentes l'ont rendu méprisable aux yeux de ses collègues.
C2 verb /æbˈdʒʊər/

abjure

abjurer
Meaning
to formally renounce or give up a belief, cause, or claim
Example
He abjured his allegiance to the old regime.
Il renonça à sa fidélité au vieux régime.
C2 noun /ˈdʌlərd/

dullard

personne stupide
Meaning
a slow or stupid person
Example
He was considered a dullard by his classmates.
Il était considéré comme un idiot par ses camarades de classe.
C2 verb /ɛnˈdʒɔɪn/

enjoin

ordonner, interdire
Meaning
to instruct or urge someone to do something; to prohibit legally
Example
The judge enjoined the company from continuing its activities.
Le juge a interdit à l'entreprise de poursuivre ses activités.
C2 noun /ˈtɜːrməɡənt/

termagant

femme autoritaire et irritable
Meaning
A harsh-tempered or overbearing woman.
Example
The character was portrayed as a loud and domineering termagant.
Le personnage a été dépeint comme une femme bruyante et dominatrice.
C2 noun /ˈpær.ɪ.saɪd/

parricide

parricide
Meaning
The act of killing one's father, mother, or other close relative.
Example
The court tried him for parricide after the tragic incident.
Le tribunal l'a jugé pour parricide après l'incident tragique.
C2 noun /ˈliːdʒənəri/

legionary

soldat romain
Meaning
a soldier in the Roman army
Example
Each legionary carried a shield and a short sword.
Chaque légionnaire portait un bouclier et une épée courte.
C2 verb /ˈrʌmpəl/

rumple

froisser
Meaning
to make something untidy or wrinkled by creasing or crumpling
Example
She accidentally rumpled her dress while packing.
Elle a accidentellement froissé sa robe en emballant.
C2 adjective /ˈɡɔːki/

gawky

maladroit
Meaning
Awkward and clumsy in appearance or behavior.
Example
The teenager felt gawky in his oversized suit.
L'adolescent se sentait maladroit dans son costume trop grand.
C2 noun /ˌæbnɪˈɡeɪʃən/

abnegation

abnégation
Meaning
the act of renouncing or rejecting something, especially self-denial
Example
The monk’s life was one of complete abnegation of worldly pleasures.
La vie du moine était une complète abnégation des plaisirs mondains.
C2 noun /ˈkɔːrmərənt/

cormorant

un grand oiseau marin noir qui attrape des poissons
Meaning
a large black sea bird that catches fish by diving
Example
The cormorant perched on the rock, drying its wings after a dive.
Le cormoran était perché sur la roche, séchant ses ailes après un plongeon.
C2 adjective /ɛkˈstrɪnzɪk/

extrinsic

extrinsèque
Meaning
Not part of the essential nature of someone or something; coming from outside.
Example
His motivation was largely extrinsic, driven by rewards and recognition.
Sa motivation était en grande partie extrinsèque, motivée par des récompenses et de la reconnaissance.
C2 verb /ˌkɒnvəˈlɛs/

convalesce

se rétablir, récupérer la santé et la force après une maladie ou un traitement médical
Meaning
to recover health and strength after illness or medical treatment
Example
After the surgery, she spent several weeks convalescing at home.
Après l'opération, elle a passé plusieurs semaines à récupérer chez elle.
C2 noun /ˈfɔːrˌseɪl/

foresail

voile de proue
Meaning
The principal sail set on the foremast of a sailing vessel.
Example
The crew adjusted the foresail to catch the wind.
L'équipage a ajusté la voile de proue pour attraper le vent.
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 /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 noun ˌsaɪ.bəˈnet.ɪks

cybernetics

cybernétique
Meaning
The science of communications and automatic control systems in both machines and living things.
Example
Cybernetics plays a crucial role in artificial intelligence.
La cybernétique joue un rôle crucial dans l'intelligence artificielle.
C2 verb /ˈekspərˌɡeɪt/

expurgate

expurger
Meaning
To remove offensive or objectionable parts from a text or speech.
Example
The publisher decided to expurgate the novel before reprinting it.
L’éditeur a décidé d’expurger le roman avant de le réimprimer.
C2 verb /hjuː/

hew

couper
Meaning
To chop or cut something, especially wood or stone, with a tool.
Example
The workers hewed logs to build the cabin.
Les travailleurs ont coupé des bûches pour construire la cabane.
C2 noun /ruːˈeɪ/

roue

un homme dédié à une vie de plaisirs sensuels
Meaning
A man devoted to a life of sensual pleasure; a debauched man.
Example
The old roue squandered his fortune on gambling and women.
Le vieux roue a gaspillé sa fortune dans les jeux d'argent et les femmes.
C2 noun /ˈskɜː.vi/

scurvy

Scorbut
Meaning
A disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C, leading to weakness, gum disease, and bleeding.
Example
Sailors often suffered from scurvy during long sea voyages without fresh fruits.
Les marins souffraient souvent du scorbut lors de longs voyages en mer sans fruits frais.
C2 verb /ˈhɛktər/

hector

parler de manière intimidante
Meaning
To talk to someone in a bullying or intimidating way.
Example
The manager hectored the staff into working overtime.
Le manager a menacé le personnel de faire des heures supplémentaires.
C2 noun /ɪmˈpjuːɪsəns/

impuissance

impuissance
Meaning
inability to take effective action; helplessness
Example
The government’s impuissance in the face of crisis frustrated the people.
L’impuissance du gouvernement face à la crise a frustré la population.
C2 adjective /ˈkrɒtʃ.ə.ti/

crotchety

grincheux
Meaning
bad-tempered, easily annoyed, and often complaining
Example
The crotchety old man yelled at the children for playing near his house.
Le vieux grincheux a crié sur les enfants pour avoir joué près de sa maison.
C2 adjective /ˈnɛtlˌsʌm/

nettlesome

irritant
Meaning
Causing irritation, annoyance, or difficulty.
Example
The nettlesome rules frustrated the workers.
Les règles irritantes ont frustré les travailleurs.
C2 adjective /ˈswɔːrði/

swarthy

bronzé
Meaning
Having a dark complexion or skin tone.
Example
The sailor had a swarthy face from years under the sun.
Le marin avait le visage bronzé après des années sous le soleil.
C2 noun /aɪˈkɒnəklæst/

iconoclast

iconoclaste
Meaning
A person who attacks or criticizes cherished beliefs, traditions, or institutions.
Example
He was known as an iconoclast who challenged old traditions.
Il était connu comme un iconoclaste qui défiait les anciennes traditions.
C2 verb /ɪˈvɪns/

evince

démontrer
Meaning
to show or demonstrate clearly
Example
She evinced her interest in the project through active participation.
Elle a montré son intérêt pour le projet par une participation active.
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 /ˈɪntərˌloʊpər/

interloper

intrus
Meaning
A person who becomes involved in a situation or place where they are not wanted.
Example
He felt like an interloper at the private family gathering.
Il se sentait comme un intrus lors de la réunion familiale privée.
C2 adjective /sɪˈnɜːrdʒɪk/

synergic

synergique
Meaning
Working together in a cooperative and effective manner.
Example
The two departments have a synergic relationship that boosts productivity.
Les deux départements ont une relation synergique qui augmente la productivité.
C2 noun /ˌæpəˈzɪʃən/

apposition

apposition (grammaire parallèle)
Meaning
a grammatical construction in which two elements are placed side by side, with one explaining the other
Example
In the phrase 'my friend John,' the word 'John' is in apposition to 'my friend.'
Dans l'expression 'mon ami Jean', le mot 'Jean' est en apposition à 'mon ami'.
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 noun /ˈproʊtoʊˌmɑːrtɚ/

protomartyr

premier martyr
Meaning
The first martyr in a cause or religion, often referring to the first Christian martyr.
Example
St. Stephen is known as the protomartyr of Christianity.
Saint Étienne est connu comme le protomartyr du christianisme.
C2 adjective /ˌɪrɪˈprəʊtʃəbl̩/

irreproachable

irréprochable
Meaning
Beyond criticism; faultless.
Example
The judge was known for his irreproachable integrity.
Le juge était connu pour son intégrité irréprochable.
C2 adjective /hɜːrˈbeɪʃəs/

herbaceous

herbacé
Meaning
Relating to or resembling herbs; plants with soft, non-woody stems.
Example
The garden was filled with herbaceous plants that thrived in the summer.
Le jardin était rempli de plantes herbacées qui ont prospéré pendant l'été.
C2 noun /bəˈfuːn/

buffoon

bouffon
Meaning
A ridiculous but amusing person; a clown or jester.
Example
He acted like a buffoon at the party, making everyone laugh.
Il a agi comme un bouffon à la fête, faisant rire tout le monde.
C2 adjective /ˌæntɪməˈrɪdiən/

antemeridian

avant midi
Meaning
Relating to the time before noon; occurring in the morning.
Example
She scheduled all her important meetings during the antemeridian hours.
Elle a planifié toutes ses réunions importantes pendant les heures avant midi.
C2 noun /ˈtrɪp.lɪ.kət/

triplicate

trois copies
Meaning
A set of three identical copies of something.
Example
The documents were prepared in triplicate for official use.
Les documents ont été préparés en triplicata pour un usage officiel.
C2 noun /ˈdʒɒlɪti/

jollity

allégresse
Meaning
lively and cheerful activity or celebration
Example
The wedding was full of jollity and laughter.
Le mariage était plein de joie et de rires.
C2 noun /ˈkætɪtʃuː/

Catechu

catechu
Meaning
an extract from a tropical Asian plant, used in tanning and dyeing
Example
Catechu extract is commonly used in traditional medicine.
L'extrait de catechu est couramment utilisé dans la médecine traditionnelle.
C2 adjective /ˈsiːkwənt/

sequent

suivant
Meaning
Following in order or as a result.
Example
The sequent events changed the course of history.
Les événements suivants ont changé le cours de l'histoire.
C2 noun /səˈnɛs.əns/

senescence

vieillissement
Meaning
The process of growing old or the condition of aging.
Example
The biologist studied senescence in plants to understand aging.
Le biologiste a étudié la sénescence des plantes pour comprendre le vieillissement.
C2 adjective /məˈlɪfluəs/

mellifluous

mélodieux
Meaning
Sweet or musical; pleasant to hear.
Example
The singer’s mellifluous voice enchanted the audience.
La voix mélodieuse du chanteur a enchanté le public.
C2 noun /ˈfɔːθ.raɪt.nəs/

forthrightness

honnêteté
Meaning
The quality of being honest and straightforward; directness.
Example
Her forthrightness made her a respected journalist.
Sa forthrightness a fait d'elle une journaliste respectée.
C2 verb /bɪˈleɪt/

belate

retarder
Meaning
to delay or make late
Example
Heavy traffic belated our arrival at the party.
Le trafic lourd a retardé notre arrivée à la fête.
C2 noun /kroʊn/

crone

vieille femme
Meaning
An old woman, often one who is thin and ugly, sometimes associated with witch-like qualities.
Example
The children were scared by the story of the wicked crone in the forest.
Les enfants ont eu peur de l'histoire de la vieille femme méchante dans la forêt.
C2 verb /ˌdɪsəˈbjuːz/

disabuse

désabuser
Meaning
To free someone from a false belief or misconception.
Example
The teacher tried to disabuse the students of their misunderstanding.
Le professeur a essayé de désabuser les étudiants de leur malentendu.
C2 noun /ˈɛndaɪv/ or /ˈɑːndɪv/

endive

endive
Meaning
A leafy vegetable belonging to the chicory family, often used in salads.
Example
She added fresh endive to the salad for a slightly bitter flavor.
Elle a ajouté de l'endive fraîche à la salade pour une saveur légèrement amère.
C2 noun /dʒeɪp/

jape

blague, farce
Meaning
A practical joke or humorous remark.
Example
He enjoyed a harmless jape with his friends.
Il a apprécié une blague inoffensive avec ses amis.
C2 adjective /ˌsuːprəˈmʌndeɪn/

supramundane

supramondain
Meaning
beyond the physical or ordinary world; transcendent
Example
The monk spoke of supramundane peace beyond material life.
Le moine a parlé de la paix supramondaine au-delà de la vie matérielle.
C2 noun /spɪˈlʌŋkər/

spelunker

spéléologue
Meaning
A person who explores caves as a hobby.
Example
The spelunker carried ropes and lights into the dark cave.
Le spéléologue a emporté des cordes et des lumières dans la grotte sombre.
C2 adjective /ˈæmbjələˌtɔːri/

ambulatory

ambulatoire
Meaning
Relating to or able to walk; relating to outpatient medical care.
Example
The patient is ambulatory and does not require bed rest.
Le patient est ambulatoire et n'a pas besoin de repos au lit.
C2 adjective /fluːˈɛnʃəl/

fluential

influent
Meaning
Having the power to influence or flowing freely (rare/archaic usage).
Example
The fluential speaker captivated the entire audience.
Le locuteur influent a captivé toute l'audience.
C2 adjective /ˈpɑːrləs/

parlous

périlleux
Meaning
Full of danger or risk; precarious.
Example
The company is in a parlous financial state.
L'entreprise est dans un état financier précaire.
C2 noun /kərˈmʌdʒən/

curmudgeon

râleur
Meaning
a bad-tempered, cranky, or irritable person, usually old
Example
The old curmudgeon complained about everything in the neighborhood.
Le vieux râleur se plaignait de tout dans le quartier.
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 /ˌɛmjʊˈleɪ.ʃən/

emulation

émulation
Meaning
Reproducing something or following someone to achieve success.
Example
The software allows the emulation of old video games on modern devices.
Le logiciel permet l'émulation de vieux jeux vidéo sur des appareils modernes.
C2 noun /ˈbɜːrsər/

bursar

trésorier
Meaning
An official in a school or college responsible for financial affairs.
Example
The bursar approved the budget for the new library.
Le trésorier a approuvé le budget pour la nouvelle bibliothèque.
C2 noun /ˈbɜːrɡər/

burgher

bourgeois
Meaning
A citizen of a town, typically a member of the wealthy middle class.
Example
The burgher was respected as a prosperous merchant in the city.
Le bourgeois était respecté comme un marchand prospère dans la ville.
C2 verb /ˈhæri/

harry

harceler, attaquer
Meaning
to constantly attack, harass, or annoy
Example
The army harried the enemy with sudden raids.
L'armée a harcelé l'ennemi avec des raids soudains.
C2 adjective /əˈθɜːrst/

athirst

asif, avideux
Meaning
Very eager or desirous for something.
Example
The explorer was athirst for adventure.
L'explorateur était asif d'aventure.
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 /blæk biː/

Black-bee

abeille noire
Meaning
a large dark-colored bee that makes a loud buzzing sound
Example
The black-bee was buzzing around the flowers in the garden.
L'abeille noire bourdonnait autour des fleurs dans le jardin.
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 noun /ˌkæstɪˈɡeɪʃən/

castigation

critique sévère ou punition
Meaning
Severe criticism or punishment for wrongdoing.
Example
The manager’s harsh castigation shocked the entire team.
La sévère castigation du manager a choqué toute l'équipe.
C2 verb /ˈwɪni/

whinny

hennissement
Meaning
to make the high-pitched sound a horse makes
Example
The horse whinnied when it saw its rider.
Le cheval hennit quand il a vu son cavalier.
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 noun /ˈɪn.fɪ.del/

Infidel

infidèle
Meaning
a person who does not believe in religion or whose religious beliefs differ from one's own
Example
In historical contexts, crusaders often referred to their enemies as infidels.
Dans des contextes historiques, les croisés se référaient souvent à leurs ennemis comme des infidèles.
C2 verb /ɡɜːrd/

gird

ceindre
Meaning
to encircle with a belt or band; to prepare for action
Example
The knight girded his sword before battle.
Le chevalier a ceinturé son épée avant la bataille.
C2 adjective /bəˈnɛfɪsənt/

beneficent

bénévole, généreux
Meaning
generous or doing good
Example
The beneficent leader donated funds to build a hospital.
Le leader bénéfique a donné des fonds pour construire un hôpital.
C2 adjective /ˈbɪliəs/

bilious

bilieux
Meaning
Relating to bile or an ill-tempered, irritable disposition.
Example
He became bilious after hearing the unfair criticism.
Il est devenu bilieux après avoir entendu la critique injuste.
C2 noun /ˈɛərəˌnɔːt/

aeronaut

aéronaute
Meaning
A person who travels in an airship, balloon, or other aircraft.
Example
The aeronaut skillfully guided the hot-air balloon across the valley.
L'aéronaute a habilement guidé le ballon à air chaud à travers la vallée.
C2 noun /ˈæl.kə.laɪ ækt/

Alkali Act

Loi de l'Alcalinité
Meaning
A British law passed in 1863 to regulate the emission of hydrochloric acid gas from alkali works, representing one of the first pieces of environmental legislation.
Example
The Alkali Act of 1863 was one of the first environmental laws.
La Loi de l'Alcalinité de 1863 fut l'une des premières lois environnementales.
C2 adverb /ˌɛkspəˈdɪʃəsli/

expeditiously

de manière rapide et efficace
Meaning
in a quick and efficient manner
Example
The application was processed expeditiously.
La demande a été traitée de manière rapide et efficace.
C2 noun /ˈkloʊtʃər/

cloture

procédure de cloture
Meaning
a procedure for ending a debate and taking a vote.
Example
The Senate invoked cloture to end the lengthy debate.
Le Sénat a invoqué la clôture pour mettre fin au débat long.
C2 noun /ˈmʌŋɡrəl/

mongrel

chien bâtard
Meaning
A dog of mixed breed; sometimes used to describe something mixed or of inferior quality.
Example
The stray dog was a friendly mongrel.
Le chien errant était un chien bâtard amical.
C2 adjective /ˌɪndɪˈvɜːrtɪbəl/

indivertible

indivertible
Meaning
Not able to be turned aside or diverted.
Example
The judge's indivertible attention was on the case.
L'attention indivertible du juge était sur l'affaire.
C2 noun /ˌær.əˈbesk/

arabesque

design orné
Meaning
a complex, ornate design featuring intertwined flowing lines, often used in architecture or ballet poses
Example
The ceiling was decorated with delicate arabesque patterns.
Le plafond était décoré de délicats motifs arabesques.
C2 noun /lɔːŋ ɡɔːrd/

Long gourd

courge longue
Meaning
an elongated green vegetable belonging to the cucumber family, used in cooking
Example
She sliced the long gourd thinly for the stir-fry dish.
Elle a coupé la courge longue en tranches fines pour le plat sauté.
C2 noun /ˈvɪtəlz/

victuals

vivres
Meaning
Food or provisions, especially for human consumption.
Example
The travelers packed enough victuals for their long journey.
Les voyageurs ont emballé suffisamment de vivres pour leur long voyage.
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 /ˈdɛftnəs/

deftness

dextérité
Meaning
Skillfulness and quickness in action or thought.
Example
Her deftness with words impressed the audience.
Sa dextérité avec les mots a impressionné le public.
C2 noun /ˈɪndələns/

indolence

indolence
Meaning
Avoidance of activity or exertion; laziness.
Example
His indolence kept him from finishing the project on time.
Son indolence l'a empêché de terminer le projet à temps.
C2 adjective /ˈhɔːrtətɔːri/

hortatory

hortatoire
Meaning
Intended to encourage or urge to action.
Example
The manager’s hortatory words inspired the team to work harder.
Les paroles exhortantes du directeur ont inspiré l'équipe à travailler plus dur.
C2 adjective /ˈviː.ni.əl/

Venial

pardonnable; pas gravement faux; mineur
Meaning
forgivable; not seriously wrong; minor
Example
His late arrival was considered a venial offense.
Son arrivée tardive a été considérée comme une infraction vénielle.
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 /ˈstrɪndʒənsi/

stringency

rigueur
Meaning
the quality of being strict, precise, or severe
Example
The stringency of the new rules surprised everyone.
La rigueur des nouvelles règles a surpris tout le monde.
C2 noun /ˈæntiˌkraɪst/

antichrist

antéchrist
Meaning
A person regarded as the supreme opponent of Christ, often seen as a figure of ultimate evil.
Example
Some people fear the rise of an Antichrist in the future.
Certaines personnes redoutent l'ascension d'un Antéchrist dans le futur.
C2 noun /ˈper.ɪ.dʒiː/

perigee

le point le plus proche dans l'orbite de la lune ou d'un satellite de la Terre
Meaning
the point in the orbit of the moon or a satellite at which it is nearest to the Earth
Example
The moon appeared much larger during its perigee.
La lune apparaissait beaucoup plus grande pendant son périgée.
C2 adjective /loʊˈkweɪʃəs/

loquacious

loquace
Meaning
tending to talk a great deal; very talkative
Example
The loquacious child entertained everyone with endless stories.
L'enfant loquace a diverti tout le monde avec des histoires sans fin.
C2 adjective /kəˈnaɪ.vɪŋ/

conniving

rusé
Meaning
secretly scheming or plotting to help in wrongdoing
Example
He is a conniving politician who manipulates people for power.
C'est un homme politique rusé qui manipule les gens pour le pouvoir.
C2 verb /ˌriːkruːˈdɛs/

recrudesce

récruder
Meaning
to break out or appear again after a period of dormancy or decline
Example
After months of calm, violence recrudesced in the region.
Après des mois de calme, la violence a recrudé dans la région.
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.