abbot
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C1 noun /ˈæbət/

abbot

Meaning
The head of a monastery for monks.
Example
The abbot welcomed the visitors to the monastery.
C1 noun /ˈwiː.vər/

Weaver

Meaning
a person who makes cloth by interlacing threads on a loom
Example
The skilled weaver created intricate patterns on the silk fabric.
C1 noun /ˈdʒiː.nəs/

genus

Meaning
a category in biological classification ranking above species and below family
Example
The tiger belongs to the genus Panthera.
C1 verb /ɪɡˈzæspəˌreɪt/

exasperate

Meaning
to irritate or annoy intensely
Example
His constant complaints began to exasperate his coworkers.
C1 noun /ˈɡreɪdiənt/

gradient

Meaning
A gradual slope, or the degree of inclination of a surface.
Example
The cyclist struggled up the steep gradient of the hill.
C1 verb /fɔːˈbɛər/

forbear

Meaning
To refrain from doing something; to show patience or self-control.
Example
She forbore from commenting on his mistake.
C1 noun /ˈtrɪlədʒi/

trilogy

Meaning
a set of three related works, usually books or films, that form a connected story
Example
The director finally released the third film to complete the sci-fi trilogy.
C1 noun /ˈfɔːrˌθɔːt/

forethought

Meaning
careful consideration of what will be necessary or may happen in the future
Example
With a little forethought, we could have avoided the problem.
C1 noun /ˈɡriːvəns/

grievance

Meaning
A real or imagined cause for complaint, especially unfair treatment.
Example
The workers voiced their grievances to the management.
C1 noun, adjective /ˈsɒlvənt/

solvent

Meaning
a liquid that dissolves other substances; also means able to pay debts
Example
Acetone is a common solvent used in laboratories.
C1 adjective /ɪˈluːsɪv/

elusive

Meaning
Difficult to find, catch, or achieve; hard to understand or define.
Example
The solution to the problem proved elusive.
C1 noun /pəˈzɛsər/

possessor

Meaning
A person who owns or holds something.
Example
The possessor of the land built a new house.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈtɒl.ər.ə.bəl/

Intolerable

Meaning
unable to be endured; extremely unpleasant or painful
Example
The noise from the construction site was intolerable.
C1 adjective /maɪˈɑːpɪk/

myopic

Meaning
lacking foresight or long-term perspective; also refers to nearsightedness
Example
The company’s myopic strategy led to long-term losses.
C1 noun /kwɔːrˈtɛt/

quartet

Meaning
A group of four people playing music or singing together.
Example
The string quartet performed beautifully at the concert.
C1 noun /ˈlɔː.ləs.nəs/

Lawlessness

Meaning
absence of law and order; a state where laws do not exist or are not enforced
Example
The city descended into lawlessness after the government collapsed.
C1 noun /ˈkɒnstənsi/

constancy

Meaning
the quality of being faithful and dependable
Example
Her constancy in friendship is admirable.
C1 verb /ˈkʌn.dʒər/

conjure

Meaning
to summon something as if by magic; to imagine vividly
Example
The magician conjured a rabbit out of the hat.
C1 noun /ˈlɪmboʊ/

limbo

Meaning
A state of uncertainty or neglect; an intermediate or transitional state.
Example
The project was left in limbo after the funding was withdrawn.
C1 verb /ˌriːɪnˈsteɪt/

reinstate

Meaning
To restore someone or something to their former position or condition.
Example
The company decided to reinstate the suspended employee.
C1 adjective /pərˈvɜːrs/

perverse

Meaning
showing a deliberate desire to behave in a way that is unreasonable, contrary, or unacceptable
Example
He took a perverse pleasure in upsetting his colleagues.
C1 adjective /lʌʃ/

lush

Meaning
rich, abundant, and luxurious, especially referring to vegetation
Example
The valley was filled with lush green fields.
C1 verb /rɪˈsɜːrdʒ/

resurge

Meaning
To rise, increase, or become active again after a decline.
Example
Interest in traditional crafts has begun to resurge.
C1 noun /səˈlɪn.ə.t̬i/

salinity

Meaning
The salt content of soil or water, typically measured as a concentration.
Example
The salinity of the ocean varies depending on depth and location.
C1 adjective /ˈbæʃ.fəl/

Bashful

Meaning
shy; timid; modest; easily embarrassed
Example
The bashful child hid behind her mother when meeting strangers.
C1 verb /ɡoʊd/

goad

Meaning
to provoke, annoy, or urge someone to take action
Example
He tried to goad his opponent into making a mistake.
C1 noun vaɪˈtæləti

vitality

Meaning
The state of being strong and active; energy.
Example
The vitality of the team helped them succeed in the competition.
C1 noun /ɒnˈsɒmbəl/

ensemble

Meaning
a group of things or people viewed as a whole, especially performers in music or theater
Example
The theater ensemble gave a spectacular performance.
C1 adjective /pəˈrɛniəl/

perennial

Meaning
lasting or existing for a long time, or recurring continually
Example
Climate change is a perennial concern for scientists.
C1 noun /kənˈsiːt/

conceit

Meaning
excessive pride in oneself; vanity
Example
His conceit made him unpopular among his colleagues.
C1 adjective/noun /ˈkɜːrsɪv/

cursive

Meaning
Written with characters joined together in a flowing manner.
Example
The teacher asked students to write the essay in cursive handwriting.
C1 noun/verb /ˈɡlɪmər/

glimmer

Meaning
A faint or wavering light; to shine with a faint light.
Example
A glimmer of hope shone in her eyes.
C1 noun /bɑːrˈbeəriən/

Barbarian

Meaning
a person from an uncivilized group; someone who is cruel or brutal
Example
The ancient Romans considered anyone outside their empire to be barbarians.
C1 adjective /ˈtɒp.məʊst/

Topmost

Meaning
highest in position or rank
Example
The flag was placed on the topmost branch of the tree.
C1 adverb /ˈeɪ.mi.ə.bli/

Amiably

Meaning
in a friendly and pleasant manner
Example
They discussed the issue amiably without any arguments.
C1 noun /prɪˈrɒɡətɪv/

prerogative

Meaning
a special right or privilege exclusive to a particular person or group
Example
It is the manager’s prerogative to make the final decision.
C1 adjective /ˈlæv.ɪʃ/

Lavish

Meaning
expensive; elaborate; extravagant; generous
Example
The wedding was a lavish celebration with hundreds of guests.
C1 noun /klæn/

clan

Meaning
a large family group or a close-knit community with shared interests or ancestry
Example
The entire clan gathered to celebrate the festival.
C1 adjective ɪmˈpɪr.ɪ.kəl

empirical

Meaning
Based on, concerned with, or verifiable by observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic.
Example
Scientific research relies on empirical evidence.
C1 adjective /ˈpɑːm.pəs/

Pompous

Meaning
showing off; pretentious; overly grand
Example
His pompous attitude annoyed everyone at the meeting.
C1 noun /vərˈnækjələr/

vernacular

Meaning
the language or dialect spoken by ordinary people in a particular region
Example
He gave his speech in the local vernacular so everyone could understand.
C1 noun /ˈkɪŋ.fɪʃ.ər/

King-Fisher

Meaning
a small bird with bright blue and orange feathers that catches fish by diving into water
Example
The colorful kingfisher dove into the pond to catch a fish.
C1 adjective /bəˈnɑːl/ or /ˈbeɪnəl/

banal

Meaning
Lacking originality; boringly obvious and commonplace.
Example
His speech was full of banal clichés.
C1 noun /ˈklɛmənsi/

clemency

Meaning
mercy, leniency, or forgiveness shown towards someone
Example
The judge showed clemency and reduced his sentence.
C1 noun, verb /ˈskʌf.əl/

scuffle

Meaning
a short, confused fight or struggle; to engage in such a fight
Example
Two players scuffled on the field after the foul.
C1 adjective /səbˈsɪd.i.ər.i/

Subsidiary

Meaning
less important than the main thing; secondary; of or relating to a subsidiary company
Example
The subsidiary company handles all overseas operations.
C1 adjective /rɪˈsɛptɪv/

receptive

Meaning
Willing to listen to or accept new ideas, suggestions, or experiences.
Example
She was receptive to feedback from her colleagues.
C1 noun /əˈtjuːn.mənt/

attunement

Meaning
Being in harmony or responsive to someone's emotional state.
Example
Attunement to emotions improves relationships.
C1 noun /ˈlaɪm.stoʊn/

Lime stone

Meaning
a hard sedimentary rock, composed mainly of calcium carbonate or dolomite, used as building material and in the making of cement
Example
The ancient building was made of limestone blocks.
C1 noun /əˈdʒɪl.ɪ.ti/

agility

Meaning
Ability to work quickly and easily, both physically and mentally.
Example
Mental agility is essential for problem-solving.
C1 verb /sɪft/

sift

Meaning
to separate or sort through carefully, often using a sieve or by examining closely
Example
She sifted the flour before adding it to the cake mixture.
C1 noun /ˈprɛljuːd/

prelude

Meaning
An action, event, or statement that serves as an introduction to something more important.
Example
The small fight was only a prelude to a bigger conflict.
C1 noun /ˌdev.əˈtiː/

Devotee

Meaning
a person who is very interested in and enthusiastic about someone or something
Example
As a devotee of classical music, she attended every concert in the city.
C1 noun /ˌædʒ.ɪˈteɪ.ʃən/

agitation

Meaning
a state of nervousness, excitement, or unrest; or action of stirring up public concern
Example
There was visible agitation among the crowd.
C1 noun /ˌɪntərˈmiːdiˌɛri/

intermediary

Meaning
A person who acts as a link between people in order to try to bring about an agreement; a mediator.
Example
The diplomat served as an intermediary between the two conflicting nations.
C1 noun/verb /rɪˈpoʊz/

repose

Meaning
a state of rest, sleep, or tranquility; to rest or lie in a peaceful position
Example
After the long journey, she sought repose in the quiet garden.
C1 noun ˈkɑːr.bən ˌsiː.kwəˈstreɪ.ʃən

carbon sequestration

Meaning
The process of capture and long-term storage of atmospheric carbon dioxide to mitigate or defer global warming.
Example
Forests play a key role in carbon sequestration.
C1 noun /krəˈnɒlədʒi/

chronology

Meaning
The arrangement of events or dates in the order of their occurrence.
Example
The chronology of the dynasty was carefully studied by historians.
C1 verb /ɪkˈstɔːrt/

extort

Meaning
to obtain something, especially money, by force, threats, or unfair means
Example
The gang attempted to extort money from local shopkeepers.
C1 noun /ˈædɪdʒ/

adage

Meaning
a short, well-known saying that expresses a general truth or piece of advice
Example
The old adage says that honesty is the best policy.
C1 noun səˌsɛp.təˈbɪl.ə.ti

susceptibility

Meaning
The quality of being likely to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing; vulnerability.
Example
High susceptibility to infections requires extra care.
C1 adjective /ˈtɪp.tɒp/

Tiptop

Meaning
of the highest quality; excellent; in perfect condition
Example
The car is in tiptop condition.
C1 verb /koʊks/

coax

Meaning
to persuade someone gently or gradually to do something
Example
She managed to coax the cat out of the tree with some food.
C1 noun /wæks ɡɔːrd/

Wax Gourd

Meaning
a large white or green gourd with waxy skin, commonly used in Asian cooking
Example
The wax gourd soup is very nutritious and helps with digestion.
C1 noun /ˈfɔːrˌrʌnər/

forerunner

Meaning
A person or thing that comes before another; a predecessor or harbinger.
Example
The Wright brothers were the forerunners of modern aviation.
C1 noun /ˈmɒd.ə.sti/

Modesty

Meaning
the quality of being humble and not boastful about achievements
Example
Despite his success, he showed great modesty.
C1 verb/noun /skɒtʃ/

scotch

Meaning
to put an end to something; also a type of whisky
Example
The report scotched the rumors of a merger.
C1 adjective /ˈfræɡməntɪd/

fragmented

Meaning
Having been broken into fragments; disjointed or incomplete.
Example
The information was fragmented and difficult to understand.
C1 noun /hɔːrd/

horde

Meaning
A large group or crowd, especially one that is disorderly or difficult to control.
Example
A horde of fans gathered outside the stadium.
C1 noun /stɛlθ/

stealth

Meaning
The act of moving, doing, or achieving something quietly and secretly.
Example
The cat moved with stealth towards its prey.
C1 verb /ˈmʌmbəl/

mumble

Meaning
To speak quietly and not clearly so that words are difficult to understand.
Example
He mumbled an apology before leaving.
C1 adjective /ˈpraɪ.məl/

primal

Meaning
Relating to the earliest stage of development; essential or fundamental.
Example
Fear is one of the most primal emotions humans experience.
C1 noun /təˈræntjʊlə/

tarantula

Meaning
A large hairy spider found in warm regions.
Example
The tarantula crawled across the desert floor.
C1 adjective /ˈstrɪndʒənt/

stringent

Meaning
strict, precise, and exacting
Example
The government imposed stringent measures during the crisis.
C1 adjective, noun /ˈkɑːr.dɪ.nəl/

cardinal

Meaning
As an adjective: of prime importance; as a noun: a high-ranking Catholic clergyman or a type of bird.
Example
Honesty is a cardinal virtue in life.
C1 noun /kəˈmændər ɪn tʃiːf/

Commander-in-chief

Meaning
the supreme leader of a nation's armed forces
Example
The president serves as the commander-in-chief of the military.
C1 adjective /ˈvæljənt/

Valiant

Meaning
showing courage or determination; brave and heroic
Example
The valiant soldier fought bravely to protect his country.
C1 noun /fɪlθ/

filth

Meaning
dirty or disgusting matter; moral corruption
Example
The streets were full of filth after the storm.
C1 adjective /ˈɡriːvəs/

grievous

Meaning
Causing great pain, suffering, or sorrow.
Example
The accident was a grievous blow to the community.
C1 adjective /ˌpæn.əˈmer.ɪ.kən/

Pan-American

Meaning
relating to all the countries of North, Central, and South America
Example
The Pan-American Games bring together athletes from across the continent.
C1 noun/verb kənˈdʒɛk.tʃər

conjecture

Meaning
An opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information; to form an opinion or supposition about something.
Example
The scientist's conjecture was later proven true.
C1 adjective /dɪˈraɪsɪv/

derisive

Meaning
Expressing contempt or ridicule.
Example
She gave a derisive laugh at his attempt to sing.
C1 noun /ˌdɛsɪˈmeɪʃən/

decimation

Meaning
The act of destroying or killing a large proportion of something.
Example
The decimation of the city left thousands homeless.
C1 noun ˌɪndɪˈspensəbl̩ ˈkɒmpɪtənsi

indispensable competency

Meaning
Essential skill or ability that cannot be done without; a crucial capability that is absolutely necessary.
Example
Digital literacy is an indispensable competency in the 21st century.
C1 adjective /ˈstætʃətɔːri/

statutory

Meaning
Required, permitted, or enacted by law.
Example
The company must comply with all statutory regulations.
C1 verb /rɪˈkɔɪl/

recoil

Meaning
To suddenly spring back in fear, horror, or from force such as a gun's kickback.
Example
She recoiled at the sight of the snake.
C1 adjective /ɔːˈtʌmnəl/

autumnal

Meaning
relating to or characteristic of autumn; occurring in autumn
Example
The autumnal colors of red and gold filled the forest.
C1 noun ˌʌndərˈprɪvəlɪdʒd ɡruːps

underprivileged groups

Meaning
Groups of people who lack basic necessities or advantages that are available to other members of society.
Example
Underprivileged groups benefit from social initiatives.
C1 verb /ˈfæbrɪkeɪt/

fabricate

Meaning
to invent or concoct something, often with the intent to deceive; or to construct or manufacture
Example
The witness fabricated his testimony to protect himself.
C1 noun /ˈpɔːrsəlɪn/

porcelain

Meaning
A white, hard ceramic material often used for dishes and ornaments.
Example
The museum displayed ancient porcelain vases from China.
C1 adjective /ˌkætəˈɡɒrɪkəl/

categorical

Meaning
Absolute and without exception; expressed clearly and directly.
Example
She gave a categorical denial of the allegations.
C1 adjective /ˌɛpɪˈsɒdɪk/

episodic

Meaning
Happening occasionally or in separate parts; related to episodes.
Example
Her interest in art was episodic, coming and going over the years.
C1 adjective /ˌsɛm.iˈæn.ju.əl/

semiannual

Meaning
Occurring twice a year; every six months.
Example
The company holds a semiannual meeting with all employees.
C1 adjective /ˌfʊl ˈbɒd.id/

full-bodied

Meaning
Having a strong, rich, and robust quality, especially of wine, coffee, or voice.
Example
He prefers a full-bodied red wine with his dinner.
C1 adjective /ˈtɪklɪʃ/

ticklish

Meaning
easily made to laugh by being touched lightly; easily upset or sensitive
Example
She is very ticklish and bursts into laughter when touched on her feet.
C1 verb /ˈslækən/

slacken

Meaning
to make or become less tight, less active, or slower
Example
The driver slackened his speed as he approached the village.
C1 verb, noun /kweɪl/

quail

Meaning
verb: to feel or show fear; noun: a small, short-tailed bird
Example
She quailed at the sight of the approaching storm.
C1 noun /ˈθʌroʊˌbrɛd/

thoroughbred

Meaning
a horse of pure and recognized breed; a person of good breeding or education
Example
The jockey rode a fast thoroughbred in the race.
C1 verb /ˈɒp.tɪ.maɪz/

optimize

Meaning
To make the best or most effective use of a situation, opportunity, or resource.
Example
The company is working to optimize its supply chain.
C1 noun /ˈbærɪstər/

barrister

Meaning
A type of lawyer in certain legal systems who specializes in courtroom advocacy and litigation.
Example
The barrister argued the case passionately before the judge.
C1 adjective /ˌɒmnɪˈprezənt/

omnipresent

Meaning
(of God) present everywhere at the same time.
Example
Social media has become an omnipresent force in modern society.
C1 noun /ˌɪm.pəˈzɪʃ.ən/

Imposition

Meaning
the action or process of imposing something or of being imposed; an unfair burden or demand
Example
The imposition of new taxes without consultation angered the citizens greatly.
C1 noun /bɒɡ/

bog

Meaning
an area of wet, spongy ground; a swamp or marsh
Example
The hikers got stuck in a bog.
C1 verb /mɔːrf/

morph

Meaning
to change smoothly from one form, shape, or character into another
Example
The caterpillar will morph into a butterfly.
C1 adjective /ˈsʌl.ki/

Sulky

Meaning
bad-tempered and sullen; moody
Example
The child became sulky when he couldn't get his favorite toy.
C1 noun /ˌɑːsɪˈleɪʃən/

oscillation

Meaning
The movement back and forth at a regular speed.
Example
The oscillation of the pendulum controls the clock.
C1 noun /ˈnɔː.zi.ə/

Nausea

Meaning
a feeling of sickness with an inclination to vomit
Example
The motion of the boat caused severe nausea.
C1 noun /ˈpædʒənt/

pageant

Meaning
A public entertainment consisting of a procession of people in elaborate costumes, or a beauty contest.
Example
She won first place in the beauty pageant.
C1 adjective /ˈbeɪs.ləs/

Baseless

Meaning
without foundation; groundless; unfounded
Example
The accusations against him were completely baseless.
C1 noun /ˈhɒrəˌskoʊp/

horoscope

Meaning
A forecast of a person's future based on the positions of the stars and planets at their birth.
Example
She read her horoscope every morning to see what the stars predicted.
C1 adjective /rɪˈsɪ.prə.kəl/

Reciprocal

Meaning
given or done in return; mutual; shared equally by both parties;
Example
The two countries have a reciprocal trade agreement.
C1 noun /dɪˈprɛsənt/

depressant

Meaning
A drug that reduces functional or nervous activity in the body.
Example
Alcohol acts as a depressant on the central nervous system.
C1 noun /ˈiː.zi tʃeər/

Easy-chair

Meaning
a comfortable chair with arms and a back that reclines
Example
He relaxed in his favorite easy-chair after work.
C1 noun, verb /məˈnuː.vər/

maneuver

Meaning
a planned or skillful movement or action; to move skillfully or carefully
Example
The pilot maneuvered the plane through the storm.
C1 adjective + noun ˌpaɪəˈnɪərɪŋ ˈmɪʃən

pioneering mission

Meaning
A groundbreaking or innovative undertaking that leads the way in a particular field.
Example
Artemis is a pioneering mission in space exploration.
C1 adjective /ɔːˈdeɪ.ʃəs/

Audacious

Meaning
showing willingness to take bold risks; daring
Example
His audacious plan to climb the mountain without proper equipment shocked everyone.
C1 noun /ˈweɪs(t).koʊt/

waistcoat

Meaning
a sleeveless garment worn over a shirt and under a jacket
Example
He wore a black waistcoat with his suit.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈfæt.ɪk/

Emphatic

Meaning
forceful; strong; showing emphasis; expressed with force and conviction
Example
She gave an emphatic 'no' to the proposal.
C1 noun, verb /wɪf/

whiff

Meaning
A brief, faint smell or puff of air; to get a quick smell of something.
Example
I caught a whiff of perfume as she passed by.
C1 adjective /kəmˈpʌlsɪv/

compulsive

Meaning
Resulting from or acting on an irresistible urge, especially one that is against one's conscious wishes.
Example
He is a compulsive gambler who cannot stop placing bets.
C1 noun /ˈɔr.i.ənt/

Orient

Meaning
the East, especially countries of eastern Asia; to determine one's position or direction
Example
Many spices come from the Orient.