abdicate
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C1 verb /ˈæbdɪkeɪt/

abdicate

Meaning
To give up a position of power or responsibility, especially a throne.
Example
The king decided to abdicate the throne.
C1 noun ˌɪrɪˈvɜːrsəbl ˈdæmɪdʒ

irreversible damage

Meaning
Harm or injury that cannot be undone or repaired.
Example
Climate change causes irreversible damage to ecosystems.
C1 noun /ˌprɒpəˈɡeɪʃən/

propagation

Meaning
The action of spreading and promoting an idea, theory, etc.
Example
The propagation of ideas through social media is rapid.
C1 noun ˈdɪl.ɪ.dʒəns

diligence

Meaning
Careful and persistent work or effort.
Example
Success requires patience and diligence.
C1 adjective /dɪsˈrɛpjətəbl̩/

disreputable

Meaning
having a bad reputation; not considered respectable or trustworthy
Example
The journalist avoided staying in the disreputable part of town.
C1 noun /ˌpriːməˈnɪʃən/ or /ˌprɛm-/

premonition

Meaning
a strong feeling that something is about to happen, often something negative
Example
She had a premonition of danger before the trip.
C1 noun /ˈɛpɪθɛt/

epithet

Meaning
A descriptive phrase or word used to characterize someone or something, often as a nickname.
Example
He earned the epithet ‘The Great’ for his remarkable achievements.
C1 noun /ˈɜːr.θən pɒt/

Earthen pot

Meaning
a container made of baked clay or earth, used for cooking or storing
Example
The earthen pot keeps water naturally cool in summer.
C1 adjective /ˈærəbəl/

arable

Meaning
suitable for growing crops or farming
Example
The farmer purchased arable land to expand his crops.
C1 verb /ɪˈlɪsɪt/

elicit

Meaning
To draw out a response, answer, or reaction from someone.
Example
The teacher’s question elicited thoughtful answers from the students.
C1 adverb /ˈpiːs.miːl/

Piecemeal

Meaning
done or made gradually, one piece at a time; fragmentary; unsystematic
Example
The renovation was done piecemeal over several years due to budget constraints.
C1 verb /slaʊtʃ/

slouch

Meaning
To stand, sit, or move in a lazy or awkward way.
Example
He slouched in the chair, looking tired.
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 ˈθɜː.məl stres

thermal stress

Meaning
Stress caused by excessive heat that affects plant growth and development.
Example
High thermal stress affects plant growth.
C1 adjective /ˈwɔːrˌlaɪk/

warlike

Meaning
Having an aggressive or militant nature; inclined to fight or engage in war.
Example
The tribe was known for its warlike traditions.
C1 verb, noun /mʊər/

moor

Meaning
As a verb: to tie a ship so that it stays in place. As a noun: open, uncultivated land.
Example
The sailors moored the ship at the dock.
C1 noun ˈkɔː.pəs

corpus

Meaning
A large collection of linguistic data used for language analysis and research.
Example
Linguists use a corpus to analyze language patterns.
C1 adjective /ˈtæti/

tatty

Meaning
Worn out, shabby, or in poor condition.
Example
The sofa looked old and tatty after years of use.
C1 adjective /ˈɔː.də.bəl/

Audible

Meaning
able to be heard; loud enough to hear
Example
The speaker's voice was barely audible from the back of the large hall.
C1 noun /ˈæltoʊ/

alto

Meaning
the second highest adult singing voice, between soprano and tenor
Example
She sang the alto part in the choir beautifully.
C1 adjective /əbˈstrʌk.tɪv/

Obstructive

Meaning
deliberately creating difficulties or preventing progress; hindering or blocking something
Example
The obstructive policies hindered economic growth.
C1 noun /ˈfɔːr.teɪ/ or /fɔːrt/

forte

Meaning
a strong ability or talent; something one does particularly well
Example
Cooking is definitely her forte.
C1 noun /ˈklaɪəntɛl/

clientele

Meaning
The clients or customers of a professional person or business.
Example
The salon's clientele includes many high-profile individuals.
C1 noun /ˈpluː.mɪdʒ/

plumage

Meaning
the feathers covering a bird's body
Example
The peacock's plumage was vibrant and eye-catching.
C1 adjective /pərˈsɛptɪv/

perceptive

Meaning
Having or showing keen insight, understanding, or awareness.
Example
She is very perceptive and quickly notices when something is wrong.
C1 adjective /dɪsˈkwaɪətɪŋ/

disquieting

Meaning
Causing worry, unease, or anxiety.
Example
The news report was deeply disquieting to the public.
C1 adjective /ˌsuːɪˈsaɪdəl/

Suicidal

Meaning
relating to or having thoughts of killing oneself; extremely dangerous or harmful
Example
The reckless driving was suicidal behavior.
C1 verb /ˈwɪð.ər/

wither

Meaning
to dry up and die, typically used for plants
Example
The flowers will wither without enough water.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈtaɪərɪŋ/

Untiring

Meaning
continuing without stopping; persistent; tireless
Example
Her untiring efforts finally led to success.
C1 adjective /ˈvendʒ.fəl/

Vengeful

Meaning
seeking to harm someone in return for a perceived injury; vindictive
Example
She felt vengeful after her friend betrayed her trust.
C1 noun/verb /dɪsˈkwaɪət/

disquiet

Meaning
A feeling of worry or unease; to make someone feel anxious or uneasy.
Example
The strange silence filled the room with disquiet.
C1 noun /beɪl/

bail

Meaning
the temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial, often with a financial guarantee
Example
He was granted bail after his arrest.
C1 adjective ʌnˈmætʃt

unmatched

Meaning
Not equaled or rivaled by any other; without equal.
Example
The freedom fighters showed unmatched bravery.
C1 noun /ˈɛdɪfɪs/

edifice

Meaning
A large, impressive building or structure.
Example
The museum is an impressive edifice in the city center.
C1 verb /ˈhjuːmənaɪz/

humanize

Meaning
To make something more humane, kind, or relatable.
Example
The teacher tried to humanize the lesson with personal stories.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈkwaɪ.ət/

Unquiet

Meaning
restless; unable to remain still or quiet; anxious or troubled
Example
She spent an unquiet night worrying about the exam results.
C1 adjective /ˈtɪp.tɒp/

Tiptop

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

allusion

Meaning
An indirect reference to something without mentioning it explicitly.
Example
Her story contained an allusion to a famous myth.
C1 verb /ʌpˈruːt/

uproot

Meaning
To pull something out of the ground; to remove or displace completely.
Example
They uprooted the old tree from the garden.
C1 adjective /ˈswɛltərɪŋ/

sweltering

Meaning
uncomfortably hot
Example
The sweltering heat made it hard to work.
C1 noun /ˈpæs.ɪ.fɪst/

pacifist

Meaning
a person who believes in peace and opposes war or violence
Example
She is a committed pacifist who campaigns against armed conflict.
C1 noun /ˈkɑːrdəməm/

Cardamom

Meaning
aromatic seeds from a plant in the ginger family, used as a spice
Example
The recipe calls for a pinch of ground cardamom.
C1 noun /ˈbʊzəm/

bosom

Meaning
the human chest, especially a woman’s breast; also used metaphorically to refer to closeness or intimacy
Example
She kept the secret close to her bosom.
C1 noun /əˈlʌmnəs/

alumnus

Meaning
a former student or graduate of a school, college, or university
Example
He is an alumnus of Harvard University.
C1 adjective /ɪˈmeɪʃieɪtɪd/

emaciated

Meaning
Abnormally thin or weak, usually due to illness or lack of food.
Example
The emaciated dog was rescued from the abandoned house.
C1 verb /fɔrˈstɔl/

forestall

Meaning
to prevent by acting in advance; to anticipate and counter
Example
They forestalled the crisis by taking immediate action.
C1 noun /ˈlɛk.sɪ.kɒn/

lexicon

Meaning
The vocabulary of a person, language, or branch of knowledge; a collection of words and terms.
Example
A translator must have a vast lexicon of both languages.
C1 verb /kənˈtɛkstʃuəlaɪz/

contextualize

Meaning
to place something in a context or interpret it in relation to its surroundings
Example
The teacher contextualized the historical event to make it more relevant for students.
C1 noun /ˈfɪʃ.ər/

fissure

Meaning
a long, narrow opening or crack in a surface or object
Example
The earthquake caused a deep fissure in the road.
C1 verb /sluː/

slew

Meaning
To turn or slide violently in a particular direction.
Example
The car slewed across the icy road.
C1 verb /bʌdʒ/

budge

Meaning
To move slightly; to change one’s opinion or position.
Example
Despite the pressure, he refused to budge from his decision.
C1 adjective /ˈsɔːrdɪd/

sordid

Meaning
involving immoral or dishonorable actions; dirty or unpleasant
Example
The newspaper exposed the politician's sordid past.
C1 verb /dɪsˈkwɑːlɪfaɪ/

disqualify

Meaning
to officially prevent someone from participating or being eligible
Example
The referee decided to disqualify the player for cheating.
C1 verb /ˈməʊbɪlaɪz/

mobilize

Meaning
to organize or prepare people or resources for action
Example
The leader worked hard to mobilize the community for the protest.
C1 adjective /ˈtɔːrtʃuəs/

tortuous

Meaning
Full of twists and turns; excessively complex or complicated.
Example
The tortuous mountain road made driving very difficult.
C1 adjective /ˈnæs.ənt/

nascent

Meaning
Emerging, developing, or in the early stages of formation
Example
The nascent technology is revolutionizing industries.
C1 adjective /ˈræb.ɪd/

rabid

Meaning
Having extreme or fanatical support for something; relating to or suffering from rabies.
Example
He was a rabid fan of the football team.
C1 adjective ˌsɪn.əˈdʒɪs.tɪk

synergistic

Meaning
Relating to the interaction of elements that when combined produce a greater effect than the sum of their individual effects.
Example
A synergistic effect occurs when nutrients work together.
C1 adjective /ˌsækrɪˈfɪʃəl/

sacrificial

Meaning
Relating to or involving sacrifice.
Example
The lamb was used as a sacrificial offering in the ritual.
C1 noun /ˈtræpɪŋz/

trappings

Meaning
the outward signs, features, or objects associated with a role, event, or status
Example
The king appeared with all the trappings of royalty.
C1 adjective /ɪˈmɜːrdʒənt/

emergent

Meaning
just coming into existence or becoming prominent
Example
The emergent startup quickly attracted investors.
C1 adjective /ˈhæpləs/

hapless

Meaning
unfortunate, unlucky, deserving pity
Example
The hapless traveler lost his passport on the very first day.
C1 noun /ˈtrɛʒərər/

treasurer

Meaning
a person responsible for managing the financial affairs of an organization
Example
The treasurer presented the annual financial report.
C1 adjective /ˌæprɪˈhɛnsɪv/

apprehensive

Meaning
feeling anxious or fearful that something bad will happen
Example
He was apprehensive about starting a new job in a foreign country.
C1 noun sɪˈmɛntɪd ɡreɪv

cemented grave

Meaning
A grave that is constructed with cement for permanence.
Example
The cemented grave of the martyrs was seen near the river.
C1 noun /pəˈraɪə/

pariah

Meaning
An outcast; someone who is rejected by society or a social group.
Example
After the scandal, he became a social pariah.
C1 noun /kənˈfɔːrmɪst/

conformist

Meaning
A person who uncritically conforms to established practices or standards.
Example
She was labeled a conformist for always following the crowd.
C1 adjective /ˈmel.əʊ/

Mellow

Meaning
soft and pleasant; relaxed and gentle
Example
The mellow evening light created a peaceful atmosphere.
C1 adjective ˈɛl.ə.kwənt

eloquent

Meaning
Fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing; clearly expressing or indicating something.
Example
Her eloquent speech inspired the entire audience.
C1 noun /ˈrɛnɪˌɡeɪd/

renegade

Meaning
a person who deserts or betrays an organization, country, or principles
Example
He was labeled a renegade after leaving the party and criticizing its policies.
C1 adjective /ɪɡˈzæspəˌreɪtɪd/

exasperated

Meaning
greatly annoyed or irritated
Example
She gave him an exasperated look after his repeated mistakes.
C1 noun kəˈrəʊ.ʒən

corrosion

Meaning
The gradual destruction of materials by chemical or electrochemical reaction, especially of metals by oxidation.
Example
Corrosion in pipes leads to leakage.
C1 noun /ˌɒk.sɪ.dʒɪˈneɪ.ʃən/

oxygenation

Meaning
The process of supplying or treating with oxygen.
Example
Deep breathing exercises improve oxygenation of the body.
C1 verb, noun /ˈflʌstər/

fluster

Meaning
to make someone agitated or confused
Example
The unexpected question flustered him.
C1 adjective ˈkʌm.bə.səm

cumbersome

Meaning
Heavy, unwieldy, difficult to handle or carry.
Example
The cumbersome luggage slowed him down.
C1 noun /ˈkɒnɪfər/

conifer

Meaning
a type of tree that bears cones and evergreen needle-like leaves, such as pine or fir
Example
The forest is dominated by conifers like pine and spruce.
C1 noun /əˈsæsɪn/

Assassin

Meaning
a person who murders an important person for political or religious reasons
Example
The president was protected from potential assassins by security guards.
C1 verb/noun /pərˈvɜːrt/

pervert

Meaning
As a verb: to distort the meaning or purpose of something; as a noun: a person with abnormal or immoral sexual behavior.
Example
He tried to pervert the truth to escape punishment.
C1 adjective /ˈkɑːr.di.æk/

cardiac

Meaning
Relating to the heart.
Example
The patient was admitted with a cardiac condition.
C1 adjective /oʊˈbiːs/

obese

Meaning
Extremely overweight; having an excessive amount of body fat.
Example
The doctor advised the obese patient to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
C1 noun /ˈkɔːkəs/

caucus

Meaning
A meeting of members of a political party to select candidates or decide policy.
Example
The party held a caucus to nominate their candidate for president.
C1 adjective /ˈreɪ.si/

racy

Meaning
Lively, entertaining, or slightly shocking (especially in a sexual way).
Example
The novel was full of racy dialogues.
C1 adjective /ˈdjuːbiəs/

dubious

Meaning
Hesitating or doubting; not to be relied upon.
Example
She gave him a dubious look after hearing his excuse.
C1 noun /rɪˈpen.təns/

Repentance

Meaning
the action of repenting; sincere regret or remorse
Example
His genuine repentance moved everyone in the courtroom.
C1 adjective /ˈɡæstrɪk/

gastric

Meaning
Relating to the stomach.
Example
She was prescribed medicine for her gastric problems.
C1 noun /ˈhaɪdəweɪ/

hideaway

Meaning
A place used as a retreat or a place to hide.
Example
The cabin in the woods was their secret hideaway.
C1 verb /əˈtoʊn/

atone

Meaning
to make amends for a wrong or injury; to make reparation
Example
He tried to atone for his mistakes by helping others.
C1 verb dɪˈsaɪ.fɚ

decipher

Meaning
To convert something written in code into normal language; to succeed in understanding the meaning of something.
Example
It took hours to decipher the ancient script.
C1 adjective /ˈwɪm.zɪ.kəl/

Whimsical

Meaning
playfully quaint or fanciful, especially in an appealing and amusing way
Example
The artist created whimsical sculptures that delighted children.
C1 noun /sɔːd fɪʃ/

Sword fish

Meaning
A large marine fish with an elongated bill resembling a sword
Example
The swordfish can swim at speeds up to 60 mph.
C1 adjective /ˈfruːt.ləs/

Fruitless

Meaning
unsuccessful; futile; pointless;
Example
After hours of searching, their efforts proved fruitless.
C1 noun ˌmɪs.kənˈsɛp.ʃən

misconception

Meaning
A wrong idea or false understanding about something.
Example
There is a common misconception that success happens overnight.
C1 verb /dʌb/

dub

Meaning
to give a name or label to something; to add a soundtrack to a film or recording
Example
The movie was dubbed into several languages for international release.
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 verb /ˈnɛsəl/

nestle

Meaning
to settle or lie comfortably within or against something
Example
The child nestled into her mother's arms.
C1 verb /ˌkɒntrəˈviːn/

contravene

Meaning
to go against or act in opposition to a law, rule, or agreement
Example
He contravened the safety regulations and was fined.
C1 adjective ˈleɪ.tənt

latent

Meaning
Existing but not yet developed or manifested; hidden potential.
Example
His artistic talent remained latent for years.
C1 noun /əˈkuːstɪks/

acoustics

Meaning
the science of sound, or the properties of a space that affect how sound is heard
Example
The hall’s excellent acoustics made the orchestra sound rich and clear.
C1 noun

Kin

C1 noun /ɪnˈfɜː.mə.ti/

Infirmity

Meaning
physical or mental weakness; a disease or ailment; frailty
Example
Despite his advanced age and various infirmities, he remained mentally sharp and alert.
C1 noun /ɑːˌtɪkjʊˈleɪʃən/

articulation

Meaning
The action of putting into words an idea or feeling of a specified type.
Example
His articulation during the debate impressed everyone.
C1 noun /rɪˈmɪʃən/

remission

Meaning
A temporary or permanent decrease or disappearance of disease symptoms; forgiveness of sins or debts.
Example
The patient’s cancer is in remission after the treatment.
C1 verb /piːv/

peeve

Meaning
To annoy or irritate someone.
Example
His constant interruptions really peeve me.
C1 noun /sɪˈnɪləti/

senility

Meaning
The state of being old and showing the weaknesses of age, especially mental decline.
Example
His forgetfulness was attributed to senility.
C1 adjective /ˌwɛl tə ˈduː/

well-to-do

Meaning
Prosperous, wealthy, or financially comfortable.
Example
They belong to a well-to-do family in the city.
C1 noun /ˈwɔːtəʃɛd/

watershed

Meaning
An event or period marking a turning point in a situation; also refers to a ridge dividing two drainage areas.
Example
The independence movement was a watershed in the nation's history.
C1 verb /dʒɒt/

jot

Meaning
to write something quickly and briefly
Example
She jotted down his phone number on a napkin.
C1 noun /ˈdɪŋɡi/

dinghy

Meaning
a small boat, often carried or towed by a larger vessel, used for short trips or as a lifeboat
Example
They rowed the dinghy back to the yacht.
C1 verb /ˌriːˈkɒn.stɪ.tʃuːt/

reconstitute

Meaning
to restore something to its original form or state; to reassemble
Example
The group was reconstituted after the leader returned.
C1 noun/verb /rɪˈpriːv/

reprieve

Meaning
A temporary relief or delay from something unpleasant; to postpone or cancel punishment.
Example
The prisoner was granted a last-minute reprieve from execution.
C1 verb /ˈɒfsɛt/

offset

Meaning
To counterbalance or compensate for something.
Example
The company's losses were offset by gains in other departments.
C1 noun /brɪm/

Brim

Meaning
the projecting edge of a hat; the edge or lip of something
Example
The wide brim of his hat protected him from the scorching sun.
C1 noun /ɪˌluːmɪˈneɪʃən/

illumination

Meaning
the act of lighting something or making something clear
Example
The street was filled with bright illumination from the lamps.
C1 verb /nəˈsɛsɪteɪt/

necessitate

Meaning
To make something necessary or unavoidable.
Example
The heavy rains necessitated the cancellation of the event.
C1 noun /ˈtem.pɚ.əns/

temperance

Meaning
Moderation in action, thought, or feeling; restraint.
Example
Temperance is essential for a balanced life.
C1 noun /ˈpærəbl/

parable

Meaning
A simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson.
Example
Jesus often taught using a parable to convey deeper truths.
C1 noun /draɪ fɪʃ/

Dry fish

Meaning
fish that has been preserved by drying in the sun or by other dehydration methods
Example
Dry fish is a popular preserved food in many coastal regions.
C1 noun /ˈmɑːrtərdəm/

Martyrdom

Meaning
The suffering of death on account of adherence to a cause or principle
Example
His martyrdom inspired countless others to join the freedom movement.
C1 noun /ˌmɒd.jʊˈleɪ.ʃən/

modulation

Meaning
The process of varying or controlling something.
Example
Proper modulation of voice enhances communication skills.
C1 noun /djuːˈɛt/

duet

Meaning
a musical performance by two singers or instrumentalists
Example
They sang a beautiful duet together on stage.
C1 verb /ˈræn.sæk/

ransack

Meaning
to search a place roughly and steal or damage things
Example
Burglars ransacked the house while the family was away.