abscission
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C2 noun /æbˈsɪʒən/

abscission

Meaning
The natural detachment of parts of a plant, typically leaves or fruit.
Example
The autumn season is marked by the abscission of leaves from trees.
C2 noun /ˈkɪŋʃɪp/

kingship

Meaning
The position, dignity, or authority of a king.
Example
The king’s advisors often reminded him of the responsibilities of kingship.
C2 adjective /ˌɪnkænˈdɛsənt/

incandescent

Meaning
emitting light as a result of being heated; extremely bright or passionate
Example
The incandescent lamp lit up the entire hall.
C2 adjective /ˈbʌmblɪŋ/

bumbling

Meaning
Acting in a clumsy, awkward, or confused way.
Example
The bumbling waiter spilled the drinks on the table.
C2 noun /ˈʃɪbəˌlɛθ/

shibboleth

Meaning
A custom, phrase, or belief distinguishing a particular group of people, often used to identify outsiders.
Example
The phrase became a political shibboleth during the campaign.
C2 verb /dɪsˈbɜːrs/

disburse

Meaning
to pay out money, especially from a fund
Example
The organization will disburse the funds to the affected families.
C2 verb /ɛksˈproʊprieɪt/

expropriate

Meaning
To take property from its owner, especially by authority or for public use.
Example
The government decided to expropriate the land for a new highway.
C2 noun /dɪˈkæmɪtər/

decameter

Meaning
A metric unit of length equal to ten meters.
Example
The field was measured in decameters for accuracy.
C2 adjective /rɪˈfɛrəbəl/

referable

Meaning
able to be related or directed to something
Example
The issue is referable to the new policy changes.
C2 adjective /trænzˈæl.paɪn/

transalpine

Meaning
situated beyond or across the Alps, especially from the viewpoint of Italy
Example
The Romans referred to France as Transalpine Gaul.
C2 noun /ˈɪrˌʃɑːt/

earshot

Meaning
the range or distance within which a sound can be heard
Example
The children whispered secrets out of earshot of their parents.
C2 noun /pʌɡˈnæsɪti/

pugnacity

Meaning
A natural disposition to be combative or aggressive.
Example
The coach admired the player's pugnacity on the field.
C2 noun /ˌɪkθiˈɒlədʒi/

ichthyology

Meaning
The branch of zoology that deals with fish.
Example
He pursued a degree in ichthyology at the university.
C2 noun /ˈbæs.tərd tiːk/

Bastard teak

Meaning
A flowering tree with bright orange-red flowers, also known as flame of the forest
Example
The bastard teak tree blooms with vibrant orange flowers in spring.
C2 noun /ˈpɑːr.kə.tri/

parquetry

Meaning
The art or technique of laying parquet floors.
Example
The craftsman specialized in parquetry for luxury homes.
C2 noun /ˈɛkwɪpɔɪz/

equipoise

Meaning
A state of balance or equilibrium.
Example
Her calmness created an equipoise in the heated debate.
C2 noun /slaɪt/

sleight

Meaning
Skill or dexterity, especially in performing tricks.
Example
The magician amazed the crowd with his sleight of hand.
C2 adjective /rəˈpeɪ.ʃəs/

rapacious

Meaning
having an extreme desire to take things for oneself, greedy
Example
The rapacious landlord raised the rent without reason.
C2 noun /ˈkaʊntɪŋˌhaʊs/

counting-house

Meaning
a business office where accounts are kept and financial transactions are managed
Example
The merchant spent most of his day in the counting-house reviewing ledgers.
C2 adjective /ˈboʊvaɪn/

bovine

Meaning
relating to cattle; showing a dull or sluggish nature
Example
Her bovine expression revealed no emotions.
C2 verb /əˈɡlɒməˌreɪt/

agglomerate

Meaning
To collect or form into a mass or group.
Example
The dust particles began to agglomerate into larger clusters.
C2 noun /ˌɪnsəˈrɛkʃən/

insurrection

Meaning
A violent uprising against an authority or government.
Example
The army was called in to suppress the insurrection.
C2 noun /ˈmɒkəsɪn/

moccasin

Meaning
A soft leather shoe, traditionally worn by Native Americans, often made from deerskin.
Example
He slipped on a pair of comfortable moccasins before going outside.
C2 noun /ˈlaɪtoʊtiːz/

litotes

Meaning
a figure of speech in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of its contrary
Example
Saying 'not bad' as a compliment is an example of litotes.
C2 noun /ɪnˈtɛmpərəns/

intemperance

Meaning
Lack of moderation or self-control, especially with drinking or eating.
Example
His intemperance in drinking ruined his health.
C2 verb /ˈpjuːtrɪfaɪ/

putrefy

Meaning
to decay or rot, producing a foul smell
Example
The meat began to putrefy in the heat.
C2 noun /ˈprɑːflɪɡəsi/

profligacy

Meaning
reckless wastefulness or extravagance
Example
His profligacy with money led him to bankruptcy.
C2 noun /ˈtælɪzmən/

talisman

Meaning
An object believed to have magical powers or bring good luck.
Example
He always carried a small talisman in his pocket for luck.
C2 noun /ˈkɜːrtʃɪf/

kerchief

Meaning
a piece of cloth worn around the head or neck
Example
She wore a red kerchief on her head.
C2 noun /ˈaɪdlər/

idler

Meaning
A person who avoids work or spends time lazily.
Example
He was known as an idler who wasted his days.
C2 adjective /əˈkɪliən/

achillean

Meaning
like or characteristic of Achilles; strong but vulnerable
Example
His achillean pride made him blind to danger.
C2 adjective /dɪˈluːsɪv/

delusive

Meaning
Giving a false or misleading impression; deceptive.
Example
His promises turned out to be delusive and untrustworthy.
C2 adjective səˈluː.bri.əs

salubrious

Meaning
Health-giving; healthy; promoting health and well-being.
Example
The mountain air is salubrious and refreshing.
C2 adjective /ˌdɛfəˈrɛnʃəl/

deferential

Meaning
Showing or expressing respect and high regard.
Example
He was always deferential toward his teachers.
C2 adjective /ˈmʌski/

musky

Meaning
having a strong, sweet, earthy smell like musk
Example
The perfume had a musky fragrance.
C2 noun /ˈmær.oʊ ʌv ˈplæn.tɪn triː/

Marrow of plantain tree

Meaning
the soft inner part of the banana plant stem that is used as a vegetable in cooking
Example
The marrow of plantain tree is commonly used in traditional Bengali cuisine.
C2 noun /ˈdəʊ.lər/

dolor

Meaning
A state of great sorrow or distress.
Example
The nation was in deep dolor after the tragedy.
C2 verb /ɪˈmɛnd/

emend

Meaning
to correct or revise a text, especially for errors
Example
The editor emended the manuscript before publication.
C2 noun /foʊ ˈpɑː/

faux pas

Meaning
a social blunder or mistake in etiquette
Example
He committed a major faux pas by forgetting her birthday.
C2 noun /ˈlætɪs/

lattice

Meaning
A structure of crossed strips arranged in a grid or crisscross pattern.
Example
The garden was decorated with a wooden lattice covered in vines.
C2 adjective /pəˈnjʊəriəs/

penurious

Meaning
extremely poor; poverty-stricken; miserly
Example
The penurious family struggled to buy food.
C2 adjective /ˈtɪmərəs/

timorous

Meaning
showing or suffering from nervousness, fear, or lack of confidence
Example
The timorous student hesitated to ask the teacher a question.
C2 noun /dɪˈkrɛpɪˌtjuːd/

decrepitude

Meaning
the state of being old, weak, and worn out
Example
The once-great empire fell into decrepitude.
C2 noun /ɪˌpɪstəˈmɒlədʒɪst/

epistemologist

Meaning
A scholar or expert who studies the nature, sources, and limits of knowledge.
Example
The epistemologist debated how humans can truly know anything with certainty.
C2 verb /ˈblændɪʃ/

blandish

Meaning
to flatter or coax someone with kind words or praise in order to influence them
Example
He blandished the officials with compliments to gain their support.
C2 verb /nɑːrl/

gnarl

Meaning
To twist into a knotted or distorted form.
Example
The tree roots began to gnarl around the stones.
C2 noun /juːˈkeɪs/

ukase

Meaning
An authoritative decree or order, especially one issued by a sovereign or government.
Example
The czar issued a ukase restricting the freedom of the press.
C2 noun /bɛk/

beck

Meaning
a gesture of beckoning; a small stream or brook (chiefly Northern English)
Example
The servant came at his master's beck and call.
C2 noun /ˈlɪtərdʒi/

liturgy

Meaning
A form or formulary according to which public religious worship is conducted.
Example
The priest followed the liturgy during the Sunday mass.
C2 noun /mɔːrˈtɪʃən/

mortician

Meaning
a person whose job is to prepare dead bodies for burial or cremation and to arrange funerals
Example
The mortician prepared the body for the funeral service.
C2 adjective /prəˈvaɪzəri/

provisory

Meaning
conditional; depending on certain terms being met
Example
The arrangement was only provisory until the final contract was signed.
C2 adjective ˈɛr.jʊ.daɪt

erudite

Meaning
Having or showing great knowledge or learning; scholarly and intellectual.
Example
The professor's erudite lecture fascinated the students.
C2 noun /niːp/

neap

Meaning
A tide just after the first or third quarters of the moon when the difference between high and low tide is least.
Example
During a neap tide, the water level change is minimal.
C2 noun /ˈwɛlkɪn/

welkin

Meaning
The sky, the heavens, or the upper air.
Example
The eagle soared high into the welkin.
C2 noun ˈlɪɡ.nəʊˌsæt

LignoSat

Meaning
A wooden satellite that demonstrates the use of wood in space technology.
Example
LignoSat demonstrates the use of wood in space.
C2 noun /ˈdʒuː.dɪˌkeɪ.tʃər/

judicature

Meaning
the administration of justice or the system of courts
Example
The judicature ensures that laws are fairly applied.
C2 adjective /dɪˈtɜːrmɪnət/

determinate

Meaning
having exact and definite limits or form
Example
The contract is for a determinate period of two years.
C2 noun ˌkɒdʒɪˈteɪʃən

cogitation

Meaning
The action of thinking deeply about something; contemplation
Example
After much cogitation, he made the final decision.
C2 noun /ˈɪntəˌkrɒpɪŋ/

intercropping

Meaning
The agricultural practice of cultivating two or more crops simultaneously in the same field to maximize land use efficiency and improve soil health.
Example
Intercropping can help improve soil fertility and pest control.
C2 noun ˈvɜː.mɪ.kʌl.tʃər

vermiculture

Meaning
The cultivation of earthworms, especially for use in composting organic waste.
Example
Vermiculture enriches soil with natural nutrients.
C2 adjective /əˈluːsɪv/

allusive

Meaning
Making indirect references or hints; suggestive without being explicit.
Example
The novel is full of allusive passages that point to classical literature.
C2 noun/verb /ˈkɜːrtsi/

curtsy

Meaning
a respectful bow made by women by bending the knees with one foot in front of the other
Example
She gave a quick curtsy before leaving the stage.
C2 noun /ˈdʒʌɡləri/

jugglery

Meaning
The performance of tricks and illusions, especially by sleight of hand.
Example
The magician's jugglery amazed the audience.
C2 noun /ˈmʌŋɡrəl/

mongrel

Meaning
A dog of mixed breed; sometimes used to describe something mixed or of inferior quality.
Example
The stray dog was a friendly mongrel.
C2 noun /ˌpæl.ənˈkiːn/

Palanquin

Meaning
a covered chair or bed carried on poles by bearers
Example
The bride was carried to the wedding ceremony in an ornate palanquin.
C2 adjective /ˈneb.jə.ləs/

Nebulous

Meaning
vague or unclear; lacking definite form; hazy
Example
His plans for the future remain nebulous and unclear.
C2 adjective /ˌæktʃuˈɛəriəl/

actuarial

Meaning
Relating to actuaries or their work of analyzing financial risk and uncertainty, especially in insurance and pensions.
Example
The company relied on actuarial reports to set insurance premiums.
C2 noun /ˈpoʊtənˌteɪt/

potentate

Meaning
A monarch or ruler, especially one with absolute power.
Example
The ancient land was ruled by a powerful potentate.
C2 adjective /ˈfʊtˌluːs/

footloose

Meaning
Free to go anywhere or do anything; not tied down by responsibilities.
Example
After graduating, he felt footloose and ready to explore the world.
C2 adjective /ˈsæ.loʊ/

sallow

Meaning
Of an unhealthy yellow or pale brown color, often referring to skin.
Example
His sallow complexion made him look tired and sickly.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈkoʊətɪv/

inchoative

Meaning
relating to the beginning of something; in an initial stage
Example
The poet used inchoative expressions to depict the dawn of creation.
C2 noun /dʒuːt liːf/

Jute leaf

Meaning
the edible leaves of the jute plant, commonly eaten as a leafy green vegetable
Example
Jute leaf is rich in vitamins and minerals and is often cooked with lentils in Bengali cuisine.
C2 verb /ɪmˈbɪtər/

embitter

Meaning
To make someone resentful or angry; to cause bitterness.
Example
The unfair treatment embittered the employees.
C2 noun /ɜːrˈbænɪti/

urbanity

Meaning
refined courtesy, elegance, and sophistication in manner
Example
Her urbanity made her popular among diplomats and leaders.
C2 adjective /ˈbrɪndl̩d/

brindled

Meaning
Having a brownish or tawny color with streaks or spots of another color.
Example
The farmer owned a brindled cow with distinctive stripes.
C2 noun /ˌɪn.strəˈmɛn.təl.ɪst/

instrumentalist

Meaning
A person who plays a musical instrument.
Example
The instrumentalist played a beautiful solo on the violin.
C2 noun /ˈsɪlədʒɪzəm/

syllogism

Meaning
A form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn from two given or assumed premises.
Example
The philosopher explained the concept of syllogism using simple examples.
C2 adjective /ˌpɛnɪˈtɛnʃəl/

penitential

Meaning
Relating to or expressing penitence or penance.
Example
The priest delivered a penitential sermon on forgiveness.
C2 adjective /ˈfɛtɪd/

fetid

Meaning
having a strong, unpleasant smell
Example
The fetid smell from the garbage was unbearable.
C2 noun /ˈæl.kə.laɪ ækt/

Alkali Act

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.
C2 noun /hæɡ/

Hag

Meaning
an ugly old woman, especially a vicious or malicious one; a witch
Example
In the fairy tale, the wicked hag lived alone in a cottage deep in the forest.
C2 noun /rɪˈɡætə/

regatta

Meaning
A sporting event consisting of a series of boat or yacht races.
Example
The annual regatta attracted competitors from around the world.
C2 verb /ˈbækbaɪt/

backbite

Meaning
to speak negatively about someone who is not present; to slander behind someone’s back
Example
It is wrong to backbite your colleagues behind their backs.
C2 adjective /bɪˈsɒtɪd/

besotted

Meaning
strongly infatuated or obsessed with someone or something
Example
He was completely besotted with her charm.
C2 noun, verb /ˈtræməl/

trammel

Meaning
A restriction or impediment to freedom of action; to restrict.
Example
The strict rules trammel the creativity of the students.
C2 noun /baɪˈmɛstər/

bimester

Meaning
A period of two months.
Example
The academic program is divided into six bimesters.
C2 adjective /ˈnɒti/

knotty

Meaning
Complicated, difficult to solve or full of knots.
Example
He faced a knotty legal issue.
C2 noun ˈbaɪəʊˌsaɪd

biocide

Meaning
A chemical substance or microorganism intended to destroy, deter, render harmless, or exert a controlling effect on any harmful organism.
Example
Biocides help control pests and reduce the spread of diseases.
C2 adjective /ˈfɛkləs/

feckless

Meaning
lacking initiative or strength of character; irresponsible
Example
His feckless attitude at work caused several missed deadlines.
C2 noun /ˈhæŋ.kər/

Hanker

Meaning
a feeling of yearning or craving; a strong desire for something
Example
After years abroad, she developed a deep hanker for her homeland's traditional cuisine.
C2 verb /daʊz/

dowse

Meaning
To search for underground water or minerals using a divining rod; also to drench or extinguish with liquid.
Example
The farmer tried to dowse for water in the dry field.
C2 noun /ˌrɛv.əˈkeɪ.ʃən/

revocation

Meaning
The act of officially canceling or withdrawing something.
Example
The court ordered the revocation of his license.
C2 noun /draɪd roʊz ˈpɛtəlz/

Dried Rose Petals

Meaning
dehydrated petals from roses used for culinary and aromatic purposes
Example
The dessert was garnished with dried rose petals.
C2 adjective /ˌsʌb.əˈkwɒt.ɪk/

subaquatic

Meaning
Existing, living, or located under water.
Example
Divers explored the subaquatic cave system filled with rare fish.
C2 adjective /ˈsmɑːrmi/

smarmy

Meaning
Excessively flattering or ingratiating, often insincerely.
Example
The salesman gave a smarmy pitch that felt fake.
C2 verb /əˈpraɪz/

apprise

Meaning
to inform or notify someone
Example
The manager will apprise the staff of the new policies.
C2 noun /ˈfaɪləm/

phylum

Meaning
a primary category in the biological classification of organisms, above class and below kingdom
Example
Humans belong to the phylum Chordata.
C2 verb /ˈdʒɪb.ər/

gibber

Meaning
To speak rapidly and unintelligibly, typically through fear or shock.
Example
The frightened man began to gibber when he saw the ghost.
C2 adjective /ˌɪm.pəˈfɛk.tə.bəl/

imperfectible

Meaning
Incapable of being made perfect or complete.
Example
Some human qualities are considered imperfectible.
C2 noun /ˈɑːm.lət/

Armlet

Meaning
a band worn around the upper arm as an ornament
Example
The traditional dancer wore golden armlets that gleamed in the spotlight.
C2 noun /ˈkɒl.ə.kwi/

colloquy

Meaning
A formal conversation or dialogue, often on serious or academic topics.
Example
The professors engaged in a deep colloquy about the future of education.
C2 noun /ˈɪn.fɪ.del/

Infidel

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.
C2 noun /dʒɔːnt/

jaunt

Meaning
A short journey or excursion, usually taken for pleasure.
Example
They went on a weekend jaunt to the countryside.
C2 noun /ˌspoʊliˈeɪʃən/

spoliation

Meaning
The act of destroying or ruining something, often evidence or property.
Example
The court punished the company for the spoliation of evidence.
C2 adjective /ˈfɪnɪki/

finicky

Meaning
difficult to please; very particular about details
Example
He is so finicky about his food that he only eats organic vegetables.
C2 verb /ɪnˈtɜːrpəˌleɪt/

interpolate

Meaning
To insert something, often words, into a text or conversation; to estimate values between known data points.
Example
The editor interpolated a missing paragraph into the manuscript.
C2 noun /pəˈnʌmbrə/

penumbra

Meaning
a partially shaded area around the shadow of an object, especially during an eclipse
Example
The moon’s penumbra created a dim shadow over the Earth.
C2 noun /prɪˈzɛntmənt/

presentment

Meaning
The act of presenting something formally or officially; a formal statement or document.
Example
The lawyer made a presentment of the evidence to the court.
C2 noun /ˌæpəˈleɪʃən/

appellation

Meaning
a name or title
Example
The city has earned the appellation 'The Big Apple'.
C2 noun mɒnəˈtɑːskɪŋ

monotasking

Meaning
The practice of dedicating oneself to a given task and minimizing potential interruptions until the task is completed or a significant period of time has elapsed.
Example
Monotasking can often lead to higher quality work.
C2 noun /ˈblʌfər/

bluffer

Meaning
a person who pretends to be more confident, skilled, or knowledgeable than they really are; someone who deceives others by bluffing
Example
Everyone eventually realized that he was just a bluffer with no real experience.
C2 adjective /ˈflaɪti/

flighty

Meaning
unstable, impulsive, or easily distracted; lacking seriousness or stability
Example
She’s too flighty to stick with one job for long.
C2 adjective /ˈdɛprɪkətɔːri/

deprecatory

Meaning
expressing disapproval or belittling
Example
He gave a deprecatory remark about their performance.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈsɛnseɪt/

insensate

Meaning
lacking physical sensation or empathy; without feeling or sensitivity
Example
The dictator's insensate cruelty shocked the world.
C2 noun /ˈdɛsɪkənt/

desiccant

Meaning
a substance that absorbs moisture and keeps things dry
Example
Silica gel packets are commonly used as a desiccant in packaging.
C2 verb /ˈwiːdəl/

wheedle

Meaning
to persuade or coax someone by using flattery or smooth talk
Example
She managed to wheedle extra pocket money from her father.
C2 noun /bænˈdænə/

bandanna

Meaning
A large, often brightly colored handkerchief, typically worn on the head or around the neck.
Example
He tied a red bandanna around his neck.
C2 noun /səbˈsɜːviəns/

subservience

Meaning
the condition of being too willing to obey or serve others
Example
His subservience to authority annoyed his colleagues.
C2 noun /əˈblɪkwɪti/

obliquity

Meaning
Deviation from moral or usual conduct; indirectness or lack of straightforwardness.
Example
The politician was criticized for the obliquity of his answers.
C2 noun /ˈjuːʒəri/

usury

Meaning
The practice of lending money at unreasonably high interest rates.
Example
The law strictly prohibits usury.
C2 noun /ˈʌn.dɚˌstɔː.ri/

understory

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.