affiance
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C2 verb /əˈfaɪəns/

affiance

Meaning
to promise or pledge marriage; to formally engage
Example
They decided to affiance after years of friendship.
C2 noun /kəˈnɑːrd/

canard

Meaning
a false or unfounded story or rumor
Example
The article turned out to be nothing more than a canard.
C2 noun /pɪθ/

pith

Meaning
the essential or central part of something
Example
The pith of his argument was that honesty matters most.
C2 noun /dɪˈfoʊliənt/

defoliant

Meaning
a chemical that causes leaves to drop from plants, often used in warfare or agriculture
Example
The army sprayed defoliant to clear the forest cover.
C2 noun /ˌniːoʊˈdɑːrwɪnɪzəm/

neo-darwinism

Meaning
A modern interpretation of Darwin's theory of evolution, integrating genetics and natural selection.
Example
Neo-Darwinism combines Darwin’s theory of natural selection with modern genetics.
C2 noun /ˈmaɪ.nə/

Mynah

Meaning
a tropical bird with dark feathers that can mimic human speech
Example
The mynah bird repeated every word I said.
C2 noun /ɪnˈhɪərəns/

inherence

Meaning
The state of being an essential or permanent part of something.
Example
The inherence of risk is part of every business venture.
C2 noun /ˈdʒaɪənt sneɪk hɛd/

Giant snake head

Meaning
a large predatory freshwater fish with an elongated body and snake-like head
Example
The giant snake head is a fierce predator that can survive out of water for hours.
C2 verb /ɪnˈɡrɑːft/

ingraft

Meaning
To implant or fix deeply, often used in the sense of grafting an idea or quality.
Example
The teacher tried to ingraft good manners in the students.
C2 noun /ˈlɔːndrəs/

laundress

Meaning
A woman whose job is washing clothes and linens.
Example
The laundress delivered the freshly cleaned clothes to the household.
C2 adjective /ˈdoʊlfəl/

Doleful

Meaning
sorrowful; mournful; expressing grief or sadness
Example
She gave him a doleful look when he left.
C2 noun /mɪˈsænθrəpi/

misanthropy

Meaning
a general dislike, distrust, or hatred of humankind
Example
His misanthropy was evident in the way he avoided people.
C2 noun /ˌdʒer.ɪˈmaɪ.æd/

Jeremiad

Meaning
a long mournful complaint or lamentation; a list of woes; a prolonged expression of grief
Example
The newspaper editorial was a jeremiad about the decline of moral values in society.
C2 verb /dɒf/

doff

Meaning
to take off an item of clothing, especially a hat, as a sign of respect
Example
He doffed his hat as the procession passed.
C2 adjective /ˈvɑːlətɪv/

volitive

Meaning
Relating to the will or the exercise of the will.
Example
The treaty was signed under volitive agreement between both nations.
C2 adjective /ˈfrɛtfəl/

fretful

Meaning
Feeling or showing distress or irritation.
Example
The baby was fretful all night and could not sleep.
C2 adjective /ˌɪndɪˈsɜːrnəbl/

indiscernible

Meaning
Impossible or difficult to see, notice, or distinguish.
Example
The difference between the two shades was almost indiscernible.
C2 noun /əˈplɒm/

aplomb

Meaning
Complete and confident self-assurance or poise.
Example
She handled the difficult questions with aplomb.
C2 noun /pərˈsɪpiəns/

percipience

Meaning
The ability to perceive, understand, or notice things quickly.
Example
His percipience in reading people made him a great negotiator.
C2 adjective /hɜːrˈbeɪʃəs/

herbaceous

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.
C2 noun /ˈsɒfɪst/

sophist

Meaning
a person who uses clever but misleading arguments
Example
He was dismissed as a sophist who twisted facts to win debates.
C2 noun /ˈkjuːbeb ˈpepər/

Cubeb Pepper

Meaning
aromatic spice with a slightly bitter taste and cooling aftertaste
Example
Cubeb pepper is used in traditional Indonesian cuisine.
C2 adjective /ˈhaɪd.baʊnd/

hidebound

Meaning
unwilling or unable to change because of tradition or convention
Example
He is too hidebound to accept new ideas.
C2 adjective /dɪˈkɔːrəs/

decourous

Meaning
characterized by propriety, good taste, and proper manners
Example
She maintained a decourous silence during the ceremony.
C2 verb /ˈhɑːrtən/

hearten

Meaning
To give courage, confidence, or hope.
Example
The teacher’s encouragement heartened the students.
C2 noun /lænˈtɑː.nə/

Lantana

Meaning
a tropical flowering plant with clusters of small colorful flowers
Example
The lantana flowers attract butterflies to the garden.
C2 verb /ˈpælpɪˌteɪt/

palpitate

Meaning
to beat rapidly and strongly, often because of fear, excitement, or illness
Example
Her heart began to palpitate with fear.
C2 noun /nuːt/

Newt

Meaning
a small amphibian with a long tail that lives both in water and on land
Example
The newt swam gracefully in the pond.
C2 adjective /ɪɡˈnoʊ.bəl/

Ignoble

Meaning
dishonorable; not noble in character; base or mean
Example
His ignoble actions betrayed his friends' trust.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈdʒɛnjuəs/

ingenuous

Meaning
Innocent, naive, and unsuspecting; showing childlike simplicity and sincerity.
Example
Her ingenuous smile revealed her genuine kindness.
C2 noun /ˈiːɡlət/

eaglet

Meaning
A young eagle.
Example
The eaglet waited in the nest for its mother to return.
C2 noun /ˈkrɪptəɡræm/

cryptogram

Meaning
a text written in code or cipher
Example
The detective solved the cryptogram hidden in the letter.
C2 noun /ˈɡɜːrdər/

girder

Meaning
a large, strong beam used to support buildings or bridges
Example
The steel girders held the weight of the bridge.
C2 noun /ˈvaɪnəri/

vinery

Meaning
A place where vines are cultivated, especially a vineyard or greenhouse for vines.
Example
The old vinery was filled with grapevines.
C2 verb /θrɛʃ/

thresh

Meaning
to separate grain from the plant by beating or by using a machine
Example
Farmers used machines to thresh the wheat after harvest.
C2 noun /daɪˈvɛstɪtʃər/

divestiture

Meaning
the action of selling off or disposing of business interests or assets
Example
The divestiture of the subsidiary was completed last year.
C2 verb /ˈæd.l̩/

addle

Meaning
To confuse or muddle someone’s mind.
Example
The complicated instructions only served to addle him.
C2 noun /ˈflɛkʃən/

flection

Meaning
The act of bending or the state of being bent, especially of a limb or joint.
Example
The doctor tested the patient's knee flection during the examination.
C2 noun /ˈɒb.stɪ.nə.si/

obstinacy

Meaning
Stubborn refusal to change one's opinion or chosen course of action, despite attempts to persuade one to do so.
Example
His obstinacy made negotiations difficult.
C2 noun /ˈdʒɪŋɡoʊˌɪzəm/

jingoism

Meaning
extreme patriotism expressed in aggressive foreign policy
Example
The politician's speech was filled with jingoism.
C2 noun /kənˈkɔːrdəns/

concordance

Meaning
Agreement; also an alphabetical index of the principal words in a book.
Example
There is a strong concordance between the two reports.
C2 noun /ˈæntɪˌtʃeɪmbər/

antechamber

Meaning
a small room serving as an entry to a larger one
Example
The guests waited in the antechamber before being admitted to the hall.
C2 noun /ˈɡlʌtəni/

gluttony

Meaning
Excessive eating or drinking; overindulgence in food or drink.
Example
His gluttony during the festival left him feeling sick.
C2 noun /ˌkæv.əlˈkeɪd/

cavalcade

Meaning
a formal procession of people riding on horses or in vehicles
Example
The king’s arrival was marked by a grand cavalcade.
C2 noun /ˌrækənˈtɜːr/

Raconteur

Meaning
a person who tells anecdotes in a skillful and amusing way
Example
The old man was a gifted raconteur who entertained everyone with his stories.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈflæpəbəl/

unflappable

Meaning
calm and composed, especially in difficult situations
Example
Despite the crisis, he remained unflappable and confident.
C2 verb /ˈmɒlikɒdl/

mollycoddle

Meaning
To treat someone in an overprotective and indulgent way.
Example
Parents should avoid mollycoddling their children too much.
C2 adjective /ˈsɒmnələnt/

somnolent

Meaning
Sleepy or drowsy; causing a desire to sleep.
Example
The somnolent lecture made half the class fall asleep.
C2 adjective /heɪl/

hale

Meaning
strong and healthy, especially of an elderly person
Example
Despite his age, the man remained hale and active.
C2 noun /ˈstrætədʒəm/

stratagem

Meaning
a plan or scheme designed to achieve a particular goal, often by trickery
Example
The general devised a clever stratagem to outwit the enemy.
C2 adjective /ˈsteɪ.dʒi/

stagy

Meaning
Overly theatrical, artificial, or exaggerated in manner or style.
Example
Her performance felt stagy and unnatural.
C2 noun /ɑːmz/

alms

Meaning
Money, food, or goods given to the poor as charity.
Example
The monk distributed alms to the needy villagers.
C2 noun /ˈtʃælɪs/

chalice

Meaning
A large cup or goblet, typically used for drinking wine in religious ceremonies.
Example
The priest lifted the golden chalice during the ceremony.
C2 adjective /ˈprɛʃənt/ or /ˈpriːʃənt/

prescient

Meaning
having or showing knowledge of events before they take place
Example
The prescient investor sold his shares just before the market crashed.
C2 noun ˌkɒmpjʊˈteɪʃənəl kəˌmjuːnɪˈkeɪʃən

computational communication

Meaning
Digital exchange and automated interaction; the use of computational methods and systems to facilitate communication and information sharing.
Example
Computational communication is reshaping how we share information.
C2 verb /ˈmɔːndər/

maunder

Meaning
To speak or move aimlessly and incoherently.
Example
He maundered on about his old memories.
C2 noun /ˈpɒlɪti/

polity

Meaning
an organized society or form of government
Example
The ancient Greek polity had a system of city-states.
C2 verb /ˈɔːreɪt/

orate

Meaning
To speak in a formal, often pompous manner
Example
He began to orate at the ceremony.
C2 noun /brəˈkeɪd/

brocade

Meaning
a rich fabric woven with a raised pattern, often in gold or silver thread
Example
She wore a beautiful brocade dress to the wedding.
C2 adjective /ɪˈræsɪbl/

irascible

Meaning
Easily angered; quick-tempered.
Example
His irascible nature often got him into trouble.
C2 adjective /ˌɪrɪˈprəʊtʃəbl̩/

irreproachable

Meaning
Beyond criticism; faultless.
Example
The judge was known for his irreproachable integrity.
C2 verb /ˈrævɪʃ/

ravish

Meaning
To fill with intense delight; to captivate or enchant.
Example
The beauty of the sunset ravished the travelers.
C2 adjective/noun /ˌhaɪərəˈɡlɪfɪk/

hieroglyphic

Meaning
Relating to or written in hieroglyphs; symbols or writing that is difficult to understand.
Example
The archaeologists studied the hieroglyphic inscriptions carefully.
C2 adjective /ˌɪnkəmˈbʌstəbl/

incombustible

Meaning
Not capable of catching fire or burning.
Example
This material is incombustible and safe for construction.
C2 verb /ɪkˈstɛnjueɪt/

extenuate

Meaning
to make an offense, fault, or situation seem less serious by providing an excuse or explanation
Example
The lawyer tried to extenuate his client's actions by highlighting his difficult childhood.
C2 noun /noʊl koʊl/

Knol khol

Meaning
round bulbous vegetable from cabbage family with pale green color and mild taste
Example
Knol khol can be eaten raw in salads or cooked in curries.
C2 noun /ˌɪnjuːˈɛndəʊ/

innuendo

Meaning
An allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one.
Example
The manager's innuendo was directed towards his competitor.
C2 verb /voʊˈsɪfəˌreɪt/

vociferate

Meaning
to shout, complain, or argue loudly or vehemently
Example
The protesters vociferated against the unfair law.
C2 verb /ˌfɔːrˈrʌn/

forerun

Meaning
To go before; to precede in time, place, or action.
Example
Dark clouds often forerun a storm.
C2 verb /breɪ/

bray

Meaning
To make a loud, harsh sound like a donkey.
Example
The donkey began to bray loudly in the field.
C2 noun /ˌrɛprɪˈhɛnʃən/

reprehension

Meaning
The act of rebuking or criticizing severely.
Example
The teacher’s reprehension of the student’s behavior was justified.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈkɒŋɡruənt/

incongruent

Meaning
Not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects.
Example
His casual outfit looked incongruent at the formal dinner.
C2 adjective /kəmˈpleɪzənt/

complaisant

Meaning
willing to please others or to accept what they do or say without protest
Example
He was too complaisant to refuse their demands.
C2 verb /ˈlaɪ.ə.naɪz/

lionize

Meaning
to treat someone as a celebrity or give a lot of public attention
Example
The press began to lionize the young scientist after his discovery.
C2 adjective /ˌʌn.rɪˈdʒɛn.ər.ət/

unregenerate

Meaning
Not reformed or showing no signs of change; stubbornly refusing to reform or repent.
Example
He remained an unregenerate opponent of progress.
C2 noun /rɪˌnʌnsiˈeɪʃən/

renunciation

Meaning
the formal rejection or giving up of something, usually a belief, claim, or way of life
Example
His renunciation of worldly pleasures impressed the monks.
C2 adjective /tʃəˈruːbɪk/

cherubic

Meaning
Innocent, sweet, and angelic, like a cherub.
Example
The baby had a cherubic smile that melted everyone’s heart.
C2 noun /əˈfeɪ.ʒə/

aphasia

Meaning
a medical condition that causes loss of ability to speak or understand language
Example
After the stroke, she was diagnosed with aphasia.
C2 noun /luːn/

lune

Meaning
A crescent-shaped figure formed by two intersecting arcs; also means 'moon' in French.
Example
The mathematician studied the properties of the lune.
C2 noun /ˈbɪɡ.ə.mɪst/

bigamist

Meaning
A person who commits the crime of marrying someone while already married to another.
Example
The man was arrested for being a bigamist.
C2 noun /ˈvɛstmənt/

vestment

Meaning
a garment, especially a ceremonial or official robe worn during religious services
Example
The priest wore a golden vestment during the ceremony.
C2 verb /bɪˈdræɡəl/

bedraggle

Meaning
to make something wet, dirty, and untidy by dragging it through mud or water
Example
The children came home bedraggled after playing in the rain.
C2 adjective /ɔːˈrɪfərəs/

auriferous

Meaning
Containing or producing gold.
Example
The miners discovered an auriferous vein in the mountains.
C2 noun /ˌdɛkəˈsɪləbəl/

decasyllable

Meaning
A line of verse with ten syllables.
Example
The poet often wrote in decasyllable form.
C2 noun /ˈdɪfɪdəns/

diffidence

Meaning
Lack of self-confidence; shyness or modesty.
Example
Her diffidence made it hard for her to speak in public.
C2 noun /ˈsʌplɪkənt/

supplicant

Meaning
A person who humbly or earnestly asks for something, usually from a person of authority.
Example
The temple was filled with supplicants seeking blessings.
C2 noun /ˈtrʌmpəri/

trumpery

Meaning
worthless nonsense or showy but worthless things
Example
The speech was full of political trumpery.
C2 adjective /ˈnjuː.trɪ.tɪv/

nutritive

Meaning
Relating to nutrition; having nourishing qualities.
Example
The nutritive value of the fruit is very high.
C2 noun /ˌsɒ̃ˈfrwɑː/

sangfroid

Meaning
Composure or coolness under pressure.
Example
She impressed everyone with her sangfroid during the interview.
C2 noun /ˈkæn.toʊ/

canto

Meaning
A main division of a long poem, especially in epic poetry.
Example
The Divine Comedy is divided into several cantos.
C2 noun /ˈfʊl.krəm/

fulcrum

Meaning
The point or support on which a lever pivots; a central or essential point of activity or support.
Example
The teacher became the fulcrum of change in the school.
C2 adjective /dɪsˈkʌmfɪtɪŋ/

discomfiting

Meaning
Causing unease, embarrassment, or discomfort.
Example
His discomfiting questions made everyone shift uncomfortably in their seats.
C2 adjective /ˈfrɒlɪksəm/

Frolicsome

Meaning
joyful; playful; merry; cheerful
Example
The frolicsome children laughed and played in the park.
C2 noun /ˈæpəplɛksi/

apoplexy

Meaning
A sudden loss of consciousness or control due to stroke or extreme anger.
Example
The old man nearly had apoplexy when he heard the shocking news.
C2 noun /spliːn/

spleen

Meaning
an organ in the body that produces lymphocytes and filters blood; also refers to bad temper or spite
Example
He vented his spleen on his coworkers after the meeting.
C2 noun /ˌɪməʊˈbɪləti/

immobility

Meaning
The state of being unable to move.
Example
After the accident, she suffered from immobility in her legs.
C2 noun /flæks/

flax

Meaning
a plant whose fibers are used to make linen and whose seeds are edible
Example
Flax is often used in making linen fabrics.
C2 adjective /æbˈstruːs/

abstruse

Meaning
Difficult to understand; obscure.
Example
The abstruse nature of the philosophical debate left many confused.
C2 adjective /ˌɪnkɔːrˈpɔːriəl/

incorporeal

Meaning
lacking a physical body; not composed of matter; intangible
Example
Ghosts are often described as incorporeal beings.
C2 noun /ˌdaɪəˈlɛktɪk/

dialectic

Meaning
A method of argument or reasoning by dialogue, especially as a means of investigating truth.
Example
The philosopher used dialectic to challenge his students' assumptions.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈkɒnstənt/

inconstant

Meaning
frequently changing; not consistent or dependable
Example
His inconstant moods made it difficult to work with him.
C2 noun /ˈæn.dʒi.əʊ.plæs.ti/

angioplasty

Meaning
A medical procedure to open blocked or narrowed blood vessels that supply blood to the heart.
Example
Angioplasty is now safer with robotic assistance.
C2 noun /djuːˈɛnə/

duenna

Meaning
an older woman acting as a governess or chaperone, especially in Spanish families
Example
The young lady was accompanied by a duenna during the festival.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈvʌlnərəbl/

invulnerable

Meaning
Impossible to harm, damage, or defeat.
Example
The fortress was thought to be invulnerable to attack.
C2 verb /ɪnˈvaɪərən/

environ

Meaning
to surround or enclose; to encircle
Example
Mountains environ the small valley.
C2 verb /əˈɡræn.daɪz/

aggrandize

Meaning
To increase the power, wealth, or importance of a person or entity.
Example
The politician tried to aggrandize himself through exaggerated claims.
C2 adjective /ˈvɜːrdənt/

verdant

Meaning
Green with grass or other rich vegetation; lush and fertile.
Example
The hills looked verdant after the monsoon rains.
C2 noun/verb /dɪsˈfeɪvər/

disfavor

Meaning
disapproval or dislike; to regard with disapproval
Example
The new policy fell into disfavor with the public.
C2 adjective /ˌstætʃuˈɛsk/

statuesque

Meaning
Having the grace, beauty, or dignity of a statue; tall and attractively proportioned.
Example
She had a statuesque figure that turned heads wherever she went.
C2 noun /daɪˈɡrɛʃən/

digression

Meaning
A temporary departure from the main subject in speech or writing.
Example
Her story was full of interesting digressions.
C2 adjective /ˌɪrɪˈfrændʒɪbəl/

irrefrangible

Meaning
Not to be broken, violated, or infringed
Example
The constitution guarantees certain irrefrangible rights to every citizen.
C2 verb /əbˈvɜːrt/

obvert

Meaning
To turn something so as to face in a different direction; in logic, to convert a proposition by negating both subject and predicate.
Example
The teacher asked the students to obvert the statement for practice.
C2 adjective /bɪˈwɪtʃɪŋ/

bewitching

Meaning
charming, enchanting, or captivating in a magical or irresistible way
Example
She wore a bewitching smile that captivated everyone in the room.
C2 noun /ˈsɪniæst/

cineast

Meaning
A film enthusiast or filmmaker; a person deeply interested in cinema.
Example
As a true cineast, she spends most weekends watching classic films.
C2 noun /ˈtrɒɡlədaɪt/

troglodyte

Meaning
A person who lives in a cave or is considered old-fashioned and out of touch.
Example
Some called him a troglodyte for refusing to use modern technology.
C2 verb /ɪnˈsteɪt/

instate

Meaning
To set up in position, office, or authority.
Example
The board decided to instate her as the new director.
C2 adjective /ɪˈlɪmɪtəbl/

illimitable

Meaning
Without limits or bounds.
Example
The universe is often described as illimitable.
C2 noun /ˈkɑr.mɪn/

Carmine

Meaning
a vivid crimson color; a red pigment obtained from cochineal
Example
The artist mixed carmine with white to create a beautiful pink shade.
C2 noun /trʌs/

truss

Meaning
a framework, typically consisting of rafters, posts, and struts, supporting a roof, bridge, or other structure
Example
The engineer designed a strong truss for the new bridge.
C2 adjective /ˌsuː.pər.ɪˈrɑː.ɡə.tɔːr.i/

supererogatory

Meaning
Going beyond what is required or expected; more than necessary.
Example
His donation was supererogatory, far beyond what anyone had asked for.
C2 adjective /pərˈfɜrvɪd/

perfervid

Meaning
intensely passionate or fervent
Example
She gave a perfervid speech in defense of human rights.