alchemy
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C1 noun /ˈælkəmi/

alchemy

Meaning
A medieval practice combining elements of chemistry and philosophy, aimed at transforming matter, especially turning base metals into gold.
Example
Medieval scientists devoted their lives to alchemy.
C1 noun /ˈsɔːl.tɪd fɪʃ/

Salted fish

Meaning
fish preserved with salt; dried and salted fish for storage
Example
Salted fish is a traditional way to preserve seafood.
C1 noun /foʊ/

foe

Meaning
an enemy or opponent
Example
The knight fought bravely against his foe.
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 adverb ɪnˈtrɪn.zɪ.kli

intrinsically

Meaning
In a way that is naturally or inherently part of something's essential nature.
Example
Some people are intrinsically motivated to learn.
C1 noun /ˌkɒnfləˈɡreɪʃən/

conflagaration

Meaning
This is a common misspelling of 'conflagration', which means a large, destructive fire.
Example
The term 'conflagaration' is often incorrectly used instead of 'conflagration'.
C1 noun /plʊəˈrælɪti/

plurality

Meaning
the state of being multiple; the greater part or majority
Example
In the election, she won by a plurality of votes.
C1 noun /ˈʃeɪvɪŋ/

shaving

Meaning
the act of removing hair with a razor; a thin strip or piece shaved from something
Example
He bought a new cream for shaving.
C1 adverb /ˈfeɪ.təl.i/

Fatally

Meaning
in a way that causes death; with deadly consequences; critically
Example
The accident fatally injured two passengers.
C1 verb /ˈvɪn.dɪ.keɪt/

vindicate

Meaning
To clear someone of blame or suspicion; to show or prove to be right, reasonable, or justified.
Example
The new evidence helped vindicate the wrongly accused man.
C1 verb /trænˈzækt/

transact

Meaning
to conduct or carry out business, a deal, or activity
Example
Customers can transact their banking online.
C1 noun /drɑːft/ (UK), /dræft/ (US)

draught

Meaning
a current of cool air in a room or another confined space; also a portion of liquid, especially beer, served from a barrel or cask
Example
She closed the window to keep out the cold draught.
C1 adverb /ˌðɛərˈɪn/

Therein

Meaning
in that place; in that respect
Example
The box contains many treasures, and therein lies its value.
C1 noun /ɪmˈpɜː.mə.nəns/

impermanence

Meaning
The state or fact of lasting for only a limited period of time.
Example
The philosophy of Buddhism emphasizes the impermanence of life.
C1 noun kəˈmjuːnɪti ˈsɜːrvɪs aɪˈdiːəlz

community service ideals

Meaning
Principles and standards of serving the community for social good.
Example
Community service ideals must be taught in schools.
C1 noun /ˈɡær.ɪ.sən/

garrison

Meaning
A body of troops stationed in a particular location, usually to defend it.
Example
The garrison defended the fortress against the invaders.
C1 adjective /ˈænsɪləri/

ancillary

Meaning
providing necessary support to the main system or organization
Example
The company provides ancillary services to the healthcare industry.
C1 noun /ˈpɛdlər/

peddler

Meaning
a person who sells goods, often traveling from place to place
Example
The peddler walked through the village selling fresh fruits.
C1 noun /ˈpraɪ.mər/ (US), /ˈprɪm.ər/ (UK)

primer

Meaning
A basic introductory book or a substance used to prepare a surface for painting.
Example
He read a primer on programming before starting his course.
C1 noun /ˌpɪɡ.menˈteɪ.ʃən/

pigmentation

Meaning
The natural coloring of animal or plant tissue.
Example
Excessive rubbing can cause pigmentation issues.
C1 noun, verb /ˈɔːtɒpsi/

autopsy

Meaning
a post-mortem examination to discover the cause of death or the extent of disease
Example
The autopsy revealed that the victim had died from poisoning.
C1 adjective /səbˈdʒɛktɪv/

subjective

Meaning
based on personal feelings, tastes, or opinions rather than facts
Example
Beauty is often considered a subjective concept.
C1 verb /vəˈkeɪt/

vacate

Meaning
to leave a place; to make empty by leaving
Example
The tenants must vacate the apartment by the end of the month.
C1 verb /ˈskʌr.i/

scurry

Meaning
To move quickly with short, hurried steps.
Example
The mice scurried across the kitchen floor when the lights turned on.
C1 adjective /ˌtaɪpəˈɡræfɪkəl/

typographical

Meaning
relating to the style, arrangement, or appearance of printed text
Example
There was a typographical error in the book.
C1 verb /ˈsɛvər/

sever

Meaning
to cut off or separate, especially by cutting; to end a connection or relationship
Example
He had to sever ties with the company after the dispute.
C1 adjective /ˌmiː.diˈoʊ.kər/

mediocre

Meaning
Of only average quality; not very good.
Example
The movie was entertaining but overall mediocre.
C1 noun /ˌsæl.jʊˈteɪ.ʃən/

Salutation

Meaning
a greeting; an expression of goodwill
Example
The letter began with a formal salutation.
C1 adjective /ˌɛm.briˈɒn.ɪk/

embryonic

Meaning
in an early or undeveloped stage; relating to an embryo
Example
The project is still in its embryonic stage.
C1 noun /ˌɪn.dɪˈsɪʒ.ən/

Indecision

Meaning
the inability to make decisions quickly; uncertainty about what to do
Example
Her indecision about which job offer to accept caused her to miss both opportunities.
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 /pəˈnɪnsjələr/

peninsular

Meaning
Relating to or resembling a peninsula.
Example
The peninsular region is surrounded by water on three sides.
C1 adjective /ˈseɪlaɪn/

Saline

Meaning
containing salt; salty; relating to salt water
Example
The saline solution is used for medical treatments.
C1 noun /rɪˈdʌn.dəns/

Redundance

Meaning
the state of being not or no longer needed or useful; superfluous repetition of information
Example
The document contained redundance that made it unnecessarily long.
C1 verb /ˈvɪktɪmaɪz/

victimize

Meaning
To make someone a victim, often by treating them unfairly or cruelly.
Example
The corrupt officials victimized the poor villagers.
C1 noun ˌrev.əˈluː.ʃən.ər.i ɪˈnɪʃ.ə.tɪv

revolutionary initiative

Meaning
A groundbreaking action or plan that brings about significant change or transformation.
Example
The revolutionary initiative promotes sustainable energy.
C1 adjective/verb /ˈprɒstreɪt/

prostrate

Meaning
lying stretched out on the ground with one's face downward, often as a sign of submission or exhaustion
Example
He lay prostrate on the ground after the long battle.
C1 adjective /ˈvæljənt/

Valiant

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

misdemeanor

Meaning
A minor wrongdoing or criminal offense that is less serious than a felony.
Example
He was fined for a misdemeanor involving public disturbance.
C1 verb /ˈædʒ.ɪ.teɪt/

agitate

Meaning
to stir up feelings or disturb; to campaign for change
Example
The protesters agitated for better working conditions.
C1 noun /hʌl/

hull

Meaning
The outer covering of a seed or fruit; also the main body of a ship.
Example
The sailors inspected the ship’s hull for any damage.
C1 verb /kliːv/

cleave

Meaning
to split or divide; to cut through forcefully
Example
He used an axe to cleave the wood.
C1 noun /ˌnjʊə.roʊ.plæˈstɪs.ɪ.ti/

neuroplasticity

Meaning
The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life.
Example
Neuroplasticity allows the brain to rewire itself after an injury.
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 noun /ˈmɪs.hæp/

Mishap

Meaning
An unlucky accident or unfortunate event, typically minor
Example
The cooking mishap resulted in a burnt dinner.
C1 verb /ˌrekəˈlekt/

recollect

Meaning
to remember something; to recall from memory
Example
I can't recollect where I put my keys.
C1 verb /ˈɡlɒs.oʊ.vər/

glossover

Meaning
an informal or non-standard variant of 'gloss over', meaning to ignore or minimize something
Example
He tried to glossover his mistakes during the meeting.
C1 noun /pəˈræl.ə.sɪs/

Paralysis

Meaning
the loss of the ability to move part or all of the body; complete inability to act or function
Example
The accident left him with paralysis in his legs.
C1 noun /ˈsɪvɪks/

civics

Meaning
the study of the rights and duties of citizens and how government works
Example
Civics helps students understand their responsibilities as citizens.
C1 noun /dɪˈfɛkʃən/

defection

Meaning
The act of abandoning one’s country, cause, or group in favor of another.
Example
The politician’s defection shocked his supporters.
C1 adjective /ˈkwiːzi/

queasy

Meaning
Feeling sick to one's stomach; nauseated.
Example
She felt queasy after the long boat ride.
C1 noun /kæsˈkeɪd/

Cascade

Meaning
a waterfall; a succession of stages or operations
Example
The mountain cascade created a beautiful natural swimming pool below.
C1 noun /ˈrʌp.tʃər/

Rupture

Meaning
breaking or bursting apart; breakdown of relations
Example
The rupture in the pipeline caused a massive oil spill.
C1 adjective /ˈdiːviəs/

devious

Meaning
Skillful at using underhanded tactics to achieve goals; not straightforward.
Example
He used a devious plan to gain control of the company.
C1 verb /sərˈmaʊnt/

surmount

Meaning
to overcome a difficulty or obstacle
Example
He surmounted all the challenges to achieve his dream.
C1 noun /ˌdʒæm.bəˈriː/

Jamboree

Meaning
a large celebration or party; a gathering with entertainment; a festive event
Example
The scout jamboree brought together thousands of young people from around the world.
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 adjective /ˈkoʊpiəs/

copious

Meaning
abundant in supply or quantity
Example
She took copious notes during the lecture.
C1 adjective /ɪɡˈzuːbərənt/

exuberant

Meaning
full of energy, excitement, and cheerfulness
Example
The children were exuberant after winning the game.
C1 preposition /ˈbɑːrɪŋ/

barring

Meaning
except for; if not for
Example
Barring a miracle, the team will not win the championship.
C1 adjective /dɪsˈkwaɪətɪŋ/

disquieting

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

tactical

Meaning
Relating to or constituting actions carefully planned to gain a specific military or political end.
Example
Tactical thinking is crucial in business negotiations.
C1 adjective /ˈskrʌmpʃəs/

scrumptious

Meaning
extremely tasty or delicious
Example
She baked a scrumptious chocolate cake for the party.
C1 adverb /ˈkɔːrdiəli/

Cordially

Meaning
in a warm and friendly manner; sincerely
Example
You are cordially invited to our wedding ceremony.
C1 noun /kəˈnɛəri/

canary

Meaning
a small, usually yellow bird known for its singing; also used as a warning sign in dangerous conditions
Example
The canary sang beautifully in its cage.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈdʒʊəriəs/

injurious

Meaning
Causing or likely to cause harm or damage.
Example
Smoking is injurious to health.
C1 noun /prɪˈzʌmp.ʃən/

Presumption

Meaning
an idea that is taken to be true without proof
Example
There is a presumption of innocence in the legal system.
C1 noun /ˌæn.ɪˈmɒs.ə.ti/

Animosity

Meaning
strong hostility or dislike; active hatred or ill will
Example
There was clear animosity between the two rival teams.
C1 adjective /ˈliːf.ləs/

Leafless

Meaning
without leaves; bare
Example
The leafless trees looked bare in winter.
C1 verb dɪˈlɪnieɪt

delineate

Meaning
To describe or portray something precisely
Example
The artist delineated the scene in intricate detail.
C1 adjective /ˌæntiˈneɪtl/

antenatal

Meaning
Relating to the medical care and treatment given to a pregnant woman before the birth of her child.
Example
She attended regular antenatal checkups throughout her pregnancy.
C1 adjective /dɪˈvɔɪd/

devoid

Meaning
Completely lacking or without something.
Example
His speech was devoid of any real emotion.
C1 noun/verb /ˈbæntər/

banter

Meaning
playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks
Example
The colleagues enjoyed some light banter during the meeting.
C1 adjective /ˈdaʊ.ər/

dour

Meaning
relentlessly severe, stern, or gloomy in manner or appearance
Example
His dour expression made the meeting uncomfortable.
C1 verb /ˈstriːmlaɪnɪŋ/

streamlining

Meaning
The process of making an organization or system more efficient by simplifying or eliminating unnecessary steps
Example
Streamlining processes can significantly reduce operational costs.
C1 adjective /ˈpæl.ɪd/

Pallid

Meaning
pale, especially because of poor health; lacking substance or vitality
Example
His pallid complexion showed signs of illness.
C1 noun /trænsˈfɜːrər/

transferrer

Meaning
A person who transfers something, such as property, rights, or responsibilities, to another.
Example
The transferrer is responsible for ensuring the property is legally passed on.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnəˈtɛntɪv/

inattentive

Meaning
not paying attention; lacking focus or concentration
Example
The inattentive student missed several important instructions.
C1 noun /ˈrɛtɪsəns/

reticence

Meaning
the quality of being reserved or unwilling to speak freely
Example
His reticence made it difficult to know what he was thinking.
C1 adjective /ˈbɔɪstərəs/

boisterous

Meaning
noisy, energetic, and cheerful; rowdy
Example
The children were boisterous during the birthday party.
C1 noun /ˈsɪmətri/

symmetry

Meaning
the quality of having balanced proportions or identical parts facing each other
Example
The building’s symmetry impressed the visitors.
C1 noun /ˈreɪ.biːz/

rabies

Meaning
A viral disease that causes inflammation of the brain in humans and other mammals, usually transmitted through animal bites.
Example
The dog was vaccinated against rabies.
C1 noun /ˈprɒv.ɜːb/

Proverb

Meaning
a short saying that expresses a general truth or gives advice
Example
The proverb 'Early to bed, early to rise' teaches us about good habits.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈsɪstənt/

insistent

Meaning
demanding something firmly and refusing to accept no
Example
The child was insistent on getting a new toy.
C1 adjective /ˌæn.ɪkˈdoʊ.t̬əl/

anecdotal

Meaning
Based on personal accounts rather than facts or research; characterized by anecdotes.
Example
The book was filled with anecdotal evidence rather than data.
C1 noun /ˈkælkjʊləs/

calculus

Meaning
A branch of mathematics concerned with rates of change and accumulation; also a hard mineral deposit in the body such as on teeth.
Example
Calculus is essential for advanced studies in physics and engineering.
C1 adjective /məˈlɪɡnənt/

malignant

Meaning
dangerous or harmful in influence or effect; medically, tending to invade and destroy tissue
Example
Doctors confirmed that the tumor was malignant.
C1 noun /ˈpɒpjʊləs/

populace

Meaning
the general public; the ordinary people living in a country or area
Example
The new law was welcomed by the local populace.
C1 noun /ˌɪn.dʒəˈnjuː.ɪ.ti/

ingenuity

Meaning
The quality of being clever, original, and inventive.
Example
His ingenuity led to groundbreaking innovations.
C1 noun /ˈtrɪnɪti/

trinity

Meaning
a group of three closely related things; in Christianity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
Example
The museum’s exhibit focused on a trinity of themes: memory, identity, and power.
C1 adjective /ɪɡˈzɪləreɪtɪd/

exhilarated

Meaning
feeling very happy, animated, or elated
Example
She felt exhilarated after finishing the marathon.
C1 verb /ɪnˈfjuːz/

infuse

Meaning
to fill or spread through something; to instill a quality, idea, or feeling
Example
The teacher tried to infuse her students with a love for reading.
C1 adjective ˈɪn.tər.ɪm

interim

Meaning
In or for the intervening period; provisional or temporary.
Example
Interim governments manage transitional phases.
C1 noun ɔːrˈdiːl

ordeal

Meaning
A physical or mental painful experience that must be endured
Example
Surviving the wilderness was a tough ordeal for them.
C1 adjective ɪɡˈzɛmpləri

exemplary

Meaning
Serving as a desirable model; representing the best of its kind.
Example
She was praised for her exemplary work ethic and dedication.
C1 noun /kənˈtɛnʃən/

contention

Meaning
heated disagreement or argument; a point asserted in debate
Example
The main contention between the two parties was over tax reform.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈpɛn.ɪ.trə.bəl/

impenetrable

Meaning
Impossible to pass through or enter; impossible to understand.
Example
The dense forest was nearly impenetrable.
C1 noun /ˈpɒ̃ʃɒ̃/

penchant

Meaning
a strong or habitual liking for something or tendency to do something
Example
She has a penchant for collecting rare books.
C1 verb /ˈwɪð.ər/

wither

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

Bondage

Meaning
the state of being a slave; the state of being under the control of a force or influence
Example
The people fought to escape from the bondage of oppression.
C1 adverb /ˈfɜː.vənt.li/

Fervently

Meaning
with passionate intensity; ardently; with great emotion or enthusiasm
Example
She fervently hoped that her dreams would come true.
C1 noun /ˌklɔːstrəˈfəʊbiə/

claustrophobia

Meaning
an extreme or irrational fear of being in confined spaces
Example
He avoids elevators because of his claustrophobia.
C1 adjective/adverb /ˌɒfˈhænd/

offhand

Meaning
Without previous thought or preparation; casual and sometimes dismissive.
Example
She gave an offhand reply to his serious question.
C1 adjective /ɪˈmjuː.tə.bəl/

immutable

Meaning
Unchangeable, permanent, or fixed
Example
The laws of physics are considered immutable.
C1 adjective /ˌkɒzməˈpɒlɪtən/

cosmopolitan

Meaning
familiar with and at ease in many different countries and cultures
Example
He has a cosmopolitan outlook due to his extensive travels.
C1 verb /ˈbɑːrtər/

barter

Meaning
To exchange goods or services without using money.
Example
They bartered their crops for handmade tools.
C1 noun /ˈɛf.ɪ.kə.si/

efficacy

Meaning
The ability to produce a desired or intended result; effectiveness.
Example
The efficacy of the vaccine has been proven in trials.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈtʌtʃəbəl/

Untouchable

Meaning
not able to be touched or affected; beyond criticism or attack
Example
The CEO seemed untouchable despite the scandal.
C1 verb /ˈkwɪkən/

quicken

Meaning
to make or become faster; to accelerate
Example
His pulse began to quicken as he approached the finish line.
C1 noun rɪˈfaɪnmənt

refinement

Meaning
The process of removing impurities or unwanted elements from a substance.
Example
His manners showed a refinement that made him stand out in any crowd.
C1 noun ˌɔːɡ.menˈteɪ.ʃən

augmentation

Meaning
Increasing quantity, power or performance.
Example
The company invested in the augmentation of its workforce.
C1 verb /ˈɪnstɪˌɡeɪt/

instigate

Meaning
To bring about or initiate an action, often something negative.
Example
He was accused of instigating the riot.
C1 adjective /sɪmˈfɒnɪk/

symphonic

Meaning
relating to or having the character of a symphony or symphony orchestra
Example
The concert featured a symphonic masterpiece.
C1 noun /ʃeɪl/

shale

Meaning
a fine-grained sedimentary rock that can be split into thin layers
Example
The region is rich in shale and natural gas deposits.
C1 noun /ˌsɑːrdʒənt ˈmeɪdʒər/

sergeant-major

Meaning
A senior non-commissioned officer in the army responsible for discipline and administration within a unit.
Example
The sergeant-major inspected the troops before the parade.
C1 adjective /ˈspaɪn.ləs/

Spineless

Meaning
lacking courage or determination; weak-willed
Example
He was too spineless to stand up for his beliefs.
C1 adverb /ˈaʊtwədli/

Outwardly

Meaning
on the surface; externally; in appearance
Example
Outwardly, he seemed calm, but inside he was nervous.
C1 noun /ɪˈnɔːrmɪti/

enormity

Meaning
The extreme scale, seriousness, or extent of something perceived as bad or morally wrong.
Example
The enormity of the crime shocked the entire community.
C1 noun dɪˈdʒɛnəˌreɪtɪv dɪˈzizɪz

degenerative diseases

Meaning
Medical conditions that involve the deterioration or progressive decline of tissues, organs, or functions
Example
Degenerative diseases are common in an aging population.
C1 adjective ˌnɒnˈvɜːr.bəl

nonverbal

Meaning
Communication using body language, facial expressions, or gestures instead of words
Example
Nonverbal cues play a crucial role in effective communication.
C1 verb diːˈsɛn.sɪ.taɪz

desensitize

Meaning
To make someone less sensitive or reactive to something through repeated exposure.
Example
Constant exposure to violence can desensitize people.