aspersion
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C2 noun /əˈspɜːr.ʒən/

aspersion

Meaning
An attack on the reputation or integrity of someone.
Example
He cast an aspersion on her character.
C2 noun /jɔːr/

yore

Meaning
Time long past; bygone days.
Example
Legends of yore still inspire people today.
C2 verb /ˈbɪloʊ/

billow

Meaning
To swell or rise in large waves or surges; to flow outward in a rolling motion.
Example
Smoke billowed from the burning building.
C2 noun /ˈlæriət/

lariat

Meaning
A long rope with a noose at one end used to catch animals such as cattle or horses.
Example
The cowboy threw his lariat to catch the stray horse.
C2 noun /prɪˈsɛntɪmənt/

presentiment

Meaning
An intuitive feeling about the future, especially of something bad about to happen.
Example
He had a strong presentiment that the plan would fail.
C2 adjective /ˌoʊvərˈwiːnɪŋ/

overweening

Meaning
excessively arrogant or prideful
Example
His overweening pride cost him many friends.
C2 noun /ˈseɪ.ɡoʊ/

Sago

Meaning
starchy foodstuff obtained from the pith of various tropical palm stems
Example
She prepared sago pudding for dessert.
C2 verb /ˈwɪn.oʊ/

winnow

Meaning
to remove the less desirable parts from a group; originally, to separate grain from chaff by blowing air
Example
The committee will winnow the list of applicants to ten finalists.
C2 adjective /ˈkreɪvən/

craven

Meaning
cowardly; lacking courage
Example
He was too craven to stand up for his beliefs.
C2 noun /ɪˈlɛk.trə.taɪp/

electrotype

Meaning
A duplicate printing plate made by electroplating a mold of the original.
Example
The printer used an electrotype to produce multiple copies of the page.
C2 adjective /əˈskjuː/

askew

Meaning
Not in a straight or level position; crooked or tilted.
Example
The picture on the wall hung slightly askew.
C2 verb /ˈvɪʃieɪt/

vitiate

Meaning
to spoil, weaken, or make something less effective
Example
One careless remark can vitiate the entire argument.
C2 noun /ˌkɔːrnjuˈkoʊpiə/

cornucopia

Meaning
an abundance or overflowing supply of something
Example
The festival offered a cornucopia of fruits and sweets.
C2 noun /ɡruːəl/

Gruel

Meaning
a thin liquid food of oatmeal or another meal boiled in milk or water
Example
The sick patient could only eat gruel.
C2 noun /ˌɛksɪˈkreɪʃən/

execration

Meaning
An act of cursing or denouncing someone or something with hatred.
Example
The dictator’s name was spoken with execration after his fall.
C2 noun, verb /ˈkaʊntərˌtʃɑːrdʒ/

countercharge

Meaning
an opposing charge or accusation; to make an opposing attack
Example
The lawyer filed a countercharge against the accuser.
C2 noun /ˈkreɪniəm/

cranium

Meaning
the skull, especially the part enclosing the brain
Example
The archaeologists carefully examined the ancient cranium.
C2 noun /əˈrɔɪ.oʊ/

arroyo

Meaning
A dry creek or stream bed that temporarily fills with water after heavy rain.
Example
After the storm, the arroyo quickly filled with rushing water.
C2 noun ˈoʊʃən ˌstrætɪfɪˈkeɪʃən

ocean stratification

Meaning
The formation of layers in ocean water due to differences in density.
Example
Ocean stratification affects marine biodiversity.
C2 noun /biˈætɪtjuːd/

beatitude

Meaning
supreme blessedness or happiness, often used in reference to the sayings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount
Example
She felt a state of beatitude after receiving the good news.
C2 noun /fɔːn/

faun

Meaning
a mythological creature that is half human and half goat
Example
The sculpture depicted a playful faun dancing in the forest.
C2 verb /kənˈstrɪndʒ/

constringe

Meaning
to cause to shrink or contract; to constrict
Example
The medicine helped constringe the swollen tissues.
C2 noun /ˌvɛrɪsɪˈmɪlɪtjuːd/

verisimilitude

Meaning
the appearance of being true or real
Example
The movie was praised for its verisimilitude to actual events.
C2 noun /ˈmænˌtræp/

man-trap

Meaning
A trap designed to catch or injure humans; informally, a woman considered dangerously attractive.
Example
The old castle had a man-trap at the entrance.
C2 verb /ˈdɔːd(ə)l/

dawdle

Meaning
to waste time by being slow or idle
Example
Stop dawdling and finish your homework.
C2 noun /ˈkɔːrmərənt/

cormorant

Meaning
a large black sea bird that catches fish by diving
Example
The cormorant perched on the rock, drying its wings after a dive.
C2 noun /sfɪˈrɒmɪtər/

spherometer

Meaning
An instrument used for measuring the curvature of spherical surfaces.
Example
The scientist used a spherometer to measure the lens curvature.
C2 adjective /ˈpɛneɪt/

pennate

Meaning
Having parts or structures arranged like a feather; feather-shaped.
Example
The fern has a pennate leaf structure.
C2 noun /ˌær.əˈbesk/

arabesque

Meaning
a complex, ornate design featuring intertwined flowing lines, often used in architecture or ballet poses
Example
The ceiling was decorated with delicate arabesque patterns.
C2 adjective /pɪˈskætɔːrɪəl/

piscatorial

Meaning
relating to fishing or fishermen
Example
He has a deep knowledge of piscatorial techniques and fish species.
C2 adjective, noun /ˈænθrəpɔɪd/

anthropoid

Meaning
Resembling a human being in form; a primate such as apes and monkeys.
Example
The gorilla is considered an anthropoid ape.
C2 adjective /ˌɪntəˈrɒɡətəri/

interrogatory

Meaning
expressed in the form of a question; relating to questioning
Example
The lawyer’s interrogatory tone made the witness uncomfortable.
C2 noun /ˈɑːrbɪtər/

arbiter

Meaning
a person who has the authority to settle a dispute or decide an issue
Example
The principal acted as the arbiter in the conflict between the students.
C2 adjective /ˈpaɪbɔːld/

piebald

Meaning
having irregular patches of two colors, especially black and white
Example
The farmer owns a piebald horse with black and white spots.
C2 noun /ˈvaɪəl/

viol

Meaning
A stringed musical instrument of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, played with a bow and similar to but distinct from the violin family.
Example
The musician played an old viol in the chamber music concert.
C2 noun /ˈbɪɡ.ə.mi/

bigamy

Meaning
The act of marrying one person while still legally married to another.
Example
He was charged with bigamy after his second marriage was discovered.
C2 adjective /ˈpɔːntʃi/

paunchy

Meaning
Having a large or protruding belly.
Example
The paunchy man struggled to button his shirt.
C2 noun /ˈɡeɪm.stər/

gamester

Meaning
A person who plays games, especially one who plays them skillfully or professionally.
Example
The old tavern was filled with gamesters competing in cards and dice.
C2 noun /ˈkɒɡ.nɪ.zəns/

cognizance

Meaning
Awareness, knowledge, or understanding of something; conscious perception.
Example
The judge took cognizance of the new evidence.
C2 adjective /ˈsmɑːrmi/

smarmy

Meaning
Excessively flattering or ingratiating, often insincerely.
Example
The salesman gave a smarmy pitch that felt fake.
C2 noun /juːˌtrɑː.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/

eutrophication

Meaning
Excessive richness of nutrients in a lake or other body of water, frequently due to runoff from the land, which causes a dense growth of plant life and death of animal life from lack of oxygen.
Example
Excess fertilizers lead to eutrophication in lakes.
C2 noun /ˈɪkθiəˌsɔːrz/

ichthyosaurs

Meaning
Extinct marine reptiles that resembled fish and dolphins, dominant during the Mesozoic era.
Example
Ichthyosaurs were swift predators of the ancient seas.
C2 noun /brəˈvjʊrə/

bravura

Meaning
a display of great skill and brilliance, especially in music or performance
Example
The pianist delivered a bravura performance that left the audience spellbound.
C2 noun /ˈɔːrdnəns/

ordnance

Meaning
Military supplies including weapons, ammunition, and combat equipment.
Example
The army stored ordnance in a secure facility outside the city.
C2 verb /ˈhɑːbəl/

hobble

Meaning
to walk awkwardly with difficulty, usually due to injury
Example
He hobbled across the room after twisting his ankle.
C2 adjective /ˌɪnfɪnɪˈtɛsɪməl/

infinitesimal

Meaning
Extremely small in size or amount; so tiny as to be almost negligible.
Example
The error was so infinitesimal that it didn’t affect the results.
C2 adjective /ɡɑːrˈɡæntʃuən/

gargantuan

Meaning
Extremely large; enormous.
Example
They served a gargantuan meal at the feast.
C2 noun ˌsɜːkəmˈspekʃən

circumspection

Meaning
The quality of being wary and unwilling to take risks; prudence.
Example
His circumspection ensured no mistakes were made.
C2 adjective /ləˈsɪviəs/

lascivious

Meaning
showing an overt and often offensive sexual desire
Example
The lascivious remarks made everyone uncomfortable.
C2 adjective /ˈrɛɡnənt/

regnant

Meaning
Reigning; currently holding power, authority, or dominance.
Example
The regnant queen introduced several reforms during her reign.
C2 verb /ˈhæri/

harry

Meaning
to constantly attack, harass, or annoy
Example
The army harried the enemy with sudden raids.
C2 adjective /ɒmˈnɪp.ə.tənt/

omnipotent

Meaning
Having unlimited power; able to do anything; all-powerful.
Example
In many religions, God is considered omnipotent.
C2 adjective /ˌsʌpəzɪˈtɪʃəs/

supposititious

Meaning
Based on assumption rather than fact; not genuine or authentic.
Example
The story turned out to be supposititious, with no evidence to support it.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈfeɪnd/

unfeigned

Meaning
genuine; not pretended or insincere
Example
She expressed unfeigned joy at her friend's success.
C2 adjective /ˈhaɪndmoʊst/

hindmost

Meaning
Farthest back; last in position.
Example
The hindmost car in the convoy broke down first.
C2 noun /ˈjuːfəni/

euphony

Meaning
The quality of being pleasing to the ear, especially through harmonious combination of words.
Example
The orator's speech was full of euphony and rhythm.
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 noun /aɪˈdɒlətri/

idolatry

Meaning
The worship of idols or extreme admiration for someone or something.
Example
The priest condemned the idolatry practiced in the village.
C2 verb /ˌɛvəˈnɛs/

evanesce

Meaning
To disappear gradually; to fade away.
Example
The mist began to evanesce as the sun rose higher.
C2 noun /ˈdɛftnəs/

deftness

Meaning
Skillfulness and quickness in action or thought.
Example
Her deftness with words impressed the audience.
C2 noun /ˈæpəˌsteɪt/

apostate

Meaning
A person who renounces a religious or political belief or principle.
Example
He was labeled an apostate after abandoning the faith of his community.
C2 noun /ˈkæm.fər/

Camphor

Meaning
a white crystalline substance with a strong aromatic smell, used in medicine and religious ceremonies
Example
The temple was filled with the fragrant smoke of burning camphor.
C2 noun /traɪˈʌmvɪrət/

triumvirate

Meaning
A political regime ruled or dominated by three powerful individuals.
Example
The Roman Republic was once governed by a triumvirate.
C2 noun /ˈɪnroʊd/

inroad

Meaning
An advance or significant progress, often at the expense of something else.
Example
The company made significant inroads into the mobile market.
C2 noun /ɪˌkwɪvəˈkeɪʃən/

equivocation

Meaning
The use of ambiguous language to conceal the truth or to avoid committing oneself.
Example
The politician’s equivocation frustrated voters who wanted a clear answer.
C2 noun /ˈfrækɑː/

fracas

Meaning
A noisy disturbance or quarrel.
Example
The fracas outside the bar drew the attention of the police.
C2 verb /əˈbæʃ/

abash

Meaning
to make someone feel embarrassed or ashamed
Example
Her sudden question seemed to abash him.
C2 verb /ɪnˈtriːt/

entreat

Meaning
To ask earnestly or beg someone to do something.
Example
She entreated him to stay a little longer.
C2 adjective /ˈmæk.jʊˌleɪ.tɪd/

maculated

Meaning
Spotted or stained; marked with blemishes.
Example
The maculated surface of the old mirror gave it a unique charm.
C2 noun /vɪˈsɪsɪtjuːd/

vicissitude

Meaning
A natural change or succession of one thing to another; the ups and downs of life.
Example
The vicissitude of life often teaches resilience.
C2 verb /ˈpɛtɪˌfɒɡ/

pettifog

Meaning
to argue or quibble over trivial matters; to engage in petty, dishonest practices
Example
The lawyer was accused of trying to pettifog instead of addressing the real issue.
C2 noun /ˈneɪvəri/

knavery

Meaning
dishonest or deceitful behavior; trickery
Example
The politician’s knavery was exposed by the media.
C2 noun /voʊˈsɪfərəns/

vociferance

Meaning
the act of shouting or making a loud outcry
Example
The vociferance of the protesters filled the streets.
C2 adjective /ˈfɪt.fəl/

fitful

Meaning
occurring in irregular bursts; not continuous or steady
Example
He had a fitful sleep due to the storm.
C2 noun /moʊt/

mote

Meaning
A tiny particle or speck, especially of dust.
Example
A mote of dust floated in the sunlight.
C2 noun, adjective /nɒn ˈkɒmbətənt/

non-combatant

Meaning
a person not engaged in fighting during a war, such as civilians or medical staff
Example
The Red Cross workers were treated as non-combatants in the conflict.
C2 noun dʒʊˈdɪʃəsnɪs

judiciousness

Meaning
Having, showing, or done with good judgment or sense.
Example
Her judiciousness in making decisions was appreciated.
C2 verb əˈtɛn.ju.eɪt

attenuate

Meaning
To reduce the force, effect, or value of something; to make weak or thin.
Example
The medicine helps attenuate the pain.
C2 adjective /ˈfrəʊərd/

froward

Meaning
Difficult to deal with; contrary and disobedient.
Example
The teacher found the froward child hard to manage.
C2 noun /ˈmɔɪəti/

moiety

Meaning
One of two equal parts; a half or portion.
Example
The estate was divided into two moieties between the heirs.
C2 adjective /ˈæʒər/

azure

Meaning
A bright blue color like that of a clear sky.
Example
The clear sky was painted in a deep shade of azure.
C2 noun /ˈmɒnəˌsɪləbəl/

monosyllable

Meaning
A word consisting of only one syllable.
Example
Words like 'yes' and 'no' are monosyllables.
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 noun /kəˈdʒoʊləri/

cajolery

Meaning
Flattering or coaxing talk intended to persuade someone.
Example
Through cajolery, he convinced his boss to grant him a raise.
C2 noun /dɪˌlæpɪˈdeɪʃən/

dilapidation

Meaning
The state of disrepair or ruin as a result of neglect.
Example
The old temple was in a state of dilapidation.
C2 noun /ˈmætrɪˌsaɪd/

matricide

Meaning
The act of killing one's own mother.
Example
The crime of matricide shocked the entire town.
C2 noun /krɪpˈtɒɡ.rə.fi/

cryptography

Meaning
The practice of securing information through encryption or coding techniques
Example
Modern cryptography ensures secure online transactions.
C2 adjective /ˈhed.i/

Heady

Meaning
having a strong or exhilarating effect; intoxicating; exciting
Example
The heady perfume of jasmine filled the garden.
C2 noun /ˈpɑːrləns/

parlance

Meaning
a particular way of speaking or using words, common to a group
Example
In legal parlance, the term has a different meaning.
C2 adjective /ɪˈnɪmɪkəl/

inimical

Meaning
tending to obstruct or harm; unfriendly or hostile
Example
The policy was inimical to the country's economic growth.
C2 noun /ˈkoʊ.tə.ri/

coterie

Meaning
a small, exclusive group of people with shared interests
Example
He belonged to a coterie of artists who met every Friday.
C2 verb /ˈdiːfælˌkeɪt/

defalcate

Meaning
to misuse or embezzle money that one is responsible for
Example
The accountant was accused of defalcating company funds.
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 noun /ˌfɔːrɔːrdɪˈneɪʃən/

foreordination

Meaning
the act of determining something in advance; predestination
Example
The doctrine of foreordination suggests that events are fixed by divine will.
C2 verb /dɪˈfreɪ/

defray

Meaning
to provide money to pay the costs of something
Example
The grant will help defray the cost of education.
C2 adjective /ˈsæpɪd/

sapid

Meaning
Having a pleasant taste; flavorful.
Example
The chef prepared a sapid dish that delighted everyone at the table.
C2 noun /ˈreɪmənt/

raiment

Meaning
clothing, especially fine or formal wear
Example
The king wore royal raiment during the ceremony.
C2 verb /ˌɪmpɔːrˈtuːnd/

importuned

Meaning
asked someone persistently and pressingly for something
Example
She importuned her boss for a raise until he finally gave in.
C2 adverb /ˈvɛrɪli/

verily

Meaning
truly; certainly; without a doubt
Example
Verily, I say unto you, this is the truth.
C2 noun /ˈpɛdənt/

pedant

Meaning
A person who is excessively concerned with minor details or rules, often in a showy way.
Example
The professor was criticized as a pedant who focused too much on trivial details.
C2 verb /əˈreɪn/

arraign

Meaning
to formally accuse someone in a court of law and ask them to respond to the charges
Example
The suspect was arraigned before the judge this morning.
C2 verb /bɪˈtəʊkən/

betoken

Meaning
to be a sign or indication of something
Example
Dark clouds betoken an approaching storm.
C2 noun /ˈtɪŋktʃər/

tincture

Meaning
a slight trace of something; a medicine made by dissolving a drug in alcohol
Example
There was a tincture of sadness in her smile.
C2 adjective /tɒnˈsɔːriəl/

tonsorial

Meaning
relating to barbers or hairdressing
Example
The town's new barber offered a wide range of tonsorial services.
C2 noun /ˈsaʊər wʊd ˈæp.əl/

Sour wood apple

Meaning
a tropical fruit with hard shell and tangy flesh; elephant apple
Example
The sour wood apple has a unique taste that many people enjoy.
C2 noun /ˌfɑːsfəˈrɛsəns/

phosphorescence

Meaning
the property of emitting light without noticeable heat
Example
The deep-sea creatures displayed a beautiful phosphorescence.
C2 adjective /ɪˈmɒdɪst/

immodest

Meaning
lacking humility or decency; excessively proud or improper
Example
His immodest remarks offended the audience.
C2 noun dʒɛsˌtɪk.jʊˈleɪ.ʃənz

gesticulations

Meaning
Expressive hand or body movements while speaking to convey thoughts or emotions
Example
His energetic gesticulations made the speech more engaging.
C2 adjective /ˈsiːmi/

seamy

Meaning
Morally degraded, unpleasant, or sordid.
Example
The novel reveals the seamy side of city life.
C2 noun /ˈdʒʌŋkɪt/

junket

Meaning
A trip or celebration, often funded by someone else, usually for pleasure or promotional purposes.
Example
The company organized a junket for journalists to promote their new resort.
C2 verb /ˈræm.ɪ.faɪ/

ramify

Meaning
to spread or branch out into divisions or subdivisions.
Example
The river ramifies into several smaller streams.
C2 adjective əˈdrɔɪt

adroit

Meaning
clever or skillful in using the hands or mind.
Example
She is adroit at solving complex problems.
C2 noun /əˌbɑː.məˈneɪ.ʃən/

abomination

Meaning
a thing that causes disgust or hatred
Example
Slavery was considered an abomination.
C2 noun /laɪər/

lyre

Meaning
a stringed musical instrument of ancient Greece
Example
The musician played a melody on the lyre.
C2 noun /ˈstænʃən/

stanchion

Meaning
a strong upright bar or post used as support or to control movement
Example
The red rope was attached to the stanchions to guide the crowd.
C2 noun /ˈbʌskɪn/

buskin

Meaning
A type of thick-soled boot that reaches halfway to the knee; also associated with tragic drama in ancient times.
Example
The actor wore a buskin as part of his classical costume.
C2 adjective /əˈkɪliən/

achillean

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

jocund

Meaning
cheerful and lighthearted
Example
They walked together in a jocund mood after the celebration.
C2 verb /koʊˈæɡjəˌleɪt/

coagulate

Meaning
to cause a liquid, especially blood, to change into a solid or semi-solid state
Example
The blood quickly coagulated after the cut.
C2 noun /ˌlɛdʒərdəˈmeɪn/

legerdemain

Meaning
skillful use of one's hands when performing tricks; deception or trickery
Example
The magician's legerdemain left the audience amazed.
C2 noun /ˌmæskəˈreɪd/

masquerade

Meaning
a party or gathering where people wear masks and costumes; a false outward show
Example
The charity event was held as a grand masquerade.