attenuate
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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 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 adjective /ˈdɛsəlˌtɔːri/

desultory

Meaning
lacking a clear plan, purpose, or enthusiasm
Example
His desultory conversation bored the audience.
C2 noun /frɒnd/

frond

Meaning
A large, divided leaf of a fern, palm, or similar plant.
Example
The fern's frond stretched gracefully over the garden path.
C2 noun /staɪn/

stein

Meaning
A large beer mug, typically made of glass or stoneware.
Example
He raised his stein to toast his friends.
C2 adjective /ˌɛfəˈvɛsənt/

effervescent

Meaning
Giving off bubbles; lively, enthusiastic, and full of energy.
Example
She had an effervescent personality that brightened every room.
C2 noun /ˈɛskwaɪər/

esquire

Meaning
A title of respect often used after a man's name, especially for lawyers in the United States.
Example
John Smith, Esquire, will be representing the client in court.
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 /ˈhaɪərlɪŋ/

hireling

Meaning
A person who works for payment only, often with little loyalty or principle.
Example
The mercenary was dismissed as just a hireling with no real loyalty.
C2 adjective /əˈθɜːrst/

athirst

Meaning
Very eager or desirous for something.
Example
The explorer was athirst for adventure.
C2 noun /ˈækəlaɪt/

acolyte

Meaning
a follower or assistant, especially in a religious service or as a devoted supporter of a leader
Example
The senator arrived with a small group of acolytes who handled the press.
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 /kɪˈrɒpədɪst/

chiropodist

Meaning
A healthcare professional who diagnoses and treats foot problems.
Example
The chiropodist treated her painful corns and calluses.
C2 adjective /ˈvɪndɪkətɔːri/

vindicatory

Meaning
Serving to justify, clear of blame, or defend.
Example
His vindicatory remarks restored his reputation.
C2 noun /ˌɪnkænˈdɛsəns/

incandescence

Meaning
the emission of light from a hot object; brilliance
Example
The incandescence of the candle filled the dark room.
C2 noun /ˈkætɪˌkɪzəm/

catechism

Meaning
A summary of religious principles often in the form of questions and answers; also a set of fixed questions or beliefs.
Example
The priest taught the children the catechism every Sunday.
C2 noun, adjective /ˈɡɒsəmər/

gossamer

Meaning
Something light, thin, and delicate, like a fine fabric or cobweb.
Example
The bride's veil was made of delicate gossamer fabric.
C2 adjective /ˌhɜːrkjʊˈliːən/

herculean

Meaning
Requiring great strength or effort; very difficult to perform.
Example
It was a herculean task to rebuild the city after the disaster.
C2 noun /ˈmɪsəl/

missal

Meaning
a book containing the texts used in the Catholic Mass throughout the year
Example
The priest read from the missal during the ceremony.
C2 verb /kɔːk/

caulk

Meaning
to seal a crack or gap with a waterproof filler
Example
He caulked the window frames to stop the draft.
C2 verb /sleɪk/

slake

Meaning
To satisfy thirst or desire.
Example
She drank cold water to slake her thirst.
C2 adjective /ˈsloʊθfəl/

slothful

Meaning
Lazy, idle, and unwilling to work.
Example
She was too slothful to get out of bed early.
C2 noun /ˈprɛlət/

prelate

Meaning
A high-ranking member of the clergy, especially a bishop or abbot.
Example
The prelate delivered a sermon to the congregation.
C2 noun /ˈbɑːr.kəˌroʊl/

barcarole

Meaning
a traditional Venetian boat song, often in 6/8 time
Example
The orchestra played a beautiful barcarole that reminded me of Venice.
C2 verb /kənˈvoʊk/

convoke

Meaning
to call together or summon a meeting or assembly
Example
The committee convoked an emergency session to discuss the crisis.
C2 noun /ˈmoʊlə ˈkɑrplɪt/

Mola carplet

Meaning
a small freshwater fish of the carp family, commonly found in South Asian rivers and ponds
Example
The mola carplet is a popular small fish used in Bengali cuisine.
C2 noun /ˌdiːnəʊˈteɪʃən/

denotation

Meaning
The literal or primary meaning of a word, in contrast to the feelings or ideas that the word suggests.
Example
The denotation of the word 'rose' is a type of flower.
C2 adjective /ˈtɜːrdʒɪd/

turgid

Meaning
Swollen or distended; (of language) pompous and overcomplicated.
Example
The professor’s lecture was so turgid that many students lost interest.
C2 noun /ˈkɒŋ.ɡru.əns/

congruence

Meaning
Harmony, compatibility and agreement between different elements.
Example
The congruence between their ideas made collaboration easy.
C2 verb /dɪsˈroʊb/

disrobe

Meaning
to remove one's clothes
Example
The monk disrobed before entering the river.
C2 noun /dʒæm/

jamb

Meaning
The side post or surface of a doorway, window, or fireplace.
Example
The carpenter carefully measured the width of the door jamb.
C2 verb /ˈdʒɛriˌmændər/

gerrymander

Meaning
to manipulate the boundaries of an electoral constituency to favor one party or class
Example
The ruling party was accused of trying to gerrymander the districts to secure more seats.
C2 adjective /sɪˈnæp.tɪk/

synaptic

Meaning
Related to the signal transmission process between nerve cells.
Example
Learning strengthens synaptic connections in the brain.
C2 noun /ɪˈfʌldʒəns/

effulgence

Meaning
Brilliant radiance or shining brightness.
Example
The effulgence of the sunrise lit up the entire valley.
C2 phrase ˌdʒʊə.rɪs.pruːˈden.ʃəl ˈbentʃ.mɑːk

jurisprudential benchmark

Meaning
A legal standard or precedent that serves as a reference point for future legal decisions.
Example
The decision set a jurisprudential benchmark.
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 /ˌæfɛkˈteɪʃən/

affectation

Meaning
an unnatural behavior or speech intended to impress others
Example
Her British accent was just an affectation to sound sophisticated.
C2 verb /ˌoʊvərˈstraɪd/

overstride

Meaning
To stride over something; to step across with long steps.
Example
He managed to overstride the narrow stream with ease.
C2 adjective /əˈkɜːrsɪd/

accursed

Meaning
Doomed, detestable, or under a curse.
Example
The villagers avoided the accursed house on the hill.
C2 noun /ˌmænjəˈmɪʃən/

manumission

Meaning
The act of a slave owner freeing their slaves.
Example
The manumission of the slaves marked a turning point in history.
C2 noun /sʌbˈɔːl.tən/

subaltern

Meaning
A person holding a subordinate position; in the military, a junior officer.
Example
The subaltern was responsible for leading a small platoon of soldiers.
C2 noun /ˈæstər/

Aster

Meaning
a flowering plant with daisy-like flowers that typically bloom in fall
Example
The purple asters bloomed beautifully in the autumn garden.
C2 adjective /ˈlɪŋɡwəl/

lingual

Meaning
Relating to the tongue or speech.
Example
The dentist examined the patient's lingual surface of the teeth.
C2 adjective /ˈprɑːflɪɡət/

profligate

Meaning
recklessly extravagant or wasteful in resources
Example
The king was known for his profligate lifestyle.
C2 adjective /raɪˈpɛə.ri.ən/

riparian

Meaning
Relating to or situated on the banks of a river or other watercourse.
Example
Riparian vegetation helps prevent soil erosion along rivers.
C2 noun /bəˈlɛəroʊ/

bolero

Meaning
A Spanish dance in slow triple time, or a short jacket open at the front.
Example
The dancers performed a passionate bolero at the festival.
C2 noun /feɪt/

fete

Meaning
a celebration or festival, often in honor of someone
Example
The village held a grand fete to celebrate the harvest.
C2 adjective /hɪk/

Hick

Meaning
unsophisticated person from a rural area; country bumpkin
Example
He had a hick accent from growing up in a small town.
C2 noun /ˈdʒæz.mɪn/

Jesmine

Meaning
a climbing shrub with fragrant white or yellow flowers
Example
The jasmine flowers filled the garden with their sweet fragrance.
C2 noun /ˈzaɪtɡaɪst/

zeitgeist

Meaning
The defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time.
Example
The novel perfectly captures the zeitgeist of the 1960s.
C2 verb /ˈbɜːrdʒən/

burgeon

Meaning
To grow or develop rapidly; to flourish.
Example
The city's population began to burgeon after the new factory opened.
C2 noun /ˈskæb.ərd/

scabbard

Meaning
A sheath for the blade of a sword or dagger, typically made of leather or metal.
Example
The knight drew his sword from the scabbard.
C2 noun /ˈvaɪsrɔɪ/

viceroy

Meaning
a ruler exercising authority on behalf of a sovereign in a colony or province
Example
The viceroy governed the colony in the king's name.
C2 noun /kɒŋk/

Conch

Meaning
a large sea shell that can be used as a horn; the marine mollusk that lives in such a shell
Example
The fisherman blew the conch shell to signal the end of the day.
C2 noun /kənˌdʒiː.niˈæl.ə.t̬i/

congeniality

Meaning
The quality of being pleasant, friendly, and easy to talk to.
Example
His congeniality makes him popular among friends.
C2 adjective /kənˈsʌmptɪv/

consumptive

Meaning
Relating to or characterized by consumption; historically used to describe someone suffering from tuberculosis.
Example
The doctor advised against consumptive habits.
C2 noun /ˈfaɪnəri/

finery

Meaning
expensive or elaborate clothes, decorations, or accessories
Example
She attended the party in her finest finery.
C2 verb /ˌnɒnˈplʌs/

nonplus

Meaning
To surprise and confuse someone so much that they are unsure how to react.
Example
The unexpected question seemed to nonplus the speaker.
C2 adverb /ˈdʒɪndʒərli/

gingerly

Meaning
in a very careful or cautious manner
Example
She walked gingerly on the icy path.
C2 noun /ˈæktʃuˌɛri/

actuary

Meaning
A professional who analyzes financial risk using mathematics, statistics, and financial theory, especially in insurance and pensions.
Example
The actuary calculated the risk before finalizing the insurance policy.
C2 verb /ˈdʒɛn.juˌflɛkt/

genuflect

Meaning
to bend one or both knees as a sign of reverence or worship
Example
The worshippers genuflect before the altar.
C2 noun /ˈmɜːkinəs/

murkiness

Meaning
The quality of being dark, gloomy, or unclear.
Example
The murkiness of the water made it hard to see the fish.
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 /ˈdʒʊntə/

junta

Meaning
A military or political group that rules a country after taking power by force.
Example
The junta seized power after the coup.
C2 adjective /ˌɪndɪˈvɜːrtɪbəl/

indivertible

Meaning
Not able to be turned aside or diverted.
Example
The judge's indivertible attention was on the case.
C2 noun /ˌɛərəˈstætɪks/

aerostatics

Meaning
The branch of physics that deals with the equilibrium of air and gases and the forces acting on bodies in them.
Example
Aerostatics is essential for understanding how balloons float.
C2 adjective ˈkoʊ.dʒənt

cogent

Meaning
Clear, logical, and convincing.
Example
His cogent argument convinced the jury.
C2 noun /ˌpɜːrtərˈbeɪʃn/

perturbation

Meaning
A state of anxiety, disturbance, or disorder.
Example
The announcement caused a perturbation in the financial markets.
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 noun /sɪˈrɒkoʊ/

sirocco

Meaning
A hot, dry wind blowing from North Africa across the Mediterranean to southern Europe.
Example
The sirocco made the city unbearably hot and dusty.
C2 adjective /ˈprɒɡnəθəs/

prognathous

Meaning
Having jaws that project forward beyond the rest of the face.
Example
The fossil displayed a distinctly prognathous skull structure.
C2 noun /nɛˈkroʊsɪs/

necrosis

Meaning
the death of body tissue due to disease, injury, or lack of blood supply
Example
The doctor explained that the patient’s wound showed signs of necrosis.
C2 adjective /ˈproʊtiən/

protean

Meaning
tending or able to change frequently or easily; versatile
Example
She is a protean artist who experiments with many styles.
C2 noun /ˈsɜːrtɪˌtjuːd/

certitude

Meaning
Absolute certainty or conviction about something.
Example
She spoke with certitude about the outcome of the case.
C2 verb /ˈvɛdʒɪteɪt/

vegetate

Meaning
to live in a dull, inactive, or unchallenging way, often with little physical or mental effort
Example
He spent his vacation vegetating on the couch in front of the TV.
C2 adjective /ˈoʊ.pən ˈhɑrt.ɪd/

Open-hearted

Meaning
Kind and generous; sincere and honest; warmly receptive;
Example
She welcomed the strangers with an open-hearted smile and invited them for dinner.
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 /ˈɡræn.tɔːr/

grantor

Meaning
A person or entity that makes a grant or transfers property or rights to another.
Example
The grantor transferred the property rights to the nonprofit organization.
C2 noun /ˌkʌmˈʌpəns/

comeuppance

Meaning
A deserved punishment or fate; just deserts.
Example
The corrupt official finally got his comeuppance in court.
C2 adjective /ˈtɜːrbɪd/

turbid

Meaning
Cloudy, opaque, or thick with suspended matter; confused or obscure in meaning.
Example
The river water became turbid after the heavy rains.
C2 noun /ˈtɒnʃər/

tonsure

Meaning
the practice of shaving or cutting the hair on the scalp, especially in a religious context
Example
The monk received his tonsure as part of his religious initiation.
C2 verb /əˈvʌls/

avulse

Meaning
to tear away or separate forcibly, especially in medical or geological contexts
Example
The surgeon had to avulse the damaged tissue during the operation.
C2 noun /pəˈtiːnə/

patina

Meaning
a surface film or sheen on metal, stone, or wood due to age or use; also, a superficial appearance
Example
The bronze statue developed a green patina after years in the sea air.
C2 noun /ˈmʌs.tərd liːf/

Mustard leaf

Meaning
green leafy vegetable from the mustard plant; edible leaves used in cooking
Example
We cooked mustard leaf with fish in a traditional Bengali curry.
C2 verb /kwɒf/

quaff

Meaning
to drink something heartily or in large gulps, especially an alcoholic drink
Example
He quaffed a mug of ale after the long day.
C2 noun /ˈtjuːtərʃɪp/

tutorship

Meaning
The office or position of a tutor; guidance or instruction given by a tutor.
Example
He thrived under the tutorship of his mentor.
C2 adjective /daɪˈɡrɛsɪv/

digressive

Meaning
Tending to depart from the main subject in speech or writing.
Example
The speaker's digressive style made the lecture difficult to follow.
C2 verb /bɪlk/

bilk

Meaning
To cheat or defraud someone of money or rights.
Example
The scammer tried to bilk elderly people out of their savings.
C2 adjective /ˈeɪ.li.ə.nə.bəl/

alienable

Meaning
Able to be transferred or surrendered, usually referring to rights or property.
Example
Property rights are alienable and can be sold or transferred.
C2 adjective /ˌɪɡ.nəˈmɪn.i.əs/

ignominious

Meaning
Marked by shame, disgrace, or humiliation.
Example
The team suffered an ignominious defeat in the finals.
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 adjective /ˌoʊvərˈwiːnɪŋ/

overweening

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

excitation

Meaning
a state of great excitement or the process of stimulating activity
Example
The news created great excitation among the fans.
C2 noun /bleɪn/

Blain

Meaning
an inflammatory swelling or sore on the skin; a blister or pustule
Example
The doctor examined the blain on his arm.
C2 adjective /ˈruːnɪk/

runic

Meaning
relating to or consisting of runes; mysterious or magical
Example
The old stone had strange runic carvings on it.
C2 verb /diːˈfrɑːk/

defrock

Meaning
to officially remove a priest or minister from their position and authority
Example
The church decided to defrock the priest after the scandal.
C2 adjective /stəˈkɑː.təʊ/

staccato

Meaning
short and detached in sound or style, often used in music
Example
The pianist played the notes in a staccato rhythm.
C2 noun /prɪˈfɜːrmənt/

preferment

Meaning
promotion or advancement in rank, position, or office
Example
He hoped for preferment in the government office.
C2 noun /ˌhaɪpəkəˈnektɪvɪti/

hyperconnectivity

Meaning
The state of being extensively connected to other people, places, information, etc., through digital technology.
Example
Hyperconnectivity has changed the dynamics of human interaction.
C2 noun /ˈhɔːtɪnəs/

haughtiness

Meaning
The appearance or quality of being arrogantly superior and disdainful.
Example
His haughtiness made him unpopular among his peers.
C2 noun /ˈliːdʒənəri/

legionary

Meaning
a soldier in the Roman army
Example
Each legionary carried a shield and a short sword.
C2 noun /ˌkæl.sɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/

calcification

Meaning
The process of calcium accumulation in soil, making it hard.
Example
Calcification reduces soil permeability and affects crop growth.
C2 adjective /ˌpɛrɪpəˈtɛtɪk/

peripatetic

Meaning
Traveling from place to place, especially for work or based on lifestyle.
Example
He led a peripatetic life as a traveling teacher.
C2 verb /ˈtrʌk.əl/

truckle

Meaning
To submit or yield obsequiously to someone in power.
Example
He refused to truckle to the demands of the corrupt officials.
C2 adjective /ˈkɑːrpɪŋ/

carping

Meaning
continually complaining or finding fault in a petty way
Example
His carping attitude makes teamwork difficult.
C2 adjective /fəˈlɪsɪtəs/

felicitous

Meaning
well-chosen, appropriate, or pleasing; marked by good fortune or happiness
Example
She made a felicitous remark that lightened the mood.
C2 noun/verb /læˈsuː/

lasso

Meaning
a rope with a loop used to catch animals; to catch with such a rope
Example
The cowboy lassoed the horse quickly.
C2 adjective /ˈstraɪ.eɪ.tɪd/

striated

Meaning
marked with thin lines, grooves, or stripes
Example
The muscle fibers appeared striated under the microscope.
C2 adjective /ˈtɔːdri/

tawdry

Meaning
cheap and showy but of poor quality
Example
She wore a tawdry necklace that broke easily.
C2 noun (plural) /ˈɔːspɪsɪz/

auspices

Meaning
Patronage, support, or guidance, often used in the phrase 'under the auspices of'.
Example
The conference was held under the auspices of the United Nations.
C2 adjective /ədˈmɒnɪtəri/

admonitory

Meaning
giving or conveying a warning or reprimand
Example
She gave him an admonitory glance.
C2 adjective /ˈkrɛdʒʊləs/

credulous

Meaning
Having or showing too great a readiness to believe things.
Example
The credulous child believed every story she heard.
C2 adverb /ˌðeərˈwɪð/

Therewith

Meaning
together with that; in addition to that
Example
He handed me the contract and the pen therewith.
C2 adjective/adverb /ˌæ.prəˈpoʊ/

apropos

Meaning
Appropriate to the situation; relevant. As an adverb, it means 'with reference to' or 'regarding'.
Example
His comments were not apropos of the discussion.
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 verb /ˈstjuːpɪˌfaɪ/

stupefy

Meaning
to make someone unable to think clearly, usually because of surprise or shock
Example
The magician's tricks stupefied the audience.
C2 noun /ˌprɪnsɪˈpæləti/

principality

Meaning
a state ruled by a prince
Example
Monaco is a famous principality in Europe.
C2 adjective /kənˈfɔːrməbl/

conformable

Meaning
Capable of being adapted or consistent with something; compliant.
Example
His actions were conformable to the rules of the institution.
C2 noun /spjuːm/

spume

Meaning
Froth or foam, especially found on waves or liquids.
Example
The waves crashed against the rocks, leaving spume in the air.
C2 adjective /pɔːrˈtɛntəs/

portentous

Meaning
Giving a sign or warning that something, often bad or serious, is going to happen; or overly solemn and pompous.
Example
His portentous tone made everyone nervous about the news.
C2 noun /pɪˈlɑːf/

Pillaw

Meaning
a dish of rice cooked in seasoned broth, often with meat and vegetables
Example
We enjoyed a delicious chicken pillaw for dinner.