bacchanal
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C2 noun /ˈbækənæl/

bacchanal

Meaning
A noisy party involving drinking and revelry.
Example
The festival turned into a wild bacchanal by midnight.
C2 adjective, noun /bɪˈtroʊðd/

betrothed

Meaning
Engaged to be married; a person who is engaged.
Example
She introduced him as her betrothed.
C2 adjective /bɪˈnɪɡnənt/

benignant

Meaning
Kindly and benevolent in nature.
Example
The teacher’s benignant attitude made the students feel comfortable.
C2 noun /bɛl/

belle

Meaning
A beautiful woman, especially the most attractive woman at a gathering.
Example
She was the belle of the ball that evening.
C2 verb /ˈblʌdʒən/

bludgeon

Meaning
to hit someone with a heavy object; to force someone into doing something
Example
The guard was bludgeoned by the attacker in the alley.
C2 noun /ˈbrɪn.dʒəl/

Brinjal

Meaning
a large purple vegetable that is white inside; also called eggplant
Example
My mother cooked brinjal curry for lunch.
C2 noun /ˈbɒdɪs/

bodice

Meaning
the part of a woman's dress that covers the body from the neck to the waist
Example
She wore a dress with an embroidered bodice.
C2 verb /bɪˈleɪbər/

belabor

Meaning
to argue or elaborate on a subject in excessive detail; to attack verbally or physically
Example
The professor belabored the point until the students grew restless.
C2 noun /bəˈθɪm.ə.tri/

bathymetry

Meaning
The measurement of depth of water in oceans, seas, or lakes.
Example
Bathymetry is essential for understanding oceanic topography.
C2 adjective /bɒmˈbæstɪk/

bombastic

Meaning
using pompous or inflated language with little meaning
Example
The professor’s bombastic lecture impressed no one.
C2 verb /ˈbaʊdləˌraɪz/

bowdlerize

Meaning
to remove or modify parts of a text considered offensive or inappropriate
Example
The editor bowdlerized the novel to make it suitable for children.
C2 noun /brɔːn/

brawn

Meaning
physical strength in contrast to intelligence
Example
He used his brawn to lift the heavy box.
C2 noun /ˌbækəˈneɪliə/

bacchanalia

Meaning
A Roman festival of Bacchus celebrated with dancing, drinking, and revelry; any occasion of wild and drunken revelry.
Example
The novel describes the party as a bacchanalia of excess and joy.
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 verb /bɪˈwɪtʃ/

bewitch

Meaning
to enchant or fascinate someone as if by magic
Example
The dancer's performance bewitched the audience.
C2 noun /ˈbaɪəˌɡræf/

biograph

Meaning
A written account of a person's life; an early motion-picture projector (historical use).
Example
The library holds an old biograph of the poet.
C2 noun /bɪˈnɪɡnɪti/

Benignity

Meaning
kindness; gentleness; the quality of being benign or gracious
Example
Her benignity towards all people made her beloved by everyone.
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 verb /beɪt/

bate

Meaning
to lessen or restrain; to diminish the force or intensity of something
Example
He spoke with bated breath as he waited for the result.
C2 noun /bɜːrˈlɛsk/

burlesque

Meaning
A humorous and exaggerated imitation of a serious work; a type of theatrical entertainment involving comedy and parody.
Example
The play was a clever burlesque of traditional opera.
C2 noun /ˌbɒmbərˈdɪər/

bombardier

Meaning
a member of a bomber crew responsible for releasing bombs
Example
The bombardier released the bombs with precision.
C2 adjective /ˈbæti/

batty

Meaning
crazy or eccentric in behavior
Example
The old man down the street is a bit batty but harmless.
C2 verb /ˈbraʊˌbiːt/

browbeat

Meaning
To intimidate or bully someone into doing something
Example
The lawyer tried to browbeat the witness.
C2 noun /ˈbrɪmˌstoʊn/

brimstone

Meaning
Sulfur, especially when considered as fiery and associated with hell or divine punishment.
Example
The preacher spoke of fire and brimstone to warn the congregation.
C2 verb /bɪˈtroʊð/

betroth

Meaning
To formally promise to marry someone; to engage.
Example
He was betrothed to the princess at a young age.
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 verb /bɪˈleɪbə/

belabour

Meaning
to explain something repeatedly or with excessive detail; to criticize or attack verbally at length
Example
The teacher did not belabour the point once the students understood it.
C2 noun /ˈbed.ləm/

Bedlam

Meaning
a scene of noisy confusion; chaos and disorder
Example
The classroom was complete bedlam after the fire alarm.
C2 noun /ˈbɒnəmi/

bonhomie

Meaning
Cheerful friendliness and geniality.
Example
The meeting was filled with laughter and bonhomie.
C2 noun /bɪˈhiː.mɒθ/

behemoth

Meaning
Something enormous, especially a large and powerful organization.
Example
The company grew into a corporate behemoth.
C2 adjective /bəˈnɛfɪsənt/

beneficent

Meaning
generous or doing good
Example
The beneficent leader donated funds to build a hospital.
C2 noun /ˌbrɪɡ.əˈdɪər/

brigadier

Meaning
A military officer rank, usually commanding a brigade.
Example
The brigadier inspected the troops before the parade.
C2 verb /bɪˈhuːvz/

behooves

Meaning
third person singular form of 'behoove'; means it is proper or necessary
Example
It behooves every citizen to follow the law.
C2 noun /ˈbrɪk ə ˌbræk/

bric-a-brac

Meaning
Small decorative objects or ornaments, often of little value.
Example
The shelves were filled with old bric-a-brac from her travels.
C2 noun /bəˈfuːn/

buffoon

Meaning
A ridiculous but amusing person; a clown or jester.
Example
He acted like a buffoon at the party, making everyone laugh.
C2 adjective /ˌbiːəˈtɪfɪk/

beatific

Meaning
blissfully happy or showing great joy
Example
She had a beatific smile after hearing the good news.
C2 noun /ˌbenɪˈdɪkʃən/

Benediction

Meaning
a blessing, especially a ceremonial one; an expression of good wishes
Example
The priest gave his benediction to the newlyweds.
C2 adjective /beɪˈkoʊniən/

baconian

Meaning
Relating to the philosopher Francis Bacon or his method of scientific reasoning.
Example
The researcher followed a Baconian approach to observation and experimentation.
C2 noun /ˈblændɪʃmənt/

blandishment

Meaning
flattering or pleasing statement or action used to persuade someone gently
Example
She used every blandishment to win his support.
C2 adjective /bɪˈhoʊldən/

beholden

Meaning
indebted or obliged to someone for a service or help
Example
He felt beholden to his mentor for all the guidance.
C2 noun /ˈbuːt.leɪs/

Boot-lace

Meaning
a cord or string used to fasten a boot or shoe
Example
I need to tie my boot-lace before going for a walk.
C2 noun /bɑːrd/

bard

Meaning
a poet, traditionally one reciting epics and associated with oral traditions
Example
Shakespeare is often called the Bard of Avon.
C2 noun /ˈbɛnɪsən/

benison

Meaning
A blessing or benefit.
Example
The rain was a benison for the drought-stricken farmers.
C2 noun /ˈbɜːrsər/

bursar

Meaning
An official in a school or college responsible for financial affairs.
Example
The bursar approved the budget for the new library.
C2 verb /bɪˈfɒɡ/

befog

Meaning
to confuse or make unclear; to cover with fog or mist
Example
His mind was befogged by exhaustion.
C2 adjective /ˈbɛərˌfeɪst/

barefaced

Meaning
shameless and undisguised; openly bold or unashamed
Example
He told a barefaced lie in front of everyone.
C2 adjective /ˈbɒni/

Bonny

Meaning
cheerful; pretty; attractive
Example
The bonny child played happily in the garden.
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 verb /bɪˈdaɪzən/

bedizen

Meaning
to dress up or decorate in a showy or tasteless way
Example
She was bedizened with cheap jewelry.
C2 noun /ˌbeɪt ˈnwɑːr/

bete noire

Meaning
A person or thing that one particularly dislikes or fears.
Example
Grammar has always been his bete noire.
C2 verb /ˈbɒtənaɪz/

botanize

Meaning
to study plants in their natural environment
Example
They went to the forest to botanize during their vacation.
C2 noun /ˈbɪbliəfaɪl/

bibliophile

Meaning
A person who loves or collects books.
Example
She is a true bibliophile who spends weekends at old bookstores.
C2 noun /ˈbroʊmiːn/

bromine

Meaning
a dark red, dense, toxic liquid element used in making dyes, flame retardants, and medications
Example
Bromine is commonly used in water treatment chemicals.
C2 noun /ˈbiː.təl nʌt/

Betel-nut

Meaning
seed of the areca palm tree, often chewed as a stimulant
Example
Betel-nut is commonly chewed in many South Asian countries.
C2 noun /ˌbuː.ɡənˈvɪl.i.ə/

Bougainvillea

Meaning
a tropical climbing plant with colorful bracts surrounding small flowers
Example
The bougainvillea climbing over the garden wall creates a beautiful purple display.
C2 verb /baɪd/

bide

Meaning
to wait patiently for the right time or opportunity
Example
He decided to bide his time before making a move.
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 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 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 adjective /ˈbɪbjələs/

bibulous

Meaning
Excessively fond of drinking alcohol.
Example
His bibulous habits worried his family.
C2 adjective /bəˈθɛt.ɪk/

bathetic

Meaning
displaying insincere or trivial emotion; producing an unintended ridiculous effect through sudden change from serious to silly
Example
The movie's ending was unintentionally bathetic rather than tragic.
C2 noun /ˈbriːzˌweɪ/

breezeway

Meaning
A roofed outdoor passage, often connecting two buildings.
Example
The breezeway connected the house to the garage.
C2 noun /ˈbɒmbæst/

bombast

Meaning
speech or writing that is overly pompous and inflated
Example
His campaign speech was full of bombast but lacked real substance.
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 /ˌbɪbliəʊˈmeɪniə/

bibliomania

Meaning
An extreme obsession with collecting or possessing books.
Example
His bibliomania led him to fill every room with books.
C2 verb /bɪˈfʌdəl/

befuddle

Meaning
to confuse someone completely; to make someone unable to think clearly
Example
The complex instructions befuddled the students.
C2 adjective /baɪˈɛniəl/

biennial

Meaning
happening every two years
Example
The biennial festival attracts thousands of visitors.
C2 noun /bɪˈtroʊðəl/

betrothal

Meaning
The formal engagement to be married.
Example
Their betrothal was announced to the whole village.
C2 verb /ˈbeɪɪŋ/

baying

Meaning
making a loud, prolonged barking or howling sound, especially of dogs
Example
The baying of the hounds echoed through the forest.
C2 noun /bəˈfuːnəri/

buffoonery

Meaning
Foolish or ridiculous behavior intended to amuse.
Example
His constant buffoonery irritated the serious audience.
C2 adjective /blɑːˈzeɪ/

blase

Meaning
unimpressed or indifferent to something because it has been experienced so often before
Example
After years of luxury travel, she felt blase about another trip to Paris.
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 /ˈbɪlɪŋzˌɡeɪt/

billingsgate

Meaning
Coarse or abusive language; vulgar or offensive speech.
Example
The heated argument quickly descended into billingsgate.
C2 noun /ˌbluː ˈblʌd/

Blue-blood

Meaning
a person of noble birth; aristocrat
Example
She came from a family of blue-bloods with centuries of royal heritage.
C2 noun /ˈbɔːlsəm/

Balsam

Meaning
a flowering plant with colorful blooms that often open in the evening; also refers to aromatic resin
Example
The garden balsam flowers bloomed beautifully in various shades of pink and purple.
C2 adjective /ˈbʌmpʃəs/

bumptious

Meaning
Arrogantly self-assertive or conceited.
Example
The bumptious student interrupted the teacher several times.
C2 noun /broʊɡ/

brogue

Meaning
A strong outdoor shoe; also a marked accent, especially Irish or Scottish.
Example
He bought a pair of stylish brogues for the wedding.
C2 verb /bɪˈfɪt/

befit

Meaning
to be suitable for; to be appropriate to
Example
Formal attire befits the seriousness of the occasion.
C2 noun /ˈbɜːrdʒɪs/

burgess

Meaning
A citizen of a town or borough with full rights of citizenship.
Example
In medieval times, a burgess had the right to vote and hold property.
C2 noun /ˈbrɪk.bæt/

Brickbat

Meaning
a piece of brick, especially one used as a missile; harsh criticism or censure
Example
The angry protesters threw brickbats at the building windows.
C2 noun /ˈbɛnɪfɪs/

benefice

Meaning
a permanent church appointment for which property and income are provided
Example
The bishop appointed him to a wealthy benefice.
C2 verb /bɪˈhuːv/

behoove

Meaning
to be necessary, proper, or appropriate for someone to do
Example
It would behoove you to study before the exam.
C2 noun /bjuːt/

butte

Meaning
an isolated hill with steep sides and a flat top, common in arid regions
Example
The travelers could see a tall butte rising in the desert.
C2 noun, verb /ˈbɛvəl/

bevel

Meaning
A sloping edge or surface; to cut or shape an edge at an angle.
Example
The carpenter beveled the edges of the table.
C2 verb /bɪˈfuːl/

befool

Meaning
to deceive or trick someone into believing something false; to make someone appear foolish
Example
The scammer tried to befool innocent people with fake promises.
C2 adjective /bɪˈfʌdld/

befuddled

Meaning
confused, unable to think clearly
Example
He looked befuddled after hearing the complex instructions.
C2 adjective /bruːsk/ or /brʌsk/

brusque

Meaning
abrupt or blunt in manner or speech, often seen as rude
Example
His brusque reply ended the conversation.
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 /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 verb /bɪˈstruː/

bestrew

Meaning
To scatter or cover something with objects or substances.
Example
The ground was bestrewn with autumn leaves.
C2 noun /ˈbuːbi/

booby

Meaning
a foolish or gullible person; a silly individual
Example
He felt like a booby after making such a simple mistake.
C2 verb /beɪst/

baste

Meaning
to pour or brush melted fat, juices, or liquid over meat during cooking to keep it moist
Example
She basted the turkey every 30 minutes to keep it juicy.
C2 noun /bəˈkuːl/

Bakul

Meaning
a fragrant white flower native to South Asia, scientifically known as Mimusops elengi
Example
The sweet fragrance of bakul flowers filled the evening air in the village.
C2 verb /ˈbaɪfərˌkeɪt/

bifurcate

Meaning
to divide into two branches or parts
Example
The road bifurcates into two separate paths at the hill.
C2 noun /blæk biː/

Black-bee

Meaning
a large dark-colored bee that makes a loud buzzing sound
Example
The black-bee was buzzing around the flowers in the garden.
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 noun /ˌbʌkəˈnɪər/

buccaneer

Meaning
a pirate, especially one active in the Caribbean during the 17th and 18th centuries
Example
The buccaneer sailed across the Caribbean in search of treasure.
C2 adjective /ˈbɪloʊɪŋ/

billowing

Meaning
Describing something that swells or surges outward in waves or large masses.
Example
She walked through the billowing curtains.
C2 verb /boʊd/

bode

Meaning
to be an omen of a particular outcome, often something bad
Example
The dark clouds bode a heavy storm.
C2 noun /ˈbʊljən/

bullion

Meaning
Gold or silver in bulk before being coined or made into jewelry.
Example
The bank stores gold bullion in its vaults.
C2 verb /bɪˈleɪt/

belate

Meaning
to delay or make late
Example
Heavy traffic belated our arrival at the party.
C2 noun /ˈbiːtənd raɪs/

Beatened rice

Meaning
flattened rice; rice that has been parboiled, dried, and beaten into flat flakes
Example
Beaten rice is commonly eaten with milk and sugar for breakfast.
C2 noun /brɪˈtæniə/

britannia

Meaning
the personification of Britain, often shown as a woman with a helmet and shield
Example
Britannia has been a symbol of Britain since Roman times.
C2 noun /ˈbʊlrʌʃ/

bulrush

Meaning
A tall plant with long leaves that grows in or near water, also known as a cattail.
Example
The pond was surrounded by tall bulrushes swaying in the wind.
C2 adjective /ˈbrætɪʃ/

brattish

Meaning
acting like a spoiled child; behaving in an annoying, self-centered way
Example
The brattish boy threw a tantrum when he didn’t get his toy.
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 noun /ˈbuː.jɒ̃/

bouillon

Meaning
A clear, seasoned broth made by simmering meat, fish, or vegetables in water.
Example
She added vegetables to the bouillon for extra flavor.
C2 noun /blæk ˈkɑːr.də.məm/

Black Cardamom

Meaning
a large aromatic spice pod with a smoky flavor, commonly used in Indian and Middle Eastern cooking
Example
Add black cardamom to the curry for a rich, smoky flavor.
C2 noun /ˈbɑːr.nɪ.kəl/

Barnacle

Meaning
a marine crustacean that attaches itself permanently to underwater surfaces
Example
The old ship's hull was covered with barnacles.
C2 verb /ˈbætn/

batten

Meaning
To fasten or secure something tightly.
Example
They battened down the hatches before the storm.
C2 noun /ˈbiːlaɪn/

beeline

Meaning
a straight, direct route to a destination
Example
He made a beeline for the food table as soon as he entered the party.
C2 verb /bɪˈθɪŋk/

bethink

Meaning
to cause oneself to consider or remember something
Example
He bethought himself of the promise he had made.
C2 noun /bɒmˈbeɪ dʌk/

Bombay duck

Meaning
a type of lizardfish found in coastal waters, commonly eaten dried and salted in South Asia
Example
Bombay duck is a popular delicacy when dried and fried.
C2 noun /ˈbɑːr.bər/

Barbar

Meaning
a person whose job is to cut men's hair and shave or trim beards
Example
The barber gave him a perfect haircut for his wedding.
C2 noun brəˈvɑː.dəʊ

bravado

Meaning
Show of courage or confidence that is not real.
Example
His bravado masked his nervousness before the performance.
C2 adjective /bjuːˈkɒlɪk/

bucolic

Meaning
Relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside and country life.
Example
They enjoyed a bucolic picnic by the river.
C2 adjective /ˈblaɪðsəm/

blithesome

Meaning
cheerful, carefree, and full of joy
Example
She entered the room with a blithesome smile that lifted everyone's spirits.
C2 adjective /ˈboʊvaɪn/

bovine

Meaning
relating to cattle; showing a dull or sluggish nature
Example
Her bovine expression revealed no emotions.
C2 adjective /ˈbɪz.ən.taɪn/ or /ˈbaɪ.zənˌtiːn/

byzantine

Meaning
Extremely complicated and detailed; relating to the Byzantine Empire or its style.
Example
The new tax regulations are so byzantine that few understand them.
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 adverb /ˈbruːskli/ or /ˈbrʌskli/

brusquely

Meaning
in a blunt, abrupt, or rude manner
Example
She brusquely dismissed the suggestion.