banister
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C1 noun /ˈbænɪstər/

banister

Meaning
a railing supported by posts at the side of a staircase or balcony
Example
She held the banister tightly while going down the stairs.
C1 adjective /ˈpəʊtəbl/

potable

Meaning
safe to drink; drinkable
Example
The villagers did not have access to potable water.
C1 noun /ˈɡrɪd.əl/

Griddle

Meaning
a flat heating surface for cooking food, typically made of metal
Example
She cooked pancakes on the hot griddle.
C1 noun /ˈfjuː.də.lɪ.zəm/

feudalism

Meaning
the social system in medieval Europe in which people worked and fought for nobles who gave them protection and land in return
Example
Feudalism shaped the political structure of medieval Europe.
C1 verb /səˈlɪdəˌfaɪ/

solidify

Meaning
To make something firm, strong, or more certain.
Example
The company solidified its position in the market.
C1 adjective /ˈpɛndənt/

pendent

Meaning
hanging down or suspended
Example
The pendent branches touched the ground.
C1 adjective /ˌəʊvərˈstɪmjʊˌleɪtɪd/

overstimulated

Meaning
Excessively excited or aroused, overwhelmed by too much stimulus.
Example
Overstimulated minds can lead to burnout and decreased productivity.
C1 noun /bʊk ˈbaɪn.dər/

Book binder

Meaning
a person whose job is to fasten the pages of books together and put covers on them
Example
The old book binder carefully restored the antique manuscript.
C1 noun /ˈnaɪt.hʊd/

knighthood

Meaning
The rank or dignity of a knight, or the ceremony of conferring knighthood.
Example
He was honored with knighthood for his contributions to science.
C1 adjective /kəˈləʊ.kwi.əl/

colloquial

Meaning
Used in ordinary conversation rather than formal speech or writing; informal language.
Example
His colloquial expressions made the speech relatable.
C1 adjective dɪ ˈskrɛʃ.ən.er.i

discretionary

Meaning
Available for use at the discretion of the user; not required or mandatory.
Example
He set aside some discretionary income for travel.
C1 adjective /ˈɛm.ɪ.nənt/

eminent

Meaning
Famous and respected within a particular sphere or profession.
Example
He is an eminent scientist known for groundbreaking research.
C1 noun /ˈtɛstəmənt/

testament

Meaning
a person's will; or strong evidence of something
Example
His success is a testament to his hard work and dedication.
C1 verb /ˈsætəˌraɪz/

satirize

Meaning
to mock or criticize something using satire
Example
The play satirizes the greed of modern corporations.
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 verb /sɪˈkluːd/

seclude

Meaning
To keep someone away from other people; to isolate.
Example
The monk chose to seclude himself in the mountains.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈvɔɪst/

unvoiced

Meaning
not expressed in speech; in phonetics, a sound produced without vocal cord vibration
Example
The student kept her opinion unvoiced during the meeting.
C1 adjective /fəˈnɛtɪk/

phonetic

Meaning
relating to the sounds of speech or pronunciation
Example
The teacher taught the students the phonetic spelling of difficult words.
C1 noun /ˈsɔː.dʌst/

sawdust

Meaning
The tiny particles of wood produced by sawing or sanding.
Example
The floor was covered with sawdust from the carpentry work.
C1 adjective /moʊˈmentəs/

Momentous

Meaning
of great importance or significance; having far-reaching consequences
Example
The signing of the peace treaty was a momentous occasion for both countries.
C1 verb /ˈfɜːr.tɪ.laɪz/

fertilize

Meaning
to make soil or land more fertile by adding substances
Example
Farmers fertilize the fields to increase crop yield.
C1 noun/verb /vɔːlt/

vault

Meaning
A secure room for storing valuables; also to leap or spring over something.
Example
The bank kept its gold bars in a secure vault.
C1 noun /baɪl/

Bile

Meaning
a bitter greenish-brown alkaline fluid that aids digestion and is secreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder
Example
The liver produces bile to help digest fats.
C1 noun ˌʌndərˈprɪvəlɪdʒd ɡruːps

underprivileged groups

Meaning
Groups of people who lack basic necessities or advantages that are available to other members of society.
Example
Underprivileged groups benefit from social initiatives.
C1 noun ˌeə.rəʊ.daɪˈnæm.ɪks

aerodynamics

Meaning
The study of the properties of moving air and the interaction between the air and solid bodies moving through it.
Example
The aerodynamics of an aircraft determines its speed and efficiency.
C1 adjective /ˈsɛnʃənt/

sentient

Meaning
Able to perceive or feel things.
Example
Humans are sentient beings capable of reasoning.
C1 noun /ˈkroʊniˌɪzəm/

cronyism

Meaning
The practice of favoring friends or associates, especially in political appointments or business deals.
Example
The company was accused of cronyism in hiring practices.
C1 adverb /əˈbrɛst/

abreast

Meaning
side by side and facing the same direction; informed about something
Example
The soldiers marched two abreast down the street.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈɛlɪdʒəbəl/

Ineligible

Meaning
not qualified or entitled to participate or be chosen; unsuitable
Example
Students with poor grades are ineligible for the scholarship program.
C1 noun /ˌdɪsərˈteɪʃən/

dissertation

Meaning
A long piece of writing on a particular subject, usually written for a university degree.
Example
She spent two years writing her doctoral dissertation.
C1 verb /ˈpɜːrpətreɪt/

perpetrate

Meaning
To commit or carry out, typically a harmful, illegal, or immoral act.
Example
The hackers perpetrated a massive cyber attack on the company.
C1 noun /ˈfoʊliɪdʒ/

foliage

Meaning
The leaves of a plant, collectively.
Example
The autumn foliage looked stunning in the park.
C1 noun /nɪl/

Nil

Meaning
nothing; zero; no amount
Example
His chances of winning were nil after the scandal.
C1 noun /fæd/

fad

Meaning
a temporary fashion or trend; a short-lived craze
Example
The new diet became a popular fad among teenagers.
C1 noun /sɔːd fɪʃ/

Sword fish

Meaning
A large marine fish with an elongated bill resembling a sword
Example
The swordfish can swim at speeds up to 60 mph.
C1 verb /ʌnˈmɑːsk/

unmask

Meaning
to remove a mask or covering; to reveal the true identity, nature, or intentions of someone or something
Example
The investigation helped unmask the real culprit behind the crime.
C1 verb /rɪˈdrɛs/

redress

Meaning
to set right, remedy, or compensate for a wrong or grievance
Example
The company promised to redress the complaints of its customers.
C1 verb /sərˈmaɪz/

surmise

Meaning
to suppose something is true without having evidence
Example
She surmised that he was not coming to the meeting.
C1 adjective /daɪər/

Dire

Meaning
extremely serious; urgent; terrible
Example
The country is facing a dire economic crisis.
C1 noun /pərˈvɜr.sə.ti/

Perversity

Meaning
deliberate determination to behave in an unreasonable or unacceptable way; the quality of being contrary or obstinate
Example
His perversity in refusing help frustrated everyone.
C1 adjective /ˈstɛriəˌtaɪpt/

stereotyped

Meaning
Conforming to a fixed or oversimplified idea of what someone or something is like.
Example
His stereotyped jokes failed to impress the audience.
C1 noun /ˈzoʊdiæk/

Zodiac

Meaning
a belt of the heavens within which lie the paths of the sun, moon, and planets; the twelve astrological signs
Example
What is your zodiac sign?
C1 noun /ɡəˈrɪlə/

guerrilla

Meaning
a member of a small independent group taking part in irregular fighting, typically against larger forces
Example
The guerrilla fighters used ambushes to attack enemy positions.
C1 adjective /ˌɔː.riˈen.təl/

Oriental

Meaning
relating to the countries of East Asia; eastern
Example
The museum has a beautiful collection of oriental art.
C1 verb /priːn/

preen

Meaning
To groom or dress oneself with care; to show pride in one's appearance.
Example
She preened in front of the mirror before leaving for the party.
C1 noun, verb /məˈnuː.vər/

maneuver

Meaning
a planned or skillful movement or action; to move skillfully or carefully
Example
The pilot maneuvered the plane through the storm.
C1 noun /ˈɪŋ.krə.mənt/

Increment

Meaning
an increase or addition, especially one of a series on a fixed scale; a regular increase in salary
Example
He received an annual increment of five percent in his salary this year.
C1 noun /haɪˈpɒtənjuːs/

hypotenuse

Meaning
the longest side of a right-angled triangle, opposite the right angle.
Example
In a right triangle, the hypotenuse is always longer than the other two sides.
C1 adjective /ˈvɪrjʊlənt/

virulent

Meaning
Extremely severe or harmful in its effects.
Example
The virulent disease spread rapidly across the region.
C1 noun /wɪm/

whim

Meaning
a sudden or unpredictable idea, desire, or decision
Example
She bought the dress on a whim.
C1 adverb /ˌʌnkənˈvɛnʃənəli/

unconventionally

Meaning
in a way that is not based on or conforming to accepted standards or norms
Example
She dresses unconventionally, mixing bold colors and patterns that surprise everyone.
C1 noun /ˈweɪ.stɪdʒ/

Wastage

Meaning
the action of using or expending something carelessly or without purpose
Example
The company reduced food wastage by implementing better inventory management.
C1 noun /lʌmp/

Lump

Meaning
a compact mass of a substance, especially one without a definite or regular shape
Example
She found a lump of sugar in the bowl.
C1 verb /ɪˈnjuːməˌreɪt/

enumerate

Meaning
to mention things one by one; to list or count
Example
She enumerated the reasons for her decision.
C1 adjective /ˈpjuːtrɪd/

putrid

Meaning
decayed and emitting a foul smell
Example
The garbage smelled putrid after days in the sun.
C1 noun /ˌæɡ.rəˈveɪ.ʃən/

aggravation

Meaning
The act of making a situation worse or the state of being worsened.
Example
The delay caused great aggravation for the passengers.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈtʃælɪndʒd/

Unchallenged

Meaning
not disputed or questioned; accepted without opposition; having no rival
Example
He remained the unchallenged champion for five years.
C1 adjective /ˈsɜːrvɪsəbl/

serviceable

Meaning
fit for use; usable; in working order
Example
The old bicycle is still serviceable despite its age.
C1 noun dɪˈskrep.ən.siz

discrepancies

Meaning
Differences between things that should be the same
Example
Discrepancies in regulations delay progress.
C1 noun /kənˈfɛdərəsi/

confederacy

Meaning
a group of states, people, or organizations united for a common purpose
Example
The southern states formed a confederacy during the civil war.
C1 noun /taɪˈreɪd/

tirade

Meaning
a long, angry, or critical speech
Example
The manager launched into a tirade about poor performance.
C1 adjective /dɪˈspɪrɪtɪd/

dispirited

Meaning
Having lost enthusiasm, hope, or confidence; dejected.
Example
After losing the match, the team looked dispirited.
C1 noun/verb /rɪˈpoʊz/

repose

Meaning
a state of rest, sleep, or tranquility; to rest or lie in a peaceful position
Example
After the long journey, she sought repose in the quiet garden.
C1 verb /bɪˈsɛt/

beset

Meaning
to trouble, harass, or attack on all sides
Example
The village was beset by constant floods.
C1 verb /rɪˈvɜːrbəreɪt/

reverberate

Meaning
To echo repeatedly or have continuing effects.
Example
The sound of the explosion reverberated through the valley.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈkleɪmd/

Unclaimed

Meaning
not claimed by anyone; not demanded or requested; abandoned or ownerless
Example
The unclaimed luggage was stored in the airport's lost property department.
C1 noun /kwɪnˈtɛsəns/

quintessence

Meaning
The purest or most perfect example of something.
Example
She is the quintessence of elegance.
C1 verb /əˈlɒt/

allot

Meaning
to give or assign something, often a share or portion, to someone
Example
Each student was allotted ten minutes to present.
C1 adjective /ˈtɪklɪʃ/

ticklish

Meaning
easily made to laugh by being touched lightly; easily upset or sensitive
Example
She is very ticklish and bursts into laughter when touched on her feet.
C1 noun /ˌɪn.dʒəˈnjuː.ɪ.ti/

ingenuity

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

pathological

Meaning
Relating to disease; extreme or obsessive in a way that is abnormal.
Example
He has a pathological fear of failure.
C1 noun ˌɒk.sɪˈdeɪ.ʃən

oxidation

Meaning
A chemical reaction that involves the combination of a substance with oxygen, often causing deterioration.
Example
Oxidation causes metal surfaces to weaken.
C1 noun /ˈmɒn.ɑːk/

Monarch

Meaning
a sovereign ruler, especially a king or queen
Example
The monarch addressed the nation on television.
C1 adjective /ˈmel.əʊ/

Mellow

Meaning
soft and pleasant; relaxed and gentle
Example
The mellow evening light created a peaceful atmosphere.
C1 noun /ˈplæz.mə/

Plasma

Meaning
the liquid part of blood; ionized gas; blood serum without clotting proteins
Example
Blood plasma contains various proteins and nutrients.
C1 verb /rɪˈkuːpəreɪt/

recuperate

Meaning
to recover from illness or regain strength
Example
She went to the countryside to recuperate after surgery.
C1 noun /ˈrem.nənt/

Remnant

Meaning
a small remaining quantity of something; a piece of cloth left over after the main piece has been used
Example
Only a remnant of the ancient wall remains.
C1 noun /ˌdɜːrməˈtɑːlədʒi/

dermatology

Meaning
The branch of medicine concerned with the skin and its diseases.
Example
He studied dermatology at medical school.
C1 verb /ˈrævɪdʒ/

ravage

Meaning
to cause severe and extensive damage or destruction
Example
The hurricane ravaged the coastal villages.
C1 adjective ˌɪdiəsɪnˈkrætɪk

idiosyncratic

Meaning
Relating to idiosyncrasy; peculiar or individual.
Example
His idiosyncratic behavior set him apart from his colleagues.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnəˈsjuːmɪŋ/

unassuming

Meaning
Not pretentious or arrogant; modest.
Example
Despite his success, he remained unassuming and humble.
C1 verb /ɪˈnʌnsieɪt/

enunciate

Meaning
to pronounce words clearly; to express an idea clearly
Example
The teacher asked him to enunciate each word.
C1 noun /dɪˈprɛsənt/

depressant

Meaning
A drug that reduces functional or nervous activity in the body.
Example
Alcohol acts as a depressant on the central nervous system.
C1 noun ˌkʌl.mɪˈneɪ.ʃən

culmination

Meaning
The highest or climactic point of something, especially as attained after a long time.
Example
The project reached its culmination after years of effort.
C1 adjective /dɪˈspɜːrst/

dispersed

Meaning
Scattered or spread across a wide area.
Example
The dispersed population made it difficult to provide public services.
C1 adjective /ˈed.jʊ.keɪ.tɪv/

Educative

Meaning
providing education; instructive; informative
Example
The documentary was highly educative and informative.
C1 noun /ˌdʒuː.bɪˈleɪ.ʃən/

jubilation

Meaning
a feeling or expression of great happiness and triumph
Example
There was jubilation in the streets after the victory.
C1 adjective /ˈɔːrəl/

aural

Meaning
Relating to the ear or the sense of hearing.
Example
The lecture was an aural experience as well as an intellectual one.
C1 noun /ˈlɛdʒɪsleɪtər/

legislator

Meaning
a person who makes laws, especially a member of a legislative body
Example
The legislator introduced a bill to improve healthcare.
C1 noun ˌdɪs.æmˌbɪɡ.juˈeɪ.ʃən

disambiguation

Meaning
The removal of ambiguity by making something clear and unambiguous.
Example
The AI system applies disambiguation to refine text understanding.
C1 adjective /rɪˈpliːt/

replete

Meaning
Filled or well-supplied with something; abundantly full.
Example
The book is replete with fascinating historical details.
C1 noun, verb /tɪndʒ/

tinge

Meaning
a slight added color, flavor, or feeling; to add a slight amount of color or quality
Example
Her voice was tinged with sadness.
C1 noun, verb /kriːs/

crease

Meaning
a line or fold produced on paper, cloth, or other material; to make a fold or wrinkle
Example
She ironed the shirt carefully to remove every crease.
C1 verb /əˈprɛs/

oppress

Meaning
to keep someone down by harsh and unfair use of authority; to suppress
Example
The dictator oppressed the people for decades.
C1 verb /ˈnɔːrməlaɪz/

normalize

Meaning
to bring something back to a normal or standard condition; to make something conform to a standard
Example
The government took steps to normalize relations with neighboring countries.
C1 noun ziːl

zeal

Meaning
Great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or objective; passion.
Example
She approached the project with great zeal and determination.
C1 adjective /ˌʌndərˈhændɪd/

underhanded

Meaning
acting or done in a dishonest or secret way
Example
They exposed the company's underhanded dealings with its suppliers.
C1 noun /ʌpˈhiːvəl/

upheaval

Meaning
a violent or sudden change or disruption to something
Example
The company faced a major upheaval after the sudden resignation of its CEO.
C1 noun /ˌænθrəˈpɒlədʒɪst/

anthropologist

Meaning
a person who studies human societies, cultures, and their development
Example
The anthropologist spent years studying the tribal community.
C1 noun ˌæp.əˈreɪ.təs

apparatus

Meaning
The technical equipment or machinery needed for a particular activity or purpose.
Example
The apparatus was designed to be eco-friendly.
C1 noun /əˈkɔːrdiən/

accordion

Meaning
a musical instrument played by squeezing and expanding with keys and buttons
Example
The musician played a cheerful tune on the accordion.
C1 adjective ˈkɒn.təm.plə.tɪv

contemplative

Meaning
Expressing or involving prolonged thought; meditative and reflective.
Example
He spent a contemplative evening reflecting on his decisions.
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 verb bɪˈkwiːð

bequeath

Meaning
Leave something to someone in a will; pass down or hand down to the next generation.
Example
The scientist bequeathed his research papers to the university.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈsaɪtli/

unsightly

Meaning
Unpleasant to look at; ugly.
Example
The garbage pile created an unsightly view in the park.
C1 verb /bɪˈlɪtl/

belittle

Meaning
To make someone or something seem less important or less valuable.
Example
He often belittled his coworkers to feel superior.
C1 noun rɪˌkuːpərˈeɪʃən

recuperation

Meaning
The process of gradually recovering from illness or fatigue
Example
Rest is essential for recuperation after illness.
C1 noun /deɪˈtɑːnt/

detente

Meaning
the easing of hostility or strained relations, especially between countries
Example
The two nations worked toward detente after decades of conflict.
C1 adjective /ˈsʌbstəntɪv/

substantive

Meaning
Having a firm basis in reality; important, meaningful, or considerable.
Example
The company made substantive changes to its policy.
C1 adjective /ɪˈleɪtɪd/

elated

Meaning
Extremely happy and excited.
Example
She was elated when she heard the good news.
C1 noun /ˈlænd.slaɪd/

Landslide

Meaning
a collapse of a mass of earth or rock from a mountain or cliff; an overwhelming victory in an election
Example
Heavy rains triggered a massive landslide that blocked the mountain highway.
C1 adjective /məˈkɑː.brə/

Macabre

Meaning
disturbing because concerned with death; gruesome and horrifying
Example
The horror movie had a macabre atmosphere.
C1 noun/adjective /ˈbæstərd/

bastard

Meaning
a child born to unmarried parents (offensive); also used informally as an insult or to describe something unpleasant
Example
He called him a bastard in anger.
C1 noun /ˈɪnlɛt/

inlet

Meaning
A small arm of the sea, a lake, or a river; an opening or passage for entry.
Example
The boat entered a narrow inlet along the coast.
C1 noun /fɪˈnɛs/

finesse

Meaning
Subtlety and skill; refinement and delicacy in performance or artistry.
Example
The artist painted with great finesse.
C1 adjective /ræpt/

Rapt

Meaning
completely fascinated or absorbed by what one is seeing or hearing
Example
The children listened with rapt attention to the storyteller.
C1 verb /ˈskævɪndʒ/

scavenge

Meaning
to search through waste or discarded material to find useful items
Example
The children scavenged for food in the garbage dump.
C1 adjective /ˌɔːtəˈkrætɪk/

autocratic

Meaning
Relating to a ruler who has absolute power and does not consult others.
Example
The manager’s autocratic style discouraged employees from sharing their ideas.
C1 adverb /ˈheɪs.tɪ.li/

Hastily

Meaning
in a hurried or rushed manner; quickly and carelessly
Example
She hastily packed her bags before leaving for the airport.
C1 adjective /ˈfuːlpruːf/

foolproof

Meaning
Designed to be very easy to use or understand, leaving no possibility of failure or error.
Example
The new software has a foolproof installation process.
C1 adjective /ˈpen.ɪ.ləs/

Penniless

Meaning
having no money; extremely poor; completely without funds
Example
After losing his job, he became penniless.