banter
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C1 noun/verb /ˈbæntər/

banter

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

disfigure

Meaning
to spoil or damage the appearance of something
Example
The fire disfigured the old building.
C1 noun /ˈzɛnəˌfoʊb/

xenophobe

Meaning
a person who dislikes or fears people from other countries or cultures
Example
The politician was criticized as a xenophobe due to his anti-immigrant policies.
C1 noun daɪˈkɒtəmi

dichotomy

Meaning
A division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different.
Example
The dichotomy between tradition and modernity is often debated.
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 noun /ˈkærət/

karat

Meaning
A unit for measuring the purity of gold, with 24 karats being pure gold.
Example
The ring was made of 18-karat gold.
C1 noun /ˈwɔːtəʃɛd/

watershed

Meaning
An event or period marking a turning point in a situation; also refers to a ridge dividing two drainage areas.
Example
The independence movement was a watershed in the nation's history.
C1 noun /trʌsˈtiː/

trustee

Meaning
a person who holds or manages property or assets for the benefit of others
Example
She was appointed as the trustee of the family estate.
C1 noun ˈhɪn.drəns

hindrance

Meaning
Something that creates difficulties or delays in progress.
Example
Lack of funds was a major hindrance to the project.
C1 noun /ˈpɒp.i siːdz/

Poppy Seeds

Meaning
tiny round seeds from the poppy plant used as a spice or garnish in cooking
Example
Poppy seeds are sprinkled on top of breads and used in Bengali curries.
C1 noun /ˈskæf.əld/

Scaffold

Meaning
a temporary structure used by workers to stand on when building or repairing something high; a platform for execution
Example
The workers erected a scaffold to paint the building's exterior.
C1 noun /ˈprɒspɛktər/

prospector

Meaning
a person who searches for mineral deposits, especially gold
Example
The prospector spent years in the mountains searching for gold.
C1 noun /ˈskep.tɪ.sɪ.zəm/

skepticism

Meaning
A skeptical attitude; doubt as to the truth of something.
Example
His skepticism about new technology often makes him resistant to change.
C1 noun /ˌlɛ.seɪ ˈfɛər/

laissez-faire

Meaning
An economic policy where government does not intervene in business affairs.
Example
Laissez-faire policies encourage private enterprise.
C1 verb /kənˈdʒɛst/

congest

Meaning
To block or overcrowd a space, making movement or flow difficult.
Example
Heavy traffic can congest the city streets during rush hour.
C1 adjective /ɪˈstiːmd/

Esteemed

Meaning
respected and admired; held in high regard
Example
He is an esteemed professor at the university.
C1 verb /luːt/

loot

Meaning
to steal goods, typically during war, riot, or chaos
Example
The rioters looted several shops during the protest.
C1 verb kəˈrɒb.ə.reɪt

corroborate

Meaning
Confirm or give support to a statement, theory, or finding.
Example
The witness corroborated the defendant's testimony.
C1 noun /ˈmaɪzər/

miser

Meaning
A person who hoards wealth and spends as little money as possible.
Example
The old miser refused to donate even a penny to charity.
C1 noun /ˈmænər/

manor

Meaning
A large country house with lands; the main house of an estate.
Example
The old manor stood proudly on the hill for centuries.
C1 adjective /ˌniːoʊˈlɪθɪk/

neolithic

Meaning
Relating to the later part of the Stone Age, when ground or polished stone weapons and tools prevailed.
Example
Neolithic communities began practicing agriculture and domesticating animals.
C1 adjective /drəˈkoʊniən/

draconian

Meaning
Extremely harsh and severe, especially laws or rules.
Example
The new regulations were criticized as draconian.
C1 adjective /ˌkætəˈɡɒrɪkəl/

categorical

Meaning
Absolute and without exception; expressed clearly and directly.
Example
She gave a categorical denial of the allegations.
C1 noun /ɪnˈtaɪərəti/

entirety

Meaning
the whole of something; the complete form
Example
He watched the movie in its entirety.
C1 noun /ˈlɪmboʊ/

limbo

Meaning
A state of uncertainty or neglect; an intermediate or transitional state.
Example
The project was left in limbo after the funding was withdrawn.
C1 verb dɪˈsɜːn

discern

Meaning
To perceive or recognize something; to distinguish with difficulty by sight or with the other senses.
Example
He could barely discern the distant figure in the fog.
C1 verb /ɪˈkweɪt/

equate

Meaning
To consider as equal or equivalent.
Example
Many people equate wealth with success.
C1 adjective /ɪˈnuːmərəbəl/

Innumerable

Meaning
too many to be counted; countless; infinite in number
Example
There are innumerable stars in the night sky that we cannot see with our naked eyes.
C1 noun /ˌmɒd.jʊˈleɪ.ʃən/

modulation

Meaning
The process of varying or controlling something.
Example
Proper modulation of voice enhances communication skills.
C1 adjective /ˈpɜːrsənəbl/

personable

Meaning
having a pleasant appearance and manner; attractive and friendly
Example
The new teacher is very personable and easy to talk to.
C1 verb /ˈskwɒndər/

squander

Meaning
to waste money, time, or opportunities in a careless way
Example
He squandered his inheritance on gambling.
C1 noun /zest/

Zest

Meaning
great enthusiasm and energy; excitement and vigor; the outer peel of a citrus fruit
Example
She approached the new job with tremendous zest.
C1 adjective əsˈtjuːt

astute

Meaning
Having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one's advantage.
Example
His astute observations helped solve the complex problem.
C1 noun /ˈkɒb.lər/

Cobbler

Meaning
a person who repairs shoes and other leather goods
Example
The cobbler fixed my broken shoes perfectly.
C1 noun ɪnˌten.sɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən

intensification

Meaning
The process of becoming or making something more intense or extreme.
Example
The intensification of climate change requires urgent action.
C1 noun /təˈpɒɡrəfi/

topography

Meaning
the arrangement of the natural and artificial physical features of an area
Example
The topography of the region made construction very challenging.
C1 noun /ɪnˈdɪf.ər.əns/

Indifference

Meaning
lack of interest, concern, or sympathy; the state of not caring about something
Example
His indifference to his studies resulted in poor grades throughout the semester.
C1 adjective /ˈtʃɪə.ləs/

Cheerless

Meaning
lacking happiness or comfort; gloomy; depressing; without cheer
Example
The old house looked cheerless and abandoned in the winter rain.
C1 adjective /ˌɪndɪˈstɪŋkt/

indistinct

Meaning
Not clear or sharply defined; vague or blurred.
Example
The sound of voices was indistinct in the distance.
C1 verb /tʃaɪd/

chide

Meaning
to scold or rebuke; to express disapproval
Example
The teacher chided the student for being late.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈkrɛdjələs/

incredulous

Meaning
unwilling or unable to believe something
Example
He gave her an incredulous look when she claimed she could fly.
C1 adjective ˈser.ɪ.brəl

cerebral

Meaning
Of the cerebrum of the brain.
Example
Cerebral functions regulate thoughts.
C1 noun /ˈsɜːrtʃɑːrdʒ/

surcharge

Meaning
an additional charge or payment added to the usual cost
Example
The airline ticket had a fuel surcharge added to it.
C1 adjective /seɪdʒ/

Sage

Meaning
wise; showing wisdom from experience; prudent; having good judgment
Example
The sage advice from the elder helped solve the problem.
C1 adjective /ˌeɪˈmɔːrəl/

amoral

Meaning
Lacking a moral sense; unconcerned with rightness or wrongness of something.
Example
The character in the novel was portrayed as completely amoral.
C1 adjective ˈfjuː.taɪl

futile

Meaning
Incapable of producing any useful result; pointless.
Example
His attempts to change the situation were futile.
C1 verb /ˈræn.sæk/

ransack

Meaning
to search a place roughly and steal or damage things
Example
Burglars ransacked the house while the family was away.
C1 noun /ˌhɑːmənaɪˈzeɪʃən/

harmonization

Meaning
The process of making things compatible or consistent with one another.
Example
The harmonization of different policies ensures consistent results.
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 /ˈpraɪ.məl/

primal

Meaning
Relating to the earliest stage of development; essential or fundamental.
Example
Fear is one of the most primal emotions humans experience.
C1 noun /ˈkoʊmə/

coma

Meaning
A deep state of prolonged unconsciousness caused by illness or injury.
Example
The patient remained in a coma for several weeks.
C1 noun /ˌʌnbɪˈliːf/

Unbelief

Meaning
lack of religious belief; skepticism or doubt
Example
His unbelief in the supernatural made him a skeptic.
C1 adjective /prɪˈzʌmp.tʃu.əs/

presumptuous

Meaning
Overconfident, rude, or taking liberties without permission.
Example
It was presumptuous of him to make that decision without consulting others.
C1 adjective /ˈɔːdəˌtɔːri/

auditory

Meaning
Relating to the sense of hearing.
Example
The lecture was designed to enhance students' auditory learning skills.
C1 noun /ˈtiːdiəm/

tedium

Meaning
the state of being tedious; monotony or boredom
Example
The tedium of long meetings often drains motivation.
C1 verb rɪˈplɛn.ɪʃ

replenish

Meaning
Fill something up again.
Example
Drinking water helps replenish lost fluids in the body.
C1 noun /ˈek.saɪl/

Exile

Meaning
the state of being barred from one's native country; enforced removal from one's homeland
Example
The political leader was forced into exile after the military coup.
C1 adjective /maɪˈkroʊ.bi.əl/

microbial

Meaning
Related to bacteria, fungi, and other microscopic organisms.
Example
Microbial activity in the soil improves fertility.
C1 verb /ˌɪntərˈsɛpt/

intercept

Meaning
to stop, catch, or seize something on its way from one place to another
Example
The police intercepted the stolen car before it crossed the border.
C1 verb /diːˈkoʊd/

decode

Meaning
to convert a coded message into a readable form; to interpret meaning
Example
The software can decode the hidden message within seconds.
C1 adjective /ˈsɪlkən/

Silken

Meaning
made of silk; smooth and soft like silk
Example
She wore a beautiful silken dress to the party.
C1 noun /meɪn/

mane

Meaning
the long hair growing on the neck of a horse, lion, or other animal
Example
The lion shook its thick mane proudly.
C1 noun /ˈtɜːrbjələns/

turbulence

Meaning
Violent or unsteady movement of air, water, or some other fluid; disorder or conflict.
Example
The plane experienced severe turbulence during the flight.
C1 adjective /dɪˈfɛnsəbəl/

defensible

Meaning
Capable of being protected against attack or criticism; justifiable.
Example
Her decision was legally defensible.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈlaɪ.tənd/

Enlightened

Meaning
having or showing a rational, modern outlook; having spiritual knowledge or understanding
Example
The enlightened teacher shared wisdom with all her students.
C1 noun /ˈpɑːrtʃmənt/

parchment

Meaning
a thin material made from animal skin, used in the past for writing
Example
The ancient manuscript was written on parchment.
C1 noun /ˈiːɡoʊˌtɪzəm/

egotism

Meaning
The practice of talking and thinking about oneself excessively because of an inflated sense of self-importance.
Example
His constant boasting revealed his egotism.
C1 verb /bɪˈstoʊ/

bestow

Meaning
To give or present something as a gift or honor.
Example
The king bestowed honors upon the brave soldiers.
C1 adjective ˈvɪdʒ.ɪ.lənt

vigilant

Meaning
Keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties; alert and watchful.
Example
The guards remained vigilant throughout the night.
C1 verb /doʊt/

dote

Meaning
to show excessive love or fondness for someone or something
Example
She tends to dote on her grandchildren.
C1 noun /ˈkɜːrlər/

curler

Meaning
A small roller used for curling hair.
Example
She used a curler to style her hair for the party.
C1 noun /ˈsəʊdiəm/

sodium

Meaning
a soft, silver-white chemical element that is highly reactive and found in salt.
Example
Sodium is an essential element for maintaining fluid balance in the body.
C1 noun /ˌʌnriˈælɪti/

unreality

Meaning
the state or quality of being unreal; lack of reality or truth
Example
The dreamlike setting gave the story a sense of unreality.
C1 noun /ˌmænɪˈfɛstoʊ/

manifesto

Meaning
a public declaration of policy and aims, especially by a political party
Example
The party released its manifesto before the election.
C1 verb /ˌdɪskənˈsɜːrt/

disconcert

Meaning
To unsettle, confuse, or disturb the composure of someone.
Example
The sudden change of plans disconcerted the team.
C1 noun /kɪˈməʊnoʊ/

kimono

Meaning
a traditional Japanese robe with wide sleeves, tied with a sash
Example
She wore a beautiful silk kimono at the ceremony.
C1 adjective /ˈspel.baʊnd/

Spellbound

Meaning
completely fascinated and unable to move or think about anything else; enchanted
Example
The children sat spellbound as the magician performed his tricks.
C1 adjective prəˈvɪnʃəl

provincial

Meaning
Of or concerning a province of a country or empire.
Example
Bengali was not just a provincial language.
C1 noun /ˈsɒnɪt/

sonnet

Meaning
A poem of 14 lines using formal rhyme schemes, often about love.
Example
Shakespeare wrote many famous sonnets about love and beauty.
C1 verb /ɪmˈbɛl.ɪʃ/

embellish

Meaning
To make something more attractive by adding decorative details or exaggerating.
Example
He tends to embellish stories to make them more interesting.
C1 adverb /ˈɪnwərdli/

inwardly

Meaning
In the mind or spirit; not outwardly visible.
Example
She smiled outwardly but inwardly she was worried.
C1 verb /kwɑːʃ/

quash

Meaning
To reject or void something legally or to put an end to something forcefully.
Example
The court quashed the decision due to lack of evidence.
C1 noun /ˈrɛt.ər.ɪk/

rhetoric

Meaning
The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing; skillful use of language to influence others.
Example
Political leaders often use rhetoric to influence people.
C1 adjective /ˈbɑːmi/

balmy

Meaning
Mild and pleasantly warm; soothing.
Example
We enjoyed a walk on a balmy summer evening.
C1 adjective /suːˈpɜːrlətɪv/

superlative

Meaning
Of the highest quality or degree; expressing the extreme form of an adjective or adverb.
Example
Her performance was superlative, earning her a standing ovation.
C1 adjective /ˈskænti/

Scanty

Meaning
small in size or amount; insufficient; barely adequate
Example
The refugee camp had scanty food supplies.
C1 noun /ˈslændər/

Slander

Meaning
the action of making false spoken statements damaging to someone's reputation
Example
The politician sued the newspaper for slander.
C1 adjective /ˈmaɪ.ɡrə.tɔːr.i/

Migratory

Meaning
moving from one place to another; characterized by seasonal movement
Example
Many birds are migratory and travel thousands of miles each season.
C1 adjective, verb /sɪˈdeɪt/

sedate

Meaning
calm, quiet, and composed; or to administer a drug to make someone calm or sleep
Example
The nurse sedated the patient before the operation.
C1 adjective ˌɪn.krəˈmen.təl

incremental

Meaning
Relating to or denoting an increase or addition, especially one of a series on a fixed scale; proceeding in small stages.
Example
Incremental changes ensure sustainability.
C1 noun /dɪsˈɪntrəst/

disinterest

Meaning
lack of interest or concern
Example
His disinterest in the project was obvious.
C1 verb /pərˈtɜːrb/

perturb

Meaning
To disturb or unsettle greatly in mind.
Example
The sudden noise perturbed the students during the exam.
C1 noun /ɪkˈstriː.mɪst/

Extremist

Meaning
a person who holds extreme political or religious views
Example
The government is taking measures to prevent extremist activities.
C1 adjective /bɪˈleɪtɪd/

belated

Meaning
coming or happening later than expected or usual
Example
She sent me a belated birthday card.
C1 /ʃrɛd/

shred

Meaning
to tear or cut something into small pieces
Example
She shredded the old documents before throwing them away.
C1 verb /ˈlʌmbər/

lumber

Meaning
to move in a slow, heavy, awkward way
Example
The bear lumbered through the forest in search of food.
C1 verb /wɑːft/

waft

Meaning
to move gently through the air, carried by a breeze
Example
The smell of fresh bread wafted through the kitchen.
C1 noun /ˈtæl.i/

Tally

Meaning
a count or record of a number or amount; a score or total
Example
Keep a tally of how many books you read this month.
C1 verb /koʊks/

coax

Meaning
to persuade someone gently or gradually to do something
Example
She managed to coax the cat out of the tree with some food.
C1 verb /bɔːl/

bawl

Meaning
to shout or cry loudly
Example
The baby bawled all night, keeping everyone awake.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnkənˈkluːsɪv/

inconclusive

Meaning
Not leading to a definite result or decision.
Example
The investigation remained inconclusive due to a lack of evidence.
C1 adjective məˈdʒes.tɪk

Majestic

Meaning
Having impressive beauty, dignity, or grandeur; regal and stately in appearance.
Example
The majestic Himalayas stand tall against the sky.
C1 noun /kənˈspɪrə.tər/

conspirator

Meaning
a person who secretly plans with others to do something unlawful or harmful
Example
The conspirator was arrested before the plan could be carried out.
C1 noun /ˈdɒɡmə/

dogma

Meaning
A principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true.
Example
The religious leader strictly adhered to traditional dogma.
C1 noun /ˌɒk.sɪ.dʒɪˈneɪ.ʃən/

oxygenation

Meaning
The process of supplying or treating with oxygen.
Example
Deep breathing exercises improve oxygenation of the body.
C1 adjective /ˈɒptɪkəl/

optical

Meaning
related to or used in seeing or sight
Example
The optical illusion fooled everyone at the exhibition.
C1 noun (plural) /kwɑːmz/

qualms

Meaning
feelings of doubt, worry, or uneasiness
Example
He had serious qualms about accepting the offer.
C1 adjective /ˈsɜːrvaɪl/ or /ˈsɜːrvəl/

servile

Meaning
having or showing an excessive willingness to serve or please others
Example
His servile attitude annoyed his colleagues.
C1 adjective ˈsɛd(ə)ntəri

sedentary

Meaning
Characterized by much sitting and little physical activity.
Example
A sedentary lifestyle can lead to numerous health problems.
C1 adjective ʌnˈskruːpjʊləs

unscrupulous

Meaning
Having or showing no moral principles; not honest or fair.
Example
Unscrupulous peers can lead adolescents to delinquency.
C1 noun /ˈɪntərˌluːd/

interlude

Meaning
A short period of time that comes between two events; an interval.
Example
There was a brief musical interlude between the two acts of the play.
C1 verb/noun /stuːp/

stoop

Meaning
To bend one's body forward and downward; also a small porch or staircase at the entrance of a house
Example
He had to stoop to pick up the coin.
C1 verb /ˈprɒfər/

proffer

Meaning
to offer something for acceptance; to present
Example
She proffered her hand as a sign of friendship.
C1 noun /væt/

vat

Meaning
A large container used for holding liquids such as dye or wine.
Example
The workers filled the vat with freshly pressed grape juice.
C1 adjective /ˌiːɡəˈtɪstɪkəl/

egotistical

Meaning
Excessively self-absorbed or conceited.
Example
Her egotistical behavior made it difficult for her to maintain friendships.
C1 adverb /əˈlɒft/

aloft

Meaning
Up in or into the air; overhead.
Example
The kite was flying aloft in the clear sky.
C1 verb /ˈɪmplɪˌkeɪt/

implicate

Meaning
To show someone’s involvement in a crime or wrongdoing.
Example
The evidence implicated several officials in the scandal.
C1 verb /dɪˈsɛkt/

dissect

Meaning
to cut apart an animal, plant, or other organism to study its internal parts; to analyze something in detail
Example
In biology class, students had to dissect a frog to learn about its anatomy.
C1 verb /proʊˈtrækt/

protract

Meaning
To prolong or extend in time or duration.
Example
Negotiations were protracted for several months.
C1 noun ˌnæn.oʊ.tekˈnɒl.ə.dʒi

nanotechnology

Meaning
The branch of technology that deals with dimensions and tolerances of less than 100 nanometers.
Example
Nanotechnology is advancing medical treatments.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈæk.tɪv/

Inactive

Meaning
not active; not working; dormant; idle
Example
The volcano has been inactive for over a century.