befool
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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 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 noun /ˈklɔɪstər/

cloister

Meaning
a covered walk in a convent, monastery, or cathedral, typically with a wall on one side and a colonnade open to a quadrangle on the other.
Example
The monks walked silently through the cloister.
C2 noun /ˈmɛndɪkənt/

mendicant

Meaning
a beggar; a person who lives by asking for alms
Example
The mendicant asked for food at the monastery gate.
C2 noun /ˈkæt.kɪn/

Catkin

Meaning
a drooping, often tasseled cluster of small flowers found on willow and birch trees
Example
The willow tree's catkins swayed gently in the spring breeze.
C2 verb /ɪɡˈzʌlt/

exult

Meaning
to show or feel great joy, often as a result of success
Example
The fans exulted after their team won the championship.
C2 verb /ˈɛkspieɪt/

expiate

Meaning
to make amends for guilt or wrongdoing
Example
He tried to expiate his crime by helping the poor.
C2 adjective /ɡrænˈdɪləkwənt/

grandiloquent

Meaning
Using lofty, pompous, or extravagant language to impress others.
Example
The politician’s grandiloquent speech failed to connect with ordinary people.
C2 noun /mɪˈtɒnɪmi/

metonymy

Meaning
A figure of speech in which one word or phrase is substituted with another closely related word or concept.
Example
In the phrase 'the crown will decide,' 'crown' is a metonymy for monarchy.
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, verb /ˈpɑːrli/

parley

Meaning
a discussion between opposing sides, especially to negotiate terms
Example
The generals met to parley over the terms of surrender.
C2 verb /kəˈmɪz.ə.reɪt/

commiserate

Meaning
To express sympathy or compassion for someone's misfortune.
Example
She called her friend to commiserate after his loss.
C2 adjective /sɪˈkweɪʃəs/

sequacious

Meaning
Lacking independence of thought; blindly following.
Example
The sequacious students never questioned their teacher's opinions.
C2 noun /ˌpɛrəɡrɪˈneɪʃən/

peregrination

Meaning
A long journey or wandering, especially on foot.
Example
Their peregrination across Asia lasted two years.
C2 noun /ˈpætrɪsaɪd/

patricide

Meaning
The act of killing one's own father.
Example
The ancient myth describes a son committing patricide to take the throne.
C2 noun /ˈpɔːpərɪzəm/

pauperism

Meaning
The state of being extremely poor.
Example
The country struggled with rising pauperism in the 19th century.
C2 noun /ˈvæsəl/

vassal

Meaning
A person or country in a subordinate position to another, especially in feudal times under a lord.
Example
The king granted land to his vassal in return for loyalty and service.
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.
C2 noun /ˈɔːtɑːrki/

autarchy

Meaning
A system of self-sufficiency where a state or community is economically independent.
Example
The nation attempted autarchy to reduce reliance on imports.
C2 noun əˈdrɔɪt.nəs

adroitness

Meaning
Cleverness or skill, especially in using the hands or mind; skillful dexterity.
Example
His adroitness in negotiations secured the deal.
C2 noun /troʊθ/

troth

Meaning
Faith or loyalty when pledged in a solemn agreement or vow, especially in marriage.
Example
He pledged his troth to her before the gathering.
C2 verb /dɪsˈbɜːrs/

disburse

Meaning
to pay out money, especially from a fund
Example
The organization will disburse the funds to the affected families.
C2 verb, adjective /ˈstraɪeɪt/

striate

Meaning
to mark with stripes or grooves; striped or streaked in appearance
Example
The rock surface was striated by glacial movement.
C2 verb /rɪˈvaɪl/

revile

Meaning
to criticize in an abusive or angrily insulting manner
Example
The politician was reviled by the public for his corruption.
C2 adjective /ˈsloʊθfəl/

slothful

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

frankincense

Meaning
An aromatic gum resin used in incense and perfumes, often in religious ceremonies.
Example
The temple was filled with the sweet smell of burning frankincense.
C2 adjective /ˌænθrəpəˈmɔːrfɪk/

anthropomorphic

Meaning
attributing human characteristics to non-human things, like animals or objects
Example
The cartoon shows an anthropomorphic cat walking on two legs.
C2 adjective /ˈfætʃuəs/

fatuous

Meaning
silly or foolish, especially in a self-satisfied way
Example
His fatuous comments during the meeting annoyed everyone.
C2 noun /ˈtrɛsəl/

trestle

Meaning
a frame or support consisting of a horizontal beam held up by two pairs of sloping legs, used especially for supporting a bridge or table
Example
The workers built a wooden trestle to support the temporary bridge.
C2 adjective /ˈven.tʃər.əs/

Venturous

Meaning
willing to take risks; adventurous; bold
Example
The venturous explorer climbed the dangerous mountain.
C2 noun /boʊl/

boll

Meaning
The rounded seed capsule of plants such as cotton or flax.
Example
The farmer examined the cotton boll to check its quality.
C2 noun /ˌɛntəˈmɒlədʒi/

entomology

Meaning
The scientific study of insects.
Example
She studied entomology to understand the behavior of bees.
C2 adjective /dɛˈspɒtɪk/

despotic

Meaning
exercising power in a cruel, oppressive, or authoritarian way
Example
The king’s despotic rule left the people in misery.
C2 noun /ˌmɛtəmˌsaɪˈkoʊsɪs/

metempsychosis

Meaning
The supposed transmigration of the soul, especially its reincarnation after death.
Example
Ancient philosophers often debated the idea of metempsychosis.
C2 verb /dɪˈbɪlɪteɪt/

debilitate

Meaning
to weaken or make someone or something infirm
Example
The long illness debilitated his strength.
C2 noun phrase /ˌhjuː ən ˈkraɪ/

hue and cry

Meaning
A loud public outcry or protest, often demanding action.
Example
There was a hue and cry over the new policy changes.
C2 adjective /ˈsɪlvən/

sylvan

Meaning
Relating to or characteristic of the woods or forest.
Example
The cottage was set in a sylvan landscape full of tall trees.
C2 noun /dəˈkɔɪt/

Dacoit

Meaning
a member of an armed gang of robbers; a bandit, especially in India and Myanmar
Example
The village was terrorized by a gang of dacoits who robbed travelers.
C2 noun /ˈveɪnɡlɔːri/

vainglory

Meaning
Excessive vanity or boastfulness about one's achievements.
Example
His speech was filled with vainglory and self-praise.
C2 noun /ˈjoʊkəl/

yokel

Meaning
An uneducated and unsophisticated person from the countryside; a bumpkin.
Example
The city folks laughed at the yokel's simple ways.
C2 noun /ˈplɛntɪtjuːd/

plentitude

Meaning
the condition of being full or abundant
Example
The garden offered a plentitude of flowers in spring.
C2 adjective /ˌɪn.trəˈsɛl.jʊ.lər/

intracellular

Meaning
Located or occurring within a cell.
Example
The drug works by targeting intracellular bacteria.
C2 verb /ˈæmbl/

amble

Meaning
To walk at a slow, relaxed pace.
Example
They amble through the park on Sunday mornings.
C2 verb /ˈsɪbəleɪt/

sibilate

Meaning
To pronounce with a hissing sound.
Example
The actor sibilated his lines for dramatic effect.
C2 noun /nɪb/

nib

Meaning
the pointed end of a pen used for writing or drawing
Example
He dipped the nib into the ink before writing.
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 /trʌs/

truss

Meaning
a framework, typically consisting of rafters, posts, and struts, supporting a roof, bridge, or other structure
Example
The engineer designed a strong truss for the new bridge.
C2 verb /sʌbˈtɛnd/

subtend

Meaning
To extend across or form an angle at a particular point, often used in geometry.
Example
The arc subtends a 60-degree angle at the center of the circle.
C2 verb /ˈvɪvɪfaɪ/

vivify

Meaning
to give life or energy to something; to animate or enliven
Example
The teacher’s enthusiasm helped vivify the boring lecture.
C2 adjective /ˈɡɔːdi/

gaudy

Meaning
excessively showy or flashy, often in a tasteless way
Example
She wore a gaudy necklace that clashed with her elegant dress.
C2 noun /ˌdɛrɪˈlɪkʃən/

dereliction

Meaning
the state of being abandoned; neglect of duty
Example
The officer was charged with dereliction of duty.
C2 noun /ˌdɪsɪˈpeɪʃən/

dissipation

Meaning
the process of disappearing or wasting; excessive indulgence in pleasure
Example
The dissipation of his fortune left him in poverty.
C2 verb /ɪˈnjʊər/

inure

Meaning
To become accustomed to something, especially something unpleasant.
Example
Soldiers quickly became inured to the harsh conditions.
C2 adjective /ˈfɛtɪd/

fetid

Meaning
having a strong, unpleasant smell
Example
The fetid smell from the garbage was unbearable.
C2 noun /priːˈɛmɪnəns/

preeminence

Meaning
The fact of surpassing all others; superiority.
Example
The university has gained preeminence in medical research.
C2 noun /ˈsʌfərəns/

sufferance

Meaning
patient endurance of pain, hardship, or delay; passive consent or tolerance
Example
He lived in poverty with quiet sufferance.
C2 verb /ˌpriːɪˈstæblɪʃ/

preestablish

Meaning
To establish or set up beforehand.
Example
Certain rules were preestablished before the meeting.
C2 adjective /ˈɪm.pi.əs/

Impious

Meaning
irreligious; lacking reverence for religion; blasphemous
Example
The impious act shocked the religious community.
C2 verb /ˈpʌkər/

pucker

Meaning
to tighten or contract into small folds or wrinkles
Example
She puckered her lips before kissing the child.
C2 noun /ˌpɒlɪˈhiːdrən/

polyhedron

Meaning
a solid object with flat polygonal faces, straight edges, and vertices
Example
The mathematician studied a complex polyhedron model.
C2 verb /ˌdɪsəˈbjuːz/

disabuse

Meaning
To free someone from a false belief or misconception.
Example
The teacher tried to disabuse the students of their misunderstanding.
C2 noun /ˌɪnˌkeɪpəˈbɪləti/

incapability

Meaning
lack of ability or power to do something; inability or incompetence
Example
His incapability to manage the team led to serious problems.
C2 adjective /ˈsætərˌnaɪn/

saturnine

Meaning
slow and gloomy in mood
Example
His saturnine expression made everyone in the room uncomfortable.
C2 verb /ˈɑːbvieɪt/

obviate

Meaning
To remove a need or difficulty; to prevent or avoid something.
Example
This new system obviates the need for manual data entry.
C2 adverb /ˈfɔːrbi/

forby

Meaning
In addition; besides (archaic Scottish/English word).
Example
He is kind and generous, and wise forby.
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 noun /ˈækmi/

acme

Meaning
the highest point of achievement or excellence
Example
Winning the award was the acme of his career.
C2 adjective /æbˈhɔːr.ənt/

Abhorrent

Meaning
extremely unpleasant and causing disgust; detestable
Example
The idea of animal cruelty is abhorrent to most people.
C2 adjective /ɑːrˈθʊr.i.ən/

arthurian

Meaning
Relating to the legendary King Arthur and the stories surrounding him.
Example
The novel is set in an Arthurian world of knights and castles.
C2 adjective /ˌkæləˈrɪfɪk/

calorific

Meaning
Relating to the amount of energy contained in food or fuel.
Example
Chocolate is highly calorific, so it should be eaten in moderation.
C2 noun, verb /ˈæseɪ/

assay

Meaning
To test or analyze the quality, purity, or content of a substance; the act of such testing.
Example
The scientists assayed the mineral sample for gold content.
C2 noun /ˌrep.ɑːˈtiː/

Repartee

Meaning
conversation or speech characterized by quick, witty comments or replies
Example
The dinner party was filled with brilliant repartee between the guests.
C2 adjective /ˌsɒpəˈrɪfɪk/

soporific

Meaning
tending to induce drowsiness or sleep; causing sleepiness
Example
The professor's lecture was so soporific that half the class fell asleep.
C2 verb /ˈvɪlɪfaɪ/

vilify

Meaning
to speak or write about someone in an abusive or disparaging manner
Example
The politician was vilified in the media for his controversial remarks.
C2 noun /əˈpɒθəˌkɛri/

apothecary

Meaning
A historical term for a person who prepared and sold medicines and drugs.
Example
The village apothecary provided remedies for many common illnesses.
C2 adjective /ˈsɪlieɪtɪd/

ciliated

Meaning
Having minute hairlike projections (cilia) on the surface of cells or organisms.
Example
The ciliated cells in the respiratory tract help move mucus out of the lungs.
C2 adjective /ˈpeɪli/

paly

Meaning
striped with different colors, usually used in heraldry
Example
The knight’s shield was decorated with paly stripes of red and gold.
C2 adjective /ˈtɛsəleɪtɪd/

tessellated

Meaning
arranged in a pattern of repeated shapes fitting together without gaps
Example
The tessellated floor was made of colorful tiles arranged in perfect symmetry.
C2 noun /ˈɒn.rʌʃ/

onrush

Meaning
A sudden powerful forward or downward rush or flow.
Example
The onrush of water swept away the bridge.
C2 noun /ˈætəmaɪzər/

atomizer

Meaning
A device that sprays liquid into a fine mist.
Example
She used an atomizer to apply the perfume evenly.
C2 noun /ˈmænˌiː.tər/

man-eater

Meaning
An animal that kills and eats humans; informally, a woman who is very assertive in relationships.
Example
The tiger became a notorious man-eater in the village.
C2 adjective /ˈfiːtɪd/

foetid

Meaning
having an offensive, unpleasant smell
Example
The foetid smell from the garbage made it hard to breathe.
C2 noun /ˈʌndərlɪŋ/

underling

Meaning
a person of low rank or importance; a subordinate
Example
The manager ordered his underlings to finish the task quickly.
C2 adjective /ˌʌnprəˈpɪʃəs/

unpropitious

Meaning
Not giving or indicating a good chance of success; unfavorable.
Example
The team began their journey under unpropitious weather conditions.
C2 noun /ˌmɪsˈtʃæns/

mischance

Meaning
An unfortunate accident or event; bad luck.
Example
By mischance, he missed the last train home.
C2 adjective /ɪmˈperɪʃəbəl/

Imperishable

Meaning
not subject to decay; lasting forever; eternal
Example
The imperishable beauty of classical art continues to inspire generations.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈvʌlnərəbl/

invulnerable

Meaning
Impossible to harm, damage, or defeat.
Example
The fortress was thought to be invulnerable to attack.
C2 adjective /ˈtæsɪtɜrn/

taciturn

Meaning
reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little
Example
He was a taciturn man who rarely spoke in meetings.
C2 noun /sɪlf/

sylph

Meaning
A mythical spirit of the air; also refers to a slender, graceful woman.
Example
She moved across the stage like a sylph, light and graceful.
C2 verb /məˈtrɪkjʊˌleɪt/

matriculate

Meaning
To enroll as a student in a college or university.
Example
She matriculated at Oxford University last year.
C2 noun /ˈbrɔːdˌsaɪd/

broadside

Meaning
a strong verbal attack or a sheet of paper printed on one side
Example
The politician launched a broadside against his opponent.
C2 adjective /ˌfæntæzməˈɡɒrɪkəl/

phantasmagorical

Meaning
Having a fantastic, dreamlike, or surreal appearance, often shifting or illusory.
Example
The movie created a phantasmagorical vision of another world.
C2 adjective /juːˈbɪkwɪtəs/

ubiquitious

Meaning
Present, appearing, or found everywhere.
Example
Smartphones have become ubiquitous in modern society.
C2 noun /ˌpɪəriəˈdɪsɪti/

periodicity

Meaning
The quality or state of being regular or recurring at intervals.
Example
The periodicity of the moon’s phases has fascinated humans for centuries.
C2 noun ˈtɛlɪˌmɛtri

telemetry

Meaning
The process of recording and transmitting the readings of an instrument.
Example
The spacecraft transmitted telemetry data back to Earth.
C2 noun /ˈlæn.sɪt/

lancet

Meaning
a small, sharp, two-edged surgical knife used for making small incisions
Example
The doctor used a lancet to prick the patient’s finger for a blood test.
C2 noun /neɪv/

nave

Meaning
the central part of a church building intended to accommodate the congregation
Example
The choir sang beautifully in the church nave.
C2 adjective /ɔːˈrɔːrəl/

auroral

Meaning
Relating to or resembling the aurora, especially the northern lights.
Example
The scientists observed auroral activity in the night sky.
C2 noun /ˌpraɪvəˈtɪə/

privateer

Meaning
A privately owned armed ship authorized by a government to attack enemy ships during war.
Example
The privateer captured several enemy vessels during the conflict.
C2 noun /pæˈstiːʃ/

pastiche

Meaning
a work of art, literature, or music that imitates the style of another artist, period, or genre
Example
The film was a clever pastiche of 1950s detective movies.
C2 adjective /ˈbreɪsɪŋ/

bracing

Meaning
Invigorating, refreshing, or providing strength and energy.
Example
The hikers enjoyed the bracing mountain air.
C2 noun /ˌɪnədˈvɜːrtəns/

inadvertence

Meaning
Failure to pay attention; carelessness.
Example
The error happened through sheer inadvertence.
C2 adjective /həˈrɛtɪkəl/

heretical

Meaning
Relating to or characterized by departure from accepted beliefs or standards, especially in religion.
Example
The priest condemned the book as heretical.
C2 adjective /ˌɒbsəˈlɛsnt/

obsolescent

Meaning
Becoming outdated or on the way to becoming obsolete.
Example
The obsolescent technology could not compete with modern devices.
C2 adjective /ˈɒf.biːt/

offbeat

Meaning
Unusual, unconventional, or different from the norm.
Example
She has a very offbeat sense of humor.
C2 verb /kənˈtɛm/

contemn

Meaning
to treat or regard with disdain, scorn, or contempt
Example
He would never contemn honest work, no matter how humble.
C2 noun /juːˈdʒen.ɪks/

eugenics

Meaning
the study or practice of improving the genetic quality of the human population
Example
Eugenics has been criticized for its unethical applications in history.
C2 noun /θiˈɒkrəsi/

theocracy

Meaning
A system of government in which priests or religious leaders rule in the name of God or a deity.
Example
The country was governed as a theocracy where religious leaders had supreme authority.
C2 adjective /ˈdʒɒkənd/

jocund

Meaning
cheerful and lighthearted
Example
They walked together in a jocund mood after the celebration.
C2 noun /ˈɡʌp.i fɪʃ/

Guppy fish

Meaning
a small colorful freshwater fish popular in aquariums, known for its vibrant colors and easy breeding
Example
The guppy fish is perfect for beginners who want to start an aquarium.
C2 noun /dɪˈsɪstəns/

desistance

Meaning
The act of stopping or ceasing from some action or behavior.
Example
The court urged his desistance from further unlawful activities.
C2 noun /taɪð/

tithe

Meaning
A tenth part of one’s income or produce, often given as a religious offering.
Example
He gave a tithe of his earnings to the church.
C2 verb /dɪˈkænt/

decant

Meaning
To pour liquid gently from one container into another, especially without disturbing the sediment.
Example
She carefully decanted the wine into a clean glass.
C2 noun /ˈnɛkrəˌmænsi/

necromancy

Meaning
the practice of communicating with the dead, often to predict the future
Example
Ancient texts described rituals of necromancy performed by priests.
C2 adjective /ɡrʌf/

gruff

Meaning
Rough or stern in manner, speech, or voice.
Example
Despite his gruff manner, he was very kind-hearted.
C2 noun /ˈɪrˌʃɑːt/

earshot

Meaning
the range or distance within which a sound can be heard
Example
The children whispered secrets out of earshot of their parents.
C2 noun /əˈbrɪdʒmənt/

abridgment

Meaning
A shortened version of a larger work, such as a book or speech.
Example
The publisher released an abridgment of the lengthy novel for students.
C2 noun /ˈpɛnjʊri/

penury

Meaning
extreme poverty or destitution
Example
He grew up in penury but became successful later in life.
C2 noun /ˈmʌskɪt/

musket

Meaning
a type of long gun used in the past, especially by infantry soldiers
Example
The soldiers carried muskets into the battlefield.
C2 noun /ˌɪntərˈsɛʃən/

intercession

Meaning
the act of intervening or pleading on behalf of another person
Example
The prisoner was released due to the intercession of influential leaders.
C2 adjective /ræpˈtɔːriəl/

raptorial

Meaning
Relating to birds of prey or predatory behavior.
Example
The eagle is a raptorial bird with sharp talons.