brandish
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C1 verb /ˈbrændɪʃ/

brandish

Meaning
to wave or flourish something, especially a weapon, in a threatening or showy way
Example
He brandished a sword to scare off the intruders.
C1 adjective /ˈpɑːndərəs/

ponderous

Meaning
slow and clumsy because of great weight; dull and labored
Example
The ponderous lecture made it hard for students to stay awake.
C1 adverb /ˈduːli/

Duly

Meaning
in accordance with what is required or appropriate; at the proper time
Example
The documents were duly signed and submitted.
C1 verb /ɪnˈfrɪndʒ/

infringe

Meaning
To actively break the terms of a law, agreement, or right.
Example
Copying this software without permission will infringe copyright laws.
C1 noun /ˌsɛlfsəˈfɪʃənsi/

Self-sufficiency

Meaning
the ability to supply one's own needs without external assistance; independence
Example
The farm achieved complete self-sufficiency in food production.
C1 noun ˌsɪstəˈmætɪk ˈseɪvɪŋz

systematic savings

Meaning
A structured and organized approach to regularly saving money according to a planned schedule
Example
Systematic savings can mitigate financial crises in old age.
C1 noun /ɡʌst/

Gust

Meaning
a sudden strong rush of wind; a sudden burst or outburst of feeling
Example
A powerful gust of wind knocked over the outdoor umbrellas at the cafe.
C1 noun ˈeʃ.ə.lɒn

echelon

Meaning
A level or rank in an organization, a profession, or society.
Example
He climbed to the upper echelon of the corporate world.
C1 adjective /ˈɡreɪsləs/

graceless

Meaning
Lacking elegance, charm, or social refinement.
Example
His graceless behavior embarrassed everyone at the party.
C1 noun /ˈfoʊliɪdʒ/

foliage

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

venous

Meaning
relating to the veins that carry blood to the heart
Example
The doctor examined the patient’s venous circulation.
C1 verb /ˈstrætɪfaɪ/

stratify

Meaning
to arrange or divide into layers, classes, or categories
Example
The researchers plan to stratify the data based on age groups.
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 noun /ˈdrɛsˌmeɪkər/

dressmaker

Meaning
A person who makes or alters women's clothing professionally.
Example
The dressmaker crafted a beautiful gown for the bride.
C1 verb /ɪnˈkɑːrsəreɪt/

incarcerate

Meaning
to imprison or confine someone
Example
The authorities incarcerated the criminal after the trial.
C1 noun /ˈiːkwɪnɒks/

equinox

Meaning
The time or date when day and night are of equal length, occurring twice a year.
Example
The spring equinox marks the beginning of longer days.
C1 verb /aɪˈdiː.ə.laɪz/

idealize

Meaning
To regard or represent something as perfect or better than it really is.
Example
Children often idealize their parents.
C1 noun /ræmˈbuːtən/

Rambutan

Meaning
a tropical fruit with red spiky skin and white translucent sweet flesh similar to litchi
Example
The rambutan looks scary with its hairy skin but tastes very sweet inside.
C1 noun /ˈʌp.tɜːn/

upturn

Meaning
An improvement or upward trend in a situation, especially in business or economy.
Example
The company experienced an upturn in sales last quarter.
C1 noun /ɡrəˈtjuːɪti/

gratuity

Meaning
A sum of money given as a tip or a retirement benefit.
Example
The waiter received a generous gratuity for his excellent service.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈsɪstənt/

insistent

Meaning
demanding something firmly and refusing to accept no
Example
The child was insistent on getting a new toy.
C1 phrase lɪˈdʒɪt.ɪ.mət sɛlf dɪˈfens

legitimate self-defense

Meaning
Lawful protection of oneself from harm or attack.
Example
The country claimed it was legitimate self-defense.
C1 noun /ˈɡræv.ɪ.tæs/

gravitas

Meaning
Dignity, seriousness, or solemnity of manner or speech.
Example
The judge spoke with great gravitas.
C1 verb /rɪˈdʒuː.vɪ.neɪt/

rejuvenate

Meaning
To make or feel young, healthy, or energetic again.
Example
A vacation can rejuvenate the mind and body.
C1 verb /ˈmʌtər/

mutter

Meaning
to speak in a low or barely audible voice, often in dissatisfaction or irritation
Example
He muttered something under his breath as he walked away.
C1 verb /spɜːrn/

spurn

Meaning
To reject something or someone with disdain or contempt.
Example
She spurned his offer of help.
C1 adjective /ˈwoʊ.fəl/

woeful

Meaning
full of woe; very sad or miserable; also used to mean very bad or deplorable
Example
He gave me a woeful look when he lost the match.
C1 verb/noun /pərˈvɜːrt/

pervert

Meaning
As a verb: to distort the meaning or purpose of something; as a noun: a person with abnormal or immoral sexual behavior.
Example
He tried to pervert the truth to escape punishment.
C1 noun /oʊθ/

Oath

Meaning
a solemn promise or declaration; a sworn statement
Example
The doctor took an oath to help patients.
C1 noun /daɪˈvɜː.dʒəns/

divergence

Meaning
The process or state of diverging; a difference or deviation between two or more things.
Example
The divergence in their opinions led to a heated debate.
C1 adjective /ˈneɡ.lɪ.dʒə.bəl/

Negligible

Meaning
so small or unimportant as to be not worth considering; insignificant
Example
The side effects of this medicine are negligible.
C1 adverb /ˈfeɪ.təl.i/

Fatally

Meaning
in a way that causes death; with deadly consequences; critically
Example
The accident fatally injured two passengers.
C1 verb /ˈrek.ən.saɪl/

reconcile

Meaning
Restore friendly relations between; cause to coexist in harmony.
Example
They tried to reconcile their differences through open communication.
C1 adjective /ˌɒstɛnˈteɪʃəs/

ostentatious

Meaning
Characterized by a showy or pretentious display intended to impress others.
Example
He wore an ostentatious gold chain to the party.
C1 noun/verb /ˈvɑːrnɪʃ/

varnish

Meaning
A liquid that is applied to wood or other materials to form a hard, shiny surface; also to apply such a liquid.
Example
The carpenter varnished the table to give it a glossy finish.
C1 noun /ˈliːvˌteɪ.kɪŋ/

leave-taking

Meaning
an act of saying goodbye; farewell
Example
His leave-taking from his friends was emotional.
C1 noun ˈmæŋɡroʊv ˈfɒrɪst

Mangrove Forest

Meaning
A coastal forest ecosystem characterized by salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that grow in intertidal zones.
Example
Sundarbans is the world's largest mangrove forest.
C1 adjective /ˈsɪnləs/

Sinless

Meaning
free from sin; pure and innocent; without moral fault
Example
The innocent child appeared sinless in her pure white dress.
C1 noun /ˈpæntəmaɪm/

pantomime

Meaning
A type of theatrical performance using gestures and movements without spoken words; in Britain, a musical comedy play for families performed at Christmas.
Example
The children enjoyed the Christmas pantomime at the local theater.
C1 adjective /ˌjuːnɪˈlætərəl/

Unilateral

Meaning
one-sided; involving only one party
Example
The country made a unilateral decision to withdraw from the treaty.
C1 adjective /ˌeɪˈtɪpɪkəl/

atypical

Meaning
not representative of a type, group, or class; unusual or abnormal
Example
The doctor said it was an atypical case of the disease.
C1 verb /əˈfɪliˌeɪt/

affiliate

Meaning
to officially attach or connect (a group or organization) to a larger body
Example
The school is affiliated with the local university.
C1 adjective /ˈɛntərˌpraɪzɪŋ/

enterprising

Meaning
showing initiative and resourcefulness; willing to take risks to achieve success
Example
She is an enterprising young entrepreneur.
C1 noun /pəˈθɒlədʒi/

pathology

Meaning
the scientific study of diseases, their causes, processes, and effects on the body
Example
Advances in pathology helped the doctors identify the rare infection quickly.
C1 verb /ʌnˈroʊl/

unroll

Meaning
to open something that is rolled up; to spread out gradually
Example
She unrolled the map on the table to find the route.
C1 noun /truːp/

troupe

Meaning
A group of dancers, actors, or performers who work together.
Example
The theater troupe performed brilliantly on stage.
C1 adjective /ˈspɑːrtn/

spartan

Meaning
showing simplicity and lack of luxury; austere
Example
He lived in a spartan room with just a bed and a chair.
C1 noun /ˈpɜːʃən/

Persian

Meaning
a native or inhabitant of Iran; the language spoken in Iran (Farsi)
Example
The Persian language has a rich literary history.
C1 noun /ˌsæl.jʊˈteɪ.ʃən/

Salutation

Meaning
a greeting; an expression of goodwill
Example
The letter began with a formal salutation.
C1 noun /ɪnˈækjʊrəsi/

inaccuracy

Meaning
lack of accuracy or precision; an incorrect or wrong detail
Example
The report contained several factual inaccuracies.
C1 adjective səˈblaɪm

sublime

Meaning
Of such excellence, grandeur, or beauty as to inspire great admiration or awe.
Example
The sublime beauty of the mountain landscape took my breath away.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈkɛmpt/

unkempt

Meaning
Having an untidy or disheveled appearance.
Example
He looked unkempt after sleeping outdoors all night.
C1 adjective /ˈvɑːlətl/

volatile

Meaning
likely to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially for the worse
Example
The stock market is extremely volatile these days.
C1 noun /taɪˈkuːn/

tycoon

Meaning
a wealthy, powerful businessperson
Example
The real estate tycoon invested in several skyscrapers.
C1 noun ˈkəmˌpaʊndɪŋ

compounding

Meaning
The process whereby interest is added to an amount of money and future interest is calculated on the total.
Example
Compounding interest increases the value of investments over time.
C1 adjective /sər'pæs.ɪŋ/

Surpassing

Meaning
exceeding; going beyond; outstanding
Example
Her surpassing beauty made everyone stop and stare.
C1 noun /ˈnɛkˌlaɪn/

neckline

Meaning
the edge of a garment around the neck, especially as cut to form a particular shape
Example
The dress has a beautiful V-shaped neckline.
C1 noun /rɪft/

rift

Meaning
a serious break in a relationship; a split or crack
Example
A rift developed between the two friends after the argument.
C1 noun /prəˈdʒɛktaɪl/

projectile

Meaning
An object fired, thrown, or propelled, especially from a weapon.
Example
The soldier dodged the incoming projectile.
C1 verb /ˈwɒd.əl/

waddle

Meaning
to walk with short steps and a clumsy swaying motion, like a duck
Example
The duck waddled across the yard.
C1 noun dɪˌzɝː.t̬ə.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən

desertification

Meaning
The process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically as a result of drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture.
Example
Deforestation accelerates desertification.
C1 adjective /həˈmɑː.dʒə.nəs/

homogenous

Meaning
Similar or uniform in nature; often used interchangeably with 'homogeneous'.
Example
The class was made up of a homogenous group of students.
C1 adjective /dɪˈskrɪmɪˌneɪtɪŋ/

discriminating

Meaning
Having refined taste or good judgment; able to recognize subtle differences.
Example
She is known for her discriminating taste in art.
C1 verb /snɪp/

snip

Meaning
to cut something quickly with scissors or a sharp tool
Example
She snipped the loose thread from her dress.
C1 noun /ˈtæbloʊ/

tableau

Meaning
a striking or artistic scene or arrangement of people or objects, often presented on stage or in art
Example
The actors froze in a tableau that captured the final moment of the play.
C1 noun /wɪsp/

wisp

Meaning
A small thin or twisted bunch, piece, or amount of something.
Example
A wisp of smoke rose from the chimney.
C1 noun /ˈwiː.vər bɜːd/

Weaver bird

Meaning
a small bird that builds elaborate woven nests from grass and twigs
Example
The weaver bird skillfully constructs its intricate nest.
C1 noun /ˈwɔː.tər ˈspɪn.ɪtʃ/

Water Spinach

Meaning
A semi-aquatic leafy vegetable with hollow stems, popular in Asian cuisine
Example
Water spinach grows well in wet soil.
C1 noun /ˈɪntərˌpleɪ/

interplay

Meaning
The way in which two or more things have an effect on each other.
Example
The interplay between culture and technology shapes modern life.
C1 noun /ˈʃæpəroʊn/

chaperon

Meaning
An older person who accompanies and supervises young people in social situations.
Example
The teacher acted as a chaperon during the school dance.
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 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 adjective /ˌɪnɪkˈsplɪkəbl/

inexplicable

Meaning
Impossible to explain or understand.
Example
The sudden disappearance of the file was inexplicable.
C1 adjective /ˈprɛdəˌtɔri/

predatory

Meaning
Relating to animals that prey on others; exploiting or victimizing others for personal gain.
Example
The predatory bird swooped down on its prey.
C1 noun njuːˈtræl.ə.ti

neutrality

Meaning
The state of not supporting or helping either side in a conflict, disagreement, etc.; impartiality.
Example
Neutrality fosters trust in decision-making.
C1 verb /əˈdʒɜrn/

adjourn

Meaning
to suspend a meeting or session to another time or place
Example
The judge decided to adjourn the hearing until next week.
C1 noun sælˈveɪʃən

salvation

Meaning
Deliverance from sin and its consequences, believed by Christians to be brought about by faith in Christ.
Example
The story revolves around the theme of salvation.
C1 verb /ˈmɪt.ɪ.ɡeɪt/

mitigate

Meaning
To make less severe, serious, or painful; to lessen the severity of damage or harm.
Example
Proper planning can mitigate financial risks.
C1 noun ˈtɑksɪk ɪˈmɪʃənz

toxic emissions

Meaning
Harmful or poisonous substances released into the environment, especially the atmosphere.
Example
Toxic emissions from vehicles pollute the atmosphere.
C1 verb /dɪˈfɔːrm/

deform

Meaning
to change the shape or form of something, especially in a way that makes it ugly or damaged; to distort
Example
The intense heat began to deform the plastic container.
C1 noun /ʃraɪn/

Shrine

Meaning
a holy or sacred place dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, or saint
Example
Pilgrims visit the shrine to pray for good health.
C1 noun /ˈpeɪ.ɡən/

Pagan

Meaning
a person holding religious beliefs other than the main world religions; a heathen
Example
Ancient Romans considered early Christians to be pagans.
C1 noun /ˌpɜːsəˈnælɪzeɪʃən/

personalization

Meaning
The action of making something personal or individual; customization.
Example
Personalization in marketing improves customer engagement.
C1 noun /ɑːrˈmɑːdə/

armada

Meaning
A large fleet of warships.
Example
The Spanish Armada sailed against England in 1588.
C1 noun /ˈwɔː.tər ˈtʃes.nʌt/

Water Chestnut

Meaning
aquatic plant with edible white crisp tubers
Example
Water chestnuts add a nice crunch to stir-fry dishes.
C1 verb /diːm/

deem

Meaning
to regard or consider in a specified way
Example
The project was deemed a success by the board.
C1 adjective ˌmiː.ti.ər.əˈlɒdʒ.ɪ.kəl

meteorological

Meaning
Relating to weather conditions and atmospheric phenomena.
Example
Meteorological conditions affect farming cycles.
C1 verb, noun /mʊər/

moor

Meaning
As a verb: to tie a ship so that it stays in place. As a noun: open, uncultivated land.
Example
The sailors moored the ship at the dock.
C1 noun /brʌnt/

brunt

Meaning
the worst part or main impact of something unpleasant
Example
The small town bore the brunt of the storm.
C1 noun /rɪˈspɒnsɪvnəs/

responsiveness

Meaning
The quality of reacting quickly and positively
Example
The manager appreciated her responsiveness to customer feedback.
C1 noun /ˈæptɪˌtjuːd/

aptitude

Meaning
a natural ability or talent to do something well
Example
She has a strong aptitude for learning new languages.
C1 noun, verb /ˈkɒmjuːn/

commune

Meaning
Noun: a group of people living together and sharing possessions; Verb: to share one's thoughts or feelings intimately.
Example
She went to the countryside to commune with nature.
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 noun /ˈkʌˈs.tə.di/

Custody

Meaning
the protective care or guardianship of someone or something; imprisonment or detention
Example
After the divorce, they shared custody of their children equally.
C1 noun /ˈfʌŋɡəs/

fungus

Meaning
a spore-producing organism feeding on organic matter, including molds, yeast, and mushrooms
Example
A strange fungus was growing on the old tree.
C1 adjective /ˌɪndɪˈstrʌktəbl/

indestructible

Meaning
Impossible to destroy or break.
Example
The superhero's shield was said to be indestructible.
C1 verb /ˈæn.ə.teɪt/

annotate

Meaning
to add notes or comments to a text, diagram, or document for explanation or clarification
Example
The teacher asked the students to annotate the poem with their interpretations.
C1 noun /ɪnˈtaɪtəlmənt/

entitlement

Meaning
the belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment; a right to benefits
Example
The program provides entitlement to health care.
C1 adjective /ˌkɒzməˈpɒlɪtən/

cosmopolitan

Meaning
familiar with and at ease in many different countries and cultures
Example
He has a cosmopolitan outlook due to his extensive travels.
C1 noun /ˌɪnklɪˈneɪʃən/

inclination

Meaning
A natural tendency or urge to act or feel in a particular way.
Example
She has an inclination towards helping others.
C1 adjective /dɪˈsiːtfəl/

deceitful

Meaning
Deliberately misleading or dishonest.
Example
She gave a deceitful answer to hide the truth.
C1 noun rɪˈfaɪnmənt

refinement

Meaning
The process of removing impurities or unwanted elements from a substance.
Example
His manners showed a refinement that made him stand out in any crowd.
C1 verb /ɪnˈlaɪvən/

enliven

Meaning
to make something more lively, interesting, or cheerful
Example
Her jokes helped enliven the dull meeting.
C1 adjective ɪn ˈfleɪ.ʃə.ner.i

inflationary

Meaning
Characterized by or tending to cause monetary inflation; relating to rising prices.
Example
The government took measures to control inflationary pressures.
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 ˌhaɪ.drəˈlɒdʒ.ɪ.kəl ˈsaɪ.kəl

hydrological cycle

Meaning
The cycle of processes by which water circulates between the earth's oceans, atmosphere, and land.
Example
The hydrological cycle ensures continuous water movement in nature.
C1 noun /ˌædəˈreɪʃən/

adoration

Meaning
deep love and respect; worship
Example
The fans showed their adoration for the singer.
C1 noun /roʊz ˈber.i/

Rose berry

Meaning
a type of berry with rose-like characteristics or flavor
Example
The rose berry has a delicate floral taste that reminds me of roses.
C1 noun, verb /ˈɔːtɒpsi/

autopsy

Meaning
a post-mortem examination to discover the cause of death or the extent of disease
Example
The autopsy revealed that the victim had died from poisoning.
C1 adjective /ˈhɛdˌstrɔŋ/

headstrong

Meaning
Determined to do what one wants, even if it is not sensible.
Example
The headstrong child refused to listen to anyone.
C1 noun /ˈpiːɒn/

peon

Meaning
a low-ranking worker, often performing menial tasks
Example
The office peon delivered the files to each department.
C1 verb /ɪˈkɒnəmaɪz/

economize

Meaning
To reduce spending or use resources carefully.
Example
Families are trying to economize by cutting unnecessary expenses.
C1 adjective /prəˈmɪskjuəs/

promiscuous

Meaning
Having or showing a casual and unselective approach, often used to describe indiscriminate sexual relationships.
Example
The novel depicts a character with a promiscuous lifestyle.
C1 adjective /ˈheɪt.fəl/

Hateful

Meaning
causing or deserving hatred; extremely unpleasant or offensive
Example
His hateful comments hurt everyone's feelings.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈsteɪtɪd/

unstated

Meaning
not expressed directly in words; implied or left unsaid
Example
The contract included several unstated expectations.
C1 noun dɪˈskrep.ən.siz

discrepancies

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

ascendancy

Meaning
A position of power, influence, or control over others.
Example
The company gained ascendancy in the market through innovation.
C1 noun /ˈpeɪθɒs/

pathos

Meaning
a quality in speech, writing, or events that evokes pity or deep emotion
Example
The documentary balanced pathos with hope, making the audience both weep and think.
C1 adjective /ˈwɪlfəl/

willful

Meaning
Deliberate, intentional, or stubbornly determined to do as one wants.
Example
Her willful disregard for the rules got her into trouble.
C1 noun /ɪnˈfɜːrnoʊ/

inferno

Meaning
a large, intense fire that is dangerously out of control
Example
The building turned into an inferno within minutes.
C1 noun sɜːrˈkeɪdiən ˈrɪðəm

circadian rhythm

Meaning
The body's natural sleep-wake cycle that occurs within 24 hours
Example
Exposure to natural light regulates the circadian rhythm.