busty
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C2 adjective /ˈbʌsti/

busty

Meaning
having a large or full bust; describing a woman with a prominent chest
Example
The actress was often described as busty in fashion magazines.
C2 adjective /bɒmˈbæstɪk/

bombastic

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

dupe

Meaning
To deceive or trick someone into believing or doing something.
Example
He was duped into buying a fake watch.
C2 adjective /ˈprɛfətɔːri/

prefatory

Meaning
serving as an introduction or preface
Example
He made some prefatory remarks before the lecture began.
C2 verb /traɪˈsɛkt/

trisect

Meaning
To divide into three parts.
Example
The teacher asked the students to trisect the line segment.
C2 verb /ˌmɪskənˈstruː/

misconstrue

Meaning
To interpret something wrongly or misunderstand the meaning.
Example
She misconstrued his silence as anger.
C2 adjective /ˈsætərˌnaɪn/

saturnine

Meaning
slow and gloomy in mood
Example
His saturnine expression made everyone in the room uncomfortable.
C2 noun, verb /ˌpæm.fləˈtɪər/

pamphleteer

Meaning
a person who writes or distributes pamphlets, often to promote a political or social cause
Example
In the 18th century, many pamphleteers influenced public opinion.
C2 noun /ˈbroʊɡən/

brogan

Meaning
A heavy, sturdy shoe, often made of leather.
Example
The farmer wore old brogans while working in the field.
C2 noun /laɪər/

lyre

Meaning
a stringed musical instrument of ancient Greece
Example
The musician played a melody on the lyre.
C2 adjective /ˈkræbɪd/

crabbed

Meaning
difficult to read or understand; ill-tempered
Example
His handwriting was crabbed and almost illegible.
C2 noun /ˈtɒnʃər/

tonsure

Meaning
the practice of shaving or cutting the hair on the scalp, especially in a religious context
Example
The monk received his tonsure as part of his religious initiation.
C2 adjective /hərˈmɛtɪk/

hermetic

Meaning
Completely sealed, especially so that no air can enter or escape.
Example
The medicine was kept in a hermetic container.
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 adjective /məˈlɪfluəs/

mellifluous

Meaning
Sweet or musical; pleasant to hear.
Example
The singer’s mellifluous voice enchanted the audience.
C2 noun /prɪˈsɛntɪmənt/

presentiment

Meaning
An intuitive feeling about the future, especially of something bad about to happen.
Example
He had a strong presentiment that the plan would fail.
C2 noun /prɪˈzɛntmənt/

presentment

Meaning
The act of presenting something formally or officially; a formal statement or document.
Example
The lawyer made a presentment of the evidence to the court.
C2 noun /ˈvaɪəl/

viol

Meaning
A stringed musical instrument of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, played with a bow and similar to but distinct from the violin family.
Example
The musician played an old viol in the chamber music concert.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈstɪntɪŋ/

unstinting

Meaning
given generously without holding back
Example
She received unstinting support from her family.
C2 noun, adjective /ˌæntiˌspæzˈmɒdɪk/

antispasmodic

Meaning
A drug or agent that relieves or prevents muscle spasms.
Example
The doctor prescribed an antispasmodic to ease the pain.
C2 adjective /prɪˈsɛnʃənt/

presentient

Meaning
Having a feeling or sense of something about to happen; predictive.
Example
She was presentient of the coming disaster.
C2 noun /luːˈsɪd.ə.ti/

lucidity

Meaning
Clarity of thought or style; the quality of being easily understood.
Example
His explanation had great lucidity, making it easy to understand.
C2 adjective /ɛmˈpaɪriəl/

empyreal

Meaning
Heavenly, divine, or relating to the highest heavens.
Example
The poet described the empyreal beauty of the stars.
C2 noun /ɪnˈtɛɡ.jʊ.mənt/

integument

Meaning
A natural outer covering, such as skin, shell, or rind.
Example
The snake sheds its integument as it grows.
C2 verb /bɪˈsmɜːrtʃ/

besmirch

Meaning
to damage someone's reputation; to make dirty or stained
Example
He tried to besmirch her good name with false rumors.
C2 verb /trænsˈfjuːz/

transfuse

Meaning
to transfer blood or another fluid into a vein or body part; to instill a quality or idea into someone or something
Example
The doctor had to transfuse blood into the patient after the surgery.
C2 adjective /ˈbeɪnfəl/

baneful

Meaning
Causing harm, ruin, or destruction; deadly or poisonous.
Example
His baneful influence ruined the community.
C2 noun /əˈbluːʃən/

ablution

Meaning
the act of washing oneself, often for religious purposes
Example
He performed his morning ablution before the prayer.
C2 adjective /ləˈsɪviəs/

lascivious

Meaning
showing an overt and often offensive sexual desire
Example
The lascivious remarks made everyone uncomfortable.
C2 noun /ˈpɑːrvənuː/

parvenu

Meaning
A person who has recently gained wealth or influence but is not yet accepted socially.
Example
He was seen as a parvenu who lacked refinement despite his riches.
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 noun /ˈhaɪərlɪŋ/

hireling

Meaning
A person who works for payment only, often with little loyalty or principle.
Example
The mercenary was dismissed as just a hireling with no real loyalty.
C2 noun /prɪˈsɛʃən/

precession

Meaning
The slow movement of the axis of a spinning body around another axis, often referring to Earth's rotation.
Example
Astronomers study the precession of the equinoxes.
C2 verb /rɪˈkwaɪt/

requite

Meaning
to return or repay a favor, service, or feeling
Example
She requited his kindness with a thoughtful gift.
C2 adjective /ˈprɒmɪsəri/

promissory

Meaning
Containing or conveying a promise, especially in writing.
Example
He signed a promissory note to repay the loan.
C2 verb /ˌdɪskəmˈbɑːbjuleɪt/

discombobulate

Meaning
to confuse or disconcert; to upset the normal order
Example
The sudden question seemed to discombobulate him.
C2 adjective /ˈmʌski/

musky

Meaning
having a strong, sweet, earthy smell like musk
Example
The perfume had a musky fragrance.
C2 noun /kəmˈpleɪsəns/

complaisance

Meaning
willingness to please others; courteous compliance
Example
Her complaisance made her popular among her colleagues.
C2 adjective /rɪˈprɛsəbl̩/

repressible

Meaning
Capable of being restrained or suppressed.
Example
The movement proved to be hardly repressible.
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 adjective /prɪˈzʌmptɪv/

presumptive

Meaning
Based on probability or assumption rather than proof.
Example
She is the presumptive nominee for the party.
C2 noun /ˌɒstɛnˈteɪʃən/

ostentation

Meaning
excessive display of wealth or knowledge intended to attract admiration or envy
Example
The billionaire’s party was full of ostentation and luxury.
C2 adjective /ɪˈfʌldʒənt/

effulgent

Meaning
Shining brilliantly; radiant.
Example
Her effulgent smile brightened everyone's mood.
C2 adjective /ˈmʌnid/

Moneyed

Meaning
having much money; wealthy; rich
Example
She comes from a moneyed family with extensive real estate holdings.
C2 adjective /kənˈdʒɛktʃərəl/

conjectural

Meaning
based on guesswork or incomplete evidence rather than certain knowledge
Example
His explanation was purely conjectural and lacked proof.
C2 noun /ˈæsɪˌteɪt/

acetate

Meaning
a salt or ester of acetic acid; a synthetic material used in textiles and film
Example
The company produces acetate fibers for clothing.
C2 verb /ˈtæri/

tarry

Meaning
To delay or linger; to stay longer than intended.
Example
Do not tarry, or you will miss the train.
C2 noun /ræpˈskæliən/

rapscallion

Meaning
A mischievous or cheeky person; a rascal.
Example
The little rapscallion hid his brother’s shoes as a prank.
C2 adjective /pərˈfɛktəbl/

perfectible

Meaning
capable of being made perfect or improved
Example
Human nature is imperfect but perfectible.
C2 adjective /ɪˈfjuːsɪv/

effusive

Meaning
Expressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained or heartfelt manner.
Example
She gave him an effusive welcome after his long journey.
C2 noun /ˈtælɪzmən/

talisman

Meaning
An object believed to have magical powers or bring good luck.
Example
He always carried a small talisman in his pocket for luck.
C2 noun /ˈænɪməs/

animus

Meaning
A strong feeling of hostility; motivation or purpose behind an action.
Example
His speech was driven by animus against the policy.
C2 adjective /ˈmʌsti/

musty

Meaning
having a stale, moldy, or damp smell
Example
The old books had a musty odor.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈsuːsiənt/

insouciant

Meaning
Showing a casual lack of concern; carefree.
Example
He gave an insouciant shrug and walked away.
C2 noun /ˈdɛkəˌlɔːɡ/

decalogue

Meaning
The Ten Commandments in the Bible; a set of fundamental rules or principles.
Example
The priest gave a sermon on the importance of the Decalogue.
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 noun /ɪmˈpaɪ.ə.ti/

Impiety

Meaning
lack of piety or reverence, especially for a god; disrespect or irreverence toward religious matters
Example
His impiety shocked the religious community when he mocked their sacred ceremonies.
C2 adjective /ˌhɜːrkjʊˈliːən/

herculean

Meaning
Requiring great strength or effort; very difficult to perform.
Example
It was a herculean task to rebuild the city after the disaster.
C2 verb /seɪt/

sate

Meaning
To satisfy fully or to excess.
Example
The huge meal sated their hunger after the long journey.
C2 noun /ˌniːoʊˈlætɪn/

neo-latin

Meaning
The use of Latin language for scholarly, scientific, and literary purposes after the medieval period.
Example
Many scientific names are derived from Neo-Latin.
C2 noun /ˌdʒer.ɪˈmaɪ.æd/

Jeremiad

Meaning
a long mournful complaint or lamentation; a list of woes; a prolonged expression of grief
Example
The newspaper editorial was a jeremiad about the decline of moral values in society.
C2 adjective /rɪˈdaʊ.tə.bəl/

redoubtable

Meaning
formidable, especially as an opponent; inspiring fear or respect
Example
She was a redoubtable leader who commanded respect from all.
C2 verb /ˌdɪsɪnˈfræntʃaɪz/

disenfranchise

Meaning
To deprive someone of the right to vote or other rights.
Example
The new law could disenfranchise thousands of voters.
C2 noun /ˈkærɪlɒn/

carillon

Meaning
A set of bells played using a keyboard, usually in a tower.
Example
The carillon bells rang across the town square.
C2 noun /ˈnæfθə/

naphtha

Meaning
A flammable oil containing hydrocarbons, obtained from petroleum or coal tar, used as fuel or solvent.
Example
The factory stored barrels of naphtha for industrial use.
C2 verb /dʒaɪb/

jibe

Meaning
to make an insulting remark; to be in agreement or harmony with
Example
His actions did not jibe with his words.
C2 adjective /ˌhɪstriˈɒnɪk/

histrionic

Meaning
Overly dramatic or theatrical in behavior or style.
Example
Her histrionic reaction to the small problem surprised everyone.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈdɛkərəs/

indecorous

Meaning
Not in keeping with good taste and propriety; improper.
Example
His indecorous behavior shocked the audience.
C2 noun /niːˈɒkrəsi/

neocracy

Meaning
A government or leadership run by inexperienced or new officials.
Example
The sudden revolution led to a neocracy with inexperienced leaders.
C2 adjective /ˈfɪt.fəl/

fitful

Meaning
occurring in irregular bursts; not continuous or steady
Example
He had a fitful sleep due to the storm.
C2 adverb /əˈbæk/

Aback

Meaning
by surprise; unexpectedly
Example
I was taken aback by his sudden announcement.
C2 noun /ˈkɒliər/

collier

Meaning
a person who works in coal mines or a ship carrying coal
Example
The collier spent long hours underground extracting coal.
C2 verb /əˈkluːd/

occlude

Meaning
To block or close up an opening or passage.
Example
The pipe was occluded by mineral deposits.
C2 noun /waɪl/

wile

Meaning
A trick or clever scheme meant to deceive or outwit someone.
Example
He used every wile to win her trust.
C2 noun /ˈdɛntɪfrɪs/

dentifrice

Meaning
a substance such as powder, paste, or liquid used to clean teeth
Example
He bought a new herbal dentifrice from the pharmacy.
C2 adjective /baɪˈkæmərəl/

bicameral

Meaning
Having two branches or chambers, especially in a legislature.
Example
The United States has a bicameral legislature consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
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 (plural) /ˈɔːrdʒiːz/

orgies

Meaning
Wild gatherings involving excessive indulgence in food, drink, or sexual activity.
Example
The ancient Romans were infamous for their lavish feasts and orgies.
C2 noun /ˌperəˈreɪʃən/

peroration

Meaning
The concluding part of a speech, often intended to inspire or persuade.
Example
The politician's peroration left the audience applauding enthusiastically.
C2 noun /ɪnˈsaɪzər/

incisor

Meaning
a narrow-edged tooth at the front of the mouth, adapted for cutting
Example
The dentist noted that his upper left incisor was chipped.
C2 noun /ˈmæntl̩/

mantel

Meaning
A shelf above a fireplace, often used for decoration.
Example
She placed family photos on the mantel above the fireplace.
C2 noun /pərˈsɪpiəns/

percipience

Meaning
The ability to perceive, understand, or notice things quickly.
Example
His percipience in reading people made him a great negotiator.
C2 noun /ˌpæl.ənˈkiːn/

Palanquin

Meaning
a covered chair or bed carried on poles by bearers
Example
The bride was carried to the wedding ceremony in an ornate palanquin.
C2 adjective /ˈoʊ.pən ˈhæn.dɪd/

Open-handed

Meaning
Generous; liberal; giving freely;
Example
He is very open-handed with his money and always helps those in need.
C2 noun /ˈpɜːrvjuː/

purview

Meaning
the scope or range of authority, responsibility, or knowledge
Example
The case does not fall within the purview of this court.
C2 noun /noʊl/

Knoll

Meaning
a small rounded hill or mound
Example
The old oak tree stood majestically on top of the grassy knoll.
C2 noun /ˌdɛkləˈmeɪʃən/

declamation

Meaning
a formal speech delivered with rhetorical or dramatic effect
Example
Her declamation captivated the audience at the competition.
C2 adjective /ˈɪnˌbrɛd/

inbred

Meaning
existing naturally in a person or animal; also related to reproduction within a limited community
Example
He has an inbred sense of loyalty.
C2 noun /ˈpæsɪt/

Passet

Meaning
Fresh cheese curds; cottage cheese made from curdled milk
Example
The cook prepared fresh passet by curdling warm milk with lemon juice.
C2 adjective /ˈkwɒdreɪt/

quadrate

Meaning
square or nearly square; having four sides or being suited or corresponding to something
Example
The tiles had a neat quadrate shape that made the floor look orderly.
C2 noun /ˌprɒdɪˈɡæləti/

prodigality

Meaning
the quality of being wastefully extravagant
Example
His prodigality with money left him bankrupt.
C2 adjective /ˈdɛdˌpæn/

deadpan

Meaning
Deliberately impassive or expressionless in manner.
Example
She delivered the joke in a completely deadpan voice.
C2 verb /ˈsʌli/

sully

Meaning
to damage the purity, integrity, or reputation of something
Example
The scandal sullied the politician’s reputation.
C2 adjective /əˈfɪʃəs/

officious

Meaning
Excessively eager to offer unwanted help or advice; meddlesome.
Example
The officious guard kept interrupting the visitors with unnecessary instructions.
C2 adjective /ˌser.ɪˈməʊ.ni.əs/

ceremonious

Meaning
marked by formality, politeness, or strict observance of customs
Example
He gave her a ceremonious bow before entering the hall.
C2 adjective /ɔːrˈθɑːɡənl/

orthogonal

Meaning
at right angles; independent or unrelated
Example
In mathematics, two vectors are orthogonal if their dot product is zero.
C2 noun /ˈɡræn.juːl/

granule

Meaning
A small compact particle of a substance.
Example
Each granule of salt sparkled under the sunlight.
C2 noun /ˈræŋ.kər/

rancor

Meaning
A feeling of deep and bitter anger or resentment.
Example
There was a rancor between the two rivals that never faded.
C2 noun /ˌvɪvɪˈsɛkʃən/

vivisection

Meaning
the practice of performing operations on live animals for scientific research
Example
Vivisection has long been a controversial topic among scientists and animal rights activists.
C2 adjective /ˈbɔːdi/

bawdy

Meaning
humorously indecent or obscene, often in a sexual way
Example
The comedian’s bawdy jokes made the audience laugh and blush.
C2 noun /ˈjɪərlɪŋ/

yearling

Meaning
an animal that is one year old, especially a horse
Example
The farmer sold the yearling at the livestock market.
C2 adjective /ˈvɒkətɪv/

vocative

Meaning
relating to a case in grammar used for directly addressing someone
Example
In Latin, the vocative case is used when directly calling someone by name.
C2 noun /ˌpoʊpʊˈriː/

potpourri

Meaning
a mixture of dried flowers and spices kept in a bowl to perfume a room; a miscellaneous collection
Example
The living room was filled with the scent of potpourri.
C2 adjective /vaɪˈkɛəriəs/

vicarious

Meaning
experienced through the feelings or actions of another person
Example
She felt vicarious excitement watching her son win the award.
C2 verb /ˈsɪmpər/

simper

Meaning
to smile in a silly, self-conscious, or affected way
Example
She simpered at his compliment, clearly embarrassed.
C2 noun /ɪmp/

imp

Meaning
a small mischievous devil or sprite; a playful troublemaker
Example
The child was acting like a little imp, hiding his toys everywhere.
C2 noun /ˈhɛptəˌɡɒn/

heptagon

Meaning
A polygon with seven sides and seven angles.
Example
The math teacher drew a heptagon on the board.
C2 adjective /kəˈpeɪ.ʃəs/

Capacious

Meaning
having a lot of space inside; roomy and spacious
Example
The capacious hall can accommodate five hundred people.
C2 adverb /ɪnˈdjuːbɪtəbli/

indubitably

Meaning
Without a doubt; certainly.
Example
She is indubitably the best candidate for the job.
C2 noun /ˈɑːm.lət/

Armlet

Meaning
a band worn around the upper arm as an ornament
Example
The traditional dancer wore golden armlets that gleamed in the spotlight.
C2 adjective /ˌæpəˈplɛktɪk/

apoplectic

Meaning
Extremely angry; furious.
Example
He was apoplectic when he heard about the unfair decision.
C2 verb /ʌnˈfrɒk/

unfrock

Meaning
To remove a priest from his position or deprive someone of a rank.
Example
The corrupt priest was unfrocked after the investigation.
C2 noun /ˈkwɪkˌsɪlvər/

quicksilver

Meaning
Mercury; a liquid metal, or something that is quick and unpredictable.
Example
His mood was as changeable as quicksilver.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈspɛərɪŋ/

unsparing

Meaning
Showing no mercy or generosity; harsh or severe.
Example
The critic was unsparing in his review of the play.
C2 phrase /lɛt ðɛm ˈθɪə.ri/

let them theory

Meaning
A philosophy of not trying to control others' actions or opinions and allowing them to be themselves.
Example
He follows the Let them theory and ignores negativity.
C2 noun /ˈtʃæt.əl/

chattel

Meaning
a personal possession; historically, movable property including slaves
Example
In the past, slaves were considered the chattel of their owners.
C2 adjective /ˈpɛkəbl/

peccable

Meaning
liable to sin or error; capable of doing wrong
Example
Humans are peccable, but they strive for goodness.
C2 noun vəˈlɪʃən

volition

Meaning
The faculty or power of using one's will; the power of choosing or determining.
Example
She left the job of her own volition.
C2 noun /ˈɪn.dɪ.dʒəns/

indigence

Meaning
a state of extreme poverty or destitution
Example
The charity was founded to help people living in indigence.
C2 verb /dɪsˈteɪn/

distain

Meaning
to treat with scorn or contempt (archaic form of disdain)
Example
He would never distain those who had less fortune than him.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈvaɪələbl/

inviolable

Meaning
never to be broken, dishonored, or violated
Example
Human rights are considered inviolable in modern democracies.