calcify
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C2 verb /ˈkælsɪfaɪ/

calcify

Meaning
To harden by deposition of calcium salts; to become rigid or inflexible.
Example
Over time, the tissue began to calcify and lose flexibility.
C2 adjective /ˈblæs.fə.məs/

blasphemous

Meaning
showing disrespect or lack of reverence for God or sacred things
Example
The book was banned for its blasphemous content.
C2 noun /ˈfaɪəl/

phial

Meaning
a small glass container for liquids, especially medicines
Example
The doctor gave her a phial of medicine.
C2 noun /æbˈsɪʒən/

abscission

Meaning
The natural detachment of parts of a plant, typically leaves or fruit.
Example
The autumn season is marked by the abscission of leaves from trees.
C2 adjective /ˈwɜːkmənˌlaɪk/

workmanlike

Meaning
Showing efficient, competent, and practical skill, but without flair or creativity.
Example
The carpenter delivered a workmanlike performance on the project.
C2 noun /ˈhɛklər/

heckler

Meaning
A person who interrupts a speaker with rude or aggressive comments.
Example
The politician remained calm despite the heckler shouting from the crowd.
C2 noun /fez/

Fez

Meaning
a cone-shaped red hat with a tassel, traditionally worn by men in some Middle Eastern countries
Example
The traditional costume included a red fez with a black tassel.
C2 adjective /dɪˈskrɛpənt/

discrepant

Meaning
showing a difference or inconsistency
Example
The witnesses gave discrepant accounts of the incident.
C2 adjective /ˈkɒlərɪk/

choleric

Meaning
Easily angered; irritable and hot-tempered.
Example
His choleric nature often got him into arguments.
C2 noun /friːz/

frieze

Meaning
a decorative horizontal band, often sculpted or painted, usually on a wall near the ceiling
Example
The frieze above the entrance depicts scenes from ancient mythology.
C2 adjective /əˌnækrəˈnɪstɪk/

anachronistic

Meaning
belonging to a period other than that being portrayed; old-fashioned or outdated
Example
His views on gender roles are considered anachronistic.
C2 noun /sʌnd raɪs/

Sunned rice

Meaning
Rice that has been dried in the sun; parched rice
Example
The farmers spread the sunned rice on mats to dry completely.
C2 verb /kənˈstrɪndʒ/

constringe

Meaning
to cause to shrink or contract; to constrict
Example
The medicine helped constringe the swollen tissues.
C2 adjective /ˈmiː.di.əl/

medial

Meaning
Situated in or pertaining to the middle; located toward the midline of the body or structure.
Example
The medial side of the knee is more prone to injury.
C2 adjective /ˈrɛd.ələnt/

redolent

Meaning
having a strong pleasant smell; strongly reminiscent or suggestive of something
Example
The kitchen was redolent of spices and fresh herbs.
C2 noun /drɒs/

dross

Meaning
worthless or unwanted material; rubbish or impurities
Example
Most of his early writings were considered dross.
C2 noun /ˈɛpəʊd/

epode

Meaning
A form of lyric poem written in couplets, often following a strophe and antistrophe in classical Greek poetry.
Example
The poet concluded his ode with a striking epode.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈɡeɪnli/

ungainly

Meaning
Awkward, clumsy, or lacking grace in movement or appearance.
Example
The tall boy moved in an ungainly manner.
C2 noun /ˈbɪlɪŋzˌɡeɪt/

billingsgate

Meaning
Coarse or abusive language; vulgar or offensive speech.
Example
The heated argument quickly descended into billingsgate.
C2 noun /ˈbɑːrtərər/

barterer

Meaning
A person who trades goods or services without using money.
Example
The barterer exchanged fruits for some pottery.
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 /məˈlɪŋɡər/

malinger

Meaning
to exaggerate or fake illness in order to escape duty or work
Example
He tried to malinger to avoid going to school.
C2 noun /ˈsɑːrdʒənt ət ɑːrmz/

sergeant-at-arms

Meaning
An officer responsible for maintaining order during meetings or legislative sessions.
Example
The sergeant-at-arms escorted the disruptive member out of the hall.
C2 adjective, adverb /ˈsaɪdlɔːŋ/

sidelong

Meaning
Directed to the side; indirect, furtive, or not straightforward.
Example
She gave him a sidelong glance across the room.
C2 adjective /ɪmˈprɛɡnəbl̩/

impregnable

Meaning
Unable to be captured, broken into, or defeated.
Example
The fortress was considered impregnable by the enemy.
C2 noun /ˌɪmpjuˈteɪʃən/

imputation

Meaning
an accusation or attribution of blame
Example
The politician denied the imputation of corruption.
C2 adjective /ˈɪmənənt/

immanent

Meaning
existing or operating within; inherent
Example
He believed that moral values are immanent in human nature.
C2 noun /prəˈlɪksɪti/

prolixity

Meaning
the quality of being tediously wordy and long
Example
The book’s prolixity made it difficult to read in one sitting.
C2 adverb /ˈbruːskli/ or /ˈbrʌskli/

brusquely

Meaning
in a blunt, abrupt, or rude manner
Example
She brusquely dismissed the suggestion.
C2 noun /ˌɪnkənˈɡruːəti/

incongruity

Meaning
The state of being inconsistent or out of place.
Example
The incongruity of his cheerful mood during the funeral shocked everyone.
C2 adjective /ˈɪm.pi.əs/

Impious

Meaning
irreligious; lacking reverence for religion; blasphemous
Example
The impious act shocked the religious community.
C2 noun ˈɔː.tɑː.ki

autarky

Meaning
Economic independence or self-sufficiency; a policy of establishing a self-sufficient national economy.
Example
Some nations aim for autarky to reduce reliance on imports.
C2 adjective /juːˈnɪsənənt/

unisonant

Meaning
Sounding together or in harmony.
Example
The unisonant voices created a powerful effect.
C2 adjective /dʒərˈmeɪn/

germane

Meaning
Relevant and appropriate to the subject being considered.
Example
Her comments were not germane to the discussion.
C2 noun /pɛlf/

pelf

Meaning
Money, especially when gained dishonorably.
Example
The corrupt official was motivated only by pelf.
C2 adjective /ˈlæŋɡwɪd/

Languid

Meaning
lacking energy or vitality; slow and relaxed; weak or faint
Example
After the long journey, she felt languid and needed to rest.
C2 noun /ˈprɒsədi/

prosody

Meaning
The patterns of rhythm and sound used in poetry and speech.
Example
The professor explained how prosody affects the mood of a poem.
C2 noun /trəˈveɪl/

travail

Meaning
Painful or laborious effort; suffering or hardship.
Example
After years of travail, she finally completed her degree.
C2 verb /ˈdɛpɪleɪt/

depilate

Meaning
to remove hair from the skin, especially by mechanical or chemical means
Example
She decided to depilate her legs before the event.
C2 adjective /ˈdjuːtiəs/

duteous

Meaning
dutiful; obedient and respectful
Example
The duteous child always followed her parents’ instructions.
C2 verb /ˈhʊdwɪŋk/

hoodwink

Meaning
To deceive or trick someone.
Example
The scammer hoodwinked many people with false promises.
C2 noun /nɪmf/

Nymph

Meaning
a mythological spirit of nature; a beautiful young woman in classical mythology
Example
The water nymph appeared by the moonlit lake.
C2 noun /ˈiːsθiːt/ or /ˈɛsθiːt/

aesthete

Meaning
A person who has a special appreciation of art and beauty.
Example
The aesthete admired the subtle details of the painting.
C2 noun /liː/

lea

Meaning
An open area of grassy or arable land; a meadow.
Example
The cottage was surrounded by a quiet lea.
C2 noun /ˈkɒnk.leɪv/

conclave

Meaning
a private meeting, especially a secret or important one
Example
The leaders met in a secret conclave to discuss the strategy.
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 /ɪnˌtɜːrpəˈleɪʃən/

interpolation

Meaning
The act of inserting something into a text or estimating values within a sequence of data.
Example
The scientist used interpolation to predict the missing data points.
C2 verb /bɪˈdræɡəl/

bedraggle

Meaning
to make something wet, dirty, and untidy by dragging it through mud or water
Example
The children came home bedraggled after playing in the rain.
C2 noun /ˌdɪskwɪˈzɪʃən/

disquisition

Meaning
A long or elaborate discussion or written essay on a particular subject.
Example
The professor gave a lengthy disquisition on ancient philosophy.
C2 adjective /ˈprɛʃənt/ or /ˈpriːʃənt/

prescient

Meaning
having or showing knowledge of events before they take place
Example
The prescient investor sold his shares just before the market crashed.
C2 verb /əˈniːl/

anneal

Meaning
To heat and cool metal or glass to make it stronger or less brittle.
Example
The blacksmith annealed the steel to improve its durability.
C2 noun /ˈbrɪmˌstoʊn/

brimstone

Meaning
Sulfur, especially when considered as fiery and associated with hell or divine punishment.
Example
The preacher spoke of fire and brimstone to warn the congregation.
C2 adjective /krɪˈpʌskjʊlər/

crepuscular

Meaning
relating to twilight or active during twilight
Example
Bats are crepuscular animals, most active at dawn and dusk.
C2 adjective /səˈɡeɪ.ʃəs/

sagacious

Meaning
Having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment; wise.
Example
His sagacious leadership saved the company from failure.
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 /ˈkɒrənɛt/

coronet

Meaning
a small crown, especially one worn by a prince, princess, or noble
Example
She wore a delicate coronet on her head for the ceremony.
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 verb /ɪˈniː.bri.eɪt/

inebriate

Meaning
to intoxicate; to make someone drunk
Example
The strong wine was enough to inebriate even the most experienced drinker.
C2 noun /ˈfrɔːdjʊləns/

fraudulence

Meaning
The quality or state of being fraudulent; deceitfulness.
Example
The audit revealed fraudulence in the financial statements.
C2 noun /ˈweɪvlət/

wavelet

Meaning
a small wave or ripple on the surface of water or another medium
Example
The pond was disturbed only by the tiny wavelets caused by the breeze.
C2 noun /ˈmækɪntɒʃ/

mackintosh

Meaning
a waterproof raincoat, originally made from rubberized fabric
Example
He wore a mackintosh to stay dry in the rain.
C2 noun /ˈreɪmənt/

raiment

Meaning
clothing, especially fine or formal wear
Example
The king wore royal raiment during the ceremony.
C2 noun /bɪˈtroʊðəl/

betrothal

Meaning
The formal engagement to be married.
Example
Their betrothal was announced to the whole village.
C2 noun /ˈheɪ.deɪ/

Hey day

Meaning
the period of a person's or thing's greatest success, popularity, or vigor; prime time
Example
During her heyday as a singer, she performed in sold-out concerts around the world.
C2 adjective /ˌpluːˈpɜːrfɪkt/

pluperfect

Meaning
a verb tense expressing an action completed before another past action
Example
By the time she arrived, he had finished his homework, showing the pluperfect tense.
C2 adjective /ˈfraɪəbl/

friable

Meaning
Easily crumbled or reduced to powder.
Example
The old brick wall was friable and broke apart at a touch.
C2 adjective /ˌɪrɪˈkɒnsɪləbl/

irreconcilable

Meaning
impossible to make compatible or bring into harmony; unable to resolve differences
Example
The couple separated due to irreconcilable differences.
C2 noun /ˈkedʒ.ə.riː/

Kedgeree

Meaning
a European dish of cooked rice, fish, and hard-boiled eggs, originally from India
Example
The breakfast menu featured traditional kedgeree with smoked haddock and eggs.
C2 noun /əˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/

annunciation

Meaning
The announcement of something; in Christianity, the announcement by the angel Gabriel to Mary that she would conceive Jesus.
Example
The church celebrated the Feast of the Annunciation with a special service.
C2 noun /dɪˈpɔːrtmənt/

deportment

Meaning
A person's behavior or manners, especially in a formal situation.
Example
Her deportment during the ceremony impressed everyone.
C2 noun /ˈrɒndoʊ/

rondo

Meaning
a musical composition with a recurring leading theme
Example
The pianist ended the recital with a lively rondo.
C2 noun /ˈhɔːθɔːrn/

hawthorn

Meaning
A thorny shrub or small tree with white or pink flowers, often used for hedges.
Example
The garden was lined with blooming hawthorn bushes.
C2 adjective /ˈsɛpərəbəl/

separable

Meaning
Capable of being separated or divided.
Example
The two issues are separable and should be discussed independently.
C2 adjective /ˈbuːtləs/

bootless

Meaning
Useless or futile; of no benefit.
Example
His bootless attempt to fix the machine only wasted time.
C2 adjective /ˈrævənɪŋ/

ravening

Meaning
Extremely hungry and greedy; voracious.
Example
The ravening wolves circled the camp.
C2 adjective /ˈbɑː.bər.əs/

Barbarous

Meaning
extremely cruel; uncivilized; savage
Example
The barbarous treatment of prisoners was condemned by human rights organizations.
C2 noun /ˈlɑːrdər/

larder

Meaning
A place, such as a pantry, where food is stored.
Example
The larder was full of fresh bread and cheese.
C2 adjective /ˈwɪzn feɪst/

wizen-faced

Meaning
Having a dry, wrinkled, and withered face.
Example
A wizen-faced old man sat quietly in the corner.
C2 adjective /ˈvɑːlətɪv/

volitive

Meaning
Relating to the will or the exercise of the will.
Example
The treaty was signed under volitive agreement between both nations.
C2 noun /ˈɑːrbərɪˌkʌltʃər/

arboriculture

Meaning
the cultivation and management of trees and shrubs
Example
He studied arboriculture to improve urban green spaces.
C2 verb /ˌɪntərˈlɒk/

interlock

Meaning
to fit or connect together securely so that two or more things are joined
Example
The gears interlock to ensure smooth movement of the machine.
C2 verb /ruː/

rue

Meaning
To feel regret or sorrow about something.
Example
She will rue the day she trusted him.
C2 adjective /spɪk/

Spick

Meaning
extremely clean and neat; immaculate
Example
The house was spick and span after the cleaning.
C2 noun /ˈdʒɛntaɪl/

gentile

Meaning
A person who is not Jewish
Example
The synagogue welcomed both Jews and Gentiles.
C2 noun /ˌæd.ʌmˈbreɪ.ʃən/

adumbration

Meaning
a vague foreshadowing or symbolic representation of something
Example
The play offers an adumbration of the political unrest to come.
C2 noun /ˈhɒɡz.hɛd/

hogshead

Meaning
A large cask or barrel, traditionally used for storing liquids like wine or beer.
Example
The cellar was filled with hogsheads of ale.
C2 noun /ˈbælæst/

ballast

Meaning
heavy material used to stabilize a ship or vehicle
Example
The ship was loaded with ballast to remain steady in the storm.
C2 adjective /suːˈpɜːrnəl/

supernal

Meaning
Relating to the heavens; celestial or divine.
Example
The painting captured a supernal beauty that felt otherworldly.
C2 verb /ˈɛdɪfaɪ/

edify

Meaning
To instruct or improve someone morally or intellectually.
Example
Good books can both entertain and edify the reader.
C2 noun /ɛˌspriː də ˈkɔːr/

esprit de corps

Meaning
A feeling of pride, fellowship, and loyalty shared by members of a group.
Example
The team's esprit de corps was evident in their cooperative effort.
C2 noun /ˈɔːldərmənʃɪp/

aldermanship

Meaning
The office, position, or dignity of an alderman.
Example
He was honored with aldermanship after years of service.
C2 noun /ˈmɛtəl/

mettle

Meaning
A person's ability to cope well with difficulties or to face demanding situations with courage.
Example
The young athlete showed his mettle in the final match.
C2 noun /ˈdrɪvəl/

drivel

Meaning
silly or nonsensical talk
Example
The politician’s speech was full of meaningless drivel.
C2 noun /kænt/

cant

Meaning
Hypocritical and insincere talk, especially about moral or religious principles.
Example
The politician's speech was filled with cant about honesty and integrity.
C2 adjective /ˈdæpəld/

dappled

Meaning
Marked with spots or patches of light and shade or different colors.
Example
The forest floor was dappled with sunlight.
C2 adjective /kəˈrʌp.tə.bəl/

corruptible

Meaning
able to be morally or ethically corrupted
Example
He was known to be corruptible and often accepted bribes.
C2 noun /ˈeɪ.pi.ˌɛr.i/

apiary

Meaning
A place where beehives are kept, especially for commercial purposes.
Example
The farmer built a new apiary to produce organic honey.
C2 noun /ruːd/

rood

Meaning
a crucifix, especially one positioned above the entrance to the chancel of a church
Example
The old church displayed a carved rood above the altar.
C2 noun /ˌdɛkəˈsɪləbəl/

decasyllable

Meaning
A line of verse with ten syllables.
Example
The poet often wrote in decasyllable form.
C2 adjective /fɪˈdjuːʃəl/

fiducial

Meaning
based on trust or confidence; serving as a standard of reference
Example
The fiducial point on the map ensures accurate measurements.
C2 noun /ˈoʊ.kəm/

oakum

Meaning
loose fibers obtained by untwisting old ropes, used for caulking ships
Example
The shipbuilders used oakum to seal the gaps in the wooden planks.
C2 noun /ˌbɪbliəʊˈmeɪniə/

bibliomania

Meaning
An extreme obsession with collecting or possessing books.
Example
His bibliomania led him to fill every room with books.
C2 adjective /hɛkˈsæŋɡjələr/

hexangular

Meaning
Having six angles or corners.
Example
The artist designed a hexangular frame for the mirror.
C2 noun /ˈæmpərˌsænd/

ampersand

Meaning
The symbol '&' used to represent the word 'and'.
Example
Use an ampersand instead of writing the word 'and' in the company name.
C2 noun /ˈsaɪz.mə.ɡræf/

seismograph

Meaning
An instrument that measures and records details of earthquakes, such as force and duration.
Example
The seismograph detected a strong tremor in the area.
C2 adjective /ˌmɪsənˈθrɑːpɪk/

misanthropic

Meaning
having or showing a dislike of humankind
Example
His misanthropic attitude made it difficult for him to make friends.
C2 adjective /ˌɪnkænˈdɛsənt/

incandescent

Meaning
emitting light as a result of being heated; extremely bright or passionate
Example
The incandescent lamp lit up the entire hall.
C2 noun, verb /əˈfrʌnt/

affront

Meaning
An action or remark that causes outrage or offense.
Example
He took her criticism as a personal affront.
C2 noun /pəˈræm.bjə.leɪ.tər/

Perambulator

Meaning
a four-wheeled carriage for a baby; baby stroller or pram
Example
She pushed the perambulator through the park while the baby slept peacefully.
C2 noun/adjective /ˈæl.əˌbæs.tər/

alabaster

Meaning
A fine-grained, usually white variety of gypsum, often used for carving; also describes something smooth and pale like alabaster.
Example
The statue was carved from pure alabaster.
C2 adjective /ˈruːnɪk/

runic

Meaning
relating to or consisting of runes; mysterious or magical
Example
The old stone had strange runic carvings on it.
C2 noun, adjective /klɛərˈvɔɪənt/

clairvoyant

Meaning
a person who claims to have clairvoyance; having the ability to see beyond normal senses
Example
The clairvoyant predicted that she would travel abroad soon.
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 /ɪnˈvɪdiəs/

invidious

Meaning
likely to arouse resentment, envy, or anger in others
Example
The manager's invidious remarks created tension among the employees.
C2 verb /ˌmɪsæprɪˈhɛnd/

misapprehend

Meaning
to misunderstand or misinterpret something
Example
He misapprehended the teacher’s instructions and did the task incorrectly.
C2 noun /ˈplɔːdɪts/

plaudits

Meaning
expressions of praise or approval
Example
The scientist received plaudits from the international community.
C2 noun /ˌmjuːtəˈbɪləti/

mutability

Meaning
The quality of being changeable or capable of change.
Example
The mutability of fashion trends makes it hard to keep up.
C2 noun /ˈweɪstrəl/

wastrel

Meaning
A person who wastes time, money, or resources; an idler or spendthrift.
Example
The young man was dismissed as a wastrel by his family.
C2 noun /bɪər/

bier

Meaning
a frame or stand on which a coffin or body is placed before burial or cremation
Example
The coffin was placed on the bier during the funeral service.
C2 adjective /ˌpəʊstˈprændɪəl/

postprandial

Meaning
Occurring after a meal.
Example
He went for a postprandial walk after dinner.
C2 verb /fɪˈneɪɡəl/

finagle

Meaning
to obtain something by cleverness or trickery
Example
He finagled a free ticket by pretending to be a VIP guest.