caparison
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C2 noun /kəˈpærɪsən/

caparison

Meaning
an ornamental covering for a horse; rich and elaborate clothing or decoration
Example
The king’s horse was adorned with a golden caparison.
C2 adjective/noun /ˌhaɪərəˈɡlɪfɪk/

hieroglyphic

Meaning
Relating to or written in hieroglyphs; symbols or writing that is difficult to understand.
Example
The archaeologists studied the hieroglyphic inscriptions carefully.
C2 noun /ɪnˈtɒksɪkənt/

intoxicant

Meaning
a substance, especially alcohol or a drug, that causes intoxication
Example
Alcohol is the most commonly used intoxicant in many cultures.
C2 noun /ɪnˈtɛnʃən/

intension

Meaning
The internal content of a concept; the set of attributes implied by a word or phrase.
Example
The intension of the word 'dog' includes being a mammal and domesticated.
C2 noun /ˈhɑːstəlri/

hostelry

Meaning
An inn or lodging place, especially one for travelers.
Example
They stayed at a small hostelry near the mountains.
C2 adjective /ˈkɑːrnəl/

carnal

Meaning
Relating to physical, especially sexual, desires and appetites.
Example
The book explores the conflict between spiritual and carnal desires.
C2 noun /viːˈnæləti/

venality

Meaning
the quality of being open to bribery or corruption
Example
The scandal revealed the venality of several senior officials.
C2 adjective əˈsɪd.ju.əs

assiduous

Meaning
Showing great care and perseverance; diligent and hardworking.
Example
His assiduous efforts led to a successful career.
C2 adjective /ˈkɔːpjʊlənt/

corpulent

Meaning
fat or obese; having a large bulky body
Example
The corpulent man struggled to fit into the small chair.
C2 noun /kɒnˌtek.stʃu.ə.laɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/

contextualization

Meaning
The process of placing something in its proper context or setting to understand it better.
Example
Contextualization of historical events helps students understand them better.
C2 verb /ɪˈfeɪs/

efface

Meaning
To erase or wipe out something; to make oneself inconspicuous.
Example
Time had effaced the letters on the old gravestone.
C2 noun /əbˈstrʌkʃənɪst/

obstructionist

Meaning
a person who deliberately delays or prevents progress by being uncooperative or oppositional
Example
The obstructionist in the committee kept delaying the decision-making process.
C2 verb /ˈsæŋktɪfaɪ/

sanctify

Meaning
to make holy or sacred; to purify
Example
The priest will sanctify the marriage ceremony.
C2 verb /prɪˈpɒndəreɪt/

preponderate

Meaning
To be greater in influence, weight, or number.
Example
In the debate, logical arguments preponderated over emotional appeals.
C2 noun /ˈkɔːrmərənt/

cormorant

Meaning
a large black sea bird that catches fish by diving
Example
The cormorant perched on the rock, drying its wings after a dive.
C2 noun /ˈsɛnʃəns/

sentience

Meaning
The capacity to feel, perceive, or experience subjectively.
Example
Many argue that animals possess sentience.
C2 noun /ˈsaɪ.nəˌʃʊr/

cynosure

Meaning
A person or thing that is the center of attention or admiration.
Example
She was the cynosure of all eyes at the party.
C2 adjective /vəˈnɪəriəl/

venereal

Meaning
relating to sexual intercourse or sexually transmitted diseases
Example
Doctors warn about the dangers of venereal diseases.
C2 adjective /ˈtɪd.li/

Tiddley

Meaning
slightly drunk; small or tiny
Example
After a few drinks, he felt a bit tiddley.
C2 noun /skæd/

scad

Meaning
A type of fish of the jack family; also informally means a large number or quantity.
Example
The fisherman caught a scad in the net.
C2 noun /ˌækwəˈpɒnɪks/

aquaponics

Meaning
A system of aquaculture in which the waste produced by farmed fish or other aquatic animals supplies nutrients for plants grown hydroponically.
Example
Aquaponics efficiently utilizes water by integrating fish and plant farming.
C2 noun /ˌɪrɪˈdɛsəns/

iridescence

Meaning
a play of lustrous, changing colors like those of a rainbow
Example
The butterfly's wings shimmered with iridescence.
C2 noun ˈvaɪ.və ˈvəʊs

viva voce

Meaning
An oral examination, typically for an academic qualification.
Example
Viva Voce tests communication skills.
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 ˌmɛɡəˈlɪθɪk

megalithic

Meaning
Relating to or denoting prehistoric monuments made of or containing large stones.
Example
The megalithic structures in ancient civilizations are fascinating.
C2 noun /ɪnˌtɛl.ɪˈdʒɛntsi.ə/

intelligentsia

Meaning
The group of people engaged in intellectual and cultural pursuits in a society.
Example
The intelligentsia played a key role in shaping public opinion.
C2 adjective /ˈmɪnsɪŋ/

mincing

Meaning
affectedly delicate, dainty, or refined in manner or movement
Example
He walked with mincing steps across the stage.
C2 noun /ˌlaɪ.pəˈdʒen.ɪ.sɪs/

lipogenesis

Meaning
The metabolic process of fat synthesis where excess carbohydrates are converted into fatty acids and stored as triglycerides.
Example
Excess carbohydrate intake promotes lipogenesis and fat storage.
C2 adjective /ˈsɪmiən/

simian

Meaning
Relating to, resembling, or affecting apes or monkeys.
Example
The scientist studied the simian behavior of the chimpanzees.
C2 adjective /ˈɛkstənt/

extant

Meaning
Still in existence; surviving.
Example
Only a few manuscripts from the ancient library are extant.
C2 noun /ɪkˈskrɛsəns/

excrescence

Meaning
An abnormal outgrowth or lump, often considered unattractive.
Example
The building was considered an excrescence on the landscape.
C2 verb /kəˈraʊz/

carouse

Meaning
to drink and enjoy oneself noisily, often with others
Example
They stayed up all night to carouse after the victory.
C2 adjective /ˈlɪtərəl/

littoral

Meaning
Related to or situated on the shore of the sea or a lake.
Example
The littoral zone is home to many unique marine species.
C2 noun /ˌoʊpəˈlɛsəns/

opalescence

Meaning
a milky or pearly appearance of a surface like that of an opal
Example
The pearl had a gentle opalescence under the light.
C2 noun /ˈwɒntənnəs/

wantonness

Meaning
The quality of being reckless, cruel, or deliberately malicious.
Example
His wantonness shocked everyone at the gathering.
C2 noun /ˌdaɪəˈlɛktɪk/

dialectic

Meaning
A method of argument or reasoning by dialogue, especially as a means of investigating truth.
Example
The philosopher used dialectic to challenge his students' assumptions.
C2 adjective /ˈruːmi/

rheumy

Meaning
Watery, especially referring to the eyes.
Example
His rheumy eyes showed signs of age and fatigue.
C2 adjective /ˈdʒɪg.ərd/

Jiggered

Meaning
surprised or astonished; confused or puzzled
Example
I'll be jiggered if I know what happened here.
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 /ˈkloʊðiər/

clothier

Meaning
a person or company that makes, sells, or deals in clothes.
Example
The town’s clothier displayed fine suits in his shop window.
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 /blaɪð/

blithe

Meaning
Showing a casual and cheerful indifference considered improper or carefree happiness.
Example
She had a blithe disregard for the rules.
C2 noun /ˈtruːɪzəm/

truism

Meaning
a statement that is obviously true and says nothing new or interesting
Example
It is a truism that hard work leads to success.
C2 verb ˈɪn.kʌl.keɪt

inculcate

Meaning
Instill an attitude, idea, or habit by persistent instruction; to teach and impress by frequent repetitions.
Example
Parents should inculcate good values in their children.
C2 verb /ˈmɒrəlaɪz/

moralize

Meaning
To comment on issues of right and wrong, often with an air of superiority.
Example
He tends to moralize about other people's choices.
C2 noun /ˌrækənˈtɜːr/

Raconteur

Meaning
a person who tells anecdotes in a skillful and amusing way
Example
The old man was a gifted raconteur who entertained everyone with his stories.
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 noun /pəˈlæv.ər/

palaver

Meaning
prolonged and idle discussion; fuss or unnecessary talk
Example
After much palaver, they finally agreed on the plan.
C2 verb /ˈtrʌŋkeɪt/

truncate

Meaning
to shorten something by cutting off the top or the end
Example
The article was truncated to fit the limited space.
C2 noun /əˈdʌltərənt/

adulterant

Meaning
a substance added to something else, often food or drink, to reduce its quality or strength
Example
The laboratory found an adulterant in the milk samples.
C2 noun (compound/erroneous entry) /ɪnˈɛksərəbl ɑːrmi/

inexorableinexorablearmy

Meaning
This appears to be a corrupted or concatenated form; interpreted as 'inexorable army' — an unstoppable or relentless force.
Example
The rebels feared the inexorable army approaching their stronghold.
C2 noun /ˈæpəˌsteɪt/

apostate

Meaning
A person who renounces a religious or political belief or principle.
Example
He was labeled an apostate after abandoning the faith of his community.
C2 noun /priˈɛmpʃən/

preemption

Meaning
The act of taking action before someone else; the right to purchase or act before others.
Example
The company exercised preemption to acquire the land before competitors.
C2 verb /ˈpɒntɪfɪkeɪt/

pontificate

Meaning
to speak or act in a pompous or dogmatic way; to officiate as a pontiff
Example
He pontificated on the importance of education for over an hour.
C2 noun /ˌkɒl.əˈneɪd/

colonnade

Meaning
A row of evenly spaced columns supporting a roof, often in classical architecture.
Example
The visitors admired the grand colonnade at the entrance of the temple.
C2 noun /ˈruː.mɪ.nənt/

ruminant

Meaning
a cud-chewing mammal, such as a cow or sheep
Example
Cows are ruminants that chew cud.
C2 noun /ˈʌmbrɪdʒ/

umbrage

Meaning
A feeling of resentment or offense.
Example
She took umbrage at his rude remark.
C2 adjective /ˈæb.ə.rənt/

aberrant

Meaning
deviating from what is normal or expected; abnormal
Example
His aberrant behavior shocked everyone at the meeting.
C2 noun /ˈtɪl.ər/

Tiller

Meaning
a person who tills or cultivates land; a farmer
Example
The tiller worked hard in the fields every morning.
C2 adjective /ˈkɒnfluənt/

confluent

Meaning
Flowing together or merging; coming together at one point.
Example
The confluent streams formed a mighty river.
C2 noun /ˌnɒn ˈsɛkwɪtər/

non sequitur

Meaning
a statement or conclusion that does not logically follow from the previous statement
Example
His comment about the weather was a complete non sequitur during the budget discussion.
C2 verb /ˌʌn.dɪˈsiːv/

undeceive

Meaning
To free someone from a misconception or false belief.
Example
She tried to undeceive him about the false rumors.
C2 noun /seɪn/

seine

Meaning
A large fishing net that hangs vertically in the water.
Example
The fishermen cast their seine into the river.
C2 adjective /boʊˈhiːmiən/

bohemian

Meaning
unconventional, artistic, and free-spirited in lifestyle or appearance
Example
She decorated her apartment in a bohemian style with colorful fabrics.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈsɛptɪv/

inceptive

Meaning
Relating to or marking the beginning or initial stage of something.
Example
The inceptive phase of the project was marked by enthusiastic planning.
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 verb /ɪkˈstɛnjueɪt/

extenuate

Meaning
to make an offense, fault, or situation seem less serious by providing an excuse or explanation
Example
The lawyer tried to extenuate his client's actions by highlighting his difficult childhood.
C2 noun /ˈmɪlk pɒt/

Milk-pot

Meaning
a container specifically used for storing or serving milk
Example
She poured fresh milk from the milk-pot into her glass.
C2 verb /ɪnˈvaɪərən/

environ

Meaning
to surround or enclose; to encircle
Example
Mountains environ the small valley.
C2 verb /pərˈveɪ/

purvey

Meaning
to supply or provide goods, services, or information, often as a business
Example
The company purveys organic food to health-conscious customers.
C2 noun /ˈhɛfər/

heifer

Meaning
a young cow that has not borne a calf
Example
The farmer raised a heifer for dairy production.
C2 verb /ˈhɑːrkən/

hearken

Meaning
To listen attentively; to give heed.
Example
He would hearken to his mentor’s advice before making decisions.
C2 adjective /ˈnjuː.ɡə.tɔːr.i/

nugatory

Meaning
Of little or no value; worthless or insignificant.
Example
His efforts were nugatory and did not change the outcome.
C2 verb /ˌdɪskəmˈpoʊz/

discompose

Meaning
To disturb the order or calmness of something or someone.
Example
The unexpected question seemed to discompose her.
C2 noun /ɪˌdʒækjʊˈleɪʃən/

ejaculation

Meaning
The action of suddenly saying something or the release of semen during sexual climax.
Example
His sudden ejaculation of joy surprised everyone in the room.
C2 noun /ˈreɪləri/

raillery

Meaning
good-humored teasing or joking
Example
Their friendship was full of light-hearted raillery.
C2 adjective /ˈɡʌstəˌtɔːri/

gustatory

Meaning
relating to the sense of taste
Example
The restaurant offered a gustatory experience unlike any other.
C2 noun /ɪkˈsɪʒən/

excision

Meaning
the act of cutting something out, especially by surgical removal
Example
The excision of the infected tissue prevented further complications.
C2 noun /ˈdaɪˌsɪləbəl/

disyllable

Meaning
a word consisting of two syllables
Example
The word 'happy' is a disyllable.
C2 adjective /ˈʌndjʊleɪtɪŋ/

undulating

Meaning
Having a smoothly rising and falling form or motion like waves.
Example
We drove through undulating hills.
C2 adjective /ˈpʌdʒi/

pudgy

Meaning
slightly fat or chubby in a way that is often cute
Example
The baby had pudgy cheeks that everyone adored.
C2 noun /pəˈnʌmbrə/

penumbra

Meaning
a partially shaded area around the shadow of an object, especially during an eclipse
Example
The moon’s penumbra created a dim shadow over the Earth.
C2 adjective /mɔːrˈdeɪʃəs/

mordacious

Meaning
Sharp or biting in style, tone, or remark; sarcastic.
Example
The critic’s mordacious review offended the author.
C2 verb /ɛnˈdʒɔɪn/

enjoin

Meaning
to instruct or urge someone to do something; to prohibit legally
Example
The judge enjoined the company from continuing its activities.
C2 adjective /ˈtɛnɪbrəs/

tenebrous

Meaning
dark, shadowy, or obscure
Example
The cave was damp and tenebrous, filled with eerie sounds.
C2 verb /əˈɡrɛs/

aggress

Meaning
to initiate an attack or show hostile behavior
Example
The army chose not to aggress without provocation.
C2 noun /ˈtɪŋktʃər/

tincture

Meaning
a slight trace of something; a medicine made by dissolving a drug in alcohol
Example
There was a tincture of sadness in her smile.
C2 noun, verb /ˈmaɪər/

mire

Meaning
A stretch of swampy or boggy ground; as a verb, to entangle or involve someone in a difficult situation.
Example
The car was stuck in the mire after the heavy rain.
C2 noun /ˈmuːn.biːm/

moonbeam

Meaning
A ray of light from the moon.
Example
A moonbeam lit up the quiet forest clearing.
C2 noun /ˈmæn.li.nəs/

manliness

Meaning
The quality of being manly; courage, strength, and honor associated with men.
Example
His manliness was admired by his peers.
C2 noun /ˌɛərəˈstætɪks/

aerostatics

Meaning
The branch of physics that deals with the equilibrium of air and gases and the forces acting on bodies in them.
Example
Aerostatics is essential for understanding how balloons float.
C2 noun /ˌæs.əˈfet.ɪ.də/

Asafoetida

Meaning
a pungent spice derived from the resin of a plant, commonly used in Indian cooking
Example
A pinch of asafoetida adds a distinctive flavor to the lentil curry.
C2 noun /ˈhjuːməs/

humus

Meaning
The dark, organic material in soil formed from decayed plants and animals.
Example
The gardener enriched the soil with humus to improve plant growth.
C2 verb /swɪl/

swill

Meaning
to drink something greedily or in large amounts
Example
He swilled down the beer in seconds.
C2 adjective /rɪˈfɛrəbəl/

referable

Meaning
able to be related or directed to something
Example
The issue is referable to the new policy changes.
C2 noun /proʊˈskrɪp.ʃən/

proscription

Meaning
the act of forbidding something, especially by law
Example
The proscription of child labor is an important human rights achievement.
C2 noun /djuːˈɛnə/

duenna

Meaning
an older woman acting as a governess or chaperone, especially in Spanish families
Example
The young lady was accompanied by a duenna during the festival.
C2 noun /nɪˈkrɒlədʒi/

necrology

Meaning
An obituary notice or a list of people who have recently died.
Example
The newspaper published a necrology of notable figures who passed away that year.
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 /ˈmɛtrɪkəl/

metrical

Meaning
Relating to or composed in a regular rhythmic pattern of beats or meter, especially in poetry.
Example
The poet carefully followed metrical rules in his verses.
C2 adjective /ɡoʊʃ/

gauche

Meaning
lacking social grace, sensitivity, or tact; awkward
Example
His gauche remarks embarrassed everyone at the dinner party.
C2 noun /ˌɪnəməˈrɑːtə/

inamorata

Meaning
A woman with whom someone is in love; a female lover.
Example
He wrote a poem dedicated to his inamorata.
C2 noun /ˈmælɪt fɪʃ/

Mallet fish

Meaning
A marine fish with a hard shell-like covering, found in coastal waters
Example
The mallet fish is known for its unique protective shell covering.
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 adjective /ˈfraʊzi/

frowzy

Meaning
Unkempt, messy, or having a musty, unpleasant smell.
Example
He entered the room with a frowzy appearance after sleeping on the couch.
C2 noun /əbˈhɒrəns/

abhorrence

Meaning
a feeling of strong disgust or hatred
Example
He expressed his abhorrence of racial discrimination.
C2 noun /ˈpjuːdʒɪlɪst/

pugilist

Meaning
A professional or skilled boxer.
Example
The pugilist entered the ring with confidence.
C2 adjective /ɪmˈprɒvɪdənt/

improvident

Meaning
Not having or showing foresight; spending wastefully or without thought for the future.
Example
His improvident habits left him with no savings.
C2 verb /ˈvæsɪleɪt/

vacillate

Meaning
to waver between different opinions or actions; be indecisive
Example
He vacillated between studying law and becoming a writer.
C2 verb /kənˈvʌls/

convulse

Meaning
to shake violently; to suffer sudden involuntary contractions
Example
The patient convulsed during the seizure.
C2 noun /ˌsɜːrkəmləˈkjuːʃn/

circumlocution

Meaning
the use of many words when fewer would do, especially to avoid stating something directly
Example
The politician's speech was filled with circumlocution.
C2 noun /troʊp/

trope

Meaning
A common or overused theme, idea, or device in literature, film, or speech.
Example
The film avoided the usual superhero tropes.
C2 adjective /ˌdeɪ.kɒlˈteɪ/

decollete

Meaning
of a woman's dress or top, cut low so as to reveal the neck and upper chest
Example
She wore a decollete gown to the party.
C2 noun /mɔːrˈtɪʃən/

mortician

Meaning
a person whose job is to prepare dead bodies for burial or cremation and to arrange funerals
Example
The mortician prepared the body for the funeral service.
C2 noun /ˈfɔːrˌnɑːlɪdʒ/

foreknowledge

Meaning
Awareness of something before it happens or exists.
Example
The prophet claimed to have foreknowledge of the event.
C2 verb /dɪˈnjuːd/

denude

Meaning
to strip something of its covering, possessions, or assets
Example
The forest was denuded of trees by illegal logging.
C2 noun /dɪˈkæmɪtər/

decameter

Meaning
A metric unit of length equal to ten meters.
Example
The field was measured in decameters for accuracy.
C2 noun /ləˈdʒɪʃən/

logician

Meaning
A person skilled in logic and reasoning.
Example
Aristotle is considered one of the greatest logicians in history.
C2 adjective /ˌɪnkəmˈprɛsəbl/

incompressible

Meaning
Not able to be pressed or squeezed into a smaller space.
Example
Liquids are generally considered incompressible.
C2 adjective /ˌsɛm.iˈkɒn.ʃəs/

semiconscious

Meaning
Only partly conscious; not fully aware of surroundings.
Example
He was semiconscious after the accident and could barely respond.
C2 noun /ˈmædʒɪstrəsi/

magistracy

Meaning
The office, authority, or district of a magistrate.
Example
He was proud to serve in the local magistracy for over a decade.