Caress
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C1 noun /kəˈres/

Caress

Meaning
a gentle or loving touch
Example
The mother's gentle caress calmed the crying baby.
C1 adjective /ˌkætəˈɡɒrɪkəl/

categorical

Meaning
Absolute and without exception; expressed clearly and directly.
Example
She gave a categorical denial of the allegations.
C1 noun /kəʊˈhiːʒən/

cohesion

Meaning
The action or fact of forming a united whole.
Example
The team showed excellent cohesion throughout the project.
C1 adjective ˈkɒn.və.luː.tɪd

convoluted

Meaning
Extremely complex and difficult to follow; twisted or intricate.
Example
His argument was so convoluted that no one understood it.
C1 noun /kənˈsep.ʃən/

Conception

Meaning
the forming of an idea or plan; the fertilization of an ovum by a sperm; the action of conceiving
Example
The conception of this innovative project took several months of brainstorming.
C1 verb /ˈkrɪstəlaɪz/

crystallize

Meaning
to form crystals; to make an idea or plan clear and definite
Example
Her vague thoughts began to crystallize into a solid plan.
C1 noun /kəˈmɪtl̩/

committal

Meaning
The action of sending a person to prison or a mental hospital; also the act of committing something to a particular place.
Example
The judge ordered the committal of the accused to custody.
C1 noun /ˈkruːsɪbəl/

crucible

Meaning
a severe test or trial; a container used for heating substances to very high temperatures
Example
The team emerged stronger from the crucible of competition.
C1 noun /ˈʃoʊ.və.nɪst/

chauvinist

Meaning
A person displaying excessive or prejudiced loyalty to a group, cause, or gender.
Example
He was labeled a chauvinist after his remarks about women in the workplace.
C1 adjective /ˈkɔːrdiəl/

Cordial

Meaning
warmly friendly; sincere; heartfelt
Example
She gave us a cordial welcome at the front door.
C1 noun /ˈkɑr.nɪdʒ/

Carnage

Meaning
the killing of a large number of people; widespread slaughter
Example
The battlefield was filled with carnage after the brutal war.
C1 adjective /kənˈtɛmptʃuəs/

contemptuous

Meaning
showing or expressing contempt; scornful
Example
She gave him a contemptuous glance.
C1 adjective /ˌkævəˈlɪər/

cavalier

Meaning
showing a lack of proper concern; dismissive or offhand
Example
He had a cavalier attitude toward safety regulations.
C1 noun /ˈsɛtərə/

cetera

Meaning
Latin for 'the rest' or 'others'; commonly used in the phrase 'et cetera' meaning 'and so on'.
Example
We need to buy pens, paper, notebooks, et cetera.
C1 adjective /kəˈmɛmərətɪv/

commemorative

Meaning
Serving as a reminder or in honor of a person or event.
Example
They issued a commemorative coin for the independence anniversary.
C1 noun /kəˈmoʊʃən/

commotion

Meaning
A state of noisy confusion or disturbance.
Example
The sudden commotion in the market drew everyone's attention.
C1 adjective /kənˈdʒenɪtl/

congenital

Meaning
existing from birth, usually describing a disease or condition
Example
The child was born with a congenital heart defect.
C1 noun ˌkɒm.pjʊˈteɪ.ʃən

computation

Meaning
The action of mathematical calculation.
Example
Complex computation is required for AI models.
C1 noun /ˈkɑːrkəs/

carcass

Meaning
the dead body of an animal, especially after being slaughtered
Example
Vultures fed on the carcass left in the field.
C1 noun /ˌkɒndʒʊˈɡeɪʃən/

conjugation

Meaning
the variation of the form of a verb to indicate tense, person, and number
Example
French verbs have complex conjugations.
C1 noun /ˈkɑːrdəməm/

Cardamom

Meaning
aromatic seeds from a plant in the ginger family, used as a spice
Example
The recipe calls for a pinch of ground cardamom.
C1 verb /kənˈvɜːrdʒ/

converge

Meaning
to come together from different directions; to meet at a point
Example
The roads converge at the city center.
C1 adjective /kənˈtraɪvd/

contrived

Meaning
artificial or forced; not natural or spontaneous
Example
The ending of the movie felt contrived and unrealistic.
C1 verb /kliːv/

cleave

Meaning
to split or divide; to cut through forcefully
Example
He used an axe to cleave the wood.
C1 verb/noun /ˈkrɒn.ɪ.kəl/

chronicle

Meaning
To record events in the order in which they happened; a written record of historical events.
Example
She decided to chronicle her journey through a blog.
C1 noun /ˈkɒntrəbænd/

contraband

Meaning
goods that are illegal to import, export, or possess
Example
The police seized a shipment of contraband cigarettes.
C1 noun /ˈkoʊmə/

coma

Meaning
A deep state of prolonged unconsciousness caused by illness or injury.
Example
The patient remained in a coma for several weeks.
C1 noun /sɛˈseɪʃən/

cessation

Meaning
The fact or process of ending or being brought to an end.
Example
There was a temporary cessation of hostilities.
C1 noun /ˈkætərækt/

cataract

Meaning
A medical condition causing clouding of the eye's lens; also a large waterfall.
Example
The old man suffered from cataracts in both eyes.
C1 noun /ˌkʌl də ˈsæk/

cul de sac

Meaning
A street or passage closed at one end; a dead end.
Example
They bought a house at the end of a quiet cul de sac.
C1 adjective /kəˈləʊ.kwi.əl/

colloquial

Meaning
Used in ordinary conversation rather than formal speech or writing; informal language.
Example
His colloquial expressions made the speech relatable.
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 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 /ˈkɜːrfjuː/

curfew

Meaning
a rule requiring people to stay indoors after a certain time, usually at night
Example
The city imposed a curfew during the unrest.
C1 noun /ˌkɒn.təmˈpleɪ.ʃən/

contemplation

Meaning
The action of looking thoughtfully at something for a long time; deep reflective thought.
Example
She sat in contemplation before making her decision.
C1 noun /ˈkɒt.ən ˈfæb.rɪk/

Cotton Fabric

Meaning
textile made from cotton fibers, known for being soft, breathable, and comfortable
Example
Cotton fabric is perfect for summer clothing.
C1 verb /siːd/

cede

Meaning
to give up power, territory, or rights to another
Example
The country ceded territory after losing the war.
C1 noun /ˈkɒndjuɪt/ or /ˈkɑːnduɪt/

conduit

Meaning
a channel or pipe for conveying water, electricity, or information
Example
The cable was placed inside a protective conduit.
C1 noun /ˈkɒndɪmənts/

condiments

Meaning
Seasonings or sauces used to add flavor to food.
Example
Ketchup and mustard are popular condiments for burgers.
C1 adverb /ˈkrɒswaɪz/

Crosswise

Meaning
in the form of a cross; diagonally across
Example
Place the logs crosswise to build a stable fire.
C1 noun /kənˈfɔːrməns/

conformance

Meaning
The act of conforming to a rule, standard, or law.
Example
The product was tested for conformance with safety standards.
C1 noun /ˈkæptər/

captor

Meaning
a person or group who has captured someone or something
Example
The hostage managed to escape from his captors.
C1 adjective ˈkɒn.təm.plə.tɪv

contemplative

Meaning
Expressing or involving prolonged thought; meditative and reflective.
Example
He spent a contemplative evening reflecting on his decisions.
C1 adjective /kənˈteɪ.dʒəs/

Contagious

Meaning
likely to spread to and affect others; infectious
Example
Her laughter is contagious and makes everyone smile.
C1 verb /kənˈkɜːr/

concur

Meaning
To agree with someone or something.
Example
I concur with your opinion on this matter.
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 /kənˈtɪn.ju.əns/

continuance

Meaning
the state of continuing or being prolonged; persistence
Example
The continuance of the project depended on securing additional funding.
C1 noun, verb /klɒt/

clot

Meaning
a thick mass of coagulated liquid, especially blood; to form such a mass.
Example
The doctor removed a blood clot from the patient.
C1 noun /koʊˈhɪr.əns/

coherence

Meaning
The quality of being logical and consistent; forming a unified whole.
Example
The essay lacked coherence, making it hard to follow.
C1 noun /ˈkɑːrtrɪdʒ/

cartridge

Meaning
A container holding a substance or device, such as ink for printers or bullets for firearms.
Example
The printer stopped working because the ink cartridge was empty.
C1 verb /ˈkrʌmpəl/

crumple

Meaning
to crush something into folds or wrinkles
Example
He crumpled the paper and threw it in the bin.
C1 noun kəˈmɑːnd ɪˈkɒn.ə.mi

command economy

Meaning
An economic system where economic activities are controlled by the government.
Example
In a command economy, the government controls production and prices.
C1 noun /ˈtʃæplɪn/

chaplain

Meaning
A member of the clergy attached to a private chapel, institution, hospital, or military unit.
Example
The army chaplain offered prayers before the battle.
C1 verb /ˈkɒnsɔːrt/

consort

Meaning
To associate with someone, typically with disapproval; also, a spouse of a reigning monarch.
Example
He was criticized for consorting with criminals.
C1 noun kənˈɡlɒm.ər.ət

conglomerate

Meaning
A large corporation formed by the merging of separate and diverse firms.
Example
The company grew into a multinational conglomerate.
C1 noun /ˈsɪn.ɪˌsɪz.əm/

cynicism

Meaning
An inclination to believe that people are motivated purely by self-interest; skepticism.
Example
His cynicism made it hard for him to trust anyone.
C1 adjective /kənˈsɪliətɔːri/

conciliatory

Meaning
intended to make someone less angry or more agreeable; soothing
Example
She spoke in a conciliatory tone to ease the tension.
C1 noun /ˈkɔːrdən/

cordon

Meaning
a line or circle of police, soldiers, or guards preventing access
Example
The police set up a cordon around the crime scene.
C1 verb /ˈkʌl.mɪ.neɪt/

culminate

Meaning
To reach the final or climactic stage of a process or activity.
Example
Years of hard work culminated in his success.
C1 verb /tʃaɪd/

chide

Meaning
to scold or rebuke; to express disapproval
Example
The teacher chided the student for being late.
C1 noun /ˌkɔr.diˈæl.ɪ.ti/

Cordiality

Meaning
sincere affection and kindness; warm and friendly behavior
Example
The host's cordiality made all the guests feel welcome and comfortable.
C1 noun /kənˈsɜːvəˌtɪzəm/

conservatism

Meaning
A political or social philosophy promoting traditional institutions and resistance to change.
Example
Conservatism values tradition and gradual development.
C1 verb /kəˈrəʊd/

corrode

Meaning
to gradually destroy or wear away metal or other materials through chemical action
Example
The iron pipes corroded over time due to exposure to water.
C1 noun ˈkɔː.pəs

corpus

Meaning
A large collection of linguistic data used for language analysis and research.
Example
Linguists use a corpus to analyze language patterns.
C1 noun /ʃəˈreɪd/

charade

Meaning
an absurd pretense or act intended to deceive; also a word-guessing game
Example
The trial was nothing more than a political charade.
C1 adjective /ˌʃoʊ.vəˈnɪs.tɪk/

chauvinistic

Meaning
Displaying or characterized by excessive or prejudiced loyalty or support, especially towards one's own gender or group.
Example
His chauvinistic attitude alienated many of his female colleagues.
C1 verb /koʊks/

coax

Meaning
to persuade someone gently or gradually to do something
Example
She managed to coax the cat out of the tree with some food.
C1 noun /ʃæˈtoʊ/

chateau

Meaning
a large French country house or castle
Example
They stayed in a beautiful chateau in France.
C1 noun ˌkæp.ɪ.təl.aɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

capitalization

Meaning
The total market value of a company's shares or the provision of capital for a company or activity.
Example
The company's capitalization reached $1 billion in market value.
C1 noun /ˌklɔːstrəˈfəʊbiə/

claustrophobia

Meaning
an extreme or irrational fear of being in confined spaces
Example
He avoids elevators because of his claustrophobia.
C1 noun /ˈkɔːl.drən/

Cauldron

Meaning
a large metal pot with a lid and handle, used for cooking over a fire
Example
The witch stirred her potion in a large cauldron.
C1 noun /kənˈfɛdərəsi/

confederacy

Meaning
a group of states, people, or organizations united for a common purpose
Example
The southern states formed a confederacy during the civil war.
C1 adjective /ˈʃɪvəlrəs/

chivalrous

Meaning
Behaving in a courteous, gallant, and honorable way, especially toward women.
Example
He was chivalrous, always opening doors for others.
C1 adjective /kəmˈplaɪənt/

compliant

Meaning
Willing to agree with or follow rules, requests, or demands.
Example
She was compliant with all the safety requirements.
C1 noun /ˈkænən/

canon

Meaning
A general law, rule, principle, or collection of sacred books accepted as genuine.
Example
The book is now considered part of the literary canon.
C1 noun /kənˈsiːt/

conceit

Meaning
excessive pride in oneself; vanity
Example
His conceit made him unpopular among his colleagues.
C1 verb /ˌkɒndɪˈsɛnd/

condescend

Meaning
to behave as if one is superior while being gracious to others
Example
He would not condescend to answer such a trivial question.
C1 noun, adjective /ˈsɛntənəri/ or /sɛnˈtɛnəri/

centenary

Meaning
The hundredth anniversary of a significant event; relating to a period of 100 years.
Example
The school celebrated its centenary with a grand event.
C1 noun /ˈkæmi.oʊ/

cameo

Meaning
a small but significant role in a play, film, or show, often performed by a well-known person
Example
The actor made a surprise cameo in the movie.
C1 verb /ˈkælɪˌbreɪt/

calibrate

Meaning
To adjust or mark something so it can be used accurately; to standardize.
Example
The technician calibrated the machine before starting the experiment.
C1 noun /kəˈpɪl.ər.iz/

capillaries

Meaning
Any of the fine branching blood vessels that form a network between the arterioles and venules.
Example
Broken capillaries cause dark circles.
C1 verb /ˈkəʊ.dɪ.faɪ/

codify

Meaning
to arrange laws, rules, or ideas into a clear and systematic code
Example
The committee worked to codify the existing laws.
C1 noun /kliːˈʃeɪ/

cliche

Meaning
An overused expression or idea that has lost its originality or impact.
Example
The speech was filled with old clichés that failed to inspire the audience.
C1 noun /ˌkɒŋɡrɪˈɡeɪʃən/

congregation

Meaning
a group of people assembled for religious worship or a common purpose
Example
The congregation gathered to hear the sermon.
C1 adjective /ˌkaʊntərɪnˈtuːɪtɪv/

counterintuitive

Meaning
contrary to what one would intuitively expect
Example
His approach seems counterintuitive but it actually works.
C1 noun /ˌkɒnfləˈɡreɪʃən/

conflagration

Meaning
A large, destructive fire that destroys a great deal of land or property.
Example
The forest was devastated by a massive conflagration that lasted for days.
C1 noun /kənˈsɜːvəˌtɔːri/

conservatory

Meaning
A greenhouse for growing plants or a school for music and the arts.
Example
They grew exotic plants in the conservatory.
C1 noun /krɛst/

crest

Meaning
the top of a hill, wave, or mountain; a symbol of identity
Example
The hikers reached the crest of the mountain at sunrise.
C1 noun ˌkæl.ɪˈbreɪ.ʃən

calibration

Meaning
The action or process of adjusting or determining the accuracy of measuring instruments.
Example
The accuracy of a scale depends on regular calibration.
C1 verb /ˌkɒntrəˈviːn/

contravene

Meaning
to go against or act in opposition to a law, rule, or agreement
Example
He contravened the safety regulations and was fined.
C1 adjective, noun /ˈkɔːrpərəl/

corporal

Meaning
relating to the body; a low-ranking officer in the military
Example
He suffered a corporal punishment for his mistake.
C1 adjective /ˈkælkjʊleɪtɪŋ/

calculating

Meaning
acting in a scheming and ruthlessly determined way
Example
He had a cold and calculating approach to business.
C1 adjective ˌkɑːr.sɪ.nəˈdʒen.ɪk

carcinogenic

Meaning
Having the potential to cause cancer in living tissue.
Example
Processed meat contains carcinogenic compounds.
C1 noun /kəˈθɑːrsɪs/

catharsis

Meaning
The process of releasing strong emotions, providing relief.
Example
Writing in her diary was a form of catharsis for her.
C1 adjective /kɔɪ/

coy

Meaning
reluctant to give details or reveal feelings; shy or reserved
Example
She gave a coy smile when asked about her plans.
C1 noun /ˈsɛntrɪˌfjuːdʒ/

centrifuge

Meaning
A machine that spins substances at high speed to separate different components.
Example
The lab technician used a centrifuge to separate the blood cells from the plasma.
C1 noun /ˌkɔːriˈɒɡrəfi/

choreography

Meaning
The art of designing and arranging dances and movements.
Example
The choreography of the ballet was breathtaking.
C1 noun/verb /kroʊˈʃeɪ/

crochet

Meaning
Needlework made by interlocking loops of thread with a hooked needle; the act of making such items.
Example
She learned how to crochet a scarf for winter.
C1 adjective/noun /ˈkɜːrsɪv/

cursive

Meaning
Written with characters joined together in a flowing manner.
Example
The teacher asked students to write the essay in cursive handwriting.
C1 adjective /ˈkʌlpəbl̩/

culpable

Meaning
deserving blame or responsibility for a wrongdoing
Example
The judge found him culpable for the accident.
C1 noun /ˈkaʊntərˌpɔɪnt/

counterpoint

Meaning
an argument, idea, or theme contrasting with another; also a musical term for independent melody
Example
Her calm attitude was a counterpoint to his anger.
C1 noun /ˈkælkjʊləs/

calculus

Meaning
A branch of mathematics concerned with rates of change and accumulation; also a hard mineral deposit in the body such as on teeth.
Example
Calculus is essential for advanced studies in physics and engineering.
C1 adjective /ˌkætəˈklɪzmɪk/

cataclysmic

Meaning
Relating to or denoting a violent natural event or upheaval.
Example
The war had cataclysmic effects on the nation's economy.
C1 verb /kʌl/

cull

Meaning
to select or remove from a larger group, often to reduce numbers
Example
The farmers decided to cull the sick animals from the herd.
C1 noun /ˈkɒz.moʊs/

Cosmos

Meaning
a colorful annual flower with daisy-like blooms and feathery foliage
Example
The cosmos flowers swayed gently in the summer breeze across the meadow.
C1 adjective /kənˈtɛmptəbl/

contemptible

Meaning
deserving of contempt; despicable
Example
His deceitful actions were truly contemptible.
C1 adjective /ˈkɒz.mɪk/

cosmic

Meaning
relating to the universe or cosmos; vast
Example
Astronomers study cosmic phenomena to understand the universe.
C1 noun /kənˈtɛndər/

contender

Meaning
a person or team competing for a title or prize
Example
She is a strong contender for the mayoral position.
C1 noun /kəmˈplɪsəti/

complicity

Meaning
the state of being involved with others in an illegal activity or wrongdoing
Example
The court revealed his complicity in the fraud scheme.
C1 noun /kriːd/

creed

Meaning
A system of religious or spiritual beliefs or a guiding principle.
Example
Freedom of speech is part of his personal creed.
C1 noun /ˈklaɪəntɛl/

clientele

Meaning
The clients or customers of a professional person or business.
Example
The salon's clientele includes many high-profile individuals.
C1 noun /ˈʃoʊ.vəˌnɪz.əm/

chauvinism

Meaning
Excessive or prejudiced support for one's own cause, group, or gender, often with contempt for others.
Example
The company's culture was criticized for promoting male chauvinism.
C1 noun /kəˈloʊkwiəˌlɪzəm/

colloquialism

Meaning
a word or phrase used in informal speech or writing
Example
The novel is full of regional colloquialisms.
C1 verb /tʃɑːr/

char

Meaning
To burn or scorch something so that it becomes blackened.
Example
The cook accidentally charred the steak.
C1 noun kəˈlæt.ər.əl

collateral

Meaning
Something pledged as security for repayment of a loan, to be forfeited in the event of a default.
Example
The bank requires collateral for loan approval.
C1 verb /kənˈsɛptʃuəlaɪz/

conceptualize

Meaning
to form an idea or concept of something in your mind
Example
The artist conceptualized a new design for the exhibition.
C1 noun /ˈkroʊ.bɑːr/

Crowbar

Meaning
a heavy iron bar with a curved end used as a lever for prying things apart
Example
He used a crowbar to remove the old nails.
C1 noun ˈkɑːr.bən ˌsiː.kwəˈstreɪ.ʃən

carbon sequestration

Meaning
The process of capture and long-term storage of atmospheric carbon dioxide to mitigate or defer global warming.
Example
Forests play a key role in carbon sequestration.
C1 adjective /ˈkjʊərəbl/

curable

Meaning
Able to be cured or healed.
Example
The doctor assured her that the disease was curable.
C1 verb /ˈkæp.saɪz/

capsize

Meaning
to overturn in the water
Example
The small fishing boat capsized during the storm.
C1 noun /kɑːrˈtɒɡrəfər/

cartographer

Meaning
A person who makes maps.
Example
The cartographer carefully drew the map of the new territory.