chagrin
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C2 noun /ʃəˈɡrɪn/

chagrin

Meaning
Distress or embarrassment at having failed or been humiliated.
Example
She left the room in chagrin after forgetting her lines.
C2 noun /rɛtʃ/

wretch

Meaning
an unfortunate or miserable person; a despicable or contemptible person
Example
The poor wretch was left out in the cold with no shelter.
C2 verb /ˈekspərˌɡeɪt/

expurgate

Meaning
To remove offensive or objectionable parts from a text or speech.
Example
The publisher decided to expurgate the novel before reprinting it.
C2 adjective /ˌprɒfɪˈlæktɪk/

prophylactic

Meaning
intended to prevent disease or an unwanted outcome; protective
Example
The doctor prescribed a prophylactic treatment to prevent infection.
C2 adjective /ˈsiːkwənt/

sequent

Meaning
Following in order or as a result.
Example
The sequent events changed the course of history.
C2 noun /ˈaɪ.kɒn/

ikon

Meaning
A religious image or symbol, especially in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Example
The church displayed a beautifully painted ikon of the Virgin Mary.
C2 noun /rɪˈpʌɡ.nəns/

repugnance

Meaning
intense disgust or strong aversion towards something
Example
She felt deep repugnance at the cruelty of the act.
C2 adjective /prəˈvaɪzəri/

provisory

Meaning
conditional; depending on certain terms being met
Example
The arrangement was only provisory until the final contract was signed.
C2 adjective /ˈʌndjʊleɪtɪŋ/

undulating

Meaning
Having a smoothly rising and falling form or motion like waves.
Example
We drove through undulating hills.
C2 noun, verb /ɡəˈrɒt/

garrote

Meaning
A method of execution by strangulation, or to strangle someone with a cord or wire.
Example
The assassin attempted to garrote his target in the alley.
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 noun /dəˈɡerəˌtaɪp/

daguerreotype

Meaning
An early type of photograph produced on a silver or silver-covered copper plate.
Example
The museum displayed a rare daguerreotype of Abraham Lincoln.
C2 adjective /ˈɡɑːrbəld/

garbled

Meaning
Describes speech or text that is distorted or unclear.
Example
The radio broadcast was full of garbled messages.
C2 adjective /əˈɡeɪp/ or /əˈɡɑːp/

agape

Meaning
With the mouth wide open in surprise or wonder.
Example
She stood agape at the breathtaking view.
C2 noun /ˈɡræfaɪt/

graphite

Meaning
a soft, black form of carbon used in pencils and as a lubricant
Example
The artist sketched the portrait using a graphite pencil.
C2 noun /ˌɪkθiˈɒlədʒi/

ichthyology

Meaning
The branch of zoology that deals with fish.
Example
He pursued a degree in ichthyology at the university.
C2 noun /ˌhæŋ.ər ˈɒn/

hanger-on

Meaning
a person who spends time with a powerful or famous person to gain benefits.
Example
The celebrity was always surrounded by hangers-on.
C2 noun /ˌænəlˈdʒiːziə/

analgesia

Meaning
The inability to feel pain while still conscious.
Example
The doctor induced analgesia before performing the procedure.
C2 noun /əˈpɒθəˌkɛri/

apothecary

Meaning
A historical term for a person who prepared and sold medicines and drugs.
Example
The village apothecary provided remedies for many common illnesses.
C2 adjective /ˈtrʌŋkeɪtɪd/

truncated

Meaning
shortened by cutting off a part; cut short
Example
The meeting was truncated due to time constraints.
C2 adjective /ˌɪn.trəˈsɛl.jʊ.lər/

intracellular

Meaning
Located or occurring within a cell.
Example
The drug works by targeting intracellular bacteria.
C2 noun /ˈɛmbəˌlɪzəm/

embolism

Meaning
the sudden blockage of a blood vessel by a clot or other foreign matter
Example
The patient suffered a fatal pulmonary embolism.
C2 verb /ˈrʌmpəl/

rumple

Meaning
to make something untidy or wrinkled by creasing or crumpling
Example
She accidentally rumpled her dress while packing.
C2 noun /ˈθiː.ɑːr.ki/

thearchy

Meaning
Rule or government by the gods; divine sovereignty.
Example
In ancient cultures, some societies believed in thearchy where gods directly guided human affairs.
C2 adjective /pəˈlɛmɪkəl/

polemical

Meaning
relating to or involving strongly critical or controversial writing or speech
Example
She wrote a polemical article challenging traditional beliefs.
C2 adjective /ˌɪntəˈrɒɡətəri/

interrogatory

Meaning
expressed in the form of a question; relating to questioning
Example
The lawyer’s interrogatory tone made the witness uncomfortable.
C2 adjective /ˌɪndɪˈfætɪɡəbl̩/

indefatigable

Meaning
persisting tirelessly; incapable of being fatigued
Example
Her indefatigable spirit kept the team motivated during the long project.
C2 noun /ˈdʒʌŋkɪt/

junket

Meaning
A trip or celebration, often funded by someone else, usually for pleasure or promotional purposes.
Example
The company organized a junket for journalists to promote their new resort.
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 /bəˈθɛt.ɪk/

bathetic

Meaning
displaying insincere or trivial emotion; producing an unintended ridiculous effect through sudden change from serious to silly
Example
The movie's ending was unintentionally bathetic rather than tragic.
C2 noun /əˈbaɪdəns/

abidance

Meaning
the act of following, accepting, or complying with something
Example
Her abidance by the rules impressed the committee.
C2 adjective /ˈvoʊlənt/

volant

Meaning
able to fly or moving swiftly
Example
The volant bird soared gracefully across the sky.
C2 noun /ˈfɔːrkɔːrt/

forecourt

Meaning
an open area in front of a large building, especially a petrol station or hotel
Example
The car was parked in the hotel forecourt.
C2 adverb /ˈfɔːrbi/

forby

Meaning
In addition; besides (archaic Scottish/English word).
Example
He is kind and generous, and wise forby.
C2 noun /ˈætəmaɪzər/

atomizer

Meaning
A device that sprays liquid into a fine mist.
Example
She used an atomizer to apply the perfume evenly.
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 /ˈvɪrjʊləns/

virulence

Meaning
The severity or harmfulness of a disease or poison.
Example
Scientists studied the virulence of the new virus strain.
C2 verb /aɪˈdɒləˌtraɪz/

idolatrize

Meaning
To worship idols; to regard with excessive devotion or admiration.
Example
They began to idolatrize the statue as a deity.
C2 verb /ˈæpɪtaɪz/

appetize

Meaning
to stimulate the appetite; to make someone eager or interested
Example
The aroma of fresh bread will appetize the guests before dinner.
C2 adjective /ˌɪnkəˈməʊdiəs/

incommodious

Meaning
Uncomfortably small, cramped, or inconvenient.
Example
We had to stay in an incommodious room during the trip.
C2 noun /ˌsaɪ.kəʊˈɡræf.ɪks/

Psychographics

Meaning
The study and classification of people according to their attitudes, aspirations, and other psychological criteria.
Example
Psychographics reveal consumer buying motives.
C2 verb /əˈdʒʌdʒ/

adjudge

Meaning
to consider or declare officially in a legal or formal manner
Example
He was adjudged guilty by the court.
C2 verb /dɪsˈkʌmfɪt/

discomfit

Meaning
to make someone feel uneasy, embarrassed, or confused
Example
The interviewer’s tough questions discomfited the candidate.
C2 adjective /ˈsɪlieɪtɪd/

ciliated

Meaning
Having minute hairlike projections (cilia) on the surface of cells or organisms.
Example
The ciliated cells in the respiratory tract help move mucus out of the lungs.
C2 noun /dɪˈdʒɛkʃən/

dejection

Meaning
a state of sadness, depression, or low spirits
Example
She sat in a state of dejection after hearing the bad news.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈvaɪələbl/

inviolable

Meaning
never to be broken, dishonored, or violated
Example
Human rights are considered inviolable in modern democracies.
C2 noun /ˈlɑːrsəni/

larceny

Meaning
The unlawful taking of personal property with intent to deprive the rightful owner of it.
Example
He was arrested for committing larceny at the store.
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 adjective /nɪˈfɛəriəs/

nefarious

Meaning
Wicked, criminal, or morally bad.
Example
The police uncovered a nefarious plot to cheat investors.
C2 verb /ɪnˈdjuː/

endue

Meaning
To provide or endow with a quality or ability.
Example
The leader was endued with wisdom and courage.
C2 noun /ˈɑːrɡoʊ/

argot

Meaning
the specialized vocabulary or jargon of a particular group, especially one with a common interest or occupation
Example
The thieves communicated in an argot that outsiders could not understand.
C2 noun /ˈskʌl.i.ən/

scullion

Meaning
a servant assigned the most menial kitchen tasks
Example
In medieval times, a scullion was responsible for cleaning pots and pans.
C2 noun /ˈbʌɡəˌbuː/

bugaboo

Meaning
An object of fear or worry; an imagined cause of anxiety.
Example
The threat of inflation became a political bugaboo.
C2 adjective /raɪˈpɛə.ri.ən/

riparian

Meaning
Relating to or situated on the banks of a river or other watercourse.
Example
Riparian vegetation helps prevent soil erosion along rivers.
C2 noun /ˈniːəˌfaɪt/

neophyte

Meaning
A beginner or novice in a subject, skill, or belief.
Example
As a neophyte in programming, she often asked for guidance from her mentor.
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 /ˈrɛkwiəm/

requiem

Meaning
A mass, music, or ceremony for the repose of the souls of the dead.
Example
The choir performed a requiem in memory of the late leader.
C2 adjective /dɪˈrɒɡətɪv/

derogative

Meaning
Expressing a low opinion or showing lack of respect.
Example
He made a derogative remark about her work.
C2 adjective /prəˈhɪbɪtɔːri/

prohibitory

Meaning
Serving or tending to prohibit or forbid.
Example
The prohibitory laws were strictly enforced in the region.
C2 noun /traɪˈʌmvɪər/

triumvir

Meaning
One of a group of three men holding power in ancient Rome.
Example
Caesar was a triumvir in the first Roman triumvirate.
C2 noun /hæˈʃiːʃ/

hashish

Meaning
a drug made from the resin of the cannabis plant
Example
The police arrested him for possessing hashish.
C2 verb /rɛnd/

rend

Meaning
to tear something apart violently or forcefully
Example
The explosion rent the air with a deafening noise.
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 /ˈpætrɪˌmoʊni/

patrimony

Meaning
Property or inheritance passed down from one's father or ancestors.
Example
The castle was part of his patrimony from his noble ancestors.
C2 noun /ˈhæŋ.kər.ɪŋ/

hankering

Meaning
a strong desire or craving for something.
Example
She had a hankering for chocolate late at night.
C2 adjective /ˈeɪ.li.ə.nə.bəl/

alienable

Meaning
Able to be transferred or surrendered, usually referring to rights or property.
Example
Property rights are alienable and can be sold or transferred.
C2 verb /trəˈdjuːs/

traduce

Meaning
To speak badly of someone or tell lies to damage their reputation.
Example
He was furious when he found out that his rivals had traduced him.
C2 adjective /sɪˈlæbɪk/

syllabic

Meaning
Relating to or based on syllables.
Example
The teacher explained the syllabic structure of the word.
C2 noun /əˈplɒm/

aplomb

Meaning
Complete and confident self-assurance or poise.
Example
She handled the difficult questions with aplomb.
C2 adjective /ˈʌŋk.tʃu.əs/

unctuous

Meaning
Excessively flattering or ingratiating; oily in texture.
Example
His unctuous tone made everyone uncomfortable.
C2 noun /ˈsoʊbrɪˌkeɪ/

sobriquet

Meaning
a person's nickname or descriptive name
Example
The famous leader was known by the sobriquet 'The Iron Lady'.
C2 noun /ɡiː/

Ghee

Meaning
clarified butter used in South Asian cooking
Example
She used ghee instead of butter for cooking the rice.
C2 noun /ˈdoʊneɪtər/

donator

Meaning
A person who gives something, especially money or goods, as a donation.
Example
The donator wished to remain anonymous after contributing a large sum.
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 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 noun ˌæɡ.roʊˈfɔːr.ɪ.stri

agroforestry

Meaning
A land use management system in which trees or shrubs are grown around or among crops or pastureland.
Example
Agroforestry improves soil quality and crop yield.
C2 noun, adjective /nɒn ˈkɒmbətənt/

non-combatant

Meaning
a person not engaged in fighting during a war, such as civilians or medical staff
Example
The Red Cross workers were treated as non-combatants in the conflict.
C2 adjective /sɪˈnɜːrdʒɪk/

synergic

Meaning
Working together in a cooperative and effective manner.
Example
The two departments have a synergic relationship that boosts productivity.
C2 adjective /ˈɑːsɪˌfaɪd/

ossified

Meaning
Turned into bone or become rigid; unwilling to change.
Example
The company had an ossified management structure that resisted innovation.
C2 adjective /ˌaɪ.kə.nəˈklæs.tɪk/

iconoclastic

Meaning
Characterized by attacking or rejecting cherished beliefs, traditions, or established values.
Example
Her iconoclastic views challenged the conventional wisdom of the industry.
C2 adjective /ˈdæpər/

dapper

Meaning
Neat, stylish, and well-dressed in appearance.
Example
He looked very dapper in his new suit.
C2 noun /ˈplɛbɪsaɪt/

plebiscite

Meaning
a direct vote by the electorate on an important public question
Example
The government held a plebiscite to decide on the new constitution.
C2 noun /əˈreɪ.bi.ən ˈdʒæz.mɪn/

Arabian Jasmine

Meaning
A fragrant white flower native to South and Southeast Asia, commonly used in perfumes and religious ceremonies
Example
The Arabian jasmine filled the garden with its sweet fragrance.
C2 noun /ˌluː.mɪˈnɛs.əns/

luminescence

Meaning
The emission of light by a substance not resulting from heat; a type of cold light.
Example
The luminescence of the fireflies lit up the forest.
C2 adjective /ʌnəˈpiːzd/

unappeased

Meaning
Not satisfied or calmed; still feeling discontent or anger
Example
Despite the apology, she remained unappeased.
C2 noun /ˌsɒ̃ˈfrwɑː/

sangfroid

Meaning
Composure or coolness under pressure.
Example
She impressed everyone with her sangfroid during the interview.
C2 adjective, noun /ˈɡreɪtɪŋ/

grating

Meaning
Harsh and unpleasant to the senses, especially sound; a framework of bars covering an opening.
Example
The teacher's grating voice made it hard to concentrate.
C2 noun /boʊ/

beau

Meaning
a male admirer or boyfriend; a fashionable young man
Example
She arrived at the party with her beau.
C2 noun /ˈθiːɪzəm/

theism

Meaning
Belief in the existence of a god or gods, especially a creator who intervenes in the universe.
Example
Theism is central to many world religions.
C2 noun /ˈmɛtrəˌnoʊm/

metronome

Meaning
A device that produces regular ticks or beats to help musicians maintain tempo.
Example
She practiced the piano with a metronome to keep steady timing.
C2 noun /ˈkæθoʊd/

cathode

Meaning
The negative electrode in a device such as a battery or tube, where electrons enter.
Example
The cathode emits electrons in the tube.
C2 adjective /ˈfæn.sɪ.ləs/

fanciless

Meaning
without imagination or creativity; plain or ordinary
Example
His drawings were simple and fanciless.
C2 noun /ˈtaɪroʊ/

tyro

Meaning
A beginner or novice in a field or activity.
Example
As a tyro in programming, she needed constant guidance.
C2 noun /ˈskɪnˌflɪnt/

skinflint

Meaning
a person who spends as little money as possible; a miser
Example
The landlord was such a skinflint that he never repaired anything.
C2 noun /ˈdɛnɪzən/

denizen

Meaning
an inhabitant or resident of a particular place
Example
The forest is home to many nocturnal denizens.
C2 adjective /ˈrɛkriənt/

recreant

Meaning
cowardly or unfaithful to duty
Example
The recreant soldier abandoned his post in fear.
C2 noun ˈfaɪ.təʊˌnjuː.tri.ənt

phytonutrient

Meaning
Chemical compounds produced by plants that are beneficial to human health but not essential nutrients.
Example
Broccoli is rich in phytonutrients that enhance immunity.
C2 adjective /ˈdjuːtiəbl/

dutiable

Meaning
subject to customs duty or tax
Example
Imported electronics are often dutiable at the border.
C2 noun /rɪˈfrækʃən/

refraction

Meaning
The bending of light, sound, or other waves when they pass from one medium to another of different density.
Example
The refraction of light in water makes objects appear bent.
C2 adjective /ɑːlˈfæktəri/

olfactory

Meaning
Relating to the sense of smell.
Example
The perfume activated her olfactory nerves immediately.
C2 verb /dʒaʊst/

joust

Meaning
to engage in a medieval contest on horseback with lances; to compete or argue
Example
The knights prepared to joust in front of the cheering crowd.
C2 adjective /ˌhɛtərəʊˈmɔːrfɪk/

heteromorphic

Meaning
Having different forms or shapes, especially in the same species or organism.
Example
Butterflies are heteromorphic during their life cycle, changing forms from larva to adult.
C2 adjective /ɪˈrɛzəluːt/

irresolute

Meaning
uncertain or indecisive; lacking determination
Example
He stood irresolute at the crossroads, unsure which path to take.
C2 adjective /dʒɛnˈtiːl/

genteel

Meaning
Polite, refined, or respectable, often in an affected or exaggerated way
Example
She spoke in a genteel manner that impressed the guests.
C2 noun /ˈbɔːlsəm/

Balsam

Meaning
a flowering plant with colorful blooms that often open in the evening; also refers to aromatic resin
Example
The garden balsam flowers bloomed beautifully in various shades of pink and purple.
C2 adjective /ˌʌnprəˈpɪʃəs/

unpropitious

Meaning
Not giving or indicating a good chance of success; unfavorable.
Example
The team began their journey under unpropitious weather conditions.
C2 adjective /ˈtɪmərəs/

timorous

Meaning
showing or suffering from nervousness, fear, or lack of confidence
Example
The timorous student hesitated to ask the teacher a question.
C2 adjective /ˈmʌski/

musky

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

pedantry

Meaning
Excessive concern with minor details or rules.
Example
His pedantry made the meeting unnecessarily long.
C2 adjective /prəˈpʌlsɪv/

propulsive

Meaning
Having the power to drive or push something forward.
Example
The propulsive force of the rocket lifted it off the ground.
C2 noun /ˈvɛrɪti/

verity

Meaning
a true principle or belief; the state of being true
Example
The verity of his statement was confirmed by evidence.
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 /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 noun /ˈdʒɪŋɡoʊɪst/

jingoist

Meaning
a person who supports jingoism; an extreme nationalist with aggressive foreign policies
Example
He was labeled a jingoist for his extreme views.
C2 noun /sɪˈkwiːlə/

sequela

Meaning
A condition that is the consequence of a previous disease or injury.
Example
Lung scarring can be a sequela of severe pneumonia.
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 verb /ˌmɛtəˈmɔrfoʊz/

metamorphose

Meaning
To change in form, structure, or substance; to transform completely.
Example
The caterpillar metamorphosed into a butterfly.
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 adjective /ˌɪnɪˈsɛnʃəl/

inessential

Meaning
not necessary or important; not essential
Example
The report removes all inessential details to stay focused.
C2 noun /sfɛˈrɪsɪti/

sphericity

Meaning
The quality or state of being spherical; roundness.
Example
The sphericity of the ball made it roll smoothly on the ground.
C2 adjective /ˌɛlɪˈfæntaɪn/

elephantine

Meaning
Huge, clumsy, or resembling an elephant in size or movement.
Example
The man moved with an elephantine grace.