commissariat
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C2 noun /ˌkɒməˈsɛəriət/

commissariat

Meaning
A department responsible for supplying food and equipment, especially in the military.
Example
The army commissariat ensured that the soldiers had enough supplies.
C2 adjective /ˈlæk.rɪ.moʊs/

lachrymose

Meaning
tearful or given to weeping; sad and mournful
Example
The movie's lachrymose ending left the audience in tears.
C2 noun /ɡlʌt/

glut

Meaning
An excessive supply of something; more than is needed.
Example
There was a glut of cheap smartphones in the market.
C2 verb /flɛdʒ/

fledge

Meaning
To develop wing feathers large enough for flight; to bring up until able to fly.
Example
The young birds will fledge in a few weeks.
C2 noun /ˈɡraɪndstoʊn/

grindstone

Meaning
a thick disc of stone used for grinding, sharpening, or polishing tools
Example
The blacksmith sharpened his blade on the grindstone.
C2 noun /əˈnæb.ə.lɪ.zəm/

anabolism

Meaning
The set of metabolic pathways that construct molecules from smaller units, involving tissue repair and growth.
Example
Anabolism is essential for muscle growth and tissue repair.
C2 adjective /ˈlɪmpɪd/

limpid

Meaning
Clear and transparent, easily understood.
Example
The limpid water of the lake reflected the sky perfectly.
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 noun /ˌdʒiːniˈælədʒɪst/

genealogist

Meaning
A person who studies or traces the history of families and their lineages.
Example
The genealogist uncovered records dating back to the 18th century.
C2 noun /ˈfɪlɪɡri/

filigree

Meaning
delicate ornamental work of fine wire, usually of gold or silver
Example
The necklace was decorated with intricate gold filigree.
C2 noun /ˌæriˈviːst/

arriviste

Meaning
A person who has recently gained wealth or status but is considered arrogant or socially unsophisticated.
Example
The business world is full of ambitious arrivistes.
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 noun /ˈwɛlkɪn/

welkin

Meaning
The sky, the heavens, or the upper air.
Example
The eagle soared high into the welkin.
C2 adjective /prəˈpɪʃəs/

propitious

Meaning
giving or indicating a good chance of success; favorable
Example
The sunny weather was a propitious start to the picnic.
C2 noun /ˈmaɪ.nə/

Mynah

Meaning
a tropical bird with dark feathers that can mimic human speech
Example
The mynah bird repeated every word I said.
C2 verb, noun /ˈɡoʊld.brɪk/

goldbrick

Meaning
to avoid work or duty; a person who shirks responsibility
Example
He was accused of goldbricking while the rest of the team worked hard.
C2 noun /ˈdʒes.tər/

Jester

Meaning
a professional joker or fool at a medieval court; someone who jokes a lot
Example
The court jester entertained the king with witty remarks and amusing tricks.
C2 noun /θroʊz/

throes

Meaning
intense or violent pain and struggle, often at the beginning or end of something
Example
The country was in the throes of a political crisis.
C2 noun /ɪˈluːʒən/

elusion

Meaning
The act of escaping or avoiding something, especially by cleverness or trickery.
Example
His constant elusion of responsibility frustrated his colleagues.
C2 adjective /ɪmˈpɪəriəs/

imperious

Meaning
Arrogantly domineering or overbearing.
Example
Her imperious tone made it hard for others to argue.
C2 noun, verb /ɡɔːl/

gall

Meaning
Annoyance, boldness, or to irritate.
Example
She had the gall to question his decision.
C2 verb /ˌpriːɪɡˈzɪst/

preexist

Meaning
to exist beforehand or before something else
Example
These customs preexist the arrival of modern technology.
C2 adjective /ˈsætərˌnaɪn/

saturnine

Meaning
slow and gloomy in mood
Example
His saturnine expression made everyone in the room uncomfortable.
C2 adjective /fækˈtɪʃəs/

factitious

Meaning
artificial or fabricated; not natural or genuine
Example
The excitement in his story seemed factitious and forced.
C2 adjective /ˈvɪndɪkeɪtɪv/

vindicative

Meaning
showing a tendency to vindicate or justify; inclined to defend
Example
Her vindicative tone showed that she strongly believed in her innocence.
C2 noun /əkˈsɛʃən/

accession

Meaning
the attainment of a position of rank or power, especially a monarch or president; the formal acceptance of an agreement or treaty
Example
The king's accession to the throne was celebrated with great ceremony.
C2 noun /ˌmæk.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/

Machination

Meaning
a clever scheme or artful plot, usually with evil intent; crafty designing or plotting
Example
The villain's machinations were finally exposed.
C2 adjective /ˈɪnmoʊst/

inmost

Meaning
Situated at the very heart or deepest part; most private or secret.
Example
She revealed her inmost thoughts to her closest friend.
C2 noun /ˈdʒʌɡjələr/

jugular

Meaning
A large vein in the neck that carries blood from the head back to the heart.
Example
The doctor checked the patient's jugular vein for signs of pressure.
C2 adjective /ˌsʌpəzɪˈtɪʃəs/

supposititious

Meaning
Based on assumption rather than fact; not genuine or authentic.
Example
The story turned out to be supposititious, with no evidence to support it.
C2 noun /ˈkɒn.tjʊ.mə.li/

contumely

Meaning
insulting or humiliating treatment
Example
He endured the contumely of his colleagues with patience.
C2 noun /ˈliːdʒənəri/

legionary

Meaning
a soldier in the Roman army
Example
Each legionary carried a shield and a short sword.
C2 noun /draɪd ˈfɛnjʊˌɡriːk livz/

Dried Fenugreek Leaves

Meaning
dehydrated leaves of the fenugreek plant used as a herb in cooking
Example
Add dried fenugreek leaves to the curry for extra flavor.
C2 adjective /ˈæstrəl/

astral

Meaning
Relating to the stars or to spiritual, non-physical realms.
Example
Some believe in astral projection, the ability to leave the body and travel spiritually.
C2 adjective /ɪmˈpræktɪkəbl/

impracticable

Meaning
Not capable of being carried out or put into practice.
Example
The plan seemed impracticable due to limited resources.
C2 verb /ˈstjuːpɪˌfaɪ/

stupefy

Meaning
to make someone unable to think clearly, usually because of surprise or shock
Example
The magician's tricks stupefied the audience.
C2 verb /ɪˈvɜːrt/

evert

Meaning
To turn inside out or outward.
Example
The surgeon had to evert the eyelid during the procedure.
C2 noun /ˈdræɡˌnɛt/

dragnet

Meaning
A systematic search or investigation, often by police to catch criminals.
Example
The police launched a dragnet to capture the fugitives.
C2 adjective /ˈkeəwɔːn/

careworn

Meaning
Showing signs of worry, stress, or exhaustion.
Example
His careworn face revealed years of struggle.
C2 adjective /ˈkɒlərɪk/

choleric

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

protuberate

Meaning
To swell out or bulge.
Example
The roots began to protuberate from the ground.
C2 noun /ɪnˈvɛktɪv/

invective

Meaning
Insulting, abusive, or highly critical language.
Example
The politician’s speech was filled with invective against his opponents.
C2 verb /ˌsuːpərˈæn.ju.eɪt/

superannuate

Meaning
to retire someone with a pension, usually due to age or long service
Example
The company decided to superannuate its senior employees after thirty years of service.
C2 noun /pluːˈtɒkrəsi/

plutocracy

Meaning
a system of government where the wealthy hold power
Example
The country was ruled as a plutocracy.
C2 noun /ˈbɑːr.nɪ.kəl/

Barnacle

Meaning
a marine crustacean that attaches itself permanently to underwater surfaces
Example
The old ship's hull was covered with barnacles.
C2 noun /ˈbɪɡ.ə.mɪst/

bigamist

Meaning
A person who commits the crime of marrying someone while already married to another.
Example
The man was arrested for being a bigamist.
C2 noun /ˌvæs.ɪˈleɪ.ʃən/

Vacillation

Meaning
the inability to decide between different opinions or actions; indecision
Example
His constant vacillation between career choices frustrated his parents.
C2 noun /ˌniːoʊˈpeɪɡənɪzəm/

neopaganism

Meaning
Modern religious movements influenced by or claiming to be derived from the various historical pagan beliefs of pre-modern Europe.
Example
Neopaganism has gained popularity as people seek spiritual alternatives to mainstream religions.
C2 noun /ˈhoʊl.stər/

holster

Meaning
A holder or case for carrying a gun, typically worn on a belt or shoulder.
Example
The sheriff kept his revolver in a leather holster.
C2 adjective /pɪˈdʒɒrətɪv/

pejorative

Meaning
Expressing contempt or disapproval.
Example
He used pejorative terms to insult his opponents.
C2 noun /ˈbroʊmaɪd/

bromide

Meaning
A trite or unoriginal idea or remark; also a chemical compound of bromine.
Example
His speech was full of old bromides about hard work.
C2 noun /ˈneɪdɪər/

nadir

Meaning
The lowest point of a situation or condition.
Example
The company reached its nadir during the financial crisis.
C2 adjective /ˈɒkjʊlər/

ocular

Meaning
Relating to the eye or vision.
Example
The patient was referred to a specialist for ocular treatment.
C2 noun /pɪθ/

pith

Meaning
the essential or central part of something
Example
The pith of his argument was that honesty matters most.
C2 noun /ˈɛpɪtɑːf/

epitaph

Meaning
A short text written on a tombstone in memory of the deceased.
Example
The gravestone bore an epitaph honoring the soldier’s bravery.
C2 noun /blɑːtʃ/

blotch

Meaning
a large, irregular spot or stain, often on skin or fabric
Example
His shirt had a red blotch from the spilled juice.
C2 adjective /dɪˈsɛnʃənt/

dissentient

Meaning
Expressing or holding opinions that are opposed to the majority or official view.
Example
Only a few dissentient voices were heard during the debate.
C2 adjective /ˈpliːnəri/

plenary

Meaning
complete in every way; fully attended or absolute
Example
The committee held a plenary session to discuss all matters of importance.
C2 noun /ˈhɛdʒɪrə/ or /hɪˈdʒaɪrə/

hegira

Meaning
a journey, especially when undertaken to escape from a dangerous or undesirable situation
Example
The refugees began their hegira across the desert.
C2 noun /ˈpɑːrsɪmoʊni/

parsimony

Meaning
extreme unwillingness to spend money or use resources
Example
His parsimony was evident in the way he avoided any unnecessary expenses.
C2 adjective /ˈmæk.jʊˌleɪ.tɪd/

maculated

Meaning
Spotted or stained; marked with blemishes.
Example
The maculated surface of the old mirror gave it a unique charm.
C2 noun /dɪˈpləʊmətɪst/

diplomatist

Meaning
A person skilled in diplomacy; another word for diplomat.
Example
The diplomatist handled the negotiations with great tact.
C2 noun /ˈmʌŋɡrəl/

mongrel

Meaning
A dog of mixed breed; sometimes used to describe something mixed or of inferior quality.
Example
The stray dog was a friendly mongrel.
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 adjective /krəˈmætɪk/

chromatic

Meaning
Relating to colors or, in music, notes outside the standard scale.
Example
The artist used a chromatic palette to create vibrant contrasts.
C2 noun /əˈnækrəˌnɪzəm/

anachronism

Meaning
something that is out of its proper time period, especially something old-fashioned in a modern context
Example
Using a typewriter today feels like an anachronism.
C2 noun /ˈbɪlɪŋzˌɡeɪt/

billingsgate

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

tithe

Meaning
A tenth part of one’s income or produce, often given as a religious offering.
Example
He gave a tithe of his earnings to the church.
C2 adjective /ˈbrækɪʃ/

brackish

Meaning
Slightly salty, often describing water that is a mix of fresh and seawater.
Example
The river estuary contained brackish water.
C2 noun /ˈrɛtɪnjuː/

retinue

Meaning
A group of attendants or followers accompanying an important person.
Example
The king entered the hall followed by his retinue.
C2 adjective /ɡrɪˈɡɛəriəs/

gregarious

Meaning
Fond of company; sociable.
Example
She is a gregarious person who loves meeting new people.
C2 noun (plural) /əˈspɜːr.ʒənz/

aspersions

Meaning
Critical or slanderous remarks; multiple attacks on reputation.
Example
The politician rejected the aspersions cast against him.
C2 adjective /ˈɡloʊboʊs/

globose

Meaning
Spherical or nearly spherical in shape.
Example
The cactus has large globose fruits.
C2 noun /kəˈliːdʒən/

collegian

Meaning
a student of a college
Example
The collegians were preparing for the cultural festival.
C2 noun /ˈdʌlərd/

dullard

Meaning
a slow or stupid person
Example
He was considered a dullard by his classmates.
C2 adjective /ˈrɛkənˌsaɪləbl̩/

reconcilable

Meaning
Capable of being resolved or made consistent.
Example
Their differences are reconcilable with honest communication.
C2 verb /ˈwɪni/

whinny

Meaning
to make the high-pitched sound a horse makes
Example
The horse whinnied when it saw its rider.
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 /ˈmæləprɒˌpɪzəm/

malapropism

Meaning
the mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with amusing effect
Example
He is famous for his malapropism when speaking in public.
C2 noun /ˈbɪvuˌæk/

bivouac

Meaning
a temporary camp without tents or cover, usually used by soldiers or mountaineers
Example
The climbers set up a bivouac on the mountainside.
C2 verb /rɪˈdaʊnd/

redound

Meaning
to contribute greatly to a result or consequence, usually beneficial
Example
His hard work will redound to the success of the company.
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 /məˈbɒkrəsi/

mobocracy

Meaning
Rule or control by a mob or mass of people, often disorderly.
Example
The protest turned into mobocracy when the crowd started destroying property.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈtræməld/

untrammeled

Meaning
Not restricted or hampered; free and unrestricted.
Example
She enjoyed untrammeled freedom in her new life abroad.
C2 noun /ˈfɜːrlɔːŋ/

furlong

Meaning
a unit of distance equal to 220 yards or about 201 meters
Example
The horse ran a furlong before slowing down.
C2 noun /boʊ/

beau

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

befit

Meaning
to be suitable for; to be appropriate to
Example
Formal attire befits the seriousness of the occasion.
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 noun /ˈɛksɪdʒənsi/

exigency

Meaning
an urgent need or demand requiring immediate attention
Example
In times of war, the exigency of the situation requires quick decisions.
C2 verb /ɪˈfeɪsɪŋ/

effacing

Meaning
erasing or making oneself inconspicuous; to remove or diminish in significance
Example
She kept effacing herself during the meeting so that others could shine.
C2 noun /ˈfɒpəri/

foppery

Meaning
Foolish or excessive concern with one's appearance or manners; pretentious behavior.
Example
His obsession with fashion was dismissed as mere foppery.
C2 noun /ˈæf.ə.rɪ.zəm/

aphorism

Meaning
a short, witty saying that expresses a general truth or principle
Example
He began his speech with an aphorism about life and success.
C2 adjective /ˌæntɪdəˈluːviən/

antediluvian

Meaning
extremely old-fashioned; belonging to the time before the biblical flood
Example
His views on women are positively antediluvian.
C2 noun /ˌviːələnsɛloʊ/

violoncello

Meaning
The full name of the cello, a large string instrument played with a bow and held between the knees.
Example
He practiced the violoncello for hours each day.
C2 noun /ˈæpəˌlɔːɡ/

apologue

Meaning
a short moral story or fable intended to teach a lesson
Example
The teacher used an old apologue to explain honesty to the children.
C2 noun /ˈæltruɪst/

altruist

Meaning
a person who has an unselfish concern for the welfare of others
Example
He is an altruist who always puts others' needs before his own.
C2 noun ˈɛn.ɡræm

Engram

Meaning
Physical signs or patterns in the brain for memory storage and retrieval
Example
Scientists study engrams to understand how memories are stored.
C2 noun /ˈsɪʒ.ən/

scission

Meaning
the act of cutting or dividing something
Example
The political party suffered a scission over ideological disputes.
C2 verb /ˌnɒnˈplʌst/

nonplused

Meaning
Past tense of nonplus; surprised and confused.
Example
She was completely nonplused by his sudden decision.
C2 noun/verb /ˈmæn.ə.kəl/

manacle

Meaning
A metal shackle for fastening someone's hands or ankles; also to restrain with such shackles.
Example
The prisoner was manacled before being taken to court.
C2 noun /ˈɔːlmənæk/

almanac

Meaning
An annual publication containing calendars, weather forecasts, astronomical data, and other useful information.
Example
He consulted the almanac to check the phases of the moon.
C2 noun /lɔːŋ ˈpepər/

Long pepper

Meaning
a flowering vine in the family Piperaceae, cultivated for its fruit which is used as a spice
Example
Long pepper was more valuable than black pepper in ancient times.
C2 verb /ɪˈmjʊər/

immure

Meaning
to confine or enclose someone against their will
Example
The prisoner was immured in a dark cell.
C2 noun /ˈʒɑːndɑːrm/

gendarme

Meaning
A French police officer, especially a member of a military-style police force.
Example
The gendarme stopped the car for a routine check.
C2 verb /kənˈvoʊk/

convoke

Meaning
to call together or summon a meeting or assembly
Example
The committee convoked an emergency session to discuss the crisis.
C2 adjective /ˈdɪsəluːt/

dissolute

Meaning
lacking moral restraint; indulging excessively in sensual pleasures
Example
He led a dissolute life filled with parties and gambling.
C2 noun /əˈblɪkwɪti/

obliquity

Meaning
Deviation from moral or usual conduct; indirectness or lack of straightforwardness.
Example
The politician was criticized for the obliquity of his answers.
C2 noun /ˈtʃælɪs/

chalice

Meaning
A large cup or goblet, typically used for drinking wine in religious ceremonies.
Example
The priest lifted the golden chalice during the ceremony.
C2 adjective /ˈpɛkənt/

peccant

Meaning
Guilty of a moral offense or wrongdoing; sinful.
Example
The judge declared the peccant official unfit for office.
C2 adjective /ˌaɪdəˈlɑːtrɪəs/

idolatrious

Meaning
Excessively devoted or reverent towards idols or false gods.
Example
The ancient tribe was known for its idolatrious practices.
C2 adjective /ˈmɔːdlɪn/

maudlin

Meaning
Overly sentimental, often tearfully or weakly emotional.
Example
He became maudlin after a few drinks.
C2 adjective /ˈmiːliˌmaʊðd/

mealymouthed

Meaning
not willing to speak directly and honestly; evasive in speech
Example
The politician gave a mealymouthed response to the tough question.
C2 adjective /ˈkɒnfluənt/

confluent

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

pellucid

Meaning
Transparently clear; easy to understand.
Example
The lake water was so pellucid that you could see the stones at the bottom.
C2 noun /ˈbuːt.leɪs/

Boot-lace

Meaning
a cord or string used to fasten a boot or shoe
Example
I need to tie my boot-lace before going for a walk.
C2 adjective /kənˌtɛmpəˈreɪniəs/

contemporaneous

Meaning
existing, happening, or occurring at the same time
Example
The two artists were contemporaneous and often influenced each other.
C2 noun /ˌpærəˈnɔɪæk/

paranoiac

Meaning
A person who suffers from paranoia or exhibits extreme, irrational distrust and suspicion.
Example
The paranoiac refused to leave his house, fearing everyone was against him.
C2 adverb /ˌfɔːrθˈwɪθ/

Forthwith

Meaning
immediately; without delay; at once
Example
The manager ordered the employee to stop the unsafe practice forthwith.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈæpt/

Inapt

Meaning
not suitable; inappropriate; unfit
Example
His comment was inapt for the formal meeting.
C2 noun /ɪnˈfriːkwəns/

infrequence

Meaning
The state of occurring rarely or at long intervals.
Example
The infrequence of their meetings made it hard to maintain close ties.
C2 noun /ˈprɪvɪti/

privity

Meaning
A close, private, or special relationship; in law, the direct connection between parties to a contract.
Example
There was no privity of contract between the supplier and the customer.