condescending
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C1 adjective /ˌkɒndɪˈsɛndɪŋ/

condescending

Meaning
having or showing an attitude of patronizing superiority
Example
Her condescending tone upset her colleagues.
C1 noun, verb /ˈbʌtrəs/

buttress

Meaning
a structure built against a wall for support; to support or strengthen
Example
The cathedral walls were buttressed to prevent collapse.
C1 verb /ˈrɪvɪt/

rivet

Meaning
to fasten or secure with a rivet; to hold someone’s attention firmly
Example
The craftsman riveted the metal plates together.
C1 noun /ɪmˈpjʊərəti/

impurity

Meaning
the state of being unclean or contaminated; a substance that makes something impure
Example
The scientist removed every impurity from the water sample.
C1 verb ˈplʌmɪtɪŋ

plummeting

Meaning
Falling or dropping suddenly and steeply; decreasing rapidly
Example
The fertility rate in Bangladesh is plummeting.
C1 noun /ˈmæksɪm/

maxim

Meaning
a short, well-known statement expressing a general truth or rule of conduct
Example
Honesty is a timeless maxim valued in every culture.
C1 noun /ˈwɛlˌduːər/

well-doer

Meaning
A person who does good deeds; a benefactor.
Example
The community praised the well-doer for his charity.
C1 verb /bɔːk/

balk

Meaning
to hesitate or refuse to proceed or comply
Example
She balked at signing the contract without reading it fully.
C1 noun /trænsˈfjuːʒən/

transfusion

Meaning
the process of transferring blood or another fluid into a person's vein
Example
The patient received a blood transfusion after the accident.
C1 adjective /ˈhɪd.i.əs/

Hideous

Meaning
extremely ugly or unpleasant; causing shock or disgust
Example
The monster in the movie had a hideous appearance.
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 noun /ˈsɒlstɪs/

solstice

Meaning
the two times in the year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the equator (summer and winter solstice)
Example
People celebrate the summer solstice with festivals and rituals.
C1 noun /əˈkuːstɪks/

acoustics

Meaning
the science of sound, or the properties of a space that affect how sound is heard
Example
The hall’s excellent acoustics made the orchestra sound rich and clear.
C1 verb ɪˈnɔː.ɡjə.reɪ.tɪd

inaugurated

Meaning
Begin or introduce (a system, policy, or period) formally.
Example
The organization was inaugurated officially.
C1 noun /ˌɪməˈrælɪti/

immorality

Meaning
the quality of being immoral; behavior that violates accepted moral standards
Example
The community condemned the immorality of the corrupt officials.
C1 noun kɒɡˈnɪʃ.ən

cognition

Meaning
The mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses.
Example
Cognition plays a key role in learning.
C1 noun /ˈɑːrməri/

armory

Meaning
A place where weapons are stored; a supply of resources or skills.
Example
The soldiers kept their weapons in the armory.
C1 verb /ˈɛkstrɪkeɪt/

extricate

Meaning
To free someone or something from a constraint or difficulty.
Example
The firefighters extricated the passengers from the wrecked car.
C1 noun /ˈdɪsɪdənt/

dissident

Meaning
A person who opposes official policy, especially that of an authoritarian state.
Example
The dissident was arrested for speaking against the government.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈpjʊər/

Impure

Meaning
contaminated; not clean; mixed with foreign substances
Example
The impure water caused health problems in the village.
C1 adjective /ˈrʌɡ.ɪd/

Rugged

Meaning
rough and uneven; having a rough irregular surface; tough and strong
Example
The hikers crossed the rugged mountain terrain.
C1 noun /ˈrɛpərˌtɔːri/

repertory

Meaning
A collection of works that a company, performer, or institution regularly performs; also a storehouse of information or skills.
Example
The theater has a repertory of classic plays.
C1 noun /ˈsɛdətɪv/

sedative

Meaning
A substance that calms the nerves or induces sleep.
Example
The doctor prescribed a sedative to help the patient sleep.
C1 verb /ɪˈlɛktrɪfaɪ/

electrify

Meaning
to charge with electricity; to excite or thrill intensely
Example
The speaker's speech electrified the audience.
C1 noun /əˈflɪkʃən/

affliction

Meaning
a state of pain, suffering, or distress
Example
Poverty is a common affliction in many parts of the world.
C1 noun /rɪˈpɔːrtɪʒ/

reportage

Meaning
the act of reporting news or describing events in the media
Example
The magazine is known for its detailed reportage of political issues.
C1 noun /sərˈveɪər/

surveyor

Meaning
A person who measures and maps land, buildings, or other features.
Example
The surveyor measured the land for construction.
C1 verb /dɪˈnəʊt/

denote

Meaning
To be a sign of; to indicate or mean something.
Example
A red flag denotes danger.
C1 noun, verb /ˈfɛrɪt/

ferret

Meaning
a small domesticated animal used for hunting; to search or uncover something persistently
Example
He ferreted out the hidden documents.
C1 noun ˌɪm.pʌlˈsɪv.ɪ.ti

impulsivity

Meaning
The tendency to act quickly and without thought or care; lack of self-control.
Example
His impulsivity led him to make reckless choices.
C1 adjective /ˈsɪnləs/

Sinless

Meaning
free from sin; pure and innocent; without moral fault
Example
The innocent child appeared sinless in her pure white dress.
C1 noun /niːʃ/

Niche

Meaning
A specialized segment of the market for a particular kind of product or service.
Example
Finding the right niche is key to a successful business.
C1 noun ˈiːkəʊˌsɪstəm ˈsɜːvɪsɪz

ecosystem services

Meaning
The benefits people obtain from ecosystems.
Example
Forests provide valuable ecosystem services, such as purifying air and water.
C1 noun /ˈpɒlɪɡɒn/

polygon

Meaning
a flat shape with three or more straight sides
Example
The artist drew a colorful polygon on the canvas.
C1 noun /ˌdaɪəˈrɑːmə/

diorama

Meaning
a three-dimensional model representing a scene, often with miniature figures
Example
The museum displayed a diorama of an ancient village.
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 verb /dɪˈbeɪs/

debase

Meaning
to reduce the quality, value, or dignity of something
Example
Corruption can debase the values of a society.
C1 adjective /ˌpriːdɪˈspoʊzd/

predisposed

Meaning
Likely or inclined to be affected by something in advance.
Example
She is predisposed to trust people easily.
C1 noun /ˈfoʊ.kəs ˈtræk.ɪŋ/

focus tracking

Meaning
A technique of monitoring and maintaining attention on specific tasks or goals.
Example
Proper focus tracking improves productivity.
C1 adjective /ˈpen.ɪ.ləs/

Penniless

Meaning
having no money; extremely poor; completely without funds
Example
After losing his job, he became penniless.
C1 noun /pluːm/

plume

Meaning
a large, soft feather or something resembling a feather
Example
The soldier wore a red plume on his helmet.
C1 verb /wɑːft/

waft

Meaning
to move gently through the air, carried by a breeze
Example
The smell of fresh bread wafted through the kitchen.
C1 noun /prɒɡˈnoʊsɪs/

prognosis

Meaning
A forecast of the likely outcome of a disease or situation.
Example
The doctor gave a positive prognosis for the patient's recovery.
C1 noun /ˈiːzl̩/

easel

Meaning
a frame for supporting an artist's canvas while painting or drawing
Example
The artist placed the canvas on the easel before starting to paint.
C1 adjective ɪˈræt.ɪk

erratic

Meaning
Unpredictable and inconsistent; not even or regular in pattern or movement.
Example
His erratic behavior confused his colleagues.
C1 noun /ɑːrˈmɑːdə/

armada

Meaning
A large fleet of warships.
Example
The Spanish Armada sailed against England in 1588.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈstɪŋk.tɪv/

instinctive

Meaning
Based on instinct; done without conscious thought; natural and automatic.
Example
His instinctive reaction saved his life.
C1 noun /ˈɡʌnˌpaʊdər/

Gunpowder

Meaning
explosive powder used in guns and fireworks
Example
Gunpowder was invented in ancient China.
C1 verb /praʊl/

prowl

Meaning
To move around quietly and secretly, especially while hunting or searching.
Example
The cat prowled around the garden at night.
C1 noun /ˈɡreɪdiənt/

gradient

Meaning
A gradual slope, or the degree of inclination of a surface.
Example
The cyclist struggled up the steep gradient of the hill.
C1 adjective /kəˈθɑːr.tɪk/

cathartic

Meaning
Providing psychological relief through the open expression of strong emotions.
Example
Writing about emotions can be a cathartic experience.
C1 noun /ˈvɜːrtɪˌɡoʊ/

vertigo

Meaning
A sensation of spinning or dizziness, often caused by problems in the inner ear or brain.
Example
She felt a sudden vertigo when she looked down from the tall building.
C1 noun /ˈpɛs.tɪ.saɪd ˈrɛz.ɪ.djuː/

pesticide-residue

Meaning
Chemical remnants left over from pesticides used on crops or in soil.
Example
Excess pesticide-residue in food can be harmful to health.
C1 adjective /ˈbreɪzən/

brazen

Meaning
Bold and without shame; shameless.
Example
She made a brazen attempt to lie in front of everyone.
C1 verb /ˈmɑːrdʒɪnəlaɪz/

marginalize

Meaning
To treat a person or group as unimportant or insignificant.
Example
The policy marginalized minority communities.
C1 noun /ˌtæm.bəˈriːn/

Tambourine

Meaning
a small drum with metal discs around the edge that jingle when shaken or hit
Example
She shook the tambourine to the rhythm of the music.
C1 noun /speɪt/

spate

Meaning
a large number of things occurring in quick succession
Example
There has been a spate of robberies in the city.
C1 noun /poʊˈlær.ɪ.ti/

polarity

Meaning
the state of having two opposite or contradictory tendencies, opinions, or aspects
Example
The polarity between the two political parties is growing stronger.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈsɪvəl/

Uncivil

Meaning
not polite or courteous; rude and discourteous in behavior
Example
His uncivil remarks during the meeting offended everyone present.
C1 noun /kənˈteɪdʒən/

contagion

Meaning
The communication of disease from one person to another by close contact; also the spread of harmful ideas or behaviors.
Example
Fear spread like a contagion through the crowd.
C1 noun /kwæk/

Quack

Meaning
a person who pretends to be a doctor but has no medical training; the sound a duck makes
Example
People should be careful not to trust medical advice from a quack.
C1 noun /ˈmɪd.waɪf/

midwife

Meaning
A person, typically a woman, trained to assist women during childbirth.
Example
The midwife stayed with the mother throughout her labor.
C1 verb /əˈflɪkt/

afflict

Meaning
to cause pain, suffering, or distress to someone or something
Example
Many people are afflicted by seasonal allergies.
C1 adjective /əˈɡrɛəriən/

agrarian

Meaning
Related to farming, agriculture, or rural land.
Example
The country’s economy is still largely agrarian.
C1 verb /ɪnˈtaɪs/

entice

Meaning
to attract or tempt someone by offering something appealing
Example
The advertisement was designed to entice customers into the store.
C1 noun /traɪˈbjuːnəl/

tribunal

Meaning
a court of justice or body established to settle disputes
Example
The case was heard in an international tribunal.
C1 noun /ˈæŋɡwɪʃ/

anguish

Meaning
Severe mental or physical pain or suffering.
Example
She was in deep anguish after hearing the tragic news.
C1 noun /ˈpaɪ.ə.ti/

Piety

Meaning
the quality of being religious or reverent; devout religious belief and practice
Example
His piety was evident in his daily prayers.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈsɪvəlaɪzd/

Uncivilized

Meaning
not developed in terms of civilization; lacking social organization and culture; barbarous
Example
The explorers encountered an uncivilized tribe deep in the Amazon rainforest.
C1 verb /ˈlɛdʒɪsˌleɪt/

legislate

Meaning
to make or enact laws
Example
The government plans to legislate new safety standards.
C1 verb /dɪˈmiːn/

demean

Meaning
to cause someone to lose dignity or respect
Example
The manager demeaned his employees with rude remarks.
C1 verb /ˈɪnsjuleɪt/

insulate

Meaning
To protect something by covering it, especially to prevent heat, sound, or electricity from escaping or entering.
Example
The house was insulated to reduce heating costs.
C1 adjective /bɪˈmjuːzd/

bemused

Meaning
confused, puzzled, or lost in thought
Example
She looked bemused when he asked the strange question.
C1 verb /rɪˈpʌls/

repulse

Meaning
to drive back an attack or attacker by force; to cause intense dislike or disgust
Example
The army managed to repulse the enemy attack.
C1 verb /loʊð/

loathe

Meaning
to feel intense dislike or disgust for
Example
He absolutely loathes being late to meetings.
C1 noun /ˈpɛrəntɪdʒ/

parentage

Meaning
The identity and origins of one's parents; descent or lineage.
Example
Her noble parentage gave her access to the royal court.
C1 verb /mɔːrf/

morph

Meaning
to change smoothly from one form, shape, or character into another
Example
The caterpillar will morph into a butterfly.
C1 verb /wiːn/

wean

Meaning
To gradually stop a child or animal from breastfeeding; to detach from a habit.
Example
Parents often wean their babies around six months old.
C1 noun /ˈstrɑːtəm/

stratum

Meaning
a layer or level of material, or a social class in society
Example
The upper stratum of society enjoyed privileges not available to others.
C1 noun /ɡlɪtʃ/

glitch

Meaning
A sudden, usually temporary fault or malfunction in a system or device.
Example
The computer crashed due to a minor glitch in the software.
C1 adjective /dɪˈskriːt/

discrete

Meaning
individually separate and distinct
Example
The course is divided into three discrete modules.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnəˈtɛntɪv/

inattentive

Meaning
not paying attention; lacking focus or concentration
Example
The inattentive student missed several important instructions.
C1 adjective /bɪˈnaɪn/

benign

Meaning
Gentle, kind, or not harmful (especially of a disease or tumor).
Example
The doctor assured her that the tumor was benign.
C1 noun ˈrɛp.ə.twɑːr

repertoire

Meaning
A stock of plays, dances, or pieces that a company or a performer knows or is prepared to perform.
Example
The actor's repertoire includes both comedy and drama.
C1 adjective /ˌɛɡzɪˈstɛnʃəl/

existential

Meaning
Relating to human existence, often concerning meaning or purpose of life.
Example
She went through an existential crisis during her midlife.
C1 verb /ˈfɔːrfɪt/

forfeit

Meaning
to lose or give up something, usually as a penalty for wrongdoing
Example
He had to forfeit the match after breaking the rules.
C1 noun /ˈfen.jʊ.griːk/

Fenugreek

Meaning
an herb whose seeds and leaves are used as a spice in cooking
Example
Fenugreek seeds have a slightly bitter taste and are commonly used in Indian cuisine.
C1 adjective skiˈmæt.ɪk

Schematic

Meaning
Presenting some framework or concept briefly
Example
The engineer provided a schematic diagram of the project.
C1 noun /krʌst/

crust

Meaning
the hard outer surface of something, especially bread or the Earth's outer layer
Example
He cut off the crust of the bread before eating.
C1 adjective /ˈɡʌsti/

gusty

Meaning
characterized by strong, sudden bursts of wind
Example
It was a cold, gusty day by the sea.
C1 verb dɪˈsɜːn

discern

Meaning
To perceive or recognize something; to distinguish with difficulty by sight or with the other senses.
Example
He could barely discern the distant figure in the fog.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈveə.ri.ə.bəl/

Invariable

Meaning
never changing; constant; always the same
Example
His invariable routine includes morning exercise and coffee.
C1 noun /ˈtraɪ.pɒd/

tripod

Meaning
A three-legged stand used to support a camera, telescope, or other object.
Example
The photographer set up his camera on a tripod.
C1 adjective /ˈəʊnərəs/

onerous

Meaning
involving a great deal of effort, difficulty, or burden
Example
Fulfilling the contract proved to be an onerous task for the company.
C1 verb /əˈvɛndʒ/

avenge

Meaning
to inflict harm in return for an injury or wrong done to oneself or another
Example
He vowed to avenge his brother's death.
C1 verb /ɪnˈtɒksɪkeɪt/

intoxicate

Meaning
to make someone lose control of their faculties or behavior due to alcohol or drugs
Example
The strong drink quickly intoxicated him.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈvɑːlənˌtɛri/

involuntary

Meaning
done without will or conscious control
Example
He gave an involuntary shiver when he heard the loud noise.
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 adverb/adjective /vɜːˈbeɪ.tɪm/

verbatim

Meaning
In exactly the same words as were used originally; word for word repetition.
Example
She repeated his instructions verbatim to avoid errors.
C1 adjective /ˈlætərəl/

lateral

Meaning
Relating to the side or sideways movement.
Example
The football player made a quick lateral pass.
C1 noun /ˈpɜːʃən/

Persian

Meaning
a native or inhabitant of Iran; the language spoken in Iran (Farsi)
Example
The Persian language has a rich literary history.
C1 verb /ˈfrɒlɪk/

frolic

Meaning
to play and move about cheerfully, energetically, or playfully
Example
The children frolicked in the garden all afternoon.
C1 noun /ˈpriːsɪŋkt/

precinct

Meaning
A district or area within the boundaries of a city, often for police or electoral purposes.
Example
She went to vote at her local precinct.
C1 verb /rɪˈtɔːrt/

retort

Meaning
To reply quickly or sharply, often in a witty or angry manner.
Example
He quickly retorted that he was not to blame.
C1 noun ˈdɪskɔrd

discord

Meaning
Disagreement or conflict between people or ideas.
Example
Discord among people disrupts societal stability.
C1 noun /plɔɪ/

ploy

Meaning
a clever plan or action designed to gain an advantage
Example
She used a clever ploy to win the debate.
C1 noun /ˈhaɪbrɪd/

hybrid

Meaning
a mixture of two different things, often combining the best qualities of both
Example
The car is a hybrid that runs on both electricity and fuel.
C1 noun /ˈdiːviəns/

deviance

Meaning
Behavior that differs from accepted social or moral standards.
Example
The book studies deviance in urban youth culture.
C1 adjective, verb, noun /ˈkaʊntərfɪt/

counterfeit

Meaning
made to look like something genuine in order to deceive
Example
The police seized a batch of counterfeit currency.
C1 verb /ˈdʒɪtər/

jitter

Meaning
to shake or tremble slightly, often from fear, nervousness, or excitement
Example
He began to jitter nervously before giving his speech.
C1 noun, verb /ˈfrænʧaɪz/

franchise

Meaning
A legal right to sell or distribute goods or services in a specific area; to grant such a right.
Example
He opened a new fast-food franchise in the city.
C1 noun /kənˈtɪn.dʒən.si/

contingency

Meaning
A provision for an unforeseen event or circumstance, especially in financial planning.
Example
The company has a contingency plan for economic downturns.
C1 noun/adjective /ɪˈliːtɪst/

elitist

Meaning
A person who believes that a society should be led by an elite; showing preference for a privileged class.
Example
His elitist attitude made him unpopular among his peers.
C1 verb /ˈkwɪkən/

quicken

Meaning
to make or become faster; to accelerate
Example
His pulse began to quicken as he approached the finish line.
C1 noun, verb /dɪsˈɑːnər/

dishonor

Meaning
a state of shame or loss of respect; to bring shame upon someone or something
Example
The soldier felt he had brought dishonor to his family.
C1 adjective /ˈɡræn.jʊ.lər/

granular

Meaning
Consisting of small grains or particles; detailed and specific.
Example
The report provided a granular analysis of the market data.
C1 adjective /məˈkɑː.brə/

Macabre

Meaning
disturbing because concerned with death; gruesome and horrifying
Example
The horror movie had a macabre atmosphere.
C1 noun /ˈneɡ.lɪ.dʒəns/

Negligence

Meaning
failure to take proper care in doing something; carelessness
Example
The accident was caused by driver negligence.
C1 adjective /fɪkˈtɪʃəs/

fictitious

Meaning
not real or true; imaginary or fabricated
Example
The story he told was entirely fictitious.
C1 adjective, noun /ˈkɑːr.dɪ.nəl/

cardinal

Meaning
As an adjective: of prime importance; as a noun: a high-ranking Catholic clergyman or a type of bird.
Example
Honesty is a cardinal virtue in life.
C1 adjective /ˈfruːt.ləs/

Fruitless

Meaning
unsuccessful; futile; pointless;
Example
After hours of searching, their efforts proved fruitless.