confound
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C1 verb /kənˈfaʊnd/

confound

Meaning
to confuse or surprise someone, often by acting against their expectations
Example
The magician's trick seemed to confound the entire audience.
C1 verb /swɜːrv/

swerve

Meaning
to change direction suddenly, especially to avoid hitting something
Example
The car swerved to avoid the dog.
C1 verb /ˌdɪsəˈsɛmbəl/

disassemble

Meaning
To take apart something into its separate pieces.
Example
He had to disassemble the computer to repair it.
C1 adjective /ˈrɛvərənt/

reverent

Meaning
Showing deep and solemn respect.
Example
They listened to the speech in a reverent silence.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnkənˈkluːsɪv/

inconclusive

Meaning
Not leading to a definite result or decision.
Example
The investigation remained inconclusive due to a lack of evidence.
C1 verb /flaʊt/

flout

Meaning
To openly disregard or show contempt for a rule or law.
Example
The company was fined for flouting environmental regulations.
C1 adjective /təˈrɛstriəl/

terrestrial

Meaning
Relating to the Earth or land as opposed to the sea or air; living or growing on land.
Example
Humans are terrestrial beings who live on land.
C1 noun /sɪˈdʌk.ʃən/

Seduction

Meaning
the action of seducing someone; temptation to do something wrong
Example
He fell victim to the seduction of easy money.
C1 noun ˌkɒm.pjʊˈteɪ.ʃən

computation

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

bemused

Meaning
confused, puzzled, or lost in thought
Example
She looked bemused when he asked the strange question.
C1 noun /ˈpɔɪ.nən.si/

poignancy

Meaning
the quality of evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret; emotionally touching
Example
The poignancy of the farewell brought tears to everyone's eyes.
C1 adjective ˌæɡrɪˈkʌltʃərəli sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt

agriculturally significant

Meaning
Important or crucial related to farming and agriculture
Example
Winter is agriculturally significant for crop production.
C1 noun /ɪmˌpɜː.sənˈeɪ.ʃən/

impersonation

Meaning
The action of pretending to be another person for the purpose of entertainment or fraud.
Example
Online impersonation is a serious cybercrime.
C1 noun /ˌtɛrəˈdæktɪl/

pterodactyl

Meaning
An extinct flying reptile of the Jurassic period, with a long slender head and wings formed by a membrane stretching along the body.
Example
The museum displayed a fossil of a giant pterodactyl.
C1 verb /sɪˈkluːd/

seclude

Meaning
To keep someone away from other people; to isolate.
Example
The monk chose to seclude himself in the mountains.
C1 adjective /ˈfɔːrθˌraɪt/

forthright

Meaning
Direct and honest in speech or behavior; straightforward.
Example
She was forthright in her criticism of the policy.
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 adjective /ˈpjuː.nɪ.tɪv/

punitive

Meaning
Inflicting or intended as punishment.
Example
The company faced punitive measures for violating the law.
C1 verb /ˈfɜːrmɛnt/

ferment

Meaning
to undergo a chemical process where sugars are converted to alcohol or acid; to incite or stir up change
Example
The grapes are left to ferment for several weeks.
C1 verb /zæɡ/

zag

Meaning
to make a sharp change in direction, especially in a zigzag pattern
Example
The rabbit zagged quickly to escape the fox.
C1 noun /ˈtɛnɪt/

tenet

Meaning
a principle, belief, or doctrine held to be true
Example
Honesty is a central tenet of their philosophy.
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 noun /prəʊˌkræs.tɪˈneɪ.ʃən/

procrastination

Meaning
The act of delaying or postponing tasks or activities.
Example
Procrastination is the enemy of success.
C1 noun /prəˈtruːʒən/

protrusion

Meaning
Something that sticks out or projects from a surface.
Example
The protrusion on the wall made it difficult to move the furniture.
C1 verb /fret/

fret

Meaning
to worry or be anxious; to be troubled
Example
Don't fret about the exam results.
C1 noun /ˈrʌp.tʃər/

Rupture

Meaning
breaking or bursting apart; breakdown of relations
Example
The rupture in the pipeline caused a massive oil spill.
C1 verb /ˈpoʊ.lə.raɪz/

polarize

Meaning
to divide or cause to divide into two sharply contrasting groups or sets of opinions or beliefs
Example
The controversial decision polarized public opinion.
C1 adjective /ˈhæk.nid/

hackneyed

Meaning
Used too often and therefore lacking originality or freshness.
Example
The speech was filled with hackneyed phrases that failed to inspire the audience.
C1 noun ɪnˈflɛk.ʃən

inflection

Meaning
The change in pitch or tone of voice when speaking for emphasis.
Example
His inflection kept the audience engaged.
C1 verb /ræsp/

rasp

Meaning
to speak in a rough, harsh voice or to scrape with a coarse sound
Example
He rasped out a warning before collapsing.
C1 noun /ˈspɛktər/

specter

Meaning
A ghost or spirit; something that causes fear or dread.
Example
The specter of war still haunts the region.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnɪnˈhɪbɪtɪd/

uninhibited

Meaning
Not restrained or restricted; free in behavior or expression.
Example
She gave an uninhibited laugh at the joke.
C1 adjective /ˌhɛtərəˈʤiːniəs/

heterogeneous

Meaning
consisting of different kinds or diverse elements
Example
The classroom was filled with a heterogeneous group of students.
C1 adjective /ɪkˈsplɔɪtətɪv/

exploitative

Meaning
making use of a situation or people unfairly and unethically for one's own advantage
Example
The workers protested against the exploitative practices of the factory.
C1 noun ˌdjʊə.rəˈbɪl.ə.ti

durability

Meaning
The ability to withstand wear, pressure, or damage; hard-wearing.
Example
The durability of materials affects performance.
C1 adjective /ˈen.vi.ə.bəl/

Enviable

Meaning
causing envy; desirable
Example
Her success was enviable among her peers.
C1 adjective /əˈrɛstɪŋ/

arresting

Meaning
Attracting attention in a striking or impressive way.
Example
The actress gave an arresting performance.
C1 noun ˈʌp.raɪ.zɪŋ

uprising

Meaning
An act of resistance or rebellion; a revolt against an authority or government.
Example
The uprising marked the beginning of the revolution.
C1 adjective /ˈræmpənt/

rampant

Meaning
existing or spreading unchecked, often in an undesirable way
Example
Corruption was rampant in the city administration.
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 /ˈɒptɪk/

optic

Meaning
Relating to the eye or vision.
Example
The optic nerve carries signals from the eye to the brain.
C1 verb /veks/

vex

Meaning
to annoy or frustrate someone; to cause trouble
Example
The constant noise from construction vexes the residents.
C1 verb /ɪmˈpɛər/

impair

Meaning
to weaken or damage something, especially a function or ability
Example
Smoking can impair your lung capacity.
C1 noun /straɪf/

strife

Meaning
angry or violent conflict; struggle or discord
Example
The region has been torn apart by political strife.
C1 noun /foʊ/

foe

Meaning
an enemy or opponent
Example
The knight fought bravely against his foe.
C1 adjective /ˈpɑːm.pəs/

Pompous

Meaning
showing off; pretentious; overly grand
Example
His pompous attitude annoyed everyone at the meeting.
C1 noun /ˈliːniənsi/

leniency

Meaning
The quality of being more merciful or tolerant than expected.
Example
The judge showed leniency in his ruling.
C1 noun /ɡluːm/

Gloom

Meaning
partial or total darkness; a state of dejection or despondency
Example
The thick clouds cast a gloom over the valley, making everything appear dark and dreary.
C1 verb /rɪˈpjuː.di.eɪt/

repudiate

Meaning
to refuse to accept, recognize, or support something
Example
He repudiated the claim that he was involved in the scandal.
C1 adjective /ˈpen.ɪ.ləs/

Penniless

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

peninsular

Meaning
Relating to or resembling a peninsula.
Example
The peninsular region is surrounded by water on three sides.
C1 adjective /spɑːrs/

sparse

Meaning
thinly scattered or distributed; not dense or abundant
Example
Vegetation was sparse in the desert.
C1 verb /vaɪ/

vie

Meaning
To compete eagerly with someone in order to do or achieve something.
Example
Several companies are vying for the contract.
C1 verb /ˈwɒb.l̩/

wobble

Meaning
to move unsteadily from side to side; to shake or tremble slightly
Example
The table began to wobble when he leaned on it.
C1 noun /ˌrɛmɪˈnɪsəns/

reminiscence

Meaning
a story or memory about past events
Example
He shared a reminiscence of his childhood days in the village.
C1 noun /blɜːrb/

blurb

Meaning
a short promotional description of a book, product, or service
Example
The back cover had a blurb praising the novel.
C1 verb /ˈbɛkən/

beckon

Meaning
to signal or call someone to come closer, often with a gesture; to attract or invite
Example
She beckoned him to come closer with a wave of her hand.
C1 noun ˌæf.ɔːr.ɪˈsteɪ.ʃən

afforestation

Meaning
The action of planting trees on an area of land in order to form a forest.
Example
Afforestation helps restore biodiversity.
C1 noun /ˈɪnlɛt/

inlet

Meaning
A small arm of the sea, a lake, or a river; an opening or passage for entry.
Example
The boat entered a narrow inlet along the coast.
C1 adjective /ˈlɪvɪd/

livid

Meaning
Extremely angry; furious.
Example
She was livid when she found out about the betrayal.
C1 adjective ɪkˈskwɪzɪt

exquisite

Meaning
Extremely beautiful and delicate.
Example
The exquisite craftsmanship of the watch made it a collector's item.
C1 noun /ˈstəʊ.ɪ.sɪ.zəm/

stoicism

Meaning
The endurance of pain or hardship without the display of feelings and without complaint.
Example
His stoicism during hardship was admirable.
C1 noun /ˈsɛntɪˌliːtər/

centiliter

Meaning
A metric unit of capacity equal to one hundredth of a liter.
Example
The recipe calls for 20 centiliters of milk.
C1 verb, noun /mʊər/

moor

Meaning
As a verb: to tie a ship so that it stays in place. As a noun: open, uncultivated land.
Example
The sailors moored the ship at the dock.
C1 adverb /əˈlɒft/

aloft

Meaning
Up in or into the air; overhead.
Example
The kite was flying aloft in the clear sky.
C1 adjective /ˈmeʒ.ər.ə.bəl/

Measurable

Meaning
able to be measured; quantifiable
Example
The project's success was measurable by increased sales.
C1 adjective ˈɒk.sɪ.də.tɪv

oxidative

Meaning
Related to or caused by oxidation, especially cellular damage from free radicals.
Example
Excess stress can lead to oxidative damage in cells.
C1 verb /ˈkrɪsən/

christen

Meaning
to give a name to someone at baptism or to name something officially
Example
They christened the ship after the queen.
C1 verb /ˈsɪn.θə.saɪz/

synthesize

Meaning
To combine a number of things into a coherent whole.
Example
Scientists synthesize new compounds for medical research.
C1 adjective ˈkwɒn.tɪ.faɪ.ə.bəl

quantifiable

Meaning
Able to be expressed or measured as a quantity; capable of being counted or calculated.
Example
The impact of the project is quantifiable.
C1 noun /ˈpeɪθɒs/

pathos

Meaning
a quality in speech, writing, or events that evokes pity or deep emotion
Example
The documentary balanced pathos with hope, making the audience both weep and think.
C1 verb/noun /pərˈvɜːrt/

pervert

Meaning
As a verb: to distort the meaning or purpose of something; as a noun: a person with abnormal or immoral sexual behavior.
Example
He tried to pervert the truth to escape punishment.
C1 noun /ˈædɪdʒ/

adage

Meaning
a short, well-known saying that expresses a general truth or piece of advice
Example
The old adage says that honesty is the best policy.
C1 verb /ˈkrʌmpəl/

crumple

Meaning
to crush something into folds or wrinkles
Example
He crumpled the paper and threw it in the bin.
C1 adjective /ˌʌn.əˈdʌl.tə.reɪ.tɪd/

Unadulterated

Meaning
not mixed or diluted with any different or extra elements; pure
Example
She felt unadulterated joy when she heard the news.
C1 noun /ˈsmætərɪŋ/

smattering

Meaning
A small amount or superficial knowledge of something.
Example
He has a smattering of Spanish.
C1 noun /ˌkɑːr.diˈɒl.ə.dʒɪst/

cardiologist

Meaning
A doctor specializing in diagnosing and treating heart diseases.
Example
She made an appointment with a cardiologist for her chest pain.
C1 noun /taɪˈpɒɡrəfi/

typography

Meaning
the art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible and visually appealing
Example
Good typography improves the readability of a website.
C1 noun /ˈdaɪhɑːrd/

diehard

Meaning
A person who strongly resists change and remains loyal to a belief or cause.
Example
He is a diehard fan of classic rock music.
C1 verb /rɪˈsɪprəˌkeɪt/

reciprocate

Meaning
To respond to an action or gesture by making a corresponding one.
Example
She smiled at him, and he reciprocated with a warm hug.
C1 noun /ˈdʒet.i/

Jetty

Meaning
a landing stage or small pier at which boats can dock or be moored
Example
The fishing boats were tied up at the wooden jetty near the harbor.
C1 noun /rɪˈtriː.vəl/

retrieval

Meaning
The process of getting something back, especially from storage or memory.
Example
The brain's retrieval system helps recall past experiences.
C1 noun /ˈʌndərˌteɪkər/

undertaker

Meaning
A person whose job is to prepare the dead for burial and arrange funerals.
Example
The undertaker prepared the body for the funeral service.
C1 noun ˌæmbɪˈɡjuːɪti

ambiguity

Meaning
The quality of being open to more than one interpretation; inexactness.
Example
The ambiguity of the statement caused confusion among the team.
C1 adjective /ˈfiːzəbl/

feasible

Meaning
possible to do easily or conveniently; practical and workable
Example
It is feasible to complete the project within two months.
C1 adjective əsˈtjuːt

astute

Meaning
Having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one's advantage.
Example
His astute observations helped solve the complex problem.
C1 noun /ˈlɪmboʊ/

limbo

Meaning
A state of uncertainty or neglect; an intermediate or transitional state.
Example
The project was left in limbo after the funding was withdrawn.
C1 adjective /ˈæm.ɪ.kə.bəl/

amicable

Meaning
Having a spirit of friendliness; without serious disagreement or rancor.
Example
They reached an amicable agreement.
C1 adjective /ɔːˈstɪə/

austere

Meaning
Severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance; plain and simple.
Example
The monk lived an austere life in the mountains.
C1 noun /ˈnɒnʃələns/

nonchalance

Meaning
A relaxed and calm state, showing lack of concern or interest.
Example
She answered the tough questions with surprising nonchalance.
C1 noun /rɪˈnaʊn/

Renown

Meaning
the condition of being known or talked about by many people; fame
Example
The scientist achieved international renown for her discoveries.
C1 verb /əˈfɪliˌeɪt/

affiliate

Meaning
to officially attach or connect (a group or organization) to a larger body
Example
The school is affiliated with the local university.
C1 adjective /əˈluːf/

aloof

Meaning
Not friendly or forthcoming; cool and distant.
Example
He remained aloof during the entire discussion.
C1 noun /ˈpræɡ.mə.tɪ.zəm/

pragmatism

Meaning
A practical approach to problems and affairs; dealing with things sensibly and realistically.
Example
His pragmatism helped solve the financial crisis.
C1 adjective sɪˈlɛstʃəl

celestial

Meaning
Positioned in or relating to the sky, or outer space as observed in astronomy.
Example
The celestial bodies in the sky were clearly visible last night.
C1 adjective /ˈstɛlər/

stellar

Meaning
Relating to stars; outstanding or excellent.
Example
She gave a stellar performance in the play.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈvɔɪst/

unvoiced

Meaning
not expressed in speech; in phonetics, a sound produced without vocal cord vibration
Example
The student kept her opinion unvoiced during the meeting.
C1 noun /ˈpɪn.sərz/

Pincers

Meaning
a tool made of two curved or hinged pieces of metal used for gripping and pulling things
Example
The chef used pincers to remove the hot pot from the stove.
C1 adjective /ɪˈstreɪndʒd/

estranged

Meaning
no longer close or affectionate with someone; alienated
Example
She felt estranged from her family after the long dispute.
C1 noun /ˈkiːpˌseɪk/

keepsake

Meaning
An object kept as a reminder of a person, place, or event.
Example
She gave me a small locket as a keepsake of our friendship.
C1 noun /ˌkæm.əˈrɑː.dɚ.i/

camaraderie

Meaning
Mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together.
Example
The camaraderie among teammates was inspiring.
C1 adjective /dɪsˈhɑːrtənd/

Disheartened

Meaning
discouraged; feeling dejected; losing hope or confidence
Example
She felt disheartened after failing the exam twice.
C1 adjective /ˈɜːrstwaɪl/

erstwhile

Meaning
former or in the past
Example
They were erstwhile friends but no longer speak.
C1 adjective ˈvɪdʒ.ɪ.lənt

vigilant

Meaning
Keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties; alert and watchful.
Example
The guards remained vigilant throughout the night.
C1 noun /bəˈnæn.zə/

Bonanza

Meaning
a situation or event that creates a sudden increase in wealth, good fortune, or profits
Example
The oil discovery was a bonanza for the small country.
C1 adjective /rɪˈvoʊltɪŋ/

revolting

Meaning
extremely unpleasant or disgusting
Example
The smell of the garbage was revolting.
C1 noun /kəmˈpəʊ.ʒər/

composure

Meaning
The state or feeling of being calm and in control of oneself.
Example
She maintained her composure during the interview.
C1 adjective /prəˈlɪf.ɪk/

prolific

Meaning
Present in large numbers or quantities; plentiful; producing many works, results, or offspring.
Example
The author is prolific, having written over 30 books.
C1 verb /ˈskʌt.əl/

scuttle

Meaning
To run hurriedly with short, quick steps; or to deliberately sink a ship.
Example
The children scuttled back to their seats when the teacher entered.
C1 verb /səbˈsɪst/

subsist

Meaning
To maintain or support oneself, especially at a minimal level.
Example
Many villagers still subsist on fishing and farming.
C1 verb /dɪsˈtrʌst/

distrust

Meaning
to have no confidence or trust in someone or something
Example
Many people distrust politicians.
C1 verb /sərˈpæs/

surpass

Meaning
to exceed or go beyond
Example
Her performance surpassed all expectations.
C1 noun /ˈsɑːri/

Saree

Meaning
a garment consisting of a length of cotton or silk elaborately draped around the body, traditionally worn by women from South Asia
Example
She looked elegant in her red silk saree at the festival.
C1 noun rɪˈdɛmpʃən

redemption

Meaning
The action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil.
Example
The story highlights the theme of redemption.
C1 adjective /pəˈrɪfərəl/

peripheral

Meaning
Relating to or situated on the edge or outer parts of something.
Example
The town is located on the peripheral area of the city.
C1 noun /dɪˈfaɪəns/

defiance

Meaning
Open resistance or bold disobedience.
Example
The protest was an act of defiance against injustice.
C1 adjective /bəˈnɑːl/ or /ˈbeɪnəl/

banal

Meaning
Lacking originality; boringly obvious and commonplace.
Example
His speech was full of banal clichés.
C1 noun /ˌpæn.əˈræm.ə/

panorama

Meaning
An unbroken view of the whole region surrounding an observer.
Example
From the hilltop, we enjoyed a breathtaking panorama of the city.
C1 noun/verb /ˈɪmprɪnt/

imprint

Meaning
A mark or impression made by pressure; to establish or fix firmly in someone's mind.
Example
The event left an indelible imprint on the city's history.
C1 noun kənˈsɔː.ti.əm

consortium

Meaning
An association of several companies or organizations formed to undertake an enterprise beyond the resources of any one member.
Example
The consortium worked collaboratively to build the cable.
C1 noun /pəˈzɛsər/

possessor

Meaning
A person who owns or holds something.
Example
The possessor of the land built a new house.