contagion
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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 adjective /sɪˈnɒnɪməs/

synonymous

Meaning
having the same or nearly the same meaning; closely associated with something
Example
For many people, her name is synonymous with generosity.
C1 noun ˌtrɪbjʊˈleɪʃən

tribulation

Meaning
A difficult time or suffering experience
Example
He endured many tribulations in his early years.
C1 verb /ˈtrɪkl̩/

trickle

Meaning
To flow or fall in a small, slow stream or drops.
Example
Water began to trickle down the wall after the heavy rain.
C1 noun /ˈnjʊə.rəʊ.trænsˌmɪt.ərs/

neurotransmitters

Meaning
Chemical messengers that transmit signals across nerve synapses, affecting mood, behavior, and cognitive functions.
Example
Serotonin and dopamine are key neurotransmitters affecting mood.
C1 verb /ˌʌndəˈreɪt/

underrate

Meaning
to fail to recognize the full value or importance of something or someone
Example
Many people underrate the benefits of regular exercise.
C1 adjective /dɪˈfɛnsəbəl/

defensible

Meaning
Capable of being protected against attack or criticism; justifiable.
Example
Her decision was legally defensible.
C1 verb /broʊtʃ/

broach

Meaning
to bring up a subject for discussion
Example
She decided to broach the topic of salary with her manager.
C1 noun /ˈreɪ.vən/

Raven

Meaning
a large, black bird with a thick bill and harsh croaking voice
Example
The raven perched on the old oak tree and cawed loudly.
C1 noun/adjective /ˈmɪriəd/

myriad

Meaning
a countless or extremely great number
Example
There are myriad stars in the night sky.
C1 adjective /ɪˈmækjələt/

immaculate

Meaning
perfectly clean, neat, or free from flaws
Example
Her room was immaculate, with everything in its place.
C1 adjective /ˈwɪlfəl/

willful

Meaning
Deliberate, intentional, or stubbornly determined to do as one wants.
Example
Her willful disregard for the rules got her into trouble.
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 /ˌmɪsˌrɛprɪˈzɛnt/

misrepresent

Meaning
to give a false or misleading account of something
Example
The lawyer accused the witness of trying to misrepresent the facts.
C1 verb /riːˈkæptʃər/

recapture

Meaning
To take back or regain possession of something.
Example
The army managed to recapture the lost territory.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnəˈsjuːmɪŋ/

unassuming

Meaning
Not pretentious or arrogant; modest.
Example
Despite his success, he remained unassuming and humble.
C1 verb /ɪmˈpiːd/

impede

Meaning
To obstruct or hinder the progress or development of something.
Example
Lack of funds can impede business growth.
C1 noun /ˈplɛθərə/

plethora

Meaning
an excessive amount of something
Example
She has a plethora of books on her shelf.
C1 noun /ˈæntɪˌdoʊt/

antidote

Meaning
A substance that neutralizes the effects of a poison; something that relieves or counteracts.
Example
The doctor quickly administered an antidote to the snake venom.
C1 adjective /ˌiːɡoʊˈsentrɪk/

egocentric

Meaning
thinking only about yourself and not about others
Example
His egocentric behavior annoyed everyone at the meeting.
C1 noun /ˈbuːt.stræp.ɪŋ/

bootstrapping

Meaning
Starting a business with personal resources or small investments without external funding or venture capital.
Example
Many entrepreneurs rely on bootstrapping to launch their businesses.
C1 verb /əbˈsɛs/

obsess

Meaning
To preoccupy or fill the mind of someone continually and to an excessive degree.
Example
She tends to obsess over small details.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈfleɪtɪd/

inflated

Meaning
excessively increased in size, value, or importance; filled with air or gas
Example
The company faced criticism for its inflated prices.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈsɛnsəbl/

insensible

Meaning
Unconscious; unaware of or indifferent to something.
Example
He was insensible to the cold as he lay in the snow.
C1 noun /ˌdɒmɪˈneɪʃən/

domination

Meaning
the exercise of control or influence over someone or something
Example
The empire sought domination over its neighbors.
C1 adjective /rɪˈsɛptɪv/

receptive

Meaning
Willing to listen to or accept new ideas, suggestions, or experiences.
Example
She was receptive to feedback from her colleagues.
C1 verb /ˈkʌn.dʒər/

conjure

Meaning
to summon something as if by magic; to imagine vividly
Example
The magician conjured a rabbit out of the hat.
C1 adjective /ˈtɔːrtʃuəs/

tortuous

Meaning
Full of twists and turns; excessively complex or complicated.
Example
The tortuous mountain road made driving very difficult.
C1 adjective /ˈæmərəs/

amorous

Meaning
Showing, feeling, or relating to romantic love or desire.
Example
He sent her an amorous letter filled with declarations of love.
C1 adjective /ˈɪnsjələr/

insular

Meaning
Narrow-minded, isolated, or relating to an island.
Example
The community was criticized for its insular attitudes toward outsiders.
C1 adjective /ˈluː.mɪ.nəs/

Luminous

Meaning
bright; shining; emitting light; radiant
Example
The luminous stars filled the dark night sky.
C1 adjective /ˈkwɑː.rəl.səm/

Quarrelsome

Meaning
given to arguing and fighting; argumentative and confrontational
Example
His quarrelsome nature makes it difficult to work with him.
C1 noun daɪˈkɒtəmi

dichotomy

Meaning
A division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different.
Example
The dichotomy between tradition and modernity is often debated.
C1 verb /ɪnˈsɪnjueɪt/

insinuate

Meaning
To suggest or hint something indirectly and often unpleasantly.
Example
He insinuated that she had lied about her qualifications.
C1 adjective /ˈteɪn.tɪd/

Tainted

Meaning
contaminated or affected by something bad or undesirable
Example
The water supply was tainted with harmful chemicals.
C1 verb /ɔːɡˈmɛnt/

augment

Meaning
To increase or strengthen something.
Example
The company plans to augment its workforce.
C1 noun, verb, adjective /ˈæɡ.rɪ.ɡət/ (noun/adjective), /ˈæɡ.rɪ.ɡeɪt/ (verb)

aggregate

Meaning
A whole formed by combining several elements; to combine into a total.
Example
The data was aggregated to provide a clearer picture of the market.
C1 noun /ədˈhɪə.rəns/

adherence

Meaning
The practice of following or keeping to a rule, standard, or belief.
Example
Adherence to rules is crucial in any organization.
C1 noun /stɛntʃ/

stench

Meaning
A very strong and unpleasant smell.
Example
The stench of garbage filled the alley.
C1 noun dəˌmɛstɪˈkeɪʃən

domestication

Meaning
The process of taming an animal and keeping it as a pet or for farm produce.
Example
Domestication of animals has been crucial for human survival.
C1 noun /rɪˈdʒɔɪsɪŋ/

rejoicing

Meaning
The action of showing great joy or happiness
Example
There was much rejoicing after the victory.
C1 noun /ˈtændʒənt/

tangent

Meaning
a straight line or plane that touches a curve or curved surface at a point but does not cross it
Example
The teacher drew a tangent to the circle on the board.
C1 verb /skʌf/

scuff

Meaning
to mark or scratch the surface of something by rubbing
Example
He scuffed his shoes on the pavement.
C1 noun /ˈskɛptɪk/

skeptic

Meaning
A person who doubts or questions accepted beliefs or claims.
Example
The scientist was a skeptic of theories without solid evidence.
C1 noun /ˌaɪ.diˈɒl.ə.dʒi/

ideology

Meaning
A system of ideas and ideals, especially one that forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy.
Example
Democracy is based on the ideology of freedom and equality.
C1 noun /wɪsp/

wisp

Meaning
A small thin or twisted bunch, piece, or amount of something.
Example
A wisp of smoke rose from the chimney.
C1 verb /ˈfʌmbəl/

fumble

Meaning
to handle something clumsily or to make mistakes while doing something
Example
He fumbled with the keys and dropped them on the floor.
C1 noun /əbˈzɜːvəns/

observance

Meaning
The practice of following a custom, rule, or religious law.
Example
The festival is held in observance of a centuries-old tradition.
C1 adjective /əˈsɛndənt/

ascendant

Meaning
Rising in power or influence; dominant.
Example
She is an ascendant leader in the political party.
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 verb ɪkˈstræp.ə.leɪt

Extrapolate

Meaning
Making future estimates based on existing information
Example
Scientists extrapolate climate changes based on past data.
C1 verb /ɡoʊd/

goad

Meaning
to provoke, annoy, or urge someone to take action
Example
He tried to goad his opponent into making a mistake.
C1 verb /ˈflaʊndər/

flounder

Meaning
To struggle or stagger clumsily; to experience difficulty or confusion.
Example
He floundered in the interview when asked difficult questions.
C1 verb /krɪndʒ/

cringe

Meaning
To shrink back in fear, embarrassment, or discomfort.
Example
She cringed when she remembered her mistake.
C1 noun /sɪlt/

silt

Meaning
Fine sand, clay, or other material carried by running water and deposited as a sediment.
Example
The river deposited layers of silt along its banks.
C1 noun /ˈʃæsi/

chassis

Meaning
the base frame of a vehicle or other wheeled machine
Example
The mechanic examined the car's chassis for damage.
C1 noun /ˌbaɪˈlæt.ər.əl nɪˌɡəʊ.ʃiˈeɪ.ʃənz/

bilateral negotiations

Meaning
Negotiations or discussions between two parties, typically countries or organizations.
Example
Bilateral negotiations resolve disputes.
C1 adjective ɪˈluː.sər.i

illusory

Meaning
Based on illusion; not real although seeming to be.
Example
His sense of security was entirely illusory.
C1 noun /ˈɡraʊnd kruː/

ground crew

Meaning
a team of people who maintain and service aircraft on the ground
Example
The ground crew prepared the plane for takeoff.
C1 verb /prɪˈzaɪd/

preside

Meaning
to be in charge of a meeting, event, or organization
Example
She will preside over the meeting tomorrow.
C1 verb /ˈviːtoʊ/

veto

Meaning
to reject or forbid a decision, proposal, or law
Example
The president decided to veto the new bill.
C1 noun /ˈænərkɪst/

anarchist

Meaning
a person who believes in or promotes the absence of government or authority
Example
The anarchist group protested against state control.
C1 adjective /həˈmɑː.dʒə.nəs/

homogenous

Meaning
Similar or uniform in nature; often used interchangeably with 'homogeneous'.
Example
The class was made up of a homogenous group of students.
C1 adjective /haɪˈdrɔːlɪk/

hydraulic

Meaning
operated by the pressure of liquid, especially water or oil
Example
The mechanic repaired the hydraulic system of the machine.
C1 noun /ˈduːmz.deɪ/

Doomsday

Meaning
the last day of the world's existence; a time of catastrophic destruction
Example
The preacher spoke about doomsday and the importance of preparing spiritually.
C1 verb /kənˈstruː/

construe

Meaning
to interpret or understand the meaning of something in a particular way
Example
His words could be construed as a threat.
C1 adjective /səˈtɪrɪk/

satiric

Meaning
Relating to or using satire.
Example
The novel takes a satiric view of urban life.
C1 noun /ˈtem.pər.ə.mənt/

Temperament

Meaning
a person's natural disposition or mood; characteristic behavior patterns
Example
She has a calm temperament that helps her handle stress well.
C1 noun /ˈprɛljuːd/

prelude

Meaning
An action, event, or statement that serves as an introduction to something more important.
Example
The small fight was only a prelude to a bigger conflict.
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 /ɪnˈvæljʊəbl/

invaluable

Meaning
Extremely useful or indispensable.
Example
Her advice proved invaluable to my success.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒəbl/

intelligible

Meaning
Able to be understood; clear enough to be comprehended.
Example
Her speech was barely intelligible over the noise.
C1 noun prəˈfaʊnd ɪˈnɪʃətɪv

profound initiative

Meaning
A deep, meaningful, and significant action or program designed to create change.
Example
A profound initiative can create sustainable changes.
C1 verb /ˈfɜːr.tɪ.laɪz/

fertilize

Meaning
to make soil or land more fertile by adding substances
Example
Farmers fertilize the fields to increase crop yield.
C1 adjective /ˈærəbəl/

arable

Meaning
suitable for growing crops or farming
Example
The farmer purchased arable land to expand his crops.
C1 verb /ɪnˈfrɪndʒ/

infringe

Meaning
To actively break the terms of a law, agreement, or right.
Example
Copying this software without permission will infringe copyright laws.
C1 adjective /kwɪər/

Queer

Meaning
strange; unusual; peculiar; odd
Example
The old house had a queer atmosphere that made visitors uncomfortable.
C1 verb /ˈɡɑː.nɪʃ/

garnish

Meaning
To decorate food with small items for added flavor or visual appeal.
Example
She garnished the dish with fresh coriander leaves.
C1 verb /ˈræʃənəlaɪz/

rationalize

Meaning
to attempt to explain or justify behavior or decisions with logical reasons, even if they are not true or appropriate
Example
She tried to rationalize her lateness by blaming the traffic.
C1 verb /fɔːˈbɛər/

forbear

Meaning
To refrain from doing something; to show patience or self-control.
Example
She forbore from commenting on his mistake.
C1 noun /ˈhɒrəˌskoʊp/

horoscope

Meaning
A forecast of a person's future based on the positions of the stars and planets at their birth.
Example
She read her horoscope every morning to see what the stars predicted.
C1 noun/verb /ˈfʌrəʊ/

furrow

Meaning
A long narrow trench made in the ground by a plow; to make wrinkles or grooves.
Example
The farmer plowed furrows in the field.
C1 adjective /ˈkɒz.mɪk/

cosmic

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

mountaineer

Meaning
A person who climbs mountains as a sport or profession.
Example
The mountaineer reached the summit after a long climb.
C1 verb /ɪnˈsjuː/

ensue

Meaning
to happen as a result or consequence
Example
After the argument, silence ensued.
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 adjective /tɛkˈtɑː.nɪk/

tectonic

Meaning
Relating to the structure of the earth's crust and the large-scale processes that take place within it.
Example
Tectonic movements cause earthquakes and mountain formation.
C1 noun /ˈæbət/

abbot

Meaning
The head of a monastery for monks.
Example
The abbot welcomed the visitors to the monastery.
C1 verb /ˌaʊtˈweɪ/

outweigh

Meaning
To be more important, valuable, or significant than something else.
Example
The benefits of the new policy outweigh the risks.
C1 noun /ˈweɪs(t).koʊt/

waistcoat

Meaning
a sleeveless garment worn over a shirt and under a jacket
Example
He wore a black waistcoat with his suit.
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 /ˌriː.dɪs.trɪˈbjuː.ʃən/

redistribution

Meaning
The sharing of wealth or resources more equally among society.
Example
The government introduced a redistribution policy to reduce inequality.
C1 adjective /əˌpɒk.əˈlɪp.tɪk/

apocalyptic

Meaning
Describing the end of the world, or something catastrophic and disastrous.
Example
The movie depicts an apocalyptic future after a nuclear war.
C1 noun /ˈtʃænsələr/

chancellor

Meaning
A senior state or legal official, or the head of a university.
Example
The chancellor delivered an inspiring speech at the graduation ceremony.
C1 noun /iːl/

Eel

Meaning
a long, snake-like fish that lives in both fresh and salt water
Example
The electric eel can generate powerful electric shocks.
C1 verb /dɪˈspɜːrs/

disperse

Meaning
To scatter or spread widely in different directions.
Example
The police used tear gas to disperse the crowd.
C1 noun /ˈlaɪbəl/

libel

Meaning
a published false statement that damages a person's reputation
Example
The newspaper was sued for libel after publishing false claims.
C1 verb /ɪnˈfleɪm/

inflame

Meaning
to arouse strong feelings or provoke anger; to cause inflammation in the body
Example
The politician's remarks served to inflame public opinion.
C1 verb, noun /træmp/

tramp

Meaning
to walk heavily or noisily; a person who travels from place to place on foot, often homeless
Example
They tramped through the forest in heavy boots.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈhɪbɪtɪd/

inhibited

Meaning
Unable to act in a relaxed and natural way, especially due to self-consciousness or restraint.
Example
He was too inhibited to express his true feelings.
C1 verb /əˈbaʊnd/

abound

Meaning
To exist in large numbers or amounts.
Example
Opportunities abound in the field of technology.
C1 verb /ʌnˈroʊl/

unroll

Meaning
to open something that is rolled up; to spread out gradually
Example
She unrolled the map on the table to find the route.
C1 adjective /ˈɔːrəl/

aural

Meaning
Relating to the ear or the sense of hearing.
Example
The lecture was an aural experience as well as an intellectual one.
C1 adjective /ˈspɪndli/

spindly

Meaning
Long, thin, and weak-looking
Example
The spindly tree bent under the weight of the snow.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈtaɪmli/

Untimely

Meaning
happening at an inappropriate or inconvenient time; premature
Example
His untimely death at the age of thirty shocked everyone.
C1 noun /ˈves.tɪdʒ/

Vestige

Meaning
a trace or remnant of something that is disappearing or no longer exists
Example
No vestige of the ancient city remains.
C1 noun /ˈfɔːrdʒəri/

forgery

Meaning
the crime of making fake documents, money, or artworks
Example
The bank detected a forgery in the signature on the cheque.
C1 noun (plural) /ˈɪndɪˌsiːz/

indices

Meaning
plural form of index; statistical measures or reference points used for comparison
Example
Stock market indices fell sharply after the announcement.
C1 noun /ˈskælpəl/

scalpel

Meaning
A small and extremely sharp bladed instrument used for surgery and dissection.
Example
The surgeon carefully used a scalpel to make the first incision.
C1 noun /ˈæl.kə.laɪ/

alkali

Meaning
a soluble base substance, typically with a pH greater than 7, that neutralizes acids
Example
Soap contains alkali which helps remove grease.
C1 adverb /ˌðɛərˈɪn/

Therein

Meaning
in that place; in that respect
Example
The box contains many treasures, and therein lies its value.
C1 adjective /nɪˈɡoʊ.ʃi.ə.bəl/

negotiable

Meaning
Open to discussion or modification; capable of being bargained for.
Example
The salary offered is negotiable.
C1 noun ɪnˈdʌldʒəns

indulgence

Meaning
The practice of allowing oneself to enjoy the pleasure of something.
Example
His indulgence in junk food affected his health.
C1 verb /əˈlɒt/

allot

Meaning
to give or assign something, often a share or portion, to someone
Example
Each student was allotted ten minutes to present.
C1 adjective /ˌmiː.diˈoʊ.kər/

mediocre

Meaning
Of only average quality; not very good.
Example
The movie was entertaining but overall mediocre.
C1 noun/verb /ɡæʃ/

gash

Meaning
A long, deep cut or wound; to cut deeply or violently.
Example
He had a deep gash on his leg after the accident.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnkɒmprɪˈhɛnsəbl/

incomprehensible

Meaning
Impossible or very difficult to understand.
Example
The professor’s lecture was so fast it became incomprehensible.
C1 noun /ɪnˈfɜːməri/

infirmary

Meaning
A hospital or place where the sick or injured are cared for.
Example
The school had an infirmary for minor injuries.
C1 verb /niːd/

knead

Meaning
to work dough or clay into a uniform mixture by pressing, folding, and stretching
Example
She kneads the dough until it becomes smooth.
C1 noun /əˈtrɑːsəti/

atrocity

Meaning
an extremely cruel or violent act, often involving physical violence
Example
The world condemned the atrocity committed against civilians.
C1 adjective /pɒˈstɪəriər/

posterior

Meaning
Situated at or toward the back; later in time.
Example
The posterior part of the brain controls vision.