crux
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C1 noun /krʌks/

crux

Meaning
the most important or decisive point of an issue
Example
The crux of the problem lies in poor communication.
C1 noun /ˈkɒndjuɪt/ or /ˈkɑːnduɪt/

conduit

Meaning
a channel or pipe for conveying water, electricity, or information
Example
The cable was placed inside a protective conduit.
C1 adjective /kənˈdʒiːniəl/

congenial

Meaning
pleasant and friendly because of having similar interests or qualities
Example
They found the café a congenial place to meet and talk.
C1 noun /ˈkaʊn.tər kleɪm/

counter-claim

Meaning
a claim made to rebut a previous claim, often in legal contexts
Example
The defendant filed a counter-claim against the plaintiff.
C1 noun /kəˈlɪɡrəfi/

calligraphy

Meaning
The art of beautiful and decorative handwriting.
Example
She took a course to improve her calligraphy skills.
C1 noun /ˈsɪvɪks/

civics

Meaning
the study of the rights and duties of citizens and how government works
Example
Civics helps students understand their responsibilities as citizens.
C1 noun /ʃæˈtoʊ/

chateau

Meaning
a large French country house or castle
Example
They stayed in a beautiful chateau in France.
C1 noun /kɔːr/

corps

Meaning
a branch of the military or a group organized for a specific purpose
Example
He joined the army corps after graduation.
C1 noun /ʃəˈreɪd/

charade

Meaning
an absurd pretense or act intended to deceive; also a word-guessing game
Example
The trial was nothing more than a political charade.
C1 noun /krɛst/

crest

Meaning
the top of a hill, wave, or mountain; a symbol of identity
Example
The hikers reached the crest of the mountain at sunrise.
C1 noun /ˈkæn.ɪ.bəl/

Cannibal

Meaning
a person who eats the flesh of other human beings
Example
The explorer's journal described rumors of cannibals living on the remote island.
C1 adjective /kənˈteɪ.dʒəs/

Contagious

Meaning
likely to spread to and affect others; infectious
Example
Her laughter is contagious and makes everyone smile.
C1 noun /ˈʃoʊ.və.nɪst/

chauvinist

Meaning
A person displaying excessive or prejudiced loyalty to a group, cause, or gender.
Example
He was labeled a chauvinist after his remarks about women in the workplace.
C1 noun /kəʊˈhiːʒən/

cohesion

Meaning
The action or fact of forming a united whole.
Example
The team showed excellent cohesion throughout the project.
C1 adjective /kənˈvɜːrdʒənt/

convergent

Meaning
tending to move toward a common point or result
Example
The two rivers have a convergent path before entering the lake.
C1 noun ˌkɒn.ʃiˈen.ʃəs.nəs

conscientiousness

Meaning
The quality of wishing to do one's work or duty well and thoroughly; diligence.
Example
Her conscientiousness in work led to a well-organized project.
C1 noun /ˈkɜːrfjuː/

curfew

Meaning
a rule requiring people to stay indoors after a certain time, usually at night
Example
The city imposed a curfew during the unrest.
C1 noun /kəmˈpʌl.ʃən/

Compulsion

Meaning
the action or state of forcing or being forced to do something; an irresistible urge to behave in a certain way
Example
He felt a strong compulsion to check his phone every few minutes.
C1 verb /kriːk/

creak

Meaning
to make a high-pitched, squeaking noise when moved
Example
The old door creaked as she opened it.
C1 noun /ˈkælɪbər/

caliber

Meaning
The quality of someone's ability or character; the internal diameter of a gun barrel.
Example
The university attracts students of high caliber.
C1 noun kəˈmɑːnd ɪˈkɒn.ə.mi

command economy

Meaning
An economic system where economic activities are controlled by the government.
Example
In a command economy, the government controls production and prices.
C1 noun /ˈʃɪvəlri/

chivalry

Meaning
The medieval knightly system with its moral, social, and religious code; courteous behavior, especially toward women.
Example
The knight lived by the code of chivalry.
C1 noun /ˈsɪstərn/

cistern

Meaning
A tank or container for storing water, usually for household use.
Example
The old house still had a cistern to collect rainwater.
C1 noun /ˈkoʊhɔːrts/

cohorts

Meaning
Groups of people who share a common feature or experience.
Example
Researchers compared the health outcomes of different cohorts.
C1 noun /koʊˈɜː.ʃən/

coercion

Meaning
The practice of persuading someone to do something by using force or threats.
Example
Cybercriminals use coercion to extract information.
C1 noun /tʃæmp/

champ

Meaning
an informal word for champion or winner.
Example
He is the new champ of the boxing tournament.
C1 noun ˈkɔː.pəs

corpus

Meaning
A large collection of linguistic data used for language analysis and research.
Example
Linguists use a corpus to analyze language patterns.
C1 noun /ˌkɔːriˈɒɡrəfi/

choreography

Meaning
The art of designing and arranging dances and movements.
Example
The choreography of the ballet was breathtaking.
C1 adjective /ˈkrɪm.zən/

Crimson

Meaning
a deep purplish-red color
Example
The crimson sunset painted the sky with beautiful shades.
C1 noun sɜːrˈkeɪdiən ˈrɪðəm

circadian rhythm

Meaning
The body's natural sleep-wake cycle that occurs within 24 hours
Example
Exposure to natural light regulates the circadian rhythm.
C1 verb /ˈkrɪstəlaɪz/

crystallize

Meaning
to form crystals; to make an idea or plan clear and definite
Example
Her vague thoughts began to crystallize into a solid plan.
C1 verb /kəˈleɪt/

collate

Meaning
to collect, arrange, and combine in order
Example
The secretary collated the reports before the meeting.
C1 adjective /ˈkɔːʃənˌɛri/

cautionary

Meaning
serving as a warning; intended to prevent problems or mistakes by giving advice or examples
Example
The report offers a cautionary message about unchecked spending.
C1 adjective /ˈsiːs.ləs/

Ceaseless

Meaning
continuing without pause or interruption; endless
Example
The ceaseless rain lasted for three days.
C1 adjective /kənˈspɪkjuəs/

conspicuous

Meaning
Easily noticeable; attracting attention due to being unusual or prominent.
Example
Her red dress made her conspicuous at the party.
C1 adverb kəmˈpæktli

compactly

Meaning
In a closely packed or dense manner.
Example
Protons and neutrons are compactly arranged.
C1 verb /ˈkæptɪveɪt/

captivate

Meaning
to attract and hold the interest of; to charm or fascinate
Example
Her beautiful voice captivated the audience.
C1 verb /kəmˈpjuːt/

compute

Meaning
To calculate or determine by using a computer or mathematical methods.
Example
The software can compute the total cost in seconds.
C1 verb /kənˈdʒɛst/

congest

Meaning
To block or overcrowd a space, making movement or flow difficult.
Example
Heavy traffic can congest the city streets during rush hour.
C1 noun /kənˈveɪəns/

conveyance

Meaning
The action or process of transporting or carrying someone or something from one place to another.
Example
The conveyance of goods was delayed due to bad weather.
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 verb /ˌkaʊntərˈbæləns/

counterbalance

Meaning
to offset or balance the effect of something
Example
Exercise can counterbalance the negative effects of stress.
C1 adjective /ˌkætəˈɡɒrɪkəl/

categorical

Meaning
Absolute and without exception; expressed clearly and directly.
Example
She gave a categorical denial of the allegations.
C1 noun /ʃəˈmiːz/

Chemise

Meaning
a woman's loose-fitting undergarment or dress hanging straight from the shoulders
Example
The vintage chemise was made of delicate lace and silk.
C1 verb /siːd/

cede

Meaning
to give up power, territory, or rights to another
Example
The country ceded territory after losing the war.
C1 adjective /kənˈkluː.sɪv/

Conclusive

Meaning
final; decisive; settling a matter completely
Example
The evidence was conclusive and left no room for doubt.
C1 noun /kræɡ/

crag

Meaning
a steep or rugged cliff or rock face
Example
The hikers climbed the jagged crag to reach the summit.
C1 noun /kənˈvʌl.ʃən/

convulsion

Meaning
a sudden, violent, involuntary contraction of muscles; a seizure
Example
The medicine helped prevent convulsions in children.
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 /ˈkɜːrlər/

curler

Meaning
A small roller used for curling hair.
Example
She used a curler to style her hair for the party.
C1 adjective /ˈʃɪvəlrəs/

chivalrous

Meaning
Behaving in a courteous, gallant, and honorable way, especially toward women.
Example
He was chivalrous, always opening doors for others.
C1 verb /ˈklæmbər/

clamber

Meaning
to climb with effort or difficulty, often using both hands and feet
Example
The children clambered over the rocks to reach the cave.
C1 noun /ˈkæmi.oʊ/

cameo

Meaning
a small but significant role in a play, film, or show, often performed by a well-known person
Example
The actor made a surprise cameo in the movie.
C1 adjective /ˈkɔːrəl/

choral

Meaning
Relating to, written for, or performed by a choir or chorus.
Example
The church hosted a choral performance on Sunday.
C1 noun /ˈkʌˈs.tə.di/

Custody

Meaning
the protective care or guardianship of someone or something; imprisonment or detention
Example
After the divorce, they shared custody of their children equally.
C1 noun /kənˈfaɪnmənt/

confinement

Meaning
the state of being confined or restricted
Example
The prisoner endured years of confinement.
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 /kəˈlæpsəbl̩/

collapsible

Meaning
able to be folded down or reduced in size
Example
She bought a collapsible chair for camping.
C1 adjective ˈkɒn.təm.plə.tɪv

contemplative

Meaning
Expressing or involving prolonged thought; meditative and reflective.
Example
He spent a contemplative evening reflecting on his decisions.
C1 adjective/verb /ˈkɒn.sə.mət/

consummate

Meaning
To complete or perfect something with great skill
Example
He is a consummate artist with years of experience.
C1 noun kəˈmɛns.mənt

commencement

Meaning
The beginning of something; a ceremony at which degrees or diplomas are conferred on graduating students.
Example
The commencement ceremony marked the start of a new journey.
C1 adjective /kəmˈplaɪənt/

compliant

Meaning
Willing to agree with or follow rules, requests, or demands.
Example
She was compliant with all the safety requirements.
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 kənˈten.ʃəs

contentious

Meaning
Causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial.
Example
The contentious issue divided global leaders.
C1 noun /kəˈθɑːrsɪs/

catharsis

Meaning
The process of releasing strong emotions, providing relief.
Example
Writing in her diary was a form of catharsis for her.
C1 noun /kəˈloʊkwiəˌlɪzəm/

colloquialism

Meaning
a word or phrase used in informal speech or writing
Example
The novel is full of regional colloquialisms.
C1 verb /koʊks/

coax

Meaning
to persuade someone gently or gradually to do something
Example
She managed to coax the cat out of the tree with some food.
C1 adjective /kənˈtɛmptəbl/

contemptible

Meaning
deserving of contempt; despicable
Example
His deceitful actions were truly contemptible.
C1 noun /ˈkɒmən kɑːp/

Common Carp

Meaning
A large freshwater fish widely cultivated for food
Example
Common carp is an important fish in aquaculture.
C1 verb /ˈkɒr.ə.leɪt/

correlate

Meaning
To have a mutual relationship or connection; to establish a relationship between two or more things.
Example
Researchers found that diet and mental health correlate strongly.
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 noun kəˈmjuːnɪti ˈsɜːrvɪs aɪˈdiːəlz

community service ideals

Meaning
Principles and standards of serving the community for social good.
Example
Community service ideals must be taught in schools.
C1 noun ˈklaɪmət ˌrɛɡjʊˈleɪʃən

climate regulation

Meaning
The moderation of climate conditions through natural or artificial processes.
Example
Forests help in climate regulation by stabilizing local temperatures.
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 adjective, noun /ˈsɛlɪbət/

celibate

Meaning
abstaining from marriage and sexual relations; a person who does so
Example
He chose to remain celibate for religious reasons.
C1 noun /ˈkæləs/

callus

Meaning
A thickened and hardened part of the skin or soft tissue, especially in an area subjected to friction.
Example
A callus formed on his palm from using tools every day.
C1 noun /saɪˈteɪʃən/

citation

Meaning
a quotation from or reference to a book, paper, or author
Example
The research paper included a citation from Shakespeare.
C1 adjective /ˈkɔːrdiəl/

Cordial

Meaning
warmly friendly; sincere; heartfelt
Example
She gave us a cordial welcome at the front door.
C1 adjective /kənˈdjuː.sɪv/

conducive

Meaning
Making a certain situation or outcome likely or possible; contributing to or helping to bring about.
Example
A quiet environment is conducive to studying.
C1 noun /ˌkɒŋɡrɪˈɡeɪʃən/

congregation

Meaning
a group of people assembled for religious worship or a common purpose
Example
The congregation gathered to hear the sermon.
C1 noun kəmˈpleɪ.sən.si

complacency

Meaning
Excessive self-satisfaction with one's achievements that can hinder progress.
Example
His complacency led to a decline in his performance.
C1 noun /kəˈlæm.ɪ.ti/

Calamity

Meaning
an event causing great and often sudden damage or distress; a disaster
Example
The earthquake was a terrible calamity that affected thousands of families.
C1 noun/adjective /klɛft/

cleft

Meaning
a split or crack; a space or opening made by cleavage
Example
The goat disappeared into a cleft in the rocks.
C1 noun /kəˈnʌn.drəm/

conundrum

Meaning
A complex problem or puzzle without an easy solution
Example
The ethical conundrum puzzled the researchers.
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 noun kənˈsjuː.mə.rɪ.zəm

consumerism

Meaning
The tendency to increase consumption of goods and the importance given to consuming products.
Example
Modern consumerism leads to increased demand for luxury goods.
C1 noun /kriːd/

creed

Meaning
A system of religious or spiritual beliefs or a guiding principle.
Example
Freedom of speech is part of his personal creed.
C1 noun /ˌkɒmpɪˈleɪʃən/

compilation

Meaning
a collection of things, especially pieces of writing or music, gathered together
Example
The book is a compilation of his best essays.
C1 noun /kəˈnɛəri/

canary

Meaning
a small, usually yellow bird known for its singing; also used as a warning sign in dangerous conditions
Example
The canary sang beautifully in its cage.
C1 adjective /kəmˈpʌlsɪv/

compulsive

Meaning
Resulting from or acting on an irresistible urge, especially one that is against one's conscious wishes.
Example
He is a compulsive gambler who cannot stop placing bets.
C1 noun /kənˈkʌrəns/

concurrence

Meaning
Agreement or union in action, opinion, or occurrence; simultaneous happening of events.
Example
The project was completed with the concurrence of all departments.
C1 adjective /kəˈrəʊsɪv/

corrosive

Meaning
tending to cause corrosion; harmful or destructive to materials or people
Example
The chemical is highly corrosive and should be handled with care.
C1 verb /ˈkʌvət/

covet

Meaning
to desire something belonging to someone else
Example
He coveted his neighbor's new car.
C1 verb /klæsp/

clasp

Meaning
to grasp or hold tightly; also a device for fastening
Example
She clasped her hands together in prayer.
C1 verb /koʊˈhæbɪt/

cohabit

Meaning
To live together, often as partners without being married.
Example
They decided to cohabit before getting married.
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 noun /kənˈdəʊləns/

condolence

Meaning
An expression of sympathy, especially on the occasion of death.
Example
She offered her sincere condolence to the grieving family.
C1 noun /krʌtʃ/

crutch

Meaning
a support used by someone injured to walk; also something relied upon for support or help
Example
He had to use crutches after breaking his leg.
C1 adjective /kənˈdʒenɪtl/

congenital

Meaning
existing from birth, usually describing a disease or condition
Example
The child was born with a congenital heart defect.
C1 noun kəˈlæt.ər.əl

collateral

Meaning
Something pledged as security for repayment of a loan, to be forfeited in the event of a default.
Example
The bank requires collateral for loan approval.
C1 noun /ˈtʃʌk.əl/

Chuckle

Meaning
a quiet or suppressed laugh; to laugh quietly or with amusement
Example
He gave a soft chuckle when he heard the funny joke.
C1 adjective /ˈtʃɛk.ərd/

checkered

Meaning
Having a pattern of alternating squares of different colors; also describing a past full of ups and downs or varied experiences.
Example
He had a checkered career with many highs and lows.
C1 noun ˌkæp.ɪ.təl.aɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

capitalization

Meaning
The total market value of a company's shares or the provision of capital for a company or activity.
Example
The company's capitalization reached $1 billion in market value.
C1 verb /klɪntʃ/

clinch

Meaning
To secure or settle something decisively; to grasp tightly.
Example
The team clinched the championship with a last-minute goal.
C1 verb ˌsɝː.kəmˈvent

circumvent

Meaning
To cleverly avoid or find a way around obstacles or rules.
Example
He tried to circumvent the security system.
C1 noun /krɪpt/

crypt

Meaning
an underground chamber, especially one beneath a church, used as a burial place
Example
The tourists explored the ancient crypt beneath the cathedral.
C1 adjective /ˈkæl.əs/

Callous

Meaning
showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others; emotionally hardened
Example
He showed a callous disregard for others' feelings.
C1 verb/noun /ˈkrɒn.ɪ.kəl/

chronicle

Meaning
To record events in the order in which they happened; a written record of historical events.
Example
She decided to chronicle her journey through a blog.
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 /ˈkoʊvərt/

covert

Meaning
hidden, secret, or not openly acknowledged
Example
The spy conducted a covert operation behind enemy lines.
C1 adjective /kənˈsɛntrɪk/

concentric

Meaning
having a common center, as in circles or spheres
Example
The artist drew concentric circles on the canvas.
C1 noun /ˈkæzəm/

chasm

Meaning
a deep fissure in the earth's surface or a wide difference between people or ideas
Example
There was a great chasm between the two political parties.
C1 noun /ˈkrɒkəri/

crockery

Meaning
Dishes, plates, cups, and other items made of earthenware or china.
Example
The hotel provided clean crockery for the guests.
C1 noun /kæsˈkeɪd/

Cascade

Meaning
a waterfall; a succession of stages or operations
Example
The mountain cascade created a beautiful natural swimming pool below.
C1 noun /ˈkaʊərdɪs/

cowardice

Meaning
lack of courage; behavior showing fear
Example
His cowardice prevented him from speaking up.
C1 noun /ˈkælkjʊləs/

calculus

Meaning
A branch of mathematics concerned with rates of change and accumulation; also a hard mineral deposit in the body such as on teeth.
Example
Calculus is essential for advanced studies in physics and engineering.
C1 verb /ˈkænvəs/

canvass

Meaning
to solicit votes or opinions; to examine thoroughly; to discuss in detail
Example
They will canvass the neighborhood for votes.
C1 verb /ˈkriːmeɪt/

cremate

Meaning
to burn a dead body to ashes as a funeral rite
Example
According to his wishes, they cremated his body after the funeral.
C1 noun /ˈkɒntrəbænd/

contraband

Meaning
goods that are illegal to import, export, or possess
Example
The police seized a shipment of contraband cigarettes.
C1 noun /krʌˈsteɪʃən/

crustacean

Meaning
an aquatic animal with a hard shell, such as crabs, lobsters, and shrimps
Example
Crabs and lobsters are well-known crustaceans.
C1 verb কনডেন্স

condense

Meaning
To change from gas to liquid form; to become denser.
Example
Water vapor condenses into raindrops.