Cynic
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C1 noun /ˈsɪ.nɪk/

Cynic

Meaning
a person who believes that people are motivated purely by self-interest; someone who is skeptical about human nature
Example
The old cynic believed that politicians only cared about getting votes.
C1 noun /tækˈsɒnəmi/

taxonomy

Meaning
The science or practice of classifying things, especially organisms.
Example
Modern taxonomy helps scientists organize and study biodiversity.
C1 verb /ˈkwentʃɪŋ/

quenching

Meaning
The act of satisfying thirst or extinguishing something like fire.
Example
Drinking cold water was quenching her thirst.
C1 noun /ˈmʌf.lər/

Muffler

Meaning
a long strip of cloth worn around the neck for warmth
Example
She wrapped a warm muffler around her neck before going outside.
C1 noun, adjective, verb /səˈbɔːrdənət/ (noun/adjective), /səˈbɔːrdəˌneɪt/ (verb)

subordinate

Meaning
lower in rank or position; to treat as less important
Example
He manages ten subordinates in his department.
C1 noun /ədˈhiːʒən/

adhesion

Meaning
the process or state of sticking to something
Example
Strong adhesion is needed for the tiles to stay in place.
C1 noun /səˈsteɪnəbl ˈæɡrɪkʌltʃər/

sustainable agriculture

Meaning
Farming practices that meet current food needs while preserving environmental resources and maintaining the ability to produce food for future generations through ecologically sound methods.
Example
Sustainable agriculture practices protect the environment while ensuring food security.
C1 adjective /dræb/

drab

Meaning
Dull, lacking brightness or interest; monotonous.
Example
The room looked drab with its gray walls and dim lighting.
C1 noun /ˈklɛmənsi/

clemency

Meaning
mercy, leniency, or forgiveness shown towards someone
Example
The judge showed clemency and reduced his sentence.
C1 noun ˌpriː.dɪs.pəˈzɪʃ.ən

predisposition

Meaning
A natural tendency or inclination toward a particular behavior or condition.
Example
Genetic factors can influence a person's predisposition to diseases.
C1 noun /ˈmænəˌrɪzəm/

Mannerism

Meaning
A habitual gesture or way of speaking or behaving; an idiosyncrasy
Example
His constant throat clearing had become an annoying mannerism.
C1 noun ˌdʒiːəˈlɒdʒɪkəl ˈstrʌktʃər

geological structure

Meaning
The arrangement and composition of rocks, minerals, and landforms in the Earth's crust.
Example
Scientists will study the Moon's geological structure.
C1 verb /mɪns/

mince

Meaning
to cut into very small pieces; to walk with short quick steps
Example
She minced the garlic for the recipe.
C1 noun /ˈmɒnəˌθiːɪzəm/

monotheism

Meaning
The belief in the existence of only one God.
Example
Islam and Christianity are religions based on monotheism.
C1 noun /bɪˈriːvmənt/

bereavement

Meaning
The state of having lost a loved one through death.
Example
She received many letters of sympathy during her time of bereavement.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnɑːrˈtɪkjʊlət/

inarticulate

Meaning
Unable to express oneself clearly or effectively in speech or writing.
Example
She became inarticulate with emotion during the speech.
C1 noun /ˈʌlsər/

ulcer

Meaning
a sore on the skin or a mucous membrane that does not heal easily
Example
The doctor prescribed medicine to treat the stomach ulcer.
C1 verb /ˌkɒm.pɑːtˈmen.təl.aɪz/

compartmentalize

Meaning
To divide into sections or categories; to separate things into compartments.
Example
To increase efficiency, he compartmentalized his work tasks.
C1 noun /ˈkɒnsəl/

consul

Meaning
an official appointed by a government to live in a foreign city and protect its citizens and interests there
Example
The consul assisted travelers who lost their passports.
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 adjective /ˌkɒzməˈpɒlɪtən/

cosmopolitan

Meaning
familiar with and at ease in many different countries and cultures
Example
He has a cosmopolitan outlook due to his extensive travels.
C1 noun /ˌɡaɪnəˈkɒlədʒi/

gynecology

Meaning
the branch of medicine dealing with women's reproductive health
Example
She decided to specialize in gynecology after medical school.
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 adjective /ˈskɛtʃi/

sketchy

Meaning
not thorough or detailed; suspicious or unsafe
Example
The details of the project were still sketchy.
C1 noun /ˈnjuːɑːns/

nuance

Meaning
A subtle difference in shade of meaning, appearance, or sound.
Example
He noticed the subtle nuance in her expression.
C1 noun /ˈkʌntrɪmən/

countryman

Meaning
a person from one's own country or rural area
Example
He was proud to meet a fellow countryman at the international conference.
C1 verb /kɑːrp/

carp

Meaning
to complain or find fault continually, often about trivial matters
Example
She tends to carp about the smallest inconveniences.
C1 noun /ɪˌluːmɪˈneɪʃən/

illumination

Meaning
the act of lighting something or making something clear
Example
The street was filled with bright illumination from the lamps.
C1 noun /ˌkɔːriˈɒɡrəfi/

choreography

Meaning
The art of designing and arranging dances and movements.
Example
The choreography of the ballet was breathtaking.
C1 verb /ɪnˈstɪl/

instill

Meaning
to gradually but firmly establish an idea, attitude, or habit in someone's mind
Example
Parents try to instill good values in their children.
C1 noun /dɪˈfen.dənt/

Defendant

Meaning
an individual, company, or institution sued or accused in a court of law
Example
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges brought against him.
C1 adjective /ˈlɪvɪd/

livid

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

Trifling

Meaning
of little importance; trivial; insignificant
Example
Don't worry about such trifling matters.
C1 verb /əˈdʒɔɪn/

adjoin

Meaning
To be next to and joined with something.
Example
Their house adjoins the park.
C1 adjective /ˈswɛltərɪŋ/

sweltering

Meaning
uncomfortably hot
Example
The sweltering heat made it hard to work.
C1 noun ɪnˌvaɪ.rənˈmen.təl ˌtræns.fəˈmeɪ.ʃən

environmental transformation

Meaning
A significant change in environmental conditions or ecological systems.
Example
The city demonstrates environmental transformation.
C1 noun ænˈtɪk.wə.ti

antiquity

Meaning
The ancient past, especially the period of classical and other human civilizations before the Middle Ages.
Example
The ruins are a reminder of the city's antiquity.
C1 adjective /pərˈvɜːrs/

perverse

Meaning
showing a deliberate desire to behave in a way that is unreasonable, contrary, or unacceptable
Example
He took a perverse pleasure in upsetting his colleagues.
C1 adjective /ˈblʌdləs/

bloodless

Meaning
without bloodshed; lacking violence or vitality
Example
The revolution was surprisingly bloodless.
C1 noun /ˌrek.ənˌsɪl.iˈeɪ.ʃən/

reconciliation

Meaning
The restoration of friendly relations; the action of making one view or belief compatible with another.
Example
The peace treaty was a major step toward reconciliation.
C1 adjective /ɪˈvɒkətɪv/

evocative

Meaning
bringing strong images, memories, or feelings to mind
Example
The music was evocative of her childhood memories.
C1 noun /ˌpɜːrspəˈreɪʃn/

perspiration

Meaning
The process of sweating.
Example
Heavy exercise causes perspiration.
C1 noun /fjuːd/

feud

Meaning
a prolonged and bitter quarrel or conflict, often between families or groups
Example
The two families have been in a feud for generations.
C1 noun ˌɒp.tɪ.maɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

optimization

Meaning
Improving processes to increase performance and efficiency.
Example
SEO optimization helps websites rank higher on search engines.
C1 noun /ˌrɛs.ɪˈprɒs.ɪ.ti/

reciprocity

Meaning
The practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit.
Example
Business relationships thrive on reciprocity.
C1 noun /ɪkˌsperɪˈmɛnteɪʃən/

experimentation

Meaning
The process of performing a scientific procedure to make a discovery, test a hypothesis, or demonstrate a known fact.
Example
Experimentation leads to groundbreaking products.
C1 noun /ˈaɪsətəʊp/

isotope

Meaning
Atoms of the same element with equal number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
Example
Carbon-14 is a radioactive isotope used in dating fossils.
C1 noun /sʌˈmeɪʃən/

summation

Meaning
The process of adding things together; a summary of points.
Example
The lawyer gave a powerful summation of the case.
C1 noun /ˈmɔːr.nər/

Mourner

Meaning
a person who attends a funeral or shows grief for someone who has died
Example
The mourners gathered at the cemetery to pay their respects.
C1 adjective /əˈɡrɛəriən/

agrarian

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

percolator

Meaning
A device used for brewing coffee by continually cycling boiling water through coffee grounds.
Example
She made a fresh pot of coffee using the percolator.
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 adjective /ˈtrænzvɜːrs/

transverse

Meaning
situated or lying across something
Example
The transverse road connects two highways.
C1 verb /ˌdiːˈbʌŋk/

debunk

Meaning
Expose the falseness or hollowness of (a myth, idea, or belief).
Example
Scientists debunked the myth that vaccines cause autism.
C1 verb /ˈræʃənaɪz/

rationlize

Meaning
to justify or explain something with logical reasons, even if not appropriate or true
Example
He tried to rationlize his mistake by blaming the system.
C1 noun/verb /ˈbæntər/

banter

Meaning
playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks
Example
The colleagues enjoyed some light banter during the meeting.
C1 adjective /əˈɡæst/

aghast

Meaning
filled with shock or horror
Example
The audience was aghast at the tragic scene.
C1 noun /rɪˈdʒɔɪsɪŋ/

rejoicing

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

neural

Meaning
Relating to nerves or the nervous system.
Example
Scientists study neural connections in the brain.
C1 noun /ˌɪrɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪləti/

irresponsibility

Meaning
lack of responsibility or accountability; failure to act in a reliable or sensible way
Example
The accident was caused by his irresponsibility at work.
C1 noun /fɑːrs/

farce

Meaning
a comic dramatic work using buffoonery and horseplay, or a ridiculous situation
Example
The meeting turned into a complete farce with everyone arguing.
C1 adjective /dɪsˈpæʃənət/

dispassionate

Meaning
not influenced by strong emotion; impartial
Example
The judge remained dispassionate throughout the trial.
C1 noun /ˈniːdəlwɜːrk/

needlework

Meaning
The craft of sewing, embroidery, or knitting done with a needle.
Example
Her grandmother taught her the art of needlework.
C1 noun /ænˈθɒlədʒi/

anthology

Meaning
A collection of literary works, such as poems, short stories, or essays, compiled into one volume.
Example
She contributed a poem to the new poetry anthology.
C1 noun ˌɪndɪˈspensəbl səˈpɔːrt

indispensable support

Meaning
Essential assistance that cannot be done without; absolutely necessary help.
Example
Volunteers provide indispensable support to communities.
C1 adjective /ˈmɔːtəl/

Mortal

Meaning
subject to death; having a limited lifespan; human
Example
All human beings are mortal and will eventually die.
C1 adjective /əˈbliːk/

Oblique

Meaning
slanting; diagonal; indirect or evasive
Example
The artist drew an oblique line across the canvas.
C1 noun /ˈkleɪmənt/

claimant

Meaning
a person who makes a claim, especially in a legal or financial context
Example
The claimant filed for compensation after the accident.
C1 verb /ɪɡˈnaɪt/

ignite

Meaning
To catch fire or cause to catch fire; to start or arouse.
Example
The sparks ignited the dry leaves in seconds.
C1 verb /səbˈvɜːrt/

subvert

Meaning
to undermine or overthrow an established system, authority, or institution
Example
The rebels tried to subvert the government.
C1 noun /ˈsteɪl.meɪt/

stalemate

Meaning
A situation in which no progress can be made or no party can win.
Example
Negotiations ended in a stalemate.
C1 verb /ˌriːɪnˈtɪɡreɪt/

reintegrate

Meaning
To bring someone or something back into a group or society after being separated.
Example
The program helps prisoners reintegrate into society.
C1 adjective /ˈɪnbɔːrn/

Inborn

Meaning
existing from birth; natural; inherent
Example
She has an inborn talent for music.
C1 adjective /ˈruːfəl/

rueful

Meaning
Expressing sorrow, regret, or pity.
Example
He gave a rueful smile after losing the match.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈflæməbəl/

Inflammable

Meaning
easily set on fire; flammable; combustible
Example
The inflammable material caught fire quickly.
C1 verb /ˌrɛzəˈrɛkt/

resurrect

Meaning
To bring back to life or revive something from the past.
Example
The director decided to resurrect the old play for a new audience.
C1 noun /ˈpæd.ək/

paddock

Meaning
a small enclosed field where horses or other animals are kept
Example
The horses were grazing in the paddock.
C1 verb /piːk/

pique

Meaning
to stimulate interest or curiosity; to arouse resentment or anger
Example
Her remarks piqued his curiosity about the secret project.
C1 adjective/verb /ˈbæntərɪŋ/

bantering

Meaning
characterized by good-humored teasing or joking
Example
They had a bantering conversation at the café.
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 /lɜːrk/

lurk

Meaning
to remain hidden so as to wait for an opportunity to attack or observe
Example
A stranger lurked in the shadows.
C1 noun ˌtraɪ.bjuˈnæl əv ˈdʒʌs.tɪs

tribunal of justice

Meaning
A court of justice or judicial body that settles disputes or tries offenses.
Example
The Tribunal of Justice started the hearings promptly.
C1 noun /ˌɪnkənˈsɪstənsi/

inconsistency

Meaning
The quality of being contradictory, irregular, or not staying the same.
Example
There is an inconsistency between his words and actions.
C1 adjective /ˈneɪzl/

nasal

Meaning
Relating to the nose; a sound produced through the nose.
Example
He spoke with a nasal voice due to his cold.
C1 noun /ˌɪnkoʊˈhɪrəns/

incoherence

Meaning
The quality of being unclear, confused, or lacking logical connection.
Example
His speech was full of incoherence and difficult to follow.
C1 noun /ˌmælnuːˈtrɪʃən/

Malnutrition

Meaning
Lack of proper nutrition; poor nourishment
Example
Malnutrition among children is a serious public health concern.
C1 noun /ˈef.ɪ.dʒi/

Effigy

Meaning
a sculpture or model of a person, especially one made as a protest
Example
The protesters burned an effigy of the corrupt politician in the square.
C1 verb /ˈskwɒbəl/

squabble

Meaning
To argue noisily over something small or unimportant.
Example
The children squabbled over the last piece of cake.
C1 verb /ˈɒs.ɪ.leɪt/

oscillate

Meaning
To swing or move back and forth between two points or states
Example
The stock market tends to oscillate during uncertain times.
C1 adjective /ˈkjuːmjələtɪv/

cumulative

Meaning
Increasing gradually by addition; growing in quantity, force, or effect.
Example
The cumulative effect of stress can harm your health.
C1 adjective /ˌmel.ənˈkɒl.ɪk/

Melancholic

Meaning
sad and thoughtful; feeling or expressing sadness
Example
The melancholic music made everyone feel sad.
C1 adjective /ˈsɛnʃənt/

sentient

Meaning
Able to perceive or feel things.
Example
Humans are sentient beings capable of reasoning.
C1 noun /ˈmiːdieɪtər/

Mediator

Meaning
A person who attempts to make people involved in a conflict agree
Example
The United Nations often acts as a mediator in international disputes.
C1 noun /ˈtem.pɚ.əns/

temperance

Meaning
Moderation in action, thought, or feeling; restraint.
Example
Temperance is essential for a balanced life.
C1 noun /ɡrəˈtjuːɪti/

gratuity

Meaning
A sum of money given as a tip or a retirement benefit.
Example
The waiter received a generous gratuity for his excellent service.
C1 noun /ˈen.mə.ti/

Enmity

Meaning
a state or feeling of active opposition or hostility
Example
The enmity between the two families lasted for generations.
C1 verb /ˈslɪðər/

slither

Meaning
to move smoothly over a surface with a twisting, sliding motion, like a snake
Example
The snake slithered through the grass.
C1 noun /stɪˈlɛtoʊ/

stiletto

Meaning
A small, thin, high-heeled shoe or a dagger with a slender blade.
Example
She wore elegant stiletto heels to the party.
C1 noun /rɪˈmɛmbrəns/

remembrance

Meaning
the act of remembering or honoring someone or something
Example
A service was held in remembrance of the fallen soldiers.
C1 noun məˈnɒp.əl.i

monopoly

Meaning
The exclusive possession or control of the supply of or trade in a commodity or service.
Example
The company has a monopoly on electric car production.
C1 adjective /dɪˈɡreɪdɪd/

degraded

Meaning
Reduced in quality, dignity, or condition.
Example
The villagers were forced to live in degraded conditions.
C1 noun /dɪn/

din

Meaning
a loud, unpleasant, and prolonged noise
Example
The din of traffic outside made it hard to concentrate.
C1 noun ˈkiː.stəʊn ˈspiː.ʃiːz

keystone species

Meaning
A species on which other species in an ecosystem largely depend, such that if it were removed the ecosystem would change drastically.
Example
Wolves are a keystone species that regulate prey populations.
C1 noun /ˈdɛsɪˌbɛl/

decibel

Meaning
a unit used to measure the intensity of sound
Example
The noise level in the factory exceeded 90 decibels.
C1 verb /ˈsmʌðər/

smother

Meaning
to kill someone by covering their nose and mouth to prevent breathing; to cover something completely; to overwhelm with excessive attention or affection
Example
She smothered the fire with a blanket.
C1 noun səˈlɪnɪti ɪnˈtruːʒən

salinity intrusion

Meaning
The movement of salt water into freshwater areas, typically affecting coastal regions.
Example
Salinity intrusion affects coastal regions.
C1 adjective /məˈləʊ.di.əs/

Melodious

Meaning
having a pleasant musical sound; tuneful
Example
Her melodious voice captivated the entire audience.
C1 adjective /ˈɡrɪz.li/

grisly

Meaning
causing horror or disgust
Example
The police discovered a grisly scene at the crime site.
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 /ɪˈrɛlɪvənsi/

irrelevancy

Meaning
the state of being unrelated or unimportant to the matter at hand
Example
The judge dismissed the argument because of its irrelevancy to the case.
C1 noun ˌɪn.tuˈɪʃ.ən

intuition

Meaning
The ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning.
Example
Her intuition told her something was wrong.
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 noun /ˈkɒlərə/

cholera

Meaning
An infectious disease of the small intestine causing severe vomiting and diarrhea.
Example
The village suffered an outbreak of cholera after the flood.
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 adjective /ˈfjuː.dəl/

feudal

Meaning
relating to the system of feudalism, a medieval social system based on land ownership and obligations
Example
The castle is a remnant of the feudal era.
C1 verb /ˈtɑːtər/

totter

Meaning
To move unsteadily, as if about to fall; to be on the point of collapse.
Example
The old man tottered across the street with a cane.
C1 noun /ˈnɔːrmən/

Norman

Meaning
A member of a people of mixed Scandinavian and Frankish origin who settled in Normandy, or relating to their culture.
Example
The Normans conquered England in 1066.
C1 adjective /nɑːkˈtɜr.nəl/

Nocturnal

Meaning
active at night; happening during the night
Example
Owls are nocturnal animals that hunt at night.
C1 verb /ˌɪntərˈsɛpt/

intercept

Meaning
to stop, catch, or seize something on its way from one place to another
Example
The police intercepted the stolen car before it crossed the border.
C1 verb /ˈæn.ə.teɪt/

annotate

Meaning
to add notes or comments to a text, diagram, or document for explanation or clarification
Example
The teacher asked the students to annotate the poem with their interpretations.
C1 verb /ˈslækən/

slacken

Meaning
to make or become less tight, less active, or slower
Example
The driver slackened his speed as he approached the village.