dank
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C2 adjective /dæŋk/

dank

Meaning
unpleasantly damp and cold
Example
The basement was dark and dank, filled with a musty smell.
C2 noun /ˈaɪsinəs/

iciness

Meaning
The state of being cold in manner or temperature.
Example
There was a distinct iciness in his voice.
C2 verb /ruː/

rue

Meaning
To feel regret or sorrow about something.
Example
She will rue the day she trusted him.
C2 adjective /ˌkloʊs ˈhɔːld/

close-hauled

Meaning
of a sailing ship, sailing as nearly as possible towards the direction from which the wind is blowing.
Example
The yacht was close-hauled as it cut through the waves.
C2 noun /liː/

lea

Meaning
An open area of grassy or arable land; a meadow.
Example
The cottage was surrounded by a quiet lea.
C2 adjective /ˈkɒndaɪn/

condign

Meaning
deserved, appropriate, and fitting (especially punishment)
Example
The criminal received condign punishment for his crimes.
C2 verb /ˌmæn.juˈmɪt/

manumit

Meaning
to release from slavery or servitude; to set free
Example
The landowner decided to manumit his slaves.
C2 verb /ˈæsəneɪt/

assonate

Meaning
To correspond or agree in sound, especially by vowel sounds; to rhyme approximately.
Example
The lines assonate beautifully, giving the song a unique flow.
C2 adjective /ˈmɪnsɪŋ/

mincing

Meaning
affectedly delicate, dainty, or refined in manner or movement
Example
He walked with mincing steps across the stage.
C2 noun /ˈseɪpiəns/

sapience

Meaning
Wisdom or intelligence.
Example
Her sapience in solving problems earned her the respect of her colleagues.
C2 noun /dɪˌlɪniˈeɪʃən/

delineation

Meaning
the precise description, drawing, or outlining of something
Example
The artist’s delineation of the landscape was remarkably accurate.
C2 noun /ˈmɛtrəˌnoʊm/

metronome

Meaning
A device that produces regular ticks or beats to help musicians maintain tempo.
Example
She practiced the piano with a metronome to keep steady timing.
C2 verb /ɛmˈbleɪzən/

emblazon

Meaning
To decorate or display something in a noticeable or impressive way.
Example
The team's logo was emblazoned on their uniforms.
C2 noun /ˈɛnsaɪn/

ensign

Meaning
A flag or standard, especially a military or naval one indicating nationality; also a junior officer in the navy or coast guard.
Example
The ship raised its national ensign before leaving the harbor.
C2 noun /ˈbɒmbæst/

bombast

Meaning
speech or writing that is overly pompous and inflated
Example
His campaign speech was full of bombast but lacked real substance.
C2 noun /ˌsɪmjʊˈleɪkrəm/

simulacrum

Meaning
an image or representation of someone or something; a superficial likeness
Example
The statue was only a simulacrum of the ancient god.
C2 noun /ˈmɛtəfɔːrm/

metaphorm

Meaning
A coined or rare term sometimes used to describe a hybrid form of metaphor and form in literature or art.
Example
The poet introduced a metaphorm to blend imagery with structure.
C2 noun /ɪˈfjuːʒən/

effusion

Meaning
An unrestrained outpouring of words, feelings, or emotions.
Example
His letter was an effusion of love and longing.
C2 adjective /pɪˈdʒɒrətɪv/

pejorative

Meaning
Expressing contempt or disapproval.
Example
He used pejorative terms to insult his opponents.
C2 adverb /ˈaɪsɪli/

icily

Meaning
In a very cold, unfriendly, or hostile manner.
Example
She replied icily to his question.
C2 noun /əˈsɜːrbəti/

acerbity

Meaning
bitterness or sharpness of tone, manner, or taste
Example
The acerbity of his remarks left everyone silent.
C2 adjective /ˌɛfləˈrɛsənt/

efflorescent

Meaning
in the process of blooming or flourishing
Example
The efflorescent trees made the park look beautiful.
C2 adjective /əˈɡɒɡ/

agog

Meaning
Highly excited by eagerness, curiosity, or anticipation.
Example
The children were agog with excitement as they waited for the magician to appear.
C2 noun /ˈɪndɪkənt/

indicant

Meaning
Something that indicates or points to a fact or condition.
Example
High fever is often an indicant of infection.
C2 noun /məˈlɪŋɡərər/

malingerer

Meaning
a person who pretends to be sick to avoid duty or work
Example
The manager suspected that John was a malingerer.
C2 adjective /ˈtrʌŋkeɪtɪd/

truncated

Meaning
shortened by cutting off a part; cut short
Example
The meeting was truncated due to time constraints.
C2 verb /dɪsˈteɪn/

distain

Meaning
to treat with scorn or contempt (archaic form of disdain)
Example
He would never distain those who had less fortune than him.
C2 adjective /ˈfɛstəl/

festal

Meaning
relating to a festival or celebration
Example
The hall was decorated in a festal manner for the wedding.
C2 noun /ˈæsənəns/

assonance

Meaning
the repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words in poetry or prose
Example
The poet used assonance to create a musical effect in his verse.
C2 verb /ˈvɪʃieɪt/

vitiate

Meaning
to spoil, weaken, or make something less effective
Example
One careless remark can vitiate the entire argument.
C2 noun /əˈklɪvɪti/

acclivity

Meaning
An upward slope or incline on the ground.
Example
The hikers struggled as they climbed the steep acclivity.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈvɪdiəs/

invidious

Meaning
likely to arouse resentment, envy, or anger in others
Example
The manager's invidious remarks created tension among the employees.
C2 noun /ˌsɪnjuˈɒsɪti/

sinuosity

Meaning
The quality or state of being winding, curving, or having many turns.
Example
The sinuosity of the river made navigation challenging.
C2 verb /bɪˈweɪl/

bewail

Meaning
to express deep sorrow or regret over something; to mourn openly
Example
She bewailed the loss of her childhood home.
C2 noun /ˈsteɪtkraft/

statecraft

Meaning
The art of governing and managing state affairs effectively.
Example
The leader was praised for his exceptional statecraft in handling international relations.
C2 verb /ˌænɪmədˈvɜːt/

animadvert

Meaning
To comment critically or unfavorably.
Example
The teacher animadverted on the student's careless mistakes.
C2 verb /kædʒ/

cadge

Meaning
To beg or obtain something, especially food or money, without paying for it.
Example
He tried to cadge a free meal from the restaurant.
C2 noun /ˈdɛkəˌpɒd/

decapod

Meaning
An arthropod with ten limbs, such as crabs, lobsters, and shrimps.
Example
The lobster is a well-known decapod.
C2 noun /fɪˈlɒl.ə.dʒɪst/

philologist

Meaning
a person who studies languages and their history
Example
The philologist analyzed ancient texts to understand language evolution.
C2 noun /ˌæpəˈzɪʃən/

apposition

Meaning
a grammatical construction in which two elements are placed side by side, with one explaining the other
Example
In the phrase 'my friend John,' the word 'John' is in apposition to 'my friend.'
C2 verb /ˈdʒaɪreɪt/

gyrate

Meaning
to move or spin quickly in circles
Example
The dancer gyrated wildly to the rhythm of the drums.
C2 noun /ˈfeɪ.tə.lɪ.zəm/

fatalism

Meaning
the belief that all events are predetermined and inevitable
Example
He embraced fatalism, believing that nothing he did could change his destiny.
C2 noun /ˈæpədʒiː/

apogee

Meaning
the highest or most distant point; the climax or peak of something
Example
The empire reached its apogee during the 18th century.
C2 adjective /ˈpæsɪbəl/

passible

Meaning
capable of feeling or suffering; susceptible to sensation or emotion (often theological)
Example
In some traditions, deities are described as passible, sharing human emotions.
C2 adjective /ˈlæŋɡwɪd/

Languid

Meaning
lacking energy or vitality; slow and relaxed; weak or faint
Example
After the long journey, she felt languid and needed to rest.
C2 verb /ˈblækˌbɔːl/

blackball

Meaning
to exclude someone socially or vote against their membership in a group or club
Example
He was blackballed from the club after the controversy.
C2 noun /dəˈɡerəˌtaɪp/

daguerreotype

Meaning
An early type of photograph produced on a silver or silver-covered copper plate.
Example
The museum displayed a rare daguerreotype of Abraham Lincoln.
C2 noun /ˈlɒkətɪv/

locative

Meaning
a grammatical case indicating location or place
Example
In Latin, the locative case is used to indicate location.
C2 noun /ˈræɡəmʌfɪn/

ragamuffin

Meaning
A person, typically a child, in ragged, dirty clothes.
Example
The little ragamuffin begged for food on the street.
C2 verb /ˈæd.l̩/

addle

Meaning
To confuse or muddle someone’s mind.
Example
The complicated instructions only served to addle him.
C2 noun /laʊs/

Louse

Meaning
a small insect that lives on the hair or skin of people or animals
Example
The child had a louse in his hair.
C2 noun, verb /ˈkaʊntərˌtʃɑːrdʒ/

countercharge

Meaning
an opposing charge or accusation; to make an opposing attack
Example
The lawyer filed a countercharge against the accuser.
C2 adjective /koʊˈiːvəl/

coeval

Meaning
Having the same age, date of origin, or duration; contemporary.
Example
The philosopher was coeval with the rise of modern science.
C2 noun /ˌɔːrdɪˈneɪʃən/

ordination

Meaning
The ceremony of conferring holy orders or official religious authority.
Example
The church held a special service for the ordination of new priests.
C2 noun /ˌɡlæd.iˈoʊ.ləs/

Gladiolus

Meaning
A tall flowering plant with sword-shaped leaves and colorful spike-like flower clusters, popular in gardens and floral arrangements
Example
The gladiolus stood tall and elegant in the flower bed.
C2 noun /bɜːrˈlɛsk/

burlesque

Meaning
A humorous and exaggerated imitation of a serious work; a type of theatrical entertainment involving comedy and parody.
Example
The play was a clever burlesque of traditional opera.
C2 noun /ˈsweɪʒən/

suasion

Meaning
the act of persuading or influencing someone
Example
The leader used gentle suasion to win support for the plan.
C2 verb /ˌsuːpərˈæd/

superadd

Meaning
to add something to what has already been added
Example
The author chose to superadd a new chapter to the revised edition.
C2 adjective /ˈkɔːpjʊlənt/

corpulent

Meaning
fat or obese; having a large bulky body
Example
The corpulent man struggled to fit into the small chair.
C2 noun /lɪˈnoʊ.li.əm/

linoleum

Meaning
a durable, washable floor covering made from solidified linseed oil, wood flour, or cork dust on a canvas backing
Example
They decided to cover the kitchen floor with linoleum.
C2 verb /əˈbreɪd/

abrade

Meaning
to scrape or wear away the surface by friction or erosion
Example
The rough cloth can easily abrade the skin.
C2 noun /ˌmæləˈdɪkʃən/

Malediction

Meaning
A magical word used to invoke a curse; an evil spell
Example
The witch uttered a terrible malediction upon her enemies.
C2 adverb /əˈsʌndər/

asunder

Meaning
into separate parts; apart
Example
The ancient empire was torn asunder by war.
C2 noun /ˌɛksɪˈɡjuːɪti/

exiguity

Meaning
the quality of being scanty or meager in amount
Example
The exiguity of resources made the project difficult to complete.
C2 verb /ˌdɪskəmˈbɑːbjuleɪt/

discombobulate

Meaning
to confuse or disconcert; to upset the normal order
Example
The sudden question seemed to discombobulate him.
C2 verb, adjective /ˈstraɪeɪt/

striate

Meaning
to mark with stripes or grooves; striped or streaked in appearance
Example
The rock surface was striated by glacial movement.
C2 noun /dʒuːt/

jute

Meaning
a long, soft, shiny plant fiber used to make rope, bags, sacks, and coarse cloth
Example
Jute is widely used to make eco-friendly bags and ropes.
C2 noun /ˌsuːdəˈnɪmɪti/

pseudonymity

Meaning
the practice or state of using a pseudonym
Example
The author maintained pseudonymity throughout her career.
C2 adjective /ˈmiː.di.eɪ.tɪv/

mediative

Meaning
Related to mediation, helping to resolve conflicts through diplomatic means.
Example
His mediative skills helped resolve the conflict.
C2 verb /ˌkɒntrəˈvɜːrt/

controvert

Meaning
to dispute or argue against; to contradict
Example
The scientist controversed the previous research findings.
C2 adjective /ˌʌltrəˈmɒnteɪn/

ultramontane

Meaning
beyond the mountains, especially referring to support for the Pope over local church authority
Example
The debate highlighted the ultramontane position in church politics.
C2 noun /miːn/

mien

Meaning
A person's appearance or manner, especially as an indication of their character or mood.
Example
His serious mien made everyone fall silent.
C2 noun /ˈtrɒɡlədaɪt/

troglodyte

Meaning
A person who lives in a cave or is considered old-fashioned and out of touch.
Example
Some called him a troglodyte for refusing to use modern technology.
C2 verb /ɡɜːrd/

gird

Meaning
to encircle with a belt or band; to prepare for action
Example
The knight girded his sword before battle.
C2 adjective /rɪˈprɛsəbl̩/

repressible

Meaning
Capable of being restrained or suppressed.
Example
The movement proved to be hardly repressible.
C2 verb /prɒɡˈnɒstɪkeɪt/

prognosticate

Meaning
To foretell or predict future events, especially based on current signs.
Example
Experts attempted to prognosticate the outcome of the election.
C2 noun /dɪˈkrɛpɪˌtjuːd/

decrepitude

Meaning
the state of being old, weak, and worn out
Example
The once-great empire fell into decrepitude.
C2 noun /ˈɛəri/

aerie

Meaning
A large nest of a bird of prey, especially an eagle, typically built high in a tree or on a cliff.
Example
The eagle built its aerie on the high cliff.
C2 adjective /ˌɑːrbəˈrɛsənt/

arborescent

Meaning
having the appearance or characteristics of a tree; tree-like
Example
The coral had an arborescent form that resembled a miniature forest.
C2 noun /ˈvoʊtəri/

votary

Meaning
A devoted follower or admirer of someone or something.
Example
He is a votary of classical music and attends every concert.
C2 verb /prəˈpɪʃieɪt/

propitiate

Meaning
to win or regain the favor of someone by doing something that pleases them
Example
He offered gifts to propitiate the angry gods.
C2 adjective /ˈfækʃəs/

factious

Meaning
causing disagreement or division within a group; inclined to form factions
Example
The debate became factious, splitting the committee into rival camps.
C2 noun /kəˈpriːs/

caprice

Meaning
a sudden, unpredictable change of mood or behavior
Example
She bought the expensive dress on a caprice.
C2 adjective /mæɡˈnɪləkwənt/

magniloquent

Meaning
using high-flown or pompous language
Example
The politician’s magniloquent speech impressed the crowd.
C2 noun /ˈæntiˌkraɪst/

antichrist

Meaning
A person regarded as the supreme opponent of Christ, often seen as a figure of ultimate evil.
Example
Some people fear the rise of an Antichrist in the future.
C2 adjective /ʌkˈsɔːriəs/

uxorious

Meaning
excessively fond of or submissive to one's wife
Example
He was so uxorious that he agreed with everything his wife said.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈwəʊntɪd/

unwonted

Meaning
Unusual, uncommon, or out of the ordinary.
Example
She spoke with an unwonted gentleness that surprised everyone.
C2 noun /ɪnˈhɪərəns/

inherence

Meaning
The state of being an essential or permanent part of something.
Example
The inherence of risk is part of every business venture.
C2 noun /ˈflɪpənsi/

flippancy

Meaning
lack of seriousness; showing a disrespectful or trivial attitude
Example
His flippancy during the meeting offended his colleagues.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈklɛmɛnt/

inclement

Meaning
unpleasantly cold, wet, or stormy (usually weather)
Example
The match was canceled due to inclement weather.
C2 adjective /ˈdɔːrsəl/

dorsal

Meaning
Relating to the back or upper side of an animal or body part.
Example
Sharks have a prominent dorsal fin.
C2 adjective /ˌɪlˈneɪ.tʃəd/

ill-natured

Meaning
Having a bad or unpleasant character; unkind or malicious.
Example
He made an ill-natured remark about his colleague.
C2 noun /ˌæfɛkˈteɪʃən/

affectation

Meaning
an unnatural behavior or speech intended to impress others
Example
Her British accent was just an affectation to sound sophisticated.
C2 verb /nɑːrl/

gnarl

Meaning
To twist into a knotted or distorted form.
Example
The tree roots began to gnarl around the stones.
C2 noun /ˌɪntərˈlɒkjətər/

interlocutor

Meaning
a person who takes part in a conversation or dialogue
Example
She was a skilled interlocutor during the debate.
C2 noun /ˈɔːspɪs/

auspice

Meaning
A sign, omen, or divine token; also refers to protection or support.
Example
The project was launched under the auspice of the government.
C2 noun /ˌvælɪˌtjuːdɪˈnɛəriən/

valetudinarian

Meaning
A person who is unduly anxious about their health or constantly concerned with minor ailments.
Example
He was regarded as a valetudinarian, always worrying about his health.
C2 verb /dɪsˈɡɔːrdʒ/

disgorge

Meaning
to discharge or pour out; to vomit; to give up reluctantly
Example
The broken pipe disgorged water all over the floor.
C2 noun /ˈθɛspiən/

thespian

Meaning
An actor or actress; relating to drama or theater.
Example
The festival was filled with talented thespians from across the country.
C2 noun /ˈbrɔːdˌsaɪd/

broadside

Meaning
a strong verbal attack or a sheet of paper printed on one side
Example
The politician launched a broadside against his opponent.
C2 adjective /ˈrɛɡnənt/

regnant

Meaning
Reigning; currently holding power, authority, or dominance.
Example
The regnant queen introduced several reforms during her reign.
C2 verb /əˈdjuːs/

adduce

Meaning
To provide evidence or reasons to support an argument or idea.
Example
The lawyer adduced several examples to support his case.
C2 adjective /ˌdɪskəmˈbɑːbjuleɪtɪd/

discombobulated

Meaning
confused and disoriented; feeling unsettled
Example
She looked discombobulated after hearing the unexpected news.
C2 adjective /ˌdaɪəˈtɒmɪk/

diatomic

Meaning
Consisting of two atoms.
Example
Oxygen is a diatomic molecule.
C2 noun /kɒɡˈnoʊmən/

cognomen

Meaning
A family name or surname; an additional name or nickname.
Example
His cognomen became widely known in literary circles.
C2 noun /dreɪk/

Drake

Meaning
a male duck; a type of waterfowl
Example
The drake led his family of ducks across the pond.
C2 noun /ˈklɪpər/

clipper

Meaning
a tool used for cutting, or a fast sailing ship of the 19th century
Example
The barber used clippers to trim his hair.
C2 noun /ˈaɪ.sɔːr/

Eyesore

Meaning
something that is very ugly and unpleasant to look at
Example
The abandoned building has become an eyesore in the neighborhood.
C2 noun /ruːd/

rood

Meaning
a crucifix, especially one positioned above the entrance to the chancel of a church
Example
The old church displayed a carved rood above the altar.
C2 adjective /prɪˈhɛnsɪbəl/

prehensible

Meaning
capable of being grasped or seized
Example
The tool has a prehensible handle that improves safety.
C2 adjective /əˈsɪdjʊləs/

acidulous

Meaning
slightly sour or sharp in taste or manner
Example
The critic wrote an acidulous review of the movie.
C2 verb /ɪˈkwɪvəˌkeɪt/

equivocate

Meaning
To speak ambiguously or avoid giving a clear answer.
Example
The politician equivocated when asked about the scandal.
C2 noun /ˈaɪ.səˌbɑːr/

isobar

Meaning
A line on a weather map connecting points of equal atmospheric pressure.
Example
The meteorologist explained how isobars indicate wind speed and direction.
C2 adjective /ˈvɪtriəs/

vitreous

Meaning
having a glass-like appearance or quality
Example
The mineral has a vitreous shine.
C2 adjective /məˈnaɪəkəl/

maniacal

Meaning
behaving like a maniac; showing excessive enthusiasm or madness
Example
He gave a maniacal laugh during the movie.
C2 noun /kəˈrɑːləri/

corollary

Meaning
a direct or natural consequence or result
Example
One corollary of the new policy was increased public awareness.
C2 adjective /ˌɪntəˈrɒɡətəri/

interrogatory

Meaning
expressed in the form of a question; relating to questioning
Example
The lawyer’s interrogatory tone made the witness uncomfortable.
C2 noun /ˈʃɪbəˌlɛθ/

shibboleth

Meaning
A custom, phrase, or belief distinguishing a particular group of people, often used to identify outsiders.
Example
The phrase became a political shibboleth during the campaign.
C2 noun /ˌɛləˈkjuːʃn/

elocution

Meaning
The skill of clear and expressive speech, especially in public speaking.
Example
She improved her elocution through constant practice.
C2 noun /ˈlænjæp/

lagniappe

Meaning
A small gift or bonus given by a seller to a customer.
Example
The shopkeeper offered a piece of candy as a lagniappe.
C2 adjective /ˌmɔːrɡəˈnætɪk/

morganatic

Meaning
relating to a marriage in which one partner, usually of lower social rank, does not share the titles or privileges of the other
Example
The prince entered into a morganatic marriage with a commoner.