dappled
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C2 adjective /ˈdæpəld/

dappled

Meaning
Marked with spots or patches of light and shade or different colors.
Example
The forest floor was dappled with sunlight.
C2 noun /ˌɪntərˈsɛsər/

intercessor

Meaning
a person who intervenes or pleads on behalf of another
Example
He acted as an intercessor to resolve the conflict between the two families.
C2 noun /ˌæntiˈsaɪkloʊn/

anticyclone

Meaning
A weather system with high atmospheric pressure at its center, usually bringing calm and clear conditions.
Example
An anticyclone brought sunny weather across the region.
C2 adjective /dɪˈsɛnʃəs/

dissentious

Meaning
Causing or likely to cause disagreement and conflict.
Example
His dissentious remarks divided the group further.
C2 noun /ˈsɛnʃəns/

sentience

Meaning
The capacity to feel, perceive, or experience subjectively.
Example
Many argue that animals possess sentience.
C2 noun /ˈrɛv.ər.i/

reverie

Meaning
A state of being pleasantly lost in one's thoughts; a daydream.
Example
Lost in reverie, he didn't hear his name being called.
C2 noun /bəˈlɛəroʊ/

bolero

Meaning
A Spanish dance in slow triple time, or a short jacket open at the front.
Example
The dancers performed a passionate bolero at the festival.
C2 noun /ˈlɪɡ.ə.tʃər/

ligature

Meaning
A thing used for tying or binding tightly; in music/printing, two or more notes or letters joined together.
Example
The doctor used a ligature to stop the bleeding.
C2 noun /ˈsiːkənt/

secant

Meaning
A straight line that intersects a curve at two or more points.
Example
In geometry, a secant cuts the circle at two distinct points.
C2 noun /ˈtjuːtərʃɪp/

tutorship

Meaning
The office or position of a tutor; guidance or instruction given by a tutor.
Example
He thrived under the tutorship of his mentor.
C2 noun /ˈbɪlɪŋzˌɡeɪt/

billingsgate

Meaning
Coarse or abusive language; vulgar or offensive speech.
Example
The heated argument quickly descended into billingsgate.
C2 verb /ˌdɪspəˈzɛs/

dispossess

Meaning
to deprive someone of land, property, or other possessions
Example
The new law threatened to dispossess many farmers of their land.
C2 noun /ˈdʒæz.mɪn/

Jesmine

Meaning
a climbing shrub with fragrant white or yellow flowers
Example
The jasmine flowers filled the garden with their sweet fragrance.
C2 adjective /əbˈstrɛpərəs/

obstreperous

Meaning
Noisy and difficult to control.
Example
The obstreperous students disrupted the class.
C2 noun /vɛkˈseɪʃən/

vexation

Meaning
the state of being annoyed, frustrated, or worried
Example
She could not hide her vexation after the repeated delays.
C2 noun /ˈbæs.tərd tiːk/

Bastard teak

Meaning
A flowering tree with bright orange-red flowers, also known as flame of the forest
Example
The bastard teak tree blooms with vibrant orange flowers in spring.
C2 noun /ˈænɪməlˌkjuːl/

animalcule

Meaning
A microscopic animal, especially a protozoan or other minute organism.
Example
The scientist observed an animalcule moving under the microscope.
C2 adjective /ˈneb.jə.ləs/

Nebulous

Meaning
vague or unclear; lacking definite form; hazy
Example
His plans for the future remain nebulous and unclear.
C2 noun ˌpɜː.pɪˈtʃuː.ɪ.ti

perpetuity

Meaning
Permanence, eternity, continuity.
Example
The contract ensures payments in perpetuity.
C2 noun /prɔːŋ/

prong

Meaning
a projecting pointed part, such as one of the pointed ends of a fork
Example
The fork has four prongs.
C2 noun /əˈkʌmpənɪst/

accompanist

Meaning
A person who plays a musical instrument to support a singer or another musician.
Example
The pianist served as the accompanist for the singer during the concert.
C2 noun /ˌræʃioʊsɪˈneɪʃən/

ratiocination

Meaning
the process of reasoning or logical thinking
Example
His ratiocination impressed the judges during the debate.
C2 verb /dɪˈbɑːrk/

debark

Meaning
to disembark or get off a ship, aircraft, or vehicle
Example
The passengers debarked as soon as the ship docked.
C2 adjective /ˈwæɡ.ɪʃ/

waggish

Meaning
playfully humorous or mischievous
Example
His waggish remarks made everyone laugh.
C2 adjective /ˈfɪt.fəl/

fitful

Meaning
occurring in irregular bursts; not continuous or steady
Example
He had a fitful sleep due to the storm.
C2 noun /ˌhæŋ.ki ˈpæŋ.ki/

Hanky-Panky

Meaning
dishonest or suspicious activity; unethical behavior; trickery or deception
Example
The audit revealed some hanky-panky in the company's financial records.
C2 adjective /ˈwɪzn feɪst/

wizen-faced

Meaning
Having a dry, wrinkled, and withered face.
Example
A wizen-faced old man sat quietly in the corner.
C2 verb /ɪˈfjuːz/

effuse

Meaning
To pour out or express feelings freely and openly.
Example
She effused gratitude for the help she received.
C2 adjective /ˈbɪz.ən.taɪn/ or /ˈbaɪ.zənˌtiːn/

byzantine

Meaning
Extremely complicated and detailed; relating to the Byzantine Empire or its style.
Example
The new tax regulations are so byzantine that few understand them.
C2 verb /ˈwiːdəl/

wheedle

Meaning
to persuade or coax someone by using flattery or smooth talk
Example
She managed to wheedle extra pocket money from her father.
C2 adjective /ˈpɑːmi/

palmy

Meaning
prosperous, flourishing, or relating to palm trees
Example
He often reminisced about the palmy days of his youth.
C2 noun /ˈlɪθəˌtaɪp/

lithotype

Meaning
a printing surface or type made for lithography
Example
The printer used a lithotype to produce multiple copies of the design.
C2 noun /ˌɪn.ʌnˈdeɪ.ʃən/

inundation

Meaning
The act of flooding or overwhelming with water or things.
Example
The town suffered from a severe inundation after the heavy rains.
C2 adjective /ˈkræbɪd/

crabbed

Meaning
difficult to read or understand; ill-tempered
Example
His handwriting was crabbed and almost illegible.
C2 verb /kəˈnoʊt/

connote

Meaning
To suggest or imply an additional meaning beyond the literal one.
Example
The word 'youthful' connotes energy and vitality.
C2 noun /ˈmʌɡwʌmp/

mugwump

Meaning
a person who remains independent from party politics or remains aloof from disputes
Example
He was called a mugwump for refusing to join either political side.
C2 adjective /ˈtɪd.li/

Tiddley

Meaning
slightly drunk; small or tiny
Example
After a few drinks, he felt a bit tiddley.
C2 noun /ˈrɛlɪkwɛri/

reliquary

Meaning
a container for holy relics
Example
The ancient reliquary was decorated with gold and precious stones.
C2 noun /ˌsɜːrkəmləˈkjuːʃn/

circumlocution

Meaning
the use of many words when fewer would do, especially to avoid stating something directly
Example
The politician's speech was filled with circumlocution.
C2 noun /ˈændaɪərn/

andiron

Meaning
a metal support used in a fireplace to hold logs
Example
The logs rested on the andirons in the old fireplace.
C2 verb /aɪˈdɒləˌtraɪz/

idolatrize

Meaning
To worship idols; to regard with excessive devotion or admiration.
Example
They began to idolatrize the statue as a deity.
C2 noun /ˈʌmbrɪdʒ/

umbrage

Meaning
A feeling of resentment or offense.
Example
She took umbrage at his rude remark.
C2 adjective /krʌˈsteɪʃəs/

crustaceous

Meaning
relating to or having a hard shell like a crustacean
Example
The scientist studied the crustaceous fossils.
C2 noun /ˈɑːrkeɪndʒəl/

archangel

Meaning
A high-ranking angel, often considered a chief messenger or leader among angels.
Example
Michael is often depicted as the most powerful archangel.
C2 adjective /ˈbɪbjələs/

bibulous

Meaning
Excessively fond of drinking alcohol.
Example
His bibulous habits worried his family.
C2 adjective /ˈklæmərəs/

clamorous

Meaning
making a loud and confused noise; expressing strong demands noisily
Example
The clamorous audience demanded an encore from the band.
C2 adjective /ˈfrɛtfəl/

fretful

Meaning
Feeling or showing distress or irritation.
Example
The baby was fretful all night and could not sleep.
C2 noun /ˌdaɪvəˈɡeɪʃən/

divagation

Meaning
digression; wandering from a path or subject
Example
His lecture was full of divagation, making it hard to follow the main point.
C2 adjective /ˈkoʊməˌtoʊs/

comatose

Meaning
In a state of deep unconsciousness, resembling or related to coma.
Example
The comatose patient was kept under constant observation.
C2 noun /ˈdɪktəm/

dictum

Meaning
A formal pronouncement, authoritative statement, or maxim.
Example
The judge’s dictum clarified the principle of equality before the law.
C2 adjective /əˈbɪs.əl/

abyssal

Meaning
Related to or characteristic of the deep ocean, especially the zone below 4000 meters.
Example
Abyssal creatures survive in extreme pressure conditions.
C2 noun /ˌsuː.pɚˈfluː.ə.t̬i/

superfluity

Meaning
An excessive amount of something; more than what is needed.
Example
The room was filled with a superfluity of decorations.
C2 adjective /əˈbɑː.mə.nə.bəl/

abominable

Meaning
causing moral revulsion; extremely unpleasant
Example
The prisoners were kept in abominable conditions.
C2 adjective /ˈsɪmiən/

simian

Meaning
Relating to, resembling, or affecting apes or monkeys.
Example
The scientist studied the simian behavior of the chimpanzees.
C2 noun /səˈlɛrɪti/

celerity

Meaning
swiftness of movement; speed
Example
The soldier moved with great celerity to deliver the message.
C2 verb /ˈhɑːrkən/

hearken

Meaning
To listen attentively; to give heed.
Example
He would hearken to his mentor’s advice before making decisions.
C2 adjective /ˌoʊdəˈrɪfərəs/

odoriferous

Meaning
having or giving off a smell, especially a strong or pleasant one
Example
The garden was filled with odoriferous flowers.
C2 noun /ˌɛpɪzəʊˈɒtɪk/

epizootic

Meaning
An outbreak of disease affecting many animals of one kind at the same time.
Example
The farmer feared an epizootic might wipe out his cattle.
C2 noun /ˈɡræfaɪt/

graphite

Meaning
a soft, black form of carbon used in pencils and as a lubricant
Example
The artist sketched the portrait using a graphite pencil.
C2 adjective /ˈnjuː.ɡə.tɔːr.i/

nugatory

Meaning
Of little or no value; worthless or insignificant.
Example
His efforts were nugatory and did not change the outcome.
C2 noun /klɛərˈvɔɪəns/

clairvoyance

Meaning
the supposed ability to perceive events beyond normal sensory contact; psychic insight
Example
She claimed to have clairvoyance and predicted the future.
C2 noun /ˈfeɪlæŋks/

phalanx

Meaning
A group of people or things arranged in a compact, close formation; also an ancient Greek military formation.
Example
A phalanx of reporters waited outside the courthouse.
C2 noun /bɛk/

beck

Meaning
a gesture of beckoning; a small stream or brook (chiefly Northern English)
Example
The servant came at his master's beck and call.
C2 noun /ˈɑːrbərɪˌkʌltʃər/

arboriculture

Meaning
the cultivation and management of trees and shrubs
Example
He studied arboriculture to improve urban green spaces.
C2 noun /ˈɪŋkjʊbəs/

incubus

Meaning
An oppressive or nightmarish burden; in folklore, an evil spirit that lies upon sleeping people.
Example
Debt became an incubus that weighed heavily on the family.
C2 adjective /sɪˈnɜːrdʒɪk/

synergic

Meaning
Working together in a cooperative and effective manner.
Example
The two departments have a synergic relationship that boosts productivity.
C2 verb /ˈæntɪkweɪt/

antiquate

Meaning
To make something old-fashioned or obsolete.
Example
The rise of digital cameras antiquated traditional film photography.
C2 noun ˌkɒdʒɪˈteɪʃən

cogitation

Meaning
The action of thinking deeply about something; contemplation
Example
After much cogitation, he made the final decision.
C2 verb /bɪˈdɔːb/

bedaub

Meaning
to smear or cover with a sticky or dirty substance
Example
The children bedaubed the wall with paint.
C2 noun /ɪnˈtriːti/

entreaty

Meaning
An earnest or humble request or plea.
Example
She made an entreaty for peace during the heated argument.
C2 adverb /ɪkˈstem.pɔːr/

Extempore

Meaning
without preparation; spontaneously; improvised
Example
The speaker delivered an impressive extempore speech at the conference.
C2 adjective /ˈmʌltɪfɔːrm/

multiform

Meaning
Having many different forms or appearances.
Example
The festival was a multiform celebration of art, music, and culture.
C2 adjective /ɔːˈrɪkjʊlər/

auricular

Meaning
Relating to the ear or hearing.
Example
The doctor used an auricular thermometer to check the patient's temperature.
C2 adjective /ˈhʌski/

husky

Meaning
deep, rough, and slightly hoarse voice; also refers to a strong and sturdy build
Example
He spoke in a husky voice after shouting all day.
C2 adjective /ˈdɪsəluːt/

dissolute

Meaning
lacking moral restraint; indulging excessively in sensual pleasures
Example
He led a dissolute life filled with parties and gambling.
C2 noun /ˌdaɪələˈtɪʃən/

dialectician

Meaning
A person skilled in dialectic or logical argument.
Example
Socrates is often considered the greatest dialectician in history.
C2 adjective /ˌæf.əˈrɪs.tɪk/

aphoristic

Meaning
expressed in the style of a short, witty saying
Example
Her writing style is concise and aphoristic.
C2 noun /rɪˈpoʊst/

riposte

Meaning
a quick and clever reply to criticism or an insult
Example
Her sharp riposte left everyone in silence.
C2 noun /miːd/

mead

Meaning
An alcoholic drink made from fermented honey and water.
Example
The Vikings were known to drink large amounts of mead during feasts.
C2 noun /ˈfɔːltˌfaɪndər/

faultfinder

Meaning
a person who habitually finds fault with others
Example
He is such a faultfinder that nothing anyone does is ever good enough.
C2 adjective /rɪˈflɛksəbl/

reflexible

Meaning
Capable of being reflected or bent back.
Example
The surface was highly reflexible, bouncing light in different directions.
C2 verb /ˈæmbl/

amble

Meaning
To walk at a slow, relaxed pace.
Example
They amble through the park on Sunday mornings.
C2 noun /dɪsˈjuːnjən/

disunion

Meaning
the state of being separated or not united
Example
Civil wars often result from national disunion.
C2 noun /ˈkɒŋ.ɡru.əns/

congruence

Meaning
Harmony, compatibility and agreement between different elements.
Example
The congruence between their ideas made collaboration easy.
C2 verb /leɪv/

lave

Meaning
To wash or bathe.
Example
She laved her face with cool water.
C2 noun /ˌhæŋ.ər ˈɒn/

hanger-on

Meaning
a person who spends time with a powerful or famous person to gain benefits.
Example
The celebrity was always surrounded by hangers-on.
C2 noun /kəˈmɛstɪbəl/

comestible

Meaning
An item of food that can be eaten.
Example
The picnic basket was full of delicious comestibles.
C2 adjective /ˈmɪnsɪŋ/

mincing

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

promissory

Meaning
Containing or conveying a promise, especially in writing.
Example
He signed a promissory note to repay the loan.
C2 noun /ˌɪntərpəˈzɪʃən/

interposition

Meaning
The act of intervening or coming between two things, often to influence or prevent an outcome.
Example
The manager’s interposition prevented a heated argument from escalating.
C2 adjective /ˈɒf.biːt/

offbeat

Meaning
Unusual, unconventional, or different from the norm.
Example
She has a very offbeat sense of humor.
C2 adjective /stɛnˈtɔːriən/

stentorian

Meaning
Extremely loud and powerful in sound.
Example
The teacher’s stentorian voice quieted the noisy classroom.
C2 adjective /ˌæktʃuˈɛəriəl/

actuarial

Meaning
Relating to actuaries or their work of analyzing financial risk and uncertainty, especially in insurance and pensions.
Example
The company relied on actuarial reports to set insurance premiums.
C2 noun /ˈhɒdʒ.pɒdʒ/

hodgepodge

Meaning
A confusing mixture of different things; a jumble.
Example
The essay was a hodgepodge of unrelated ideas.
C2 adjective /ˌsɪkəˈfæntɪk/

sycophantic

Meaning
Behaving in a way that is excessively obedient or servile to gain favor.
Example
His sycophantic behavior annoyed his colleagues.
C2 adjective /ˈvɔːntɪd/

vaunted

Meaning
praised or boasted about, especially excessively
Example
The vaunted technology failed to deliver the expected results.
C2 noun /ˈfɪɡmənt/

figment

Meaning
something invented or imaginary; a fabrication of the mind
Example
The story of the haunted house is just a figment of her imagination.
C2 adjective /rɪˈmiːdiəbl/

remediable

Meaning
capable of being corrected or cured
Example
The mistake was serious but still remediable.
C2 noun /ˈɔːldərmənʃɪp/

aldermanship

Meaning
The office, position, or dignity of an alderman.
Example
He was honored with aldermanship after years of service.
C2 verb /məˈrɔːd/

maraud

Meaning
to roam in search of things to steal or attack
Example
The bandits marauded through the village at night.
C2 adjective /ˈsʌpliənt/

suppliant

Meaning
Humbly or earnestly asking for something, especially from a person in authority.
Example
The suppliant man begged for mercy at the king's feet.
C2 noun /ˈdæstərd/

dastard

Meaning
a cowardly or dishonorable person
Example
Only a dastard would betray his closest friend.
C2 noun /feɪnt/

feint

Meaning
a deceptive or pretended movement, especially in fighting or sports
Example
The boxer made a feint to the left before striking to the right.
C2 noun /ˈəʊpəs/

opus

Meaning
A creative work, especially a large and important piece of music or art.
Example
The composer considered the symphony his greatest opus.
C2 adjective /ˌækwiˈɛsənt/

acquiescent

Meaning
ready to accept something without protest, or to do what someone else wants
Example
He gave an acquiescent smile and agreed to the plan.
C2 adjective /ɪmˈprɛɡnəbl̩/

impregnable

Meaning
Unable to be captured, broken into, or defeated.
Example
The fortress was considered impregnable by the enemy.
C2 noun /ˌlaɪ.pəˈdʒen.ɪ.sɪs/

lipogenesis

Meaning
The metabolic process of fat synthesis where excess carbohydrates are converted into fatty acids and stored as triglycerides.
Example
Excess carbohydrate intake promotes lipogenesis and fat storage.
C2 noun /səˈvɑːnt/

savant

Meaning
a learned person, especially a distinguished scientist or scholar; sometimes used in the phrase ‘savant syndrome’ for someone with exceptional abilities alongside developmental differences
Example
The conference keynote was delivered by a linguistic savant who studies endangered languages.
C2 verb /ˌaʊtməˈnuːvər/

outmaneuver

Meaning
to gain an advantage over an opponent by skillful or clever action
Example
The smaller company managed to outmaneuver its larger rival.
C2 adjective /həˈrɛtɪkəl/

heretical

Meaning
Relating to or characterized by departure from accepted beliefs or standards, especially in religion.
Example
The priest condemned the book as heretical.
C2 adjective /ˈbʌmblɪŋ/

bumbling

Meaning
Acting in a clumsy, awkward, or confused way.
Example
The bumbling waiter spilled the drinks on the table.
C2 noun /dɪˈsɪstəns/

desistance

Meaning
The act of stopping or ceasing from some action or behavior.
Example
The court urged his desistance from further unlawful activities.
C2 verb /əˈreɪn/

arraign

Meaning
to formally accuse someone in a court of law and ask them to respond to the charges
Example
The suspect was arraigned before the judge this morning.
C2 verb, noun /blæb/

blab

Meaning
to talk too much or reveal secrets carelessly; excessive or foolish talk
Example
He accidentally blabbed the surprise to everyone.
C2 noun /ˈsaɪnɪkjʊər/

sinecure

Meaning
a position requiring little or no work but giving financial benefit or status
Example
He was given a sinecure at the university as a reward for his loyalty.
C2 noun /kəˈkɒfəni/

cacophony

Meaning
A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds.
Example
The cacophony of horns made it impossible to concentrate.
C2 adverb /ˌðeərˈwɪð/

Therewith

Meaning
together with that; in addition to that
Example
He handed me the contract and the pen therewith.
C2 adjective /æbˈstruːs/

abstruse

Meaning
Difficult to understand; obscure.
Example
The abstruse nature of the philosophical debate left many confused.
C2 noun /luːˈsɪd.ə.ti/

lucidity

Meaning
Clarity of thought or style; the quality of being easily understood.
Example
His explanation had great lucidity, making it easy to understand.
C2 verb /ɛksˈproʊprieɪt/

expropriate

Meaning
To take property from its owner, especially by authority or for public use.
Example
The government decided to expropriate the land for a new highway.
C2 noun /ˈfɪl.ɪ.staɪn/

philistine

Meaning
a person who is indifferent or hostile to culture and the arts
Example
He was criticized as a philistine for dismissing modern art.