daybreak
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C1 noun /ˈdeɪˌbreɪk/

daybreak

Meaning
The time in the morning when daylight first appears; dawn.
Example
They set out on their journey at daybreak.
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 noun /ˈwiː.vər/

Weaver

Meaning
a person who makes cloth by interlacing threads on a loom
Example
The skilled weaver created intricate patterns on the silk fabric.
C1 adjective, noun /ˈmɑːrʃən/

martian

Meaning
Related to the planet Mars; or an imaginary being from Mars.
Example
The movie showed a Martian visiting Earth.
C1 noun /zest/

Zest

Meaning
great enthusiasm and energy; excitement and vigor; the outer peel of a citrus fruit
Example
She approached the new job with tremendous zest.
C1 noun /ˈtɒr.ənt/

Torrent

Meaning
a strong and fast-moving stream of water or other liquid; a sudden, violent, and copious outpouring
Example
The heavy rain created a torrent of water rushing down the mountain.
C1 noun ˌlɪb.ər.ə.laɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

liberalization

Meaning
The removal or loosening of restrictions on something, typically an economic or political system.
Example
The liberalization of trade policies attracted foreign investments.
C1 noun /ˈderˌdevəl/

daredevil

Meaning
A person who enjoys doing dangerous or risky things.
Example
The stunt was performed by a famous daredevil.
C1 adjective /ˈsɛnʃuəl/

sensual

Meaning
Relating to or involving gratification of the senses and physical pleasure.
Example
The painting had a sensual quality that captivated viewers.
C1 adjective /ˌhɔːrtɪˈkʌltʃərəl/

horticultural

Meaning
Relating to the art or practice of garden cultivation and management.
Example
She studied horticultural science at the university.
C1 noun /əˈbreɪʒən/

abrasion

Meaning
a scrape or wearing away of the skin or surface due to friction
Example
He suffered a minor abrasion on his knee after falling.
C1 noun /liˈeɪzɒn/

liaison

Meaning
communication or cooperation between people or groups for a smooth working relationship
Example
She works as a liaison between the company and its clients.
C1 verb /dɪˈfɔːrm/

deform

Meaning
to change the shape or form of something, especially in a way that makes it ugly or damaged; to distort
Example
The intense heat began to deform the plastic container.
C1 noun /ˈdɛməɡɒɡ/

demagogue

Meaning
A political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than by using rational argument.
Example
The crowd was swayed by the fiery speeches of the demagogue.
C1 adjective /ˈskeɪ.li/

Scaly

Meaning
covered with scales; having a rough surface like scales
Example
The fish has scaly skin.
C1 noun /ˈɪn.floʊ/

inflow

Meaning
The movement of things such as money, people, or water into a place.
Example
The inflow of tourists boosted the local economy.
C1 noun /ˈkɒnfɪdænt/

confidant

Meaning
A person with whom one shares a secret or private matter, trusting them not to repeat it.
Example
She found a true confidant in her childhood friend.
C1 adjective /ˈfruːt.ləs/

Fruitless

Meaning
unsuccessful; futile; pointless;
Example
After hours of searching, their efforts proved fruitless.
C1 noun /ˈraɪtʃəsnəs/

righteousness

Meaning
the quality of being morally right or justifiable
Example
His life was dedicated to righteousness and truth.
C1 noun /ˈpɛs.tɪ.saɪd ˈrɛz.ɪ.djuː/

pesticide-residue

Meaning
Chemical remnants left over from pesticides used on crops or in soil.
Example
Excess pesticide-residue in food can be harmful to health.
C1 noun /rɪˈpraɪ.zəl/

Reprisal

Meaning
an act of retaliation; revenge taken for an injury or wrong
Example
The attack was carried out as a reprisal for the earlier bombing.
C1 verb /əˈpreɪz/

appraise

Meaning
to evaluate the value, quality, or importance of something
Example
The jeweler appraised the diamond before buying it.
C1 adjective /ˈwɪl.fəl/

Wilful

Meaning
deliberately stubborn; done on purpose; intentional
Example
His wilful disobedience led to punishment.
C1 noun /ˈpriː.tekst/

Pretext

Meaning
a reason given in justification of a course of action that is not the real reason
Example
He used illness as a pretext to avoid the meeting.
C1 noun ˌpriːˌɒkjʊˈpeɪʃən

preoccupation

Meaning
The state of being absorbed in thought; mental distraction.
Example
His preoccupation with work led to neglecting his personal life.
C1 noun /ˌkʌl də ˈsæk/

cul de sac

Meaning
A street or passage closed at one end; a dead end.
Example
They bought a house at the end of a quiet cul de sac.
C1 adjective /prəˈlɪf.ɪk/

prolific

Meaning
Present in large numbers or quantities; plentiful; producing many works, results, or offspring.
Example
The author is prolific, having written over 30 books.
C1 noun æmˈbɪvələns

ambivalence

Meaning
Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something; uncertainty or confusion.
Example
She felt ambivalence about taking the job offer.
C1 noun /ˈmɛm.wɑːr/

memoir

Meaning
A historical account or autobiography written from personal experience.
Example
The author’s memoir details her journey through hardship and success.
C1 noun /ˈwɔː.tər hen/

Water hen

Meaning
a waterbird with dark plumage that lives near ponds and wetlands
Example
The water hen swam gracefully across the pond.
C1 verb /dɪˈsɛkt/

dissect

Meaning
to cut apart an animal, plant, or other organism to study its internal parts; to analyze something in detail
Example
In biology class, students had to dissect a frog to learn about its anatomy.
C1 adjective ˌkwɪn.tɪˈsen.ʃəl

quintessential

Meaning
representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class.
Example
The artist's work is the quintessential example of modernism.
C1 noun /ɪmˌpɜː.sənˈeɪ.ʃən/

impersonation

Meaning
The action of pretending to be another person for the purpose of entertainment or fraud.
Example
Online impersonation is a serious cybercrime.
C1 adjective /ˌniːoʊˈlɪθɪk/

neolithic

Meaning
Relating to the later part of the Stone Age, when ground or polished stone weapons and tools prevailed.
Example
Neolithic communities began practicing agriculture and domesticating animals.
C1 noun ˈθɜː.məl stres

thermal stress

Meaning
Stress caused by excessive heat that affects plant growth and development.
Example
High thermal stress affects plant growth.
C1 noun /haʊnd/

Hound

Meaning
a dog bred for hunting, typically having a keen sense of smell
Example
The bloodhound tracked the scent through the dense forest.
C1 verb /əˈdʒɜrn/

adjourn

Meaning
to suspend a meeting or session to another time or place
Example
The judge decided to adjourn the hearing until next week.
C1 noun /ˈmæksɪm/

maxim

Meaning
a short, well-known statement expressing a general truth or rule of conduct
Example
Honesty is a timeless maxim valued in every culture.
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 noun /ˈrɛtʃɪdnəs/

wretchedness

Meaning
a state of misery, unhappiness, or poor condition
Example
The novel depicts the wretchedness of war victims.
C1 adjective /ˈsɒljʊbəl/

soluble

Meaning
able to be dissolved, especially in water
Example
Sugar is soluble in water.
C1 adjective /ˈspaɪn.ləs/

Spineless

Meaning
lacking courage or determination; weak-willed
Example
He was too spineless to stand up for his beliefs.
C1 noun /ˌvɜːbəlɪˈzeɪʃən/

verbalization

Meaning
The action of expressing something in words.
Example
The verbalization of his thoughts was clear and direct.
C1 noun ˈmaɪ.krəʊˌnjuː.tri.ənt

micronutrient

Meaning
Essential nutrients required by the body in small amounts, including vitamins and minerals.
Example
Iron and zinc are essential micronutrients for growth.
C1 noun /ˈpæŋkriəs/

pancreas

Meaning
A gland in the abdomen that produces insulin and digestive enzymes.
Example
The pancreas plays a vital role in digestion and blood sugar regulation.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈdʌldʒənt/

indulgent

Meaning
Having a tendency to be overly generous or lenient with someone.
Example
The indulgent mother allowed her child to stay up late.
C1 noun /ˈswiːt.miːt/

Sweetmeat

Meaning
a small piece of confectionery or candy; a sweet delicacy
Example
The children enjoyed the traditional sweetmeats during the festival.
C1 noun /ˈʃrɪŋkɪdʒ/

shrinkage

Meaning
The process of becoming smaller in size, amount, or value.
Example
The company reported a shrinkage in profits this quarter.
C1 noun /dɪˈmiːnər/

demeanour

Meaning
a person's outward behavior or appearance
Example
Her calm demeanour impressed everyone during the meeting.
C1 noun /ˈlʌləˌbaɪ/

lullaby

Meaning
a soothing song sung to help a child fall asleep
Example
She sang a lullaby to her baby every night.
C1 noun /ˈvendʒəns/

Vengeance

Meaning
punishment inflicted or retribution exacted for an injury or wrong; revenge
Example
He swore to seek vengeance against those who wronged him.
C1 adjective /ˈɜːr.θən/

Earthen

Meaning
made of earth or clay; relating to pottery or ceramic materials
Example
The kitchen had beautiful earthen pots for storage.
C1 noun /ˌdʒʌkstəpəˈzɪʃən/

juxtaposition

Meaning
The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect.
Example
The juxtaposition of light and dark colors created a dramatic effect.
C1 noun /ˈlɔː.meɪ.kər/

Lawmaker

Meaning
a person who writes and passes laws, especially a member of a legislative body
Example
The lawmakers voted on the new education bill.
C1 adjective /ɪkˈsiːdɪŋ/

Exceeding

Meaning
going beyond; surpassing; extremely
Example
The project was completed with exceeding excellence.
C1 verb /ˈɛkskəˌveɪt/

excavate

Meaning
to dig out or remove earth carefully, often for building or archaeological purposes
Example
The workers excavated the site to prepare for construction.
C1 verb /ˈdʒʌmbəl/

jumble

Meaning
to mix things together in a confused or untidy way
Example
Don't jumble all the papers together in one pile.
C1 adjective /ˈperɪɡrɪn/

Peregrine

Meaning
wandering; traveling; migratory
Example
The peregrine falcon is known for its incredible speed.
C1 verb /trænsˈɡrɛs/

transgress

Meaning
to go beyond the limits of a moral law, command, or boundary; to sin
Example
He apologized after realizing he had transgressed the community's rules.
C1 verb /ˈpoʊ.lə.raɪz/

polarize

Meaning
to divide or cause to divide into two sharply contrasting groups or sets of opinions or beliefs
Example
The controversial decision polarized public opinion.
C1 verb /dɪˈteɪn/

detain

Meaning
to keep someone from proceeding; to hold back, especially by official authority
Example
The police detained the suspect for questioning.
C1 noun /ˈdʒuː.və.naɪl/

Juvenile

Meaning
a young person below the age of adult criminal responsibility; relating to young people
Example
The juvenile court handles cases involving young offenders under eighteen.
C1 /ʃrɛd/

shred

Meaning
to tear or cut something into small pieces
Example
She shredded the old documents before throwing them away.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈpɜːrtɪnənt/

impertinent

Meaning
rude and showing a lack of respect
Example
It was impertinent of him to question the manager's decision.
C1 adjective /səˈtɪrɪk/

satiric

Meaning
Relating to or using satire.
Example
The novel takes a satiric view of urban life.
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 noun ˈæŋkərɪdʒ

anchorage

Meaning
A secure holding place; a place where ships can anchor safely.
Example
The boat was anchored near the shore for safety.
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 noun /ˈkwɪk.sænd/

Quick-sand

Meaning
loose wet sand that yields easily to pressure and sucks in anything on its surface
Example
The explorer got trapped in quicksand while crossing the desert.
C1 verb /ˌkaʊntərˈbæləns/

counterbalance

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

pragmatist

Meaning
A person who deals with things in a practical and realistic way.
Example
He is a true pragmatist who values results over ideals.
C1 noun /ˈseɪ.tən/

Satan

Meaning
the chief evil spirit; the Devil in Christian and Islamic belief
Example
According to religious texts, Satan tempts people to sin.
C1 noun /ˈbʌrə, ˈbʊrə/

borough

Meaning
A town, district, or administrative division, especially one with its own local government.
Example
Brooklyn is a borough of New York City.
C1 verb /wiːld/

wield

Meaning
To hold and use a weapon, tool, or power effectively.
Example
The warrior wielded his sword with great skill.
C1 verb /məˈnuː.vər/

manoeuver

Meaning
To move skillfully or carefully; to guide or manipulate into a desired position.
Example
The driver skillfully manoeuvered the car through the narrow street.
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 adjective /ˈpælpəbl̩/

palpable

Meaning
easily perceived or felt; so intense as to seem almost tangible
Example
There was a palpable sense of excitement in the room.
C1 noun/verb /θrɒŋ/

throng

Meaning
A large, densely packed crowd of people or animals; to fill or be present in a place in large numbers.
Example
Tourists thronged the streets during the festival.
C1 noun ˌvæljuˈeɪʃən

valuation

Meaning
An estimation of the worth of something.
Example
The valuation of the property was much higher than expected.
C1 noun rɪˈdɛmpʃən

redemption

Meaning
The action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil.
Example
The story highlights the theme of redemption.
C1 noun /eb/

Ebb

Meaning
the receding tide; a gradual decline or reduction
Example
The fishermen waited for the ebb before returning to shore.
C1 noun /ˌtrɛpɪˈdeɪʃən/

trepidation

Meaning
a feeling of fear or anxiety about something that may happen
Example
She opened the letter with some trepidation.
C1 noun ˌiː.kəʊˈfrend.li ˌɜː.bən.aɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

eco-friendly urbanization

Meaning
The development of cities in a way that is not harmful to the environment.
Example
Eco-friendly urbanization reduces environmental degradation.
C1 verb /tʃæsˈtaɪz/

chastise

Meaning
to criticize or punish severely
Example
The teacher chastised the student for being late.
C1 verb /diːˈfjuːz/

defuse

Meaning
To make a situation less dangerous, tense, or explosive; to remove a fuse from a bomb.
Example
The negotiator helped defuse the tense situation.
C1 noun/verb /ˈbæntər/

banter

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

speck

Meaning
A very small spot, mark, or particle.
Example
There was a tiny speck of dust on the glass table.
C1 noun ˈsɒl.vən.si

solvency

Meaning
The possession of assets in excess of liabilities; ability to pay debts.
Example
The company's solvency improved after restructuring.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈfæt.ɪk/

Emphatic

Meaning
forceful; strong; showing emphasis; expressed with force and conviction
Example
She gave an emphatic 'no' to the proposal.
C1 adjective /ˈməʊltən/

molten

Meaning
Made into liquid by heat; melted.
Example
The blacksmith poured molten metal into the mold.
C1 noun /speɪt/

spate

Meaning
a large number of things occurring in quick succession
Example
There has been a spate of robberies in the city.
C1 adjective ˌɪn.krəˈmen.təl

incremental

Meaning
Relating to or denoting an increase or addition, especially one of a series on a fixed scale; proceeding in small stages.
Example
Incremental changes ensure sustainability.
C1 noun /ˈkuːdɒs/

kudos

Meaning
Praise and honor received for an achievement.
Example
She received kudos for her excellent performance.
C1 noun /ænˈtɪθəsɪs/

antithesis

Meaning
A person, thing, or idea that is the direct opposite of another; a rhetorical device contrasting opposing ideas in parallel structure.
Example
Love is the antithesis of hate.
C1 adjective, adverb (informal, vulgar) /ˈfʌkɪŋ/

fucking

Meaning
used for emphasis, often expressing anger or frustration (vulgar slang)
Example
It was a fucking disaster!
C1 verb /rɪˈlɛnt/

relent

Meaning
to become less severe, harsh, or strict
Example
After hours of begging, she finally relented.
C1 noun /ˈmɒn.ə.stər.i/

Monastery

Meaning
a building or group of buildings where monks live and worship
Example
The ancient monastery was built on a hilltop.
C1 verb /ɪnˈhɪbɪt/

inhibit

Meaning
to prevent or restrain someone or something from acting freely; to hinder
Example
Fear can inhibit personal growth.
C1 noun /ˈɛksələnsɪ/

excellency

Meaning
a title of honor for people of high rank, especially ambassadors or governors
Example
His Excellency the Ambassador attended the ceremony.
C1 verb /ˈseɪ.vər/

savor

Meaning
To enjoy something completely, especially by dwelling on it.
Example
He savored every bite of the delicious cake.
C1 adjective /dræb/

drab

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

perch

Meaning
To sit or rest on something high or narrow.
Example
The bird perched on the fence.
C1 adjective /aʊtˈmoʊdɪd/

outmoded

Meaning
No longer in fashion or useful; outdated.
Example
That old computer is completely outmoded.
C1 noun /ˈfɛtɪʃ/

fetish

Meaning
an excessive or irrational devotion to something
Example
He has a fetish for collecting rare stamps.
C1 noun /ɪˈpɪt.ə.mi/

epitome

Meaning
A perfect example of a particular quality or type; the best representation of something.
Example
She is the epitome of grace and kindness.
C1 adjective /ˈtiːmɪŋ/

teeming

Meaning
full of or swarming with things or people
Example
The market was teeming with shoppers.
C1 noun ɪˌməʊ.ʃəˈnæl.ɪ.ti

emotionality

Meaning
The quality of being driven by emotions rather than reason; emotional responsiveness.
Example
His emotionality often influenced his decisions.
C1 adjective /səˈtɪrɪkəl/

satirical

Meaning
containing or using satire to criticize or mock
Example
The satirical cartoon mocked the government's new policy.
C1 adjective /ˈɡɑːrdɪd/

guarded

Meaning
Cautious and careful in speech or action, often to avoid giving too much away.
Example
He gave a guarded reply to the journalist.
C1 verb /ˈmɒd.jʊ.leɪt/

modulate

Meaning
To change the strength, tone, or pitch of something; to adjust or regulate.
Example
A good speaker knows how to modulate their voice.
C1 noun /ˈskwɒlər/

squalor

Meaning
the state of being extremely dirty and unpleasant, especially due to poverty or neglect
Example
They lived in squalor without basic facilities.
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 noun /ˈvɜː.tɪ.kəl ˈfɑː.mɪŋ/

vertical farming

Meaning
The practice of growing crops in vertically stacked layers, often incorporating controlled-environment agriculture.
Example
Vertical farming ensures maximum space utilization in urban areas.
C1 verb /səˈplænt/

supplant

Meaning
To take the place of something or someone, often by force or strategy.
Example
Digital platforms have supplanted traditional newspapers.
C1 verb; noun /beltʃ/

belch

Meaning
to expel air noisily from the stomach through the mouth; to emit or pour out suddenly and forcefully
Example
After drinking the soda, he belched loudly.
C1 noun /ˈstɪm.jʊ.laɪ/

stimuli

Meaning
Things that create reactions or provide motivation.
Example
Bright light and loud sounds are common stimuli for alertness.
C1 noun /ˈfaɪər.wɔːl/

firewall

Meaning
A network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.
Example
A firewall protects networks from cyber-attacks.
C1 verb /ˌdɪsɪmˈbɑːrk/

disembark

Meaning
To leave a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle.
Example
The passengers disembarked from the plane after landing.
C1 noun /ˈpɛntəɡən/

pentagon

Meaning
A plane figure with five straight sides and five angles; also refers to the US Department of Defense building.
Example
The Pentagon is one of the most iconic government buildings in the United States.
C1 adjective /ˈspɛərɪŋ/

sparing

Meaning
Using or giving only a little of something; economical.
Example
She is sparing in her use of words.
C1 adjective /ˈsɜːrpənˌtiːn/

serpentine

Meaning
Having the shape, movement, or qualities of a serpent; winding or twisting.
Example
The road took a serpentine path through the mountains.