dead-heat
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C2 noun /ˌdɛd ˈhiːt/

dead-heat

Meaning
a race or contest in which two or more competitors finish exactly equal
Example
The race ended in a dead-heat between the two runners.
C2 noun /ˈbrɪk ə ˌbræk/

bric-a-brac

Meaning
Small decorative objects or ornaments, often of little value.
Example
The shelves were filled with old bric-a-brac from her travels.
C2 verb /ɛmˈbɔs/

emboss

Meaning
to decorate a surface with a raised design or pattern
Example
The invitation card was embossed with golden letters.
C2 adverb /ˈaɪsɪli/

icily

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

derogative

Meaning
Expressing a low opinion or showing lack of respect.
Example
He made a derogative remark about her work.
C2 noun /ˌfrɪdʒɪˈdɛːriəm/

frigidarium

Meaning
a large cold pool in ancient Roman baths used for cooling off after hot baths
Example
The ruins of the Roman frigidarium are still visible today.
C2 noun /ˈɡæd.flaɪ/

gadfly

Meaning
A person who annoys or criticizes others to stimulate change or provoke action.
Example
The journalist was a gadfly, constantly questioning the government's policies.
C2 verb /dɪˈfoʊlieɪt/

defoliate

Meaning
to strip leaves from a tree, plant, or area, often using chemicals
Example
The farmers defoliated the fields before harvest.
C2 noun /ˈɛkwɪpɔɪz/

equipoise

Meaning
A state of balance or equilibrium.
Example
Her calmness created an equipoise in the heated debate.
C2 noun ˈbaɪəʊˌsaɪd

biocide

Meaning
A chemical substance or microorganism intended to destroy, deter, render harmless, or exert a controlling effect on any harmful organism.
Example
Biocides help control pests and reduce the spread of diseases.
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 adjective /ˈblæs.fə.məs/

blasphemous

Meaning
showing disrespect or lack of reverence for God or sacred things
Example
The book was banned for its blasphemous content.
C2 adjective /ɒmˈnɪp.ə.tənt/

omnipotent

Meaning
Having unlimited power; able to do anything; all-powerful.
Example
In many religions, God is considered omnipotent.
C2 adjective /ɪkˈspɒzɪtəri/

expository

Meaning
intended to explain or describe something
Example
The teacher gave an expository lecture on the topic.
C2 verb /ˈwaŋɡl/

wangle

Meaning
To achieve something by clever or sometimes dishonest persuasion or trickery.
Example
He wangled a free ticket to the concert.
C2 noun /juːˈdʒen.ɪks/

eugenics

Meaning
the study or practice of improving the genetic quality of the human population
Example
Eugenics has been criticized for its unethical applications in history.
C2 noun /ɪnˈvɛktɪv/

invective

Meaning
Insulting, abusive, or highly critical language.
Example
The politician’s speech was filled with invective against his opponents.
C2 noun /ˈtrɪbjuːn/

tribune

Meaning
a person or platform representing the people; historically, a Roman official elected to protect citizens' rights
Example
He was seen as a tribune of the common people.
C2 noun /dʒɛˌstɪkjʊˈleɪʃən/

gesticulation

Meaning
a gesture, especially a dramatic one, used instead of speaking or to emphasize speech
Example
His speech was full of passionate gesticulations.
C2 noun /ˌprɛsiˈɒsɪti/

preciosity

Meaning
Excessive refinement or affected elegance in language, style, or behavior.
Example
The author's preciosity made the novel difficult to read for some audiences.
C2 noun /kəˈdʌm.bə/

Kadamba

Meaning
A tropical tree with round, fragrant orange flowers, sacred in Hindu culture and associated with Lord Krishna
Example
The kadamba tree is mentioned frequently in ancient Indian poetry.
C2 noun /haɪnd/

Hind

Meaning
a female deer, especially a red deer
Example
The hind protected her fawn from predators.
C2 verb /ˈdʒɜːrnəlaɪz/

journalize

Meaning
to record daily transactions or events in a journal, especially in accounting
Example
The accountant will journalize all financial transactions at the end of the day.
C2 noun /ˈɪrˌʃɑːt/

earshot

Meaning
the range or distance within which a sound can be heard
Example
The children whispered secrets out of earshot of their parents.
C2 noun /θiˈɒkrəsi/

theocracy

Meaning
A system of government in which priests or religious leaders rule in the name of God or a deity.
Example
The country was governed as a theocracy where religious leaders had supreme authority.
C2 noun /ˈæpəplɛksi/

apoplexy

Meaning
A sudden loss of consciousness or control due to stroke or extreme anger.
Example
The old man nearly had apoplexy when he heard the shocking news.
C2 noun /ˈɡræn.juːl/

granule

Meaning
A small compact particle of a substance.
Example
Each granule of salt sparkled under the sunlight.
C2 noun /ˌdɛkləˈmeɪʃən/

declamation

Meaning
a formal speech delivered with rhetorical or dramatic effect
Example
Her declamation captivated the audience at the competition.
C2 noun /ˌɑːrtʃˈdiːkən/

archdeacon

Meaning
A senior clergyman in the Christian Church ranking below a bishop.
Example
The archdeacon assisted the bishop in administrative duties.
C2 adjective /pjuːˈtrɛsənt/

putrescent

Meaning
undergoing the process of decay; rotting
Example
The putrescent odor made everyone leave the room.
C2 noun /ˈdʒʊntə/

junta

Meaning
A military or political group that rules a country after taking power by force.
Example
The junta seized power after the coup.
C2 noun /dɪˈpɔːrtmənt/

deportment

Meaning
A person's behavior or manners, especially in a formal situation.
Example
Her deportment during the ceremony impressed everyone.
C2 adjective /ˈpɑːrtəbl/

partible

Meaning
capable of being divided or separated
Example
The estate was partible among the heirs.
C2 noun /ˈɡændər/

Gander

Meaning
male goose
Example
The gander protected his family from the approaching dog.
C2 adjective /ˈsʌmp.tʃuˌɛr.i/

sumptuary

Meaning
Relating to laws or regulations intended to limit personal spending on luxury goods.
Example
In medieval Europe, sumptuary laws restricted the wearing of expensive fabrics to the nobility.
C2 adjective /ɪˈnɪm.ɪ.tə.bəl/

inimitable

Meaning
So good or unusual as to be impossible to copy; unique.
Example
His inimitable writing style made him a literary legend.
C2 verb /əˈfaɪəns/

affiance

Meaning
to promise or pledge marriage; to formally engage
Example
They decided to affiance after years of friendship.
C2 adjective /eɪˈrɪðmɪk/

arrhythmic

Meaning
Lacking a regular rhythm or beat.
Example
The patient had an arrhythmic heartbeat.
C2 verb /ˌkɒnvəˈlɛs/

convalesce

Meaning
to recover health and strength after illness or medical treatment
Example
After the surgery, she spent several weeks convalescing at home.
C2 noun /mʌsk/

Musk

Meaning
a strong-smelling substance secreted by certain animals, used in perfumes and traditional medicine
Example
The perfume contained natural musk that gave it an exotic fragrance.
C2 noun /ˈdʒʌŋk.tʃər/

jucture

Meaning
a particular point in time, especially one of great importance or crisis
Example
At this critical jucture, the company must decide whether to expand or downsize.
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 /ˈɪndɪkənt/

indicant

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

unappeased

Meaning
Not satisfied or calmed; still feeling discontent or anger
Example
Despite the apology, she remained unappeased.
C2 noun /ˈɛpɪɡræm/

epigram

Meaning
A short, witty saying or poem that expresses an idea in a clever way.
Example
Oscar Wilde was famous for his sharp epigrams.
C2 adjective /ɡrʌf/

gruff

Meaning
Rough or stern in manner, speech, or voice.
Example
Despite his gruff manner, he was very kind-hearted.
C2 verb /blæsˈfiːm/

blaspheme

Meaning
to speak irreverently about God or sacred things
Example
He was accused of blaspheming during the heated argument.
C2 noun /ˈbɜːrɡər/

burgher

Meaning
A citizen of a town, typically a member of the wealthy middle class.
Example
The burgher was respected as a prosperous merchant in the city.
C2 noun /ˈvɪtrioʊl/

vitriol

Meaning
harsh and bitter criticism
Example
The politician faced vitriol from the public.
C2 noun, verb /ɡəˈrɒt/

garrote

Meaning
A method of execution by strangulation, or to strangle someone with a cord or wire.
Example
The assassin attempted to garrote his target in the alley.
C2 noun /ˈdʒæk.dɔː/

Jack-daw

Meaning
a small gray and black bird of the crow family, known for its intelligence
Example
The jackdaw collected shiny objects for its nest.
C2 noun /ˈɡɒz.lɪŋ/

gosling

Meaning
a young goose
Example
The mother goose carefully protected her goslings.
C2 noun /bʊr/

Boor

Meaning
a rough and bad-mannered person; someone who lacks refinement or culture
Example
The wealthy businessman was actually a boor who showed no respect for others.
C2 noun /ˈfuːləri/

foolery

Meaning
Silly or foolish behavior or actions.
Example
His constant foolery made the meeting hard to take seriously.
C2 adjective /rɪˈfjuː.tə.bəl/

Refutable

Meaning
capable of being proven wrong or false; able to be disproved
Example
His theory was refutable because it could be tested experimentally.
C2 adjective /ˈsɒmnələnt/

somnolent

Meaning
Sleepy or drowsy; causing a desire to sleep.
Example
The somnolent lecture made half the class fall asleep.
C2 adjective /baɪˈkæmərəl/

bicameral

Meaning
Having two branches or chambers, especially in a legislature.
Example
The United States has a bicameral legislature consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
C2 adjective /ˌɪrɪˈtriːvəbl/

irretrievable

Meaning
impossible to recover or regain
Example
The documents were lost in an irretrievable way after the fire.
C2 verb /ˌriː.kəˈpɪtʃ.ə.leɪt/

recapitulate

Meaning
To summarize and state again the main points of something.
Example
The teacher asked the student to recapitulate the lesson.
C2 verb /rɪˈkwaɪt/

requite

Meaning
to return or repay a favor, service, or feeling
Example
She requited his kindness with a thoughtful gift.
C2 adjective /prəˈpɪʃəs/

propitious

Meaning
giving or indicating a good chance of success; favorable
Example
The sunny weather was a propitious start to the picnic.
C2 adjective /blɑːˈzeɪ/

blase

Meaning
unimpressed or indifferent to something because it has been experienced so often before
Example
After years of luxury travel, she felt blase about another trip to Paris.
C2 adjective /kənˈdʒɛktʃərəl/

conjectural

Meaning
based on guesswork or incomplete evidence rather than certain knowledge
Example
His explanation was purely conjectural and lacked proof.
C2 noun /ˈnɛkrəˌmænsi/

necromancy

Meaning
the practice of communicating with the dead, often to predict the future
Example
Ancient texts described rituals of necromancy performed by priests.
C2 noun /pəˈlɛmɪk/

polemic

Meaning
a strong verbal or written attack on someone or something
Example
The article was a fierce polemic against the government's policies.
C2 adjective /ˈpeɪli/

paly

Meaning
striped with different colors, usually used in heraldry
Example
The knight’s shield was decorated with paly stripes of red and gold.
C2 verb /ˈpɜː.fə.reɪt/

perforate

Meaning
to make a hole or holes through something
Example
The machine can perforate sheets of paper for easy tearing.
C2 adjective /ˌluː.mɪˈnɛs.ənt/

luminescent

Meaning
Emitting light without heat, glowing softly.
Example
The luminescent watch dial was visible in the dark.
C2 verb /ʌnˈfrɒk/

unfrock

Meaning
To remove a priest from his position or deprive someone of a rank.
Example
The corrupt priest was unfrocked after the investigation.
C2 noun /ɡruːəl/

Gruel

Meaning
a thin liquid food of oatmeal or another meal boiled in milk or water
Example
The sick patient could only eat gruel.
C2 noun /ˈkæʒuɪstri/

casuistry

Meaning
The use of clever but false reasoning, especially in relation to moral questions.
Example
The lawyer’s argument was dismissed as mere casuistry.
C2 adjective /ˈɡɔːki/

gawky

Meaning
Awkward and clumsy in appearance or behavior.
Example
The teenager felt gawky in his oversized suit.
C2 adjective /tʃəˈruːbɪk/

cherubic

Meaning
Innocent, sweet, and angelic, like a cherub.
Example
The baby had a cherubic smile that melted everyone’s heart.
C2 verb /ˈsʌli/

sully

Meaning
to damage the purity, integrity, or reputation of something
Example
The scandal sullied the politician’s reputation.
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 noun /ˈsɔː.dər/

Sawder

Meaning
flattering or wheedling talk; soft soap
Example
His sawder couldn't convince anyone of his sincerity.
C2 adjective /mɛnˈdeɪʃəs/

mendacious

Meaning
not telling the truth; lying
Example
The politician was known for his mendacious statements.
C2 noun /ˌɪmprəˈsɑːrioʊ/

impresario

Meaning
A person who organizes or finances concerts, plays, or operas.
Example
The impresario arranged a series of concerts for the rising star.
C2 noun /ɛmˈpɪrɪˌsɪzəm/

empiricism

Meaning
the theory that all knowledge is derived from sense-experience
Example
Empiricism argues that knowledge comes from experience and observation.
C2 noun /ˈkɪzmɛt/

kismet

Meaning
Destiny or fate.
Example
Meeting her on that day felt like pure kismet.
C2 noun /ˈkɒntrəriz/

contraries

Meaning
things that are completely different or opposite to each other
Example
Freedom and slavery are contraries in every sense.
C2 noun /ɪɡˈzækʃən/

exaction

Meaning
the act of demanding or obtaining something, especially unfairly
Example
The peasants suffered under the king's heavy exactions.
C2 noun /neɪv/

nave

Meaning
the central part of a church building intended to accommodate the congregation
Example
The choir sang beautifully in the church nave.
C2 noun /ˈpɜr.kwɪ.zɪt/

Perquisite

Meaning
an additional benefit or privilege given to an employee beyond their regular salary; a special right or advantage
Example
Company car was one of the perquisites of his executive position.
C2 adjective /ˈdəʊl.səm/

dolesome

Meaning
Filled with grief or sadness; mournful.
Example
The dolesome ballad brought tears to their eyes.
C2 verb /æbˈdʒʊər/

abjure

Meaning
to formally renounce or give up a belief, cause, or claim
Example
He abjured his allegiance to the old regime.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈwiːldi/

unwieldy

Meaning
Difficult to carry or move because of its size, shape, or weight.
Example
The box was too unwieldy to carry up the stairs.
C2 adjective /kænˈtæŋ.kər.əs/

cantankerous

Meaning
Bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative.
Example
The cantankerous old man complained about everything.
C2 verb /ˈbændi/

bandy

Meaning
To pass (words, ideas, or gossip) back and forth in a casual or argumentative way.
Example
They bandied jokes across the table.
C2 noun /ˌænəlˈdʒiːziə/

analgesia

Meaning
The inability to feel pain while still conscious.
Example
The doctor induced analgesia before performing the procedure.
C2 adjective /ˌmɛtəˈlɜrdʒɪkəl/

metallurgical

Meaning
Relating to metallurgy or the branch of science concerned with the properties of metals and their production.
Example
He studied metallurgical engineering at the university.
C2 adjective /ˈpɛkənt/

peccant

Meaning
Guilty of a moral offense or wrongdoing; sinful.
Example
The judge declared the peccant official unfit for office.
C2 adjective /ˈæsənənt/

assonant

Meaning
Having or characterized by assonance; repeating similar vowel sounds.
Example
The poem is filled with assonant words that create a musical rhythm.
C2 noun /dɪˈstreɪnər/

distrainor

Meaning
a person, usually a landlord, who seizes another's property for unpaid debt or rent
Example
The distrainor took possession of the tenant's car until the debt was cleared.
C2 noun /feɪt/

fete

Meaning
a celebration or festival, often in honor of someone
Example
The village held a grand fete to celebrate the harvest.
C2 verb /ˈeksɔːrsaɪz/

exorcise

Meaning
To drive out an evil spirit or bad influence through rituals or prayers.
Example
The priest was called to exorcise the spirit from the house.
C2 noun /ˈhæk.ni ˈkær.ɪdʒ/

Hackney carriage

Meaning
A taxi; a car licensed to carry passengers for hire
Example
I called a hackney carriage to get to the airport.
C2 noun ˈfaɪ.təʊˌnjuː.tri.ənts

phytonutrients

Meaning
Bioactive compounds found in plants that have health benefits beyond basic nutrition.
Example
Green tea contains powerful phytonutrients.
C2 noun /ˈmeɪvən/

maven

Meaning
an expert or connoisseur in a particular field
Example
He is a tech maven who always knows the latest trends.
C2 noun /ɪnˈsaɪzər/

incisor

Meaning
a narrow-edged tooth at the front of the mouth, adapted for cutting
Example
The dentist noted that his upper left incisor was chipped.
C2 verb /ʃʌk/

shuck

Meaning
To remove the outer covering, such as the husk of corn or shell of shellfish.
Example
She learned how to shuck oysters quickly.
C2 noun /ruːθ/

ruth

Meaning
A feeling of pity, compassion, or sorrow.
Example
He felt no ruth for the people he had betrayed.
C2 noun /ˈævərɪs/

avarice

Meaning
extreme greed for wealth or material gain
Example
His avarice led him to exploit his workers.
C2 verb /ˈfʌdəl/

fuddle

Meaning
To confuse or stupefy, especially with alcohol or overwhelming information.
Example
The complicated instructions fuddled the new employees.
C2 adjective /ænˈhaɪdrəs/

anhydrous

Meaning
Containing no water.
Example
The chemist used anhydrous ammonia for the experiment.
C2 noun ˌæm.ɔː.tɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

amortization

Meaning
The process of paying off debt with regular payments over time.
Example
The amortization schedule showed a 10-year repayment plan.
C2 noun /ˈvaɪnəri/

vinery

Meaning
A place where vines are cultivated, especially a vineyard or greenhouse for vines.
Example
The old vinery was filled with grapevines.
C2 noun /kɒzˈmɒɡ.ə.ni/

cosmogony

Meaning
the study or theory of the origin of the universe
Example
The book provides an overview of different cosmogonies throughout history.
C2 noun /ˈlɪtɪɡənt/

litigant

Meaning
a person involved in a lawsuit
Example
The court summoned both litigants for the hearing.
C2 verb /əˈɡlɒməˌreɪt/

agglomerate

Meaning
To collect or form into a mass or group.
Example
The dust particles began to agglomerate into larger clusters.
C2 noun /ˈprɪvɪti/

privity

Meaning
A close, private, or special relationship; in law, the direct connection between parties to a contract.
Example
There was no privity of contract between the supplier and the customer.
C2 adjective /ˈmjuːtəbl/

mutable

Meaning
Capable of change or alteration.
Example
Human emotions are mutable and can shift rapidly.
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 noun /ˈɪmɪˌteɪtər/

imitator

Meaning
a person who copies the behavior, style, or actions of others
Example
He became famous as an imitator of popular singers.
C2 adjective /ˈklɛmənt/

clement

Meaning
mild or merciful; describing weather as mild and pleasant
Example
The prisoners hoped for a clement judge.
C2 noun /ˈɡraɪndstoʊn/

grindstone

Meaning
a thick disc of stone used for grinding, sharpening, or polishing tools
Example
The blacksmith sharpened his blade on the grindstone.
C2 adjective /ˌdɛlɪˈkwɛsənt/

deliquescent

Meaning
tending to become liquid by absorbing moisture from the air
Example
Sugar is not deliquescent, but salt can be.
C2 noun /ˈʒɑːndɑːrm/

gendarme

Meaning
A French police officer, especially a member of a military-style police force.
Example
The gendarme stopped the car for a routine check.
C2 adjective /ˈlɔːdəˌtɔːri/

laudatory

Meaning
Expressing praise or admiration.
Example
She wrote a laudatory review of the new book.
C2 verb /ɪnˈdɒktrɪˌneɪt/

indoctrinate

Meaning
To teach someone to fully accept a set of beliefs or ideas without question.
Example
The regime tried to indoctrinate the youth with propaganda.
C2 noun /ˈpɔːpərɪzəm/

pauperism

Meaning
The state of being extremely poor.
Example
The country struggled with rising pauperism in the 19th century.