deliquescent
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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 adjective /rɪˈmɪs/

remiss

Meaning
Negligent in performing a duty or responsibility.
Example
The manager was remiss in not checking the financial reports carefully.
C2 noun /ˈɔːrdnəns/

ordnance

Meaning
Military supplies including weapons, ammunition, and combat equipment.
Example
The army stored ordnance in a secure facility outside the city.
C2 verb /bɪˈhəʊv/

behove

Meaning
British spelling of 'behoove'; to be appropriate or necessary
Example
It would behove the company to listen to its customers.
C2 noun /meɪˈlɑːnʒ/

melange

Meaning
A mixture of different things or styles.
Example
The festival offered a melange of music, food, and art.
C2 adjective /ˈdjuːtiəs/

duteous

Meaning
dutiful; obedient and respectful
Example
The duteous child always followed her parents’ instructions.
C2 verb /ˈsɛreɪt/

serrate

Meaning
To make a saw-toothed edge or notched margin.
Example
The craftsman serrated the knife blade for better cutting.
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 /dɛnˈdrɒlədʒi/

dendrology

Meaning
the scientific study of trees and woody plants
Example
He is studying dendrology at the university.
C2 adjective /əˈfɪʃəs/

officious

Meaning
Excessively eager to offer unwanted help or advice; meddlesome.
Example
The officious guard kept interrupting the visitors with unnecessary instructions.
C2 verb /fɪˈneɪɡəl/

finagle

Meaning
to obtain something by cleverness or trickery
Example
He finagled a free ticket by pretending to be a VIP guest.
C2 verb /kəˈlʌmnieɪt/

calumniate

Meaning
To make false and damaging statements about someone; to slander.
Example
He was furious when he realized they had calumniated his reputation.
C2 verb /ɪnˈtɜːrpəˌleɪt/

interpolate

Meaning
To insert something, often words, into a text or conversation; to estimate values between known data points.
Example
The editor interpolated a missing paragraph into the manuscript.
C2 noun /ˈpiːs ɡʊdz/

Piece-goods

Meaning
textiles or fabrics sold by the yard or meter; cloth materials
Example
The tailor bought piece-goods from the wholesale market to make custom dresses.
C2 noun /rɪˈpæst/

repast

Meaning
A meal or the food eaten during a meal.
Example
They enjoyed a delicious repast by the riverside.
C2 noun /mɔːrˈtɪʃən/

mortician

Meaning
a person whose job is to prepare dead bodies for burial or cremation and to arrange funerals
Example
The mortician prepared the body for the funeral service.
C2 noun /ɪˌkliːziˈæstɪk/

ecclesiastic

Meaning
A member of the clergy or church official.
Example
The council was attended by several high-ranking ecclesiastics.
C2 noun /ˈsuːθˌseɪər/

soothsayer

Meaning
a person who claims to predict the future
Example
The king consulted a soothsayer before going to war.
C2 verb /ˌmɪsˈleɪ/

mislay

Meaning
to lose something temporarily by putting it in the wrong place
Example
I must have mislaid my keys somewhere in the house.
C2 noun /ˈdʌlərd/

dullard

Meaning
a slow or stupid person
Example
He was considered a dullard by his classmates.
C2 verb /kəˈnaɪv/

connive

Meaning
to secretly allow or be involved in a wrongdoing
Example
The manager connived with the supplier to cheat the company.
C2 noun /ˈzɛfər/

zephyr

Meaning
A soft gentle breeze.
Example
A warm zephyr blew through the valley.
C2 noun /ˈfaɪər.brænd/

firebrand

Meaning
a person who is passionate about a cause, often inciting change or action
Example
The activist was a true firebrand, inspiring everyone around him to join the protest.
C2 noun /ˈræp.aɪn/

rapine

Meaning
the violent seizure of someone's property
Example
The war was marked by rapine and destruction.
C2 noun /ˈfoʊ.nə.ɡræm/

phonogram

Meaning
a written symbol representing a speech sound
Example
The teacher showed how each phonogram represents a particular sound.
C2 noun /ˈfrɛʃɪt/

freshet

Meaning
A sudden overflow of a stream or river caused by heavy rain or melting snow.
Example
After the storm, the river turned into a raging freshet.
C2 noun /ˈklæpər/

clapper

Meaning
The free-swinging metal piece inside a bell that strikes it to produce sound.
Example
The clapper inside the bell was broken.
C2 noun /ɛnˈsɪklɪkəl/

encyclical

Meaning
a formal letter sent by the Pope to Catholic churches, usually addressing important issues
Example
The Pope issued an encyclical on climate change and moral responsibility.
C2 adjective /ˈroʊziət/

roseate

Meaning
Having a pink color; optimistic or idealistic.
Example
She looked at the future with roseate optimism.
C2 noun /ˈpɑːrsɪmoʊni/

parsimony

Meaning
extreme unwillingness to spend money or use resources
Example
His parsimony was evident in the way he avoided any unnecessary expenses.
C2 verb /həˈræŋ/

harangue

Meaning
to deliver a long, passionate, and often angry speech
Example
The politician harangued the crowd for over an hour.
C2 adjective /ˈoʊ.kən/

oaken

Meaning
made of or resembling oak wood
Example
The villagers gathered around the oaken table in the hall.
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 verb /əˈkluːd/

occlude

Meaning
To block or close up an opening or passage.
Example
The pipe was occluded by mineral deposits.
C2 noun /voʊˈsɪfərəns/

vociferance

Meaning
the act of shouting or making a loud outcry
Example
The vociferance of the protesters filled the streets.
C2 noun /ɪnˈsɪpiəns/

incipience

Meaning
the beginning or initial stage of something
Example
The project was still in its incipience when funding was approved.
C2 adjective /ˈhɔːrtətɪv/

hortative

Meaning
Giving strong encouragement or urging.
Example
The teacher gave a hortative speech to motivate the students before the exam.
C2 adjective /ləˈkɒnɪk/

laconic

Meaning
using very few words; concise to the point of seeming rude or mysterious
Example
His laconic reply ended the conversation quickly.
C2 noun /ɪkˌspɒstjʊˈleɪʃən/

expostulation

Meaning
the act of expressing protest or disagreement
Example
His expostulation against the unfair rules was ignored.
C2 verb /ˌkaʊntərˈveɪl/

countervail

Meaning
to offset or counteract the effect of something
Example
The benefits of the new policy countervail its drawbacks.
C2 adjective /ˈwɜːkmənˌlaɪk/

workmanlike

Meaning
Showing efficient, competent, and practical skill, but without flair or creativity.
Example
The carpenter delivered a workmanlike performance on the project.
C2 noun /rɪˈfrɪndʒənsi/

refringency

Meaning
The ability of a substance to bend light; refractive power.
Example
Glass has a higher refringency than water.
C2 noun /ˈfɛndər/

fender

Meaning
a part of a vehicle that frames a wheel well to protect against mud or debris
Example
The car's fender was dented in the accident.
C2 noun /ˈspɛndˌθrɪft/

spendthrift

Meaning
A person who spends money extravagantly or wastefully.
Example
The young prince was known as a spendthrift, wasting his fortune on lavish parties.
C2 verb /rɪˈkjʊə/

recure

Meaning
to cure again; to remedy a second time
Example
The doctor had to recure the wound after it reopened.
C2 noun /ˌbeɪt ˈnwɑːr/

bete noire

Meaning
A person or thing that one particularly dislikes or fears.
Example
Grammar has always been his bete noire.
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 /kənˈdʒɛktʃərəl/

conjectural

Meaning
based on guesswork or incomplete evidence rather than certain knowledge
Example
His explanation was purely conjectural and lacked proof.
C2 noun /ˌfəʊ.təʊ.sen.sɪˈtɪv.ɪ.ti/

photosensitivity

Meaning
Sensitivity to light, especially abnormal sensitivity that may cause discomfort or damage.
Example
Overrubbing can increase photosensitivity.
C2 adjective /ˈɡɔːdi/

gaudy

Meaning
excessively showy or flashy, often in a tasteless way
Example
She wore a gaudy necklace that clashed with her elegant dress.
C2 noun /ˌskʌlˈdʌɡəri/

skullduggery

Meaning
dishonest behavior or activities, often done secretly
Example
The election was full of political skullduggery.
C2 noun /ˈstrɪplɪŋ/

stripling

Meaning
a young man who is not yet fully grown
Example
The stripling dreamed of becoming a brave knight.
C2 noun /prɪˈzɛntmənt/

presentment

Meaning
The act of presenting something formally or officially; a formal statement or document.
Example
The lawyer made a presentment of the evidence to the court.
C2 adjective /ˌkrɪp.təˈɡræf.ɪk/

cryptographic

Meaning
Relating to cryptography; involving or using secret codes or ciphers for security.
Example
Banks use cryptographic technology to protect transactions.
C2 noun /ˈliːdʒənəri/

legionary

Meaning
a soldier in the Roman army
Example
Each legionary carried a shield and a short sword.
C2 noun /ˈfrɛs.koʊ/

fresco

Meaning
A painting done rapidly in watercolor on wet plaster so that the colors penetrate the surface
Example
The church walls were decorated with beautiful frescoes.
C2 noun /ˈfoʊ.li.oʊ/

folio

Meaning
A sheet of paper folded once to form two leaves (four pages) of a book; also a term for a large book or manuscript.
Example
The library houses an ancient Shakespeare folio.
C2 noun /ˈɒnwiː/ or /ˈɑːnwiː/

ennui

Meaning
A feeling of boredom, listlessness, or dissatisfaction arising from lack of excitement.
Example
After weeks of doing nothing, he sank into a deep sense of ennui.
C2 verb /ˈsʌn.dər/

sunder

Meaning
To split apart or separate, especially with force.
Example
The war sundered families and friends.
C2 adjective /ˈmʌsti/

musty

Meaning
having a stale, moldy, or damp smell
Example
The old books had a musty odor.
C2 noun /ˈæmɪti/

amity

Meaning
A friendly relationship between people or countries.
Example
The treaty helped maintain amity between the neighboring nations.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈblʌʃɪŋ/

Unblushing

Meaning
showing no shame or embarrassment; boldly shameless
Example
He told the unblushing lie without any hesitation.
C2 noun /ˈlɪmərɪk/

limerick

Meaning
a humorous five-line poem with a specific rhythm and rhyme scheme (AABBA).
Example
She recited a funny limerick at the party.
C2 noun /ˌpærəˈɡɔːrɪk/

paregoric

Meaning
a medicine containing opium, once used to relieve pain and diarrhea
Example
Doctors once prescribed paregoric to treat diarrhea in children.
C2 adjective /ˌɪntərˈlɒkjətəri/

interlocutory

Meaning
Given during the course of a legal action, not final but temporary or provisional.
Example
The judge issued an interlocutory order to maintain the status quo until the hearing.
C2 noun /ˌɛn.biː.esˈpiː/

nbsp

Meaning
a non-breaking space character in HTML used to prevent an automatic line break at its position
Example
Use   in HTML to add a space that won't break into a new line.
C2 verb /biˈætɪfaɪ/

beatify

Meaning
to make blessed or holy, especially in the Roman Catholic Church, to declare a deceased person to be among the blessed
Example
The pope decided to beatify the martyr for his faith and sacrifice.
C2 adjective /djuːˈplɪsɪtəs/

duplicitous

Meaning
Deceitful; deliberately deceptive or dishonest.
Example
The politician was criticized for his duplicitous statements.
C2 noun /ˈʌndərlɪŋ/

underling

Meaning
a person of low rank or importance; a subordinate
Example
The manager ordered his underlings to finish the task quickly.
C2 verb /ˈrævɪʃ/

ravish

Meaning
To fill with intense delight; to captivate or enchant.
Example
The beauty of the sunset ravished the travelers.
C2 verb /ˈɡlaʊ.ər/

glower

Meaning
To look at someone with an angry or sullen expression.
Example
He glowered at his rival across the room.
C2 noun /ˈdʌblɪt/

doublet

Meaning
a close-fitting jacket worn by men in the Renaissance; also, a pair of similar things
Example
The actor wore a velvet doublet for the Shakespearean play.
C2 verb /diːˈlɪmɪt/

delimit

Meaning
to fix the boundaries or limits of something
Example
The treaty was signed to delimit the borders of the two countries.
C2 noun /ˈæp.ɪˌkʌl.tʃər/

apiculture

Meaning
The practice of keeping and raising bees for honey and other products.
Example
Apiculture plays a vital role in agriculture by supporting pollination.
C2 adjective /əˈɡeɪp/ or /əˈɡɑːp/

agape

Meaning
With the mouth wide open in surprise or wonder.
Example
She stood agape at the breathtaking view.
C2 adjective/verb /ɪnˈkɑːrneɪt/

incarnate

Meaning
to embody or represent in human form; in flesh
Example
She is kindness incarnate.
C2 noun /ˈheɪ.deɪ/

Hey day

Meaning
the period of a person's or thing's greatest success, popularity, or vigor; prime time
Example
During her heyday as a singer, she performed in sold-out concerts around the world.
C2 adjective /əˈmɔːrfəs/

amorphous

Meaning
Lacking a clear shape or form; without a defined structure.
Example
The plan remained amorphous and lacked concrete details.
C2 adjective /ˌɪndɪˈfætɪɡəbl̩/

indefatigable

Meaning
persisting tirelessly; incapable of being fatigued
Example
Her indefatigable spirit kept the team motivated during the long project.
C2 adjective /daɪˈɒsɪsən/

diocesan

Meaning
relating to a diocese or the district under the supervision of a bishop in the Christian Church
Example
The diocesan council met to discuss church affairs.
C2 adjective /ˌpɛntəˈveɪlənt/

pentavalent

Meaning
Having a valence of five, especially in chemistry.
Example
Phosphorus can exist in a pentavalent state.
C2 noun /ˌhaɪdroʊdaɪˈnæmɪks/

hydrodynamics

Meaning
The branch of science concerned with the motion of fluids, especially liquids, and the forces acting on solid bodies immersed in fluids.
Example
Hydrodynamics is essential in designing efficient ship hulls.
C2 adjective /dɪˈluːsɪv/

delusive

Meaning
Giving a false or misleading impression; deceptive.
Example
His promises turned out to be delusive and untrustworthy.
C2 adjective /ˈrɛkənˌdaɪt/ or /ˈrɛkəndaɪt/

recondite

Meaning
Little known or difficult to understand.
Example
The professor’s lecture was full of recondite theories.
C2 noun /ˈæntɪkwɛri/

antiquary

Meaning
A person who studies, collects, or deals in antiques or ancient objects.
Example
The antiquary spent years collecting rare manuscripts from the medieval period.
C2 noun /ˈpjuːɪsəns/

puissance

Meaning
Great power, strength, or influence.
Example
The empire showed its puissance through vast armies.
C2 verb /ˈwɔːbəl/

warble

Meaning
To sing or whistle with a quavering voice or with trills.
Example
The bird warbled a sweet tune in the morning.
C2 adjective /dɪsˈpɛptɪk/

dyspeptic

Meaning
Relating to indigestion or having a gloomy or irritable disposition.
Example
After the heavy meal, he felt dyspeptic and uncomfortable.
C2 verb /əˈbɑː.mə.neɪt/

abominate

Meaning
to feel hatred or loathing for something
Example
She abominates cruelty to animals.
C2 adjective /ˌmælˈoʊdərəs/

malodorous

Meaning
Having a very unpleasant smell.
Example
The malodorous room made everyone leave quickly.
C2 noun /ˈræʃənəlɪzəm/

rationalism

Meaning
a belief or theory that opinions and actions should be based on reason and knowledge rather than religious belief or emotion
Example
Rationalism emphasizes logic and reasoning over faith.
C2 adjective /hɛkˈsæŋɡjələr/

hexangular

Meaning
Having six angles or corners.
Example
The artist designed a hexangular frame for the mirror.
C2 verb /kənˈdjuːs/

conduce

Meaning
To help bring about a particular result; to contribute to something.
Example
Regular exercise conduces to better health.
C2 adjective /ˈæsɪnaɪn/

asinine

Meaning
Extremely foolish or stupid.
Example
It was an asinine idea to drive into the storm without checking the weather.
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 /baɪˈmɛstər/

bimester

Meaning
A period of two months.
Example
The academic program is divided into six bimesters.
C2 noun /ˈbʌskɪn/

buskin

Meaning
A type of thick-soled boot that reaches halfway to the knee; also associated with tragic drama in ancient times.
Example
The actor wore a buskin as part of his classical costume.
C2 adjective /ˌɪnfɪnɪˈtɛsɪməl/

infinitesimal

Meaning
Extremely small in size or amount; so tiny as to be almost negligible.
Example
The error was so infinitesimal that it didn’t affect the results.
C2 noun/adjective /rɪˈmɒnstrənt/

remonstrant

Meaning
A person who makes a forceful protest (noun); protesting or objecting (adjective).
Example
He was a remonstrant voice in the assembly.
C2 noun, verb /ˈkæŋkər/

canker

Meaning
A fungal disease of plants; an ulcerous sore in the mouth; to corrupt or destroy slowly
Example
The tree was infected with a canker that damaged its bark.
C2 adjective /blaɪð/

blithe

Meaning
Showing a casual and cheerful indifference considered improper or carefree happiness.
Example
She had a blithe disregard for the rules.
C2 verb /ɪkˈstɛnjueɪt/

extenuate

Meaning
to make an offense, fault, or situation seem less serious by providing an excuse or explanation
Example
The lawyer tried to extenuate his client's actions by highlighting his difficult childhood.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈɡreɪʃiˌeɪtɪŋ/

ingratiating

Meaning
Charming or flattering in a way intended to gain favor.
Example
His ingratiating smile made everyone trust him quickly.
C2 adjective /ˈprɑːflɪɡət/

profligate

Meaning
recklessly extravagant or wasteful in resources
Example
The king was known for his profligate lifestyle.
C2 verb /sɛkˈstuːpəl/

sextuple

Meaning
to make or become six times as great or as many
Example
Within two quarters, the campaign sextupled their daily sign-ups.
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 noun /ˌpærəˈnɔɪæk/

paranoiac

Meaning
A person who suffers from paranoia or exhibits extreme, irrational distrust and suspicion.
Example
The paranoiac refused to leave his house, fearing everyone was against him.
C2 noun /ˈsaʊər wʊd ˈæp.əl/

Sour wood apple

Meaning
a tropical fruit with hard shell and tangy flesh; elephant apple
Example
The sour wood apple has a unique taste that many people enjoy.
C2 noun /ˈmætrɪˌsaɪd/

matricide

Meaning
The act of killing one's own mother.
Example
The crime of matricide shocked the entire town.
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 verb /ˈɪndjʊˌreɪt/

indurate

Meaning
To harden or make something physically or emotionally tough.
Example
Years of hardship indurated his spirit.
C2 noun /nɪˈkrɒlədʒi/

necrology

Meaning
An obituary notice or a list of people who have recently died.
Example
The newspaper published a necrology of notable figures who passed away that year.
C2 noun /ˌæs.əˈfet.ɪ.də/

Asafoetida

Meaning
a pungent spice derived from the resin of a plant, commonly used in Indian cooking
Example
A pinch of asafoetida adds a distinctive flavor to the lentil curry.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈkɑːdʒɪtənt/

incogitant

Meaning
Lacking thought; inconsiderate or thoughtless.
Example
It was incogitant of him to make such a rude comment.
C2 noun /floʊ/

floe

Meaning
a large sheet of floating ice
Example
The polar bears rested on the ice floe.
C2 noun /məˈdæliən/

medallion

Meaning
a large medal or decorative piece, often worn as jewelry or used in architecture
Example
She wore a gold medallion around her neck.
C2 verb /ˌsuːpərˈæn.ju.eɪt/

superannuate

Meaning
to retire someone with a pension, usually due to age or long service
Example
The company decided to superannuate its senior employees after thirty years of service.
C2 noun /ˈlæki/

lackey

Meaning
a person who is overly willing to serve or obey someone else
Example
He treated his assistant like a mere lackey.
C2 adjective/noun /fɪˈduː.ʃi.er.i/

fiduciary

Meaning
Involving trust, especially with regard to the relationship between a trustee and a beneficiary.
Example
Banks have fiduciary duties towards their clients.
C2 noun /ˈɑːrkeɪˌɪzəm/

archaism

Meaning
a word, expression, or style of language that is no longer in everyday use
Example
The poem is full of archaisms that give it an old-fashioned flavor.
C2 noun /ˈɒbsɪkwi/

obsequy

Meaning
A funeral rite, usually used in plural form obsequies.
Example
The village gathered for the obsequy of their beloved teacher.