despot
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C1 noun /ˈdɛspɒt/

despot

Meaning
a ruler with absolute power, often ruling in a cruel or oppressive way
Example
The despot ruled the nation with fear and violence.
C1 verb /ˌrevəˈluːʃənaɪz/

revolutionize

Meaning
Change (something) radically or fundamentally.
Example
Artificial intelligence is set to revolutionize the healthcare sector.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈpɛtʃ.u.əs/

impetuous

Meaning
Acting or done quickly and without thought or care; impulsive.
Example
His impetuous decision led to unexpected consequences.
C1 noun /ˌdiːˈmer.ɪt/

Demerit

Meaning
a fault or disadvantage; a mark given for a fault or offense
Example
The student received a demerit for arriving late to class repeatedly.
C1 adjective /əˈvɜːrs/

averse

Meaning
having a strong dislike of or opposition to something
Example
He was averse to taking unnecessary risks.
C1 verb /dɪˈpriːʃieɪt/

depreciate

Meaning
to reduce in value over time
Example
Cars tend to depreciate quickly in their first few years.
C1 verb /ˈkwɪvər/

quiver

Meaning
To tremble or shake with slight but rapid motion.
Example
Her lips began to quiver as she tried not to cry.
C1 noun /kjʊˈreɪtər/

curator

Meaning
a person who is responsible for the care and management of a museum, gallery, or collection
Example
The curator organized a new exhibition of ancient artifacts.
C1 noun /twɪndʒ/

twinge

Meaning
a sudden, sharp pain or an emotional pang
Example
He felt a twinge of guilt after lying to his friend.
C1 adjective /ˈbrɪslɪŋ/

bristling

Meaning
full of energy, anger, or excitement; showing bristles standing up
Example
He entered the room bristling with confidence.
C1 verb /ˈwɒd.əl/

waddle

Meaning
to walk with short steps and a clumsy swaying motion, like a duck
Example
The duck waddled across the yard.
C1 adjective ˈmer.ɪt beɪst

merit-based

Meaning
Based on or determined by individual merit, ability, or achievement rather than other factors.
Example
Merit-based recruitment strengthens the workforce.
C1 noun /haɪˈpɒtənjuːs/

hypotenuse

Meaning
the longest side of a right-angled triangle, opposite the right angle.
Example
In a right triangle, the hypotenuse is always longer than the other two sides.
C1 noun /ˈvɪɡər/

vigor

Meaning
Physical strength, energy, or enthusiasm.
Example
She tackled the project with great vigor and determination.
C1 adjective /ˈskɛtʃi/

sketchy

Meaning
not thorough or detailed; suspicious or unsafe
Example
The details of the project were still sketchy.
C1 noun /ˈmjuːtɪni/

mutiny

Meaning
an open rebellion against authority, especially by soldiers or sailors
Example
The sailors staged a mutiny against their captain.
C1 noun/verb /stæmˈpiːd/

stampede

Meaning
A sudden, uncontrolled rush of people or animals; to cause a mass movement.
Example
The loud noise caused a stampede of the crowd.
C1 noun /ˈkaʊntərˌpɔɪnt/

counterpoint

Meaning
an argument, idea, or theme contrasting with another; also a musical term for independent melody
Example
Her calm attitude was a counterpoint to his anger.
C1 verb /ˈstɪɡmətaɪz/

stigmatize

Meaning
to describe or regard someone as worthy of disgrace or disapproval
Example
People with certain illnesses are often unfairly stigmatized.
C1 verb /ɪnˈlɪst/

enlist

Meaning
to join or sign up, especially for military service; to secure someone's support or help
Example
He decided to enlist in the army after graduation.
C1 adjective /ɪˈmækjələt/

immaculate

Meaning
perfectly clean, neat, or free from flaws
Example
Her room was immaculate, with everything in its place.
C1 noun /ˈroʊ.lɪŋ bɔːrd/

Rolling board

Meaning
a flat wooden or marble surface used for rolling out dough
Example
She placed the dough on the rolling board.
C1 noun /ˈstɪɡmə/

stigma

Meaning
a mark of shame or disgrace associated with a particular circumstance or quality
Example
There is still a stigma around mental health issues in many societies.
C1 noun /stɪˈlɛtoʊ/

stiletto

Meaning
A small, thin, high-heeled shoe or a dagger with a slender blade.
Example
She wore elegant stiletto heels to the party.
C1 adjective /ˈsiː.naɪl/

senile

Meaning
Showing the weaknesses of old age, especially mental decline.
Example
The old man became senile and forgot familiar faces.
C1 noun /ˈælɪbaɪ/

alibi

Meaning
A claim or piece of evidence that one was elsewhere when an act, typically a crime, was committed.
Example
She had a strong alibi that proved she was at the cinema during the theft.
C1 adjective /ˌmɪsəˈleɪniəs/

Miscellaneous

Meaning
various; diverse; mixed; assorted
Example
The box contained miscellaneous items from different periods.
C1 adjective /ˈɔːrθədɑːks/

orthodox

Meaning
conforming to traditional beliefs or practices
Example
He comes from a very orthodox family.
C1 noun/verb /skɜːrdʒ/

scourge

Meaning
A source of great pain or punishment; to whip or inflict suffering on someone.
Example
Disease and poverty remain a scourge in many regions.
C1 noun /ˈkaʊərdɪs/

cowardice

Meaning
lack of courage; behavior showing fear
Example
His cowardice prevented him from speaking up.
C1 verb /ˈlæmɪˌneɪt/

laminate

Meaning
to cover or enclose something with a protective layer, usually plastic
Example
She laminated her important documents to protect them from damage.
C1 noun /ˈvɛriəns/

variance

Meaning
the state of being different or inconsistent; in statistics, a measure of the spread between numbers
Example
There is a wide variance in students' performance levels.
C1 verb /ˌriːˈkæst/

recast

Meaning
To present or change something in a different form or style.
Example
The director decided to recast the role with a younger actor.
C1 noun /ˈɪn.trə.vɜːrt/

introvert

Meaning
A person who tends to be shy and prefers spending time alone rather than in groups.
Example
As an introvert, he preferred reading over attending parties.
C1 noun /ˈɑn.set/

Onset

Meaning
the beginning or early stages of something; the start of a medical condition
Example
The onset of winter brought heavy snowfall.
C1 noun /rɪˈpɔːrtɪʒ/

reportage

Meaning
the act of reporting news or describing events in the media
Example
The magazine is known for its detailed reportage of political issues.
C1 noun /əˈtjuːn.mənt/

attunement

Meaning
Being in harmony or responsive to someone's emotional state.
Example
Attunement to emotions improves relationships.
C1 noun /truːs/

truce

Meaning
An agreement between enemies or opponents to stop fighting for a certain time.
Example
The two countries agreed to a truce after weeks of intense fighting.
C1 noun /ˌprɒk.ləˈmeɪ.ʃən/

Proclamation

Meaning
an official public announcement, especially one made by someone in authority
Example
The king issued a proclamation declaring peace.
C1 verb /ˈmedɪkeɪt/

medicate

Meaning
to treat with medicine; to give drugs to someone for medical purposes
Example
The doctor will medicate the patient to reduce inflammation.
C1 adjective /ˌaʊtˈlændɪʃ/

outlandish

Meaning
Looking or sounding bizarre or unfamiliar; strange.
Example
He wore an outlandish costume to the festival.
C1 noun /ræmˈbuːtən/

Rambutan

Meaning
a tropical fruit with red spiky skin and white translucent sweet flesh similar to litchi
Example
The rambutan looks scary with its hairy skin but tastes very sweet inside.
C1 adjective /ˈtɪp.tɒp/

Tiptop

Meaning
of the highest quality; excellent; in perfect condition
Example
The car is in tiptop condition.
C1 adjective /ˈtɜːrnkiː/

turnkey

Meaning
ready for immediate use; a complete product or solution
Example
The company provides turnkey solutions for small businesses.
C1 noun /koʊlt/

Colt

Meaning
a young male horse, especially one under four years old
Example
The farmer trained the young colt to accept a saddle.
C1 noun dʒuːˈdɪʃ.ər.i

judiciary

Meaning
The judicial authorities of a country; the system of courts that interprets and applies the law.
Example
The judiciary ensures the rule of law.
C1 noun /ˈpær.ə.di/

Parody

Meaning
an imitation of a particular style for comic effect; a humorous exaggerated copy
Example
The comedy show featured a parody of famous politicians.
C1 noun /kənˈfɔːrməns/

conformance

Meaning
The act of conforming to a rule, standard, or law.
Example
The product was tested for conformance with safety standards.
C1 noun /ʃoʊl/

shoal

Meaning
a large group of fish swimming together; a shallow place in water
Example
We saw a shoal of fish near the coast.
C1 noun sɜːrˈkeɪdiən ˈrɪðəm

circadian rhythm

Meaning
The body's natural sleep-wake cycle that occurs within 24 hours
Example
Exposure to natural light regulates the circadian rhythm.
C1 adjective /ˈɪnfəməs/

infamous

Meaning
well known for some bad quality or deed
Example
The dictator was infamous for his cruelty.
C1 noun /ˈɪŋ.krə.mənt/

Increment

Meaning
an increase or addition, especially one of a series on a fixed scale; a regular increase in salary
Example
He received an annual increment of five percent in his salary this year.
C1 verb /ˌkɒm.pɑːtˈmen.təl.aɪz/

compartmentalize

Meaning
To divide into sections or categories; to separate things into compartments.
Example
To increase efficiency, he compartmentalized his work tasks.
C1 adjective /ˈkɔːrdiəl/

Cordial

Meaning
warmly friendly; sincere; heartfelt
Example
She gave us a cordial welcome at the front door.
C1 verb /ˈdɪsləkeɪt/

dislocate

Meaning
To disturb the normal position of something, especially a joint in the body.
Example
He dislocated his shoulder while playing football.
C1 noun /slæɡ/

slag

Meaning
Stony waste matter separated from metals during the smelting process.
Example
The factory dumped the slag near the river.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈsɒlvənt/

insolvent

Meaning
unable to pay debts owed
Example
The insolvent firm could not meet its financial obligations.
C1 verb /ˈrʌm.ɪdʒ/

rummage

Meaning
to search through something in a disorderly way
Example
He rummaged through the drawer for his keys.
C1 verb /əˈnʌl/

annul

Meaning
to declare something legally invalid or cancel it
Example
The court decided to annul the marriage due to fraud.
C1 adjective /ˈliː.θəl/

Lethal

Meaning
deadly; fatal; capable of causing death
Example
The snake's venom is lethal to humans if not treated immediately.
C1 adjective /juːˈbɪkwɪtəs/

ubiquitous

Meaning
Existing or being everywhere at the same time.
Example
Social media has become ubiquitous among young people.
C1 adjective /ˈsæk.rəˌsæŋkt/

sacrosanct

Meaning
Regarded as too important or valuable to be interfered with; sacred.
Example
Freedom of speech is considered sacrosanct in democratic societies.
C1 adjective ɪmˈpɪr.ɪ.kəl

empirical

Meaning
Based on, concerned with, or verifiable by observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic.
Example
Scientific research relies on empirical evidence.
C1 adjective /daɪər/

Dire

Meaning
extremely serious; urgent; terrible
Example
The country is facing a dire economic crisis.
C1 verb diːˈsɛn.sɪ.taɪz

desensitize

Meaning
To make someone less sensitive or reactive to something through repeated exposure.
Example
Constant exposure to violence can desensitize people.
C1 adverb /ˈfɪksɪdli/

Fixedly

Meaning
in a steady, unmoving manner; with intense concentration
Example
He stared fixedly at the painting.
C1 noun /ˈpoʊlstər/

pollster

Meaning
a person or organization that conducts surveys to gauge public opinion
Example
The pollster predicted a close election outcome.
C1 noun /ˈtrɪŋkɪt/

trinket

Meaning
a small ornament or piece of jewelry that is not expensive
Example
She bought a little trinket from the beach market as a souvenir.
C1 adjective /nɑːkˈtɜr.nəl/

Nocturnal

Meaning
active at night; happening during the night
Example
Owls are nocturnal animals that hunt at night.
C1 noun /ˈpɑːrtʃmənt/

parchment

Meaning
a thin material made from animal skin, used in the past for writing
Example
The ancient manuscript was written on parchment.
C1 adjective /ˈɡruːəlɪŋ/

grueling

Meaning
Extremely tiring and demanding.
Example
The athletes faced a grueling training session.
C1 noun ˈaʊt.sɔːr.sɪŋ

outsourcing

Meaning
The practice of having certain job functions done outside a company instead of having an in-house department or employee handle them.
Example
Many companies use outsourcing to reduce labor costs.
C1 adjective /ˈstɪltɪd/

stilted

Meaning
Speech or writing that is stiff, unnatural, or overly formal.
Example
His speech sounded stilted and rehearsed.
C1 adjective ˌsɪmbɪˈɒtɪk

symbiotic

Meaning
Involving interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association.
Example
The relationship between the bee and the flower is symbiotic.
C1 noun prɪˈzɝː.və.tɪv

preservative

Meaning
A chemical substance that prevents decay, fermentation, or other natural processes that cause food deterioration.
Example
Artificial preservatives are harmful to health.
C1 noun /vɪnˈjɛt/

vignette

Meaning
A short, descriptive piece of writing or a brief scene.
Example
The author included a poignant vignette in the introduction of the book.
C1 noun /kwɜːrk/

Quirk

Meaning
a peculiar behavioral habit; an unexpected turn or twist
Example
Her quirk of always wearing mismatched socks made her unique.
C1 noun /blɪs/

Bliss

Meaning
perfect happiness; great joy
Example
She felt pure bliss while watching the beautiful sunset.
C1 noun /æɡˈnɒs.tɪk/

agnostic

Meaning
a person who believes that nothing is known or can be known about the existence of God; uncertain in belief
Example
He described himself as an agnostic rather than an atheist.
C1 noun /ˌɔːkʃəˈnɪər/

auctioneer

Meaning
a person who conducts auctions by calling out bids and selling items to the highest bidder
Example
The auctioneer quickly raised the price as bidders competed for the painting.
C1 verb /swɜːrv/

swerve

Meaning
to change direction suddenly, especially to avoid hitting something
Example
The car swerved to avoid the dog.
C1 noun /ɪˈlɛk.trəʊ.laɪts/

electrolytes

Meaning
Minerals in body fluids that carry an electric charge and are essential for many bodily functions.
Example
Electrolytes help maintain proper fluid balance in the body.
C1 adjective /ˌɪndɪˈskraɪbəbəl/

Indescribable

Meaning
impossible to describe or express in words; beyond description
Example
The beauty of the sunset was indescribable.
C1 noun /ˈsɛdətɪv/

sedative

Meaning
A substance that calms the nerves or induces sleep.
Example
The doctor prescribed a sedative to help the patient sleep.
C1 noun /əˈbændənmənt/

abandonment

Meaning
the act of leaving someone or something behind completely; the state of being deserted
Example
The child suffered deep emotional pain because of abandonment.
C1 noun kəˈmjunəl ˈhɑrməni

communal harmony

Meaning
Peaceful coexistence and cooperation among different groups in a community.
Example
Maintaining communal harmony requires mutual respect and understanding.
C1 verb /bɪˈreɪt/

berate

Meaning
to scold or criticize angrily
Example
The teacher berated the student for being late.
C1 verb /ɪˈroʊd/

erode

Meaning
to gradually wear away or destroy by natural forces such as water, wind, or chemical action
Example
The coastline has begun to erode due to constant waves.
C1 verb /daɪˈleɪt/

dilate

Meaning
To make wider, larger, or more open.
Example
The doctor used drops to dilate the patient's pupils.
C1 noun /ˈwʊd.ən ˈsæn.dəl/

Wooden sandal

Meaning
a type of footwear made of wood, typically worn as traditional shoes
Example
She wore wooden sandals to the traditional ceremony.
C1 adjective /ˌɛk.spəˈnɛn.ʃəl/

exponential

Meaning
Rapid growth or expansion at an increasing rate
Example
Technology is advancing at an exponential rate.
C1 adjective /ˈɡreɪsləs/

graceless

Meaning
Lacking elegance, charm, or social refinement.
Example
His graceless behavior embarrassed everyone at the party.
C1 noun /ˈɛf.ɪ.kə.si/

efficacy

Meaning
The ability to produce a desired or intended result; effectiveness.
Example
The efficacy of the vaccine has been proven in trials.
C1 noun /vʌlˈɡær.ɪ.ti/

Vulgarity

Meaning
the quality of being rude, offensive, or indecent; lack of sophistication or good taste
Example
The comedian's jokes were criticized for their vulgarity.
C1 noun /ˈtem.pər.ə.mənt/

Temperament

Meaning
a person's natural disposition or mood; characteristic behavior patterns
Example
She has a calm temperament that helps her handle stress well.
C1 noun /ˈrez.ɪ.dənt ˈkəʊ.ɔː.dɪ.neɪ.tər/

resident coordinator

Meaning
A local administrator or official who coordinates activities in a specific region.
Example
The resident coordinator welcomed all representatives.
C1 verb /hjuːˈmɪlieɪt/

humiliate

Meaning
to make someone feel ashamed or foolish by injuring their dignity
Example
He was humiliated by his public failure.
C1 adjective /kəˈləʊ.kwi.əl/

colloquial

Meaning
Used in ordinary conversation rather than formal speech or writing; informal language.
Example
His colloquial expressions made the speech relatable.
C1 adjective /ˈwoʊ.fəl/

woeful

Meaning
full of woe; very sad or miserable; also used to mean very bad or deplorable
Example
He gave me a woeful look when he lost the match.
C1 noun /ˈɑːrmfʊl/

armful

Meaning
As much as can be carried in one or both arms.
Example
She carried an armful of books into the library.
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 /ˈdjuːplɛks/

duplex

Meaning
A house or apartment divided into two separate residences.
Example
They live in a duplex near the city center.
C1 noun /nɑːtʃ/

notch

Meaning
A small cut or groove on the edge or surface of something; a level or degree of achievement.
Example
He carved a notch on the stick to mark the days.
C1 noun /wɪm/

whim

Meaning
a sudden or unpredictable idea, desire, or decision
Example
She bought the dress on a whim.
C1 verb /kənˈvɜːrdʒ/

converge

Meaning
to come together from different directions; to meet at a point
Example
The roads converge at the city center.
C1 verb /ɪmˈpɪndʒ/

impinge

Meaning
to have an effect or impact on something; to encroach or infringe
Example
The noise from the construction site impinges on our daily activities.
C1 verb /ˈpærəlaɪz/

paralyze

Meaning
to cause someone or something to lose the ability to move or function normally
Example
The sudden shock seemed to paralyze him.
C1 noun /ɪˈklɪps/

Eclipse

Meaning
an obscuring of light from one celestial body by another; a decline or loss
Example
The total solar eclipse darkened the sky for several minutes.
C1 noun/verb /freɪ/

fray

Meaning
As a noun, a fight or heated dispute; as a verb, to unravel or wear out through friction.
Example
He tried to stay calm, but his nerves began to fray during the argument.
C1 noun ˌdɪm.ɪˈnjuː.ʃən

diminution

Meaning
A reduction in the size, extent, or importance of something; decrease.
Example
There has been a diminution in air pollution.
C1 noun /ˈwaɪt.lɪst.ɪŋ/

whitelisting

Meaning
Identifying specific users, software, or IP addresses as safe and trusted
Example
Only verified applications are allowed through whitelisting.
C1 adjective /ˌpæn.əˈræm.ɪk/

panoramic

Meaning
Giving a wide view of an extensive area in all directions.
Example
The hotel offers panoramic views of the ocean.
C1 verb /əˈtoʊn/

atone

Meaning
to make amends for a wrong or injury; to make reparation
Example
He tried to atone for his mistakes by helping others.
C1 verb /ˈkætəˌlaɪz/

catalyze

Meaning
To cause or accelerate a reaction or change.
Example
The new law catalyzed reforms across the sector.
C1 adjective /praɪˈmiːvəl/

primeval

Meaning
Relating to the earliest ages in history; ancient and primitive.
Example
The explorers ventured into the primeval forest untouched by humans.
C1 verb /trænˈzækt/

transact

Meaning
to conduct or carry out business, a deal, or activity
Example
Customers can transact their banking online.
C1 adjective/noun /fəˈrɛns.ɪk/

forensic

Meaning
Scientific analysis applied to criminal or legal matters
Example
Forensic experts analyze cybercrimes using advanced tools.
C1 verb /ˈstæmər/

stammer

Meaning
To speak with sudden involuntary pauses and a tendency to repeat the initial letters of words.
Example
The nervous student began to stammer during his speech.
C1 adjective /ˈplʌk.i/

plucky

Meaning
having or showing courage and determination
Example
The plucky child rescued the kitten from the tree.
C1 noun /ɪnˈkɜːrʒən/

incursion

Meaning
A sudden attack or invasion into a place or territory.
Example
The army repelled the enemy incursion at the border.
C1 verb /kʌl/

cull

Meaning
to select or remove from a larger group, often to reduce numbers
Example
The farmers decided to cull the sick animals from the herd.