distain
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C2 verb /dɪsˈteɪn/

distain

Meaning
to treat with scorn or contempt (archaic form of disdain)
Example
He would never distain those who had less fortune than him.
C2 noun /dɪˈsɛnʃən/

dissension

Meaning
Strong disagreement or difference of opinion, especially leading to discord within a group.
Example
The meeting ended in dissension among the committee members.
C2 noun /ˌdɛspəˈrɑːdoʊ/

desperado

Meaning
A bold, reckless, or dangerous person, often a criminal.
Example
The sheriff was determined to capture the desperado who terrorized the town.
C2 noun /dɪˈstɛnʃən/

distention

Meaning
The state of being swollen due to internal pressure.
Example
The patient complained of abdominal pain and distention.
C2 noun /ˌdɪsɪnklɪˈneɪʃən/

disinclination

Meaning
a lack of willingness or desire to do something
Example
She showed a clear disinclination to join the meeting.
C2 noun /dɪˈmeɪn/

demesne

Meaning
Land attached to a manor and retained for the owner's use.
Example
The castle was surrounded by its vast demesne.
C2 noun /ˈdeɪ.mæn/

day-man

Meaning
a worker employed by the day; a day laborer
Example
The farmer hired a day-man to help with the harvest.
C2 verb /ˌdɪsəˈbjuːz/

disabuse

Meaning
To free someone from a false belief or misconception.
Example
The teacher tried to disabuse the students of their misunderstanding.
C2 noun /ˌdɪvɪˈneɪʃən/

divination

Meaning
the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means
Example
Ancient people often relied on divination to guide important decisions.
C2 noun /ˈdɛftnəs/

deftness

Meaning
Skillfulness and quickness in action or thought.
Example
Her deftness with words impressed the audience.
C2 verb /ˌdɪskəmˈbɑːbjuleɪt/

discombobulate

Meaning
to confuse or disconcert; to upset the normal order
Example
The sudden question seemed to discombobulate him.
C2 adjective /dɪˈrɒɡətɪv/

derogative

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

deliquesce

Meaning
to become liquid by absorbing moisture from the air
Example
The salt began to deliquesce after being left in the humid room.
C2 noun /ˌdɪsɪˈpeɪʃən/

dissipation

Meaning
the process of disappearing or wasting; excessive indulgence in pleasure
Example
The dissipation of his fortune left him in poverty.
C2 noun /dɜːrdʒ/

dirge

Meaning
A mournful song, piece of music, or poem expressing grief, often for the dead.
Example
The choir sang a solemn dirge at the funeral.
C2 noun /dɪsˈjuːnjən/

disunion

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

divulgence

Meaning
the act of revealing or disclosing something secret or private
Example
The divulgence of company secrets caused a major scandal.
C2 adjective /ˈdɛprɪkətɔːri/

deprecatory

Meaning
expressing disapproval or belittling
Example
He gave a deprecatory remark about their performance.
C2 adjective /ˈdəʊl.səm/

dolesome

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

decasyllable

Meaning
A line of verse with ten syllables.
Example
The poet often wrote in decasyllable form.
C2 noun /draɪd roʊz ˈpɛtəlz/

Dried Rose Petals

Meaning
dehydrated petals from roses used for culinary and aromatic purposes
Example
The dessert was garnished with dried rose petals.
C2 noun /ˌdɛrɪˈlɪkʃən/

dereliction

Meaning
the state of being abandoned; neglect of duty
Example
The officer was charged with dereliction of duty.
C2 noun /ˈdɪfɪdəns/

diffidence

Meaning
Lack of self-confidence; shyness or modesty.
Example
Her diffidence made it hard for her to speak in public.
C2 noun /dɪˈpoʊnənt/

deponent

Meaning
A person who gives testimony under oath, especially in a written deposition.
Example
The deponent confirmed the accuracy of the statement during the trial.
C2 adjective /dɪˈtɜːrmɪnət/

determinate

Meaning
having exact and definite limits or form
Example
The contract is for a determinate period of two years.
C2 noun /dɪˈkæmərən/

decameron

Meaning
A collection of 100 tales written by Giovanni Boccaccio in the 14th century, told by a group of people over ten days.
Example
The Decameron is considered a masterpiece of classical Italian literature.
C2 adjective /dɪˈmoʊniˌæk/

demoniac

Meaning
possessed, produced, or influenced by a demon; frenzied or violent
Example
The soldiers fought with demoniac fury.
C2 adjective /ˈdɪfɪdənt/

diffident

Meaning
Shy or lacking confidence in one's own abilities.
Example
He was too diffident to ask a question in class.
C2 noun /ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃə/

differentia

Meaning
A distinguishing characteristic that sets one thing apart from another.
Example
The differentia of humans is their ability to reason abstractly.
C2 adjective /droʊl/

droll

Meaning
curious or unusual in a way that provokes dry amusement
Example
He had a droll sense of humor that made everyone laugh.
C2 adjective /ˈdɪlətɔːri/

dilatory

Meaning
Tending to cause delay; slow to act.
Example
The committee was criticized for its dilatory response to the crisis.
C2 adjective /dɪˈluːsɪv/

delusive

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

dissembler

Meaning
a person who conceals their real feelings or intentions; a hypocrite or pretender
Example
The politician was accused of being a dissembler who never revealed his true plans.
C2 verb /dɪsˈbɜːrdən/

disburden

Meaning
to relieve someone of a burden or load
Example
She disburdened herself of worries by sharing them with her friend.
C2 noun /ˈdɛvɪlri/

devilry

Meaning
Wicked or cruel behavior; mischievous actions.
Example
The children were full of devilry on Halloween night.
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 /djuːˈplɪsɪtəs/

duplicitous

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

drawl

Meaning
to speak in a slow, lazy way with prolonged vowel sounds
Example
He tends to drawl when he is tired.
C2 adjective /ˈdæpər/

dapper

Meaning
Neat, stylish, and well-dressed in appearance.
Example
He looked very dapper in his new suit.
C2 adjective /ˈdɛndrɔɪd/

dendroid

Meaning
tree-shaped or branching like a tree
Example
The coral has a dendroid structure.
C2 noun/adjective /ˈdɪstæf/

distaff

Meaning
Relating to women or the maternal side of a family; also a tool for spinning thread.
Example
She came from the distaff side of a noble family.
C2 verb /ˌdɪskəmˈpoʊz/

discompose

Meaning
To disturb the order or calmness of something or someone.
Example
The unexpected question seemed to discompose her.
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 /ˈdoʊlfəl/

Doleful

Meaning
sorrowful; mournful; expressing grief or sadness
Example
She gave him a doleful look when he left.
C2 noun /dɪˈtraɪtəs/

detritus

Meaning
Waste or debris of any kind; fragments left from destruction or decay.
Example
The riverbank was covered with detritus after the flood.
C2 adjective /ˌdɪspjuːˈteɪʃəs/

disputatious

Meaning
fond of or given to argument and debate
Example
His disputatious nature often led to heated conversations.
C2 verb /ˈdɒdə/

dodder

Meaning
To move in a weak and unsteady way, especially due to old age.
Example
The old man doddered across the street with a cane.
C2 noun /dɪˈsweɪʒən/

dissuasion

Meaning
The act of persuading someone not to take a course of action.
Example
Her dissuasion prevented him from making a bad investment.
C2 noun /drʌdʒ/

drudge

Meaning
A person made to do hard, menial, or dull work.
Example
He felt like a drudge, stuck in repetitive tasks all day.
C2 verb /ˈdiːfælˌkeɪt/

defalcate

Meaning
to misuse or embezzle money that one is responsible for
Example
The accountant was accused of defalcating company funds.
C2 verb /dɪˈræsɪˌneɪt/

deracinate

Meaning
To uproot something completely; to displace people from their native environment or culture.
Example
The conflict deracinated many families from their homeland.
C2 verb /dɪsˈmɛmbər/

dismember

Meaning
to cut or tear the limbs from a body; to divide into separate parts
Example
The king ordered his enemies to be dismembered.
C2 adjective /ˌdɛməˈnaɪəkəl/

demoniacal

Meaning
characteristic of or resembling a demon; wildly evil
Example
He gave a demoniacal laugh that terrified everyone.
C2 adjective /dɪˈstɛnsəbl̩/

distensible

Meaning
Capable of being stretched or expanded.
Example
The stomach is a distensible organ that can expand after eating.
C2 noun /ˈdɒkɪt/

docket

Meaning
a list or schedule of cases to be tried in a court or items to be done
Example
The judge reviewed the docket before starting the session.
C2 noun /dɪˈbɔːtʃəri/

debauchery

Meaning
excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures; corruption or vice
Example
The novel depicts the debauchery of the aristocrats in the city.
C2 noun /ˈdɛkəˌliːtər/

decaliter

Meaning
A metric unit of capacity equal to ten liters.
Example
The container could hold up to one decaliter of water.
C2 adjective /ˈdəʊ.lə.rəs/

dolorous

Meaning
Expressing great sorrow or distress.
Example
He spoke in a dolorous tone after the loss.
C2 adjective /ˈdɪstəl/

distal

Meaning
situated away from the center of the body or from the point of attachment
Example
The doctor examined the distal end of the patient’s arm.
C2 noun /ˈdaɪətraɪb/

diatribe

Meaning
A forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something.
Example
The politician launched a diatribe against his opponents.
C2 noun /ˌdɛkləˈmeɪʃən/

declamation

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

diffusible

Meaning
able to spread or be spread through a medium
Example
Oxygen is diffusible through cell membranes.
C2 noun /doʊˈniː/

donee

Meaning
A person who receives a gift or donation.
Example
The scholarship fund’s donee expressed heartfelt gratitude.
C2 noun /ˈdɔːrmər/

dormer

Meaning
A window that projects vertically from a sloping roof.
Example
The old house had a dormer overlooking the garden.
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 /ˌdɛfəˈrɛnʃəl/

deferential

Meaning
Showing or expressing respect and high regard.
Example
He was always deferential toward his teachers.
C2 verb /ˌdɪsəˈreɪndʒ/

disarrange

Meaning
to disturb the order or arrangement of something
Example
The wind disarranged her hair.
C2 adjective /dɪˈkɔːrəs/

decourous

Meaning
characterized by propriety, good taste, and proper manners
Example
She maintained a decourous silence during the ceremony.
C2 noun /ˈdɪfθɒŋ/

diphthong

Meaning
A complex vowel sound that begins with one vowel and glides into another within the same syllable.
Example
The word 'coin' contains a diphthong.
C2 prefix /dɪs-/

dys-

Meaning
A prefix meaning abnormal, bad, difficult, or impaired.
Example
Words like 'dysfunction' and 'dyslexia' use the prefix dys- to indicate difficulty or impairment.
C2 noun /ˌdiːnəʊˈteɪʃən/

denotation

Meaning
The literal or primary meaning of a word, in contrast to the feelings or ideas that the word suggests.
Example
The denotation of the word 'rose' is a type of flower.
C2 verb /dɪˈspɒnd/

despond

Meaning
to lose confidence or hope; to become dejected
Example
After repeated failures, he began to despond.
C2 noun /dɪˈtrækʃən/

detraction

Meaning
The act of belittling or taking away from the value of something.
Example
Her constant detraction of others made her unpopular.
C2 noun/verb /dɪsˈfeɪvər/

disfavor

Meaning
disapproval or dislike; to regard with disapproval
Example
The new policy fell into disfavor with the public.
C2 adjective /ˌdaɪəˈtɒmɪk/

diatomic

Meaning
Consisting of two atoms.
Example
Oxygen is a diatomic molecule.
C2 noun /ˈdjʊərəns/

durance

Meaning
imprisonment or confinement
Example
The prisoner spent years in durance before his release.
C2 noun /dɪsˈdʒʌŋkʃən/

disjunction

Meaning
A lack of connection between things; separation or disunity.
Example
There is a clear disjunction between theory and practice.
C2 noun /dɪˈdʒɛnərəsi/

degeneracy

Meaning
The state of decline or deterioration, often in moral, cultural, or physical qualities.
Example
The novel portrays the moral degeneracy of a corrupt society.
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 /ˈdaʊti/

doughty

Meaning
brave, valiant, courageous
Example
The doughty soldier never backed down from a challenge.
C2 noun /ˈdiːɪst/

deist

Meaning
a person who believes in the existence of a supreme being but rejects organized religion
Example
The philosopher identified himself as a deist.
C2 noun /ˈdɛskænt/

descant

Meaning
An additional melody or counterpoint sung or played above the main melody.
Example
The choir added a beautiful descant to the hymn.
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 /dɒf/

doff

Meaning
to take off an item of clothing, especially a hat, as a sign of respect
Example
He doffed his hat as the procession passed.
C2 verb /ˌdɪskəˈmoʊd/

discommode

Meaning
To cause inconvenience or trouble to someone.
Example
I hope my request does not discommode you.
C2 noun /ˈdoʊneɪtər/

donator

Meaning
A person who gives something, especially money or goods, as a donation.
Example
The donator wished to remain anonymous after contributing a large sum.
C2 noun /ˌdoʊ.məˈstɪs.ə.ti/

domesticity

Meaning
Life at home or devotion to family life.
Example
She enjoys the domesticity of cooking and gardening.
C2 noun /ˈdɛkəˌlɔːɡ/

decalogue

Meaning
The Ten Commandments in the Bible; a set of fundamental rules or principles.
Example
The priest gave a sermon on the importance of the Decalogue.
C2 noun /ˌdɪspjuːˈteɪʃən/

disputation

Meaning
a formal debate or argument
Example
The disputation between the two scholars lasted for hours.
C2 noun /ˈdɪti/

ditty

Meaning
a short, simple song or poem
Example
She sang a cheerful little ditty while cooking.
C2 noun /dreɪk/

Drake

Meaning
a male duck; a type of waterfowl
Example
The drake led his family of ducks across the pond.
C2 verb /ˈdiːɪfaɪ/

deify

Meaning
to treat or worship someone or something as a god
Example
Some fans deify their favorite celebrities.
C2 noun /ˌdɪskənˈtɪnjʊəns/

discontinuance

Meaning
the act of stopping something, especially permanently
Example
The discontinuance of the service disappointed many customers.
C2 verb /dɪsˈbɑːr/

disbar

Meaning
to officially remove a lawyer from the legal profession
Example
The corrupt lawyer was disbarred for unethical conduct.
C2 noun /ˌdɪskwɪˈzɪʃən/

disquisition

Meaning
A long or elaborate discussion or written essay on a particular subject.
Example
The professor gave a lengthy disquisition on ancient philosophy.
C2 verb /ˈdɪðər/

dither

Meaning
to be indecisive or unable to make a decision
Example
He dithered for hours before choosing a restaurant.
C2 noun /ˈdrʌmɪt/

Drumet

Meaning
a small drum used in military or marching bands
Example
The drummer played a steady beat on the drumet during the parade.
C2 noun /ˌdɪləˈtænt/

dilettante

Meaning
A person who takes up an art, activity, or subject merely for amusement, especially in a superficial way.
Example
He was dismissed as a dilettante in the art world because he lacked formal training.
C2 adjective /ˈdɛsəlˌtɔːri/

desultory

Meaning
lacking a clear plan, purpose, or enthusiasm
Example
His desultory conversation bored the audience.
C2 verb /ˌdɪsɪnˈhɛrɪt/

disinherit

Meaning
to deprive someone, especially a child, of inheritance or right to property
Example
The father threatened to disinherit his son for his reckless actions.
C2 verb /dɪˈbɔːtʃ/

debauch

Meaning
to corrupt morally; to lead into excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures
Example
The novel shows how wealth can debauch a person's character.
C2 adjective /ˈdʌlsɪt/

dulcet

Meaning
sweet and soothing (often used ironically)
Example
She was enchanted by his dulcet voice.
C2 noun /draɪ ɡuːs ˈbɛri/

Dry goose berry

Meaning
dehydrated amla fruit, rich in vitamin C and used for medicinal and culinary purposes
Example
Dry goose berry powder is excellent for hair growth.
C2 noun /doʊlt/

dolt

Meaning
A stupid or slow-witted person.
Example
Only a dolt would believe such a story.
C2 verb /dɪˈnjuːd/

denude

Meaning
to strip something of its covering, possessions, or assets
Example
The forest was denuded of trees by illegal logging.
C2 noun /dæmˈneɪ.ʃən/

Damnation

Meaning
condemnation to eternal punishment in hell; something that causes ruin or failure
Example
The preacher spoke about salvation and damnation in his sermon.
C2 adjective /ˌdɛl.ɪˈtɪə.ri.əs/

deleterious

Meaning
Causing physical or mental harm or damage.
Example
Smoking has deleterious effects on health.
C2 noun /ˈdæstərd/

dastard

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

dissentious

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

debilitate

Meaning
to weaken or make someone or something infirm
Example
The long illness debilitated his strength.
C2 verb /ˈdæli/

dally

Meaning
To act or move slowly; to waste time; also to engage in a casual romantic relationship.
Example
He dallied in the garden instead of starting his work.
C2 adverb /ˈdɑːrklɪŋ/

darkling

Meaning
In the dark or growing dark; dimly.
Example
The forest creatures moved darkling through the night.
C2 verb /diːˈmoʊbəlaɪz/

demobilize

Meaning
To release from military service or to disband troops.
Example
The government decided to demobilize the army after the war.
C2 verb /dɪsˈpɔːrt/

disport

Meaning
To amuse oneself in a lively or playful way.
Example
The children disported themselves in the garden.
C2 verb /dɪsˈbɜːrs/

disburse

Meaning
to pay out money, especially from a fund
Example
The organization will disburse the funds to the affected families.
C2 noun /dɪˈkæmɪtər/

decameter

Meaning
A metric unit of length equal to ten meters.
Example
The field was measured in decameters for accuracy.
C2 verb /dʌn/

dun

Meaning
to demand payment of a debt persistently
Example
The landlord dunned the tenant for unpaid rent.
C2 adjective /ˈdɛsɪkeɪtɪd/

desiccated

Meaning
completely dried, having had all moisture removed
Example
The museum displayed desiccated specimens of plants.
C2 noun /dəˈkɔɪt/

Dacoit

Meaning
a member of an armed gang of robbers; a bandit, especially in India and Myanmar
Example
The village was terrorized by a gang of dacoits who robbed travelers.
C2 verb /ˌdɒmɪˈnɪə/

domineer

Meaning
to assert one's will over another in an arrogant way
Example
He tends to domineer over his younger colleagues.
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.