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C2 verb /ˈdʌv.teɪl/

dovetail

Meaning
to fit or combine perfectly together
Example
Her plans dovetail perfectly with our goals.
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 noun /ˈvoʊkəbəl/

vocable

Meaning
a word, term, or sound that has meaning
Example
The dictionary contained thousands of vocables from different languages.
C2 noun /ruːˈeɪ/

roue

Meaning
A man devoted to a life of sensual pleasure; a debauched man.
Example
The old roue squandered his fortune on gambling and women.
C2 noun /hæp/

hap

Meaning
luck, fortune, or chance occurrence
Example
By sheer hap, he discovered the old letter hidden in the drawer.
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 noun /rɪˈɡætə/

regatta

Meaning
A sporting event consisting of a series of boat or yacht races.
Example
The annual regatta attracted competitors from around the world.
C2 noun /vɛnˈdɪʃən/

vendition

Meaning
The act of selling; sale.
Example
The auction was a formal vendition of the estate's assets.
C2 adjective /ˈɡaɪlləs/

guileless

Meaning
Innocent and without deceit
Example
Her guileless smile won everyone’s heart.
C2 noun /ˈdʒɪb.ər.ɪʃ/

gibberish

Meaning
Unintelligible or meaningless speech or writing.
Example
He was so nervous that his explanation sounded like gibberish.
C2 noun /ˈpɛntæd/

pentad

Meaning
A group or set of five things.
Example
The committee was divided into a pentad of working groups.
C2 noun /əˈrɔɪ.oʊ/

arroyo

Meaning
A dry creek or stream bed that temporarily fills with water after heavy rain.
Example
After the storm, the arroyo quickly filled with rushing water.
C2 noun /ˈkæl.əm.ni/

Calumny

Meaning
the making of false and defamatory statements about someone in order to damage their reputation
Example
The politician sued the newspaper for spreading calumny about his personal life.
C2 noun /ˈlɪŋ.ɡwə/

lingua

Meaning
A language, especially one used for communication among people.
Example
English has become a global lingua for business and science.
C2 noun, adjective /nɒn ˈkɒmbətənt/

non-combatant

Meaning
a person not engaged in fighting during a war, such as civilians or medical staff
Example
The Red Cross workers were treated as non-combatants in the conflict.
C2 adverb /ˈdʒɪndʒərli/

gingerly

Meaning
in a very careful or cautious manner
Example
She walked gingerly on the icy path.
C2 noun /ˈlɔːŋ.ɡən/

Longan

Meaning
a small round tropical fruit with translucent white flesh and sweet taste, related to lychee
Example
Longan fruits are often eaten fresh or dried and are popular in Asian desserts.
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 adjective /ɪˈmɪsəbl/

immiscible

Meaning
Describes liquids that do not mix together.
Example
Oil and water are immiscible liquids.
C2 adjective /flɛgˈmæt.ɪk/

phlegmatic

Meaning
having an unemotional and stolidly calm disposition
Example
Despite the chaos, he remained phlegmatic and composed.
C2 verb /ˈæd.ʌm.breɪt/

adumbrate

Meaning
to foreshadow or suggest something in an unclear or indirect way
Example
The report adumbrates future economic challenges.
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 /daɪˈvɛstɪtʃər/

divestiture

Meaning
the action of selling off or disposing of business interests or assets
Example
The divestiture of the subsidiary was completed last year.
C2 noun /nɪt/

nit

Meaning
The egg or young form of a louse or other parasitic insect.
Example
The teacher noticed nits in the child’s hair.
C2 noun /dɪˌlɪniˈeɪʃən/

delineation

Meaning
the precise description, drawing, or outlining of something
Example
The artist’s delineation of the landscape was remarkably accurate.
C2 noun /ˈsʌbtərˌfjuːdʒ/

subterfuge

Meaning
Deceit used to achieve one's goal; a trick or excuse to evade something.
Example
They used subterfuge to avoid paying taxes.
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 prəˈklɪv.ə.ti

proclivity

Meaning
A tendency to choose or do something regularly; an inclination or predisposition toward a particular thing.
Example
She has a proclivity for learning new languages.
C2 adjective /ˈpɛnɪtrəbl/

penetrable

Meaning
Capable of being passed through or entered.
Example
The thin wall was easily penetrable.
C2 noun /ˈmɒrəlɪst/

moralist

Meaning
A person who teaches or promotes moral principles and values.
Example
The author was known as a strict moralist in his writings.
C2 noun /æbˈsɪʒən/

abscission

Meaning
The natural detachment of parts of a plant, typically leaves or fruit.
Example
The autumn season is marked by the abscission of leaves from trees.
C2 noun ˌæb.əˈreɪ.ʃən

aberration

Meaning
A departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically one that is unwelcome.
Example
The scientist dismissed the data as an aberration.
C2 noun /ˈmæn.li.nəs/

manliness

Meaning
The quality of being manly; courage, strength, and honor associated with men.
Example
His manliness was admired by his peers.
C2 adjective /ˌhɑːrdˈbɪtn̩/

hard-bitten

Meaning
tough and experienced, not easily affected by emotions or hardship
Example
The hard-bitten detective showed no sign of surprise at the crime scene.
C2 adjective /ˈɑːrtləs/

artless

Meaning
Without deception or pretentiousness; natural and simple.
Example
Her artless smile made everyone feel at ease.
C2 adjective /ˈɒf.biːt/

offbeat

Meaning
Unusual, unconventional, or different from the norm.
Example
She has a very offbeat sense of humor.
C2 noun /ˈmɪlk pɒt/

Milk-pot

Meaning
a container specifically used for storing or serving milk
Example
She poured fresh milk from the milk-pot into her glass.
C2 noun /kəˈbɑl/

Cabal

Meaning
a secret political clique or faction
Example
The journalists exposed a cabal of corrupt politicians working together.
C2 adjective /luːd/

lewd

Meaning
Sexually offensive, obscene, or vulgar.
Example
He was arrested for making lewd remarks in public.
C2 noun /ˈvaɪsrɔɪ/

viceroy

Meaning
a ruler exercising authority on behalf of a sovereign in a colony or province
Example
The viceroy governed the colony in the king's name.
C2 adjective /ˌoʊdəˈrɪfərəs/

odoriferous

Meaning
having or giving off a smell, especially a strong or pleasant one
Example
The garden was filled with odoriferous flowers.
C2 verb /ɪˈfeɪs/

efface

Meaning
To erase or wipe out something; to make oneself inconspicuous.
Example
Time had effaced the letters on the old gravestone.
C2 noun /mɪlk raɪs/

Milk rice

Meaning
A sweet dessert made from rice cooked with milk and sugar
Example
My grandmother makes delicious milk rice for special occasions.
C2 noun /ˌdaɪvəˈɡeɪʃən/

divagation

Meaning
digression; wandering from a path or subject
Example
His lecture was full of divagation, making it hard to follow the main point.
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 /ˈbrætɪʃ/

brattish

Meaning
acting like a spoiled child; behaving in an annoying, self-centered way
Example
The brattish boy threw a tantrum when he didn’t get his toy.
C2 noun /əˈdɛpt.nəs/

adeptness

Meaning
Skill and dexterity in a task.
Example
His adeptness in negotiations helped close the deal successfully.
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 /ˈɔːrdʒi/

orgy

Meaning
A wild party involving excessive indulgence, especially of a sexual nature.
Example
The novel described a scandalous orgy in a wealthy mansion.
C2 noun /ˌpɪəriəˈdɪsɪti/

periodicity

Meaning
The quality or state of being regular or recurring at intervals.
Example
The periodicity of the moon’s phases has fascinated humans for centuries.
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 noun /ɪˈrɛvərəns/

irreverence

Meaning
a lack of respect for people or things that are generally taken seriously
Example
His jokes about religion showed irreverence to the sacred traditions.
C2 noun /drɒs/

dross

Meaning
worthless or unwanted material; rubbish or impurities
Example
Most of his early writings were considered dross.
C2 adverb /əˈmʌk/

amok

Meaning
Behaving uncontrollably and disruptively.
Example
The angry mob ran amok after the verdict was announced.
C2 adjective /ˌæk.rɪˈmoʊ.ni.əs/

acrimonious

Meaning
Bitter and angry, often involving harsh words.
Example
The debate turned acrimonious after the controversial remark.
C2 noun /bɪˈtroʊðəl/

betrothal

Meaning
The formal engagement to be married.
Example
Their betrothal was announced to the whole village.
C2 verb /ˈblʌdʒən/

bludgeon

Meaning
to hit someone with a heavy object; to force someone into doing something
Example
The guard was bludgeoned by the attacker in the alley.
C2 verb /ˈmæk.jʊˌleɪt/

maculate

Meaning
To stain, spot, or pollute something.
Example
The white cloth was maculated by ink stains.
C2 noun /priːˈɛmɪnəns/

preeminence

Meaning
The fact of surpassing all others; superiority.
Example
The university has gained preeminence in medical research.
C2 adjective /saɪˈdɪəriəl/

sidereal

Meaning
Relating to the stars or constellations; measured relative to the stars.
Example
Astronomers use sidereal time to track the positions of stars.
C2 noun /ˈɡɔːntlɪt/

gauntlet

Meaning
a protective glove; a challenge or trial; to 'throw down the gauntlet' means to issue a challenge
Example
The knight threw down his gauntlet as a sign of challenge.
C2 adjective /ˈmɪn.ɪ.skjuːl/

miniscule

Meaning
Extremely small or tiny.
Example
The error was so miniscule that nobody noticed it.
C2 adjective, noun /pləˈbiːən/

plebian

Meaning
alternate spelling of 'plebeian'; common or ordinary
Example
His tastes were rather plebian, favoring simple food and clothes.
C2 verb /mʌlkt/

mulct

Meaning
to punish by a fine or to defraud someone of money
Example
The corrupt official was mulcted for his misconduct.
C2 noun /prɪˈhɛnʃən/

prehension

Meaning
the act of grasping or seizing; the ability to take hold of something
Example
Therapists assessed the patient's prehension during hand therapy.
C2 verb /ˈlɔɪtər/

loiter

Meaning
To stand or wait around idly without apparent purpose.
Example
The teenagers were told not to loiter outside the shop.
C2 noun /ˈsuːpsɒ̃/

soupcon

Meaning
a very small quantity of something; a trace
Example
She added just a soupcon of spice to the dish.
C2 noun /sɪˈkwiːlə/

sequela

Meaning
A condition that is the consequence of a previous disease or injury.
Example
Lung scarring can be a sequela of severe pneumonia.
C2 noun /ˌæbnɪˈɡeɪʃən/

abnegation

Meaning
the act of renouncing or rejecting something, especially self-denial
Example
The monk’s life was one of complete abnegation of worldly pleasures.
C2 noun /ˈpæntəˌskoʊp/

pantoscope

Meaning
An optical instrument that provides a wide or panoramic view.
Example
The scientist used a pantoscope to observe the entire horizon.
C2 verb /ˈbɪloʊ/

billow

Meaning
To swell or rise in large waves or surges; to flow outward in a rolling motion.
Example
Smoke billowed from the burning building.
C2 noun /dʒæm/

jamb

Meaning
The side post or surface of a doorway, window, or fireplace.
Example
The carpenter carefully measured the width of the door jamb.
C2 adjective /ˈpɒndərəbl/

ponderable

Meaning
able to be considered or thought about
Example
The evidence was substantial and ponderable.
C2 adjective /ɪˈrædɪkəbəl/

irradicable

Meaning
not able to be eradicated; impossible to destroy or remove completely
Example
The love of a mother for her child is irradicable.
C2 noun /sneɪk ɡɔːrd/

Snake gourd

Meaning
a long, curved vegetable that resembles a snake, commonly used in South Asian cuisine
Example
The snake gourd grows in a twisted, serpentine shape in the garden.
C2 noun /ˈaɪ.lət/

islet

Meaning
A very small island.
Example
The fishermen rested on a tiny islet before continuing their journey.
C2 noun /aɪər/

ire

Meaning
intense anger or rage
Example
The new policy provoked the ire of the employees.
C2 verb /əbˈhɔːr/

abhor

Meaning
to regard with disgust and hatred
Example
She abhors cruelty to animals.
C2 noun /ˈhɔːtɪnəs/

haughtiness

Meaning
The appearance or quality of being arrogantly superior and disdainful.
Example
His haughtiness made him unpopular among his peers.
C2 noun /ɪˌluːmɪˈnɑːti/

illuminati

Meaning
a group of people claiming to have special enlightenment or secret knowledge, often linked to conspiracies
Example
Many conspiracy theories involve the Illuminati as a secret world-controlling group.
C2 verb /ˈæntɪkweɪt/

antiquate

Meaning
To make something old-fashioned or obsolete.
Example
The rise of digital cameras antiquated traditional film photography.
C2 verb /lʌɡˈʒʊrieɪt/

luxuriate

Meaning
to enjoy something in a self-indulgent way; to take pleasure in great comfort
Example
She luxuriated in the warm bubble bath after a long day.
C2 noun /ˌhɜːrpəˈtɒlədʒɪst/

herpetologist

Meaning
A scientist who studies reptiles and amphibians.
Example
The herpetologist discovered a new species of frog in the rainforest.
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 /voʊˈsɪfərəns/

vociferance

Meaning
the act of shouting or making a loud outcry
Example
The vociferance of the protesters filled the streets.
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 /ˈeɪ.pi.ˌɛr.i/

apiary

Meaning
A place where beehives are kept, especially for commercial purposes.
Example
The farmer built a new apiary to produce organic honey.
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 /ˈmæləprɒˌpɪzəm/

malapropism

Meaning
the mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with amusing effect
Example
He is famous for his malapropism when speaking in public.
C2 noun /əˈluː.vi.əm/

alluvium

Meaning
Fertile soil deposited by flowing water, especially in riverbanks.
Example
The alluvium in riverbanks is highly fertile for agriculture.
C2 adjective /ˌsæpəˈneɪʃəs/

saponaceous

Meaning
Soapy or having the qualities of soap.
Example
The plant has saponaceous leaves that produce foam when rubbed in water.
C2 noun /ˌpaɪroʊˈmeɪniæk/

pyromaniac

Meaning
A person with an uncontrollable desire to set things on fire.
Example
The pyromaniac was arrested for setting several buildings ablaze.
C2 noun /ˌrɛprɪˈhɛnʃən/

reprehension

Meaning
The act of rebuking or criticizing severely.
Example
The teacher’s reprehension of the student’s behavior was justified.
C2 verb /ˈɑːblɪˌɡeɪt/

obligate

Meaning
to bind legally or morally; to compel someone to do something
Example
The contract obligates the company to provide timely service.
C2 verb /trænzˈmjuːt/

transmute

Meaning
to change in form, nature, or substance
Example
Alchemy aimed to transmute lead into gold.
C2 noun /ˈmɪlɪt/

millet

Meaning
a small-seeded grass cultivated as a cereal crop
Example
Millet is often used as food in rural areas.
C2 noun /ɪˈluːʒən/

elusion

Meaning
The act of escaping or avoiding something, especially by cleverness or trickery.
Example
His constant elusion of responsibility frustrated his colleagues.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈɡlɔːriəs/

inglorious

Meaning
Causing shame or disgrace; not bringing honor or glory.
Example
The army suffered an inglorious defeat.
C2 adjective /ˈpɔːrtli/

portly

Meaning
Having a stout or somewhat fat body, often implying dignity or authority.
Example
The portly man entered the room with confidence.
C2 noun /ˈmɛndɪkənt/

mendicant

Meaning
a beggar; a person who lives by asking for alms
Example
The mendicant asked for food at the monastery gate.
C2 adjective /ˌɒbsəˈlɛsnt/

obsolescent

Meaning
Becoming outdated or on the way to becoming obsolete.
Example
The obsolescent technology could not compete with modern devices.
C2 noun /liːən/

lien

Meaning
A legal right to keep possession of property until a debt is paid.
Example
The bank placed a lien on the house until the mortgage was cleared.
C2 noun /ˈfɪl.ə.dʒɪ.nɪst/

philogynist

Meaning
a person who loves or admires women
Example
As a known philogynist, he advocated for women's education.
C2 noun /ˈiːsθiːt/ or /ˈɛsθiːt/

aesthete

Meaning
A person who has a special appreciation of art and beauty.
Example
The aesthete admired the subtle details of the painting.
C2 noun /ˈmɔːreɪz/

mores

Meaning
the essential or characteristic customs and conventions of a community
Example
Social mores often dictate how people behave in public.
C2 noun /əˈfreɪ/

affray

Meaning
A public fight or noisy disturbance that causes alarm.
Example
The police were called to break up an affray outside the stadium.
C2 noun /ˈkeɪ.nə.naɪt/

canaanite

Meaning
a member of a people who lived in the ancient land of Canaan in the Middle East
Example
The Canaanites were known for their advanced trade networks.
C2 adjective /ˈdoʊlfəl/

Doleful

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

pluperfect

Meaning
a verb tense expressing an action completed before another past action
Example
By the time she arrived, he had finished his homework, showing the pluperfect tense.
C2 noun /mjuːˈnɪfəsəns/

munificence

Meaning
great generosity or lavish giving
Example
The hospital was built thanks to the munificence of a wealthy donor.
C2 adjective /ˈkɪŋ.ki/

Kinky

Meaning
having or involving unconventional sexual practices; having tight curls or bends
Example
His kinky hair made him look unique.
C2 adjective /ˈmjuːlɪʃ/

mulish

Meaning
extremely stubborn or unwilling to change
Example
She remained mulish despite all the convincing arguments.
C2 adjective /bɪˈfʌdld/

befuddled

Meaning
confused, unable to think clearly
Example
He looked befuddled after hearing the complex instructions.
C2 adjective /ˈɡɔːki/

gawky

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

expeditiously

Meaning
in a quick and efficient manner
Example
The application was processed expeditiously.
C2 adjective /stəˈkɑː.təʊ/

staccato

Meaning
short and detached in sound or style, often used in music
Example
The pianist played the notes in a staccato rhythm.
C2 noun /ˈɡæŋ.ɡriːn/

gangrene

Meaning
The death of body tissue due to lack of blood supply or infection.
Example
If untreated, the wound may lead to gangrene.
C2 adjective /ˈnaɪt.li/

Knightly

Meaning
having the characteristics of a knight; chivalrous; noble and brave
Example
He showed knightly courage in defending the innocent.
C2 noun /ˌkʌmˈʌpəns/

comeuppance

Meaning
A deserved punishment or fate; just deserts.
Example
The corrupt official finally got his comeuppance in court.
C2 noun /kroʊn/

crone

Meaning
An old woman, often one who is thin and ugly, sometimes associated with witch-like qualities.
Example
The children were scared by the story of the wicked crone in the forest.
C2 noun /mɪˌsɛdʒəˈneɪʃən/

miscegenation

Meaning
the interbreeding of people considered to be of different racial types
Example
The law once prohibited miscegenation in many countries.