doyen
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C2 noun /ˈdɔɪən/

doyen

Meaning
The most respected or prominent person in a particular field.
Example
He is regarded as the doyen of modern literature in the country.
C2 verb /ˌʌn.dɪˈsiːv/

undeceive

Meaning
To free someone from a misconception or false belief.
Example
She tried to undeceive him about the false rumors.
C2 adjective /ˈvɜːrdənt/

verdant

Meaning
Green with grass or other rich vegetation; lush and fertile.
Example
The hills looked verdant after the monsoon rains.
C2 adjective /prɪˈpɒndərənt/

preponderant

Meaning
Having superior weight, force, influence, or importance.
Example
The preponderant influence of the media shapes public opinion.
C2 adjective /ɪmˈplaɪəbl/

impliable

Meaning
Capable of being implied or suggested.
Example
The meaning of the statement is not directly clear but is impliable from the context.
C2 verb (past tense, past participle), adjective /ˈhæmstrʌŋ/

hamstrung

Meaning
crippled or severely restricted in movement or progress.
Example
The team was hamstrung by lack of resources.
C2 noun /ˈzel.ət/

zealot

Meaning
A person who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of their ideals.
Example
He was considered a zealot for his strict political views.
C2 noun /ˈdəʊ.lər/

dolor

Meaning
A state of great sorrow or distress.
Example
The nation was in deep dolor after the tragedy.
C2 noun /kɔːrˈteɪʒ/

cortege

Meaning
a solemn procession, especially for a funeral
Example
A cortege of mourners followed the hearse to the cemetery.
C2 noun /əˈmɛrɪkəˌnɪzəm/

americanism

Meaning
A word, phrase, or practice characteristic of American English or culture.
Example
The term 'sidewalk' is an Americanism, while 'pavement' is used in British English.
C2 noun /mjuːˈnɪfəsəns/

munificence

Meaning
great generosity or lavish giving
Example
The hospital was built thanks to the munificence of a wealthy donor.
C2 verb /ˈkrɪŋ.kəl/

crinkle

Meaning
To form small creases or wrinkles.
Example
She crinkled her nose at the strange smell.
C2 noun /ˈstiː.vəˌdɔːr/

stevedore

Meaning
A person employed to load and unload cargo from ships.
Example
The stevedores worked tirelessly to unload the cargo before dawn.
C2 adjective /njuːˈmætɪk/

pneumatic

Meaning
operated by air or gas under pressure
Example
The factory uses pneumatic tools for assembly.
C2 adjective /ˈhoʊm.spʌn/

homespun

Meaning
Simple and unsophisticated; made at home rather than in a factory.
Example
She wore a homespun dress to the village festival.
C2 verb /ɪnˈdaɪt/

indite

Meaning
To write or compose (literary or formal works).
Example
The poet indited a heartfelt sonnet.
C2 verb /ˌdɪsɪnˈfræntʃaɪz/

disenfranchise

Meaning
To deprive someone of the right to vote or other rights.
Example
The new law could disenfranchise thousands of voters.
C2 noun /ˈfænˌtæzəm/

phantasm

Meaning
an illusion, ghost, or figment of the imagination
Example
The child claimed to see a phantasm in the old house.
C2 adjective /sɛnˈsɔːriəs/

censorious

Meaning
severely critical of others
Example
She was always censorious about her colleagues' mistakes.
C2 noun /ˈvɔːdəvɪl/

vaudeville

Meaning
A type of entertainment popular in the early 20th century, featuring a mixture of comedy, song, dance, and variety acts.
Example
The vaudeville show included comedians, magicians, and dancers.
C2 noun /bɪsk/

bisque

Meaning
A rich, creamy soup made from shellfish.
Example
We ordered lobster bisque at the restaurant.
C2 adjective /ˌkɑːmənˈsɛnsɪkəl/

commonsensical

Meaning
based on or showing sound practical judgment; sensible
Example
It was commonsensical to carry an umbrella on a rainy day.
C2 verb /dɪˈspɒnd/

despond

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

askew

Meaning
Not in a straight or level position; crooked or tilted.
Example
The picture on the wall hung slightly askew.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈkɒntɪnənt/

incontinent

Meaning
lacking control over urination or defecation; lacking self-restraint
Example
The patient was incontinent after surgery.
C2 verb /ˌkaʊntərˈmænd/

countermand

Meaning
to revoke or cancel an order or command
Example
The general countermanded the previous orders immediately.
C2 adjective əˈsɪd.ju.əs

assiduous

Meaning
Showing great care and perseverance; diligent and hardworking.
Example
His assiduous efforts led to a successful career.
C2 noun /proʊˈsiː.ni.əm/

proscenium

Meaning
the part of a theater stage in front of the curtain; the arch framing the stage
Example
The actors bowed at the proscenium before leaving the stage.
C2 noun, adjective, verb /ˈrɛprəˌbeɪt/

reprobate

Meaning
A person of immoral character; to express disapproval of; morally corrupt.
Example
The old reprobate spent his days gambling and drinking.
C2 adjective /læŋk/

lank

Meaning
Tall, thin, and often awkward in appearance.
Example
The lank teenager towered over his classmates.
C2 noun /ˌær.əˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/

arability

Meaning
The quality of land being suitable for growing crops.
Example
The arability of land depends on soil quality and water availability.
C2 noun /ˈtrɛntʃərmən/

trencherman

Meaning
a person who eats in a hearty or robust manner; a big eater
Example
The trencherman devoured the feast with great enthusiasm.
C2 noun /ɪkˈspiːdiənsi/

expediency

Meaning
the quality of being convenient and practical despite possibly being improper or immoral
Example
He acted out of political expediency rather than principle.
C2 verb /ˈmɪlɪˌteɪt/

militate

Meaning
to have a strong effect against something; to work as a powerful factor in preventing or influencing an outcome
Example
His lack of experience will militate against his promotion.
C2 noun /brɔːn/

brawn

Meaning
physical strength in contrast to intelligence
Example
He used his brawn to lift the heavy box.
C2 adjective /pəˈlɛmɪkəl/

polemical

Meaning
relating to or involving strongly critical or controversial writing or speech
Example
She wrote a polemical article challenging traditional beliefs.
C2 adjective /əˈbɪs.əl/

abyssal

Meaning
Related to or characteristic of the deep ocean, especially the zone below 4000 meters.
Example
Abyssal creatures survive in extreme pressure conditions.
C2 adjective /dɪˈspjuːtəbl/

Disputable

Meaning
open to debate or argument; questionable
Example
The facts in the case are disputable and need further investigation.
C2 verb /ɪˈmɛnd/

emend

Meaning
to correct or revise a text, especially for errors
Example
The editor emended the manuscript before publication.
C2 adjective /ˈfʌsti/

fusty

Meaning
smelling stale, damp, or stuffy; old-fashioned
Example
The room smelled fusty after being closed for months.
C2 verb /ˈpɛtɪˌfɒɡ/

pettifog

Meaning
to argue or quibble over trivial matters; to engage in petty, dishonest practices
Example
The lawyer was accused of trying to pettifog instead of addressing the real issue.
C2 noun /ˈɑːm.lət/

Armlet

Meaning
a band worn around the upper arm as an ornament
Example
The traditional dancer wore golden armlets that gleamed in the spotlight.
C2 noun /hɪˈlærɪti/

hilarity

Meaning
Extreme amusement, especially when expressed by laughter.
Example
The movie caused great hilarity among the audience.
C2 adjective /ˈboʊvaɪn/

bovine

Meaning
relating to cattle; showing a dull or sluggish nature
Example
Her bovine expression revealed no emotions.
C2 noun /ˌmɪsˈtʃæns/

mischance

Meaning
An unfortunate accident or event; bad luck.
Example
By mischance, he missed the last train home.
C2 adjective /ˈfuːlˌhɑːrdi/

foolhardy

Meaning
Recklessly bold or rash; taking foolish risks.
Example
It was foolhardy of him to climb the mountain without proper gear.
C2 noun /mɪˈsænθrəpi/

misanthropy

Meaning
a general dislike, distrust, or hatred of humankind
Example
His misanthropy was evident in the way he avoided people.
C2 noun /ˈlɪŋ.ɡoʊ/

lingo

Meaning
Specialized or informal language used by a particular group that is often difficult for outsiders to understand.
Example
The manual was written in technical lingo that confused the new employees.
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 adverb /ˈprɒksɪmətli/

proximately

Meaning
In a near or close manner; nearly.
Example
The village lies proximately to the river.
C2 adjective /ˈmɔːrdənt/

mordant

Meaning
Having a sharp, critical, or biting quality; especially in humor.
Example
Her mordant wit often left her friends speechless.
C2 adjective /ˌsuːpərˈæn.ju.eɪ.tɪd/

superannuated

Meaning
old and no longer useful or valid; retired due to age
Example
The factory was filled with superannuated machines that slowed production.
C2 verb /ˈseɪʃiˌeɪt/

satiate

Meaning
To satisfy fully, especially with food or desire.
Example
The large meal satiated his hunger.
C2 noun /ˈdʒæɡ.ər.i/

Jaggary

Meaning
unrefined sugar made from sugarcane or palm sap; a traditional sweetener
Example
My grandmother uses jaggery instead of white sugar in her recipes.
C2 noun /ˈɛkwɪpɪdʒ/

equipage

Meaning
Equipment or a carriage with its accessories.
Example
The nobleman arrived in a grand equipage.
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 verb /ˈmɒlɪfaɪ/

mollify

Meaning
To calm or soothe someone's anger or anxiety.
Example
The manager tried to mollify the angry customers with discounts.
C2 noun /laʊt/

lout

Meaning
An uncouth or aggressive man or boy.
Example
The drunken lout caused a scene at the party.
C2 adjective /ˈmɛtəlˌsʌm/

mettlesome

Meaning
Full of courage and spirit; lively and spirited.
Example
The mettlesome young rider never backed down from a challenge.
C2 noun /ˈtælɪzmən/

talisman

Meaning
An object believed to have magical powers or bring good luck.
Example
He always carried a small talisman in his pocket for luck.
C2 noun /ˈnaɪəlɪst/

nihilist

Meaning
A person who rejects all religious and moral principles, often believing that life is meaningless.
Example
He was called a nihilist for rejecting all social norms.
C2 noun /nɛl/

knell

Meaning
The sound of a bell, especially when rung solemnly for a death or funeral; a signal of the end or failure of something.
Example
The knell of the church bell echoed through the valley at dusk.
C2 noun /ˈsɪʒ.ən/

scission

Meaning
the act of cutting or dividing something
Example
The political party suffered a scission over ideological disputes.
C2 noun /ˌpætrəˈnɪmɪk/

patronymic

Meaning
a name derived from the name of a father or ancestor
Example
In many cultures, surnames are patronymic in origin.
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 verb /ɪnˈɡrɑːft/

ingraft

Meaning
To implant or fix deeply, often used in the sense of grafting an idea or quality.
Example
The teacher tried to ingraft good manners in the students.
C2 noun /ˈəʊpəs/

opus

Meaning
A creative work, especially a large and important piece of music or art.
Example
The composer considered the symphony his greatest opus.
C2 noun /ˈbæs.tərd tiːk/

Bastard teak

Meaning
A flowering tree with bright orange-red flowers, also known as flame of the forest
Example
The bastard teak tree blooms with vibrant orange flowers in spring.
C2 noun /ˈstriːmlɪt/

streamlet

Meaning
a small stream; a tiny brook or rivulet
Example
A streamlet flowed through the meadow.
C2 noun /ˌpæliˈeɪʃən/

palliation

Meaning
relief of symptoms without curing the underlying disease or problem
Example
Palliation is often the focus of care for terminally ill patients.
C2 noun /briːtʃ/

breech

Meaning
The back part of a gun barrel; a position of a baby in the womb where the buttocks or feet come out first at birth.
Example
The rifle was loaded through the breech.
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 adjective /ˈruːbɪkənd/

rubicund

Meaning
Having a healthy reddish complexion.
Example
The old man’s rubicund face showed he was in good health.
C2 noun /tɑːrn/

tarn

Meaning
A small mountain lake or pool.
Example
We camped near a tranquil tarn in the highlands.
C2 adjective ˌeə.rəʊˈstæt.ɪk

aerostatic

Meaning
Relating to or involving gases (especially air) in equilibrium and the equilibrium of balloons or aircraft under the influence of such gases.
Example
Aerostatic designs ensure stability at high altitudes.
C2 adjective /ˈpʌkɪʃ/

puckish

Meaning
playfully mischievous
Example
The child gave a puckish grin before hiding the toy.
C2 verb /ˈæntɪdeɪtɪd/

antedated

Meaning
assigned to an earlier date than the actual one; happened earlier
Example
The letter was antedated to appear more official.
C2 noun /mɛnˈdæsəti/

mendacity

Meaning
the tendency to be untruthful; dishonesty
Example
The journalist exposed the mendacity of the officials.
C2 noun /ˈmoʊlər/

molar

Meaning
A large tooth at the back of the mouth used for grinding food.
Example
The dentist had to extract his wisdom molar.
C2 noun /ˈændaɪərn/

andiron

Meaning
a metal support used in a fireplace to hold logs
Example
The logs rested on the andirons in the old fireplace.
C2 noun /ˈtɛsteɪtər/

testator

Meaning
a person who has made a will
Example
The lawyer read the will of the deceased testator.
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, adjective /pəˈtrɪʃən/

patrician

Meaning
A person of noble rank or high social standing; relating to aristocracy.
Example
The patrician families of Rome wielded great power in politics.
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 /ˈvæləns/

valance

Meaning
A decorative drapery hung across the top of a window or bed.
Example
She chose a floral valance to match the curtains in her bedroom.
C2 adjective /krəˈmætɪk/

chromatic

Meaning
Relating to colors or, in music, notes outside the standard scale.
Example
The artist used a chromatic palette to create vibrant contrasts.
C2 verb /ruː/

rue

Meaning
To feel regret or sorrow about something.
Example
She will rue the day she trusted him.
C2 noun /ˈpɜːrtnəs/

pertness

Meaning
boldness or forwardness in speech or behavior; sauciness
Example
Her pertness during the meeting surprised everyone.
C2 adjective ˌnjʊə.rəʊ.saɪənˈtɪ.fɪk

neuroscientific

Meaning
Related to the scientific study of the brain and nervous system.
Example
Neuroscientific research helps understand memory retention.
C2 noun /ˈdʒɛtsəm/

jetsam

Meaning
Unwanted material or goods thrown overboard from a ship and washed ashore.
Example
The beach was littered with jetsam after the storm.
C2 noun /lɔːˈdeɪʃən/

laudation

Meaning
The act of praising or expressing approval.
Example
The poet received much laudation for his moving verses.
C2 noun /dɪˈstɪlər/

distiller

Meaning
A person or company that makes alcoholic drinks or purified liquids by distillation.
Example
The distiller introduced a new brand of whiskey last year.
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 verb /ˈkɒr.ʌ.skeɪt/

coruscate

Meaning
to sparkle or flash brightly
Example
The fireworks coruscated across the night sky.
C2 verb /ˈdɛpɪleɪt/

depilate

Meaning
to remove hair from the skin, especially by mechanical or chemical means
Example
She decided to depilate her legs before the event.
C2 adjective /ˈɡlɑːbjələr/

globular

Meaning
Having the shape of a globe; spherical.
Example
The scientist studied the globular cluster of stars.
C2 noun /ˈskʌl.i.ən/

scullion

Meaning
a servant assigned the most menial kitchen tasks
Example
In medieval times, a scullion was responsible for cleaning pots and pans.
C2 noun /ˈwɪndbæɡ/

windbag

Meaning
a person who talks too much, especially in a boring or boastful way
Example
Everyone avoided the windbag at the party because he never let anyone else speak.
C2 adjective /ˈmɒtli/

motley

Meaning
Made up of different, often incongruous or diverse elements.
Example
The festival attracted a motley crowd of artists, musicians, and tourists.
C2 noun /pɪˈlɑːf/

Pillaw

Meaning
a dish of rice cooked in seasoned broth, often with meat and vegetables
Example
We enjoyed a delicious chicken pillaw for dinner.
C2 noun /ˌɔːskʌlˈteɪʃən/

auscultation

Meaning
The act of listening to internal sounds of the body, typically using a stethoscope.
Example
The doctor performed auscultation to check the patient’s lungs.
C2 noun /ˈplɛdʒɔːr/

pledgeor

Meaning
a person who gives or offers a pledge or security
Example
The bank accepted the jewelry from the pledgeor as collateral for the loan.
C2 adjective /ˈstraɪ.eɪ.tɪd/

striated

Meaning
marked with thin lines, grooves, or stripes
Example
The muscle fibers appeared striated under the microscope.
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 /ˈɪəri/

eyry

Meaning
an alternative spelling of eyrie; a nest of a bird of prey
Example
The falcon guarded its eyry fiercely.
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 adjective /bɪˈnɪɡnənt/

benignant

Meaning
Kindly and benevolent in nature.
Example
The teacher’s benignant attitude made the students feel comfortable.
C2 noun /ˈleɪ.ɪ.ti/

laity

Meaning
Ordinary members of a religious community who are not clergy.
Example
The church welcomed the laity to participate in the event.
C2 verb /ɪkˈspʌndʒ/

expunge

Meaning
To erase or remove completely, often something unwanted.
Example
He managed to expunge the embarrassing memory from his mind.
C2 noun /feɪnt/

feint

Meaning
a deceptive or pretended movement, especially in fighting or sports
Example
The boxer made a feint to the left before striking to the right.
C2 adjective /ɪkˈspɒzɪtəri/

expository

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

forejudge

Meaning
To judge beforehand without adequate information.
Example
It is unfair to forejudge someone without knowing the facts.
C2 adjective /əˈfɔːrsed/

Aforesaid

Meaning
mentioned before; previously stated
Example
The aforesaid conditions must be met before approval.
C2 verb /ˌækwiˈɛs/

acquiesce

Meaning
to accept something reluctantly but without protest
Example
She decided to acquiesce to her parents’ wishes.
C2 noun /ˌpɛkəˈdɪloʊ/

peccadillo

Meaning
a small or minor fault or sin
Example
Forgetting to call was just a small peccadillo, not a serious mistake.
C2 noun /fækˈtoʊtəm/

factotum

Meaning
an employee who does many different types of work; a general servant
Example
He worked as a factotum, handling both clerical and maintenance duties.
C2 noun /ˈeɪʒən siː bæs/

Asian sea bass

Meaning
a large predatory fish found in coastal waters and estuaries of the Indo-Pacific region, prized for its white meat
Example
Asian sea bass is highly valued in aquaculture for its fast growth.
C2 noun /ˌdʒer.ɪˈmaɪ.æd/

Jeremiad

Meaning
a long mournful complaint or lamentation; a list of woes; a prolonged expression of grief
Example
The newspaper editorial was a jeremiad about the decline of moral values in society.
C2 adjective /ˌprɒfɪˈlæktɪk/

prophylactic

Meaning
intended to prevent disease or an unwanted outcome; protective
Example
The doctor prescribed a prophylactic treatment to prevent infection.
C2 noun /ˈtɜːrməɡənt/

termagant

Meaning
A harsh-tempered or overbearing woman.
Example
The character was portrayed as a loud and domineering termagant.
C2 noun /əˈdɛpt.nəs/

adeptness

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