effeminacy
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C2 noun /ɪˈfɛmɪnəsi/

effeminacy

Meaning
The quality of showing traits traditionally associated with women, such as delicacy or softness.
Example
In ancient times, effeminacy was often criticized as a sign of weakness.
C2 noun /aɪˈdɒlətri/

idolatry

Meaning
The worship of idols or extreme admiration for someone or something.
Example
The priest condemned the idolatry practiced in the village.
C2 noun /ˈɛnsaɪn/

ensign

Meaning
A flag or standard, especially a military or naval one indicating nationality; also a junior officer in the navy or coast guard.
Example
The ship raised its national ensign before leaving the harbor.
C2 adjective /ˈdɛprɪkətɔːri/

deprecatory

Meaning
expressing disapproval or belittling
Example
He gave a deprecatory remark about their performance.
C2 verb /ˈdʒɪb.ər/

gibber

Meaning
To speak rapidly and unintelligibly, typically through fear or shock.
Example
The frightened man began to gibber when he saw the ghost.
C2 adjective /ˈɪn.dɪ.dʒənt/

indigent

Meaning
lacking the necessities of life due to poverty; very poor
Example
The hospital offers free care to indigent patients.
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 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 /ˈɛksplɪkeɪtər/

explicator

Meaning
a person who explains or interprets something in detail
Example
The critic served as an explicator of the poet’s complex works.
C2 adjective /ˈstɪdʒiən/

stygian

Meaning
extremely dark, gloomy, or forbidding
Example
They walked through the stygian cave with torches.
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 /pəˈveɪʒən/

pervasion

Meaning
the act of spreading through or being present everywhere in something
Example
There was a pervasion of hope throughout the community.
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 verb /rɪˈdaʊnd/

redound

Meaning
to contribute greatly to a result or consequence, usually beneficial
Example
His hard work will redound to the success of the company.
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 /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 /ˈfrʌktɪˌfaɪ/

fructify

Meaning
To make fruitful or productive; to bear fruit.
Example
The new policies will help fructify the economic potential of the region.
C2 adjective /ˈfæləbl/

fallible

Meaning
capable of making mistakes or being wrong
Example
Even experts are fallible and can make errors.
C2 noun /ˌɪmprəˈpraɪəti/

impropriety

Meaning
Failure to observe standards of honesty or modesty; improper behavior.
Example
The politician was accused of financial impropriety.
C2 verb /priːˈdɛstɪn/

predestine

Meaning
to determine or decide something in advance, often regarded as being fixed by fate or divine will
Example
They believed their paths were predestined by fate.
C2 noun /sfɛˈrɪsɪti/

sphericity

Meaning
The quality or state of being spherical; roundness.
Example
The sphericity of the ball made it roll smoothly on the ground.
C2 noun /rɪˈpruːf/

reproof

Meaning
An expression of blame or disapproval.
Example
His careless words drew a sharp reproof from his mother.
C2 adjective /ɪmˌpɜːrˈsweɪdəbl/

impersuadable

Meaning
not able to be convinced or persuaded
Example
She remained impersuadable despite all our arguments.
C2 noun /skʌlˈdʌɡəri/

skulduggery

Meaning
underhanded or dishonest behavior
Example
The politician was accused of financial skulduggery.
C2 verb /rɛnd/

rend

Meaning
to tear something apart violently or forcefully
Example
The explosion rent the air with a deafening noise.
C2 noun /ˈkwaɪəˌtuːd/

quietude

Meaning
A state of stillness and tranquility.
Example
She enjoys the quietude of the countryside.
C2 noun /kəˈdævər/

cadaver

Meaning
A dead human body, especially one used for medical study.
Example
Medical students dissected the cadaver to learn about human anatomy.
C2 noun /ˈhænd ˌrɪŋɪŋ/

hand-wringing

Meaning
excessive worry or concern expressed in a visible or dramatic way.
Example
There was much hand-wringing over the political crisis.
C2 noun prɒkˈsiː.mɪks

proxemics

Meaning
The study of how people use space and distance to indicate relationships
Example
Understanding proxemics helps in improving interpersonal communication.
C2 noun /ˈseɪnjər/

seignior

Meaning
A feudal lord; a man of authority in medieval Europe.
Example
The seignior demanded taxes from the peasants.
C2 noun /ˌdɛkləˈmeɪʃən/

declamation

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

effervesce

Meaning
To give off bubbles of gas; to show excitement, liveliness, or enthusiasm.
Example
The soda began to effervesce as soon as it was opened.
C2 noun /ˈhaɪdrə/

hydra

Meaning
a many-headed serpent in Greek mythology; a problem that seems to grow worse when attempts are made to solve it
Example
Corruption is like a hydra, hard to defeat completely.
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 /ˌsuːpərɪnˈtɛnd/

superintend

Meaning
to oversee and direct the work or operation of something
Example
She was hired to superintend the construction project.
C2 adjective /ˈpɑːmi/

palmy

Meaning
prosperous, flourishing, or relating to palm trees
Example
He often reminisced about the palmy days of his youth.
C2 verb /ˈvæsɪleɪt/

vacillate

Meaning
to waver between different opinions or actions; be indecisive
Example
He vacillated between studying law and becoming a writer.
C2 noun /ˈdoʊtɪdʒ/

dotage

Meaning
The period of old age, especially when one is weak or senile.
Example
He spent his dotage reminiscing about his youth.
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 adjective /ˈtɪd.li/

Tiddley

Meaning
slightly drunk; small or tiny
Example
After a few drinks, he felt a bit tiddley.
C2 noun /aɪər/

ire

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

hexapod

Meaning
An insect or other organism with six legs.
Example
The scientist observed a hexapod crawling on the leaf.
C2 noun /əˈblɪkwɪti/

obliquity

Meaning
Deviation from moral or usual conduct; indirectness or lack of straightforwardness.
Example
The politician was criticized for the obliquity of his answers.
C2 verb /ˌæntɪˈsiːd/

antecede

Meaning
to come before in time or order
Example
A short introduction usually antecedes the main text.
C2 verb /ɪnˈtræp/

entrap

Meaning
To catch or trick someone into a difficult situation.
Example
The police tried to entrap the criminal with false evidence.
C2 adjective /kɒnˈsæŋɡwɪn/

consanguine

Meaning
Of the same blood or origin; related by birth.
Example
The two families were consanguine through their grandparents.
C2 noun /kɒzˈmɒɡ.ə.ni/

cosmogony

Meaning
the study or theory of the origin of the universe
Example
The book provides an overview of different cosmogonies throughout history.
C2 noun /ˈskæb.ərd/

scabbard

Meaning
A sheath for the blade of a sword or dagger, typically made of leather or metal.
Example
The knight drew his sword from the scabbard.
C2 noun /ˈmoʊlə ˈkɑrplɪt/

Mola carplet

Meaning
a small freshwater fish of the carp family, commonly found in South Asian rivers and ponds
Example
The mola carplet is a popular small fish used in Bengali cuisine.
C2 adjective /ˌsuːdəˈrɪfɪk/

sudorific

Meaning
causing or increasing sweating
Example
The doctor prescribed a sudorific drug to help reduce the fever.
C2 adjective /ˈlɪəri/

leery

Meaning
Cautious or wary due to suspicion or distrust.
Example
She was leery of investing in the new business.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈwəʊntɪd/

unwonted

Meaning
Unusual, uncommon, or out of the ordinary.
Example
She spoke with an unwonted gentleness that surprised everyone.
C2 adjective /ˈseɪpiənt/

sapient

Meaning
Wise, or appearing to be wise.
Example
The professor gave a sapient response to the complex question.
C2 verb /ˈbraʊˌbiːt/

browbeat

Meaning
To intimidate or bully someone into doing something
Example
The lawyer tried to browbeat the witness.
C2 verb /ˌweɪˈleɪ/

waylay

Meaning
to stop or interrupt someone unexpectedly, often to attack or detain them
Example
He was waylaid by reporters as he left the courthouse.
C2 adjective /səˈleɪʃəs/

salacious

Meaning
Having or conveying undue or inappropriate sexual interest.
Example
The tabloid published a salacious story about the celebrity.
C2 adjective /ˌʌnpriːpəˈzɛsɪŋ/

unprepossessing

Meaning
not attractive or appealing in appearance
Example
Despite his unprepossessing looks, he was very kind and intelligent.
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 noun /ˌɒpəˈrɛtə/

operetta

Meaning
a short opera with light and humorous themes
Example
The theater staged a famous operetta by Gilbert and Sullivan.
C2 verb /ˈtɪtəleɪt/

titillate

Meaning
To excite or amuse, especially in a slightly sexual or playful way.
Example
The comedian's jokes titillated the audience.
C2 adjective /ˈlæk.rɪ.moʊs/

lachrymose

Meaning
tearful or given to weeping; sad and mournful
Example
The movie's lachrymose ending left the audience in tears.
C2 verb /rɪˈvaɪl/

revile

Meaning
to criticize in an abusive or angrily insulting manner
Example
The politician was reviled by the public for his corruption.
C2 adjective /ˈtjuːtɪləri/

tutelary

Meaning
Relating to or serving as a guardian or protector, often used for deities or spirits.
Example
Athena was considered the tutelary goddess of Athens.
C2 verb /əˈmælɡəmeɪt/

amalgamate

Meaning
to combine or unite to form one organization or structure; to merge
Example
The two companies decided to amalgamate their operations.
C2 noun /jɔːr/

yore

Meaning
Time long past; bygone days.
Example
Legends of yore still inspire people today.
C2 noun /ˈɛpənɪm/

eponym

Meaning
A person after whom a discovery, invention, place, or other thing is named.
Example
Sandwich is an eponym named after the Earl of Sandwich.
C2 noun /ˈɔːldərmənʃɪp/

aldermanship

Meaning
The office, position, or dignity of an alderman.
Example
He was honored with aldermanship after years of service.
C2 adjective /fækˈtɪʃəs/

factitious

Meaning
artificial or fabricated; not natural or genuine
Example
The excitement in his story seemed factitious and forced.
C2 adjective /ˈven.tʃər.əs/

Venturous

Meaning
willing to take risks; adventurous; bold
Example
The venturous explorer climbed the dangerous mountain.
C2 noun /ˈæntɪfɒn/

antiphon

Meaning
a short chant or verse sung responsively in Christian worship, typically sung before or after a psalm or canticle
Example
The choir sang the antiphon before beginning the main hymn.
C2 adjective /juːˈfoʊniəs/

euphonious

Meaning
Pleasing to the ear; having a sweet sound.
Example
The poet's euphonious language made the verse a delight to read.
C2 noun /ˈɛpəʊd/

epode

Meaning
A form of lyric poem written in couplets, often following a strophe and antistrophe in classical Greek poetry.
Example
The poet concluded his ode with a striking epode.
C2 adjective /ˌhæfˈhɑːr.tɪd/

halfhearted

Meaning
lacking enthusiasm or determination; unenthusiastic
Example
His halfhearted attempt to study did not bring good results.
C2 noun /reɪθ/

wraith

Meaning
A ghost or ghostlike image of someone, especially seen shortly before or after their death.
Example
A wraith appeared in the fog near the old castle.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈvɛtərət/

inveterate

Meaning
having a long-established habit, activity, or interest that is unlikely to change
Example
He is an inveterate reader who spends hours in the library every day.
C2 adjective /ˌpɪkəˈjuːn/

picayune

Meaning
of little value or importance; trivial
Example
He complained about the picayune details of the contract.
C2 noun /friːz/

frieze

Meaning
a decorative horizontal band, often sculpted or painted, usually on a wall near the ceiling
Example
The frieze above the entrance depicts scenes from ancient mythology.
C2 adjective /ˈdjuːtiəbl/

dutiable

Meaning
subject to customs duty or tax
Example
Imported electronics are often dutiable at the border.
C2 noun /ɪˈfluːviəm/

effluvium

Meaning
an unpleasant or harmful odor, secretion, or discharge
Example
The effluvium from the factory spread across the neighborhood.
C2 noun /dɪˈstreɪnər/

distrainor

Meaning
a person, usually a landlord, who seizes another's property for unpaid debt or rent
Example
The distrainor took possession of the tenant's car until the debt was cleared.
C2 verb /ˈpɛkjʊˌleɪt/

peculate

Meaning
To embezzle or steal money, especially public funds.
Example
The corrupt official was found guilty of peculating government funds.
C2 noun /ˈstriːmlɪt/

streamlet

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

welt

Meaning
A raised mark on the skin, usually from a blow or allergic reaction.
Example
He had a red welt on his arm after the bee sting.
C2 noun /ʃəˈɡrɪn/

chagrin

Meaning
Distress or embarrassment at having failed or been humiliated.
Example
She left the room in chagrin after forgetting her lines.
C2 noun /ˈbɜːrdʒɪs/

burgess

Meaning
A citizen of a town or borough with full rights of citizenship.
Example
In medieval times, a burgess had the right to vote and hold property.
C2 adjective /ˈkɑːrpɪŋ/

carping

Meaning
continually complaining or finding fault in a petty way
Example
His carping attitude makes teamwork difficult.
C2 noun /ˈvaɪəl/

viol

Meaning
A stringed musical instrument of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, played with a bow and similar to but distinct from the violin family.
Example
The musician played an old viol in the chamber music concert.
C2 adjective /ˈsteɪ.dʒi/

stagy

Meaning
Overly theatrical, artificial, or exaggerated in manner or style.
Example
Her performance felt stagy and unnatural.
C2 adjective /ˈmæn.laɪk/

manlike

Meaning
Having qualities or characteristics traditionally associated with a man; manly.
Example
His manlike courage impressed everyone in the village.
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 noun /ˈkɪŋɡlɪŋ/

kingling

Meaning
A minor or petty king; a ruler of small importance.
Example
The kingling demanded respect from his people despite his small realm.
C2 verb /ˈʌndərˌraɪt/

underwrite

Meaning
To guarantee financial support, especially by agreeing to cover losses or risks; in insurance, to assess and accept risks.
Example
The bank agreed to underwrite the company's new bond issue.
C2 verb /əˈkluːd/

occlude

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

attenuation

Meaning
The reduction of the force, effect, or value of something.
Example
The attenuation of sound waves affects communication.
C2 verb /əˈpraɪz/

apprise

Meaning
to inform or notify someone
Example
The manager will apprise the staff of the new policies.
C2 verb /kruːn/

croon

Meaning
to sing or hum in a soft, low, and gentle voice
Example
She crooned a lullaby to help the baby fall asleep.
C2 noun /ɒkˈteɪvoʊ/

octavo

Meaning
A size of book page resulting from folding a sheet of paper into eight leaves (sixteen pages).
Example
The old library contained rare octavo editions of Shakespeare.
C2 noun /ˈaɪ.lət/

islet

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

vicissitude

Meaning
A natural change or succession of one thing to another; the ups and downs of life.
Example
The vicissitude of life often teaches resilience.
C2 noun /ˌæpəˈleɪʃən/

appellation

Meaning
a name or title
Example
The city has earned the appellation 'The Big Apple'.
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 /ɪnˈtɛmpərət/

intemperate

Meaning
Lacking self-control; immoderate, especially in indulgence.
Example
The politician's intemperate remarks caused controversy.
C2 adjective /ˈsɪbɪlənt/

sibilant

Meaning
Making or characterized by a hissing sound.
Example
The word 'snake' starts with a sibilant sound.
C2 adjective /ɡrɪˈɡɛəriəs/

gregarious

Meaning
Fond of company; sociable.
Example
She is a gregarious person who loves meeting new people.
C2 adjective /ˈsɪŋkəˌpeɪtɪd/

syncopated

Meaning
Characterized by displaced beats or rhythms, especially in music.
Example
The jazz piece had a syncopated rhythm that energized the crowd.
C2 verb /beɪst/

baste

Meaning
to pour or brush melted fat, juices, or liquid over meat during cooking to keep it moist
Example
She basted the turkey every 30 minutes to keep it juicy.
C2 adjective /ˈdaʊ.di/

dowdy

Meaning
unfashionable, dull, or shabby in appearance
Example
She wore a dowdy dress to the party.
C2 adjective /ˈkrɛdʒʊləs/

credulous

Meaning
Having or showing too great a readiness to believe things.
Example
The credulous child believed every story she heard.
C2 verb /ˈdɛpjʊˌtaɪz/

deputize

Meaning
To appoint someone as a deputy; to act as a substitute or representative.
Example
The sheriff decided to deputize several locals to help maintain order.
C2 noun /ˈkænə/

Canna

Meaning
a tropical flowering plant with large, colorful flowers and broad leaves
Example
The bright orange canna lilies grew tall beside the pond.
C2 adjective /ˌhɛtərəʊˈmɔːrfɪk/

heteromorphic

Meaning
Having different forms or shapes, especially in the same species or organism.
Example
Butterflies are heteromorphic during their life cycle, changing forms from larva to adult.
C2 adjective /əˈrækjələr/

oracular

Meaning
Resembling an oracle; giving wise, mysterious, or prophetic statements
Example
Her oracular words left the audience deep in thought.
C2 adjective /ˈek.wə.bəl/

Equable

Meaning
calm and even-tempered; not easily disturbed
Example
He maintained an equable temperament throughout the crisis.
C2 adjective /ˈæb.ə.rənt/

aberrant

Meaning
deviating from what is normal or expected; abnormal
Example
His aberrant behavior shocked everyone at the meeting.
C2 noun /luːˈsɪd.ə.ti/

lucidity

Meaning
Clarity of thought or style; the quality of being easily understood.
Example
His explanation had great lucidity, making it easy to understand.
C2 noun /ˈkɪŋʃɪp/

kingship

Meaning
The position, dignity, or authority of a king.
Example
The king’s advisors often reminded him of the responsibilities of kingship.
C2 noun /ˌɔːrəˈtɔːri.oʊ/

oratorio

Meaning
A large-scale musical composition for orchestra, choir, and soloists, usually on a sacred theme, performed without costumes or scenery.
Example
Handel's 'Messiah' is one of the most famous oratorios ever written.
C2 verb /ɪˈdjuːs/

educe

Meaning
To draw out or bring forth something latent or hidden.
Example
The teacher tried to educe a response from the shy student.
C2 verb /bɪˈθɪŋk/

bethink

Meaning
to cause oneself to consider or remember something
Example
He bethought himself of the promise he had made.
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 /pɪˈnɒlədʒi/

penology

Meaning
The study of prison management and criminal rehabilitation.
Example
He decided to specialize in penology to help improve the prison system.