etymology
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C1 noun /ˌɛtɪˈmɒlədʒi/

etymology

Meaning
The study of the origin of words and how their meanings and forms have evolved.
Example
The etymology of the word 'salary' comes from the Latin word for salt.
C2 noun /ˌkɒməˈsɛəriət/

commissariat

Meaning
A department responsible for supplying food and equipment, especially in the military.
Example
The army commissariat ensured that the soldiers had enough supplies.
A2 noun /rɪˈleɪ.ʃən.ʃɪp/

Relationship

Meaning
the way two people or groups feel and behave towards each other; a connection between two things
Example
They have a very close relationship.
B2 noun /ˈkɪdni/

Kidney

Meaning
either of a pair of organs that filter waste products from the blood and produce urine
Example
Drinking plenty of water helps keep your kidneys healthy.
A2 noun /ˈlɔːndri/

laundry

Meaning
clothes or linens that need to be washed or have been washed
Example
She folded the clean laundry neatly.
B1 verb meɪnˈteɪn

maintain

Meaning
To keep in good condition; to preserve or sustain.
Example
Maintaining discipline in educational institutions is crucial.
C1 adjective /ˈswɛltərɪŋ/

sweltering

Meaning
uncomfortably hot
Example
The sweltering heat made it hard to work.
C1 verb /dɪˈtrækt/

detract

Meaning
To reduce or take away the worth or value of something.
Example
His rude behavior will detract from his good reputation.
B2 noun /kloʊv/

Clove

Meaning
aromatic flower buds of a tree in the family Myrtaceae, used as a spice
Example
She added a few cloves to the mulled wine for extra flavor.
C1 noun /ˈmoʊɡəl/

mogul

Meaning
A powerful or influential person, especially in business or media.
Example
He became a tech mogul by founding a billion-dollar company.
C2 noun /ˈɡræfaɪt/

graphite

Meaning
a soft, black form of carbon used in pencils and as a lubricant
Example
The artist sketched the portrait using a graphite pencil.
C2 noun /kjuːˈpɪdəti/

cupidity

Meaning
Excessive desire for wealth or possessions; greed.
Example
The king's downfall was caused by his cupidity.
C2 adjective /həˈrɛtɪkəl/

heretical

Meaning
Relating to or characterized by departure from accepted beliefs or standards, especially in religion.
Example
The priest condemned the book as heretical.
C2 noun /ˌɛfəˈvɛsəns/

effervescence

Meaning
The release of gas bubbles; vivacity or high-spiritedness.
Example
Her effervescence made her the life of the party.
C2 noun /ˈpjuːɪsəns/

puissance

Meaning
Great power, strength, or influence.
Example
The empire showed its puissance through vast armies.
B2 noun /ˈder.ɪŋ/

Daring

Meaning
adventurous courage; willingness to take risks
Example
The mountain climber's daring impressed everyone at the base camp.
A2 adjective /ˈrɪtən/

written

Meaning
expressed in writing rather than spoken; composed or recorded in written form
Example
The agreement must be in written form to be valid.
B2 verb /fliː/

flee

Meaning
To run away from danger or a threatening situation.
Example
The villagers had to flee during the flood.
C1 verb /ɡliːn/

glean

Meaning
to collect or gather slowly and bit by bit, especially information or crops left after harvest
Example
The journalist gleaned facts from several sources.
C2 adjective /sərˈkjuːɪtəs/

circuitous

Meaning
Longer than the most direct way; roundabout.
Example
He took a circuitous route to avoid traffic.
C2 noun /ˈfrɛʃɪt/

freshet

Meaning
A sudden overflow of a stream or river caused by heavy rain or melting snow.
Example
After the storm, the river turned into a raging freshet.
B2 noun /ˈtɛkstʃər/

texture

Meaning
the way something feels when you touch it; the quality of a surface or substance
Example
The fabric has a soft and smooth texture.
C1 verb /rɪˈprɛs/

repress

Meaning
To restrain, suppress, or keep under control, especially emotions or desires.
Example
He tried to repress his anger during the meeting.
C1 noun ˌvæljuˈeɪʃən

valuation

Meaning
An estimation of the worth of something.
Example
The valuation of the property was much higher than expected.
B1 noun /ˌʌnɪmˈplɔɪmənt/

Unemployment

Meaning
the state of being unemployed; lack of paid work
Example
The unemployment rate has increased significantly this year.
A2 adjective /ˈjuːs.ləs/

Useless

Meaning
having no beneficial purpose; not useful
Example
This broken computer is completely useless.
A2 adverb /jet/

Yet

Meaning
up to now or a specified time; still; however; nevertheless
Example
He hasn't finished his homework yet.
A1 verb /æsk/

ask

Meaning
to request information; to inquire; to invite
Example
Can I ask you a question about the homework?
C1 adjective, noun /ɪnˈdɪkətɪv/

indicative

Meaning
Serving as a sign or expression of something; in grammar, a mood used to make factual statements.
Example
His tone was indicative of his frustration.
B2 noun /ˈsæb.ə.tɑːʒ/

Sabotage

Meaning
deliberate destruction of equipment or disruption of activities
Example
The factory was shut down due to an act of sabotage.
C1 noun trænˈsɛndəns

transcendence

Meaning
Existence or experience beyond the normal or physical level.
Example
The artist's work was a symbol of transcendence in creativity.
C2 adjective /sɪˈbeɪʃəs/

sebaceous

Meaning
Relating to or secreting sebum, an oily substance from the skin.
Example
Acne is often caused by overactive sebaceous glands.
B2 noun /ˈboʊld.nəs/

Boldness

Meaning
willingness to take risks; confidence and courage in behavior
Example
Her boldness in confronting the problem impressed everyone.
C2 adjective /ˈɛkstənt/

extant

Meaning
Still in existence; surviving.
Example
Only a few manuscripts from the ancient library are extant.
C2 noun /ˈʌp.wel.ɪŋ/

upwelling

Meaning
An oceanographic phenomenon that involves wind-driven motion of dense, cooler, and nutrient-rich water towards the ocean surface.
Example
Upwelling brings nutrients to the ocean surface.
B2 adjective /ˌʌn.kəʊˈɒp.ər.ə.tɪv/

uncooperative

Meaning
not willing to help or work with others; unhelpful
Example
The witness was uncooperative and refused to answer questions.
B2 noun /ˈmɒlɪkjuːl/

molecule

Meaning
The smallest unit of a chemical compound that retains its chemical properties.
Example
A water molecule is made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
C1 noun /dɪˌnɒmɪˈneɪʃən/

denomination

Meaning
a recognized autonomous branch of the Christian Church; a unit of value or currency
Example
The church belongs to a Protestant denomination.
A2 adjective /ˈtaɪ.ni/

Tiny

Meaning
extremely small in size or amount
Example
The baby bird was tiny and helpless.
C1 noun /ænˈtæɡənɪzəm/

antagonism

Meaning
active hostility or opposition
Example
There was clear antagonism between the two political parties.
C2 noun /ˈbiːlaɪn/

beeline

Meaning
a straight, direct route to a destination
Example
He made a beeline for the food table as soon as he entered the party.
C1 noun /ˌtɒləˈreɪʃən/

toleration

Meaning
The practice of allowing something that one does not necessarily agree with.
Example
The government promoted religious toleration.
C2 adjective /əˈsɛt.ɪk/

ascetic

Meaning
Practicing strict self-denial and abstaining from worldly pleasures, often for religious reasons.
Example
He lived an ascetic life in the mountains, far from worldly comforts.
C1 noun ˈæltruɪzəm

altruism

Meaning
The belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others.
Example
His altruism motivated others to volunteer.
C2 noun /ˈflæt.ər.ər/

Flatterer

Meaning
a person who lavishes praise, often insincerely and in order to gain advantage
Example
The king was surrounded by flatterers who only told him what he wanted to hear.
C2 adjective /ˈflɒrɪd/

florid

Meaning
Having a red or flushed complexion; or excessively ornate and intricate.
Example
The speaker’s florid style made the lecture hard to follow.
B2 noun /prəˈpɔːʃən/

proportion

Meaning
a part, share, or number considered in comparative relation to a whole
Example
The proportion of students passing the exam was high.
C1 noun /weɪst tʃeɪn/

Waist chain

Meaning
a decorative chain worn around the waist as jewelry or ornamentation
Example
The traditional waist chain complemented her ethnic outfit perfectly.
B2 noun /siːdʒ/

siege

Meaning
A military operation in which a place is surrounded to force its surrender.
Example
The castle fell after a long siege.
B2 verb /ˈsɪmpəθaɪz/

sympathize

Meaning
to feel sorry for someone; to understand and share someone's feelings
Example
I sympathize with your loss.
C2 noun /ˈtʊrnɪkɪt/

tourniquet

Meaning
a device used to stop bleeding by compressing blood vessels
Example
The medic applied a tourniquet to stop the bleeding.
C2 adjective /ˈliːwərd/

leeward

Meaning
On or toward the sheltered side away from the wind.
Example
They built their camp on the leeward side of the hill.
A1 noun /ɑːrt/

art

Meaning
the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination
Example
She studied art at the university.
C2 verb /ˈnɪtˌpɪk/

nitpick

Meaning
To find and criticize small or unimportant faults in someone or something.
Example
She tends to nitpick about every little detail.
B2 noun prɛsˈtiːʒ

prestige

Meaning
Widespread respect and admiration felt for someone or something on the basis of a perception of their achievements or quality.
Example
The university has gained international prestige for its research.
C1 verb /ɪnˈɡreɪv/

engrave

Meaning
to cut or carve a design, letter, or pattern into a hard surface
Example
The craftsman engraved her name on the silver ring.
C1 adjective /kəˈθɑːr.tɪk/

cathartic

Meaning
Providing psychological relief through the open expression of strong emotions.
Example
Writing about emotions can be a cathartic experience.
B2 noun ˌreɪdɪˈeɪʃən

radiation

Meaning
The emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or as moving subatomic particles.
Example
Radiation from the sun can be harmful without protection.
C2 verb /fɔːrˈboʊd/

forebode

Meaning
To predict or have a strong inner feeling of a future misfortune or evil.
Example
Dark clouds forebode a coming storm.
C1 noun /ˈsɪmətri/

symmetry

Meaning
the quality of having balanced proportions or identical parts facing each other
Example
The building’s symmetry impressed the visitors.
B2 adjective /ˈhez.ɪ.tənt/

Hesitant

Meaning
uncertain or unwilling to act; showing doubt or reluctance
Example
She was hesitant to accept the job offer.
A1 verb /neɪm/

name

Meaning
to give a title or designation to someone or something
Example
They decided to name their baby Sarah.
B1 verb /kræk/

crack

Meaning
To break or cause to break without complete separation; to make a sharp sound.
Example
The glass cracked when it was dropped on the floor.
C2 noun /ˈkæm.fər/

Camphor

Meaning
a white crystalline substance with a strong aromatic smell, used in medicine and religious ceremonies
Example
The temple was filled with the fragrant smoke of burning camphor.
B1 adjective /əˈsoʊsieɪtɪd/

associated

Meaning
connected or related to something or someone
Example
She is closely associated with environmental movements.
B2 adjective /ˈtʃeɪn.dʒə.bəl/

Changeable

Meaning
able to be changed; likely to change frequently
Example
The weather is very changeable in spring.
C1 verb /pɜːrdʒ/

purge

Meaning
To remove unwanted feelings, people, or things; to cleanse or purify.
Example
The new leader promised to purge corruption from the government.
B2 noun ɪnˌdʌstrɪəlaɪˈzeɪʃən

industrialization

Meaning
The development of industries in a country or region on a wide scale.
Example
Industrialization changed the global economy dramatically.
C2 noun /stɒˈkeɪd/

stockade

Meaning
a defensive barrier made of strong posts or timbers, often around a fort or prison
Example
The prisoners were kept inside the wooden stockade.
B1 noun /ˈfaɪn.dɪŋ/

finding

Meaning
a discovery, conclusion, or result reached after investigation
Example
The scientist published her findings in a leading journal.
C2 noun /ˌfɪziˈɒnəmi/

physiognomy

Meaning
the study of facial features to judge character or personality
Example
He believed in physiognomy and tried to read people's personalities from their faces.
C2 noun /kəˈliːdʒən/

collegian

Meaning
a student of a college
Example
The collegians were preparing for the cultural festival.
C2 adjective /ˌɪmpəˈmɪsəbl/

impermissible

Meaning
Not permitted or allowed.
Example
Such behavior is impermissible in the workplace.
C1 adjective /ˈfɪk.əl/

Fickle

Meaning
changeable; inconstant; liable to sudden unpredictable change
Example
His fickle nature made it hard to trust his promises.
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.
C1 verb /ˈɛkstrɪkeɪt/

extricate

Meaning
To free someone or something from a constraint or difficulty.
Example
The firefighters extricated the passengers from the wrecked car.
C1 noun /ˌɪnklɪˈneɪʃən/

inclination

Meaning
A natural tendency or urge to act or feel in a particular way.
Example
She has an inclination towards helping others.
B2 adverb /ˈstɛdɪli/

steadily

Meaning
in a regular and continuous way; without stopping or changing
Example
The company's profits have been increasing steadily.
C2 noun, verb /əˈfrʌnt/

affront

Meaning
An action or remark that causes outrage or offense.
Example
He took her criticism as a personal affront.
B2 noun /dʒem/

Gem

Meaning
a precious or semi-precious stone, especially when cut and polished or engraved; something prized for its beauty or worth
Example
The antique necklace featured a rare sapphire gem surrounded by diamonds.
C2 adjective /ˈfɪnɪki/

finicky

Meaning
difficult to please; very particular about details
Example
He is so finicky about his food that he only eats organic vegetables.
C2 noun /daɪˈɡrɛʃən/

digression

Meaning
A temporary departure from the main subject in speech or writing.
Example
Her story was full of interesting digressions.
C1 verb /əˈkleɪm/

acclaim

Meaning
to praise enthusiastically and publicly
Example
The audience acclaimed the actor for his outstanding performance.
C1 verb /kənˈdʒɛst/

congest

Meaning
To block or overcrowd a space, making movement or flow difficult.
Example
Heavy traffic can congest the city streets during rush hour.
C1 verb /ɪnˈsɜːrkəl/

encircle

Meaning
to form a circle around something
Example
The protesters encircled the building in a human chain.
B2 verb /dɪsˈtʃɑːrdʒ/

discharge

Meaning
to release or dismiss from duty; to emit or give off
Example
The hospital will discharge the patient tomorrow.
B1 noun /ˈɪnstəns/

instance

Meaning
An example or single occurrence of something.
Example
This is just one instance of his generosity.
C1 noun /ɪnˈfɜːrnoʊ/

inferno

Meaning
a large, intense fire that is dangerously out of control
Example
The building turned into an inferno within minutes.
C2 adjective /ˈsɪlvən/

sylvan

Meaning
Relating to or characteristic of the woods or forest.
Example
The cottage was set in a sylvan landscape full of tall trees.
B1 verb /waɪp/

wipe

Meaning
to clean or dry something by rubbing with a cloth or tissue
Example
Please wipe the table clean.
C2 noun /ˈdʒɒs.stɪk/

Joss-stick

Meaning
a thin stick of incense that is burned for its pleasant smell, especially in religious ceremonies
Example
She lit a joss-stick in the temple during her prayers.
C1 noun /ˈlɔː.ləs.nəs/

Lawlessness

Meaning
absence of law and order; a state where laws do not exist or are not enforced
Example
The city descended into lawlessness after the government collapsed.
C2 noun /ˈbɔːbəl/

bauble

Meaning
A small, decorative trinket or ornament, often of little value.
Example
She wore a shiny bauble around her neck.
B2 adjective /sɪˈlek.tɪv/

Selective

Meaning
relating to or involving careful selection; choosy about what to accept
Example
The university has a selective admission process for new students.
B2 noun ˈbænd.wɪdθ

bandwidth

Meaning
A range of frequencies within a given band, in particular that used for transmitting a signal; the maximum amount of data that can be transmitted in a fixed amount of time.
Example
Increasing bandwidth enhances internet speed.
C1 verb /dɪˈkraɪ/

decry

Meaning
to publicly criticize or express strong disapproval of something
Example
Many activists decry the destruction of the rainforest.
C1 noun pɔɪz

poise

Meaning
Natural confidence and composure maintained under pressure.
Example
A good speaker maintains poise under pressure.
C1 noun /bəˈrɑːʒ/

barrage

Meaning
a concentrated outpouring of questions, criticisms, or blows; a rapid, continuous attack
Example
The politician faced a barrage of tough questions from reporters.
A2 noun /ˈstrɔːbəri/

Strawberry

Meaning
a small red heart-shaped fruit with tiny seeds on the surface and sweet taste
Example
I love eating fresh strawberries with cream during summer.
C2 noun /ˈrɛdʒɪsaɪd/

regicide

Meaning
the act of killing a king
Example
The conspirators were executed for committing regicide.
B2 adverb /ˈaʊtraɪt/

Outright

Meaning
completely; directly; without reservation or concealment
Example
She rejected the proposal outright.
A1 noun /ˈwɛnzdeɪ/

wednesday

Meaning
the fourth day of the week, following Tuesday and preceding Thursday
Example
The meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈfɛtərd/

unfettered

Meaning
not restricted or confined; free
Example
The artist enjoyed unfettered freedom of expression.
A2 noun /keɪdʒ/

Cage

Meaning
a structure with bars or wire for keeping birds or animals
Example
The parrot lives in a large cage.
B2 noun /ˈoʊvərpæs/

overpass

Meaning
A bridge that carries one road or railway over another.
Example
The new overpass reduced traffic congestion in the city.
A2 noun/verb /ˈaɪən/ or /ˈaɪərn/

iron

Meaning
a strong, hard metal used in construction; also to press clothes with heat
Example
He used an iron to smooth his shirt.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈɡroʊst/

engrossed

Meaning
completely absorbed or deeply involved in something
Example
She was so engrossed in the book that she forgot the time.
C2 noun /ˈtɜːrpɪtuːd/

turpitude

Meaning
depraved or wicked behavior or character
Example
The judge condemned the criminal’s act of moral turpitude.
C1 noun ɪnˌɛv.ɪ.təˈbɪl.ɪ.ti

inevitability

Meaning
The quality of being certain to happen and impossible to avoid or prevent.
Example
The inevitability of change is a part of life.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈɡreɪnd/

engrained

Meaning
Firmly fixed or established; difficult to change.
Example
Cultural practices are often deeply engrained in the fabric of society.
A2 noun /dɪˈzaɪnər/

designer

Meaning
a person who plans and creates the form or structure of something
Example
The fashion designer presented her new collection.
A2 noun /ˌʌpˈsteəz/

Upstairs

Meaning
on or to an upper floor of a building; the upper floor or floors
Example
She went upstairs to her bedroom to rest.
C2 adjective /bɪˈnɪɡnənt/

benignant

Meaning
Kindly and benevolent in nature.
Example
The teacher’s benignant attitude made the students feel comfortable.
C1 verb /siːd/

cede

Meaning
to give up power, territory, or rights to another
Example
The country ceded territory after losing the war.
B1 noun /ˈmeɪkʌp/

makeup

Meaning
cosmetics used to enhance or alter appearance
Example
She applied makeup before the party.
C2 noun /ˌdɛd ˈhiːt/

dead-heat

Meaning
a race or contest in which two or more competitors finish exactly equal
Example
The race ended in a dead-heat between the two runners.
C1 adjective /priˈɛmptɪv/

preemptive

Meaning
Serving or intended to prevent something by taking action first.
Example
The government took preemptive measures to control inflation.
C1 verb /weɪd/

wade

Meaning
to walk through water or another substance that impedes movement
Example
The children waded in the shallow river.
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 /ˈkɔː.seər/

corsair

Meaning
a pirate, especially one operating along the Mediterranean coasts
Example
The corsair plundered ships along the coast.
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.