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C1 noun /ˈmɛm.breɪn/

membrane

Meaning
A thin layer of tissue or material that covers, separates, or connects structures.
Example
The cell membrane controls the movement of substances in and out of the cell.
C1 noun ˈmɑːrdʒɪnəlaɪzd ˌɪndɪˈvɪdʒuəlz

marginalized individuals

Meaning
People who are treated as insignificant or peripheral to society, often excluded from mainstream social, economic, or political activities.
Example
Marginalized individuals often face severe challenges.
C1 noun /ˈmæntl̩/

mantle

Meaning
A cloak or covering; also the layer of the earth between the crust and the core.
Example
The leader assumed the mantle of responsibility.
C1 noun /ˈmælɪs/

Malice

Meaning
The intention or desire to do evil; ill will
Example
There was no malice in his criticism, just honest feedback.
C1 noun ˈmaɪ.krəʊˌnjuː.tri.ənts

micronutrients

Meaning
Essential nutrients required by organisms in small quantities throughout life to orchestrate a range of physiological functions.
Example
Micronutrients are essential for cellular function.
C1 verb /məˈlɛst/

molest

Meaning
to assault or abuse someone, especially in a sexual or physical way
Example
The criminal was arrested for attempting to molest a child.
C1 adjective ˈmer.ɪt beɪst

merit-based

Meaning
Based on or determined by individual merit, ability, or achievement rather than other factors.
Example
Merit-based recruitment strengthens the workforce.
C1 adverb /ˈmɪdweɪ/

Midway

Meaning
halfway; at or to the middle point
Example
The project is midway through completion.
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.
C1 noun /ˈmʌf.lər/

Muffler

Meaning
a long strip of cloth worn around the neck for warmth
Example
She wrapped a warm muffler around her neck before going outside.
C1 noun /ˈmiːnnəs/

Meanness

Meaning
The quality of being unkind, spiteful, or unfair; stinginess
Example
His meanness towards the poor children shocked everyone in the neighborhood.
C1 noun ˌmɒd.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃənz

modifications

Meaning
The action of making partial or minor changes to something.
Example
DNA modifications enable enhanced traits in crops.
C1 noun /ˈmɪlɪtəˌrɪzəm/

militarism

Meaning
The belief in maintaining a strong military and using it aggressively to defend or promote national interests.
Example
The rise of militarism in the region caused tension among neighboring countries.
C1 adjective /məˈnɒtənəs/

Monotonous

Meaning
lacking in variety; tediously unvarying; boring and repetitive
Example
The monotonous sound of the rain made everyone feel sleepy.
C1 verb /ˈməʊbɪlaɪz/

mobilize

Meaning
to organize or prepare people or resources for action
Example
The leader worked hard to mobilize the community for the protest.
C1 noun /ˈmæɡneɪt/

Magnate

Meaning
A wealthy and powerful businessperson or industrialist
Example
The oil magnate owned dozens of refineries across the country.
C1 noun /ˈmɪʃ.ən.ɛr.i/

Missionary

Meaning
A person sent on a religious mission to promote their faith in a foreign country
Example
The missionary spent years teaching and helping people in remote villages.
C1 noun mɪˈtɪkjʊləsnɪs

meticulousness

Meaning
Great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
Example
His meticulousness made the project successful.
C1 noun ˌmɪt.ɪˈɡeɪ.ʃən

mitigation

Meaning
The action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something.
Example
Mitigation of climate change requires collective effort.
C1 noun /ˈmenəs/

Menace

Meaning
A person or thing that is likely to cause harm; a threat
Example
The reckless driver was a menace to everyone on the road.
C1 noun /meɪn/

mane

Meaning
the long hair growing on the neck of a horse, lion, or other animal
Example
The lion shook its thick mane proudly.
C1 noun /məˈrɑːl/

Morale

Meaning
the confidence, enthusiasm, and discipline of a person or group
Example
The team's morale improved after the victory.
C1 verb /ˈmɪt.ɪ.ɡeɪt/

mitigate

Meaning
To make less severe, serious, or painful; to lessen the severity of damage or harm.
Example
Proper planning can mitigate financial risks.
C1 adjective /ˈmɔːrbɪd/

morbid

Meaning
Having an abnormal interest in disturbing or unpleasant subjects such as death or disease.
Example
She had a morbid fascination with crime stories.
C1 noun /ˈmɒn.ə.təʊn/

monotone

Meaning
A continuous sound, especially of a person's voice, that does not rise and fall in pitch.
Example
The teacher's monotone made the lecture hard to follow.
C1 noun /mɜːrθ/

mirth

Meaning
Great joy, amusement, or laughter.
Example
The festival was full of mirth and laughter.
C1 verb /mɔːrf/

morph

Meaning
to change smoothly from one form, shape, or character into another
Example
The caterpillar will morph into a butterfly.
C1 noun ˌmɒdɪfɪˈkeɪʃn

modification

Meaning
The action of making changes to something.
Example
The plan required modification.
C1 adjective /ˈmæn.li/

Manly

Meaning
having qualities traditionally associated with men; brave; courageous
Example
He showed manly courage during the crisis.
C1 noun ˌmɪtɪˈɡeɪʃən ˈstrætədʒiz

mitigation strategies

Meaning
Plans and actions designed to reduce the severity or impact of problems or risks.
Example
Governments must adopt mitigation strategies for climate change.
C1 adjective /ˈmaʊntɪnəs/

Mountainous

Meaning
having many mountains; characterized by mountains
Example
The mountainous region was difficult to travel through.
C1 adjective /məˈkɑː.brə/

Macabre

Meaning
disturbing because concerned with death; gruesome and horrifying
Example
The horror movie had a macabre atmosphere.
C1 noun /ˌmɪsˈkɒn.dʌkt/

Misconduct

Meaning
Unacceptable or improper behavior, especially by a professional person
Example
The officer was dismissed for professional misconduct.
C1 noun ˌmek.ə.naɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

mechanization

Meaning
The process of introducing machines or replacing manual labor with machines.
Example
Mechanization has revolutionized agriculture.
C1 noun/verb mælˈfʌŋk.ʃən

malfunction

Meaning
A failure to function normally or satisfactorily; a defect or breakdown.
Example
The engine malfunctioned due to overheating.
C1 noun /mɔːrˈfɑːlədʒi/

morphology

Meaning
the study of the form and structure of things, especially in language and biology
Example
Morphology studies the structure of words and how they are formed.
C1 noun /mɔːˈtæləti/

mortality

Meaning
the state of being subject to death; the death rate of a population
Example
Advancements in medicine have reduced child mortality significantly.
C1 adjective /ˌmɛtəˈfɔːrɪkəl/

metaphorical

Meaning
Characteristic of or relating to metaphor; figurative rather than literal.
Example
He used metaphorical language to describe his emotions.
C1 adjective /ˈmʌðərli/

Motherly

Meaning
having qualities characteristic of a mother; caring and protective
Example
She showed motherly care and affection towards all the children.
C1 adjective /məˈnæstɪk/

monastic

Meaning
Relating to monks, monasteries, or a life of religious seclusion.
Example
He chose to live a monastic life away from the city.
C1 noun, verb /ˈmæn.deɪt/

mandate

Meaning
an official order or command; to give someone authority to act in a certain way
Example
The government issued a mandate to reduce carbon emissions.
C1 noun /ˈmaɪlɪdʒ/

mileage

Meaning
The distance traveled in miles, or the fuel efficiency of a vehicle.
Example
This car gives excellent mileage on highways.
C1 verb məˈtæb.ə.laɪz

metabolize

Meaning
Process and use food for growth and to replace tissue, or process other substances in the body.
Example
The liver helps to metabolize toxins.
C1 adjective ˌmæk.roʊ.iː.kəˈnɒm.ɪk

macroeconomic

Meaning
Relating to the large-scale or general economic factors, such as interest rates and national productivity.
Example
Government policies impact macroeconomic stability.
C1 verb /mæʃ/

mash

Meaning
to crush or mix food into a soft mass, usually by pressing or beating
Example
She mashed the potatoes before serving dinner.
C1 noun ˌmiː.diˈɒk.rə.ti

mediocrity

Meaning
Being average or ordinary, not particularly good.
Example
He refused to settle for mediocrity and aimed for greatness.
C1 noun /ˈmɔː.tər ænd ˈpes.əl/

Mortar and Pestle

Meaning
a bowl and grinding tool used to crush and grind spices, herbs, and other substances
Example
She ground the spices using a mortar and pestle.
C1 adjective /ˌmɪsəˈleɪniəs/

Miscellaneous

Meaning
various; diverse; mixed; assorted
Example
The box contained miscellaneous items from different periods.
C1 noun /ˈmɛm.wɑːr/

memoir

Meaning
A historical account or autobiography written from personal experience.
Example
The author’s memoir details her journey through hardship and success.
C1 adjective /ˈmeɪkˌʃɪft/

makeshift

Meaning
used as a temporary substitute; improvised
Example
They used boxes as a makeshift table.
C1 noun /ˈmʌltɪplaɪər/

multiplier

Meaning
a number or factor by which another number is multiplied; something that increases the effect or value of something else
Example
In economics, government spending can act as a multiplier for economic growth.
C1 noun ˈmaɪ.krəʊˌnjuː.tri.ənt

micronutrient

Meaning
Essential nutrients required by the body in small amounts, including vitamins and minerals.
Example
Iron and zinc are essential micronutrients for growth.
C1 noun /ˌmɒd.jʊˈleɪ.ʃən/

modulation

Meaning
The process of varying or controlling something.
Example
Proper modulation of voice enhances communication skills.
C1 noun /ˈmænəˌrɪzəm/

Mannerism

Meaning
A habitual gesture or way of speaking or behaving; an idiosyncrasy
Example
His constant throat clearing had become an annoying mannerism.
C1 adjective/noun nɪˈmɒn.ɪk

mnemonic

Meaning
Assisting or intended to assist memory; a device or technique to aid memory.
Example
A mnemonic device helps students remember complex concepts.
C1 adjective /mjuːˈnɪsɪpəl/

municipal

Meaning
relating to a city or town or its local government
Example
The municipal authority is responsible for maintaining the park.
C1 verb /ˈmɛdəl/

meddle

Meaning
to interfere in something that is not one's concern
Example
He always tries to meddle in other people’s business.
C1 noun /ˌmiːdɪˈeɪʃən/

mediation

Meaning
Intervention between parties to promote reconciliation, settlement, or compromise.
Example
The mediation helped resolve the conflict between the two teams.
C1 adjective /ˌmɒnəˈlɪθɪk/

monolithic

Meaning
Massive, uniform, and indivisible; resembling a large single stone or structure.
Example
The company maintained a monolithic structure resistant to change.
C1 adjective ˌmɒn.jʊˈmɛn.təl

monumental

Meaning
Great in importance, extent, or size; exceptionally great; forming or serving as a monument.
Example
The discovery of electricity was a monumental achievement.
C1 noun /moʊl/

Mole

Meaning
a small burrowing mammal with tiny eyes and soft fur
Example
The mole dug tunnels under the garden.
C1 adjective /mʌnˈdeɪn/

mundane

Meaning
lacking interest or excitement; dull and ordinary
Example
She tried to escape her mundane routine by traveling.
C1 verb /ˌmɪsˈpleɪs/

misplace

Meaning
To put something in the wrong location and temporarily lose it.
Example
I often misplace my keys when I am in a hurry.
C1 verb, noun /ˈmʌstər/

muster

Meaning
to gather people, especially soldiers; to summon courage or strength
Example
He mustered enough courage to face the challenge.
C1 noun /ˈmeɪniæk/

maniac

Meaning
a person who behaves in a wildly foolish, dangerous, or violent way
Example
The driver was speeding like a maniac.
C1 adjective /məˈtɜːrnəl/

Maternal

Meaning
relating to a mother; motherly
Example
She showed maternal care towards the orphan child.
C1 verb /ˈmæɡnɪfaɪ/

magnify

Meaning
to make something appear larger; to increase the importance or effect of something
Example
The microscope can magnify tiny objects for better observation.
C1 noun /mɪˈsɑːdʒəni/

misogyny

Meaning
Hatred of, contempt for, or prejudice against women.
Example
The novel has been criticized for promoting misogyny.
C1 noun /ˈmeɪ.trɪks/

matrix

Meaning
An environment or structure in which something develops; also a mathematical array of numbers.
Example
The cultural matrix shaped his worldview.
C1 verb /ˈmʌtər/

mutter

Meaning
to speak in a low or barely audible voice, often in dissatisfaction or irritation
Example
He muttered something under his breath as he walked away.
C1 verb /ˌmɪsˌrɛprɪˈzɛnt/

misrepresent

Meaning
to give a false or misleading account of something
Example
The lawyer accused the witness of trying to misrepresent the facts.
C1 adjective /məˈlɪɡnənt/

malignant

Meaning
dangerous or harmful in influence or effect; medically, tending to invade and destroy tissue
Example
Doctors confirmed that the tumor was malignant.
C1 noun /ˈmaʊθ.fʊl/

mouthful

Meaning
the amount of food or drink that fills the mouth, or a long and difficult word or phrase
Example
He took a big mouthful of water after the run.
C1 noun /ˈmɪmɪkri/

mimicry

Meaning
The act of imitating someone or something, often for humor or learning.
Example
The comedian’s mimicry of celebrities made the audience laugh.
C1 verb, noun /mʊər/

moor

Meaning
As a verb: to tie a ship so that it stays in place. As a noun: open, uncultivated land.
Example
The sailors moored the ship at the dock.
C1 adjective /mɪˈrækjələs/

Miraculous

Meaning
supernatural; amazing; extraordinary
Example
Her miraculous recovery amazed all the doctors.
C1 noun /ˌmɔːrəˈtɔːriəm/

moratorium

Meaning
A temporary suspension or delay of an activity, law, or obligation.
Example
The government announced a moratorium on new mining licenses.
C1 adjective /məˈtɪk.jə.ləs/

meticulous

Meaning
Extremely careful and precise in attention to detail
Example
A meticulous researcher checks every detail before publishing.
C1 noun /ˌmjuːnɪsɪˈpæləti/

municipality

Meaning
a city or town that has its own local government
Example
The municipality is planning to build a new library.
C1 noun /ˌmiːtiəˈrɒlədʒi/

meteorology

Meaning
The scientific study of the atmosphere and weather.
Example
He chose to specialize in meteorology to study weather patterns.
C1 verb /məˈtɪərɪəlaɪz/

materialize

Meaning
To become real or actual; to appear suddenly or in a physical form.
Example
The opportunity he had been waiting for finally materialized.
C1 verb /ˈmɒd.jʊ.leɪt/

modulate

Meaning
To change the strength, tone, or pitch of something; to adjust or regulate.
Example
A good speaker knows how to modulate their voice.
C1 noun /ˈmæɡnɪtuːd/

Magnitude

Meaning
The great size or extent of something; importance
Example
The magnitude of the earthquake was measured at 7.5 on the Richter scale.
C1 verb /ˌmɪsɪnˈtɜːrprɪt/

misinterpret

Meaning
to understand or explain something wrongly
Example
He misinterpreted her silence as agreement.
C1 noun /mæɡˈnɪfɪsəns/

magnificence

Meaning
splendor, grandeur, or impressive beauty
Example
The magnificence of the palace left everyone speechless.
C1 noun /ˈmɛdli/

medley

Meaning
A mixture of different things, especially musical tunes combined together.
Example
The band played a medley of popular songs.
C1 noun /ˌmɪdˈsʌm.ər/

midsummer

Meaning
The middle of summer, often around the summer solstice in June.
Example
We had a festival to celebrate midsummer.
C1 verb /ˈmɑːrʃəl/

marshal

Meaning
To arrange or organize people, events, or resources in an orderly way.
Example
The teacher marshaled the students for the field trip.
C1 adjective /ˈmɔːtəl/

Mortal

Meaning
subject to death; having a limited lifespan; human
Example
All human beings are mortal and will eventually die.
C1 adjective /məˈləʊ.di.əs/

Melodious

Meaning
having a pleasant musical sound; tuneful
Example
Her melodious voice captivated the entire audience.
C1 noun /məˈmɛn.toʊ/

memento

Meaning
An object kept as a reminder of a person, place, or event.
Example
She kept the ticket as a memento of their first concert together.
C1 noun /mɪkst ɪˈkɒn.ə.mi/

mixed economy

Meaning
An economic system where both government and private sector operate together.
Example
Most countries today follow a mixed economy model.
C1 noun /ˈmɑːrtərdəm/

Martyrdom

Meaning
The suffering of death on account of adherence to a cause or principle
Example
His martyrdom inspired countless others to join the freedom movement.
C1 noun /ˈmɒn.ɑːk/

Monarch

Meaning
a sovereign ruler, especially a king or queen
Example
The monarch addressed the nation on television.
C1 verb /ˈmʌmbəl/

mumble

Meaning
To speak quietly and not clearly so that words are difficult to understand.
Example
He mumbled an apology before leaving.
C1 noun /ˈmɪd.waɪf/

midwife

Meaning
A person, typically a woman, trained to assist women during childbirth.
Example
The midwife stayed with the mother throughout her labor.
C1 noun /məˈtɜːrnəti/

Maternity

Meaning
The state of being a mother; motherhood
Example
The hospital has an excellent maternity ward for new mothers.
C1 verb, noun /mɛʃ/

mesh

Meaning
To fit or work together properly; or a material made of interlaced threads.
Example
The two gears mesh perfectly to keep the machine running smoothly.
C1 noun /ˈmeɪ.triˌɑːrk/

matriarch

Meaning
A woman who is the head of a family or community.
Example
The matriarch of the family made all important decisions.
C1 adjective /məˈdʒen.tə/

Magenta

Meaning
a bright purplish-red color
Example
She wore a beautiful magenta dress to the party.
C1 noun /ˈmoʊ.tər ˈlɔː.ri/

Motor lorry

Meaning
a large motor vehicle used for transporting goods; truck
Example
The motor lorry delivered fresh vegetables to the market.
C1 adjective /ˈmɒsi/

Mossy

Meaning
covered with moss; having moss growing on it
Example
The old tree trunk was mossy and covered with green vegetation.
C1 noun mælˈnʌr.ɪʃ.mənt

malnourishment

Meaning
Lack of proper nutrition, caused by not having enough to eat, not eating enough of the right things, or being unable to use the food that one does eat.
Example
Children in poverty-stricken areas suffer from malnourishment.
C1 noun /moʊˈtiːf/

motif

Meaning
A recurring theme, subject, or idea in a work of art or literature.
Example
The motif of love is central to the novel.
C1 adverb /ˈmerɪli/

Merrily

Meaning
in a cheerful and joyful manner
Example
The children played merrily in the garden.
C1 noun /moʊt/

moat

Meaning
A deep, wide ditch surrounding a castle or town, often filled with water, for defense.
Example
The castle was protected by a wide moat filled with water.
C1 adjective /ˈmɪnəskjuːl/

minuscule

Meaning
extremely small in size or importance
Example
She made only a minuscule contribution to the project.
C1 noun /mɪˈlɛniəm/

millennium

Meaning
a period of one thousand years; often used to mark an anniversary
Example
The year 2000 was celebrated as the beginning of a new millennium.
C1 noun /ˈmæl.ɪt/

Mallet

Meaning
a hammer with a large head, typically made of wood
Example
The carpenter used a rubber mallet to avoid damaging the wood.
C1 adjective, verb /muːt/

moot

Meaning
Adjective: subject to debate or irrelevant. Verb: to suggest an idea for discussion.
Example
The issue of funding became a moot point after the project was canceled.
C1 noun /ˈmætɪneɪ/

matinee

Meaning
A performance, especially a play or movie, that takes place in the afternoon.
Example
We bought tickets for the Sunday afternoon matinee.
C1 verb /ˌmɪsˈriːd/

misread

Meaning
to read something incorrectly or interpret wrongly
Example
He misread the instructions and built the shelf incorrectly.
C1 verb /məˈnuː.vər/

manoeuver

Meaning
To move skillfully or carefully; to guide or manipulate into a desired position.
Example
The driver skillfully manoeuvered the car through the narrow street.
C1 noun /mɔːs/

Moss

Meaning
a small flowerless plant that grows in clumps in moist places
Example
Green moss covered the old stone wall.
C1 adjective /ˈmɒdʒʊlər/

modular

Meaning
Employing or involving a module or modules as the basis of design or construction.
Example
The modular design allows for easy customization and scalability.
C1 adjective /ˈmaɪ.ɡrə.tɔːr.i/

Migratory

Meaning
moving from one place to another; characterized by seasonal movement
Example
Many birds are migratory and travel thousands of miles each season.
C1 adjective məˈθɒd.ɪ.kəl

methodical

Meaning
Done according to a systematic or established procedure; orderly and systematic.
Example
His methodical research produced reliable results.
C1 noun moʊst ˈvʌlnərəbəl ˈneɪʃən

most vulnerable nation

Meaning
A country that is highly exposed to risks and lacks adequate protection or resilience.
Example
Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable nations to climate change.
C1 noun /məˈtɪəriəlɪzəm/

Materialism

Meaning
A tendency to consider material possessions more important than spiritual values
Example
The rise of materialism in modern society concerns many philosophers.
C1 verb /ˈmɪŋɡl/

mingle

Meaning
to mix or combine; to move among people and engage socially
Example
Guests mingled at the party, chatting and laughing together.
C1 noun /ˈmiːknəs/

Meekness

Meaning
The quality of being quiet, gentle, and submissive
Example
His meekness was often mistaken for weakness by his colleagues.