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C2 verb /ˈnɪɡəl/

niggle

Meaning
to cause slight but persistent annoyance, discomfort, or worry
Example
A small doubt niggled at her mind.
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.
B1 verb /dɪˈnaɪ/

deny

Meaning
to refuse to accept or admit something; to declare something untrue
Example
He denied stealing the money.
A1 verb /drɪŋk/

drink

Meaning
to take liquid into the mouth and swallow it
Example
I drink water every morning.
B1 adjective ˈʃɔːrt.tɜːrm

short-term

Meaning
Occurring over or involving a relatively short period of time.
Example
Investing in stocks can yield short-term profits.
A2 noun/verb /ˈsɜːrkəl/

circle

Meaning
a round shape; to move all the way around something
Example
The children sat in a circle.
A2 verb /ʃʌt/

shut

Meaning
to close something, especially a door or window
Example
Please shut the door before you leave.
C1 noun /ˈpeɪ.ɡən/

Pagan

Meaning
a person holding religious beliefs other than the main world religions; a heathen
Example
Ancient Romans considered early Christians to be pagans.
B1 noun /ˈdeə.ri/

Dairy

Meaning
a building or farm where milk is produced; products made from milk; a shop selling milk and milk products
Example
The local dairy provides fresh milk and cheese to the entire neighborhood.
A1 adverb /təˈdeɪ/

Today

Meaning
on this day; at the present time
Example
Today is a beautiful day for a walk.
C1 adjective /ˈskænti/

Scanty

Meaning
small in size or amount; insufficient; barely adequate
Example
The refugee camp had scanty food supplies.
B1 adjective /kənˈtroʊld/

controlled

Meaning
managed or regulated carefully; kept within limits
Example
The experiment was conducted in a controlled environment.
C2 noun /pʌɡˈnæsɪti/

pugnacity

Meaning
A natural disposition to be combative or aggressive.
Example
The coach admired the player's pugnacity on the field.
B2 noun ˈkwəʊ.tə

quota

Meaning
A limited or fixed number or amount of people or things, in particular.
Example
The quota reform was a key demand.
B2 adjective /ˌdɪsəˈbiːdiənt/

Disobedient

Meaning
refusing to obey rules or authority; rebellious
Example
The disobedient child refused to follow the rules.
C2 noun /sʌnd raɪs/

Sunned rice

Meaning
Rice that has been dried in the sun; parched rice
Example
The farmers spread the sunned rice on mats to dry completely.
B2 noun /ˈsiː.krə.si/

Secrecy

Meaning
the practice of keeping something secret; the state of being kept hidden
Example
The project was conducted in complete secrecy.
B1 noun /dʒʌɡ/

Jug

Meaning
a large container for liquids, with a narrow mouth and a handle
Example
She poured fresh orange juice from the glass jug into her cup.
C2 noun /beɪz/

baize

Meaning
A type of coarse woolen cloth, often green, used for covering tables such as billiard tables.
Example
The old card table was covered with worn baize.
B2 noun /ˈmʌtn/

Mutton

Meaning
meat from an adult sheep; lamb meat
Example
The restaurant serves delicious mutton curry with rice.
B2 noun /ˌek.spekˈteɪ.ʃən/

Expectation

Meaning
a strong belief that something will happen or be the case; anticipation
Example
The new teacher exceeded everyone's expectations with her innovative teaching methods.
B2 adjective /ˈmaɪti/

mighty

Meaning
having great power or strength; very strong or impressive
Example
The mighty river flows through the heart of the country.
C1 noun /rɪˈmɛmbrəns/

remembrance

Meaning
the act of remembering or honoring someone or something
Example
A service was held in remembrance of the fallen soldiers.
C2 noun /red ˌəʊ.liˈæn.dər/

Red oleander

Meaning
a poisonous flowering shrub with bright red or pink flowers
Example
The red oleander blooms throughout the summer months.
C2 adjective /dɪˈluːsəri/

delusory

Meaning
Based on illusion; not real.
Example
He was filled with delusory hopes of becoming famous overnight.
C2 noun /ˈlɔːndrəs/

laundress

Meaning
A woman whose job is washing clothes and linens.
Example
The laundress delivered the freshly cleaned clothes to the household.
C2 adjective /əˈluːsɪv/

allusive

Meaning
Making indirect references or hints; suggestive without being explicit.
Example
The novel is full of allusive passages that point to classical literature.
B2 adjective + noun ˈædvɜːrs ɪˈfekts

adverse effects

Meaning
Negative or harmful impacts that result from an action or condition.
Example
Plastic usage has adverse effects on the environment.
C2 adjective /ˌʌltrəˈmɒnteɪn/

ultramontane

Meaning
beyond the mountains, especially referring to support for the Pope over local church authority
Example
The debate highlighted the ultramontane position in church politics.
B1 adverb /ˈsel.dəm/

Seldom

Meaning
not often; rarely; infrequently
Example
She seldom goes to the cinema.
B2 noun /ˈnæp.kɪn/

Nap Kin

Meaning
a piece of cloth or paper used for wiping the mouth and hands while eating
Example
She placed the napkin on her lap before starting dinner.
B2 noun /ˈnjuːzˌlɛtər/

newsletter

Meaning
a printed or electronic report containing news or information about a company or organization
Example
The company sends a weekly newsletter to its employees.
C1 verb /ʃɜːrk/

shirk

Meaning
to avoid or neglect a duty or responsibility
Example
He always tries to shirk his responsibilities at work.
C2 noun /ˌpærəˈɡɔːrɪk/

paregoric

Meaning
a medicine containing opium, once used to relieve pain and diarrhea
Example
Doctors once prescribed paregoric to treat diarrhea in children.
B2 noun /ˈtæd.poʊl/

Tadpole

Meaning
the larval stage of a frog or toad, having gills and a tail
Example
The pond was full of tadpoles swimming around.
A2 noun /ˈhʌni/

Honey

Meaning
a sweet, sticky substance made by bees from flower nectar
Example
I like to add honey to my tea.
B1 noun /ˈspɪr.ɪt/

Spirit

Meaning
the non-physical part of a person; enthusiasm or courage; the essential character of something
Example
The team showed great spirit despite losing the match.
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.
B2 adjective /dɪˈsɛndənt/

descendent

Meaning
Moving downward; going down or descending.
Example
The river followed a descendent course toward the valley.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈfeɪ.vər.ə.bəl/

Unfavourable

Meaning
not helpful or advantageous; adverse
Example
The weather conditions were unfavourable for our outdoor event.
B2 noun /ˌkɔːrpəˈreɪʃən/

corporation

Meaning
A large company or group of companies that is legally recognized as a single entity.
Example
The corporation invested heavily in renewable energy projects.
C2 adjective /pərˈsɪpiənt/

percipient

Meaning
Having good understanding or insight; able to perceive things clearly.
Example
As a percipient critic, she recognized the deeper meaning of the play.
C1 noun /ˈmɔːrtər/

mortar

Meaning
a mixture used in building to bond bricks or stones together; also, a small cannon for firing shells
Example
The workers applied mortar between the bricks.
C1 adjective /ɪˈmuː.və.bəl/

immovable

Meaning
Not able to be moved; fixed in position.
Example
Immovable barriers prevent change.
B2 adjective /ˈsʌb.sɪ.kwənt/

subsequent

Meaning
Coming after something in time; following in time or order.
Example
Subsequent events clarified the outcomes.
A2 noun /ˈtæk.si kæb/

Taxi cab

Meaning
A car that carries passengers for a fare, usually in cities
Example
We took a taxi cab to the restaurant.
A2 noun /ˈbeɪsˌbɔːl/

baseball

Meaning
a sport in which two teams try to score runs by hitting a ball and running around bases
Example
He loves watching baseball games on TV.
C2 verb /swɪl/

swill

Meaning
to drink something greedily or in large amounts
Example
He swilled down the beer in seconds.
B2 verb /ˈkeɪtər/

cater

Meaning
To provide food, drinks, or services, usually for an event or group.
Example
The company catered the wedding reception.
A2 noun /ˈiː.ɡəl/

Eagle

Meaning
large bird of prey with powerful wings and sharp talons
Example
The eagle soared high above the mountains.
C2 noun /ˈænθrəsaɪt/

anthracite

Meaning
A hard, shiny form of coal that burns with little smoke and a high heat value.
Example
The factory used anthracite as its primary fuel source.
C1 noun /plɔɪ/

ploy

Meaning
a clever plan or action designed to gain an advantage
Example
She used a clever ploy to win the debate.
C2 verb /ˌʌndərˈɡɜːrd/

undergird

Meaning
to provide support or foundation for; to strengthen
Example
Strong values undergird a healthy society.
C2 verb /ɪmˈpjuːt/

impute

Meaning
to attribute a fault or responsibility to someone
Example
They imputed the company's success to good leadership.
C1 adjective /ɔːˌθɒr.ɪˈteə.ri.ən/

authoritarian

Meaning
Demanding absolute obedience to authority; excessively controlling or strict in governance.
Example
Authoritarian parenting often limits a child's independence.
B1 noun /ˈwep.ən/

Weapon

Meaning
a thing designed or used for inflicting bodily harm or physical damage
Example
The police found a dangerous weapon at the crime scene.
A2 noun,verb /pleɪn/

plane

Meaning
a flat surface; an aircraft; to make smooth
Example
The carpenter used a tool to plane the wood.
A1 noun/verb /fɪlm/

film

Meaning
a motion picture or movie; or to record on camera
Example
They watched a film together on the weekend.
A2 verb /hiːt/

heat

Meaning
to make or become hot or warm
Example
Please heat the soup before serving.
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 /slaʊtʃ/

slouch

Meaning
To stand, sit, or move in a lazy or awkward way.
Example
He slouched in the chair, looking tired.
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.
B2 noun ˈfreɪm.wɜːk

framework

Meaning
An essential supporting structure of a building, vehicle, or object; a basic structure underlying a system, concept, or text.
Example
A strong framework is vital for governance.
C2 adjective /ˌmædʒɪˈstɪəriəl/

magisterial

Meaning
Having the characteristics of a master or authority; commanding and dignified.
Example
The professor spoke in a magisterial tone during the lecture.
C1 verb /vaʊtʃ/

vouch

Meaning
to confirm or assert the truth or reliability of something
Example
I can vouch for his honesty.
B2 noun /ˈbrɛkdaʊn/

breakdown

Meaning
a failure or collapse of a system or machinery
Example
The car had a breakdown on the highway.
C2 noun /ˌvɪvɪˈsɛkʃən/

vivisection

Meaning
the practice of performing operations on live animals for scientific research
Example
Vivisection has long been a controversial topic among scientists and animal rights activists.
C2 adjective /ˈnjuːmɪnəs/

numinous

Meaning
having a strong spiritual or mysterious quality
Example
The temple had a numinous atmosphere that inspired awe.
B1 noun /sɛks/

sex

Meaning
the biological distinction between male and female; sexual activity
Example
He was asked about his sex at the doctor's office.
B2 noun /ɪnˌtɜːrprəˈteɪʃən/

interpretation

Meaning
the action of explaining the meaning of something
Example
The teacher gave her own interpretation of the poem.
C2 noun /ˈlæsi/

lassie

Meaning
a young girl (informal, mainly Scottish)
Example
The old man greeted the little lassie warmly.
C1 verb /ˈkwentʃɪŋ/

quenching

Meaning
The act of satisfying thirst or extinguishing something like fire.
Example
Drinking cold water was quenching her thirst.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈfeər/

Unfair

Meaning
not right or just; treating people in a way that favors some over others
Example
It's unfair to blame her for something she didn't do.
B1 adjective /ɪˈmiːdiət/

immediate

Meaning
happening or done without delay
Example
The doctor gave her immediate attention.
B2 verb /nɪˈɡlekt/

neglect

Meaning
to fail to care for or give attention to something
Example
Don't neglect your health while studying.
A1 noun /flɔːr/

floor

Meaning
the lower surface of a room, on which one may walk
Example
The floor was covered with a soft carpet.
B2 noun /liːɡ/

league

Meaning
An association of people or groups united for a common purpose; also a unit of distance (old use).
Example
Several clubs formed a league to promote sportsmanship.
A1 noun /stɑːr/

Star

Meaning
a fixed luminous point in the night sky that produces light and heat through nuclear fusion
Example
Thousands of stars are visible in the clear night sky.
C2 adjective /ˈtɜːrbɪd/

turbid

Meaning
Cloudy, opaque, or thick with suspended matter; confused or obscure in meaning.
Example
The river water became turbid after the heavy rains.
B2 noun /ˈæl.oʊ ˈvɪər.ə/

Aloe Vera

Meaning
a succulent plant with thick fleshy leaves and medicinal properties; produces tubular flowers
Example
The aloe vera plant blooms with orange or yellow tubular flowers.
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.
B2 noun/verb /bʌk/

buck

Meaning
A male deer; also to resist or oppose strongly.
Example
The horse began to buck wildly as the rider tried to hold on.
C1 noun /ɪkˈstriː.mɪst/

Extremist

Meaning
a person who holds extreme political or religious views
Example
The government is taking measures to prevent extremist activities.
C2 noun /ˈsɜːrklət/

circlet

Meaning
A small circular band, typically worn as an ornament on the head.
Example
The princess wore a golden circlet on her forehead.
C1 noun /əˈlɜːrtnəs/

alertness

Meaning
the state of being mentally aware and quick to notice or respond; vigilance
Example
The driver maintained a high level of alertness during the long journey.
C1 noun /ˈkwɔːrəm/

quorum

Meaning
The minimum number of members needed to conduct official business in a meeting.
Example
The board meeting was postponed because there was no quorum.
C1 adjective /ˈfræɡməntɪd/

fragmented

Meaning
Having been broken into fragments; disjointed or incomplete.
Example
The information was fragmented and difficult to understand.
C2 adjective, noun /pləˈbiːən/

plebian

Meaning
alternate spelling of 'plebeian'; common or ordinary
Example
His tastes were rather plebian, favoring simple food and clothes.
C1 adjective /rɪˈzɪstɪv/

resistive

Meaning
tending to resist or oppose; in physics, relating to electrical resistance
Example
The material has resistive properties that slow down current flow.
A2 adjective /ˈsɛntrəl/

central

Meaning
Situated in the middle; of the greatest importance.
Example
Water is central to human survival.
C1 adjective /steɪd/

staid

Meaning
Serious, respectable, and unadventurous.
Example
He came from a staid family background.
B2 noun /əˈstrɒnəmər/

astronomer

Meaning
a scientist who studies the stars, planets, and the universe
Example
The astronomer observed the new comet through his telescope.
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.
C2 noun /ˌpaɪrəˈmeɪniə/

pyromania

Meaning
An uncontrollable desire to set things on fire.
Example
The suspect was diagnosed with pyromania after repeated incidents of arson.
C1 noun /ˈpeɪtriɑːrk/

patriarch

Meaning
a male head of a family or tribe; an older respected man who leads a group
Example
As the family patriarch, he mediated disputes and kept long traditions alive.
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.
B2 noun /ˈsuːpəvaɪzə(r)/

supervisor

Meaning
a person who manages or directs the work of others
Example
The supervisor checked the progress of each employee.
C1 adjective /ˈsʌlən/

sullen

Meaning
bad-tempered and gloomy; silently resentful
Example
She gave him a sullen look and walked away.
B1 noun /ˈtriːtmənt/

Treatment

Meaning
medical care given to a patient for an illness or injury; the action of treating someone or something
Example
The doctor recommended a new treatment for her condition.
C1 adjective ˌkɒn.ʃiˈen.ʃəs

conscientious

Meaning
Wishing to do what is right, especially to do one's work or duty well and thoroughly.
Example
A conscientious worker always delivers high-quality results.
C1 adjective /ˈrɛtroʊˌɡreɪd/

retrograde

Meaning
moving backward or returning to a worse condition
Example
The policy was seen as a retrograde step for human rights.
C1 adjective /ˈθrɪfti/

thrifty

Meaning
using money and resources carefully and not wastefully
Example
She is very thrifty and always saves money for the future.
C1 verb /dɪsˈɑːrm/

disarm

Meaning
to take weapons away from someone; to make someone feel less hostile
Example
The soldiers were ordered to disarm the rebels.
A2 noun /spiːtʃ/

Speech

Meaning
formal address or discourse delivered to an audience; the expression of thoughts in spoken words
Example
The president gave an inspiring speech to the nation.
A2 adverb /ˈlaʊdli/

loudly

Meaning
in a way that produces a lot of sound; with a high volume
Example
He spoke loudly so everyone in the room could hear him.
C2 adjective /ɪˈlɪʒən/

elysian

Meaning
Relating to or characteristic of paradise; delightful and heavenly.
Example
They spent an elysian week on the quiet island.
C2 verb /bɪˈfaʊl/

befoul

Meaning
to make dirty or polluted; to disgrace or corrupt
Example
The factory waste befouled the river.
C2 noun /ˈkɪldʒɔɪ/

killjoy

Meaning
a person who spoils the fun or enjoyment of others
Example
Don’t be a killjoy at the party.
C1 noun /luː/

lieu

Meaning
Instead of; in place of.
Example
He gave money in lieu of flowers.
B1 noun /ˈrezɪdənt/

Resident

Meaning
a person who lives somewhere permanently or on a long-term basis; living in a particular place
Example
She has been a resident of this city for over ten years.
A1 adjective /ˈlɪtl/

little

Meaning
Small in size, amount, or degree.
Example
He drank a little water before going to bed.
C2 noun /ˈæpəˌlɔːɡ/

apologue

Meaning
a short moral story or fable intended to teach a lesson
Example
The teacher used an old apologue to explain honesty to the children.
C1 noun, verb /ˈfrænʧaɪz/

franchise

Meaning
A legal right to sell or distribute goods or services in a specific area; to grant such a right.
Example
He opened a new fast-food franchise in the city.
B2 noun /stæns/

stance

Meaning
a person's attitude, opinion, or position on an issue
Example
The company took a strong stance on environmental protection.
B1 noun /ˈɛldər/

elder

Meaning
a person who is older or has higher rank; an older person in a family or community
Example
We should always respect our elders.
B2 adjective /ˌʌndɪˈveləpt/

Undeveloped

Meaning
not yet developed; immature or primitive
Example
The undeveloped land was later turned into a park.
C1 noun /ˌrek.ənˌsɪl.iˈeɪ.ʃən/

reconciliation

Meaning
The restoration of friendly relations; the action of making one view or belief compatible with another.
Example
The peace treaty was a major step toward reconciliation.
C2 noun /ˌɪn.təˈvɛn.ʃə.nɪ.zəm/

interventionism

Meaning
Government policy of active involvement in economic affairs.
Example
The central bank's interventionism helped stabilize inflation.
B1 noun /ˈdʒɛntəlmən/

gentleman

Meaning
a man who is polite, courteous, and honorable
Example
He opened the door for her like a true gentleman.
C1 noun /əˈflɪkʃən/

affliction

Meaning
a state of pain, suffering, or distress
Example
Poverty is a common affliction in many parts of the world.
C2 noun /ˈoʊdiəm/

odium

Meaning
general or widespread hatred or disgust directed toward someone as a result of their actions
Example
The scandal brought public odium on the corrupt minister.