nihilism
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C2 noun /ˈnaɪɪˌlɪzəm/

nihilism

Meaning
The rejection of all religious and moral principles, often in the belief that life is meaningless.
Example
The philosopher was criticized for promoting nihilism.
C2 noun /ˈpɒlɪti/

polity

Meaning
an organized society or form of government
Example
The ancient Greek polity had a system of city-states.
C2 adjective /ˌɛpɪkjʊˈriːən/

epicurean

Meaning
relating to the enjoyment of fine food, drink, and luxury
Example
The chef prepared an epicurean feast for the guests.
C2 noun /meɪs/

mace

Meaning
a ceremonial staff carried as a symbol of authority or a weapon similar to a club
Example
The guard carried a mace as a symbol of authority.
C2 adjective /ˈfraʊzi/

frowsy

Meaning
Scruffy and neglected in appearance; musty or stale in smell.
Example
He wore a frowsy old jacket that smelled of damp.
C2 noun ˈtɪl.ɪdʒ

tillage

Meaning
The preparation of land for growing crops.
Example
Excessive tillage can lead to soil erosion.
C2 noun /ˈsɛnʃəns/

sentience

Meaning
The capacity to feel, perceive, or experience subjectively.
Example
Many argue that animals possess sentience.
C2 noun prəˈklɪv.ə.ti

proclivity

Meaning
A tendency to choose or do something regularly; an inclination or predisposition toward a particular thing.
Example
She has a proclivity for learning new languages.
C2 verb /ˈproʊtjuːbəreɪt/

protuberate

Meaning
To swell out or bulge.
Example
The roots began to protuberate from the ground.
C2 noun, verb /ˈfɪlɪˌbʌstər/

filibuster

Meaning
a tactic of delaying legislative action by prolonged speech; to use such a tactic
Example
The senator filibustered for hours to prevent the bill from passing.
C2 verb /ˈɑːbvieɪt/

obviate

Meaning
To remove a need or difficulty; to prevent or avoid something.
Example
This new system obviates the need for manual data entry.
C2 adjective /ˌɪrɪˈlɪdʒəs/

irreligious

Meaning
Indifferent or hostile to religion
Example
Some people in the community consider him irreligious because he never attends religious services.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈfɜːrnəl/

infernal

Meaning
relating to hell; extremely troublesome or annoying
Example
The workers complained about the infernal noise from the construction site.
C2 noun /ˌɪməʊˈbɪləti/

immobility

Meaning
The state of being unable to move.
Example
After the accident, she suffered from immobility in her legs.
C2 adjective /pərˈfɜrvɪd/

perfervid

Meaning
intensely passionate or fervent
Example
She gave a perfervid speech in defense of human rights.
C2 adverb /əˈsɪdʒuəsli/

assiduously

Meaning
with great care and persistence
Example
He worked assiduously to complete the project before the deadline.
C2 adjective /ˌɪndɪˈvɜːrtɪbəl/

indivertible

Meaning
Not able to be turned aside or diverted.
Example
The judge's indivertible attention was on the case.
C2 noun /ˈproʊtoʊˌmɑːrtɚ/

protomartyr

Meaning
The first martyr in a cause or religion, often referring to the first Christian martyr.
Example
St. Stephen is known as the protomartyr of Christianity.
C2 noun /ˈplɔːdɪt/

plaudit

Meaning
an expression of praise or approval
Example
The actor received plaudit for his outstanding performance.
C2 adjective /ɪɡˈnoʊ.bəl/

Ignoble

Meaning
dishonorable; not noble in character; base or mean
Example
His ignoble actions betrayed his friends' trust.
C2 noun /hɪˈlærɪti/

hilarity

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

providential

Meaning
occurring at a favorable or opportune time, as if guided by divine intervention
Example
Their timely rescue was considered providential.
C2 noun /ˈdaɪətraɪb/

diatribe

Meaning
A forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something.
Example
The politician launched a diatribe against his opponents.
C2 verb /ˈhʊdwɪŋk/

hoodwink

Meaning
To deceive or trick someone.
Example
The scammer hoodwinked many people with false promises.
C2 adjective /nɑːrld/

gnarled

Meaning
Twisted, rough, and knotted, especially with age.
Example
The old man had gnarled hands from years of hard work.
C2 adjective /ˈkwɛrʊləs/

querulous

Meaning
Complaining in a whining or irritable manner.
Example
The querulous customer kept finding fault with every detail.
C2 verb /ˌɪntərˈsiːd/

intercede

Meaning
to act or plead on behalf of someone in difficulty or trouble; to intervene between parties to help resolve a dispute
Example
She interceded with the teacher to give her brother another chance.
C2 verb /seɪt/

sate

Meaning
To satisfy fully or to excess.
Example
The huge meal sated their hunger after the long journey.
C2 noun /ˈpɛdənt/

pedant

Meaning
A person who is excessively concerned with minor details or rules, often in a showy way.
Example
The professor was criticized as a pedant who focused too much on trivial details.
C2 adjective /ɡlɪb/

glib

Meaning
speaking easily but without sincerity or depth
Example
The politician gave a glib answer to a serious question.
C2 noun /ˌæɡ.rəˈdeɪ.ʃən/

aggradation

Meaning
The process of land being built up by sediment deposition.
Example
Aggradation helps in the natural expansion of riverbanks.
C2 verb /ˈpʌlvəraɪz/

pulverize

Meaning
To crush or grind something into a fine powder; to completely defeat or destroy.
Example
The machine can pulverize stones into dust.
C2 adjective /ˈbɪloʊɪŋ/

billowing

Meaning
Describing something that swells or surges outward in waves or large masses.
Example
She walked through the billowing curtains.
C2 noun /ˈsɛrəf/

seraph

Meaning
An angelic being associated with light and purity, often depicted as a high-ranking angel in Christian theology.
Example
The stained-glass window depicted a seraph with outstretched wings.
C2 verb /ɪmˈpjuːn/

impugn

Meaning
to dispute the truth, validity, or honesty of a statement or motive
Example
The lawyer tried to impugn the credibility of the witness.
C2 noun /meɪs/

Mase

Meaning
spice obtained from the reddish seed covering of the nutmeg seed
Example
A pinch of mace adds warmth to the dessert.
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 /ˌɪrɪˈtriːvəbl/

irretrievable

Meaning
impossible to recover or regain
Example
The documents were lost in an irretrievable way after the fire.
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 /θrɔːl/

thrall

Meaning
The state of being in someone's power or under strong influence; slavery or bondage.
Example
He was in thrall to the powerful leader.
C2 adjective /ˌækrəˈmætɪk/

achromatic

Meaning
without color; free from color
Example
The designer chose an achromatic palette of black, white, and gray.
C2 noun /ˈæpəfθɛm/

apophthegm

Meaning
A short, pithy, and instructive saying or maxim.
Example
She always had a witty apophthegm to share at meetings.
C2 noun /məˈdæliən/

medallion

Meaning
a large medal or decorative piece, often worn as jewelry or used in architecture
Example
She wore a gold medallion around her neck.
C2 adjective /mɛnˈdeɪʃəs/

mendacious

Meaning
not telling the truth; lying
Example
The politician was known for his mendacious statements.
C2 adjective /ɡoʊʃ/

gauche

Meaning
lacking social grace, sensitivity, or tact; awkward
Example
His gauche remarks embarrassed everyone at the dinner party.
C2 adjective /mæɡˈnæn.ɪ.məs/

magnanimous

Meaning
Very kind and generous, especially towards a rival or someone less powerful than oneself.
Example
His magnanimous nature made him respected by all.
C2 adjective /ˌdɒktrɪˈnɛər/

doctrinaire

Meaning
stubbornly devoted to a theory or doctrine without regard to practical considerations
Example
His doctrinaire approach to politics alienated many supporters.
C2 noun /ˈplɔːdɪts/

plaudits

Meaning
expressions of praise or approval
Example
The scientist received plaudits from the international community.
C2 verb /ˌænɪmədˈvɜːt/

animadvert

Meaning
To comment critically or unfavorably.
Example
The teacher animadverted on the student's careless mistakes.
C2 noun /ˌdaɪ.jʊˈret.ɪk/

diuretic

Meaning
A substance that promotes the production of urine.
Example
Coffee has a mild diuretic effect.
C2 noun /ˈræʃənəlɪzəm/

rationalism

Meaning
a belief or theory that opinions and actions should be based on reason and knowledge rather than religious belief or emotion
Example
Rationalism emphasizes logic and reasoning over faith.
C2 noun /ˌɪnkrʌˈsteɪʃən/

incrustation

Meaning
a crust or hard coating formed on the surface of something
Example
The old pipes were blocked due to heavy incrustation of minerals.
C2 adjective /ˌstætʃuˈɛsk/

statuesque

Meaning
Having the grace, beauty, or dignity of a statue; tall and attractively proportioned.
Example
She had a statuesque figure that turned heads wherever she went.
C2 adjective /ˈneɪtl/

natal

Meaning
Relating to birth or the place of birth.
Example
She returned to her natal village after many years.
C2 noun /dɪˈsweɪʒən/

dissuasion

Meaning
The act of persuading someone not to take a course of action.
Example
Her dissuasion prevented him from making a bad investment.
C2 noun /ˌfɪziˈɑːɡrəfi/

physiography

Meaning
the study of the physical features of the earth's surface
Example
He specialized in physiography to understand the landscape of the region.
C2 noun /ɪˈrʌp.ʃən/

Irruption

Meaning
a sudden violent entry; an invasion or raid; a sudden outburst or eruption
Example
The army's irruption into enemy territory caught the opposing forces completely off guard.
C2 verb /rɪˈspaɪər/

respire

Meaning
To breathe in and out; to inhale and exhale.
Example
Plants also respire to release energy.
C2 adjective /ɪmˈpræktɪkəbl/

impracticable

Meaning
Not capable of being carried out or put into practice.
Example
The plan seemed impracticable due to limited resources.
C2 adjective /ˈeɪ.li.ə.nə.bəl/

alienable

Meaning
Able to be transferred or surrendered, usually referring to rights or property.
Example
Property rights are alienable and can be sold or transferred.
C2 noun /ɛˌspriː də ˈkɔːr/

esprit de corps

Meaning
A feeling of pride, fellowship, and loyalty shared by members of a group.
Example
The team's esprit de corps was evident in their cooperative effort.
C2 adjective /ˈmɛtrɪkəl/

metrical

Meaning
Relating to or composed in a regular rhythmic pattern of beats or meter, especially in poetry.
Example
The poet carefully followed metrical rules in his verses.
C2 noun /dɪˈpləʊmətɪst/

diplomatist

Meaning
A person skilled in diplomacy; another word for diplomat.
Example
The diplomatist handled the negotiations with great tact.
C2 noun /ˈhɑːr.bɪn.dʒər/

Harbinger

Meaning
a person or thing that announces or signals the approach of another; a forerunner of something
Example
The first robin of spring is often considered a harbinger of warmer weather to come.
C2 noun /pʌntʃ ˈfoʊrən/

Panch Phoron

Meaning
a Bengali spice blend containing five whole spices: cumin, fennel, fenugreek, nigella, and mustard seeds
Example
The aroma filled the kitchen when she heated panch phoron in oil.
C2 noun /ˌɪnkrɪˈdjuːləti/

incredulity

Meaning
the state of being unwilling or unable to believe something
Example
She looked at him with incredulity after hearing the strange story.
C2 verb /aɪˈdɒləˌtraɪz/

idolatrize

Meaning
To worship idols; to regard with excessive devotion or admiration.
Example
They began to idolatrize the statue as a deity.
C2 adjective /ˈhɔːrtətɪv/

hortative

Meaning
Giving strong encouragement or urging.
Example
The teacher gave a hortative speech to motivate the students before the exam.
C2 noun /ˈɪŋkjʊbəs/

incubus

Meaning
An oppressive or nightmarish burden; in folklore, an evil spirit that lies upon sleeping people.
Example
Debt became an incubus that weighed heavily on the family.
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 /əˈsɛt.ɪˌsɪz.əm/

asceticism

Meaning
The practice of severe self-discipline and abstaining from indulgence, typically for religious or spiritual reasons.
Example
Asceticism has been a part of many religious traditions throughout history.
C2 verb /dɪˈbɑːrk/

debark

Meaning
to disembark or get off a ship, aircraft, or vehicle
Example
The passengers debarked as soon as the ship docked.
C2 verb /ˈhɑːrkən/

hearken

Meaning
To listen attentively; to give heed.
Example
He would hearken to his mentor’s advice before making decisions.
C2 noun /ˈbrɒŋkəs/

bronchus

Meaning
either of the two main branches of the trachea that lead directly into the lungs
Example
The left bronchus carries air into the left lung.
C2 noun /ˈsɪʒ.ən/

scission

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

beatify

Meaning
to make blessed or holy, especially in the Roman Catholic Church, to declare a deceased person to be among the blessed
Example
The pope decided to beatify the martyr for his faith and sacrifice.
C2 verb /rɪˈmɒnstreɪt/

remonstrate

Meaning
To make a forceful protest or objection.
Example
Citizens remonstrated against the new tax policy.
C2 noun /ˈdɛskænt/

descant

Meaning
An additional melody or counterpoint sung or played above the main melody.
Example
The choir added a beautiful descant to the hymn.
C2 adjective /ˌaɪ.kə.nəˈklæs.tɪk/

iconoclastic

Meaning
Characterized by attacking or rejecting cherished beliefs, traditions, or established values.
Example
Her iconoclastic views challenged the conventional wisdom of the industry.
C2 noun /ˈmaɪ.nə/

Mynah

Meaning
a tropical bird with dark feathers that can mimic human speech
Example
The mynah bird repeated every word I said.
C2 adjective /ˈrɪbɔːld/

ribald

Meaning
Referring to sexual matters in a humorous or vulgar way.
Example
The comedian’s ribald jokes made the audience laugh uncomfortably.
C2 verb /ˈsʌk.əl/

suckle

Meaning
to feed a baby or young animal with milk from the breast or udder
Example
The mother cat suckled her kittens in the basket.
C2 verb /æbˈdʒʊər/

abjure

Meaning
to formally renounce or give up a belief, cause, or claim
Example
He abjured his allegiance to the old regime.
C2 noun /bəˈθɪm.ə.tri/

bathymetry

Meaning
The measurement of depth of water in oceans, seas, or lakes.
Example
Bathymetry is essential for understanding oceanic topography.
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 /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.
C2 noun /ˌræʃioʊsɪˈneɪʃən/

ratiocination

Meaning
the process of reasoning or logical thinking
Example
His ratiocination impressed the judges during the debate.
C2 adjective /loʊˈkweɪʃəs/

loquacious

Meaning
tending to talk a great deal; very talkative
Example
The loquacious child entertained everyone with endless stories.
C2 noun /ˈfɪɡmənt/

figment

Meaning
something invented or imaginary; a fabrication of the mind
Example
The story of the haunted house is just a figment of her imagination.
C2 verb /ˈmæɡnɪtaɪz/

magnetize

Meaning
to make something magnetic or to strongly attract
Example
The scientist managed to magnetize the iron rod.
C2 noun /ˈfæn.feər/

fanfare

Meaning
a short ceremonial tune or display of publicity to attract attention
Example
The new product was launched with much fanfare.
C2 adjective /veɪnˈɡlɔːriəs/

vainglorious

Meaning
Excessively proud of oneself or one’s achievements; boastful.
Example
The vainglorious leader boasted about his minor achievements.
C2 noun /niːp/

neap

Meaning
A tide just after the first or third quarters of the moon when the difference between high and low tide is least.
Example
During a neap tide, the water level change is minimal.
C2 noun /ænˈtɪlədʒi/

antilogy

Meaning
A contradiction in terms or ideas; inconsistency in speech or writing.
Example
The politician's statement was criticized for its antilogy.
C2 noun /ˈæntiˌkraɪst/

antichrist

Meaning
A person regarded as the supreme opponent of Christ, often seen as a figure of ultimate evil.
Example
Some people fear the rise of an Antichrist in the future.
C2 noun /ˈfiːəlti/

fealty

Meaning
loyalty or allegiance, especially to a sovereign or lord
Example
The knight swore fealty to his king.
C2 noun ˌæɡ.roʊ.iˈkɒl.ə.dʒi

agroecology

Meaning
A scientific discipline that studies agricultural systems by applying ecological concepts and principles.
Example
Agroecology promotes eco-friendly farming.
C2 adjective /ˈkrɛstˌfɔːlən/

crestfallen

Meaning
sad and disappointed
Example
He looked crestfallen after hearing the bad news.
C2 adjective /heɪl/

hale

Meaning
strong and healthy, especially of an elderly person
Example
Despite his age, the man remained hale and active.
C2 noun /ˌpærəˈnɔɪæk/

paranoiac

Meaning
A person who suffers from paranoia or exhibits extreme, irrational distrust and suspicion.
Example
The paranoiac refused to leave his house, fearing everyone was against him.
C2 noun /draɪd roʊz ˈpɛtəlz/

Dried Rose Petals

Meaning
dehydrated petals from roses used for culinary and aromatic purposes
Example
The dessert was garnished with dried rose petals.
C2 verb /kəˈraʊz/

carouse

Meaning
to drink and enjoy oneself noisily, often with others
Example
They stayed up all night to carouse after the victory.
C2 verb /dɪˈkleɪm/

declaim

Meaning
to speak aloud in a formal, passionate, or theatrical way
Example
The actor declaimed his lines with great intensity.
C2 adjective /ˌstaʊtˈhɑːrtɪd/

stouthearted

Meaning
Brave, determined, and courageous
Example
The stouthearted soldier never gave up.
C2 noun /θiˈɒkrəsi/

theocracy

Meaning
A system of government in which priests or religious leaders rule in the name of God or a deity.
Example
The country was governed as a theocracy where religious leaders had supreme authority.
C2 noun /ˈhæknɪ/

hackney

Meaning
a horse kept for ordinary riding or hire; also used for something overused or trite
Example
The old hackney was still pulling the carriage.
C2 verb /əˈsɛvəˌreɪt/

asseverate

Meaning
to affirm or declare positively and earnestly
Example
He asseverated that he had never seen the man before.
C2 noun /pæˈstiːʃ/

pastiche

Meaning
a work of art, literature, or music that imitates the style of another artist, period, or genre
Example
The film was a clever pastiche of 1950s detective movies.
C2 noun /ˌbluː ˈblʌd/

Blue-blood

Meaning
a person of noble birth; aristocrat
Example
She came from a family of blue-bloods with centuries of royal heritage.
C2 verb /ɪkˈskruːʃieɪt/

excruciate

Meaning
to cause intense pain or suffering
Example
The injury excruciated him with unbearable pain.
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 /ˈkʌvi/

covey

Meaning
a small group of birds, especially partridges or quails
Example
A covey of quails flew across the field.
C2 adjective /ɪkˈsɛpʃənəbl/

exceptionable

Meaning
Open to objection; causing disapproval.
Example
His rude remarks were considered exceptionable by everyone present.
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.
C2 noun /fɔːrˈbɛrəns/

forbearance

Meaning
Patient self-control; restraint and tolerance, especially in difficult situations.
Example
She showed remarkable forbearance during the heated argument.
C2 adjective /ˈdɪsənənt/

dissonant

Meaning
Harsh and lacking harmony; conflicting.
Example
The orchestra produced a dissonant sound during rehearsal.
C2 verb /ˌriːkruːˈdɛs/

recrudesce

Meaning
to break out or appear again after a period of dormancy or decline
Example
After months of calm, violence recrudesced in the region.
C2 verb /ˈlaɪ.ə.naɪz/

lionize

Meaning
to treat someone as a celebrity or give a lot of public attention
Example
The press began to lionize the young scientist after his discovery.
C2 adjective /ˈprɛfətɔːri/

prefatory

Meaning
serving as an introduction or preface
Example
He made some prefatory remarks before the lecture began.
C2 noun /prəˈlɪksɪti/

prolixity

Meaning
the quality of being tediously wordy and long
Example
The book’s prolixity made it difficult to read in one sitting.
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.