Nymph
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C2 noun /nɪmf/

Nymph

Meaning
a mythological spirit of nature; a beautiful young woman in classical mythology
Example
The water nymph appeared by the moonlit lake.
C2 adjective /əˈvʌŋkjələr/

avuncular

Meaning
kind and friendly, like an uncle
Example
He had an avuncular manner that made everyone feel comfortable.
C2 noun /ˌdɪspjuːˈteɪʃən/

disputation

Meaning
a formal debate or argument
Example
The disputation between the two scholars lasted for hours.
C2 noun /foʊ ˈpɑː/

faux pas

Meaning
a social blunder or mistake in etiquette
Example
He committed a major faux pas by forgetting her birthday.
C2 verb /ˌrɛprɪˈhɛnd/

reprehend

Meaning
to express disapproval or criticism of someone or something
Example
The teacher reprehended the student for being dishonest.
C2 adjective /raɪˈpɛə.ri.ən/

riparian

Meaning
Relating to or situated on the banks of a river or other watercourse.
Example
Riparian vegetation helps prevent soil erosion along rivers.
C2 adjective /ˈkɒnfluənt/

confluent

Meaning
Flowing together or merging; coming together at one point.
Example
The confluent streams formed a mighty river.
C2 noun /ˈɛpɪˌsaɪkl/

epicycle

Meaning
a small circle whose center moves around the circumference of a larger one, used in ancient astronomy
Example
The concept of the epicycle was used to explain planetary motion.
C2 noun /ˈluːkər/

lucre

Meaning
money, especially when regarded as sordid or gained dishonorably
Example
He was motivated more by lucre than by duty.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈdjuːbɪtəbl/

indubitable

Meaning
Impossible to doubt; unquestionable.
Example
It is indubitable that hard work leads to success.
C2 noun /ˈɡoʊld.moʊ.hɜːr/

Goldmohur

Meaning
A tropical tree with bright orange-red flowers, also known as flame tree or royal poinciana
Example
The goldmohur tree bloomed beautifully in the summer heat.
C2 adjective ˈmiː.ni.əl

menial

Meaning
Not requiring much skill and lacking prestige.
Example
He refused to do menial work.
C2 noun /ˈθɝː.moʊ.klaɪn/

thermocline

Meaning
A layer in a body of water in which temperature changes rapidly with depth.
Example
The thermocline separates warm surface water from cold deep water.
C2 verb /ˌæntɪˈsiːd/

antecede

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

effulgent

Meaning
Shining brilliantly; radiant.
Example
Her effulgent smile brightened everyone's mood.
C2 noun /pəˈlɛmɪk/

polemic

Meaning
a strong verbal or written attack on someone or something
Example
The article was a fierce polemic against the government's policies.
C2 noun /ˈpærəmʊr/

paramour

Meaning
a lover, especially an illicit one
Example
The secret paramour was finally revealed.
C2 noun /əˈdʌltərənt/

adulterant

Meaning
a substance added to something else, often food or drink, to reduce its quality or strength
Example
The laboratory found an adulterant in the milk samples.
C2 adjective /ˈmiː.di.eɪ.tɪv/

mediative

Meaning
Related to mediation, helping to resolve conflicts through diplomatic means.
Example
His mediative skills helped resolve the conflict.
C2 noun /ˈspuːnərɪzəm/

spoonerism

Meaning
A verbal error in which the initial sounds of words are swapped to create a humorous effect.
Example
He made a spoonerism by saying 'queer old dean' instead of 'dear old queen'.
C2 noun /ɪmˈbroʊlioʊ/

imbroglio

Meaning
An extremely confused, complicated, or embarrassing situation.
Example
The political imbroglio lasted for months without resolution.
C2 adjective /ˌɪrɪˈprəʊtʃəbl̩/

irreproachable

Meaning
Beyond criticism; faultless.
Example
The judge was known for his irreproachable integrity.
C2 noun /ˈmælɪt fɪʃ/

Mallet fish

Meaning
A marine fish with a hard shell-like covering, found in coastal waters
Example
The mallet fish is known for its unique protective shell covering.
C2 noun əˈdrɔɪt.nəs

adroitness

Meaning
Cleverness or skill, especially in using the hands or mind; skillful dexterity.
Example
His adroitness in negotiations secured the deal.
C2 noun /pʌɡˈnæsɪti/

pugnacity

Meaning
A natural disposition to be combative or aggressive.
Example
The coach admired the player's pugnacity on the field.
C2 noun /əˈprəʊ.bri.əm/

opprobrium

Meaning
Harsh criticism or public disgrace.
Example
The scandal brought opprobrium on the politician.
C2 verb /ˌriː.kəˈnɔɪ.tər/

reconnoiter

Meaning
to make a preliminary inspection or survey, especially of an area for military or strategic purposes
Example
The soldiers reconnoitered the area before advancing.
C2 verb /ˈnɔːzieɪt/

nauseate

Meaning
To make someone feel sick, with an inclination to vomit.
Example
The spoiled food nauseated him quickly.
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 noun /dɪˈmʌrɪdʒ/

demurrage

Meaning
a charge payable to the owner of a ship or vehicle for not loading or unloading on time
Example
The company had to pay demurrage for delaying the unloading of goods.
C2 noun /ˈlɪnəmənt/

liniment

Meaning
A liquid or lotion applied to the skin to relieve pain or stiffness.
Example
He rubbed liniment on his sore muscles after the workout.
C2 adjective /ˌɛl.ɪˈmɑː.səˌnɛr.i/

eleemosynary

Meaning
Relating to charity; dependent on or supported by charity.
Example
The hospital was founded as an eleemosynary institution.
C2 verb /ɪkˈskruːʃieɪt/

excruciate

Meaning
to cause intense pain or suffering
Example
The injury excruciated him with unbearable pain.
C2 verb /læmˈbæst/

lambast

Meaning
To criticize harshly or to beat severely.
Example
The coach lambasted the team for their poor performance.
C2 adjective /ˌmɛrəˈtrɪʃəs/

meretricious

Meaning
apparently attractive but having no real value or integrity.
Example
The design was flashy but meretricious.
C2 noun /ˌær.əˈbesk/

arabesque

Meaning
a complex, ornate design featuring intertwined flowing lines, often used in architecture or ballet poses
Example
The ceiling was decorated with delicate arabesque patterns.
C2 noun /ˈkɒn.tjʊ.mə.li/

contumely

Meaning
insulting or humiliating treatment
Example
He endured the contumely of his colleagues with patience.
C2 noun /ˌkʌmˈʌpəns/

comeuppance

Meaning
A deserved punishment or fate; just deserts.
Example
The corrupt official finally got his comeuppance in court.
C2 verb /ˈbæstərdaɪz/

bastardize

Meaning
to corrupt or debase something by altering it from its original form; to change in a way that reduces quality or purity
Example
Critics argue that the remake bastardized the original novel.
C2 verb /əˈleɪ/

allay

Meaning
to reduce the intensity of fear, worry, or pain; to calm
Example
The teacher tried to allay the students’ fears before the exam.
C2 noun /ˈklɔɪstər/

cloister

Meaning
a covered walk in a convent, monastery, or cathedral, typically with a wall on one side and a colonnade open to a quadrangle on the other.
Example
The monks walked silently through the cloister.
C2 noun /juːˌtrɑː.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/

eutrophication

Meaning
Excessive richness of nutrients in a lake or other body of water, frequently due to runoff from the land, which causes a dense growth of plant life and death of animal life from lack of oxygen.
Example
Excess fertilizers lead to eutrophication in lakes.
C2 noun /ˈdɛvɪlri/

devilry

Meaning
Wicked or cruel behavior; mischievous actions.
Example
The children were full of devilry on Halloween night.
C2 noun /ɡænˈdʒɛtɪk liːf fɪʃ/

Gangetic Leaf Fish

Meaning
a small freshwater fish species found in the Ganges river system, known for its leaf-like appearance
Example
The Gangetic Leaf Fish is commonly found in the rivers of Bangladesh.
C2 verb /ˌdɪspəˈzɛs/

dispossess

Meaning
to deprive someone of land, property, or other possessions
Example
The new law threatened to dispossess many farmers of their land.
C2 verb /məˈmɔːriəlaɪz/

memorialize

Meaning
to preserve the memory of a person or event, often through a ceremony, monument, or record
Example
The city decided to memorialize the hero with a statue in the central square.
C2 adjective /ˌlækəˈdeɪzɪkəl/

lackadaisical

Meaning
lacking enthusiasm, energy, or determination; careless or lazy
Example
His lackadaisical attitude toward work annoyed his boss.
C2 noun /trʌs/

truss

Meaning
a framework, typically consisting of rafters, posts, and struts, supporting a roof, bridge, or other structure
Example
The engineer designed a strong truss for the new bridge.
C2 noun /dɪˈbɛntʃər/

debenture

Meaning
a type of debt instrument not secured by physical assets or collateral
Example
The company raised capital by issuing debentures to investors.
C2 noun /ˈbɛlˌwɛðər/

bellwether

Meaning
A person or thing that leads or indicates a trend.
Example
The company is seen as a bellwether of the technology industry.
C2 verb /ˈstʌltɪfaɪ/

stultify

Meaning
to make someone or something appear foolish, or to hinder effectiveness and enthusiasm
Example
The repetitive tasks seemed to stultify the workers' creativity.
C2 noun /ˈaɪ.səˌbɑːr/

isobar

Meaning
A line on a weather map connecting points of equal atmospheric pressure.
Example
The meteorologist explained how isobars indicate wind speed and direction.
C2 noun /ˈɛəri/

aerie

Meaning
A large nest of a bird of prey, especially an eagle, typically built high in a tree or on a cliff.
Example
The eagle built its aerie on the high cliff.
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 /ˈtʃaɪ.nə bɑːks/

China box

Meaning
a small evergreen shrub with tiny white fragrant flowers
Example
The China box plant produced clusters of small white flowers.
C2 noun /ˈɪnfəmi/

infamy

Meaning
the state of being well known for some bad quality or deed
Example
His name will live in infamy for the crimes he committed.
C2 noun /ˈdɛθsˌhɛd/

deaths-head

Meaning
A representation of a human skull, often used as a symbol of death.
Example
The pirate flag was marked with a grim deaths-head.
C2 noun /ˌkæt ə ˈnaɪn ˌteɪlz/

cat-o-nine-tails

Meaning
A whip with nine knotted cords, historically used for punishment.
Example
The sailor feared the cat-o-nine-tails more than the storm at sea.
C2 noun /ˌkiː ˈviːv/

qui vive

Meaning
A state of alertness or vigilance.
Example
The guards were on the qui vive during the night.
C2 verb /ˈwɛltər/

welter

Meaning
to roll or toss about in a confused or disorderly way; to be in turmoil
Example
The city weltered in chaos after the sudden blackout.
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.
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 /ˌniːoʊˈpeɪɡənɪzəm/

neopaganism

Meaning
Modern religious movements influenced by or claiming to be derived from the various historical pagan beliefs of pre-modern Europe.
Example
Neopaganism has gained popularity as people seek spiritual alternatives to mainstream religions.
C2 noun /ˈdɪktəm/

dictum

Meaning
A formal pronouncement, authoritative statement, or maxim.
Example
The judge’s dictum clarified the principle of equality before the law.
C2 adjective /ˌæntɪməˈrɪdiən/

antemeridian

Meaning
Relating to the time before noon; occurring in the morning.
Example
She scheduled all her important meetings during the antemeridian hours.
C2 adjective/noun /ˌhaɪərəˈɡlɪfɪk/

hieroglyphic

Meaning
Relating to or written in hieroglyphs; symbols or writing that is difficult to understand.
Example
The archaeologists studied the hieroglyphic inscriptions carefully.
C2 verb /ɪˈnəʊbəl/

ennoble

Meaning
to give someone a noble rank or to elevate in dignity or honor
Example
His selfless actions ennobled his character in the eyes of others.
C2 verb /nɑːrl/

gnarl

Meaning
To twist into a knotted or distorted form.
Example
The tree roots began to gnarl around the stones.
C2 adjective /baɪˈɛniəl/

biennial

Meaning
happening every two years
Example
The biennial festival attracts thousands of visitors.
C2 noun /ˌɑːpərˈtuːnɪzəm/

opportunism

Meaning
The practice of taking advantage of opportunities regardless of principles or ethics.
Example
His decision was driven by opportunism, not values.
C2 verb /koʊˈæɡjəˌleɪt/

coagulate

Meaning
to cause a liquid, especially blood, to change into a solid or semi-solid state
Example
The blood quickly coagulated after the cut.
C2 adjective /ˈnɔɪ.səm/

Noisome

Meaning
having an extremely offensive smell; harmful or unpleasant
Example
The noisome smell from the garbage made everyone cover their noses.
C2 noun /kəmˈpɛndiəm/

compendium

Meaning
A collection of concise but detailed information about a subject.
Example
The book is a compendium of ancient myths and legends.
C2 adjective/noun /haɪˈbɜːrniən/

hibernian

Meaning
Relating to Ireland or the Irish.
Example
He enjoyed reading about Hibernian culture and history.
C2 noun /ˈflɒtsəm/

flotsam

Meaning
Floating debris from a shipwreck or things discarded and left floating.
Example
The beach was littered with flotsam after the storm.
C2 noun /koʊˈædʒətər/

coadjutor

Meaning
a person who helps or assists another, especially in a religious or official capacity
Example
The bishop appointed a coadjutor to assist him with his duties.
C2 adjective /ˈtrʌk.jʊ.lənt/

truculent

Meaning
Eager or quick to argue, fight, or show aggression.
Example
She became truculent when her ideas were challenged.
C2 verb /ˈpɜː.fə.reɪt/

perforate

Meaning
to make a hole or holes through something
Example
The machine can perforate sheets of paper for easy tearing.
C2 verb /ɪˈspaɪ/

espy

Meaning
To catch sight of or notice something, especially from a distance.
Example
From the hilltop, she espied a small village in the valley.
C2 verb /fɔːrˈdʒʌdʒ/

forejudge

Meaning
To judge beforehand without adequate information.
Example
It is unfair to forejudge someone without knowing the facts.
C2 verb /sɪˈkwɛstreɪt/

sequestrate

Meaning
To take legal possession of assets until a debt is paid or disputes are resolved.
Example
The court decided to sequestrate the company's property.
C2 noun /ˌvælɪˈdɪkʃən/

valediction

Meaning
The act of saying farewell; a formal goodbye.
Example
The professor gave a touching valediction at his retirement ceremony.
C2 adjective /ˈruːbɪkənd/

rubicund

Meaning
Having a healthy reddish complexion.
Example
The old man’s rubicund face showed he was in good health.
C2 noun /ˈfɜːrðərəns/

furtherance

Meaning
The advancement or promotion of something.
Example
The new policy was introduced in furtherance of social justice.
C2 noun /ˈpeɪpəsi/

papacy

Meaning
The office or authority of the Pope in the Roman Catholic Church.
Example
The papacy played a significant role in medieval European politics.
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.
C2 noun /ˈbloʊˌhɑrd/

blowhard

Meaning
a person who brags a lot or talks in a boastful way
Example
Everyone avoided the blowhard at the party because he wouldn't stop bragging.
C2 adjective /dɪˈrɪzəbl/

derisible

Meaning
deserving ridicule or mockery
Example
His excuse was so weak that it was plainly derisible.
C2 verb /ˌoʊvərˈstraɪd/

overstride

Meaning
To stride over something; to step across with long steps.
Example
He managed to overstride the narrow stream with ease.
C2 noun /dɪˈprævɪti/

depravity

Meaning
moral corruption; wickedness
Example
The film portrays the moral depravity of a corrupt society.
C2 noun /məˈlæsɪz/

Molasses

Meaning
thick, dark, sweet syrup made from sugar cane
Example
The recipe calls for molasses to give the bread a rich flavor.
C2 noun /ˈvɪrjʊləns/

virulence

Meaning
The severity or harmfulness of a disease or poison.
Example
Scientists studied the virulence of the new virus strain.
C2 verb /ˈæbnɪˌɡeɪt/

abnegate

Meaning
to deny or renounce something, especially a right or desire
Example
She chose to abnegate her personal interests for the sake of the team.
C2 adjective /ˌmɛtəˈlɜrdʒɪkəl/

metallurgical

Meaning
Relating to metallurgy or the branch of science concerned with the properties of metals and their production.
Example
He studied metallurgical engineering at the university.
C2 verb /prɒɡˈnɒstɪkeɪt/

prognosticate

Meaning
To foretell or predict future events, especially based on current signs.
Example
Experts attempted to prognosticate the outcome of the election.
C2 adjective /ˈproʊtiən/

protean

Meaning
tending or able to change frequently or easily; versatile
Example
She is a protean artist who experiments with many styles.
C2 noun /ˈsɒfɪzəm/

sophism

Meaning
a clever but misleading argument; fallacious reasoning
Example
The politician's speech was full of sophism designed to mislead voters.
C2 noun /ˈlɪtəni/

litany

Meaning
a long, repetitive, or tedious account or list; originally a form of prayer
Example
The politician gave a litany of promises during the campaign.
C2 noun /ˈmænˌtræp/

man-trap

Meaning
A trap designed to catch or injure humans; informally, a woman considered dangerously attractive.
Example
The old castle had a man-trap at the entrance.
C2 verb /ɛksˈhjuːm/

exhume

Meaning
to dig out something buried, especially a body from the ground
Example
The archaeologists decided to exhume the ancient remains.
C2 noun /ˌiː.tiˈɒ.lə.dʒi/

etiology

Meaning
the cause or origin of a disease or condition
Example
Doctors are studying the etiology of the new virus.
C2 noun /ˈkɒksweɪn/

coxswain

Meaning
the person in charge of navigating and steering a boat, especially a racing or small boat
Example
The coxswain shouted instructions to the rowing team.
C2 adjective /dɪsˈkʌmfɪtɪŋ/

discomfiting

Meaning
Causing unease, embarrassment, or discomfort.
Example
His discomfiting questions made everyone shift uncomfortably in their seats.
C2 noun /spliːn/

spleen

Meaning
an organ in the body that produces lymphocytes and filters blood; also refers to bad temper or spite
Example
He vented his spleen on his coworkers after the meeting.
C2 noun /ˈsaɪnɪkjʊər/

sinecure

Meaning
a position requiring little or no work but giving financial benefit or status
Example
He was given a sinecure at the university as a reward for his loyalty.
C2 verb /əˈvʌls/

avulse

Meaning
to tear away or separate forcibly, especially in medical or geological contexts
Example
The surgeon had to avulse the damaged tissue during the operation.
C2 noun /ˌbækəˈneɪliə/

bacchanalia

Meaning
A Roman festival of Bacchus celebrated with dancing, drinking, and revelry; any occasion of wild and drunken revelry.
Example
The novel describes the party as a bacchanalia of excess and joy.
C2 adjective /ˌpɛstɪˈlɛnʃəl/

pestilential

Meaning
Relating to or causing pestilence; very harmful, troublesome, or dangerous.
Example
The pestilential smell of the garbage filled the street.
C2 noun /ˌviːələnsɛloʊ/

violoncello

Meaning
The full name of the cello, a large string instrument played with a bow and held between the knees.
Example
He practiced the violoncello for hours each day.
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 verb /ˈblʌdʒən/

bludgeon

Meaning
to hit someone with a heavy object; to force someone into doing something
Example
The guard was bludgeoned by the attacker in the alley.
C2 noun /ˈsɪniæst/

cineast

Meaning
A film enthusiast or filmmaker; a person deeply interested in cinema.
Example
As a true cineast, she spends most weekends watching classic films.
C2 verb /ɪnˈθroʊn/

enthrone

Meaning
to install someone on a throne or to give someone high status
Example
The king was enthroned in a grand ceremony.
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 noun /blɑːtʃ/

blotch

Meaning
a large, irregular spot or stain, often on skin or fabric
Example
His shirt had a red blotch from the spilled juice.
C2 verb /dɪˈspɔɪl/

despoil

Meaning
To steal or violently remove valuable possessions from a place.
Example
The invaders despoiled the village during the war.
C2 noun /proʊˈbɑːsɪs/

proboscis

Meaning
The long, flexible nose of some animals, especially an elephant, or a tubular feeding and sucking organ in insects.
Example
The elephant used its proboscis to grab food.
C2 noun /ˌækwəˈpɒnɪks/

aquaponics

Meaning
A system of aquaculture in which the waste produced by farmed fish or other aquatic animals supplies nutrients for plants grown hydroponically.
Example
Aquaponics efficiently utilizes water by integrating fish and plant farming.
C2 noun /ˌbaɪ.oʊ.rɪˌmiː.diˈeɪ.ʃən/

bioremediation

Meaning
The use of living organisms to neutralize or remove environmental contaminants.
Example
Bioremediation helps remove toxins from polluted soil.
C2 noun /ˈmɔɪəti/

moiety

Meaning
One of two equal parts; a half or portion.
Example
The estate was divided into two moieties between the heirs.
C2 adjective /ˈsed.j ə.l ə s/

Sedulous

Meaning
showing dedication and diligence; persistent and careful in work
Example
She was sedulous in her research, spending hours in the library every day.