primogeniture
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C2 noun /ˌpraɪmoʊˈdʒɛnɪtʃər/

primogeniture

Meaning
The right of the firstborn child to inherit the family estate or title.
Example
Under primogeniture, the eldest son inherited the entire estate.
C2 noun /fluː/

flue

Meaning
A pipe or channel for smoke and waste gases produced by a fire, gas heater, or power station.
Example
The chimney flue needs to be cleaned regularly.
C2 verb /dʒaʊst/

joust

Meaning
to engage in a medieval contest on horseback with lances; to compete or argue
Example
The knights prepared to joust in front of the cheering crowd.
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 adjective /ˈplɛntɪəs/

plenteous

Meaning
existing in great quantity; abundant
Example
The harvest was plenteous, providing enough food for the entire village.
C2 noun /ˈfærɪsiː/

pharisee

Meaning
A member of an ancient Jewish sect; by extension, a self-righteous or hypocritical person.
Example
He acted like a pharisee, judging others while ignoring his own faults.
C2 verb /rɛtʃ/

retch

Meaning
to make the sound and movement of vomiting without bringing anything up
Example
The smell of spoiled food made him retch violently.
C2 adjective /ˌnɒnpəˈreɪl/

nonpareil

Meaning
Having no equal; unrivaled or matchless.
Example
Her beauty was considered nonpareil in the region.
C2 noun /ˈɔːrdnəns/

ordnance

Meaning
Military supplies including weapons, ammunition, and combat equipment.
Example
The army stored ordnance in a secure facility outside the city.
C2 adjective /dɪˈskrɛpənt/

discrepant

Meaning
showing a difference or inconsistency
Example
The witnesses gave discrepant accounts of the incident.
C2 noun /bel ˈæp.əl/

Bell apple

Meaning
a tropical fruit with a crisp texture and sweet taste, scientifically known as Syzygium malaccense
Example
The bell apple tree produces beautiful red fruits that are popular in tropical regions.
C2 adjective /ˈpʌkɪʃ/

puckish

Meaning
playfully mischievous
Example
The child gave a puckish grin before hiding the toy.
C2 adjective ˌpɜː.spɪˈkeɪ.ʃəs

perspicacious

Meaning
Having keen insight and understanding; showing acute mental discernment.
Example
The detective's perspicacious nature helped solve the mystery.
C2 noun /ˈæbɪs/

abbess

Meaning
the woman in charge of a convent of nuns
Example
The abbess welcomed the visitors to the convent.
C2 noun /ˈprɛʃəns/ or /ˈpriːʃəns/

prescience

Meaning
the ability to know or predict what will happen in the future
Example
Her prescience about market trends saved the company.
C2 noun /ˈhɪl.sə fɪʃ/

Hilsa fish

Meaning
a popular fish species found in South Asian rivers, especially prized in Bengali cuisine
Example
Hilsa fish is considered a delicacy in Bengali culture.
C2 adjective ˌʌn.əˈseɪ.lə.bəl

unassailable

Meaning
Unable to be attacked, questioned, or defeated.
Example
An unassailable position ensures dominance.
C2 adjective /ˌmækɪəˈvɛliən/

machiavellian

Meaning
cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous, especially in politics or in advancing one's career
Example
The politician was known for his Machiavellian tactics.
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.
C2 noun /ˈmuːn.biːm/

moonbeam

Meaning
A ray of light from the moon.
Example
A moonbeam lit up the quiet forest clearing.
C2 noun /əˈnjuː.ɪ.ti/

annuity

Meaning
a fixed sum of money paid to someone each year, typically for the rest of their life
Example
She receives an annuity from her late husband's insurance policy.
C2 noun /ˈdʒʌɡjələr/

jugular

Meaning
A large vein in the neck that carries blood from the head back to the heart.
Example
The doctor checked the patient's jugular vein for signs of pressure.
C2 noun /ˈjuːnɪvəˌlɛns/

univalence

Meaning
The state of having a single valence or combining power, especially in chemistry.
Example
Hydrogen is characterized by its univalence in chemical reactions.
C2 adjective /səˈmætɪk/

somatic

Meaning
Relating to the body, especially as distinct from the mind.
Example
Yoga can improve both somatic and mental health.
C2 verb /ˈtæri/

tarry

Meaning
To delay or linger; to stay longer than intended.
Example
Do not tarry, or you will miss the train.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈtɛmpərət/

intemperate

Meaning
Lacking self-control; immoderate, especially in indulgence.
Example
The politician's intemperate remarks caused controversy.
C2 verb /ˈfɜːrbɪʃ/

furbish

Meaning
to polish, renovate, or give a fresh look to something
Example
The workers furbished the old sword until it gleamed like new.
C2 adjective /ˌʌnprəˈpɪʃəs/

unpropitious

Meaning
Not giving or indicating a good chance of success; unfavorable.
Example
The team began their journey under unpropitious weather conditions.
C2 adjective /ˌænθrəpəˈmɔːrfɪk/

anthropomorphic

Meaning
attributing human characteristics to non-human things, like animals or objects
Example
The cartoon shows an anthropomorphic cat walking on two legs.
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 adjective /ˈvækjuəs/

vacuous

Meaning
Having or showing a lack of thought or intelligence; mindless.
Example
She gave a vacuous smile during the serious discussion.
C2 adjective /ˌtɛmɪˈrɛəriəs/

temerarious

Meaning
Reckless or rash; showing a lack of caution.
Example
It was a temerarious decision to cross the river during the storm.
C2 noun /pəˈtruːn/

poltroon

Meaning
a cowardly person
Example
He acted like a poltroon during the crisis.
C2 noun /ˈpæk.ɪ.dɜːrm/

pachyderm

Meaning
a large mammal with thick skin, such as an elephant, rhinoceros, or hippopotamus
Example
The zoo had several pachyderms, including elephants and rhinos.
C2 noun /ˈhɜːrmɪtɪdʒ/

hermitage

Meaning
A secluded residence or retreat, often for a hermit or religious recluse.
Example
The monk spent years in a hermitage deep in the forest.
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 /trænˈspoʊz/

transpose

Meaning
to change the order or position of something
Example
The editor transposed two paragraphs in the article.
C2 adjective /ɪˈkwɪvəkəl/

equivocal

Meaning
Open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous.
Example
His equivocal answer confused everyone.
C2 verb /ɪnˈɡreɪʃiˌeɪt/

ingratiate

Meaning
To gain favor or approval by deliberate effort, often in a flattering way.
Example
She tried to ingratiate herself with her boss by complimenting him often.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈtræməld/

untrammeled

Meaning
Not restricted or hampered; free and unrestricted.
Example
She enjoyed untrammeled freedom in her new life abroad.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈseɪʃiət/

insatiate

Meaning
impossible to satisfy; always wanting more
Example
He had an insatiate desire for power.
C2 noun /bɜːrˈlɛsk/

burlesque

Meaning
A humorous and exaggerated imitation of a serious work; a type of theatrical entertainment involving comedy and parody.
Example
The play was a clever burlesque of traditional opera.
C2 verb /ʌnˈkloʊð/

unclothe

Meaning
to remove clothing from someone or something
Example
The nurse helped unclothe the patient for the examination.
C2 verb /həˈmɑː.dʒə.naɪz/

homogenize

Meaning
To make uniform or similar by blending or mixing different elements.
Example
The company tried to homogenize its products across global markets.
C2 adjective /ˈmɜːrkəntaɪl/

mercantile

Meaning
related to trade or commerce
Example
The city grew rapidly due to its mercantile activities.
C2 verb /ɪnˈdʒɛst/

ingest

Meaning
To take food, drink, or another substance into the body, usually by swallowing.
Example
The patient must ingest the medicine with water.
C2 noun /ɛnˈsɪklɪkəl/

encyclical

Meaning
a formal letter sent by the Pope to Catholic churches, usually addressing important issues
Example
The Pope issued an encyclical on climate change and moral responsibility.
C2 verb /rɪˈkænt/

recant

Meaning
to withdraw or renounce a statement or belief formally
Example
He recanted his previous statement in court.
C2 verb /bɪˈdɔːb/

bedaub

Meaning
to smear or cover with a sticky or dirty substance
Example
The children bedaubed the wall with paint.
C2 adjective /sʌbˈlɪŋɡwəl/

sublingual

Meaning
situated or applied under the tongue
Example
The doctor prescribed a sublingual tablet for faster absorption.
C2 noun /ˈθrɛnədi/

threnody

Meaning
A song, poem, or speech of mourning for someone who has died; a lament.
Example
The poet composed a moving threnody for the fallen soldiers.
C2 noun /ɪˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/

enunciation

Meaning
The act of saying or pronouncing words clearly and distinctly.
Example
His enunciation was clear during the presentation.
C2 adjective /ˈpɑːrləs/

parlous

Meaning
Full of danger or risk; precarious.
Example
The company is in a parlous financial state.
C2 adjective /ˈfɪt.fəl/

fitful

Meaning
occurring in irregular bursts; not continuous or steady
Example
He had a fitful sleep due to the storm.
C2 noun /ˈskɜː.vi/

scurvy

Meaning
A disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C, leading to weakness, gum disease, and bleeding.
Example
Sailors often suffered from scurvy during long sea voyages without fresh fruits.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈlɛtəd/

unlettered

Meaning
lacking education or the ability to read and write; illiterate
Example
The unlettered villagers relied on oral traditions to preserve their history.
C2 adjective /haɪˈbɜːrnəl/

hibernal

Meaning
Relating to or occurring in winter.
Example
The hibernal season is often harsh in the mountains.
C2 noun /ˈpɛtjʊləns/

petulance

Meaning
The quality of being childishly sulky or bad-tempered.
Example
His petulance during the meeting annoyed everyone.
C2 noun /ˌɪmprɪˈkeɪʃən/

imprecation

Meaning
A spoken curse or expression of strong condemnation.
Example
The angry crowd hurled imprecations at the corrupt official.
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 /ɪˈfiːt/

effete

Meaning
Lacking vitality, strength, or effectiveness; weak and overrefined.
Example
The empire became effete after centuries of indulgence.
C2 noun /ˌɪn.ɪˈbraɪ.ə.ti/

inebriety

Meaning
the state of being drunk or intoxicated
Example
His frequent inebriety led to the loss of his job.
C2 adjective /ˈpɑːmi/

palmy

Meaning
prosperous, flourishing, or relating to palm trees
Example
He often reminisced about the palmy days of his youth.
C2 adjective /vərˈmɪkjələr/

vermicular

Meaning
having a shape or appearance like a worm; worm-like
Example
The artist used a vermicular design to decorate the border of the manuscript.
C2 noun /ˈlɑːrdər/

larder

Meaning
A place, such as a pantry, where food is stored.
Example
The larder was full of fresh bread and cheese.
C2 noun /maɪˈæzmə/

miasma

Meaning
An unpleasant or unhealthy smell or atmosphere.
Example
A miasma of decay hung over the abandoned house.
C2 noun /ˌrɛprəˈbeɪʃən/

reprobation

Meaning
Strong disapproval or condemnation; rejection by God as beyond salvation.
Example
The teacher’s face showed clear reprobation at the student’s rude remark.
C2 verb /ɪmˈbruː/

imbrue

Meaning
To stain, especially with blood.
Example
His hands were imbrued with blood after the battle.
C2 verb /məˈtrɪkjʊˌleɪt/

matriculate

Meaning
To enroll as a student in a college or university.
Example
She matriculated at Oxford University last year.
C2 adjective /ˈnæti/

natty

Meaning
Neat, stylish, and fashionable in appearance.
Example
He looked very natty in his new suit.
C2 adjective /ˈdɒdərɪŋ/

doddering

Meaning
Weak, shaky, or unsteady, especially due to old age.
Example
The doddering professor struggled to climb the stairs.
C2 noun /ˈkjʊriˌoʊ/

curio

Meaning
a small unusual or interesting object, often collected for its rarity
Example
She bought a curio from the antique shop.
C2 noun /ɪnˈtɒksɪkənt/

intoxicant

Meaning
a substance, especially alcohol or a drug, that causes intoxication
Example
Alcohol is the most commonly used intoxicant in many cultures.
C2 verb /ʌnˈɑːrm/

unarm

Meaning
to remove weapons from someone or to deprive of means of attack or defense
Example
The soldiers were ordered to unarm the prisoners.
C2 noun /ˈrɛtɪnjuː/

retinue

Meaning
A group of attendants or followers accompanying an important person.
Example
The king entered the hall followed by his retinue.
C2 noun /ˈtændʒənsi/

tangency

Meaning
the condition of touching but not intersecting, especially in geometry
Example
The circle and the line are in a state of tangency at one point.
C2 adjective /ˌɔːfˈkiː/

off-key

Meaning
out of tune; not in accordance with expected standards
Example
The singer was slightly off-key during the performance.
C2 noun /priˈɛmpʃən/

preemption

Meaning
The act of taking action before someone else; the right to purchase or act before others.
Example
The company exercised preemption to acquire the land before competitors.
C2 noun /rɪˈpoʊst/

riposte

Meaning
a quick and clever reply to criticism or an insult
Example
Her sharp riposte left everyone in silence.
C2 verb /ɪkˈstɛnjueɪt/

extenuate

Meaning
to make an offense, fault, or situation seem less serious by providing an excuse or explanation
Example
The lawyer tried to extenuate his client's actions by highlighting his difficult childhood.
C2 noun (plural) /ˈɔːrdʒiːz/

orgies

Meaning
Wild gatherings involving excessive indulgence in food, drink, or sexual activity.
Example
The ancient Romans were infamous for their lavish feasts and orgies.
C2 noun /əˈzeɪ.li.ə/

azalea

Meaning
a flowering shrub with brightly colored blooms, often grown ornamentally
Example
The garden was full of blooming azaleas in spring.
C2 noun /ˈræpsədi/

rhapsody

Meaning
an expression of great enthusiasm or an epic musical composition
Example
The singer’s performance was a rhapsody of emotions.
C2 noun /ɡɑːrˈdiː.ni.ə/

Gardenia

Meaning
a white or yellow fragrant flower with waxy petals
Example
The gardenia bush produced beautiful white flowers with a lovely scent.
C2 adjective /ˈbʌksəm/

buxom

Meaning
Plump, with a full figure and often large-breasted, especially used to describe women.
Example
The actress was described as a cheerful and buxom woman.
C2 verb /rɪˈkjʊə/

recure

Meaning
to cure again; to remedy a second time
Example
The doctor had to recure the wound after it reopened.
C2 adjective ˌvɪz.ju.oʊˈspeɪ.ʃəl

visuospatial

Meaning
Related to understanding the relationship between space and objects through vision.
Example
Good visuospatial skills are important for architecture and design.
C2 verb /loʊp/

lope

Meaning
to run or move with a long, bounding stride
Example
The horse loped gracefully across the field.
C2 adjective /ˈtrɛntʃənt/

trenchant

Meaning
expressed strongly, effectively, and clearly; sharp or cutting in style or expression
Example
Her trenchant criticism of the policy left no room for misunderstanding.
C2 noun /ˈhɑːtʃ.pɑːtʃ/

Hotchpotch

Meaning
a confused mixture; a jumbled assortment of things
Example
The room was a hotchpotch of old furniture, books, and random decorations.
C2 adjective /ˈkʌsɪd/

cussed

Meaning
Annoyingly stubborn or difficult.
Example
He was too cussed to admit his mistake.
C2 noun /kəˌmɒd.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/

commodification

Meaning
The transformation of goods, services, ideas, or social relations into market commodities.
Example
The commodification of education has increased tuition costs.
C2 noun /kænt/

cant

Meaning
Hypocritical and insincere talk, especially about moral or religious principles.
Example
The politician's speech was filled with cant about honesty and integrity.
C2 adjective /ɪnhɑːrˈmoʊniəs/

Inharmonious

Meaning
lacking harmony; discordant in sound; not in tune
Example
The inharmonious sounds from the broken piano made everyone cover their ears.
C2 noun /ˈvoʊkəbəl/

vocable

Meaning
a word, term, or sound that has meaning
Example
The dictionary contained thousands of vocables from different languages.
C2 verb /ˌmɪsæprɪˈhɛnd/

misapprehend

Meaning
to misunderstand or misinterpret something
Example
He misapprehended the teacher’s instructions and did the task incorrectly.
C2 noun /ˈdʌblɪt/

doublet

Meaning
a close-fitting jacket worn by men in the Renaissance; also, a pair of similar things
Example
The actor wore a velvet doublet for the Shakespearean play.
C2 adjective /ˈblæs.fə.məs/

blasphemous

Meaning
showing disrespect or lack of reverence for God or sacred things
Example
The book was banned for its blasphemous content.
C2 noun /drɛɡz/

dregs

Meaning
the remnants of a liquid left in a container, together with any sediment or grounds; the most worthless part of something
Example
He drank the dregs of the coffee before leaving.
C2 noun /ˈbɔːlsəm/

Balsam

Meaning
a flowering plant with colorful blooms that often open in the evening; also refers to aromatic resin
Example
The garden balsam flowers bloomed beautifully in various shades of pink and purple.
C2 adjective /vəˈreɪʃəs/

veracious

Meaning
Truthful, honest; habitually speaking the truth.
Example
She gave a veracious account of what happened that day.
C2 verb /ˈtɪtəleɪt/

titillate

Meaning
To excite or amuse, especially in a slightly sexual or playful way.
Example
The comedian's jokes titillated the audience.
C2 noun /ˈrɛkwiəm/

requiem

Meaning
A mass, music, or ceremony for the repose of the souls of the dead.
Example
The choir performed a requiem in memory of the late leader.
C2 noun /ˈtʌmbrəl/

tumbrel

Meaning
A two-wheeled cart, especially one used during the French Revolution to carry prisoners to the guillotine.
Example
The prisoners were carried to the square in a wooden tumbrel.
C2 noun /ˌfoʊˈtɑːmɪtər/

photometer

Meaning
an instrument for measuring the intensity of light
Example
The scientist used a photometer to measure the light in the laboratory.
C2 verb /dɪsˈpɔːrt/

disport

Meaning
To amuse oneself in a lively or playful way.
Example
The children disported themselves in the garden.
C2 noun /ˌɪmpəˈtjuːəsəti/

impetuosity

Meaning
The quality of being rash or impulsive.
Example
His impetuosity often got him into trouble.
C2 adjective /ˈnɒmɪk/

nomic

Meaning
Relating to laws, rules, or systems.
Example
The philosopher discussed the nomic necessity of natural laws.
C2 noun /slaɪt/

sleight

Meaning
Skill or dexterity, especially in performing tricks.
Example
The magician amazed the crowd with his sleight of hand.
C2 verb /ˈhɛktər/

hector

Meaning
To talk to someone in a bullying or intimidating way.
Example
The manager hectored the staff into working overtime.
C2 adjective /ɪmˈpɑːlɪtɪk/

impolitic

Meaning
Unwise or imprudent; not showing good judgment.
Example
It would be impolitic to criticize them openly.
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 ˌæm.ɔː.tɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

amortization

Meaning
The process of paying off debt with regular payments over time.
Example
The amortization schedule showed a 10-year repayment plan.
C2 noun /ˌmɛtəfɪˈzɪʃən/

metaphysician

Meaning
A person who studies or is an expert in metaphysics.
Example
The metaphysician debated the essence of reality with his peers.
C2 noun /ˈvɔːdəvɪl/

vaudeville

Meaning
A type of entertainment popular in the early 20th century, featuring a mixture of comedy, song, dance, and variety acts.
Example
The vaudeville show included comedians, magicians, and dancers.
C2 adverb /pəˈfɔːs/

perforce

Meaning
by necessity; inevitably
Example
He had to perforce accept the decision.
C2 adjective /əˈrækjələr/

oracular

Meaning
Resembling an oracle; giving wise, mysterious, or prophetic statements
Example
Her oracular words left the audience deep in thought.
C2 noun /ˈbɑːr.nɪ.kəl/

Barnacle

Meaning
a marine crustacean that attaches itself permanently to underwater surfaces
Example
The old ship's hull was covered with barnacles.
C2 adverb /bɪˈtaɪmz/

betimes

Meaning
early; in good time
Example
She rose betimes to finish her work.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈfeɪnd/

unfeigned

Meaning
genuine; not pretended or insincere
Example
She expressed unfeigned joy at her friend's success.
C2 verb /hjuː/

hew

Meaning
To chop or cut something, especially wood or stone, with a tool.
Example
The workers hewed logs to build the cabin.