Ruse
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C1 noun /ruːz/

Ruse

Meaning
an action intended to deceive someone; a trick or stratagem
Example
The thief used a clever ruse to distract the guard.
C1 verb /dɪsˈtrʌst/

distrust

Meaning
to have no confidence or trust in someone or something
Example
Many people distrust politicians.
C1 noun /krəˈvæs/

crevasse

Meaning
a deep crack in a glacier or the earth’s surface
Example
The climbers carefully crossed the icy crevasse.
C1 adjective /nəʊˈmæd.ɪk/

nomadic

Meaning
Living the life of a nomad; wandering from place to place without a fixed home.
Example
The tribe led a nomadic lifestyle.
C1 verb /ˈnɪbəl/

nibble

Meaning
to take small bites of food
Example
The rabbit nibbled on a carrot.
C1 noun /ˈʃrɪŋkɪdʒ/

shrinkage

Meaning
The process of becoming smaller in size, amount, or value.
Example
The company reported a shrinkage in profits this quarter.
C1 noun /ræθ/

Wrath

Meaning
extreme anger; intense fury or indignation
Example
His wrath was terrible to behold.
C1 verb /rɪˈɡrɛs/

regress

Meaning
To return to a former or less developed state.
Example
Without proper guidance, the child's progress began to regress.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈprɒbəbl/

improbable

Meaning
Not likely to be true or to happen.
Example
It seems improbable that he will arrive on time.
C1 verb /ɪnˈθjuːz/

enthuse

Meaning
to express excitement or admiration
Example
She enthused about her trip to Italy.
C1 verb /əˈlʊər/

allure

Meaning
to attract or tempt someone with something desirable; to entice
Example
The beautiful garden allured visitors from far away.
C1 noun /bəˈnɛv.ə.ləns/

benevolence

Meaning
The quality of being well meaning and kindly; the disposition to do good.
Example
His benevolence towards the poor earned him respect.
C1 adjective /fəˈnɛtɪk/

phonetic

Meaning
relating to the sounds of speech or pronunciation
Example
The teacher taught the students the phonetic spelling of difficult words.
C1 adjective /ɪˈvɒkətɪv/

evocative

Meaning
bringing strong images, memories, or feelings to mind
Example
The music was evocative of her childhood memories.
C1 noun /ˈlɪbərəlɪzəm/

liberalism

Meaning
a political and social philosophy advocating individual freedoms, democracy, and equality
Example
Liberalism emphasizes freedom of speech and human rights.
C1 adjective /ˈvɛdʒɪtətɪv/

vegetative

Meaning
relating to growth or the basic processes of life, often without conscious thought or activity
Example
The patient remained in a vegetative state after the accident.
C1 verb /ɪmˈpɛrɪl/

imperil

Meaning
To put in danger or at risk.
Example
Reckless driving can imperil the lives of others.
C1 noun /ˈwɔː.tər ˈtʃes.nʌt/

Water Chestnut

Meaning
aquatic plant with edible white crisp tubers
Example
Water chestnuts add a nice crunch to stir-fry dishes.
C1 verb, noun /ˈbreɪnˌwɒʃ/

brainwash

Meaning
to manipulate someone into adopting certain beliefs by repeated pressure or propaganda; the act or process of such manipulation
Example
The group tried to brainwash new members with constant propaganda.
C1 noun /fiːt/

feat

Meaning
an achievement that requires great courage, skill, or strength
Example
Climbing Mount Everest was a remarkable feat.
C1 verb /vaʊtʃ/

vouch

Meaning
to confirm or assert the truth or reliability of something
Example
I can vouch for his honesty.
C1 verb /ˈkæptɪveɪt/

captivate

Meaning
to attract and hold the interest of; to charm or fascinate
Example
Her beautiful voice captivated the audience.
C1 verb /səˈkʌm/

succumb

Meaning
To give in to pressure, temptation, or illness; to yield or fail to resist.
Example
He finally succumbed to his illness after a long struggle.
C1 adverb /əˈnjuː/

anew

Meaning
In a new or different way; once more.
Example
After the failure, she decided to start her life anew.
C1 verb /ˌsuːpərɪmˈpoʊz/

superimpose

Meaning
to place one thing on top of another so that both can be seen
Example
The editor superimposed text over the image.
C1 verb /ˈsmʌðər/

smother

Meaning
to kill someone by covering their nose and mouth to prevent breathing; to cover something completely; to overwhelm with excessive attention or affection
Example
She smothered the fire with a blanket.
C1 noun/adjective /ˈlɛzbiən/

lesbian

Meaning
a woman who is romantically or sexually attracted to other women
Example
She is a proud lesbian and advocates for equal rights.
C1 adjective /ˌloʊ ˈspɪrɪtɪd/

low-spirited

Meaning
feeling sad, depressed, or lacking enthusiasm
Example
He felt low-spirited after hearing the bad news.
C1 adjective /dɪˈplɔːrəbl/

deplorable

Meaning
deserving strong condemnation; shockingly bad in quality
Example
The refugees were living in deplorable conditions.
C1 noun /bɪˈriːvmənt/

bereavement

Meaning
The state of having lost a loved one through death.
Example
She received many letters of sympathy during her time of bereavement.
C1 noun /ˈspɪnstər/

spinster

Meaning
An unmarried woman, often one who is older and considered unlikely to marry
Example
The novel featured a kind-hearted spinster who cared for the village children.
C1 noun fluˈɪd.ɪ.ti

fluidity

Meaning
The ability of a substance to flow easily; smooth and graceful movement or style.
Example
The fluidity of the dancer's movements was mesmerizing.
C1 adjective /ˈsted.fæst/

Steadfast

Meaning
firm in belief, determination, or adherence; unwavering
Example
She remained steadfast in her commitment to helping the poor.
C1 noun /ˈɡær.ɪ.sən/

garrison

Meaning
A body of troops stationed in a particular location, usually to defend it.
Example
The garrison defended the fortress against the invaders.
C1 verb /rɪˈbjuːk/

rebuke

Meaning
to criticize or scold sharply; to express disapproval
Example
The teacher had to rebuke the student for cheating.
C1 noun /ˈrɒndɪvuː/

rendezvous

Meaning
a meeting or appointment at an agreed time and place
Example
They arranged a secret rendezvous at the café.
C1 noun /ˌædəˈreɪʃən/

adoration

Meaning
deep love and respect; worship
Example
The fans showed their adoration for the singer.
C1 noun /rɪˈpɔːrtɪʒ/

reportage

Meaning
the act of reporting news or describing events in the media
Example
The magazine is known for its detailed reportage of political issues.
C1 noun /ˈɛər.luːm/

heirloom

Meaning
a valuable object that has belonged to a family for several generations
Example
The ring is a family heirloom passed down from her grandmother.
C1 noun /ˈkæmi.oʊ/

cameo

Meaning
a small but significant role in a play, film, or show, often performed by a well-known person
Example
The actor made a surprise cameo in the movie.
C1 noun /ˈnjuːɑːns/

nuance

Meaning
A subtle difference in shade of meaning, appearance, or sound.
Example
He noticed the subtle nuance in her expression.
C1 adjective /ˈɔː.də.bəl/

Audible

Meaning
able to be heard; loud enough to hear
Example
The speaker's voice was barely audible from the back of the large hall.
C1 noun /fjuːd/

feud

Meaning
a prolonged and bitter quarrel or conflict, often between families or groups
Example
The two families have been in a feud for generations.
C1 verb /ɪmˈpiːtʃ/

impeach

Meaning
To charge a public official with misconduct while in office.
Example
The parliament voted to impeach the president.
C1 adverb ˌekspəˈnenʃəli

exponentially

Meaning
At a rapidly increasing rate; growing or expanding very quickly and intensely.
Example
Internet adoption is growing exponentially worldwide.
C1 noun ˈælərdʒən

allergen

Meaning
A substance that causes an allergic reaction.
Example
Pollen is a common allergen that affects many people.
C1 verb /ˌdiː.kəmˈprɛs/

decompress

Meaning
To relax and recover from stress or pressure.
Example
Taking deep breaths helps to decompress after a stressful day.
C1 verb /ˈkʌn.dʒər/

conjure

Meaning
to summon something as if by magic; to imagine vividly
Example
The magician conjured a rabbit out of the hat.
C1 noun /ɪˈvændʒəlɪst/

evangelist

Meaning
A person who seeks to convert others to the Christian faith, especially by public preaching.
Example
The evangelist traveled across the country spreading his message.
C1 adjective /ˈvɛnərəbəl/

Venerable

Meaning
deserving respect due to age, wisdom, or character; revered
Example
The venerable professor has taught at the university for fifty years.
C1 noun /ˈtændʒənt/

tangent

Meaning
a straight line or plane that touches a curve or curved surface at a point but does not cross it
Example
The teacher drew a tangent to the circle on the board.
C1 noun ˈprɛvələns

prevalence

Meaning
The fact or condition of being widespread; the extent to which something exists or occurs
Example
The prevalence of aging issues requires immediate attention.
C1 verb /səbˈstænʃieɪt/

substantiate

Meaning
To provide evidence to support or prove the truth of something.
Example
The lawyer worked to substantiate the claims with solid evidence.
C1 adjective /ˈɡræn.jʊ.lər/

granular

Meaning
Consisting of small grains or particles; detailed and specific.
Example
The report provided a granular analysis of the market data.
C1 noun /ɪɡˌzɪl.əˈreɪ.ʃən/

exhilaration

Meaning
A feeling of excitement, happiness, or elation.
Example
The feeling of exhilaration after a roller-coaster ride is amazing.
C1 adjective /ˈlɔː.fəl/

Lawful

Meaning
legal; legitimate; valid; just
Example
The judge confirmed that their actions were lawful and proper.
C1 verb /trænˈskraɪb/

transcribe

Meaning
to make a written copy of spoken words or notes
Example
The secretary transcribed the meeting minutes.
C1 noun /ˈsɛdətɪv/

sedative

Meaning
A substance that calms the nerves or induces sleep.
Example
The doctor prescribed a sedative to help the patient sleep.
C1 adjective /ˈhæɡ.ərd/

Haggard

Meaning
looking exhausted and unwell, especially from fatigue, worry, or suffering
Example
After working three nights without sleep, he looked haggard.
C1 verb /ˌriːˈtʌtʃ/

retouch

Meaning
To improve or repair a picture, photograph, or image by making small changes.
Example
The photographer retouched the image to remove blemishes.
C1 verb /sərˈmaʊnt/

surmount

Meaning
to overcome a difficulty or obstacle
Example
He surmounted all the challenges to achieve his dream.
C1 adjective səˈsaɪ.ə.təl

societal

Meaning
Relating to society or social relationships.
Example
Societal benefits of space tourism are under debate.
C1 noun /prɪˈrɒɡətɪv/

prerogative

Meaning
a special right or privilege exclusive to a particular person or group
Example
It is the manager’s prerogative to make the final decision.
C1 verb/noun /skɒtʃ/

scotch

Meaning
to put an end to something; also a type of whisky
Example
The report scotched the rumors of a merger.
C1 noun /ɪɡˈzuːbərəns/

exuberance

Meaning
the quality of being full of energy, excitement, and cheerfulness
Example
Her exuberance made the whole team feel motivated.
C1 verb kəˈrɒb.ə.reɪt

corroborate

Meaning
Confirm or give support to a statement, theory, or finding.
Example
The witness corroborated the defendant's testimony.
C1 verb /bloʊt/

bloat

Meaning
to swell or cause to swell, often due to fluid or gas
Example
Eating too much junk food can bloat your stomach.
C1 noun /ˈsɛtərə/

cetera

Meaning
Latin for 'the rest' or 'others'; commonly used in the phrase 'et cetera' meaning 'and so on'.
Example
We need to buy pens, paper, notebooks, et cetera.
C1 noun/verb /tɔːrˈpiːdoʊ/

torpedo

Meaning
A self-propelled underwater missile; to attack or destroy something suddenly and forcefully.
Example
The submarine launched a torpedo at the enemy ship.
C1 verb /əˈbeɪt/

abate

Meaning
to become less intense or widespread
Example
The storm began to abate after midnight.
C1 verb məˈnɒp.ə.laɪz

monopolize

Meaning
Control exclusively, dominate market.
Example
The company tried to monopolize the market.
C1 noun /pɪˌdɛs.tri.ə.naɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/

pedestrianization

Meaning
Making areas pedestrian-friendly, closing any area to vehicle traffic and making it open only for pedestrians.
Example
The pedestrianization of city centers reduces pollution.
C1 noun /ˈhɔːrtɪˌkʌltʃər/

horticulture

Meaning
The art or practice of garden cultivation and management.
Example
Horticulture plays a vital role in producing fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants.
C1 noun /ˈpəʊstˌskrɪpt/

postscript

Meaning
an additional remark at the end of a letter or text, after the signature
Example
She added a brief postscript to thank him again.
C1 noun /pəˈzɛsər/

possessor

Meaning
A person who owns or holds something.
Example
The possessor of the land built a new house.
C1 noun /ˈkɜːrnəl/

kernel

Meaning
the central, most important part of something; the edible part of a nut or seed
Example
The kernel of the argument was about fairness.
C1 adjective /ˈkɔːrdiəl/

Cordial

Meaning
warmly friendly; sincere; heartfelt
Example
She gave us a cordial welcome at the front door.
C1 adjective ˈkwɒn.tɪ.faɪ.ə.bəl

quantifiable

Meaning
Able to be expressed or measured as a quantity; capable of being counted or calculated.
Example
The impact of the project is quantifiable.
C1 adjective /ˈtækt.fəl/

Tactful

Meaning
showing skill and sensitivity in dealing with others or difficult situations
Example
He gave a tactful response to avoid hurting her feelings.
C1 adjective /ˈtʌtʃi/

Touchy

Meaning
easily upset or offended; overly sensitive
Example
He's very touchy about his height.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈweɪ.vər.ɪŋ/

unwavering

Meaning
Steady or resolute; not wavering.
Example
He showed unwavering dedication to his goal.
C1 verb /dɪsˈhɑːrtn/

dishearten

Meaning
to cause someone to lose determination or confidence; to discourage
Example
The constant rejection letters began to dishearten the young writer.
C1 verb /ˈɡlɪsən/

glisten

Meaning
To shine with a sparkling light, often when wet or polished.
Example
The grass glistened with morning dew.
C1 noun /mɪsˈɡɪv.ɪŋ/

Misgiving

Meaning
A feeling of doubt or apprehension about the outcome or consequences of something
Example
She had serious misgivings about accepting the job offer.
C1 adjective /pərˈpetʃuəl/

perpetual

Meaning
never-ending or continuous
Example
She lived in perpetual fear of being discovered.
C1 adjective /prəˈfeɪn/

profane

Meaning
showing disrespect or contempt for sacred things; irreverent or vulgar
Example
His jokes were considered too profane for the ceremony.
C1 noun /ˈstjuːpər/

stupor

Meaning
a state of near-unconsciousness or insensibility
Example
He remained in a stupor after hearing the shocking news.
C1 verb /ɪnˈθrɔːl/

enthrall

Meaning
to captivate or hold someone’s attention completely
Example
The magician’s tricks enthralled the children.
C1 noun /fɪˈlæn.θrə.pɪst/

philanthropist

Meaning
a person who seeks to promote the welfare of others, especially by donating money to good causes
Example
The philanthropist donated millions to build schools in rural areas.
C1 noun /ˈkɒb.lər/

Cobbler

Meaning
a person who repairs shoes and other leather goods
Example
The cobbler fixed my broken shoes perfectly.
C1 noun /ˈeɪθiɪzəm/

atheism

Meaning
The belief that there is no God or gods.
Example
He declared his atheism openly despite social pressure.
C1 verb /ɪnˈtɒksɪkeɪt/

intoxicate

Meaning
to make someone lose control of their faculties or behavior due to alcohol or drugs
Example
The strong drink quickly intoxicated him.
C1 verb /ˌriːˈkæl.ɪ.breɪt/

recalibrate

Meaning
To calibrate again or differently; to adjust or correct something based on new information or changed circumstances.
Example
The company had to recalibrate its strategies to adapt to the market.
C1 noun ˈprɒdʒ.ə.ni

progeny

Meaning
A descendant or the descendants of a person, animal, or plant; offspring.
Example
The philosopher's teachings have influenced many generations of progeny.
C1 noun /ˈrɪɡər/

rigor

Meaning
strictness, severity, or demanding conditions
Example
The training was carried out with great rigor.
C1 verb /hɜːrl/

hurl

Meaning
To throw something with great force.
Example
The boy hurled a stone into the river.
C1 adjective /trænsˈluːsənt/

translucent

Meaning
allowing light to pass through, but not clearly enough to see detailed images
Example
She placed the flower in a translucent vase.
C1 adjective /ɪˈnuːmərəbəl/

Innumerable

Meaning
too many to be counted; countless; infinite in number
Example
There are innumerable stars in the night sky that we cannot see with our naked eyes.
C1 noun /ˌɔːkʃəˈnɪər/

auctioneer

Meaning
a person who conducts auctions by calling out bids and selling items to the highest bidder
Example
The auctioneer quickly raised the price as bidders competed for the painting.
C1 adjective /ˈpærəmaʊnt/

paramount

Meaning
more important than anything else; supreme
Example
Safety is of paramount importance in this factory.
C1 adjective /ˈmɔːtəl/

Mortal

Meaning
subject to death; having a limited lifespan; human
Example
All human beings are mortal and will eventually die.
C1 noun /ˈsɜːrtʃɑːrdʒ/

surcharge

Meaning
an additional charge or payment added to the usual cost
Example
The airline ticket had a fuel surcharge added to it.
C1 verb /rɪˈvɜːrbəreɪt/

reverberate

Meaning
To echo repeatedly or have continuing effects.
Example
The sound of the explosion reverberated through the valley.
C1 verb /ˈæn.ə.teɪt/

annotate

Meaning
to add notes or comments to a text, diagram, or document for explanation or clarification
Example
The teacher asked the students to annotate the poem with their interpretations.
C1 noun /əˈkʌmplɪs/

accomplice

Meaning
a person who helps another commit a crime
Example
The thief was arrested along with his accomplice.
C1 adjective /kənˈtɪn.ju.əl/

Continual

Meaning
happening repeatedly over a long period of time; constant and uninterrupted
Example
The continual noise from the construction site was very annoying.
C1 adjective /ˌmed.iˈiː.vəl/

Mediaeval

Meaning
relating to the Middle Ages; medieval
Example
The castle displayed mediaeval architecture and design.
C1 adjective /kəˈnɒnɪkəl/

canonical

Meaning
Conforming to a general rule or accepted standard; officially recognized.
Example
Shakespeare’s works are considered canonical in English literature.
C1 noun ˌpraɪɔːrɪtaɪˈzeɪʃən

prioritization

Meaning
The action or process of deciding the relative importance or urgency of things.
Example
Effective prioritization ensures resources are used efficiently.
C1 verb/noun /stuːp/

stoop

Meaning
To bend one's body forward and downward; also a small porch or staircase at the entrance of a house
Example
He had to stoop to pick up the coin.
C1 adjective /ˌdɪsɪnˈdʒɛnjʊəs/

disingenuous

Meaning
not candid or sincere; giving a false appearance of honesty or openness
Example
She gave a disingenuous excuse for missing the meeting.
C1 adjective /rɪˈkʌr.ənt/

Recurrent

Meaning
happening repeatedly; occurring again and again; periodic;
Example
She has been suffering from recurrent headaches for months.
C1 verb /smɜrk/

smirk

Meaning
to smile in a self-satisfied, smug, or silly way
Example
He smirked when he won the argument.
C1 noun /ˈrɒstrəm/

rostrum

Meaning
A raised platform for speakers, performers, or leaders.
Example
The politician delivered a speech from the rostrum.
C1 adjective /ˈlʌʃəs/

luscious

Meaning
deliciously sweet or rich; highly appealing to the senses
Example
She served a luscious chocolate cake.
C1 adverb /ˈhɒtli/

hotly

Meaning
in an intense, angry, or passionate way
Example
She hotly denied the accusations.
C1 adjective /hɔːrs/

Hoarse

Meaning
rough or harsh in sound; having a rough voice from shouting or illness
Example
His voice became hoarse after shouting at the concert.
C1 adjective /prəˈlɪf.ɪk/

prolific

Meaning
Present in large numbers or quantities; plentiful; producing many works, results, or offspring.
Example
The author is prolific, having written over 30 books.
C1 adjective /ɑːrˈkeɪɪk/

archaic

Meaning
very old or old-fashioned; belonging to an earlier time
Example
Some laws are considered archaic and no longer relevant.
C1 noun /ˈleɪ.mən/

Layman

Meaning
a person without professional or specialized knowledge in a particular subject
Example
The doctor explained the procedure in layman's terms.
C1 noun /bəˈrɑːʒ/

barrage

Meaning
a concentrated outpouring of questions, criticisms, or blows; a rapid, continuous attack
Example
The politician faced a barrage of tough questions from reporters.