rustle
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C1 verb /ˈrʌsl/

rustle

Meaning
To make a soft, light sound like leaves or paper moving.
Example
The leaves rustled gently in the evening breeze.
C1 verb /ˈpɜːrsɪkjuːt/

persecute

Meaning
to treat someone cruelly or unfairly, especially because of their religion, race, or beliefs
Example
Many people were persecuted for their faith during that time.
C1 adjective /ˈhæb.ɪ.tə.bəl/

Habitable

Meaning
suitable or good enough to live in
Example
The planet Mars may become habitable in the future.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈhɛrənt/

inherent

Meaning
Existing in something as a natural, permanent, or essential quality.
Example
There are inherent risks in extreme sports.
C1 verb /ˈmæsəkər/

massacre

Meaning
to kill a large number of people brutally; to defeat decisively
Example
The army massacred the innocent civilians.
C1 noun /səˈnɑːtə/

sonata

Meaning
A musical composition for one or more instruments, typically in several movements.
Example
She performed a beautiful Beethoven sonata on the piano.
C1 verb /skɪmp/

skimp

Meaning
to use less of something than is necessary in order to save money or effort
Example
Don’t skimp on quality when buying a new laptop.
C1 noun /ˈtuːsəm/

twosome

Meaning
A pair of people considered together, often in a romantic or competitive context.
Example
They entered the dance competition as a twosome.
C1 adjective /səˈriːn/

serene

Meaning
Calm, peaceful, and untroubled; tranquil.
Example
The lake had a serene and peaceful atmosphere.
C1 noun prɪˈzɜː.və.tɪvz

preservatives

Meaning
A substance used to preserve foodstuffs, wood, or other materials against decay.
Example
Many processed foods contain harmful preservatives.
C1 verb, noun /læɡ/

lag

Meaning
To fall behind in movement, progress, or development; a delay or period of falling behind.
Example
The old computer tends to lag when running new software.
C1 noun /ɡroʊv/

grove

Meaning
A small group of trees growing close together.
Example
They walked through the orange grove.
C1 noun /bɑːrˈbeəriən/

Barbarian

Meaning
a person from an uncivilized group; someone who is cruel or brutal
Example
The ancient Romans considered anyone outside their empire to be barbarians.
C1 adjective /ɪˈrɛvərənt/

irreverent

Meaning
showing a lack of respect for people or things that are usually respected
Example
The comedian’s irreverent jokes offended some of the audience.
C1 noun /ˈbʌrə, ˈbʊrə/

borough

Meaning
A town, district, or administrative division, especially one with its own local government.
Example
Brooklyn is a borough of New York City.
C1 adjective /ˈtɛnəbl/

tenable

Meaning
able to be defended or maintained against attack or objection
Example
His argument was strong and tenable in court.
C1 noun /ˈtres.pæs.ər/

Trespasser

Meaning
a person who enters someone's property without permission
Example
The security guard caught the trespasser climbing over the fence.
C1 noun /ˈiːɡoʊˌɪzəm/

egoism

Meaning
An ethical theory that treats self-interest as the foundation of morality; also, excessive preoccupation with oneself.
Example
His decisions were often driven by egoism rather than concern for others.
C1 noun /ˈɔːrkɪd/

Orchid

Meaning
a diverse family of flowering plants known for their exotic and often fragrant flowers
Example
The white orchid on the windowsill bloomed for months.
C1 adjective /dɪˈmɛntɪd/

demented

Meaning
behaving irrationally due to mental illness or extreme excitement
Example
He looked demented after hearing the shocking news.
C1 adjective /stɔːntʃ/

staunch

Meaning
Loyal, committed, and firm in support.
Example
She is a staunch supporter of environmental protection.
C1 noun /rɪˈspɒndənt/

respondent

Meaning
A person who replies to something, especially in a survey or legal case
Example
The survey had over 1,000 respondents.
C1 noun /ˈhæŋ.ər/

Hanger

Meaning
a shaped piece of wood, plastic, or metal with a hook at the top, used to hang up clothes
Example
She hung her dress on a wooden hanger to prevent it from getting wrinkled.
C1 adjective /ˌaʊt ən ˈaʊt/

out-and-out

Meaning
complete; absolute; used to emphasize something extreme
Example
The speech was an out-and-out lie.
C1 adjective /ˈnæk.ərd/

Knackered

Meaning
extremely tired; exhausted
Example
I'm absolutely knackered after working all day.
C1 noun dɪˈspær.ə.ti

disparity

Meaning
A great difference or inequality.
Example
Disparity between countries must be reduced.
C1 noun /ˈrɪdəns/

riddance

Meaning
The action of getting rid of something unwanted or unpleasant.
Example
His departure was considered a welcome riddance by the team.
C1 adjective /ˈlæk.tɪk/

lactic

Meaning
Relating to milk or lactic acid.
Example
Intense exercise can lead to a buildup of lactic acid in the muscles.
C1 adjective /freɪl/

frail

Meaning
Physically weak and delicate.
Example
The old man was too frail to walk without help.
C1 noun ˌlɪt.ɪˈɡeɪ.ʃən

litigation

Meaning
The process of taking legal action; a lawsuit.
Example
The litigation accused the regime of human rights abuses.
C1 noun flɛər

flair

Meaning
A natural ability to do something well.
Example
She has a flair for design, always creating visually stunning work.
C1 verb /smɛlt/

smelt

Meaning
to extract metal from its ore by heating and melting
Example
The workers smelt iron from its ore in the factory.
C1 noun /ˌspɒn.təˈneɪ.ɪ.ti/

spontaneity

Meaning
The quality of being spontaneous; natural and unplanned behavior.
Example
His spontaneity makes him a great conversationalist.
C1 verb /prəˈkræs.tɪ.neɪt/

procrastinate

Meaning
To delay or postpone action; to put off doing something, especially out of habitual carelessness or laziness.
Example
He tends to procrastinate when facing difficult tasks.
C1 adjective /ˈʃeɪm.ləs/

Shameless

Meaning
having no shame; bold and rude; impudent
Example
The shameless politician refused to apologize for his mistakes.
C1 adjective /ɪˈnæmərd/

enamored

Meaning
filled with love or admiration
Example
He became enamored with classical music after attending the concert.
C1 adjective /ˈkwiːzi/

queasy

Meaning
Feeling sick to one's stomach; nauseated.
Example
She felt queasy after the long boat ride.
C1 adverb /ˈvælɪdli/

validly

Meaning
in a legally, logically, or officially acceptable manner
Example
The contract was validly signed by both parties.
C1 noun/verb /ɪˈstiːm/

esteem

Meaning
Respect and admiration, typically for a person.
Example
She is held in high esteem by her colleagues.
C1 noun /ɡræft/

Graft

Meaning
a shoot or twig inserted into a slit on the trunk of a living tree to form a new growth; corruption in politics or business
Example
The gardener used a graft to combine different varieties of apple trees.
C1 noun /flæt fɪʃ/

Flat fish

Meaning
a type of fish with a flattened body that lives on the sea floor
Example
Flat fish like sole and flounder are excellent for grilling.
C1 noun /pɛnˈtæθlɒn/

pentathlon

Meaning
An athletic contest featuring five different events.
Example
She trained hard to compete in the modern pentathlon.
C1 adjective /sɪmˈfɒnɪk/

symphonic

Meaning
relating to or having the character of a symphony or symphony orchestra
Example
The concert featured a symphonic masterpiece.
C1 adjective /ˈwer.i/

Wary

Meaning
cautious; careful to avoid danger or problems
Example
She was wary of strangers approaching her at night.
C1 adjective /dɪˈbɪl.ɪ.teɪ.tɪŋ/

debilitating

Meaning
Making someone or something weak and infirm.
Example
The disease had a debilitating effect on his health.
C1 adjective, verb /ɪɡˈzɛmpt/

exempt

Meaning
Free from an obligation or liability imposed on others.
Example
Students with high grades are exempt from the final exam.
C1 noun /kʌˈstoʊ.di.ən/

Custodian

Meaning
a person who has responsibility for or looks after something; a caretaker or guardian
Example
The school custodian ensures that all buildings are clean and secure.
C1 adjective /ˈɪmpjəd(ə)nt/

impudent

Meaning
not showing due respect for another person; rude
Example
The impudent child talked back to the teacher.
C1 noun /ˈherən/

Heron

Meaning
large wading bird with long legs and neck that feeds on fish
Example
The heron stood motionless by the water's edge, waiting for fish.
C1 adjective /ˈrɪvɪtɪŋ/

riveting

Meaning
extremely interesting; holding the complete attention
Example
The movie was so riveting that nobody looked away.
C1 adjective /nɑːkˈtɜr.nəl/

Nocturnal

Meaning
active at night; happening during the night
Example
Owls are nocturnal animals that hunt at night.
C1 adjective /ˈdʒuː.bɪ.lənt/

jubilant

Meaning
feeling or expressing great happiness and joy
Example
The team was jubilant after winning the championship.
C1 verb /rɪˈkaʊnt/

recount

Meaning
to narrate or tell the details of an event or experience
Example
She recounted her adventures during the summer trip.
C1 noun, adjective /ˌproʊlɪˈtɛəriən/

proletarian

Meaning
Relating to the working class, especially those who do not own property.
Example
The movement was rooted in proletarian struggles.
C1 adjective /ˈsɪn.tɪ.leɪ.tɪŋ/

scintillating

Meaning
brilliantly clever, exciting, or sparkling
Example
Her scintillating conversation kept everyone entertained.
C1 noun proʊˈæktɪv ˈseɪvɪŋ

proactive saving

Meaning
Actively planning and setting aside money in advance to prepare for future financial needs
Example
Proactive saving ensures financial stability in old age.
C1 noun /ˈænərki/

anarchy

Meaning
a state of disorder due to the absence or failure of government or authority
Example
The collapse of the regime led to anarchy in the streets.
C1 adjective ˌhaɪ.pəˈθet.ɪ.kəl

hypothetical

Meaning
Based on or serving as a hypothesis; supposed but not necessarily real or true.
Example
The discussion was based on hypothetical scenarios.
C1 noun ˌprɒf.ɪ.təˈbɪl.ɪ.ti

profitability

Meaning
The degree to which a business or activity yields profit or financial gain.
Example
Increasing sales and reducing costs boosted profitability.
C1 adjective ʌnˈwɔːr.rən.tɪd

unwarranted

Meaning
Not justified or necessary; without good reason.
Example
His anger toward the staff was completely unwarranted.
C1 noun /ˈjuːnɪsən/

unison

Meaning
Simultaneous performance or utterance of action or speech.
Example
The choir sang in unison.
C1 noun /woʊ/

woe

Meaning
great sorrow, distress, or trouble
Example
Her heart was filled with woe after hearing the sad news.
C1 noun /ˈrʌbəl/

rubble

Meaning
Broken stone, bricks, or debris from a collapsed building or structure.
Example
The rescue team searched through the rubble after the earthquake.
C1 verb /ˈwɪtl/

whittle

Meaning
to carve or shape something by cutting off small pieces; to gradually reduce
Example
He spent the afternoon whittling a piece of wood into a toy.
C1 verb /ˈveɪpəraɪz/

vaporize

Meaning
to turn into vapor or gas
Example
The heat of the sun can vaporize water from the surface.
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 /ˌjuːnɪˈlætərəl/

Unilateral

Meaning
one-sided; involving only one party
Example
The country made a unilateral decision to withdraw from the treaty.
C1 noun /ˈdʒiː.nəs/

genus

Meaning
a category in biological classification ranking above species and below family
Example
The tiger belongs to the genus Panthera.
C1 noun/verb /ˈskɜːrmɪʃ/

skirmish

Meaning
a small or brief fight between groups of soldiers; to engage in such a fight
Example
The soldiers got into a skirmish near the border.
C1 noun /ˈledʒ.ər/

Ledger

Meaning
a book or other collection of financial accounts of a particular type
Example
The accountant updated the company ledger daily.
C1 adjective /ˌfɪz.i.əˈlɒdʒ.ɪ.kəl/

physiological

Meaning
Relating to bodily functions and activities.
Example
Exercise improves physiological functions of the body.
C1 adjective /ˌniːoʊˈlɪθɪk/

neolithic

Meaning
Relating to the later part of the Stone Age, when ground or polished stone weapons and tools prevailed.
Example
Neolithic communities began practicing agriculture and domesticating animals.
C1 noun /ˈmɪlɪtəˌrɪzəm/

militarism

Meaning
The belief in maintaining a strong military and using it aggressively to defend or promote national interests.
Example
The rise of militarism in the region caused tension among neighboring countries.
C1 noun/verb /smʌdʒ/

smudge

Meaning
a dirty mark or smear; to make something dirty or unclear by rubbing or touching
Example
She accidentally smudged her lipstick on the napkin.
C1 noun /ˈɔr.ə.tər/

Orator

Meaning
a public speaker, especially one who is eloquent or skilled in speaking
Example
The famous orator delivered an inspiring speech.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnɪkˈsplɪkəbl/

inexplicable

Meaning
Impossible to explain or understand.
Example
The sudden disappearance of the file was inexplicable.
C1 noun /ˈfɔːrˌrʌnər/

forerunner

Meaning
A person or thing that comes before another; a predecessor or harbinger.
Example
The Wright brothers were the forerunners of modern aviation.
C1 adjective /ˈɛərˌtaɪt/

airtight

Meaning
Completely sealed so that no air can get in or out.
Example
Store the cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
C1 adjective /ˈstɪndʒi/

stingy

Meaning
unwilling to spend or give; miserly
Example
He is too stingy to buy a gift for his friend.
C1 noun /ˈpleɪn.tɪf/

Plaintiff

Meaning
a person who brings a case against another in a court of law; the person who initiates a lawsuit
Example
The plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the company.
C1 noun /ˈmɪʃ.ən.ɛr.i/

Missionary

Meaning
A person sent on a religious mission to promote their faith in a foreign country
Example
The missionary spent years teaching and helping people in remote villages.
C1 noun /ˈɛskəpeɪd/

escapade

Meaning
an adventurous, exciting, or reckless act
Example
Their summer escapade included camping and mountain climbing.
C1 verb /ɪnˈɡreɪv/

engrave

Meaning
to cut or carve a design, letter, or pattern into a hard surface
Example
The craftsman engraved her name on the silver ring.
C1 noun /ɪnˌkɑːsəˈreɪʃən/

incarceration

Meaning
the state of being imprisoned or confined
Example
The criminal faced years of incarceration for his crimes.
C1 noun /ˌpærəfəˈneɪliə/

paraphernalia

Meaning
Miscellaneous articles, especially equipment needed for a particular activity.
Example
The fisherman carried all his fishing paraphernalia in a large box.
C1 noun /ˈniːdəlwɜːrk/

needlework

Meaning
The craft of sewing, embroidery, or knitting done with a needle.
Example
Her grandmother taught her the art of needlework.
C1 adjective /ˈpiːvɪʃ/

peevish

Meaning
Easily irritated, especially by unimportant things.
Example
The child grew peevish when denied candy.
C1 noun /sɪˈnɒpsɪs/

synopsis

Meaning
a brief summary of the main points of a text, film, or research
Example
The publisher asked the author to submit a one-page synopsis of the novel.
C1 noun /ˌdep.rɪˈveɪ.ʃən/

deprivation

Meaning
The damaging lack of material benefits considered to be basic necessities in a society.
Example
Sleep deprivation affects cognitive function.
C1 noun /ˌdɪs.kʌl.əˈreɪ.ʃən/

discoloration

Meaning
The process of changing or losing color; fading.
Example
Sun exposure causes discoloration of fabrics.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈsɪvəlaɪzd/

Uncivilized

Meaning
not developed in terms of civilization; lacking social organization and culture; barbarous
Example
The explorers encountered an uncivilized tribe deep in the Amazon rainforest.
C1 noun /ˈeɪ.kər.ɪdʒ/

acreage

Meaning
An area of land measured in acres.
Example
The farmer owns a large acreage of fertile land.
C1 adjective /ˈpɪt.i.əs/

Piteous

Meaning
deserving pity; arousing compassion
Example
The piteous cries of the injured animal moved everyone to tears.
C1 adjective ˈek.wɪ.tə.bəl

equitable

Meaning
Fair and impartial
Example
Equitable AI ensures fairness in technology use.
C1 adjective /ˈmaɪndləs/

mindless

Meaning
without thought or intelligence; done without consideration
Example
He was bored by the mindless tasks at work.
C1 noun /əbˈdʒɛktər/

objector

Meaning
a person who expresses opposition or disapproval to something
Example
The objector raised his concerns during the town meeting.
C1 verb /weɪv/

waive

Meaning
to refrain from insisting on or enforcing something, especially a right or claim
Example
She decided to waive her right to a lawyer.
C1 noun /ˈhiːdəˌnɪzəm/

hedonism

Meaning
The pursuit of pleasure and self-indulgence as the highest goal.
Example
The lifestyle of the rich is often criticized as pure hedonism.
C1 adjective /nɪˈɡlɛktfʊl/

neglectful

Meaning
Failing to give proper care or attention.
Example
The neglectful parent left the child alone for hours.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnɪnˈhɪbɪtɪd/

uninhibited

Meaning
Not restrained or restricted; free in behavior or expression.
Example
She gave an uninhibited laugh at the joke.
C1 adjective /ˈpɪt.i.ləs/

pitiless

Meaning
showing no pity or compassion; cruel
Example
The pitiless ruler ignored the suffering of his people.
C1 noun /ˈtæn.ə.ri/

tannery

Meaning
A place where animal hides are processed into leather.
Example
The tannery produced high-quality leather for export.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈsaɪtli/

unsightly

Meaning
Unpleasant to look at; ugly.
Example
The garbage pile created an unsightly view in the park.
C1 noun /ˈmiːknəs/

Meekness

Meaning
The quality of being quiet, gentle, and submissive
Example
His meekness was often mistaken for weakness by his colleagues.
C1 adjective /priːˈɛmɪnənt/

preeminent

Meaning
Surpassing all others; very distinguished in some way.
Example
She is a preeminent scientist in the field of genetics.
C1 verb /dɪˈspɛl/

dispel

Meaning
to make a doubt, feeling, or belief disappear
Example
The teacher's explanation dispelled the students' confusion.
C1 noun /draɪ ˈtʃɪl.i/

Dry Chilli

Meaning
dried chili peppers used as spice for adding heat to food
Example
The recipe calls for two dry chillies to make it spicy.
C1 noun /ˌɛksɪˈkjuːʃənər/

executioner

Meaning
A person who carries out a death sentence by execution.
Example
The executioner prepared the gallows for the condemned prisoner.
C1 verb /riːˈkæptʃər/

recapture

Meaning
To take back or regain possession of something.
Example
The army managed to recapture the lost territory.
C1 noun /ˌdʒenəˈræləti/

generality

Meaning
A vague, non-specific statement or principle that applies broadly.
Example
The speech was full of generalities and lacked concrete details.
C1 adjective /əˈluːf/

aloof

Meaning
Not friendly or forthcoming; cool and distant.
Example
He remained aloof during the entire discussion.
C1 verb əˈnaɪ.ə.leɪt

annihilate

Meaning
Destroy utterly; obliterate; reduce to nothing.
Example
The explosion annihilated the entire village.
C1 noun /məˈmɛn.toʊ/

memento

Meaning
An object kept as a reminder of a person, place, or event.
Example
She kept the ticket as a memento of their first concert together.
C1 adjective /θiːˈmætɪk/

thematic

Meaning
Relating to or based on a theme.
Example
The book is organized into thematic chapters.
C1 noun /vərˈnækjələr/

vernacular

Meaning
the language or dialect spoken by ordinary people in a particular region
Example
He gave his speech in the local vernacular so everyone could understand.
C1 noun /əbˈzɜːvəns/

observance

Meaning
The practice of following a custom, rule, or religious law.
Example
The festival is held in observance of a centuries-old tradition.
C1 noun /noʊˈteɪʃən/

notation

Meaning
A system of symbols or signs used to represent information, especially in mathematics or music.
Example
The teacher explained the notation used in the algebra equations.
C1 noun, verb /fɔːrd/

ford

Meaning
A shallow place in a river where one can cross; to cross a river at such a place.
Example
The travelers decided to ford the river at dawn.
C1 verb /ˈdʒʌɡəl/

juggle

Meaning
To continuously toss and catch objects in the air; to manage many tasks at the same time.
Example
He tried to juggle work, studies, and family responsibilities.
C1 adjective ˌmɒn.jʊˈmɛn.təl

monumental

Meaning
Great in importance, extent, or size; exceptionally great; forming or serving as a monument.
Example
The discovery of electricity was a monumental achievement.
C1 adjective /ˌɪndɪˈstrʌktəbl/

indestructible

Meaning
Impossible to destroy or break.
Example
The superhero's shield was said to be indestructible.