salvo
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C2 noun /ˈsælvoʊ/

salvo

Meaning
A simultaneous discharge of guns or release of bombs; a sudden outburst of cheers or applause.
Example
The soldiers fired a salvo to honor the fallen general.
C2 noun /ˈseɪ.ɡoʊ/

Sago

Meaning
starchy foodstuff obtained from the pith of various tropical palm stems
Example
She prepared sago pudding for dessert.
C2 noun /ˈpoʊltɪs/

poultice

Meaning
a soft, moist mass of material applied to the body to relieve soreness and inflammation
Example
The nurse applied a warm poultice to his injured leg.
C2 adjective /ˈbʌmpʃəs/

bumptious

Meaning
Arrogantly self-assertive or conceited.
Example
The bumptious student interrupted the teacher several times.
C2 verb /ˈreə.rɪ.faɪ/

rarefy

Meaning
To make something less dense or more refined.
Example
The air rarefies as you climb higher into the mountains.
C2 verb /ˈɡæmbəl/

gambol

Meaning
to run or jump about playfully
Example
The lambs gamboled in the field under the sun.
C2 noun /ˌænɪmædˈvɜːʒən/

animadversion

Meaning
Strong criticism or censure.
Example
The policy attracted severe animadversion from the public.
C2 noun /ˌdɪsæprəˈbeɪʃən/

disapprobation

Meaning
strong disapproval, typically on moral grounds
Example
The policy was met with widespread disapprobation.
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 noun /ˌskʌlˈdʌɡəri/

skullduggery

Meaning
dishonest behavior or activities, often done secretly
Example
The election was full of political skullduggery.
C2 noun /fɪˈlændərər/

philanderer

Meaning
a man who habitually engages in casual romantic or sexual affairs
Example
The politician was exposed as a notorious philanderer.
C2 noun /raɪm/

rime

Meaning
frost formed on cold surfaces by freezing water vapor
Example
The trees were covered with a white rime after the cold night.
C2 adjective /pərˈfɪdiəs/

perfidious

Meaning
deceitful and untrustworthy
Example
The spy was executed for his perfidious actions.
C2 noun /ˈdʒæz.mɪn/

Jesmine

Meaning
a climbing shrub with fragrant white or yellow flowers
Example
The jasmine flowers filled the garden with their sweet fragrance.
C2 noun /ˈspæŋɡəl/

spangle

Meaning
A small shiny piece of metal or plastic used for decoration on clothes.
Example
Her dress was covered with silver spangles that glittered in the light.
C2 adjective /ˈplændʒənt/

plangent

Meaning
having a loud, mournful sound; resonant
Example
The plangent toll of the church bell echoed through the village.
C2 verb /ˈɪŋkʌlpeɪt/

inculpate

Meaning
To blame or accuse someone of wrongdoing.
Example
The evidence seemed to inculpate the suspect in the crime.
C2 noun /ˈʃɑːrlətən/

charlatan

Meaning
a person who pretends to have knowledge or skills that they do not really possess; a fraud
Example
The so-called healer was exposed as a charlatan.
C2 verb /ɪˈniː.bri.eɪt/

inebriate

Meaning
to intoxicate; to make someone drunk
Example
The strong wine was enough to inebriate even the most experienced drinker.
C2 verb /ˈpɛtɪˌfɒɡ/

pettifog

Meaning
to argue or quibble over trivial matters; to engage in petty, dishonest practices
Example
The lawyer was accused of trying to pettifog instead of addressing the real issue.
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 /dʒæm/

jamb

Meaning
The side post or surface of a doorway, window, or fireplace.
Example
The carpenter carefully measured the width of the door jamb.
C2 noun, verb /ˈtræməl/

trammel

Meaning
A restriction or impediment to freedom of action; to restrict.
Example
The strict rules trammel the creativity of the students.
C2 adjective /ˈhɛtərəˌdɒks/

heterodox

Meaning
not conforming with accepted or orthodox standards or beliefs
Example
The professor was known for his heterodox views on religion.
C2 noun /ˈprɛləsi/

prelacy

Meaning
The office, dignity, or system of church government by prelates.
Example
The medieval church was dominated by prelacy and its traditions.
C2 adjective /ˈprʊəriənt/

prurient

Meaning
having or showing an excessive interest in sexual matters
Example
The magazine was criticized for its prurient content.
C2 verb /prɪˈværɪkeɪt/

prevaricate

Meaning
to avoid telling the truth by not giving a direct answer
Example
The politician began to prevaricate when asked about the scandal.
C2 adjective /ˌen.zɪˈmæt.ɪk/

enzymatic

Meaning
Relating to or involving enzymes, which are proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions in living organisms.
Example
Enzymatic reactions regulate metabolism in the human body.
C2 adjective /daɪˈvɜːrtɪbəl/

divertible

Meaning
capable of being turned aside or redirected
Example
Funds from the budget are not legally divertible.
C2 noun /ˌhaɪdroʊdaɪˈnæmɪks/

hydrodynamics

Meaning
The branch of science concerned with the motion of fluids, especially liquids, and the forces acting on solid bodies immersed in fluids.
Example
Hydrodynamics is essential in designing efficient ship hulls.
C2 noun /bɛl/

belle

Meaning
A beautiful woman, especially the most attractive woman at a gathering.
Example
She was the belle of the ball that evening.
C2 noun /ˈfɔːrʃɔːr/

foreshore

Meaning
The part of the shore between the high and low tide marks
Example
Children were playing on the foreshore, collecting shells.
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 verb /kəˈnaɪv/

connive

Meaning
to secretly allow or be involved in a wrongdoing
Example
The manager connived with the supplier to cheat the company.
C2 adverb /əˈsɪdʒuəsli/

assiduously

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

miff

Meaning
A petty quarrel or annoyance.
Example
They had a slight miff over the seating arrangement.
C2 verb /ˈmæŋɡəl/

mangle

Meaning
to severely damage or mutilate something, often by tearing or crushing
Example
The car was mangled in the accident.
C2 verb /kənˈvʌls/

convulse

Meaning
to shake violently; to suffer sudden involuntary contractions
Example
The patient convulsed during the seizure.
C2 adjective /ˈmɛdəlsəm/

meddlesome

Meaning
fond of interfering in other people’s affairs
Example
She found her neighbor to be meddlesome and annoying.
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 verb /lɪr/

leer

Meaning
To look at someone in an unpleasant, sly, or sexually suggestive way.
Example
He leered at her in a way that made her uncomfortable.
C2 noun /mjuːˈnɪfəsəns/

munificence

Meaning
great generosity or lavish giving
Example
The hospital was built thanks to the munificence of a wealthy donor.
C2 noun /dɪˈdʒɛnərəsi/

degeneracy

Meaning
The state of decline or deterioration, often in moral, cultural, or physical qualities.
Example
The novel portrays the moral degeneracy of a corrupt society.
C2 noun /ˈɒkjʊlɪst/

oculist

Meaning
An old-fashioned term for an eye doctor or ophthalmologist.
Example
The village oculist was known for treating various eye diseases.
C2 noun /maɪˈnjuːʃə/

minutia

Meaning
a small or trivial detail of something
Example
He was bored by the minutia of office paperwork.
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 noun /ˈsɛntɔːr/

centaur

Meaning
A mythological creature with the upper body of a human and the lower body of a horse.
Example
The centaur is a well-known figure in Greek mythology.
C2 verb /djuːp/

dupe

Meaning
To deceive or trick someone into believing or doing something.
Example
He was duped into buying a fake watch.
C2 verb /ˌkɒntrəˈvɜːrt/

controvert

Meaning
to dispute or argue against; to contradict
Example
The scientist controversed the previous research findings.
C2 adjective, noun /ˈɡreɪtɪŋ/

grating

Meaning
Harsh and unpleasant to the senses, especially sound; a framework of bars covering an opening.
Example
The teacher's grating voice made it hard to concentrate.
C2 adjective /ˈlaɪbələs/

libelous

Meaning
containing or constituting a false published statement that damages a person's reputation
Example
The article was found to be libelous and had to be retracted.
C2 adjective /ˈfluːviəl/

fluvial

Meaning
relating to or found in a river
Example
The fluvial deposits indicated the presence of an ancient river system.
C2 verb /prɪˈpɒndəreɪt/

preponderate

Meaning
To be greater in influence, weight, or number.
Example
In the debate, logical arguments preponderated over emotional appeals.
C2 noun /ænˈtɪfəni/

antiphony

Meaning
a form of music in which two or more groups or choirs sing alternately in response to each other
Example
The cathedral's architecture was designed to enhance the effect of antiphony.
C2 noun /ˌdoʊ.məˈstɪs.ə.ti/

domesticity

Meaning
Life at home or devotion to family life.
Example
She enjoys the domesticity of cooking and gardening.
C2 adjective, adverb /ˈsaɪdlɔːŋ/

sidelong

Meaning
Directed to the side; indirect, furtive, or not straightforward.
Example
She gave him a sidelong glance across the room.
C2 adjective /ɔːˈɡʌst/

august

Meaning
Respected and impressive; inspiring reverence or admiration.
Example
The king entered the hall with an august presence.
C2 verb /bɪˈtəʊkən/

betoken

Meaning
to be a sign or indication of something
Example
Dark clouds betoken an approaching storm.
C2 noun (plural) /ˌmæk.ɪˈneɪ.ʃənz/

machinations

Meaning
complicated and secret plans, often intended to cause harm
Example
The politician was brought down by his own machinations.
C2 prefix /dɪs-/

dys-

Meaning
A prefix meaning abnormal, bad, difficult, or impaired.
Example
Words like 'dysfunction' and 'dyslexia' use the prefix dys- to indicate difficulty or impairment.
C2 noun /ˈpjuː.pɪ.lɪdʒ/

pupilage

Meaning
The state of being a pupil or under instruction.
Example
During his pupilage, he studied law under a senior barrister.
C2 adjective /krʌˈsteɪʃəs/

crustaceous

Meaning
relating to or having a hard shell like a crustacean
Example
The scientist studied the crustaceous fossils.
C2 adjective /ˌɛvɪˈdɛnʃəl/

evidential

Meaning
relating to or providing evidence
Example
The lawyer presented evidential support for her claims.
C2 noun /kroʊn/

crone

Meaning
An old woman, often one who is thin and ugly, sometimes associated with witch-like qualities.
Example
The children were scared by the story of the wicked crone in the forest.
C2 adjective /ˌsʌb.əˈkwɒt.ɪk/

subaquatic

Meaning
Existing, living, or located under water.
Example
Divers explored the subaquatic cave system filled with rare fish.
C2 verb /ˈmɒlɪfaɪ/

mollify

Meaning
To calm or soothe someone's anger or anxiety.
Example
The manager tried to mollify the angry customers with discounts.
C2 noun /ˌsɪɡnɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/

signification

Meaning
the meaning or sense conveyed by a word, action, or symbol
Example
The signification of the gesture was misunderstood.
C2 noun /ˈmʌs.tərd liːf/

Mustard leaf

Meaning
green leafy vegetable from the mustard plant; edible leaves used in cooking
Example
We cooked mustard leaf with fish in a traditional Bengali curry.
C2 verb /kəˈmɪz.ə.reɪt/

commiserate

Meaning
To express sympathy or compassion for someone's misfortune.
Example
She called her friend to commiserate after his loss.
C2 verb /ˈwɪni/

whinny

Meaning
to make the high-pitched sound a horse makes
Example
The horse whinnied when it saw its rider.
C2 noun /tɛkˈnɒɡrəfi/

technography

Meaning
the descriptive study or writing about the practical arts, technologies, or technical methods of a society
Example
The anthropologist specialized in technography to understand indigenous tool-making traditions.
C2 noun /ɪnˈkwɪzɪtər/

inquisitor

Meaning
A person who asks many questions, often in an official or harsh manner.
Example
The inquisitor demanded detailed answers from the witness.
C2 noun /ˈruː.mɪ.nənt/

ruminant

Meaning
a cud-chewing mammal, such as a cow or sheep
Example
Cows are ruminants that chew cud.
C2 noun /ˈænʒənuː/

ingenue

Meaning
an innocent, naïve young woman, especially as represented in literature or theater
Example
She played the role of the ingénue in the play with great charm.
C2 noun /ˈhɒɡz.hɛd/

hogshead

Meaning
A large cask or barrel, traditionally used for storing liquids like wine or beer.
Example
The cellar was filled with hogsheads of ale.
C2 noun /ˌvɑːljəˈbɪləti/

volubility

Meaning
The quality of talking fluently, readily, or incessantly.
Example
His volubility made him a successful radio host.
C2 noun /ˈdɛsɪkənt/

desiccant

Meaning
a substance that absorbs moisture and keeps things dry
Example
Silica gel packets are commonly used as a desiccant in packaging.
C2 noun /ˈɔːldərmən/

alderman

Meaning
An elected member of a municipal council in certain cities and towns.
Example
The alderman proposed a new plan for community parks.
C2 noun /ˈɛərəˌstæt/

aerostat

Meaning
A lighter-than-air craft, such as a balloon, that is lifted by gas.
Example
The military used an aerostat for surveillance over the border.
C2 verb /kəˈmɪŋɡəl/

commingle

Meaning
To mix or blend different things together.
Example
The charity does not commingle donations with operational funds.
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 /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.
C2 noun /ˈlɪθəˌɡræf/

lithograph

Meaning
a print made by lithography, often artistic
Example
The museum displayed a rare lithograph from the 19th century.
C2 noun /ˈbɪlɪŋzˌɡeɪt/

billingsgate

Meaning
Coarse or abusive language; vulgar or offensive speech.
Example
The heated argument quickly descended into billingsgate.
C2 noun ˈsaɪəns ˈdezət

science-desert

Meaning
A region or area lacking in scientific development, research facilities, or educational institutions.
Example
J.C. Bose thrived in a science-desert.
C2 noun /kəˈtæb.ə.lɪ.zəm/

catabolism

Meaning
The breakdown of complex molecules in living organisms to form simpler ones together with the release of energy; destructive metabolism.
Example
Catabolism plays a crucial role in cellular energy production.
C2 verb /ˈhɑːbəl/

hobble

Meaning
to walk awkwardly with difficulty, usually due to injury
Example
He hobbled across the room after twisting his ankle.
C2 noun /ˈvɪtrioʊl/

vitriol

Meaning
harsh and bitter criticism
Example
The politician faced vitriol from the public.
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 /ˈfeɪ.tə.lɪ.zəm/

fatalism

Meaning
the belief that all events are predetermined and inevitable
Example
He embraced fatalism, believing that nothing he did could change his destiny.
C2 verb /ˈstɪp.əl/

stipple

Meaning
to cover a surface with numerous small dots or specks, often in drawing or painting
Example
The artist stippled the canvas to create a textured effect.
C2 adjective /ˈɪkθiɪk/

ichthyic

Meaning
Relating to or resembling fish.
Example
The artist's painting had an ichthyic quality.
C2 noun /ˈstrɪndʒənsi/

stringency

Meaning
the quality of being strict, precise, or severe
Example
The stringency of the new rules surprised everyone.
C2 noun /ˈkʌvən/

coven

Meaning
a group or gathering of witches
Example
The witches met secretly in a coven in the forest.
C2 noun /ˈpjuːɪsəns/

puissance

Meaning
Great power, strength, or influence.
Example
The empire showed its puissance through vast armies.
C2 noun /daɪˈvʌldʒəns/

divulgence

Meaning
the act of revealing or disclosing something secret or private
Example
The divulgence of company secrets caused a major scandal.
C2 verb /ɛnˈfrænˌtʃaɪz/

enfranchise

Meaning
To grant the right to vote or other rights of citizenship.
Example
The new law enfranchised thousands of people.
C2 noun /ˈhʌvəl/

hovel

Meaning
a small, poorly built, and dirty house
Example
The refugees lived in a makeshift hovel.
C2 noun /ˈkæriən/

carrion

Meaning
the decaying flesh of dead animals
Example
Vultures feed on carrion left in the fields.
C2 noun /dɪˈtrækʃən/

detraction

Meaning
The act of belittling or taking away from the value of something.
Example
Her constant detraction of others made her unpopular.
C2 adjective /ɪmˈprɛɡnəbl̩/

impregnable

Meaning
Unable to be captured, broken into, or defeated.
Example
The fortress was considered impregnable by the enemy.
C2 verb /traɪˈsɛkt/

trisect

Meaning
To divide into three parts.
Example
The teacher asked the students to trisect the line segment.
C2 adjective /ˈbɒni/

Bonny

Meaning
cheerful; pretty; attractive
Example
The bonny child played happily in the garden.
C2 adjective /ˈdʒen.ɪ.tɪv/

genitive

Meaning
relating to or denoting a case of nouns and pronouns indicating possession
Example
In English, the genitive case is often shown with an apostrophe and 's'.
C2 adjective /ˈʃɪft.ləs/

shiftless

Meaning
Lacking ambition or the ability to accomplish anything; lazy and unmotivated.
Example
He was seen as a shiftless young man with no goals.
C2 adjective /ˈmiːliˌmaʊðd/

mealymouthed

Meaning
not willing to speak directly and honestly; evasive in speech
Example
The politician gave a mealymouthed response to the tough question.
C2 adjective /ɪˈfɛktʃuəl/

effectual

Meaning
producing a desired or intended effect, often used in formal contexts
Example
Her effectual efforts brought peace to the community.
C2 adjective /ˈfʌsti/

fusty

Meaning
smelling stale, damp, or stuffy; old-fashioned
Example
The room smelled fusty after being closed for months.
C2 adjective /ˈpæsɪbəl/

passible

Meaning
capable of feeling or suffering; susceptible to sensation or emotion (often theological)
Example
In some traditions, deities are described as passible, sharing human emotions.
C2 adjective /ˌɪntərˈniːsaɪn/

internecine

Meaning
Relating to conflict within a group, often causing mutual destruction.
Example
The internecine conflict weakened the organization from within.
C2 noun /ˈbuːt.leɪs/

Boot-lace

Meaning
a cord or string used to fasten a boot or shoe
Example
I need to tie my boot-lace before going for a walk.
C2 noun /ˈtʃæm.pæk/

Champak

Meaning
a fragrant yellow or white flower from a tree native to South Asia, used in perfumes and religious ceremonies
Example
The champak tree in the temple courtyard bloomed with golden flowers.
C2 adjective /kəˈprɪʃəs/

capricious

Meaning
given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior
Example
The stock market can be capricious, shifting dramatically without warning.
C2 noun /bəˈfuːnəri/

buffoonery

Meaning
Foolish or ridiculous behavior intended to amuse.
Example
His constant buffoonery irritated the serious audience.
C2 noun /ˈlɔːrdlɪŋ/

lordling

Meaning
A young or petty lord; someone of minor nobility.
Example
The arrogant lordling demanded respect despite his lack of experience.
C2 noun /ˈɪndɪkənt/

indicant

Meaning
Something that indicates or points to a fact or condition.
Example
High fever is often an indicant of infection.
C2 verb /bɪˈhəʊv/

behove

Meaning
British spelling of 'behoove'; to be appropriate or necessary
Example
It would behove the company to listen to its customers.
C2 adjective /ˈvɛəriəˌɡeɪtɪd/

variegated

Meaning
Having different colors, especially in irregular patches or streaks.
Example
The garden was full of variegated plants.
C2 noun /ˈpɜr.fɪ.di/

Perfidy

Meaning
deliberate breach of faith or trust; treachery; betrayal of trust
Example
His perfidy shocked all who had trusted him.
C2 adjective /kəˈmɛnʃərət/

commensurate

Meaning
corresponding in size, degree, or extent; proportionate
Example
Salary will be commensurate with experience.
C2 verb /ʌnˈfrɒk/

unfrock

Meaning
To remove a priest from his position or deprive someone of a rank.
Example
The corrupt priest was unfrocked after the investigation.