selflessness
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C1 noun ˈsɛlfləsnɪs

selflessness

Meaning
The quality of being concerned more with the needs of others than with one's own.
Example
Selflessness is a key value for community building.
C1 adjective ˈsɒvrɪn

sovereign

Meaning
Possessing supreme or ultimate power; independent.
Example
The sovereign government has control over its currency.
C1 noun /ˈsɒl.ɪs/

Solace

Meaning
comfort or consolation in a time of distress or sadness
Example
She found solace in music after her loss.
C1 noun /səbˈvɜːrʒən/

subversion

Meaning
the act of trying to destroy or undermine an established system or authority
Example
The government accused the rebels of planning subversion.
C1 verb /ˈskʌr.i/

scurry

Meaning
To move quickly with short, hurried steps.
Example
The mice scurried across the kitchen floor when the lights turned on.
C1 adjective /ˈsɛnʃuəs/

sensuous

Meaning
Relating to or affecting the senses rather than the intellect; pleasing to the senses.
Example
The garden was filled with sensuous colors and fragrances.
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 /ˈstændˌstɪl/

standstill

Meaning
a situation in which all movement or activity stops
Example
The traffic came to a standstill after the accident.
C1 noun /sɔɪl ˈmæn.ɪdʒ.mənt/

soil management

Meaning
The application of operations, practices, and treatments to protect soil and enhance its performance.
Example
Proper soil management improves long-term agricultural productivity.
C1 noun /siˈɛrə klʌb/

Sierra Club

Meaning
An American environmental organization founded in 1892 by John Muir, focused on promoting conservation of the natural environment by influencing public policy decisions.
Example
John Muir founded the Sierra Club in 1892 to protect wild areas.
C1 adjective /stɔːntʃ/

staunch

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

scrumptious

Meaning
extremely tasty or delicious
Example
She baked a scrumptious chocolate cake for the party.
C1 adjective /ˌsækrɪˈfɪʃəl/

sacrificial

Meaning
Relating to or involving sacrifice.
Example
The lamb was used as a sacrificial offering in the ritual.
C1 noun /ˈsmætərɪŋ/

smattering

Meaning
A small amount or superficial knowledge of something.
Example
He has a smattering of Spanish.
C1 verb /ˈsnɪkər/

snicker

Meaning
to laugh quietly in a disrespectful or mocking way
Example
The students snickered when the teacher made a mistake.
C1 adjective /ˈstɒdʒi/

stodgy

Meaning
Dull, uninspired, or old-fashioned; also heavy and hard to digest when referring to food.
Example
The lecture was so stodgy that many students struggled to stay awake.
C1 adjective /ˈstrɛnjuəs/

strenuous

Meaning
Requiring or using great effort and energy.
Example
Climbing the mountain was a strenuous task.
C1 noun /səˈsteɪnəbl ˈæɡrɪkʌltʃər/

sustainable agriculture

Meaning
Farming practices that meet current food needs while preserving environmental resources and maintaining the ability to produce food for future generations through ecologically sound methods.
Example
Sustainable agriculture practices protect the environment while ensuring food security.
C1 noun /ˈsɑːɡə/

saga

Meaning
A long story of heroic achievement, or a long, complex series of events.
Example
The company's rise and fall became a corporate saga.
C1 adjective /səbˈsɜːviənt/

subservient

Meaning
prepared to obey others unquestioningly; less important than something else
Example
She was too subservient to challenge his decision.
C1 noun /ˈsɒnɪt/

sonnet

Meaning
A poem of 14 lines using formal rhyme schemes, often about love.
Example
Shakespeare wrote many famous sonnets about love and beauty.
C1 adjective /ˈsaɪt.ləs/

Sightless

Meaning
unable to see; blind; lacking vision
Example
The sightless man navigated the street with his guide dog.
C1 adjective /ˈspaɪn.ləs/

Spineless

Meaning
lacking courage or determination; weak-willed
Example
He was too spineless to stand up for his beliefs.
C1 noun /skraɪb/

scribe

Meaning
a person who writes documents, especially in ancient times; a professional copyist
Example
In ancient Egypt, scribes recorded important events.
C1 noun/verb /stæmˈpiːd/

stampede

Meaning
A sudden, uncontrolled rush of people or animals; to cause a mass movement.
Example
The loud noise caused a stampede of the crowd.
C1 /ʃrɛd/

shred

Meaning
to tear or cut something into small pieces
Example
She shredded the old documents before throwing them away.
C1 noun /ˌsæl.jʊˈteɪ.ʃən/

Salutation

Meaning
a greeting; an expression of goodwill
Example
The letter began with a formal salutation.
C1 verb /ˈʃrɪvəl/

shrivel

Meaning
To become dry, wrinkled, and smaller due to lack of moisture.
Example
The flowers shriveled under the hot sun.
C1 verb /siːð/

seethe

Meaning
To be filled with intense but unexpressed anger or agitation.
Example
She was seething with anger after the unfair decision.
C1 noun /strəˈtiː.dʒɪk ˈɪn.saɪts/

strategic insights

Meaning
Deep understanding and wisdom gained through careful analysis for planning purposes.
Example
Strategic insights guide policymaking.
C1 adjective /ˈspɑːrtn/

spartan

Meaning
showing simplicity and lack of luxury; austere
Example
He lived in a spartan room with just a bed and a chair.
C1 verb /səbˈdjuː/

subdue

Meaning
To bring under control, especially by force; to overcome or quiet.
Example
The army was able to subdue the rebellion quickly.
C1 adjective /ˈspaɪni/

spiny

Meaning
covered with or full of spines; having sharp points
Example
The spiny cactus stood tall in the desert.
C1 noun স্ক্রোলিং অ্যাডিকশন

scrolling addiction

Meaning
A compulsive need to continuously scroll through content on digital devices, particularly smartphones and social media platforms.
Example
Scrolling addiction is a growing concern among smartphone users.
C1 verb /ˈsʌkɪŋ/

sucking

Meaning
Drawing in a liquid, air, or other substance through the mouth or a tube by creating a vacuum; also used figuratively for something unpleasant or ineffective
Example
The baby is sucking on a pacifier.
C1 adjective /sliːk/

sleek

Meaning
smooth, shiny, and stylish
Example
She drove a sleek black sports car.
C1 verb /sərˈmaʊnt/

surmount

Meaning
to overcome a difficulty or obstacle
Example
He surmounted all the challenges to achieve his dream.
C1 adjective /ˈʃeɪp.ləs/

Shapeless

Meaning
having no definite or well-defined shape or form
Example
The fog created a shapeless mass in the distance.
C1 adjective /ˈʃɪp.ʃeɪp/

Shipshape

Meaning
neat and tidy; in good order; well-organized
Example
Everything was shipshape before the inspection.
C1 adjective /səˈtɪrɪkəl/

satirical

Meaning
containing or using satire to criticize or mock
Example
The satirical cartoon mocked the government's new policy.
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 /ˈswiːt.miːt/

Sweetmeat

Meaning
a small piece of confectionery or candy; a sweet delicacy
Example
The children enjoyed the traditional sweetmeats during the festival.
C1 verb, noun /spraʊt/

sprout

Meaning
to begin to grow; to produce new leaves or shoots
Example
The seeds began to sprout after a few days of rain.
C1 noun, verb /spreɪn/

sprain

Meaning
an injury to a joint in which the ligaments are stretched or torn
Example
She sprained her ankle while running in the park.
C1 verb /ˈsɪn.θə.saɪz/

synthesize

Meaning
To combine a number of things into a coherent whole.
Example
Scientists synthesize new compounds for medical research.
C1 adjective /ˈsaɪz.mɪk/

seismic

Meaning
Relating to earthquakes or vibrations of the earth and its crust.
Example
The region is known for its seismic activity.
C1 adjective /ˈsɪnləs/

Sinless

Meaning
free from sin; pure and innocent; without moral fault
Example
The innocent child appeared sinless in her pure white dress.
C1 verb /ˈskʌt.əl/

scuttle

Meaning
To run hurriedly with short, quick steps; or to deliberately sink a ship.
Example
The children scuttled back to their seats when the teacher entered.
C1 noun /ˈskæf.əld/

Scaffold

Meaning
a temporary structure used by workers to stand on when building or repairing something high; a platform for execution
Example
The workers erected a scaffold to paint the building's exterior.
C1 verb /səˈlɪsɪt/

solicit

Meaning
to ask for or try to obtain something from someone
Example
The charity is soliciting donations for flood victims.
C1 adjective /ˈsɪnjuəs/

sinuous

Meaning
Having many curves, bends, or turns; winding.
Example
The hikers followed a sinuous path through the forest.
C1 noun /ˈstɒpɪdʒ/

stoppage

Meaning
The act of stopping or ceasing; a halt in operation or activity
Example
The sudden stoppage of the train caused delays for all passengers.
C1 adjective /ˈsʌbstəntɪv/

substantive

Meaning
Having a firm basis in reality; important, meaningful, or considerable.
Example
The company made substantive changes to its policy.
C1 noun /ˈstɪklər/

stickler

Meaning
a person who insists on a certain quality or standard of behavior
Example
He is a stickler for punctuality and never tolerates delays.
C1 adjective /ˌsekənd ˈreɪt/

second-rate

Meaning
Of mediocre or inferior quality.
Example
The movie was entertaining but clearly second-rate compared to the original.
C1 noun /ˌsɑːrdʒənt ˈmeɪdʒər/

sergeant-major

Meaning
A senior non-commissioned officer in the army responsible for discipline and administration within a unit.
Example
The sergeant-major inspected the troops before the parade.
C1 verb /skrɔːl/

scrawl

Meaning
to write or draw something quickly and carelessly, making it hard to read
Example
He scrawled his signature at the bottom of the page.
C1 noun səbˈsɪs.təns

subsistence

Meaning
The action or fact of maintaining or supporting oneself at a minimum level.
Example
Many farmers depend on subsistence agriculture.
C1 noun /ˈsteɪtəs kwoʊ/

status quo

Meaning
The existing state of affairs, especially regarding social or political issues.
Example
The government decided to maintain the status quo until further review.
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 noun /ˌsɛlf əˌfɜːˈmeɪʃən/

self-affirmation

Meaning
The practice of affirming one's own worthiness and value as an individual.
Example
Daily self-affirmation can boost your confidence.
C1 noun /slæb/

slab

Meaning
a large, thick, flat piece of stone, concrete, or other hard material
Example
The workers laid a concrete slab for the foundation.
C1 verb /sɪndʒ/

singe

Meaning
To burn something superficially or lightly, especially at the edges.
Example
The fire singed his eyebrows.
C1 adjective /sɪˈkluːdɪd/

secluded

Meaning
Placed apart from other people or things; private and quiet.
Example
They spent their vacation in a secluded beach house.
C1 noun ˌsɪstəˈmætɪk ˈseɪvɪŋz

systematic savings

Meaning
A structured and organized approach to regularly saving money according to a planned schedule
Example
Systematic savings can mitigate financial crises in old age.
C1 adjective /ˈspɪndli/

spindly

Meaning
Long, thin, and weak-looking
Example
The spindly tree bent under the weight of the snow.
C1 adjective /smʌɡ/

smug

Meaning
having or showing an excessive pride in oneself or one's achievements
Example
He wore a smug smile after winning the debate.
C1 noun /sɪˈsɛʃən/

secession

Meaning
The action of formally withdrawing from membership of a federation or body.
Example
The secession of the southern states led to the Civil War.
C1 verb /ˈstaɪmi/

stymie

Meaning
to prevent or hinder the progress of something
Example
The new regulations could stymie small businesses.
C1 adjective /ˌsɛm.iˈæn.ju.əl/

semiannual

Meaning
Occurring twice a year; every six months.
Example
The company holds a semiannual meeting with all employees.
C1 verb /ˈstɪntɪŋ/

stinting

Meaning
to supply sparingly or with restrictions
Example
He never stinting his efforts to help the poor.
C1 noun /ˈspiːʃiː/

specie

Meaning
money in the form of coins rather than notes or credit
Example
The transaction was made in specie.
C1 adjective /səˈdʒɛstɪv/

suggestive

Meaning
tending to suggest ideas or images; sometimes implies something sexual or provocative
Example
The painting was highly suggestive and sparked much debate.
C1 verb /ˈstriːmlaɪnɪŋ/

streamlining

Meaning
The process of making an organization or system more efficient by simplifying or eliminating unnecessary steps
Example
Streamlining processes can significantly reduce operational costs.
C1 adjective /ˈsɜːrli/

surly

Meaning
bad-tempered and unfriendly
Example
The waiter gave us a surly look when we asked for more water.
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 /ˈstɛriəˌtaɪpt/

stereotyped

Meaning
Conforming to a fixed or oversimplified idea of what someone or something is like.
Example
His stereotyped jokes failed to impress the audience.
C1 noun, verb /səˈpiːnə/

subpoena

Meaning
a legal document ordering someone to attend court; to summon someone with such a document
Example
The witness received a subpoena to appear in court next week.
C1 adjective ˌsɪn.əˈdʒɪs.tɪk

synergistic

Meaning
Relating to the interaction of elements that when combined produce a greater effect than the sum of their individual effects.
Example
A synergistic effect occurs when nutrients work together.
C1 adjective /ˌsækrəˈlɪdʒəs/

sacrilegious

Meaning
Showing disrespect or irreverence toward something sacred.
Example
The painting was criticized as being sacrilegious.
C1 adjective /ˈswoʊlən/

swollen

Meaning
Enlarged or puffed up, usually due to injury, inflammation, or fluid accumulation
Example
Her ankle was swollen after she twisted it during the hike.
C1 adjective /sər'pæs.ɪŋ/

Surpassing

Meaning
exceeding; going beyond; outstanding
Example
Her surpassing beauty made everyone stop and stare.
C1 noun /ˈstɪm.jʊ.laɪ/

stimuli

Meaning
Things that create reactions or provide motivation.
Example
Bright light and loud sounds are common stimuli for alertness.
C1 noun ˌsteɪbəlaɪˈzeɪʃən

stabilization

Meaning
The process of making or becoming stable.
Example
The stabilization of the structure was essential after the earthquake.
C1 verb /ˈstoʊnwɔːl/

stonewall

Meaning
To delay or block progress by refusing to cooperate or answer
Example
The witness tried to stonewall during the investigation.
C1 noun /ˈsəʊdiəm/

sodium

Meaning
a soft, silver-white chemical element that is highly reactive and found in salt.
Example
Sodium is an essential element for maintaining fluid balance in the body.
C1 noun /səˈlɪləkwi/

soliloquy

Meaning
a speech in which a character talks to themselves, often used in drama to reveal inner thoughts
Example
Hamlet's soliloquy is one of the most famous passages in Shakespearean drama.
C1 adjective /ˈsæljʊˌtɛri/

salutary

Meaning
Producing good effects; beneficial, especially after something unpleasant.
Example
The accident was a salutary reminder to drive carefully.
C1 noun /ˌsɛlfsəˈfɪʃənsi/

Self-sufficiency

Meaning
the ability to supply one's own needs without external assistance; independence
Example
The farm achieved complete self-sufficiency in food production.
C1 noun ˈsɒv.rɪn.ti

sovereignty

Meaning
The authority of a state to govern itself or another state; supreme power or authority.
Example
Sovereignty is essential for a nation's identity.
C1 adjective /stjuːˈpɛndəs/

stupendous

Meaning
extremely impressive; amazing in size, degree, or excellence
Example
The magician’s performance was simply stupendous.
C1 adjective /səbˈvɜːrsɪv/

subversive

Meaning
seeking or intended to undermine or overthrow an established system or authority
Example
The group was banned for its subversive activities.
C1 verb /ˈskævɪndʒ/

scavenge

Meaning
to search through waste or discarded material to find useful items
Example
The children scavenged for food in the garbage dump.
C1 noun /ˈsɪk.əl/

Sickle

Meaning
a tool with a curved metal blade and short handle used for cutting grain crops
Example
The farmer harvested wheat using a traditional sickle.
C1 noun /speɪt/

spate

Meaning
a large number of things occurring in quick succession
Example
There has been a spate of robberies in the city.
C1 noun /ˈstɔːrhaʊs/

storehouse

Meaning
A place where goods, supplies, or valuables are stored; a repository
Example
The warehouse acted as a storehouse for all the imported goods.
C1 noun /ˈsɛpərətɪst/

separatist

Meaning
A person who supports the separation of a group from a larger body, often for political or cultural independence.
Example
The separatist group demanded independence from the central government.
C1 verb /skɒf/

scoff

Meaning
to speak about something in a mocking or dismissive way
Example
He scoffed at the idea of moving abroad.
C1 adjective /ˈsʌn.dri/

sundry

Meaning
Various or miscellaneous.
Example
The shop sells fruits, clothes, and sundry items.
C1 verb /ˈsaɪdˌtræk/

sidetrack

Meaning
To distract from the main subject or activity.
Example
She was sidetracked by an unexpected phone call.
C1 adjective /ˈstɛr.aɪl/

sterile

Meaning
Free from bacteria or other living microorganisms; incapable of producing offspring.
Example
The surgeon worked in a sterile environment to avoid infection.
C1 adjective /ˈsiːzənəbəl/

Seasonable

Meaning
occurring at the right time; appropriate for the season; timely
Example
The seasonable rain helped the farmers with their crops.
C1 verb /skwiːl/

squeal

Meaning
to make a high-pitched cry; to inform on someone
Example
The children squealed with delight when they saw the surprise.
C1 noun /ˈskruːpəl/

scruple

Meaning
A moral or ethical consideration that restrains actions.
Example
He had no scruples about lying to get ahead.
C1 verb/noun /ˈsɒldər/

solder

Meaning
To join metal parts together by melting and putting a filler metal into the joint
Example
He soldered the broken wires back together.
C1 noun /sərˈveɪər/

surveyor

Meaning
A person who measures and maps land, buildings, or other features.
Example
The surveyor measured the land for construction.
C1 noun /ʃraɪn/

Shrine

Meaning
a holy or sacred place dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, or saint
Example
Pilgrims visit the shrine to pray for good health.
C1 /skwɒt/

squat

Meaning
to crouch or sit with knees bent and body close to the ground
Example
He squatted down to tie his shoes.
C1 adjective /ˈsɜːrvaɪl/ or /ˈsɜːrvəl/

servile

Meaning
having or showing an excessive willingness to serve or please others
Example
His servile attitude annoyed his colleagues.
C1 adjective səˈblaɪm

sublime

Meaning
Of such excellence, grandeur, or beauty as to inspire great admiration or awe.
Example
The sublime beauty of the mountain landscape took my breath away.
C1 adjective /ˈstrætɪfaɪd/

stratified

Meaning
arranged or classified in layers or strata
Example
Society in the past was highly stratified based on class and wealth.
C1 noun /ˈʃær.ən fruːt/

Sharon fruit

Meaning
a sweet orange persimmon fruit that can be eaten when firm
Example
The Sharon fruit is sweet and can be eaten like an apple.
C1 noun /səˈbraɪəti/

sobriety

Meaning
the state of being sober; self-restraint and seriousness
Example
He has maintained his sobriety for five years.
C1 noun /ˌsɒl.jʊˈbɪləti/

solubility

Meaning
The ability of a substance to dissolve in a solvent.
Example
The solubility of salt in water is high.
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 /sleɪ/

slay

Meaning
to kill violently; informally, to impress greatly
Example
The hero vowed to slay the dragon.
C1 noun /ˈsʌnˌdaʊn/

sundown

Meaning
the time in the evening when the sun goes below the horizon
Example
We planned to reach the village before sundown.
C1 noun /ˈspɛktər/

specter

Meaning
A ghost or spirit; something that causes fear or dread.
Example
The specter of war still haunts the region.
C1 noun /ˈsɜːr.vɪ.tuːd/

Servitude

Meaning
the state of being a slave or completely subject to someone more powerful
Example
Many people fought to escape the servitude imposed by the colonial system.
C1 verb/noun /snɑːrl/

snarl

Meaning
to growl aggressively with bared teeth; a tangle or mess
Example
The dog snarled at the stranger near the gate.
C1 adjective /ˈsæk.rəˌsæŋkt/

sacrosanct

Meaning
Regarded as too important or valuable to be interfered with; sacred.
Example
Freedom of speech is considered sacrosanct in democratic societies.