shiftless
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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 noun /ˌdɪsprəˈpɔːrʃən/

disproportion

Meaning
a lack of balance or symmetry; an inequality
Example
There is a clear disproportion between rich and poor in many societies.
C2 verb /ˈhɑːrpɪŋ/

harping

Meaning
continuously talking or complaining about something in a tiresome way
Example
She kept harping on about the mistakes I made.
C2 noun /kəˈlɒsəs/

colossus

Meaning
A person or thing of enormous size, importance, or ability.
Example
Einstein was a colossus in the world of science.
C2 adjective /ˌprɒfɪˈlæktɪk/

prophylactic

Meaning
intended to prevent disease or an unwanted outcome; protective
Example
The doctor prescribed a prophylactic treatment to prevent infection.
C2 noun /ˈrɛkluːsəri/

reclusory

Meaning
A place for seclusion or retreat, especially for a recluse or hermit.
Example
The monk spent years in the reclusory away from society.
C2 adjective /dɪˈmjʊər/

demure

Meaning
reserved, modest, and shy
Example
She gave him a demure smile.
C2 adjective əˈdrɔɪt

adroit

Meaning
clever or skillful in using the hands or mind.
Example
She is adroit at solving complex problems.
C2 adjective /hɜːrˈbeɪʃəs/

herbaceous

Meaning
Relating to or resembling herbs; plants with soft, non-woody stems.
Example
The garden was filled with herbaceous plants that thrived in the summer.
C2 noun /ˈluːkər/

lucre

Meaning
money, especially when regarded as sordid or gained dishonorably
Example
He was motivated more by lucre than by duty.
C2 verb /ˈbaɪfərˌkeɪt/

bifurcate

Meaning
to divide into two branches or parts
Example
The road bifurcates into two separate paths at the hill.
C2 noun /mɔːrˈtɪʃən/

mortician

Meaning
a person whose job is to prepare dead bodies for burial or cremation and to arrange funerals
Example
The mortician prepared the body for the funeral service.
C2 noun /ˌɪnvəˈluːʃən/

involution

Meaning
a complicated or intricate form or state; in biology, the shrinking of an organ after its function has finished
Example
The story was full of involution, making it hard to follow.
C2 adjective /tɛnˈdɛnʃəs/

tendentious

Meaning
Expressing or promoting a particular cause or point of view, often biased.
Example
The article was criticized for its tendentious tone.
C2 adjective /əˈskjuː/

askew

Meaning
Not in a straight or level position; crooked or tilted.
Example
The picture on the wall hung slightly askew.
C2 noun /ˌmɑːrtəˈnɛt/

martinet

Meaning
A strict disciplinarian who demands rigid adherence to rules.
Example
The new manager was such a martinet that even minor infractions were punished.
C2 verb /əˈbeɪs/

abase

Meaning
to belittle or degrade someone
Example
He refused to abase himself before the king.
C2 noun /ˌɪmpəˈtjuːəsəti/

impetuosity

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

recant

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

perfectible

Meaning
capable of being made perfect or improved
Example
Human nature is imperfect but perfectible.
C2 noun /ˈpoʊtənˌteɪt/

potentate

Meaning
A monarch or ruler, especially one with absolute power.
Example
The ancient land was ruled by a powerful potentate.
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 verb /ˈʌndərˌraɪt/

underwrite

Meaning
To guarantee financial support, especially by agreeing to cover losses or risks; in insurance, to assess and accept risks.
Example
The bank agreed to underwrite the company's new bond issue.
C2 noun /ˈsaʊər wʊd ˈæp.əl/

Sour wood apple

Meaning
a tropical fruit with hard shell and tangy flesh; elephant apple
Example
The sour wood apple has a unique taste that many people enjoy.
C2 noun /ˈʃɑːdənfrɔɪdə/

schadenfreude

Meaning
pleasure derived from another person's misfortune
Example
He felt a sense of schadenfreude when his rival failed.
C2 noun /ˌɛpɪzəʊˈɒtɪk/

epizootic

Meaning
An outbreak of disease affecting many animals of one kind at the same time.
Example
The farmer feared an epizootic might wipe out his cattle.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈvɛtərət/

inveterate

Meaning
having a long-established habit, activity, or interest that is unlikely to change
Example
He is an inveterate reader who spends hours in the library every day.
C2 noun /ˌklɛptəˈmeɪniæk/

kleptomaniac

Meaning
A person with an irresistible urge to steal, typically without need or profit.
Example
The kleptomaniac was caught shoplifting again.
C2 noun /ˌpætrəˈnɪmɪk/

patronymic

Meaning
a name derived from the name of a father or ancestor
Example
In many cultures, surnames are patronymic in origin.
C2 noun /ˈplɔːdɪt/

plaudit

Meaning
an expression of praise or approval
Example
The actor received plaudit for his outstanding performance.
C2 noun /ˈsɪlvər kɑrp/

Silver carp

Meaning
a large freshwater fish with silvery scales, commonly farmed for food
Example
Silver carp is widely cultivated in fish farms across Asia.
C2 noun /θrɔːl/

thrall

Meaning
The state of being in someone's power or under strong influence; slavery or bondage.
Example
He was in thrall to the powerful leader.
C2 noun /ˌfoʊ.mənˈteɪ.ʃən/

fomentation

Meaning
The action of instigating or stirring up; also the application of warm substances to the body to ease pain.
Example
His speech led to the fomentation of violence in the region.
C2 noun /əˈrɪə/

arrear

Meaning
A debt or payment that is overdue and unpaid.
Example
He was sued for an arrear of rent.
C2 noun /ˌfɑːrməkəˈpiːə/

pharmacopoeia

Meaning
An official book listing medicinal drugs, their effects, and directions for use.
Example
The doctor referred to the pharmacopoeia to check the drug's proper dosage.
C2 adjective ˌɪn.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃəs

inefficacious

Meaning
Not producing any or the desired effect; ineffective.
Example
The treatment was inefficacious in curing the disease.
C2 noun /ˈθɝː.moʊ.klaɪn/

thermocline

Meaning
A layer in a body of water in which temperature changes rapidly with depth.
Example
The thermocline separates warm surface water from cold deep water.
C2 noun /ˈfrækɑː/

fracas

Meaning
A noisy disturbance or quarrel.
Example
The fracas outside the bar drew the attention of the police.
C2 verb /dɪˈbɔːtʃ/

debauch

Meaning
to corrupt morally; to lead into excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures
Example
The novel shows how wealth can debauch a person's character.
C2 adjective /ˈhæm ˌhændɪd/

ham-handed

Meaning
clumsy or inept in handling things or situations
Example
His ham-handed attempt to fix the computer made it worse.
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 /ˈsɛrid/

serried

Meaning
pressed or crowded together, often in rows or ranks
Example
The soldiers stood in serried ranks, ready for inspection.
C2 adjective /ˌæm.bɪˈdɛk.strəs/

ambidextrous

Meaning
Able to use both hands equally well, or versatile in abilities.
Example
Being ambidextrous can be beneficial in sports.
C2 noun /tʊˈriːn/

tureen

Meaning
A large deep dish with a cover, used for serving soups or stews.
Example
She brought the hot soup to the table in a silver tureen.
C2 noun /sælv/

salve

Meaning
An ointment used to promote healing of the skin or as protection.
Example
She applied a salve to the burn on her hand.
C2 adjective /ˌlækəˈdeɪzɪkəl/

lackadaisical

Meaning
lacking enthusiasm, energy, or determination; careless or lazy
Example
His lackadaisical attitude toward work annoyed his boss.
C2 adjective /ˈfræk.ʃəs/

Fractious

Meaning
irritable and quarrelsome; difficult to control; bad-tempered
Example
The fractious child refused to follow any of the teacher's instructions.
C2 noun /haɪnd/

Hind

Meaning
a female deer, especially a red deer
Example
The hind protected her fawn from predators.
C2 adverb /ˌpɛlˈmɛl/

pell-mell

Meaning
In a confused, rushed, or disorderly manner.
Example
The children ran pell-mell through the playground.
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 /əˌkædəˈmɪʃən/

academician

Meaning
a member of an academy; a scholar or expert in a field of study
Example
The academicians gathered to discuss the future of education.
C2 adjective fəˈleɪ.ʃəs

fallacious

Meaning
Based on false reasoning or misleading arguments.
Example
His argument was based on fallacious reasoning.
C2 noun /ˈkælvɪnɪzəm/

calvinism

Meaning
A Protestant theological system based on John Calvin’s teachings, emphasizing predestination and the sovereignty of God.
Example
Calvinism played a major role in shaping Protestant theology.
C2 adjective /ˌpaɪroʊˈtɛknɪk/

pyrotechnic

Meaning
Relating to fireworks or spectacular displays involving fire.
Example
The city celebrated with a grand pyrotechnic display on New Year's Eve.
C2 adjective /ˌriːkruːˈdɛsənt/

recrudescent

Meaning
reviving or breaking out again after a period of abatement
Example
Recrudescent tensions threatened the fragile ceasefire.
C2 noun /ˈɒbsɪkwi/

obsequy

Meaning
A funeral rite, usually used in plural form obsequies.
Example
The village gathered for the obsequy of their beloved teacher.
C2 adjective /ˈklɛmənt/

clement

Meaning
mild or merciful; describing weather as mild and pleasant
Example
The prisoners hoped for a clement judge.
C2 adjective /ˈtɪmərəs/

timorous

Meaning
showing or suffering from nervousness, fear, or lack of confidence
Example
The timorous student hesitated to ask the teacher a question.
C2 noun /ˈhɔːθɔːrn/

hawthorn

Meaning
A thorny shrub or small tree with white or pink flowers, often used for hedges.
Example
The garden was lined with blooming hawthorn bushes.
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 noun /əˈspær.ə.ɡəs biːn/

Asparagus bean

Meaning
a long, thin green vegetable pod that grows on vines; also known as yard-long bean
Example
The asparagus bean grows up to three feet long and is commonly used in Asian cooking.
C2 noun /məˈnæʒəri/

menagerie

Meaning
a collection of wild animals kept for exhibition; a diverse or strange group of people or things
Example
The circus had a menagerie of exotic animals.
C2 noun /ɔːrˈθɑːɡrəfi/

orthography

Meaning
The conventional spelling system of a language.
Example
English orthography can be confusing for learners.
C2 noun /ˈvɛrɪti/

verity

Meaning
a true principle or belief; the state of being true
Example
The verity of his statement was confirmed by evidence.
C2 noun /ˌdiːnəʊˈteɪʃən/

denotation

Meaning
The literal or primary meaning of a word, in contrast to the feelings or ideas that the word suggests.
Example
The denotation of the word 'rose' is a type of flower.
C2 verb /bɪˈstraɪd/

bestride

Meaning
To sit or stand astride something; to dominate over.
Example
The statue bestrides the city square.
C2 noun /ˈmædʒɪstrəsi/

magistracy

Meaning
The office, authority, or district of a magistrate.
Example
He was proud to serve in the local magistracy for over a decade.
C2 noun /ˈjuːər/

ewer

Meaning
a large jug with a wide mouth, especially used in the past for carrying water
Example
The servant filled the ewer with fresh water.
C2 adjective /ˈvɛntrəl/

ventral

Meaning
relating to the underside or abdominal part of an animal or organ
Example
The fish has a white ventral surface.
C2 verb /diːˈmæɡnɪtaɪz/

demagnetize

Meaning
To remove or reduce the magnetic properties of something.
Example
The technician demagnetized the old cassette tape.
C2 noun əˈlæk.rə.t̬i

alacrity

Meaning
Brisk and cheerful readiness.
Example
He accepted the challenge with alacrity.
C2 noun /dɪˈprævɪti/

depravity

Meaning
moral corruption; wickedness
Example
The film portrays the moral depravity of a corrupt society.
C2 verb /ˌʌn.dɪˈsiːv/

undeceive

Meaning
To free someone from a misconception or false belief.
Example
She tried to undeceive him about the false rumors.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈvʌlnərəbl/

invulnerable

Meaning
Impossible to harm, damage, or defeat.
Example
The fortress was thought to be invulnerable to attack.
C2 verb /səbˈsjuːm/

subsume

Meaning
To include or absorb something into a larger group or category.
Example
Minor details were subsumed under the main topic.
C2 noun /ˈhæknɪ/

hackney

Meaning
a horse kept for ordinary riding or hire; also used for something overused or trite
Example
The old hackney was still pulling the carriage.
C2 noun /ˈsɛnʃəns/

sentience

Meaning
The capacity to feel, perceive, or experience subjectively.
Example
Many argue that animals possess sentience.
C2 noun /ˈnɛkrəˌmænsi/

necromancy

Meaning
the practice of communicating with the dead, often to predict the future
Example
Ancient texts described rituals of necromancy performed by priests.
C2 noun /ɪnˌtɛl.ɪˈdʒɛntsi.ə/

intelligentsia

Meaning
The group of people engaged in intellectual and cultural pursuits in a society.
Example
The intelligentsia played a key role in shaping public opinion.
C2 adjective /ˌlɛvəlˈhɛdɪd/

levelheaded

Meaning
calm and sensible; showing good judgment.
Example
She remained levelheaded during the crisis.
C2 noun /ˌθiːəˈloʊdʒən/

theologian

Meaning
A person who studies or is an expert in theology.
Example
Theologians often debate complex questions of faith and morality.
C2 noun /ˈplɔːdɪts/

plaudits

Meaning
expressions of praise or approval
Example
The scientist received plaudits from the international community.
C2 noun /ˈdaɪətraɪb/

diatribe

Meaning
A forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something.
Example
The politician launched a diatribe against his opponents.
C2 noun /ɡriːn ˈdʒækfruːt/

Green Jackfruit

Meaning
unripe fruit of the jackfruit tree, commonly used as a vegetable in cooking
Example
Green jackfruit is often used in curries and stews.
C2 noun /ˈmɒdɪkəm/

modicum

Meaning
a small or moderate amount of something, especially something valuable or desirable
Example
She showed a modicum of patience during the long meeting.
C2 noun /maɪˈkrɑː.skə.pi/

microscopy

Meaning
The use of a microscope to observe small objects or organisms.
Example
Microscopy revealed the structure of the cells.
C2 adjective /prɪˈskrɪptɪbəl/

prescriptible

Meaning
Capable of being prescribed or laid down as a rule or directive.
Example
Certain regulations are prescriptible under the law.
C2 adjective /ˈfɜːr.vɪd/

Fervid

Meaning
passionate; intensely enthusiastic; burning with emotion
Example
She gave a fervid speech about environmental protection.
C2 verb /rɪˈfrækt/

refract

Meaning
To bend light, sound, or heat as it passes through a medium.
Example
The water refracts light, making the straw look bent.
C2 adjective /ˈhɜːrsuːt/

hirsute

Meaning
Having a lot of hair, especially in an unusual place.
Example
The hirsute man stood out in the crowd with his long beard.
C2 noun /əˈbrɪdʒmənt/

abridgment

Meaning
A shortened version of a larger work, such as a book or speech.
Example
The publisher released an abridgment of the lengthy novel for students.
C2 noun /ˈblʌfər/

bluffer

Meaning
a person who pretends to be more confident, skilled, or knowledgeable than they really are; someone who deceives others by bluffing
Example
Everyone eventually realized that he was just a bluffer with no real experience.
C2 noun /traɪˈʌmvɪər/

triumvir

Meaning
One of a group of three men holding power in ancient Rome.
Example
Caesar was a triumvir in the first Roman triumvirate.
C2 noun /dɪˈsɛmbələr/

dissembler

Meaning
a person who conceals their real feelings or intentions; a hypocrite or pretender
Example
The politician was accused of being a dissembler who never revealed his true plans.
C2 adjective /sɪˈkweɪʃəs/

sequacious

Meaning
Lacking independence of thought; blindly following.
Example
The sequacious students never questioned their teacher's opinions.
C2 noun /ˈɡlʌtəni/

gluttony

Meaning
Excessive eating or drinking; overindulgence in food or drink.
Example
His gluttony during the festival left him feeling sick.
C2 adjective /əˈɡɒɡ/

agog

Meaning
Highly excited by eagerness, curiosity, or anticipation.
Example
The children were agog with excitement as they waited for the magician to appear.
C2 adjective /ˌɪnˌɑːpərˈtuːn/

inopportune

Meaning
Happening at a bad or inconvenient time.
Example
His call came at the most inopportune moment.
C2 noun /ˈeb.taɪd/

Ebb-tide

Meaning
the movement of the tide out to sea; a time when the sea level is falling
Example
During ebb-tide, we could walk further out on the beach.
C2 noun /ˈæmjʊlət/

Amulet

Meaning
an ornament or small piece of jewelry thought to give protection against evil, danger, or disease
Example
She wore a silver amulet around her neck for good luck.
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 /ˌspoʊliˈeɪʃən/

spoliation

Meaning
The act of destroying or ruining something, often evidence or property.
Example
The court punished the company for the spoliation of evidence.
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 verb /ˈkælsɪfaɪ/

calcify

Meaning
To harden by deposition of calcium salts; to become rigid or inflexible.
Example
Over time, the tissue began to calcify and lose flexibility.
C2 noun /ˈʒɑːndɑːrm/

gendarme

Meaning
A French police officer, especially a member of a military-style police force.
Example
The gendarme stopped the car for a routine check.
C2 noun /pəˈveɪʒən/

pervasion

Meaning
the act of spreading through or being present everywhere in something
Example
There was a pervasion of hope throughout the community.
C2 noun /seɪn/

seine

Meaning
A large fishing net that hangs vertically in the water.
Example
The fishermen cast their seine into the river.
C2 noun /ˈvaɪnəri/

vinery

Meaning
A place where vines are cultivated, especially a vineyard or greenhouse for vines.
Example
The old vinery was filled with grapevines.
C2 noun /sfɪˈrɒmɪtər/

spherometer

Meaning
An instrument used for measuring the curvature of spherical surfaces.
Example
The scientist used a spherometer to measure the lens curvature.
C2 noun /ˌnjʊə.rəʊˈdʒɛn.ɪ.sɪs/

neurogenesis

Meaning
The process of forming new nerve cells in the brain.
Example
Scientists are studying neurogenesis to understand brain health.
C2 noun /ˈnɒn.ɪʤ/

Nonage

Meaning
the period of being under the legal age of majority; youth or immaturity
Example
During his nonage, all legal decisions were made by his guardian.
C2 noun /ˈbɑːrtərər/

barterer

Meaning
A person who trades goods or services without using money.
Example
The barterer exchanged fruits for some pottery.
C2 noun /ˈɔːrɪndʒfɪn ˈleɪbiːoʊ/

Orangefin labeo

Meaning
a freshwater fish species native to South Asian rivers, commonly found in Bangladesh and India
Example
The orangefin labeo is an important food fish in Bangladesh.
C2 verb, adjective /ˈstraɪeɪt/

striate

Meaning
to mark with stripes or grooves; striped or streaked in appearance
Example
The rock surface was striated by glacial movement.
C2 noun /əˈmɛrɪkəˌnɪzəm/

americanism

Meaning
A word, phrase, or practice characteristic of American English or culture.
Example
The term 'sidewalk' is an Americanism, while 'pavement' is used in British English.
C2 noun /juːˈdʒen.ɪks/

eugenics

Meaning
the study or practice of improving the genetic quality of the human population
Example
Eugenics has been criticized for its unethical applications in history.
C2 noun /ˈwɪtɪˌsɪzəm/

witticism

Meaning
a clever or funny remark
Example
Her witticism made everyone laugh during the meeting.
C2 noun /djuːˈplɪsɪti/

duplicity

Meaning
Deceitfulness or double-dealing; dishonesty.
Example
Her duplicity was revealed during the investigation.
C2 adjective /ˈpliːnəri/

plenary

Meaning
complete in every way; fully attended or absolute
Example
The committee held a plenary session to discuss all matters of importance.
C2 noun /ˈpruːdəri/

prudery

Meaning
the behavior or attitude of people who are too easily shocked or offended by sexual matters
Example
His prudery often made others uncomfortable during open discussions.
C2 noun /ˈɪəri/

eyrie

Meaning
the nest of a bird of prey, such as an eagle, typically built high on a cliff or tree
Example
The eagle’s eyrie was perched high on the mountain cliff.