shrew
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C1 noun /ʃruː/

shrew

Meaning
a small mouse-like animal; also a woman with a bad temper
Example
The play describes a strong-willed woman as a shrew.
C2 verb /ɛnˈkɪndl/

enkindle

Meaning
to set on fire or inspire strong emotion
Example
The speech enkindled hope in the audience.
B2 noun /ˈsɛnət/

senate

Meaning
a legislative or governing body, typically the upper chamber in a bicameral legislature
Example
The senate voted in favor of the new healthcare bill.
C2 noun /blæk biː/

Black-bee

Meaning
a large dark-colored bee that makes a loud buzzing sound
Example
The black-bee was buzzing around the flowers in the garden.
C1 adverb /ɔːˈtɒnəməsli/

autonomously

Meaning
In an independent or self-governing manner.
Example
The robot can operate autonomously without human intervention.
C1 noun /ˈpɪntʃərz/

pinchers

Meaning
a tool used for gripping or squeezing objects
Example
Use the pinchers to remove the hot coal safely.
B2 adjective /ˈslɒp.i/

Sloppy

Meaning
careless; messy; done without care or attention to detail
Example
His sloppy handwriting was difficult to read.
B2 adjective /ˈprɛf(ə)rəb(ə)l/

preferable

Meaning
more desirable or suitable; better than something else
Example
It is preferable to take the train rather than drive in heavy traffic.
C2 adjective /ˌhaɪpəˈdɜːrmɪk/

hypodermic

Meaning
relating to the region immediately beneath the skin; also refers to a type of needle or syringe used to inject drugs beneath the skin.
Example
The doctor used a hypodermic needle to administer the vaccine.
B2 noun /ˈaʊtˌskɜːrt/

outskirt

Meaning
the outer edge or border of a town or city
Example
They built a new factory on the outskirts of the city.
C1 adjective/adverb /ˌɒfˈhænd/

offhand

Meaning
Without previous thought or preparation; casual and sometimes dismissive.
Example
She gave an offhand reply to his serious question.
B2 noun ˈpɛstɪˌsaɪd

pesticide

Meaning
A substance used for destroying insects or other organisms harmful to cultivated plants or to animals.
Example
The pesticide sprayed in the field killed the harmful insects.
B1 verb /leɪ/

lay

Meaning
to put something down in a flat position; to place carefully
Example
Please lay the book on the table.
C2 noun/verb /ɡraʊs/

grouse

Meaning
A type of bird; or to complain or grumble persistently.
Example
He always grouses about the long hours at work.
C1 noun ˈkætəlɪst

catalyst

Meaning
A person or thing that precipitates an event or change.
Example
His speech acted as a catalyst for change in the community.
C2 noun /ˈɔːtɑːrki/

autarchy

Meaning
A system of self-sufficiency where a state or community is economically independent.
Example
The nation attempted autarchy to reduce reliance on imports.
C1 adjective /ɪˈstreɪndʒd/

estranged

Meaning
no longer close or affectionate with someone; alienated
Example
She felt estranged from her family after the long dispute.
A2 adjective ˈfɪz.ɪ.kəl

physical

Meaning
Relating to things perceived through the senses as opposed to the mind; tangible or concrete.
Example
Physical components form the system's base.
B1 verb /dɪˈpɑːrt/

depart

Meaning
to leave, especially to start a journey
Example
The train will depart at 9 a.m.
A1 determiner, pronoun, adverb /ɔːl/

all

Meaning
the whole quantity or extent of something; every one of something
Example
She spent all her money on books.
C1 verb /sɪft/

sift

Meaning
to separate or sort through carefully, often using a sieve or by examining closely
Example
She sifted the flour before adding it to the cake mixture.
A2 noun /ˈkɒm.ent/

comment

Meaning
a verbal or written remark expressing an opinion or reaction
Example
She posted a kind comment on my photo.
C2 verb /ɪmˈpjuːt/

impute

Meaning
to attribute a fault or responsibility to someone
Example
They imputed the company's success to good leadership.
C1 verb /ɪˈdʒektɪd/

ejected

Meaning
to force someone or something to leave a place; to push or throw something out forcefully
Example
The pilot was ejected from the aircraft during the emergency.
B2 noun /ˈsɪr.i.əs.nəs/

Seriousness

Meaning
the quality of being serious; gravity; importance
Example
The seriousness of the situation became clear when the doctor spoke.
C2 noun /ɒkˈteɪvoʊ/

octavo

Meaning
A size of book page resulting from folding a sheet of paper into eight leaves (sixteen pages).
Example
The old library contained rare octavo editions of Shakespeare.
B1 verb/noun /haɪk/

hike

Meaning
To take a long walk in the countryside or mountains; also to increase suddenly (prices, rates, etc.).
Example
We decided to hike in the hills this weekend.
C1 noun ˌdɪm.ɪˈnjuː.ʃən

diminution

Meaning
A reduction in the size, extent, or importance of something; decrease.
Example
There has been a diminution in air pollution.
A2 verb /sɜːrv/

serve

Meaning
to provide service; to work for; to offer food or drink
Example
She serves breakfast at 8 AM every morning.
A1 preposition /wɪðˈaʊt/

without

Meaning
in the absence of, or not having something
Example
He left without saying goodbye.
B2 verb /əˈsɜːrt/

assert

Meaning
to state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully; to insist upon rights or claims
Example
She decided to assert her authority in the meeting.
A2 noun /ʌmˈbrɛlə/

umbrella

Meaning
A device used for protection against rain or sun, typically consisting of a collapsible canopy mounted on a central rod.
Example
She opened her umbrella as it started to rain.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈtrɛntʃt/

entrenched

Meaning
Firmly established and unlikely to change.
Example
Corruption is deeply entrenched in the system.
C2 adjective /pərˈfɪdiəs/

perfidious

Meaning
deceitful and untrustworthy
Example
The spy was executed for his perfidious actions.
A2 verb /voʊt/

vote

Meaning
to make a choice in an election; to express preference
Example
Citizens vote to choose their representatives.
C1 adjective /ˈstrɪndʒənt/

stringent

Meaning
strict, precise, and exacting
Example
The government imposed stringent measures during the crisis.
C1 noun /rəˈviːn/

ravine

Meaning
A deep, narrow valley with steep sides.
Example
The river carved a deep ravine through the mountains.
B2 verb /ˈbjuːtɪfaɪ/

beautify

Meaning
to make something more beautiful or attractive
Example
The city plans to beautify the old park with trees and lights.
C2 noun /ˈnoʊzˌɡeɪ/

nosegay

Meaning
a small bunch of flowers, typically given as a gift or carried for decoration
Example
She carried a nosegay of fresh roses to the ceremony.
B1 adjective /ˈjuːnɪfɔːrm/

Uniform

Meaning
consistent; identical; standardized
Example
All students must wear a uniform to school.
C2 verb /ˈtɪtər/

titter

Meaning
to laugh in a quiet, nervous, or restrained way
Example
The students began to titter when the projector froze.
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.
B2 verb /ɪmˈpoʊzd/

imposed

Meaning
forced something to be accepted or put in place
Example
The government imposed new regulations on the industry.
B2 adjective kəˈlɛktɪv

collective

Meaning
Done by people acting as a group; shared by all members of a group.
Example
Victory Day represents our collective pride.
C1 noun /zest/

Zest

Meaning
great enthusiasm and energy; excitement and vigor; the outer peel of a citrus fruit
Example
She approached the new job with tremendous zest.
B1 verb /pɑːrtɪsɪˈpeɪtɪŋ/

participating

Meaning
Taking part in an activity or event.
Example
He is participating in the Antarctic expedition.
C1 adjective /klæd/

clad

Meaning
dressed or covered in a particular way
Example
The knight was clad in shining armor.
B2 noun /ˈkɒmpoʊst/

compost

Meaning
decayed organic matter used as fertilizer
Example
The gardener added compost to enrich the soil.
C1 noun /stæɡˈneɪ.ʃən/

stagnation

Meaning
A state of inactivity or lack of growth, especially in an economy.
Example
High unemployment led to economic stagnation.
C1 noun/verb /liːʃ/

leash

Meaning
a strap or cord used to control or guide an animal; to restrain or control
Example
The dog was on a leash during the walk.
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 noun /ˈpɛrɪstaɪl/

peristyle

Meaning
A continuous porch formed by a row of columns surrounding the perimeter of a building or courtyard.
Example
The Roman villa featured a beautiful peristyle garden.
B2 noun /bʌd/

Bud

Meaning
An undeveloped or immature flower before it opens
Example
The rose bud will bloom into a beautiful flower in a few days.
B1 noun /ˈen.trəns/

Entrance

Meaning
an opening that allows access to a place; the action of entering
Example
The main entrance to the building was decorated with beautiful flowers.
C1 noun ˈvæljuː beɪst ˌɛdjuːˈkeɪʃən

value-based education

Meaning
Education that emphasizes moral principles and ethical values.
Example
Value-based education shapes moral character.
C2 noun /ˈdɒldrəmz/

doldrums

Meaning
A state of inactivity, stagnation, or low spirits; also a region near the equator with calm winds.
Example
After the project failed, the team was stuck in the doldrums for months.
C1 adjective /moʊv/

mauve

Meaning
a pale purple color with a grayish or bluish tinge
Example
She wore a beautiful mauve dress to the party.
C2 noun /ˈpælɪˌnoʊd/

palinode

Meaning
a poem or statement in which the writer retracts something said in an earlier work
Example
The poet wrote a palinode to apologize for his earlier harsh words.
C2 noun ˌiːkwəˈnɪməti

equanimity

Meaning
Mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation.
Example
She handled the news with remarkable equanimity.
C2 noun /ˈkæt.aɪ.ɒn ɪksˌtʃeɪndʒ/

cation-exchange

Meaning
A chemical process in soil that helps retain nutrients.
Example
The cation-exchange capacity of soil affects plant growth.
C2 noun /ˌvælɪˌtjuːdɪˈnɛəriən/

valetudinarian

Meaning
A person who is unduly anxious about their health or constantly concerned with minor ailments.
Example
He was regarded as a valetudinarian, always worrying about his health.
C1 noun ˌɪnsjʊˈleɪʃən

insulation

Meaning
Material used to prevent heat, sound, or electricity from being transmitted from one area to another.
Example
Insulation of food storage areas can prevent pests from entering.
A2 pronoun /wɒtˈɛvər/

whatever

Meaning
used to refer to anything or everything that is of the type mentioned
Example
You can choose whatever you like.
C1 noun /ˈpɜːrkəleɪtər/

percolator

Meaning
A device used for brewing coffee by continually cycling boiling water through coffee grounds.
Example
She made a fresh pot of coffee using the percolator.
C2 noun /ˈkætəˌklɪzəm/

cataclysm

Meaning
A sudden and violent event that causes great destruction or upheaval.
Example
The earthquake was a cataclysm that reshaped the city.
B1 noun, verb /ˈmɜːrdər/

murder

Meaning
the unlawful killing of a person; to kill someone unlawfully and intentionally
Example
The detective investigated the murder that shocked the town.
B2 verb /ˈstreɪtən/

straighten

Meaning
to make something straight or tidy; to correct or organize
Example
She straightened her hair before the meeting.
B2 noun ˈsuː.pər.fuːdz

superfoods

Meaning
Nutrient-dense foods that are particularly beneficial for health and well-being.
Example
Blueberries and spinach are superfoods rich in vitamins.
C2 noun /ˈsɪlədʒɪzəm/

syllogism

Meaning
A form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn from two given or assumed premises.
Example
The philosopher explained the concept of syllogism using simple examples.
A2 verb /klɪk/

click

Meaning
to press a button on a computer mouse or similar device
Example
She clicked the link to open the website.
B2 noun/verb /ˈaʊtreɪdʒ/

outrage

Meaning
A strong feeling of anger and shock; to arouse anger or shock.
Example
The unfair decision caused public outrage.
C2 noun /ˈkæm.fər/

Camphor

Meaning
a white crystalline substance with a strong aromatic smell, used in medicine and religious ceremonies
Example
The temple was filled with the fragrant smoke of burning camphor.
B2 noun /ˈdʒes.tʃər/

Gesture

Meaning
a movement of part of the body, especially a hand or the head, to express an idea or meaning
Example
She made a welcoming gesture with her hands to invite the guests inside.
B1 noun, verb /ˈlaɪsəns/

license

Meaning
A legal permission to do something (noun); to grant such permission (verb).
Example
You must have a driving license to operate a car legally.
B2 adjective /naɪˈiːv/

naive

Meaning
Having a lack of experience or sophistication; overly innocent or trusting.
Example
She was naive to believe the scammer’s story.
A2 verb riˈsaɪklɪŋ

recycling

Meaning
The process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects to prevent waste.
Example
Recycling plastic helps in reducing waste.
A2 noun /spɒt/

spot

Meaning
a particular place or position
Example
I found a great spot for a picnic in the park.
B1 adjective /ˈklæsɪk/

classic

Meaning
Judged over a period of time to be of the highest quality and outstanding of its kind.
Example
That movie is a classic example of 90s comedy.
C1 adjective /ˈpæl.ɪd/

Pallid

Meaning
pale, especially because of poor health; lacking substance or vitality
Example
His pallid complexion showed signs of illness.
B1 noun /kəʊst/

Coast

Meaning
the part of the land near the sea; the edge of the land
Example
We drove along the coast to enjoy the view.
B2 noun /buːˈtiːk/

boutique

Meaning
a small shop that sells fashionable clothes or accessories
Example
She bought a beautiful dress from a boutique downtown.
C2 adjective /ˈprɪɡɪʃ/

priggish

Meaning
self-righteously moralistic and superior
Example
He came across as priggish when correcting everyone's manners.
C2 noun /ˈfiːəlti/

fealty

Meaning
loyalty or allegiance, especially to a sovereign or lord
Example
The knight swore fealty to his king.
B1 verb /seɪl/

sail

Meaning
to travel on water in a boat or ship using sails or by wind power
Example
They sailed across the Atlantic Ocean last summer.
C2 noun /ˈlæsi/

lassie

Meaning
a young girl (informal, mainly Scottish)
Example
The old man greeted the little lassie warmly.
C2 noun /ˈsɪnəd/

synod

Meaning
An assembly of the clergy in a Christian church convened to decide on issues of doctrine or administration.
Example
The synod gathered to discuss reforms in the church.
B1 noun /ˈɛlɪmənt/

element

Meaning
A basic or essential part of something; a simple substance that cannot be broken down further.
Example
Trust is a key element of any strong relationship.
C2 adjective /stɛnˈtɔːriən/

stentorian

Meaning
Extremely loud and powerful in sound.
Example
The teacher’s stentorian voice quieted the noisy classroom.
A1 noun /sɔːŋ/

song

Meaning
a short piece of music with words that are sung
Example
She sang a beautiful song at the concert.
C2 noun /lɑːrˈʒes/

largess

Meaning
Generosity in giving gifts or money.
Example
The foundation survived thanks to the largess of wealthy donors.
B2 adjective /ˈvɜː.tʃu.əl/

Virtual

Meaning
almost or nearly as described, but not completely or according to strict definition; existing in essence or effect, though not in fact
Example
The virtual meeting allowed participants from different countries to collaborate.
B2 verb /rɒt/

rot

Meaning
to decay or decompose; to become corrupt
Example
The fruit will rot if left in the sun.
A2 pronoun /aʊərˈsɛlvz/

ourselves

Meaning
used by the speaker to refer to themselves and one or more others as the object of the verb
Example
We should help ourselves before helping others.
B2 noun /ˌæktɪˈveɪʃən/

activation

Meaning
the act of making something start functioning
Example
The activation of the system took longer than expected.
C2 adjective /ˈfɪnɪki/

finicky

Meaning
difficult to please; very particular about details
Example
He is so finicky about his food that he only eats organic vegetables.
B1 noun /ˈkæp.ɪ.təl/

Capital

Meaning
the most important city or town of a country or region; wealth in the form of money or assets
Example
Paris is the capital of France and also a major financial capital.
C2 verb /kɔːk/

caulk

Meaning
to seal a crack or gap with a waterproof filler
Example
He caulked the window frames to stop the draft.
C2 noun /ˈbuːbi/

booby

Meaning
a foolish or gullible person; a silly individual
Example
He felt like a booby after making such a simple mistake.
B2 adjective /ɪnˈækjərət/

Inaccurate

Meaning
not correct; containing errors; wrong
Example
The weather forecast was inaccurate yesterday.
B2 verb /dreɪn/

drain

Meaning
to cause liquid to flow away from something; to remove liquid
Example
He drained the pasta before adding the sauce.
C1 noun /ɪmˌpɒsəˈbɪlɪti/

impossibility

Meaning
the state or fact of being impossible; something that cannot be done or achieved
Example
Finishing the project in one day was an impossibility.
C2 verb /fɪˈlɪsɪˌteɪt/

felicitate

Meaning
to congratulate; to express good wishes
Example
We felicitated the graduating students at the ceremony.
B2 verb /ˈbɔɪkɑt/

boycott

Meaning
to refuse to buy, use, or participate in something as a protest
Example
They decided to boycott the company's products.
C1 adjective /ɪˈnɔːrdənət/

inordinate

Meaning
Excessive or unusually large in degree.
Example
She spent an inordinate amount of time on her phone.
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.
B1 verb /ˈstɒpɪŋ/

stopping

Meaning
Coming to a halt or pause.
Example
The ship is stopping at the Falkland Islands.
C1 noun /rɪdʒ/

ridge

Meaning
a long, narrow hilltop, mountain range, or raised strip
Example
We walked along the mountain ridge.
C2 noun /ˈɪrɪɡənt/

irrigant

Meaning
A liquid used for irrigation, especially in medical or agricultural contexts.
Example
The doctor used a sterile irrigant during the procedure.
C2 adjective /dɪˈklæməˌtɔri/

declamatory

Meaning
speaking in a loud, rhetorical, or dramatic way
Example
The politician’s declamatory style impressed some but irritated others.
C1 noun /ˈkoʊmə/

coma

Meaning
A deep state of prolonged unconsciousness caused by illness or injury.
Example
The patient remained in a coma for several weeks.
B2 noun /bætʃ/

batch

Meaning
a quantity of items produced or processed at one time
Example
She baked a fresh batch of cookies this morning.
C2 noun /vɛnˈdɪʃən/

vendition

Meaning
The act of selling; sale.
Example
The auction was a formal vendition of the estate's assets.
C1 noun /ˌræm.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/

ramification

Meaning
a consequence of an action or event, often complex or unwelcome.
Example
The new law has serious social ramifications.
C1 verb /ˈeɪ.li.ə.neɪt/

alienate

Meaning
To make someone feel isolated or estranged; to cause someone to become unfriendly.
Example
His rude behavior alienated many of his friends.
B2 adjective /ˈskætərd/

Scattered

Meaning
spread widely apart; dispersed; occurring here and there
Example
Scattered showers are expected throughout the day.
A2 noun ˌkɒmpəˈtɪʃən

competition

Meaning
The activity or condition of competing; rivalry for supremacy.
Example
Competition grew between language groups.
A1 noun /tə'meɪ.toʊ/

Tomato

Meaning
a red or yellow edible fruit that is typically eaten as a vegetable
Example
She added fresh tomatoes to the salad.
C2 adjective /ˌsɒfəˈmɒrɪk/

sophomoric

Meaning
showing immaturity and overconfidence, like a sophomore
Example
His sophomoric behavior embarrassed his friends.
B1 noun riˈæləti

reality

Meaning
The world or the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea.
Example
The reality of the situation was evident.
B2 noun, verb /treɪs/

trace

Meaning
a mark, object, or sign that shows the existence or development of something
Example
She traced the path of the river on the map.
A1 numeral /θriː/

three

Meaning
the number equivalent to the sum of two and one
Example
She has three dogs at home.