stultify
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C2 verb /ˈstʌltɪfaɪ/

stultify

Meaning
to make someone or something appear foolish, or to hinder effectiveness and enthusiasm
Example
The repetitive tasks seemed to stultify the workers' creativity.
C2 noun /ˈʃæd.ək/

Shaddock

Meaning
a large citrus fruit similar to grapefruit; pomelo
Example
The shaddock is the largest citrus fruit in the world.
C2 verb /ʃiːð/

sheathe

Meaning
to put a sword or knife back into its cover
Example
He quickly sheathed his sword after the duel.
C2 noun /ˌsɪləbɪˈkeɪʃən/

syllabication

Meaning
The division of words into syllables.
Example
Proper syllabication helps in correct pronunciation.
C2 noun /ˈstrætədʒəm/

stratagem

Meaning
a plan or scheme designed to achieve a particular goal, often by trickery
Example
The general devised a clever stratagem to outwit the enemy.
C2 noun /ˈsætræp/

satrap

Meaning
a governor of a province in ancient Persia; also used figuratively for a subordinate ruler
Example
The king appointed a satrap to oversee the distant province.
C2 adjective /ˈsʌpliənt/

suppliant

Meaning
Humbly or earnestly asking for something, especially from a person in authority.
Example
The suppliant man begged for mercy at the king's feet.
C2 verb /səˈbɔːrn/

suborn

Meaning
to bribe or induce someone unlawfully to perform an act, especially to commit perjury
Example
The lawyer was accused of trying to suborn a witness.
C2 adjective /ˈsæ.loʊ/

sallow

Meaning
Of an unhealthy yellow or pale brown color, often referring to skin.
Example
His sallow complexion made him look tired and sickly.
C2 adjective /ˌstaʊtˈhɑːrtɪd/

stouthearted

Meaning
Brave, determined, and courageous
Example
The stouthearted soldier never gave up.
C2 noun /ˈsɒfɪst/

sophist

Meaning
a person who uses clever but misleading arguments
Example
He was dismissed as a sophist who twisted facts to win debates.
C2 noun /ʃiːt fɪʃ/

Sheat-fish

Meaning
A large freshwater catfish with a broad flat head and long barbels
Example
The sheat-fish is one of the largest freshwater fish in South Asia.
C2 verb /ˈsæŋktɪfaɪ/

sanctify

Meaning
to make holy or sacred; to purify
Example
The priest will sanctify the marriage ceremony.
C2 noun /ˈsɪŋ.krə.ni/

synchrony

Meaning
Coordination in time, harmony in action or movement.
Example
Their dance performance showed perfect synchrony.
C2 adjective /ˈsteɪ.dʒi/

stagy

Meaning
Overly theatrical, artificial, or exaggerated in manner or style.
Example
Her performance felt stagy and unnatural.
C2 noun /sɪˈdɪʃ.ən/

Sedition

Meaning
conduct or speech inciting people to rebel against authority; treason
Example
The activist was charged with sedition for his inflammatory speeches.
C2 adjective /səˈmætɪk/

somatic

Meaning
Relating to the body, especially as distinct from the mind.
Example
Yoga can improve both somatic and mental health.
C2 noun /səˈvɑːnt/

savant

Meaning
a learned person, especially a distinguished scientist or scholar; sometimes used in the phrase ‘savant syndrome’ for someone with exceptional abilities alongside developmental differences
Example
The conference keynote was delivered by a linguistic savant who studies endangered languages.
C2 verb /ˌsuːpərˈæd/

superadd

Meaning
to add something to what has already been added
Example
The author chose to superadd a new chapter to the revised edition.
C2 noun /ʃiːf/

sheaf

Meaning
a bundle of grain stalks laid lengthwise and tied together after reaping; a bundle of objects tied together
Example
The farmer carried a sheaf of wheat on his shoulder.
C2 adjective /sæŋˈɡwɪniəs/

sanguineous

Meaning
Relating to blood; bloody.
Example
The surgeon examined the sanguineous discharge from the wound.
C2 noun /ˌsɪmjʊˈleɪkrəm/

simulacrum

Meaning
an image or representation of someone or something; a superficial likeness
Example
The statue was only a simulacrum of the ancient god.
C2 verb /ˈstjuːpɪˌfaɪ/

stupefy

Meaning
to make someone unable to think clearly, usually because of surprise or shock
Example
The magician's tricks stupefied the audience.
C2 adjective /ˌsuːdəˈrɪfɪk/

sudorific

Meaning
causing or increasing sweating
Example
The doctor prescribed a sudorific drug to help reduce the fever.
C2 noun /ˈsɛnʃəns/

sentience

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

spry

Meaning
active and lively, especially in old age
Example
The spry grandmother surprised everyone with her quick dance steps.
C2 noun /ˈskɪz.əm/ or /ˈsɪz.əm/

schism

Meaning
A division or split between strongly opposed parties, often in religion or organizations.
Example
The schism in the church led to the formation of two separate groups.
C2 adjective /səˈleɪʃəs/

salacious

Meaning
Having or conveying undue or inappropriate sexual interest.
Example
The tabloid published a salacious story about the celebrity.
C2 adjective /ˈsɒmnələnt/

somnolent

Meaning
Sleepy or drowsy; causing a desire to sleep.
Example
The somnolent lecture made half the class fall asleep.
C2 noun /skɪf/

skiff

Meaning
a small, light boat usually for one person
Example
The fisherman paddled his skiff across the lake.
C2 adjective /svelt/

svelte

Meaning
Attractively thin, graceful, and elegant in appearance or movement.
Example
She looked svelte in the elegant black dress.
C2 verb /ˈsnʌfəl/

snuffle

Meaning
to breathe noisily through the nose, often because of crying or a cold
Example
The child began to snuffle after crying for a long time.
C2 noun /səbˈsɜːviəns/

subservience

Meaning
the condition of being too willing to obey or serve others
Example
His subservience to authority annoyed his colleagues.
C2 adjective /ˌsuː.pər.ɪˈrɑː.ɡə.tɔːr.i/

supererogatory

Meaning
Going beyond what is required or expected; more than necessary.
Example
His donation was supererogatory, far beyond what anyone had asked for.
C2 noun /ˈsɪnjuː/

sinew

Meaning
A tendon; figuratively, the source of strength, power, or resilience.
Example
The sinews in his arms stood out as he lifted the heavy box.
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 /stɛnˈtɔːriən/

stentorian

Meaning
Extremely loud and powerful in sound.
Example
The teacher’s stentorian voice quieted the noisy classroom.
C2 adjective /sɛnˈtɛnʃəs/

sententious

Meaning
Given to moralizing in a pompous or affected manner.
Example
His sententious remarks annoyed the audience.
C2 noun /stɛp/

steppe

Meaning
A large flat area of unforested grassland, especially in southeastern Europe or Siberia.
Example
The nomads traveled across the vast steppe with their herds.
C2 adjective /ˈslʌvənli/

slovenly

Meaning
Untidy or careless in appearance, habits, or work.
Example
His slovenly appearance made a bad impression at the interview.
C2 adjective /ˌsɒfəˈmɒrɪk/

sophomoric

Meaning
showing immaturity and overconfidence, like a sophomore
Example
His sophomoric behavior embarrassed his friends.
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 adjective /sɪˈnɒptɪk/

synoptic

Meaning
giving a general overview or summary; presenting a broad view
Example
The report offers a synoptic view of climate trends over the past century.
C2 noun /ˈsʌplɪkənt/

supplicant

Meaning
A person who humbly or earnestly asks for something, usually from a person of authority.
Example
The temple was filled with supplicants seeking blessings.
C2 noun /ˈstrɪplɪŋ/

stripling

Meaning
a young man who is not yet fully grown
Example
The stripling dreamed of becoming a brave knight.
C2 adjective /səˈræfɪk/

seraphic

Meaning
Of or like a seraph; angelic, pure, and blissful.
Example
She gave him a seraphic smile that calmed his fears.
C2 adjective /ˈsækərɪn/

saccharine

Meaning
Excessively sweet or sentimental.
Example
His saccharine smile seemed insincere.
C2 noun /sɒp/

sop

Meaning
a concession or appeasement to pacify someone; also a piece of bread dipped in liquid
Example
The manager offered a bonus as a sop to the unhappy employees.
C2 noun /ˈsɜːfdəm/

serfdom

Meaning
The status or condition of being a serf, bound to work for a lord.
Example
Many peasants in medieval Europe lived under serfdom.
C2 verb /ˈsʌblɪmeɪt/

sublimate

Meaning
to redirect strong emotions or desires into socially acceptable activities or channels
Example
She sublimated her anger into painting beautiful landscapes.
C2 noun /ˈsɛm.ɪ.nɛr.i/

seminary

Meaning
A school or college for training priests, ministers, or rabbis.
Example
He decided to enroll in a seminary to study theology.
C2 adjective /səˈdʒɛstəbəl/

suggestible

Meaning
easily influenced by the suggestions of others
Example
Children are highly suggestible and may believe what they are told.
C2 adjective /ˌsæpəˈneɪʃəs/

saponaceous

Meaning
Soapy or having the qualities of soap.
Example
The plant has saponaceous leaves that produce foam when rubbed in water.
C2 noun /ˈsweɪʒən/

suasion

Meaning
the act of persuading or influencing someone
Example
The leader used gentle suasion to win support for the plan.
C2 verb /ˈskærɪfaɪ/

scarify

Meaning
to make shallow cuts or scratches; to loosen the surface of soil
Example
The farmer scarified the soil before planting seeds.
C2 adjective /suːˈpɜːrnəl/

supernal

Meaning
Relating to the heavens; celestial or divine.
Example
The painting captured a supernal beauty that felt otherworldly.
C2 noun /sɛnˈsɔːrɪəm/

sensorium

Meaning
The part of the brain or mind concerned with the reception and interpretation of sensory stimuli.
Example
The patient’s sensorium was clouded after the accident.
C2 adjective /səˈprɛsəbl̩/

suppressible

Meaning
capable of being restrained, controlled, or prevented
Example
The symptoms of the disease are suppressible with medication.
C2 adjective /sɪˈdɪʃəs/

seditious

Meaning
Encouraging rebellion against authority.
Example
The activist spread seditious pamphlets among the crowd.
C2 verb /ˈstræɡəl/

straggle

Meaning
To move or spread in an irregular, scattered, or untidy way.
Example
The children began to straggle behind on the long hike.
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 /ˈsaɪ.ə.lɪz.əm/

sciolism

Meaning
pretentious show of superficial knowledge
Example
His speech was full of sciolism, impressing no one.
C2 noun /sɑːrˈkɒfəɡəs/

sarcophagus

Meaning
A stone coffin, often decorated, used in ancient times.
Example
The museum displayed a beautifully carved sarcophagus from ancient Egypt.
C2 noun /ˈsɪkəfənt/

sycophant

Meaning
A person who acts obsequiously toward someone important in order to gain advantage.
Example
The manager was surrounded by sycophants who agreed with everything he said.
C2 noun /ˈsɛpəlˌtʃər/

Sepulture

Meaning
the act of burying a dead body; burial; a grave or tomb
Example
The ancient king's sepulture was discovered by archaeologists.
C2 adjective /ˌsɛm.iˈsɪv.ə.laɪzd/

semicivilized

Meaning
Partially civilized; having some aspects of civilization but not fully developed.
Example
The tribe was described as semicivilized by early explorers.
C2 adjective /sɪˈbeɪʃəs/

sebaceous

Meaning
Relating to or secreting sebum, an oily substance from the skin.
Example
Acne is often caused by overactive sebaceous glands.
C2 noun /ˈsɪbəraɪt/

sybarite

Meaning
a person who loves luxury and pleasure
Example
The millionaire was a true sybarite who lived only for comfort and enjoyment.
C2 adjective /sɪˈlæbɪk/

syllabic

Meaning
Relating to or based on syllables.
Example
The teacher explained the syllabic structure of the word.
C2 adjective /ˈsʌb.æs.ɪd/

subacid

Meaning
Slightly sour or acidic in taste or nature.
Example
The fruit had a subacid flavor that was refreshing on a hot day.
C2 adjective /ˌseɪpiˈɛnʃəl/

sapiential

Meaning
Relating to wisdom or knowledge, often in a religious or philosophical sense.
Example
The monk shared sapiential teachings with his students.
C2 adjective /ˈslæp.dæʃ/

slapdash

Meaning
done too quickly and carelessly; hasty and careless
Example
The report was written in a slapdash manner, full of errors.
C2 adjective /ˌsuː.pɚˈsɪl.i.əs/

supercilious

Meaning
Behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others; arrogant and disdainful.
Example
She gave him a supercilious smile as if he was beneath her.
C2 adjective /ˈsmɑːrmi/

smarmy

Meaning
Excessively flattering or ingratiating, often insincerely.
Example
The salesman gave a smarmy pitch that felt fake.
C2 noun /səˈlɪsɪˌtuːd/

solicitude

Meaning
Care or concern for someone or something.
Example
His mother showed great solicitude for his safety.
C2 noun /ˈslʌɡərd/

sluggard

Meaning
A lazy, sluggish person.
Example
The sluggard refused to get out of bed even at noon.
C2 adjective /səˈpʌlkrəl/

sepulchral

Meaning
Relating to a tomb or burial; gloomy, dismal.
Example
The abandoned house had a sepulchral silence about it.
C2 noun /ˈsuːpsɒ̃/

soupcon

Meaning
a very small quantity of something; a trace
Example
She added just a soupcon of spice to the dish.
C2 noun /ˈʃaɪstər/

shyster

Meaning
a person, especially a lawyer, who uses unscrupulous or dishonest methods
Example
The businessman was exposed as a shyster who cheated clients.
C2 adjective /ˈsiːmi/

seamy

Meaning
Morally degraded, unpleasant, or sordid.
Example
The novel reveals the seamy side of city life.
C2 noun /ˈsɪbɪləns/

sibilance

Meaning
A hissing or hushing sound, especially in speech with 's' or 'sh'.
Example
The poet used sibilance to create a soft, hissing effect in the verse.
C2 adjective /ˈstɜːr.tər.əs/

stertorous

Meaning
Characterized by heavy snoring or breathing.
Example
The patient’s stertorous breathing alarmed the nurses.
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 noun /səbˈdʌk.ʃən/

subduction

Meaning
The lateral and downward movement of the edge of a plate of the earth's crust into the mantle beneath another plate.
Example
The Pacific Ring of Fire is an area of intense subduction.
C2 noun /ˌskʌlˈdʌɡəri/

skullduggery

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

suavity

Meaning
smoothness and charm in manner
Example
His suavity made him popular in social gatherings.
C2 noun /spʌndʒ ɡɔːrd/

Sponse gourd

Meaning
a fibrous gourd that becomes sponge-like when dried, used for cleaning and in cooking when young
Example
The sponge gourd can be eaten when young or dried to make natural scrubbers.
C2 noun /ˈskɔːrpiən fɪʃ/

Scorpion fish

Meaning
a type of fish with venomous spines that belongs to the family Scorpaenidae
Example
The scorpion fish has dangerous spines that can inject venom.
C2 noun /stɒˈkeɪd/

stockade

Meaning
a defensive barrier made of strong posts or timbers, often around a fort or prison
Example
The prisoners were kept inside the wooden stockade.
C2 noun /spɪˈlʌŋkər/

spelunker

Meaning
A person who explores caves as a hobby.
Example
The spelunker carried ropes and lights into the dark cave.
C2 noun /ˈsuːθˌseɪər/

soothsayer

Meaning
a person who claims to predict the future
Example
The king consulted a soothsayer before going to war.
C2 adjective /səˈɡeɪ.ʃəs/

sagacious

Meaning
Having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment; wise.
Example
His sagacious leadership saved the company from failure.
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 /ˈsfɪŋks laɪk/

sphinx-like

Meaning
Mysterious, enigmatic, or difficult to interpret
Example
Her sphinx-like smile made it hard to guess what she was thinking.
C2 noun /ˈstriːmlɪt/

streamlet

Meaning
a small stream; a tiny brook or rivulet
Example
A streamlet flowed through the meadow.
C2 verb /ˈsnɪvəl/

snivel

Meaning
to cry or complain in a weak or annoying way
Example
He began to snivel when he didn’t get his way.
C2 adjective /sɪˈnæp.tɪk/

synaptic

Meaning
Related to the signal transmission process between nerve cells.
Example
Learning strengthens synaptic connections in the brain.
C2 noun /ˈspɛndˌθrɪft/

spendthrift

Meaning
A person who spends money extravagantly or wastefully.
Example
The young prince was known as a spendthrift, wasting his fortune on lavish parties.
C2 adjective /ˌsuːpərˈnuːmərɛri/

supernumerary

Meaning
Exceeding the usual number; extra or unnecessary.
Example
The play included several supernumerary actors to fill the background scenes.
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 adjective /sɪˈkweɪʃəs/

sequacious

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

shuck

Meaning
To remove the outer covering, such as the husk of corn or shell of shellfish.
Example
She learned how to shuck oysters quickly.
C2 adjective /ˌsɒpəˈrɪfɪk/

soporific

Meaning
tending to induce drowsiness or sleep; causing sleepiness
Example
The professor's lecture was so soporific that half the class fell asleep.
C2 noun (plural, informal) /skædz/

scads

Meaning
A large number or quantity of something (informal).
Example
She has scads of friends in the city.
C2 adjective /ˈslɪpʃɒd/

slipshod

Meaning
done in a careless, sloppy, or untidy way
Example
The project failed due to slipshod planning.
C2 noun /ˈsɛrəf/

seraph

Meaning
An angelic being associated with light and purity, often depicted as a high-ranking angel in Christian theology.
Example
The stained-glass window depicted a seraph with outstretched wings.
C2 noun /səbˈmɜːrʒən/

submersion

Meaning
the state of being under water
Example
The submersion of the fields lasted for several days after the heavy rain.
C2 adjective /ˈsʌmp.tʃuˌɛr.i/

sumptuary

Meaning
Relating to laws or regulations intended to limit personal spending on luxury goods.
Example
In medieval Europe, sumptuary laws restricted the wearing of expensive fabrics to the nobility.
C2 noun /ˈsiːkənt/

secant

Meaning
A straight line that intersects a curve at two or more points.
Example
In geometry, a secant cuts the circle at two distinct points.
C2 noun /ˈskɜː.vi/

scurvy

Meaning
A disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C, leading to weakness, gum disease, and bleeding.
Example
Sailors often suffered from scurvy during long sea voyages without fresh fruits.
C2 verb /ˈsɪn.tɪ.leɪt/

scintillate

Meaning
to sparkle or shine brightly; to emit flashes of light
Example
The diamond ring scintillated under the bright lights.
C2 noun /ˈsʌbtrəˌhɛnd/

subtrahend

Meaning
a number that is to be subtracted from another number
Example
In the equation 10 - 4, the number 4 is the subtrahend.
C2 adjective /saɪˈdɪəriəl/

sidereal

Meaning
Relating to the stars or constellations; measured relative to the stars.
Example
Astronomers use sidereal time to track the positions of stars.
C2 adjective /ˌsuːpərˈæn.ju.eɪ.tɪd/

superannuated

Meaning
old and no longer useful or valid; retired due to age
Example
The factory was filled with superannuated machines that slowed production.
C2 noun /spjuːm/

spume

Meaning
Froth or foam, especially found on waves or liquids.
Example
The waves crashed against the rocks, leaving spume in the air.
C2 noun /ˈskʌl.i.ən/

scullion

Meaning
a servant assigned the most menial kitchen tasks
Example
In medieval times, a scullion was responsible for cleaning pots and pans.
C2 noun /sɜːrˈsiːs/

surcease

Meaning
a temporary or final ending or stopping of something
Example
The noise finally came to a surcease after midnight.
C2 adjective /ˈspiːʃəs/

specious

Meaning
Superficially plausible but actually false; misleading in appearance.
Example
The politician’s argument was specious, sounding convincing but lacking real evidence.
C2 adjective /ˌsɪkəˈfæntɪk/

sycophantic

Meaning
Behaving in a way that is excessively obedient or servile to gain favor.
Example
His sycophantic behavior annoyed his colleagues.
C2 noun /sɒl/

sol

Meaning
The fifth note of the sol-fa musical scale (do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti); also the Latin word for sun
Example
The choir practiced singing the note sol during rehearsal.
C2 noun /ˌself əˈbeɪs.mənt/

self-abasement

Meaning
The act of belittling or humiliating oneself.
Example
His constant self-abasement made others uncomfortable.