stygian
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C2 adjective /ˈstɪdʒiən/

stygian

Meaning
extremely dark, gloomy, or forbidding
Example
They walked through the stygian cave with torches.
C2 noun /ˌpæliˈeɪʃən/

palliation

Meaning
relief of symptoms without curing the underlying disease or problem
Example
Palliation is often the focus of care for terminally ill patients.
C2 noun /sɪˈkwiːlə/

sequela

Meaning
A condition that is the consequence of a previous disease or injury.
Example
Lung scarring can be a sequela of severe pneumonia.
C2 noun /ɡəˈruːlɪti/

garrulity

Meaning
Excessive talkativeness, especially about trivial matters.
Example
His garrulity made it hard to focus during the meeting.
C2 noun /ˈproʊtoʊˌplæzəm/

protoplasm

Meaning
The living substance inside a cell, including the cytoplasm and nucleus.
Example
Scientists observed the movement of protoplasm under the microscope.
C2 noun, verb /ˌpæm.fləˈtɪər/

pamphleteer

Meaning
a person who writes or distributes pamphlets, often to promote a political or social cause
Example
In the 18th century, many pamphleteers influenced public opinion.
C2 noun /ˈpɒliˌɑːrki/

polyarchy

Meaning
government by many people
Example
Polyarchy allows multiple parties to share power.
C2 noun /ˈstænʃən/

stanchion

Meaning
a strong upright bar or post used as support or to control movement
Example
The red rope was attached to the stanchions to guide the crowd.
C2 adjective /ˌʌn.rɪˈdʒɛn.ər.ət/

unregenerate

Meaning
Not reformed or showing no signs of change; stubbornly refusing to reform or repent.
Example
He remained an unregenerate opponent of progress.
C2 noun /ˈtɜːrməɡənt/

termagant

Meaning
A harsh-tempered or overbearing woman.
Example
The character was portrayed as a loud and domineering termagant.
C2 adjective /ˈfʌndʒəbl/

fungible

Meaning
interchangeable; able to replace or be replaced by another identical item
Example
In finance, money is considered a fungible asset.
C2 noun /ˈfiːəlti/

fealty

Meaning
loyalty or allegiance, especially to a sovereign or lord
Example
The knight swore fealty to his king.
C2 noun /dəˈɡerəˌtaɪp/

daguerreotype

Meaning
An early type of photograph produced on a silver or silver-covered copper plate.
Example
The museum displayed a rare daguerreotype of Abraham Lincoln.
C2 noun /ˈzuːəʊˌplæŋktən/

zooplankton

Meaning
Microscopic aquatic animals that drift in water bodies and form an essential part of the aquatic food chain, serving as food for fish and other marine organisms.
Example
Zooplankton plays an important role in the aquatic food chain.
C2 adjective /ˌɪlˈneɪ.tʃəd/

ill-natured

Meaning
Having a bad or unpleasant character; unkind or malicious.
Example
He made an ill-natured remark about his colleague.
C2 noun /ˈmækɪntɒʃ/

mackintosh

Meaning
a waterproof raincoat, originally made from rubberized fabric
Example
He wore a mackintosh to stay dry in the rain.
C2 noun ˈfaɪ.təʊˌnjuː.tri.ənt

phytonutrient

Meaning
Chemical compounds produced by plants that are beneficial to human health but not essential nutrients.
Example
Broccoli is rich in phytonutrients that enhance immunity.
C2 adjective /ɪˈmɒdərət/

immoderate

Meaning
excessive; beyond reasonable limits
Example
He has an immoderate love for sweets.
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 /ˈpɑr.bəl/

Parbal

Meaning
A green vegetable also known as pointed gourd, commonly used in South Asian cuisine
Example
Mother prepared parbal curry with fish.
C2 adjective ˌlæb.əˈrɪn.θaɪn

labyrinthine

Meaning
Like a labyrinth; complicated and confusing; having many interconnected paths or passages.
Example
The old city streets were labyrinthine.
C2 noun /ˈmæn.li.nəs/

manliness

Meaning
The quality of being manly; courage, strength, and honor associated with men.
Example
His manliness was admired by his peers.
C2 noun /haɪˈdrɒmɪtər/

hydrometer

Meaning
An instrument used to measure the density or specific gravity of liquids.
Example
The brewer used a hydrometer to test the sugar content of the solution.
C2 adjective /ˈlæk.rɪ.moʊs/

lachrymose

Meaning
tearful or given to weeping; sad and mournful
Example
The movie's lachrymose ending left the audience in tears.
C2 verb /deɪn/

deign

Meaning
to do something considered beneath one's dignity
Example
The king did not deign to reply to the commoner.
C2 adjective /ˈfædɪʃ/

faddish

Meaning
Following a temporary trend or fashion
Example
Wearing neon clothes was a faddish style in the 1980s.
C2 noun /ˈkɒnsənəns/

consonance

Meaning
Agreement or harmony among parts; a pleasing combination of sounds in music or words.
Example
The consonance between their ideas made the project successful.
C2 noun /ˌnɛɡlɪˈʒeɪ/

negligee

Meaning
A woman's light dressing gown, often made of thin or silky material.
Example
She wore a silk negligee before going to bed.
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 /tæmp/

tamp

Meaning
to press down tightly by packing
Example
He tamped the soil around the plant to secure it.
C2 noun /ˈmuːn.biːm/

moonbeam

Meaning
A ray of light from the moon.
Example
A moonbeam lit up the quiet forest clearing.
C2 verb /ɛksˈhjuːm/

exhume

Meaning
to dig out something buried, especially a body from the ground
Example
The archaeologists decided to exhume the ancient remains.
C2 noun /ˈmɛtəfɔːrm/

metaphorm

Meaning
A coined or rare term sometimes used to describe a hybrid form of metaphor and form in literature or art.
Example
The poet introduced a metaphorm to blend imagery with structure.
C2 adjective /ˌhɜːrkjʊˈliːən/

herculean

Meaning
Requiring great strength or effort; very difficult to perform.
Example
It was a herculean task to rebuild the city after the disaster.
C2 adjective /rəˈʃɛrʃ/

recherche

Meaning
Rare, exotic, or obscure, often in a sophisticated or refined way.
Example
The gallery displayed many recherche artworks from unknown artists.
C2 noun /ˌvæs.ɪˈleɪ.ʃən/

Vacillation

Meaning
the inability to decide between different opinions or actions; indecision
Example
His constant vacillation between career choices frustrated his parents.
C2 noun /hɔːɡ plʌm/

Hog plum

Meaning
tropical fruit with yellow skin and sour taste
Example
Hog plums are often used to make pickles and chutneys.
C2 verb /rɪˈvaɪl/

revile

Meaning
to criticize in an abusive or angrily insulting manner
Example
The politician was reviled by the public for his corruption.
C2 noun /ˈaɪ.kɒn/

ikon

Meaning
A religious image or symbol, especially in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Example
The church displayed a beautifully painted ikon of the Virgin Mary.
C2 noun, adjective /ˌæntiˌspæzˈmɒdɪk/

antispasmodic

Meaning
A drug or agent that relieves or prevents muscle spasms.
Example
The doctor prescribed an antispasmodic to ease the pain.
C2 adjective /ˌpriːtərˈnætʃərəl/

preternatural

Meaning
Beyond what is normal or natural; extraordinary or supernatural.
Example
She had a preternatural ability to remain calm in any crisis.
C2 noun /ˈvɪzɪdʒ/

visage

Meaning
A person's face or facial expression.
Example
Her stern visage intimidated the children.
C2 noun /əˈkwaɪərmənt/

acquirement

Meaning
the act of acquiring something; something that has been acquired, especially a skill or possession
Example
Language proficiency is an important acquirement for global careers.
C2 noun /ˌsɪnjuˈɒsɪti/

sinuosity

Meaning
The quality or state of being winding, curving, or having many turns.
Example
The sinuosity of the river made navigation challenging.
C2 adjective /rɪˈfʌldʒənt/

refulgent

Meaning
Shining brightly; radiant.
Example
The refulgent sun lit up the entire valley.
C2 noun /haɪnd/

Hind

Meaning
a female deer, especially a red deer
Example
The hind protected her fawn from predators.
C2 adjective /ˈfʊl.dʒənt/

fulgent

Meaning
Shining brightly; dazzling.
Example
The fulgent stars lit up the night sky.
C2 verb /kædʒ/

cadge

Meaning
To beg or obtain something, especially food or money, without paying for it.
Example
He tried to cadge a free meal from the restaurant.
C2 adverb /ˈdʒɪndʒərli/

gingerly

Meaning
in a very careful or cautious manner
Example
She walked gingerly on the icy path.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈsuːpərəbl/

insuperable

Meaning
Impossible to overcome or surpass.
Example
The team faced insuperable challenges during the expedition.
C2 verb /dɪsˈbɜːrs/

disburse

Meaning
to pay out money, especially from a fund
Example
The organization will disburse the funds to the affected families.
C2 noun /ˈpɜːrsənɪdʒ/

personage

Meaning
an important or famous person
Example
He is considered a great personage in the world of literature.
C2 noun /ˈprɒm.ən.tɔːr.i/

promontory

Meaning
A high point of land or rock projecting into a body of water.
Example
The lighthouse stood on a promontory overlooking the sea.
C2 noun /ɪkˈspiːdiənsi/

expediency

Meaning
the quality of being convenient and practical despite possibly being improper or immoral
Example
He acted out of political expediency rather than principle.
C2 adjective /ɪmˈpruːdənt/

imprudent

Meaning
Not showing care for the consequences of an action.
Example
It was imprudent to drive in such stormy weather.
C2 noun /ˈfoʊ.nə.ɡræm/

phonogram

Meaning
a written symbol representing a speech sound
Example
The teacher showed how each phonogram represents a particular sound.
C2 noun /ˈkloʊðiər/

clothier

Meaning
a person or company that makes, sells, or deals in clothes.
Example
The town’s clothier displayed fine suits in his shop window.
C2 noun /ˈpætrɪsaɪd/

patricide

Meaning
The act of killing one's own father.
Example
The ancient myth describes a son committing patricide to take the throne.
C2 verb /ˌpriːɔːrˈdeɪn/

preordain

Meaning
To decide or determine an outcome in advance, especially by fate or divine will.
Example
They believed their meeting was preordained by destiny.
C2 verb /kəˈraʊz/

carouse

Meaning
to drink and enjoy oneself noisily, often with others
Example
They stayed up all night to carouse after the victory.
C2 noun /ˈætəmaɪzər/

atomizer

Meaning
A device that sprays liquid into a fine mist.
Example
She used an atomizer to apply the perfume evenly.
C2 adjective /ˌɪmpəˈmɪsəbl/

impermissible

Meaning
Not permitted or allowed.
Example
Such behavior is impermissible in the workplace.
C2 verb /fɔɪst/

foist

Meaning
To impose something unwelcome or unnecessary on someone.
Example
He tried to foist his old books onto his friends.
C2 adjective /ˈbrækɪʃ/

brackish

Meaning
Slightly salty, often describing water that is a mix of fresh and seawater.
Example
The river estuary contained brackish water.
C2 adjective /ˌriːkruːˈdɛsənt/

recrudescent

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

prate

Meaning
to talk foolishly or at tedious length about something
Example
He would prate endlessly about his minor achievements.
C2 verb /diːˈpɒpjʊˌleɪt/

depopulate

Meaning
To reduce the number of people living in a place.
Example
The war threatened to depopulate the once-thriving town.
C2 noun /ˈɪntərˌveɪl/

intervale

Meaning
A low-lying tract of land along a river, usually fertile and flat.
Example
The farmers cultivated crops on the lush intervale by the river.
C2 adjective /woʊnt/ or /wɔːnt/

wont

Meaning
accustomed or used to doing something
Example
She rose early, as she was wont to do.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈtɛmpərət/

intemperate

Meaning
Lacking self-control; immoderate, especially in indulgence.
Example
The politician's intemperate remarks caused controversy.
C2 noun /ˈreɪdɪks/

radix

Meaning
the base or root of something; the number on which a system of numeration is built
Example
In mathematics, the decimal system has a radix of ten.
C2 adjective /ˌɛvəˈnɛsənt/

evanescent

Meaning
Quickly fading or disappearing; lasting for only a very short time.
Example
The beauty of the sunset was evanescent, fading within minutes.
C2 adjective /əˈɡeɪp/ or /əˈɡɑːp/

agape

Meaning
With the mouth wide open in surprise or wonder.
Example
She stood agape at the breathtaking view.
C2 noun /kəˈnaɪ.vəns/

connivance

Meaning
the act of secretly allowing or being involved in wrongdoing
Example
The theft happened with the connivance of the security guard.
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 adverb /əˈmʌk/

amuck

Meaning
in a frenzied, uncontrolled, or chaotic manner
Example
The bull ran amuck through the village.
C2 noun /ˈvæləns/

valance

Meaning
A decorative drapery hung across the top of a window or bed.
Example
She chose a floral valance to match the curtains in her bedroom.
C2 adjective /ˈəʊ.dər.əs/

Odorous

Meaning
having a strong smell; fragrant; aromatic
Example
The garden was filled with odorous flowers.
C2 adjective /ˈeɪ.li.ə.nə.bəl/

alienable

Meaning
Able to be transferred or surrendered, usually referring to rights or property.
Example
Property rights are alienable and can be sold or transferred.
C2 verb /ˈsʌplɪˌkeɪt/

supplicate

Meaning
To ask for something earnestly or humbly, often in a religious context.
Example
The villagers supplicated the gods for rain during the drought.
C2 adjective /ˈrɪz.ə.bəl/

risible

Meaning
so absurd or ridiculous that it deserves to be laughed at
Example
The idea of flying pigs is completely risible.
C2 noun /ˈfaɪəl/

phial

Meaning
a small glass container for liquids, especially medicines
Example
The doctor gave her a phial of medicine.
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 /ˈɡræn.jʊ.leɪt/

granulate

Meaning
To form or cause to form into grains or small particles.
Example
The sugar began to granulate as it cooled.
C2 noun /ˈɒnwiː/ or /ˈɑːnwiː/

ennui

Meaning
A feeling of boredom, listlessness, or dissatisfaction arising from lack of excitement.
Example
After weeks of doing nothing, he sank into a deep sense of ennui.
C2 adjective /ˈkɒrɪdʒəbl/

corrigible

Meaning
capable of being corrected or improved
Example
The student's mistakes were corrigible with practice.
C2 noun /muˈleθi/

Mulethi

Meaning
licorice root, a sweet-tasting herb used in traditional medicine and cooking
Example
She prepared a herbal tea with mulethi to soothe her sore throat.
C2 noun /ˈpɔl.zi/

Palsy

Meaning
paralysis, especially that which is accompanied by involuntary tremors; loss of muscle control
Example
The elderly man suffered from palsy in his hands.
C2 adjective /bɪˈnɪɡnənt/

benignant

Meaning
Kindly and benevolent in nature.
Example
The teacher’s benignant attitude made the students feel comfortable.
C2 adjective /ˈbrætɪʃ/

brattish

Meaning
acting like a spoiled child; behaving in an annoying, self-centered way
Example
The brattish boy threw a tantrum when he didn’t get his toy.
C2 noun /ˌperəˈreɪʃən/

peroration

Meaning
The concluding part of a speech, often intended to inspire or persuade.
Example
The politician's peroration left the audience applauding enthusiastically.
C2 noun /ˈɒbsɪkwiːz/

obsequies

Meaning
Funeral rites or ceremonies.
Example
The obsequies for the late leader drew thousands of mourners.
C2 noun /ˌbuː.ɡənˈvɪl.i.ə/

Bougainvillea

Meaning
a tropical climbing plant with colorful bracts surrounding small flowers
Example
The bougainvillea climbing over the garden wall creates a beautiful purple display.
C2 verb /rɪˈkwaɪt/

requite

Meaning
to return or repay a favor, service, or feeling
Example
She requited his kindness with a thoughtful gift.
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 verb ˈɪn.kʌl.keɪt

inculcate

Meaning
Instill an attitude, idea, or habit by persistent instruction; to teach and impress by frequent repetitions.
Example
Parents should inculcate good values in their children.
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 noun /ˌsɪŋ.krəˈnɪs.ɪ.ti/

synchronicity

Meaning
The meaningful coincidence of two or more events that are not planned.
Example
The synchronicity of their thoughts amazed everyone.
C2 noun /ˈtɒksɪn/

tocsin

Meaning
an alarm bell or signal; a warning that something bad is about to happen
Example
The data breach sounded a tocsin for stricter security.
C2 adjective /prəˈhɪbɪtɔːri/

prohibitory

Meaning
Serving or tending to prohibit or forbid.
Example
The prohibitory laws were strictly enforced in the region.
C2 adjective /rɪˈsplɛndənt/

resplendent

Meaning
Shining brilliantly; dazzling in appearance or effect
Example
The bride looked resplendent in her wedding gown.
C2 adjective /ɜːrˈbeɪn/

urbane

Meaning
showing polished manners, refinement, and sophistication
Example
He was an urbane gentleman who charmed everyone at the party.
C2 verb /ˌweɪˈleɪ/

waylay

Meaning
to stop or interrupt someone unexpectedly, often to attack or detain them
Example
He was waylaid by reporters as he left the courthouse.
C2 noun /ˈtʃæt.əl/

chattel

Meaning
a personal possession; historically, movable property including slaves
Example
In the past, slaves were considered the chattel of their owners.
C2 adjective /pruːˈdɛnʃəl/

prudential

Meaning
involving or showing prudence, especially in financial or business matters
Example
The bank has set prudential rules to protect depositors.
C2 noun /ˈbroʊmaɪd/

bromide

Meaning
A trite or unoriginal idea or remark; also a chemical compound of bromine.
Example
His speech was full of old bromides about hard work.
C2 noun /mjuːˈlætoʊ/

mulatto

Meaning
an outdated and now offensive term historically used to describe a person of mixed white and Black ancestry
Example
The word 'mulatto' is now considered outdated and offensive.
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 /ˈænti/

ante

Meaning
a stake put up by a player in poker or similar games before receiving cards; also used figuratively to mean an initial investment or contribution
Example
Each player placed an ante before the game began.
C2 noun /rʌmp/

Rump

Meaning
the hindquarters or buttocks; the lower back area
Example
The horse injured its rump during the fall.
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 noun /ˈpɛtjʊləns/

petulance

Meaning
The quality of being childishly sulky or bad-tempered.
Example
His petulance during the meeting annoyed everyone.
C2 noun /ɪˈfʌldʒəns/

effulgence

Meaning
Brilliant radiance or shining brightness.
Example
The effulgence of the sunrise lit up the entire valley.
C2 adjective /ˌɪnkoʊˈɜːrsəbl̩/

incoercible

Meaning
Not capable of being forced, compelled, or restrained.
Example
Her incoercible spirit inspired others to fight for justice.
C2 noun /ˈkoʊ.tə.ri/

coterie

Meaning
a small, exclusive group of people with shared interests
Example
He belonged to a coterie of artists who met every Friday.
C2 adjective /kəmˈbʌstɪbəl/

combustible

Meaning
Capable of catching fire and burning easily.
Example
Dry leaves are highly combustible.
C2 noun/verb /ˈkʌdʒ.əl/

cudgel

Meaning
A short, thick stick used as a weapon; to beat with a cudgel.
Example
The guard used a cudgel to chase away the thief.
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.
C2 noun /dɜːrdʒ/

dirge

Meaning
A mournful song, piece of music, or poem expressing grief, often for the dead.
Example
The choir sang a solemn dirge at the funeral.
C2 noun /ˈfrɔːdjʊləns/

fraudulence

Meaning
The quality or state of being fraudulent; deceitfulness.
Example
The audit revealed fraudulence in the financial statements.
C2 verb /ɪnˈtriːt/

entreat

Meaning
To ask earnestly or beg someone to do something.
Example
She entreated him to stay a little longer.