superfluous
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C1 adjective /suːˈpɜːr.flu.əs/

superfluous

Meaning
Unnecessary, especially through being more than enough.
Example
His speech contained too many superfluous details.
C1 adjective /priˈɛmptɪv/

preemptive

Meaning
Serving or intended to prevent something by taking action first.
Example
The government took preemptive measures to control inflation.
C1 noun /ˈroʊ.lɪŋ bɔːrd/

Rolling board

Meaning
a flat wooden or marble surface used for rolling out dough
Example
She placed the dough on the rolling board.
C1 verb /əˈmæs/

amass

Meaning
to gather together or accumulate over a period of time
Example
He managed to amass a fortune through wise investments.
C1 noun /moʊˈtiːf/

motif

Meaning
A recurring theme, subject, or idea in a work of art or literature.
Example
The motif of love is central to the novel.
C1 noun /ˈmɛdli/

medley

Meaning
A mixture of different things, especially musical tunes combined together.
Example
The band played a medley of popular songs.
C1 noun /əˈrɪs.tə.kræt/

Aristocrat

Meaning
a member of the aristocracy; a person of noble rank or birth
Example
The aristocrat lived in a magnificent castle.
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.
C1 adjective /ˈtɛmpərət/

temperate

Meaning
showing moderation or self-restraint; also describing mild climate.
Example
He is known for his temperate behavior even in stressful situations.
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 /ˈkwɔːrəm/

quorum

Meaning
The minimum number of members needed to conduct official business in a meeting.
Example
The board meeting was postponed because there was no quorum.
C1 adjective /ˈtep.ɪd/

Tepid

Meaning
only slightly warm; lukewarm; showing little enthusiasm
Example
The tea was tepid and unappetizing.
C1 noun /ˈɔr.ə.kəl/

Oracle

Meaning
a person regarded as a source of wise counsel; in ancient times, a priest or priestess acting as a medium
Example
The ancient Greeks consulted the oracle at Delphi.
C1 noun /ˈkɒrənər/

coroner

Meaning
an official who investigates sudden, violent, or suspicious deaths
Example
The coroner determined the cause of death was natural.
C1 noun /haɪˈpɒθəsɪs/

hypothesis

Meaning
a proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.
Example
The scientist tested her hypothesis through multiple experiments.
C1 noun /ˈpiːɒn/

peon

Meaning
a low-ranking worker, often performing menial tasks
Example
The office peon delivered the files to each department.
C1 adjective /ˌɪn.səˈbɔːr.dɪ.nət/

insubordinate

Meaning
Defiant of authority; disobedient to orders.
Example
The insubordinate employee refused to follow the manager's instructions.
C1 noun /ˈpʌntʃ laɪn/

punch line

Meaning
The final part of a joke or story that makes it funny.
Example
Everyone laughed loudly at the punch line of his joke.
C1 verb /ˌʌndəˈreɪt/

underrate

Meaning
to fail to recognize the full value or importance of something or someone
Example
Many people underrate the benefits of regular exercise.
C1 noun /ˌɪnkjʊˈbeɪʃən/

incubation

Meaning
the process of keeping eggs, cells, or organisms in the right conditions for development
Example
The incubation of the eggs lasted for three weeks.
C1 verb /daɪˈleɪt/

dilate

Meaning
To make wider, larger, or more open.
Example
The doctor used drops to dilate the patient's pupils.
C1 noun ˌmiː.diˈɒk.rə.ti

mediocrity

Meaning
Being average or ordinary, not particularly good.
Example
He refused to settle for mediocrity and aimed for greatness.
C1 noun /rɪˈspɒndənt/

respondent

Meaning
A person who replies to something, especially in a survey or legal case
Example
The survey had over 1,000 respondents.
C1 adjective /dɪˈspɜːrst/

dispersed

Meaning
Scattered or spread across a wide area.
Example
The dispersed population made it difficult to provide public services.
C1 noun /rɛnˈdɪʃən/

rendition

Meaning
a performance or interpretation of a piece of art, music, or text
Example
The singer gave a moving rendition of the classic song.
C1 adverb /əˈkjuːtli/

acutely

Meaning
in a sharp, intense, or severe way; with keen awareness
Example
She was acutely aware of the risks involved.
C1 noun /ɪɡˈzɜːr.ʃən/

exertion

Meaning
Using energy or effort to achieve something.
Example
Excessive exertion can lead to fatigue and burnout.
C1 adjective ˈmær.ɪ.taɪm

Maritime

Meaning
Connected with the sea, especially in relation to seafaring commercial or military activity.
Example
Maritime trade enhances the economy.
C1 adjective /ˈvæljuːləs/

valueless

Meaning
having no worth, importance, or usefulness
Example
The old broken phone was considered valueless.
C1 verb /ˈɡræpəl/

grapple

Meaning
to struggle or wrestle with something, often a problem or opponent
Example
The company is grappling with financial difficulties.
C1 noun məˌtɪərɪəˈlɪstɪk ˈlaɪfstaɪl

materialistic lifestyle

Meaning
A way of living focused on acquiring material possessions and wealth.
Example
A materialistic lifestyle often leads to moral decline.
C1 noun /ˈdaɪnəˌmoʊ/

dynamo

Meaning
A machine that generates electricity; a person with great energy and enthusiasm.
Example
She is the real dynamo behind the success of the company.
C1 verb /rɪˈbʌt/

rebut

Meaning
to argue against or prove wrong; to refute
Example
The lawyer rebutted the false accusations with strong evidence.
C1 noun /ɪmˈprɪzənmənt/

imprisonment

Meaning
the act of putting someone in prison; the state of being confined as punishment
Example
He faced imprisonment for violating the court order.
C1 verb /broʊtʃ/

broach

Meaning
to bring up a subject for discussion
Example
She decided to broach the topic of salary with her manager.
C1 noun /dɪˈten.ʃən/

Detention

Meaning
the action of detaining someone or being detained in official custody
Example
The student received detention for repeatedly disrupting the class.
C1 noun /ˈkaʊntərˌpɔɪnt/

counterpoint

Meaning
an argument, idea, or theme contrasting with another; also a musical term for independent melody
Example
Her calm attitude was a counterpoint to his anger.
C1 noun ˌpriːˌɒkjʊˈpeɪʃən

preoccupation

Meaning
The state of being absorbed in thought; mental distraction.
Example
His preoccupation with work led to neglecting his personal life.
C1 noun /daɪˈvɜː.dʒəns/

divergence

Meaning
The process or state of diverging; a difference or deviation between two or more things.
Example
The divergence in their opinions led to a heated debate.
C1 verb /rɪŋ/

wring

Meaning
to squeeze and twist something to force liquid out; to extract with effort
Example
She had to wring the towel after washing it.
C1 verb ˈsɪn.ɚ.dʒaɪz

synergize

Meaning
combine in such a way as to enhance effectiveness.
Example
The departments must synergize to improve efficiency.
C1 noun /ɡlɪtʃ/

glitch

Meaning
A sudden, usually temporary fault or malfunction in a system or device.
Example
The computer crashed due to a minor glitch in the software.
C1 noun /ˈprɒspɛktər/

prospector

Meaning
a person who searches for mineral deposits, especially gold
Example
The prospector spent years in the mountains searching for gold.
C1 noun /məˈrɑːl/

Morale

Meaning
the confidence, enthusiasm, and discipline of a person or group
Example
The team's morale improved after the victory.
C1 noun ˈmetəl kənˌtæməˈneɪʃən

metal contamination

Meaning
The presence of toxic metals in the environment that pose health and environmental risks.
Example
Metal contamination poses severe health risks.
C1 noun /ˈmɔːr.nər/

Mourner

Meaning
a person who attends a funeral or shows grief for someone who has died
Example
The mourners gathered at the cemetery to pay their respects.
C1 adjective /əˌpɒk.əˈlɪp.tɪk/

apocalyptic

Meaning
Describing the end of the world, or something catastrophic and disastrous.
Example
The movie depicts an apocalyptic future after a nuclear war.
C1 noun /ˈwɪzərdri/

wizardry

Meaning
The art or practice of magic; great skill or expertise in something.
Example
The programmer's wizardry amazed everyone in the room.
C1 adverb /ˈfɜː.vənt.li/

Fervently

Meaning
with passionate intensity; ardently; with great emotion or enthusiasm
Example
She fervently hoped that her dreams would come true.
C1 verb /səbˈstænʃieɪt/

substantiate

Meaning
To provide evidence to support or prove the truth of something.
Example
The lawyer worked to substantiate the claims with solid evidence.
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 /ˈmjʊr.əl/

Mural

Meaning
a painting or artwork applied directly on a wall or ceiling
Example
The artist painted a beautiful mural on the school wall.
C1 noun /sɪˈtɑːr/

Sitar

Meaning
a traditional Indian stringed musical instrument with a long neck and resonating body
Example
The sitar creates beautiful ragas in Indian classical music.
C1 verb /ˌdiːˈbʌŋk/

debunk

Meaning
Expose the falseness or hollowness of (a myth, idea, or belief).
Example
Scientists debunked the myth that vaccines cause autism.
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 noun /luː/

lieu

Meaning
Instead of; in place of.
Example
He gave money in lieu of flowers.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈdʒʊəriəs/

injurious

Meaning
Causing or likely to cause harm or damage.
Example
Smoking is injurious to health.
C1 adverb spɒnˈteɪnɪəsli

spontaneously

Meaning
In a spontaneous way; naturally and without planning or external cause.
Example
Children learn spontaneously through peer interactions.
C1 noun /ˈnek.səs/

Nexus

Meaning
a connection or series of connections linking two or more things
Example
There's a clear nexus between education and economic development.
C1 adjective /ˈprɛdəˌtɔri/

predatory

Meaning
Relating to animals that prey on others; exploiting or victimizing others for personal gain.
Example
The predatory bird swooped down on its prey.
C1 noun /ˈkaʊn.tər kleɪm/

counter-claim

Meaning
a claim made to rebut a previous claim, often in legal contexts
Example
The defendant filed a counter-claim against the plaintiff.
C1 adjective /ˈɡlɛrɪŋ/

glaring

Meaning
Extremely obvious or shining intensely.
Example
There was a glaring mistake in the report.
C1 noun /ˈhɔː.kər/

Hawker

Meaning
a person who travels about selling goods, typically from door to door or on the street
Example
The hawker sold fresh fruits from his cart.
C1 noun /ˈkɒb.lər/

Cobbler

Meaning
a person who repairs shoes and other leather goods
Example
The cobbler fixed my broken shoes perfectly.
C1 verb /dɪsˈoʊn/

disown

Meaning
to refuse to acknowledge or accept responsibility for someone or something
Example
He decided to disown his reckless brother.
C1 verb /ˈbɒɡəl/

boggle

Meaning
to overwhelm or confuse; to be astonished or puzzled by something
Example
The complexity of the puzzle boggled his mind.
C1 noun /stents/

stents

Meaning
Small mesh tubes used to treat narrow or blocked arteries.
Example
Stents were successfully placed using robotic techniques.
C1 noun /ˈiːɡoʊˌtɪzəm/

egotism

Meaning
The practice of talking and thinking about oneself excessively because of an inflated sense of self-importance.
Example
His constant boasting revealed his egotism.
C1 noun /ˈhɑː.mɪdʒ/

Homage

Meaning
special honor or respect shown publicly; tribute paid to someone in recognition of their merit
Example
The memorial service was a touching homage to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives.
C1 noun /ɪˈnɜː.ʃə/

Inertia

Meaning
a tendency to do nothing or remain unchanged; lack of activity or movement
Example
The team's inertia prevented them from adapting to the rapidly changing market conditions.
C1 noun /ˈnɔː.zi.ə/

Nausea

Meaning
a feeling of sickness with an inclination to vomit
Example
The motion of the boat caused severe nausea.
C1 noun /ˈnoʊmæd/

nomad

Meaning
A person who has no permanent home and moves from place to place.
Example
The desert was once home to nomads who lived by herding animals.
C1 adjective /frɔːt/

fraught

Meaning
Filled with or likely to result in something undesirable.
Example
The negotiations were fraught with tension and uncertainty.
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 verb /dɪˈmɔrəˌlaɪz/

demoralize

Meaning
to cause someone to lose confidence or hope
Example
The constant criticism demoralized the young athlete.
C1 adjective /ˈkɔː.zəl/

causal

Meaning
relating to or acting as a cause
Example
There is a causal link between smoking and cancer.
C1 noun /ˈɛdɪfɪs/

edifice

Meaning
A large, impressive building or structure.
Example
The museum is an impressive edifice in the city center.
C1 noun /ˈrɛspɪt/

respite

Meaning
A short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant.
Example
The weekend provided a welcome respite from work.
C1 noun kəmˈpleɪ.sən.si

complacency

Meaning
Excessive self-satisfaction with one's achievements that can hinder progress.
Example
His complacency led to a decline in his performance.
C1 noun /ˈmɪm.ɪk/

Mimic

Meaning
A person who copies or imitates the actions, speech, or mannerisms of others
Example
The talented mimic could perfectly imitate famous celebrities.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈsɪvəl/

Uncivil

Meaning
not polite or courteous; rude and discourteous in behavior
Example
His uncivil remarks during the meeting offended everyone present.
C1 noun /ˈʌndərˌstʌdi/

understudy

Meaning
An actor who learns another's role to act as a replacement if needed.
Example
The understudy performed when the lead actor fell ill.
C1 adjective /ˈhæb.ɪ.tə.bəl/

Habitable

Meaning
suitable or good enough to live in
Example
The planet Mars may become habitable in the future.
C1 adjective /əˈvɜːrs/

averse

Meaning
having a strong dislike of or opposition to something
Example
He was averse to taking unnecessary risks.
C1 verb /ɪnˈdʒen.dər/

engender

Meaning
To cause or give rise to a feeling, situation, or condition.
Example
The speech engendered hope among the people.
C1 verb /ˌkɒndɪˈsɛnd/

condescend

Meaning
to behave as if one is superior while being gracious to others
Example
He would not condescend to answer such a trivial question.
C1 noun /pəˈrɛnθəsɪs/

parenthesis

Meaning
A pair of curved marks ( ) used to enclose words or numbers; also an interruption or digression in speech or writing.
Example
The explanation was given in a parenthesis within the text.
C1 adjective ˌɪn.təˈdɪs.ɪ.plɪ.nər.i

interdisciplinary

Meaning
Relating to more than one branch of knowledge.
Example
The interdisciplinary approach in education enhances problem-solving skills.
C1 noun ˌes.kəˈleɪ.ʃən

escalation

Meaning
A rapid increase; a rise.
Example
The escalation of production costs impacts profitability.
C1 noun /ˈvɜːrtɛks/

vertex

Meaning
The highest point; the top or the apex.
Example
The climber reached the vertex of the mountain.
C1 verb /səbˈsaɪd/

subside

Meaning
to become less intense, violent, or severe; to sink or fall to a lower level
Example
After the storm, the floodwaters began to subside.
C1 noun /ˈpɛdɪɡriː/

pedigree

Meaning
the recorded ancestry or lineage of a person, family, or animal; the history or origin of something
Example
The dog has a pedigree that traces back several generations.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈsɒlvənt/

insolvent

Meaning
unable to pay debts owed
Example
The insolvent firm could not meet its financial obligations.
C1 adjective /daɪər/

Dire

Meaning
extremely serious; urgent; terrible
Example
The country is facing a dire economic crisis.
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 ɪnˌɛv.ɪ.təˈbɪl.ɪ.ti

inevitability

Meaning
The quality of being certain to happen and impossible to avoid or prevent.
Example
The inevitability of change is a part of life.
C1 noun /ˈnɒs.trɪl/

Nostril

Meaning
either of the two openings in the nose through which air passes
Example
The doctor checked each nostril for any blockage.
C1 adjective ɪnˈsaɪ.sɪv

incisive

Meaning
Intelligently analytical and clear-thinking; showing clear thought and good understanding of what is important.
Example
His incisive comments revealed the core issues.
C1 noun/verb /tæk/

tack

Meaning
a small sharp nail; or to change direction in sailing or approach something differently
Example
She used a tack to pin the paper on the wall.
C1 noun /ˈdɪɡnɪˌtɛri/

dignitary

Meaning
a person considered to be important because of high rank or office
Example
Several foreign dignitaries attended the state banquet.
C1 noun ˌrɛk.əˈlɛk.ʃən

Recollection

Meaning
Remembering past events or information
Example
His recollection of childhood memories was vivid.
C1 verb /ɪmˈploʊd/

implode

Meaning
To collapse or burst inward violently.
Example
The old building imploded during the demolition.
C1 adjective /ˈpɛndənt/

pendent

Meaning
hanging down or suspended
Example
The pendent branches touched the ground.
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 verb /dɪˈluːd/

delude

Meaning
To mislead someone into believing something that is not true.
Example
He deluded himself into thinking he could win the race without training.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈtræk.tə.bəl/

intractable

Meaning
Difficult or impossible to manage, control, or solve.
Example
The conflict has become an intractable problem.
C1 adjective /ˈrɛtɪsənt/

reticent

Meaning
not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily; reserved
Example
She was reticent about her personal life.
C1 verb /mɔːl/

maul

Meaning
To wound or injure someone by scratching or tearing; to handle roughly.
Example
The bear mauled the camper in the forest.
C1 noun/adjective /ˈmɪstɪk/

mystic

Meaning
relating to mysteries, spirituality, or hidden truths; a person who seeks spiritual insight
Example
The mystic devoted his life to meditation and spiritual discovery.
C1 adjective /məˈkɑː.brə/

Macabre

Meaning
disturbing because concerned with death; gruesome and horrifying
Example
The horror movie had a macabre atmosphere.
C1 noun /ˈkʌn.stə.bəl/

constable

Meaning
a police officer of the lowest rank
Example
The constable directed traffic at the busy intersection.
C1 verb /məˈlɛst/

molest

Meaning
to assault or abuse someone, especially in a sexual or physical way
Example
The criminal was arrested for attempting to molest a child.
C1 noun /ˈmeɪ.triˌɑːrk/

matriarch

Meaning
A woman who is the head of a family or community.
Example
The matriarch of the family made all important decisions.
C1 noun dʒuːˈdɪʃ.ər.i

judiciary

Meaning
The judicial authorities of a country; the system of courts that interprets and applies the law.
Example
The judiciary ensures the rule of law.
C1 noun /ˌpæl.pɪˈteɪ.ʃən/

Palpitation

Meaning
a noticeably rapid, strong, or irregular heartbeat due to agitation or medical condition
Example
She experienced palpitations before her job interview.
C1 noun ˈhɪn.drəns

hindrance

Meaning
Something that creates difficulties or delays in progress.
Example
Lack of funds was a major hindrance to the project.
C1 verb /sleɪ/

slay

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

atheism

Meaning
The belief that there is no God or gods.
Example
He declared his atheism openly despite social pressure.
C1 noun /ˈʌndərˌteɪkər/

undertaker

Meaning
A person whose job is to prepare the dead for burial and arrange funerals.
Example
The undertaker prepared the body for the funeral service.
C1 noun /fiːnd/

fiend

Meaning
an evil spirit or demon; a wicked or cruel person; someone obsessed with a particular thing
Example
He is a real fiend when it comes to solving puzzles.
C1 noun /ˈmeɪhɛm/

mayhem

Meaning
Violent or extreme disorder; chaos and destruction.
Example
The protest turned into mayhem when the crowd clashed with the police.