teem
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C1 verb /tiːm/

teem

Meaning
to be full of or swarming with
Example
The forest teems with wildlife.
C1 adjective /ˌɒstɛnˈteɪʃəs/

ostentatious

Meaning
Characterized by a showy or pretentious display intended to impress others.
Example
He wore an ostentatious gold chain to the party.
C1 adjective /ˈflæɡɪŋ/

flagging

Meaning
becoming tired, weaker, or less enthusiastic
Example
After hours of work, his energy was flagging.
C1 verb /ˈtɛðər/

tether

Meaning
To tie an animal with a rope or chain so it cannot move far.
Example
The farmer tethered the goat to a post.
C1 adjective /ˈkɒɡ.nɪ.zənt/

cognizant

Meaning
Having knowledge or being aware of something.
Example
He was cognizant of the risks before starting the project.
C1 adjective /ˈreɪdiənt/

radiant

Meaning
Shining brightly; expressing great happiness.
Example
She looked radiant in her wedding dress.
C1 adjective /ˈbækˌhændɪd/

backhanded

Meaning
Indirect or sarcastic, often appearing as praise but actually insulting.
Example
She gave him a backhanded compliment about his work.
C1 noun /kəˈmændər ɪn tʃiːf/

Commander-in-chief

Meaning
the supreme leader of a nation's armed forces
Example
The president serves as the commander-in-chief of the military.
C1 noun /krʌst/

crust

Meaning
the hard outer surface of something, especially bread or the Earth's outer layer
Example
He cut off the crust of the bread before eating.
C1 verb /ɪɡˈnaɪt/

ignite

Meaning
To catch fire or cause to catch fire; to start or arouse.
Example
The sparks ignited the dry leaves in seconds.
C1 noun /pɒˈstɛrɪti/

posterity

Meaning
All future generations of people.
Example
The monument was built for the benefit of posterity.
C1 noun /ˈprəʊ.lɒɡ/

prologue

Meaning
an introduction to a book, play, or event
Example
The novel begins with a short prologue set in the past.
C1 adjective ˌsɪmbɪˈɒtɪk

symbiotic

Meaning
Involving interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association.
Example
The relationship between the bee and the flower is symbiotic.
C1 verb /ˌdɪsˈmaʊnt/

dismount

Meaning
to get off or down from something, especially a horse, bicycle, or motorcycle
Example
The rider dismounted from the horse after a long journey.
C1 noun /ˌɪnsɪɡˈnɪfɪkəns/

insignificance

Meaning
The quality of being unimportant or trivial.
Example
He felt a sense of insignificance in the vast universe.
C1 adjective /ˈpɪθ.i/

pithy

Meaning
concise and meaningful; full of substance
Example
She gave a pithy comment that summarized the issue perfectly.
C1 noun /væt/

vat

Meaning
A large container used for holding liquids such as dye or wine.
Example
The workers filled the vat with freshly pressed grape juice.
C1 adjective /ˌser.ɪˈmoʊ.ni.əl/

Ceremonial

Meaning
relating to or used in ceremonies; formal and ritualistic
Example
The ceremonial dress was worn during the royal wedding.
C1 noun /kliːk/

clique

Meaning
a small, exclusive group of people
Example
The students formed a clique that excluded others.
C1 noun /ɪnˈfɜːrnoʊ/

inferno

Meaning
a large, intense fire that is dangerously out of control
Example
The building turned into an inferno within minutes.
C1 noun /ˈænəɡræm/

anagram

Meaning
A word or phrase formed by rearranging the letters of another word or phrase.
Example
The word 'listen' is an anagram of 'silent'.
C1 verb/noun /ˈkrɒn.ɪ.kəl/

chronicle

Meaning
To record events in the order in which they happened; a written record of historical events.
Example
She decided to chronicle her journey through a blog.
C1 noun /ˈsɜːrəɡət/

surrogate

Meaning
A substitute, especially a person deputizing for another in a specific role or office.
Example
The surrogate mother gave birth to the child after carrying it for nine months.
C1 adverb /ˌðɛrəˈbaʊt/

thereabout

Meaning
Approximately or around that place, amount, or time.
Example
The repairs will cost five hundred dollars or thereabout.
C1 noun /ˈrɛtʃɪdnəs/

wretchedness

Meaning
a state of misery, unhappiness, or poor condition
Example
The novel depicts the wretchedness of war victims.
C1 noun /ˈdʊr.i.ən/

Durian

Meaning
a large spiky tropical fruit known for its strong smell and creamy custard-like flesh
Example
Durian is known as the king of fruits in Southeast Asia despite its pungent odor.
C1 adjective /kənˈdʒenɪtl/

congenital

Meaning
existing from birth, usually describing a disease or condition
Example
The child was born with a congenital heart defect.
C1 noun /ˈæbət/

abbot

Meaning
The head of a monastery for monks.
Example
The abbot welcomed the visitors to the monastery.
C1 adjective /ˌloʊ ˈspɪrɪtɪd/

low-spirited

Meaning
feeling sad, depressed, or lacking enthusiasm
Example
He felt low-spirited after hearing the bad news.
C1 noun /ˈzoʊdiæk/

Zodiac

Meaning
a belt of the heavens within which lie the paths of the sun, moon, and planets; the twelve astrological signs
Example
What is your zodiac sign?
C1 adjective /ɪkˈsplɔɪtətɪv/

exploitative

Meaning
making use of a situation or people unfairly and unethically for one's own advantage
Example
The workers protested against the exploitative practices of the factory.
C1 verb, noun /ˈbrɪsəl/

bristle

Meaning
to react angrily or defensively; a short stiff hair or fiber
Example
The cat bristled when it saw the dog.
C1 verb /ˈfɜːr.tɪ.laɪz/

fertilize

Meaning
to make soil or land more fertile by adding substances
Example
Farmers fertilize the fields to increase crop yield.
C1 adjective /ɪˈmɜːrdʒənt/

emergent

Meaning
just coming into existence or becoming prominent
Example
The emergent startup quickly attracted investors.
C1 noun /əˈtrɑːsəti/

atrocity

Meaning
an extremely cruel or violent act, often involving physical violence
Example
The world condemned the atrocity committed against civilians.
C1 noun /ˈpɛntəɡən/

pentagon

Meaning
A plane figure with five straight sides and five angles; also refers to the US Department of Defense building.
Example
The Pentagon is one of the most iconic government buildings in the United States.
C1 verb /ˈæmpjʊteɪt/

amputate

Meaning
to cut off a limb from the body by surgery
Example
The doctors had to amputate his leg after the accident.
C1 noun /ˈɡæmbɪt/

gambit

Meaning
a calculated move or remark intended to gain an advantage, especially in chess or conversation
Example
His opening gambit in the debate caught everyone by surprise.
C1 adjective /ˈɒptɪk/

optic

Meaning
Relating to the eye or vision.
Example
The optic nerve carries signals from the eye to the brain.
C1 noun /ˌpærəfəˈneɪliə/

paraphernalia

Meaning
Miscellaneous articles, especially equipment needed for a particular activity.
Example
The fisherman carried all his fishing paraphernalia in a large box.
C1 adjective /ˈzɛsti/

zesty

Meaning
Having a strong, pleasant, and somewhat spicy flavor; full of energy and enthusiasm.
Example
The dish had a zesty flavor that everyone loved.
C1 noun /ˈsɛntɪˌliːtər/

centiliter

Meaning
A metric unit of capacity equal to one hundredth of a liter.
Example
The recipe calls for 20 centiliters of milk.
C1 noun ˌlaɪ.əˈbɪl.ə.ti

liability

Meaning
The state of being responsible for something, especially by law; a debt or financial obligation.
Example
The company's liabilities exceeded its assets.
C1 verb /ˌriːˈvaɪ.t̬əl.aɪz/

revitalize

Meaning
To restore energy and effectiveness to something.
Example
The new policies aim to revitalize the economy.
C1 noun /ˈtoʊtəm/

totem

Meaning
A natural object, animal, or symbol that is revered as a spiritual emblem by a group or tribe.
Example
The eagle is considered a sacred totem in many cultures.
C1 noun /ˌɒk.sɪ.dʒɪˈneɪ.ʃən/

oxygenation

Meaning
The process of supplying or treating with oxygen.
Example
Deep breathing exercises improve oxygenation of the body.
C1 verb /kwentʃ/

quench

Meaning
to satisfy thirst by drinking; to extinguish fire
Example
He drank water to quench his thirst after the long run.
C1 adverb /ˈæmpli/

amply

Meaning
more than sufficiently; generously
Example
She was amply rewarded for her hard work.
C1 noun /ˈplæn.teɪn ˈflaʊ.ər/

Plantain flower

Meaning
The flower bud of a banana plant, used as a vegetable in cooking
Example
We cooked plantain flower curry for dinner.
C1 noun /ˈdɛdlɒk/

deadlock

Meaning
a situation in which progress is impossible because of disagreement
Example
Negotiations reached a deadlock after neither side agreed to compromise.
C1 verb /ˌrevəˈluːʃənaɪz/

revolutionize

Meaning
Change (something) radically or fundamentally.
Example
Artificial intelligence is set to revolutionize the healthcare sector.
C1 adjective /ˈtɪərfəl/

Tearful

Meaning
expressing or showing sadness and sorrow; inclined to weep
Example
She gave a tearful goodbye to her friends at the airport.
C1 noun /ˈwɔː.tər ˈtʃes.nʌt/

Water Chestnut

Meaning
aquatic plant with edible white crisp tubers
Example
Water chestnuts add a nice crunch to stir-fry dishes.
C1 adjective əsˈtjuːt

astute

Meaning
Having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one's advantage.
Example
His astute observations helped solve the complex problem.
C1 noun /ˈfɔɪeɪr/

foyer

Meaning
An entrance hall or lobby in a building.
Example
The guests waited in the hotel foyer before checking in.
C1 noun, verb /dɪsˈɑːnər/

dishonor

Meaning
a state of shame or loss of respect; to bring shame upon someone or something
Example
The soldier felt he had brought dishonor to his family.
C1 verb /ʌnˈroʊl/

unroll

Meaning
to open something that is rolled up; to spread out gradually
Example
She unrolled the map on the table to find the route.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnrɪˈfaɪnd/

unrefined

Meaning
not processed or purified; lacking polish or sophistication
Example
The unrefined oil must be processed before it can be used as fuel.
C1 verb /hɜːrl/

hurl

Meaning
To throw something with great force.
Example
The boy hurled a stone into the river.
C1 noun /ˈbeɪsbɔːrd/

baseboard

Meaning
A narrow board running along the bottom of an interior wall, covering the joint between wall and floor.
Example
The carpenter painted the baseboard white.
C1 noun /ˈrep.lɪ.kə/

Replica

Meaning
an exact copy or model of something, especially one on a smaller scale
Example
The museum displayed a perfect replica of the ancient statue.
C1 verb /praʊl/

prowl

Meaning
To move around quietly and secretly, especially while hunting or searching.
Example
The cat prowled around the garden at night.
C1 noun ˈælərdʒən

allergen

Meaning
A substance that causes an allergic reaction.
Example
Pollen is a common allergen that affects many people.
C1 noun /brɪˈɡeɪd/

brigade

Meaning
A large group of people organized for a specific purpose, especially a military unit.
Example
The fire brigade arrived quickly to put out the flames.
C1 adjective /ˈɛərˌtaɪt/

airtight

Meaning
Completely sealed so that no air can get in or out.
Example
Store the cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
C1 verb /reɪz/

raze

Meaning
To completely destroy or demolish something, especially a building.
Example
The old factory was razed to make way for new apartments.
C1 adjective /ɪˈræʃənəl/

irrational

Meaning
not logical or reasonable; lacking clear thought
Example
His fear of the dark was completely irrational.
C1 noun /ˈfɒdər/

fodder

Meaning
food for livestock such as cattle, horses, or sheep; also something considered of little value but used to supply a demand
Example
The farmer stored enough fodder for the cattle to last through winter.
C1 adjective /kəmˈplɪsɪt/

complicit

Meaning
involved with others in an illegal activity or wrongdoing
Example
He was found complicit in the crime.
C1 verb /ˌriːˈsiːt/

reseat

Meaning
to seat someone again or to fit something back into its place
Example
The usher had to reseat the guests after the interruption.
C1 noun /krəˈnɒlədʒi/

chronology

Meaning
The arrangement of events or dates in the order of their occurrence.
Example
The chronology of the dynasty was carefully studied by historians.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnˈpɑr.də.nə.bəl/

Unpardonable

Meaning
too bad to be forgiven; inexcusable
Example
His betrayal of trust was an unpardonable offense.
C1 verb /dɪsˈkleɪm/

disclaim

Meaning
to deny responsibility or connection with something
Example
The company disclaimed responsibility for the accident.
C1 adjective /ˌiːvænˈdʒɛlɪkəl/

evangelical

Meaning
Relating to the Christian gospel, especially the teachings that emphasize personal faith and the authority of the Bible.
Example
She grew up in an evangelical church community.
C1 noun /ɪkˈspæns/

expanse

Meaning
a wide, open area of land, sea, or sky
Example
The desert is a vast expanse of sand and rock.
C1 verb /slɪŋ/

sling

Meaning
to throw or hang something roughly or carelessly
Example
He slung his bag over his shoulder before leaving.
C1 noun /ˈkætərækt/

cataract

Meaning
A medical condition causing clouding of the eye's lens; also a large waterfall.
Example
The old man suffered from cataracts in both eyes.
C1 noun /əˈtjuːn.mənt/

attunement

Meaning
Being in harmony or responsive to someone's emotional state.
Example
Attunement to emotions improves relationships.
C1 noun ˌkɒn.əˈteɪ.ʃən

connotation

Meaning
The implied or suggested meaning of a word beyond its literal definition
Example
The word 'home' has a warm connotation of comfort and family.
C1 verb /ˌkɒntrəˈviːn/

contravene

Meaning
to go against or act in opposition to a law, rule, or agreement
Example
He contravened the safety regulations and was fined.
C1 adjective /dɪˈsiːtfəl/

deceitful

Meaning
Deliberately misleading or dishonest.
Example
She gave a deceitful answer to hide the truth.
C1 adjective bəˈnev.əl.ənt

benevolent

Meaning
Kind, generous, showing goodwill and kindness.
Example
His benevolent nature made him beloved.
C1 verb /skrɔːl/

scrawl

Meaning
to write or draw something quickly and carelessly, making it hard to read
Example
He scrawled his signature at the bottom of the page.
C1 adjective /ˈprɒdɪɡəl/

prodigal

Meaning
spending money or resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant
Example
The prodigal son returned home after wasting his inheritance.
C1 noun /ˈtres.pæs.ər/

Trespasser

Meaning
a person who enters someone's property without permission
Example
The security guard caught the trespasser climbing over the fence.
C1 noun /rɪˌtæl.iˈeɪ.ʃən/

Retaliation

Meaning
the action of returning a military attack; counterattack; revenge for an injury or wrong
Example
The country threatened retaliation against any act of aggression.
C1 verb /ˈskʌt.əl/

scuttle

Meaning
To run hurriedly with short, quick steps; or to deliberately sink a ship.
Example
The children scuttled back to their seats when the teacher entered.
C1 noun /krʊk/

crook

Meaning
a dishonest person, especially a criminal
Example
The police finally caught the crook who had been stealing cars.
C1 noun /ˈmɪl.ɪ.tənt/

Militant

Meaning
A person who uses aggressive or violent methods to promote a political or social cause
Example
The militant group demanded immediate political reforms.
C1 noun /ˈkɒndɪmənts/

condiments

Meaning
Seasonings or sauces used to add flavor to food.
Example
Ketchup and mustard are popular condiments for burgers.
C1 noun /trʌsˈtiː/

trustee

Meaning
a person who holds or manages property or assets for the benefit of others
Example
She was appointed as the trustee of the family estate.
C1 adjective /ˈveɪɡrənt/

Vagrant

Meaning
wandering aimlessly; having no settled home
Example
The vagrant man was asking for food near the station.
C1 verb /pɜːrtʃ/

perch

Meaning
To sit or rest on something high or narrow.
Example
The bird perched on the fence.
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 adverb /maɪˈnjuːtli/

Minutely

Meaning
in very small detail; extremely carefully
Example
The detective examined the evidence minutely.
C1 noun /ˈræp.tʃər/

rapture

Meaning
A feeling of intense joy, delight, or ecstasy.
Example
She listened to the music in rapture.
C1 noun /ˈækwɪˌdʌkt/

aqueduct

Meaning
a structure built to carry water over long distances
Example
The Romans built aqueducts to supply water to their cities.
C1 noun/verb /sleɪt/

slate

Meaning
a fine-grained rock used for roofing or writing; to schedule or designate for a task
Example
The meeting is slated for next Monday.
C1 noun /ˈneb.jʊ.lə/

nebula

Meaning
A cloud of gas and dust in outer space, sometimes visible in the night sky.
Example
The Orion Nebula is one of the brightest in the sky.
C1 verb /ˌriːɪnˈsteɪt/

reinstate

Meaning
To restore someone or something to their former position or condition.
Example
The company decided to reinstate the suspended employee.
C1 adjective ˈɑː.dʒu.əs

arduous

Meaning
Involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring.
Example
The trek through the mountains was an arduous journey.
C1 adjective kənˈten.ʃəs

contentious

Meaning
Causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial.
Example
The contentious issue divided global leaders.
C1 verb /slɪŋk/

slink

Meaning
to move quietly and secretly, often to avoid being noticed
Example
The cat slunk into the room without making a sound.
C1 noun /ˈɛksɜːrpt/

excerpt

Meaning
A short portion taken from a text, film, or piece of music.
Example
The teacher read an excerpt from the novel.
C1 noun /ˌvɜːrtʃuˈoʊsoʊ/

virtuoso

Meaning
A person highly skilled in music, art, or another artistic pursuit.
Example
The pianist is a true virtuoso, captivating audiences worldwide.
C1 noun /əbˈzɜːrvətɔːri/

observatory

Meaning
A building equipped for observing astronomical or meteorological events.
Example
The observatory is open to the public on weekends.
C1 adjective /kræs/

crass

Meaning
lacking sensitivity, refinement, or intelligence
Example
His crass remarks offended everyone at the meeting.
C1 noun /ˈrʌfiən/

Ruffian

Meaning
a violent person, especially one involved in crime; a brutal or lawless person
Example
The ruffian threatened the shopkeeper for money.
C1 verb /dɪsˈmæntəl/

dismantle

Meaning
to take apart; to remove or destroy the parts of
Example
Workers will dismantle the old bridge next month.
C1 adjective /ˈvɛnərəbəl/

Venerable

Meaning
deserving respect due to age, wisdom, or character; revered
Example
The venerable professor has taught at the university for fifty years.
C1 adjective ˈluː.sɪd

lucid

Meaning
Clear and easily understandable thoughts or explanations.
Example
His explanation was so lucid that everyone understood it.
C1 verb /ˈteɪpər/

taper

Meaning
To gradually decrease in width, thickness, or intensity.
Example
The road tapers off as it reaches the mountains.
C1 noun /ˈsɛntɪnəl/

sentinel

Meaning
A soldier or guard whose job is to stand and keep watch.
Example
A sentinel stood at the entrance of the camp.
C1 noun /ˌɛksɛnˈtrɪsəti/

eccentricity

Meaning
the quality of being unconventional or slightly strange
Example
His eccentricity made him both admired and misunderstood.
C1 noun/verb /ˈɪmprɪnt/

imprint

Meaning
A mark or impression made by pressure; to establish or fix firmly in someone's mind.
Example
The event left an indelible imprint on the city's history.
C1 adjective ˌdet.rɪˈmen.təl

detrimental

Meaning
Tending to cause harm; damaging or harmful.
Example
Pollution has detrimental effects on fertility.
C1 noun /ˈtwɪstər/

twister

Meaning
A tornado or something that twists; also refers to a challenging tongue twister.
Example
The twister destroyed several houses in the village.
C1 noun /əˈdʒeɪsənsi/

adjacency

Meaning
The state of being next to or adjoining something else.
Example
The adjacency of the two buildings made it easy to connect them.
C1 noun /ˈprɒvɪdəns/

providence

Meaning
the protective care of God or nature as a spiritual power; foresight or prudence
Example
They believed their survival was due to divine providence.
C1 adjective kənˈkɝː.ənt

concurrent

Meaning
Existing, happening, or done at the same time.
Example
The conference had concurrent sessions on various topics.
C1 noun /kəˈluːʒən/

collusion

Meaning
A secret agreement or cooperation, especially for an illegal or dishonest purpose.
Example
There was evidence of collusion between the officials and the contractors.