Unilateral
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C1 adjective /ˌjuːnɪˈlætərəl/

Unilateral

Meaning
one-sided; involving only one party
Example
The country made a unilateral decision to withdraw from the treaty.
C1 noun ˌdiːˌrɛɡ.jʊˈleɪ.ʃən

deregulation

Meaning
The removal or reduction of government regulations in an economic sector.
Example
Deregulation has increased competition in the telecommunications sector.
C1 noun /ɪˈmiːdiəsi/

immediacy

Meaning
The quality of bringing one into direct and instant involvement with something, giving rise to a sense of urgency or excitement.
Example
The immediacy of digital communication has reshaped business operations.
C1 verb /kəˈluːd/

collude

Meaning
To secretly cooperate or conspire with others, often for a deceitful purpose.
Example
The two companies colluded to fix prices in the market.
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 /kwɪər/

Queer

Meaning
strange; unusual; peculiar; odd
Example
The old house had a queer atmosphere that made visitors uncomfortable.
C1 adjective/verb /ˈprɒstreɪt/

prostrate

Meaning
lying stretched out on the ground with one's face downward, often as a sign of submission or exhaustion
Example
He lay prostrate on the ground after the long battle.
C1 noun /ˈpɛdlər/

peddler

Meaning
a person who sells goods, often traveling from place to place
Example
The peddler walked through the village selling fresh fruits.
C1 noun /ˈθʌroʊˌbrɛd/

thoroughbred

Meaning
a horse of pure and recognized breed; a person of good breeding or education
Example
The jockey rode a fast thoroughbred in the race.
C1 noun /ɪmˈpɜːrtɪnəns/

impertinence

Meaning
lack of respect; rudeness
Example
The teacher was shocked by the student's impertinence.
C1 noun /ˈɪŋ.krə.mənt/

Increment

Meaning
an increase or addition, especially one of a series on a fixed scale; a regular increase in salary
Example
He received an annual increment of five percent in his salary this year.
C1 verb /əbˈsɛs/

obsess

Meaning
To preoccupy or fill the mind of someone continually and to an excessive degree.
Example
She tends to obsess over small details.
C1 adjective /ɪˈstiːmd/

Esteemed

Meaning
respected and admired; held in high regard
Example
He is an esteemed professor at the university.
C1 adjective /ˈɜːrstwaɪl/

erstwhile

Meaning
former or in the past
Example
They were erstwhile friends but no longer speak.
C1 adjective ˌdet.rɪˈmen.təl

detrimental

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

deflation

Meaning
Reduction of the general level of prices in an economy.
Example
Deflation often leads to decreased consumer spending.
C1 noun /ˈkeɪ.sɪŋ/

Casing

Meaning
a cover or shell that protects or encloses something
Example
The mechanic removed the engine casing to examine the internal parts.
C1 adjective /ˈnɔɪz.ləs/

Noiseless

Meaning
making no sound; completely silent
Example
She moved through the house in noiseless steps so as not to wake the baby.
C1 noun /ˈbaɪ.lɔː/

by-law

Meaning
A rule made by a company, organization, or local authority to control the actions of its members.
Example
The city council passed a new by-law regulating street vendors.
C1 verb /taʊt/

tout

Meaning
to promote, praise, or advertise aggressively
Example
The company touted its new product as a game-changer.
C1 noun /ˈpeɪθɒs/

pathos

Meaning
a quality in speech, writing, or events that evokes pity or deep emotion
Example
The documentary balanced pathos with hope, making the audience both weep and think.
C1 adjective /ˌsuː.pəˈsɒn.ɪk/

Supersonic

Meaning
faster than the speed of sound; relating to speeds greater than the speed of sound
Example
The supersonic jet broke the sound barrier.
C1 adjective ˈsɒvrɪn

sovereign

Meaning
Possessing supreme or ultimate power; independent.
Example
The sovereign government has control over its currency.
C1 noun /ˈiːkwɪnɒks/

equinox

Meaning
The time or date when day and night are of equal length, occurring twice a year.
Example
The spring equinox marks the beginning of longer days.
C1 verb /bɪˈsiːdʒ/

besiege

Meaning
to surround a place with armed forces to capture it; to overwhelm with requests or attention
Example
The city was besieged by enemy troops.
C1 verb /prəˈkjʊər/

procure

Meaning
to obtain something, especially with effort or difficulty
Example
They managed to procure enough supplies for the expedition.
C1 noun /səˈbætɪkəl/

sabbatical

Meaning
A period of paid leave granted to a teacher or worker for study or travel, traditionally every seventh year.
Example
She took a sabbatical to research her new book.
C1 noun /ɪˈleɪʃən/

elation

Meaning
A feeling of great happiness and excitement.
Example
His elation was evident after winning the championship.
C1 verb /ˈsaɪdˌstɛp/

sidestep

Meaning
To avoid something by stepping aside; to evade a problem or question indirectly.
Example
The politician tried to sidestep the difficult question.
C1 noun ˈɪm.pɪ.təs

impetus

Meaning
The force or motivation that drives something forward; momentum.
Example
The new policy provided an impetus for economic growth.
C1 adjective /θiːˈmætɪk/

thematic

Meaning
Relating to or based on a theme.
Example
The book is organized into thematic chapters.
C1 adjective /ˈkæn.dɪd/

Candid

Meaning
truthful and straightforward; frank and honest in expression
Example
I appreciate your candid opinion about the project.
C1 /splɪnt/

splint

Meaning
A rigid device used to support and immobilize a broken or injured body part.
Example
The doctor applied a splint to stabilize the patient's broken arm.
C1 verb /proʊˈtruːd/

protrude

Meaning
To stick out or extend beyond a surface.
Example
A nail was protruding from the wooden board.
C1 noun ˌɪn.fɪlˈtreɪ.ʃən

infiltration

Meaning
The process of entering or gaining access to an organization or place surreptitiously.
Example
Cybersecurity prevents infiltration into sensitive data.
C1 noun /ˈpleɪn.tɪf/

Plaintiff

Meaning
a person who brings a case against another in a court of law; the person who initiates a lawsuit
Example
The plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the company.
C1 adverb /pɜːr ˈseɪ/

per se

Meaning
By or in itself; intrinsically.
Example
The idea is not bad per se, but it needs improvement.
C1 verb /məˈnuː.vər/

manoeuver

Meaning
To move skillfully or carefully; to guide or manipulate into a desired position.
Example
The driver skillfully manoeuvered the car through the narrow street.
C1 noun /ˈælkoʊv/

alcove

Meaning
A small recessed section of a room or a nook.
Example
She placed a reading chair in the alcove near the window.
C1 adjective /ˈfiːbl/

feeble

Meaning
lacking physical strength or vigor; weak
Example
After the illness, she felt too feeble to stand.
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 /ˌkæm.əˈrɑː.dɚ.i/

camaraderie

Meaning
Mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together.
Example
The camaraderie among teammates was inspiring.
C1 verb /əˈbeɪt/

abate

Meaning
to become less intense or widespread
Example
The storm began to abate after midnight.
C1 adjective /ˈkɔːrəl/

choral

Meaning
Relating to, written for, or performed by a choir or chorus.
Example
The church hosted a choral performance on Sunday.
C1 noun /prəˈpɛlər/

propeller

Meaning
A mechanical device with blades that rotates to drive a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle forward.
Example
The airplane’s propeller cut through the air with great speed.
C1 noun /ˈlɛktən/

lectern

Meaning
A tall stand with a sloping top used to support a book, notes, or script during a speech or lecture.
Example
The professor placed her notes on the lectern before starting her lecture.
C1 noun /oʊˈveɪʃən/

ovation

Meaning
an enthusiastic show of approval, especially by clapping hands
Example
The actor received a standing ovation after his performance.
C1 verb /ˈɒfsɛt/

offset

Meaning
To counterbalance or compensate for something.
Example
The company's losses were offset by gains in other departments.
C1 noun /ˈmaɪkrəʊˌklaɪmæt/

microclimate

Meaning
The climate of a small, specific area that may differ from the general climate of the surrounding region, often influenced by local factors like terrain, vegetation, or buildings.
Example
A microclimate can have a significant impact on plant growth.
C1 adjective /ˈhær.oʊ.ɪŋ/

harrowing

Meaning
extremely distressing or upsetting
Example
It was a harrowing experience to witness the accident.
C1 adjective /ˈrʌɡ.ɪd/

Rugged

Meaning
rough and uneven; having a rough irregular surface; tough and strong
Example
The hikers crossed the rugged mountain terrain.
C1 noun /ɪnˈkɜːrʒən/

incursion

Meaning
A sudden attack or invasion into a place or territory.
Example
The army repelled the enemy incursion at the border.
C1 adjective ˌmiː.ti.ər.əˈlɒdʒ.ɪ.kəl

meteorological

Meaning
Relating to weather conditions and atmospheric phenomena.
Example
Meteorological conditions affect farming cycles.
C1 adjective ˈfjuː.taɪl

futile

Meaning
Incapable of producing any useful result; pointless.
Example
His attempts to change the situation were futile.
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 /kənˈteɪ.dʒəs/

Contagious

Meaning
likely to spread to and affect others; infectious
Example
Her laughter is contagious and makes everyone smile.
C1 adjective /ˈhɛlθfəl/

healthful

Meaning
Promoting good health; beneficial to health.
Example
A healthful diet includes fresh fruits and vegetables.
C1 verb /mæʃ/

mash

Meaning
to crush or mix food into a soft mass, usually by pressing or beating
Example
She mashed the potatoes before serving dinner.
C1 noun /rʌk/

Ruck

Meaning
a situation where a crowd of people are pushing against each other; a disorderly crowd
Example
There was a ruck at the football match.
C1 verb /əˈdʒuːdɪˌkeɪt/

adjudicate

Meaning
to make a formal judgment or decision about a problem or dispute
Example
The committee was formed to adjudicate disputes between the parties.
C1 adjective /ˈtɛmpərd/

tempered

Meaning
having a specified temper or disposition; strengthened or moderated.
Example
She gave a tempered response to the criticism.
C1 noun /ɪkˈstrɛmɪti/

extremity

Meaning
The farthest point or limit of something; a severe or extreme condition.
Example
He was pushed to the extremity of his patience.
C1 noun /juːˈfɔː.ri.ə/

euphoria

Meaning
A feeling or state of intense excitement and happiness; elation.
Example
Winning the championship brought a sense of euphoria.
C1 noun /ˈsuːdənɪm/

pseudonym

Meaning
a fictitious name used by an author instead of their real name
Example
Mark Twain was the pseudonym of Samuel Clemens.
C1 noun /əˈtoʊnmənt/

atonement

Meaning
the act of making amends for a wrong, sin, or injury
Example
The festival was celebrated as a day of atonement.
C1 adjective /ˌpæθəˈdʒɛnɪk/

pathogenic

Meaning
Capable of causing disease.
Example
Some bacteria are harmless, while others are highly pathogenic.
C1 noun /ˌsɛrənˈdɪpɪti/

serendipity

Meaning
The occurrence of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.
Example
Finding that old photo album was pure serendipity.
C1 adjective /məˈtɪk.jə.ləs/

meticulous

Meaning
Extremely careful and precise in attention to detail
Example
A meticulous researcher checks every detail before publishing.
C1 verb /strʌt/

strut

Meaning
to walk with a stiff, proud, and confident gait, often to show off
Example
He strutted across the stage after winning the award.
C1 noun /ɪmˈpɜː.mə.nəns/

impermanence

Meaning
The state or fact of lasting for only a limited period of time.
Example
The philosophy of Buddhism emphasizes the impermanence of life.
C1 noun /ˌdɒmɪˈneɪʃən/

domination

Meaning
the exercise of control or influence over someone or something
Example
The empire sought domination over its neighbors.
C1 verb /əˈtjuːn/

attune

Meaning
to make someone or something aware of or responsive to something; to adjust or harmonize
Example
She quickly attuned herself to the needs of her new team.
C1 noun /səˈlaɪ.və/

Saliva

Meaning
the watery liquid secreted into the mouth by glands
Example
The dentist asked her to rinse the saliva from her mouth.
C1 adjective /ɪkˈstɛnjueɪtɪŋ/

extenuating

Meaning
serving to make a fault or an offense seem less serious
Example
She asked for leniency due to extenuating circumstances.
C1 noun /ˈhɔːr.nət/

Hornet

Meaning
a large wasp that can sting and is often aggressive
Example
The hornet built its nest under the roof.
C1 noun /ˈbærɪstər/

barrister

Meaning
A type of lawyer in certain legal systems who specializes in courtroom advocacy and litigation.
Example
The barrister argued the case passionately before the judge.
C1 adjective /ˌɪrɪˈvɜːrsəbl/

irreversible

Meaning
Not able to be undone, changed, or reversed.
Example
The damage caused by the fire was irreversible.
C1 noun əˈɡrɛriən səˈsaɪətiz

agrarian societies

Meaning
Societies based on agriculture and farming as the primary economic activity.
Example
Agrarian societies emerged from a need for stable food sources.
C1 noun /ˌəʊvərɪksˌplɔɪˈteɪʃən/

overexploitation

Meaning
The unsustainable use of natural resources at a rate that exceeds their ability to regenerate, leading to depletion and environmental degradation.
Example
Overexploitation of natural resources leads to environmental degradation.
C1 noun /ɡræft/

Graft

Meaning
a shoot or twig inserted into a slit on the trunk of a living tree to form a new growth; corruption in politics or business
Example
The gardener used a graft to combine different varieties of apple trees.
C1 noun sɜːrˈkeɪdiən ˈrɪðəm

circadian rhythm

Meaning
The body's natural sleep-wake cycle that occurs within 24 hours
Example
Exposure to natural light regulates the circadian rhythm.
C1 adjective /ˈsɛm.ɪ.nəl/

seminal

Meaning
Strongly influencing later developments; highly original and influential.
Example
His seminal book changed the course of modern philosophy.
C1 noun /ˈpɜːrɡəˌtɔːri/

purgatory

Meaning
A place or state of suffering inhabited by the souls of sinners who are expiating their sins before going to heaven; a temporary condition of torment or suffering.
Example
After the accident, the long recovery felt like a kind of purgatory.
C1 adjective /ˈɡæst.li/

ghastly

Meaning
Causing great horror or fear; very unpleasant.
Example
The crime scene was a ghastly sight.
C1 adjective /əˈnæl.ə.ɡəs/

analogous

Meaning
Comparable in certain respects, typically in a way that makes clearer the nature of things being compared.
Example
The human brain is analogous to a supercomputer.
C1 adjective /skænt/

Scant

Meaning
barely sufficient; inadequate; small in amount
Example
There was scant evidence to support his claim.
C1 adjective /ˈfrɪvələs/

frivolous

Meaning
Not having any serious purpose or value; silly or unimportant.
Example
She dismissed the frivolous complaint quickly.
C1 adjective /ˈspjʊəriəs/

spurious

Meaning
Not genuine, authentic, or true; false or fake.
Example
The report was based on spurious claims.
C1 verb /ˈrʌf.l̩/

ruffle

Meaning
to disturb the smoothness of something; to annoy or upset someone
Example
The wind ruffled her hair.
C1 noun /bʌm/

bum

Meaning
informal term for the buttocks; also a homeless or lazy person
Example
He sat on his bum all day doing nothing.
C1 noun /ˈkɒz.moʊs/

Cosmos

Meaning
a colorful annual flower with daisy-like blooms and feathery foliage
Example
The cosmos flowers swayed gently in the summer breeze across the meadow.
C1 noun /ˈplez.ən.tri/

Pleasantry

Meaning
a remark made in order to be polite or friendly; light conversation or jokes
Example
They exchanged pleasantries before the meeting began.
C1 adjective /ˈpɔɪ.njənt/

poignant

Meaning
evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret; deeply touching
Example
The movie's ending was so poignant that many in the audience were moved to tears.
C1 noun /foʊ/

foe

Meaning
an enemy or opponent
Example
The knight fought bravely against his foe.
C1 noun ˌdjʊə.rəˈbɪl.ə.ti

durability

Meaning
The ability to withstand wear, pressure, or damage; hard-wearing.
Example
The durability of materials affects performance.
C1 adjective /ˈtɔːrtʃərəs/

torturous

Meaning
Extremely painful or causing great suffering; relating to or involving torture.
Example
The journey through the desert was long and torturous.
C1 noun /ˈstɪɡmə/

stigma

Meaning
a mark of shame or disgrace associated with a particular circumstance or quality
Example
There is still a stigma around mental health issues in many societies.
C1 verb /fret/

fret

Meaning
to worry or be anxious; to be troubled
Example
Don't fret about the exam results.
C1 adjective /ˈpiːvɪʃ/

peevish

Meaning
Easily irritated, especially by unimportant things.
Example
The child grew peevish when denied candy.
C1 noun /krɛst/

crest

Meaning
the top of a hill, wave, or mountain; a symbol of identity
Example
The hikers reached the crest of the mountain at sunrise.
C1 adjective /dræb/

drab

Meaning
Dull, lacking brightness or interest; monotonous.
Example
The room looked drab with its gray walls and dim lighting.
C1 adjective /ˌeɪˈmɔːrəl/

amoral

Meaning
Lacking a moral sense; unconcerned with rightness or wrongness of something.
Example
The character in the novel was portrayed as completely amoral.
C1 verb /dɪsˈkleɪm/

disclaim

Meaning
to deny responsibility or connection with something
Example
The company disclaimed responsibility for the accident.
C1 noun /ˈloʊ.kəst/

Locust

Meaning
a large insect that flies in groups and eats crops
Example
The locusts destroyed the entire wheat field.
C1 adjective /æmˈbɪvələnt/

ambivalent

Meaning
Having mixed or contradictory feelings about something or someone.
Example
She was ambivalent about accepting the new job offer.
C1 noun /bəˈrɑːʒ/

barrage

Meaning
a concentrated outpouring of questions, criticisms, or blows; a rapid, continuous attack
Example
The politician faced a barrage of tough questions from reporters.
C1 noun /naɪˈiːvteɪ/

naivete

Meaning
The quality of being naive; lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment.
Example
His naivete made him an easy target for manipulation.
C1 adjective /dɪˈʃɛvəld/

disheveled

Meaning
Untidy, messy, or in disorder, especially of hair or clothing.
Example
He arrived with disheveled hair and wrinkled clothes.
C1 adjective/verb /ˈleɪ.bərd/

labored

Meaning
done with great effort and difficulty; or past tense of labor
Example
He gave a labored explanation that confused the audience.
C1 noun /tɑːrˈpɔːlɪn/

tarpaulin

Meaning
A large sheet of strong, flexible, water-resistant material used for covering or protecting things.
Example
The workers used a tarpaulin to cover the construction materials from rain.
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 /ʃruːd/

Shrewd

Meaning
having or showing sharp powers of judgment; astute
Example
The shrewd businessman made a profitable deal in the competitive market.
C1 adjective /prəˈlɪf.ɪk/

prolific

Meaning
Present in large numbers or quantities; plentiful; producing many works, results, or offspring.
Example
The author is prolific, having written over 30 books.
C1 adjective /ˈfɑːð.ər.ləs/

fatherless

Meaning
without a father
Example
The fatherless child relied on the support of his community.
C1 noun /əˌtɜːni ˈdʒɛnərəl/

attorney-general

Meaning
The chief legal officer of a state or country.
Example
The attorney-general announced new reforms to strengthen justice.
C1 adjective ɪn ˈfleɪ.ʃə.ner.i

inflationary

Meaning
Characterized by or tending to cause monetary inflation; relating to rising prices.
Example
The government took measures to control inflationary pressures.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnkənˈkluːsɪv/

inconclusive

Meaning
Not leading to a definite result or decision.
Example
The investigation remained inconclusive due to a lack of evidence.
C1 adjective /ˈbloʊtɪd/

bloated

Meaning
swollen or puffed up, often unpleasantly
Example
After the big meal, he felt bloated and uncomfortable.
C1 noun /rɪˈspɒnsɪvnəs/

responsiveness

Meaning
The quality of reacting quickly and positively
Example
The manager appreciated her responsiveness to customer feedback.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈpɛtʃ.u.əs/

impetuous

Meaning
Acting or done quickly and without thought or care; impulsive.
Example
His impetuous decision led to unexpected consequences.
C1 noun /ˌkɒnfɪˈdɑːnt/

confidante

Meaning
A woman with whom one shares a secret or private matter, trusting her not to repeat it.
Example
The queen’s maid became her most trusted confidante.