vilify
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C2 verb /ˈvɪlɪfaɪ/

vilify

Meaning
to speak or write about someone in an abusive or disparaging manner
Example
The politician was vilified in the media for his controversial remarks.
C2 verb /ˈpɔːltər/

palter

Meaning
to act insincerely or deceitfully; to equivocate or lie
Example
He paltered when asked about his involvement in the deal.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈæpt/

Inapt

Meaning
not suitable; inappropriate; unfit
Example
His comment was inapt for the formal meeting.
C2 adjective/adverb /ˌæ.prəˈpoʊ/

apropos

Meaning
Appropriate to the situation; relevant. As an adverb, it means 'with reference to' or 'regarding'.
Example
His comments were not apropos of the discussion.
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 noun /dəˈkɔɪt/

Dacoit

Meaning
a member of an armed gang of robbers; a bandit, especially in India and Myanmar
Example
The village was terrorized by a gang of dacoits who robbed travelers.
C2 adjective /ˈprɒɡnəθəs/

prognathous

Meaning
Having jaws that project forward beyond the rest of the face.
Example
The fossil displayed a distinctly prognathous skull structure.
C2 adjective /ˌmɛtəˈlɜrdʒɪkəl/

metallurgical

Meaning
Relating to metallurgy or the branch of science concerned with the properties of metals and their production.
Example
He studied metallurgical engineering at the university.
C2 verb /ˈlæs.ə.reɪt/

lacerate

Meaning
to tear or cut deeply in the skin or flesh
Example
The broken glass lacerated his hand.
C2 adjective /ˈtæsɪtɜrn/

taciturn

Meaning
reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little
Example
He was a taciturn man who rarely spoke in meetings.
C2 adjective /ˈreə.rɪ.faɪd/

rarefied

Meaning
Of high moral, intellectual, or cultural value; distant from ordinary life.
Example
He works in the rarefied world of classical music.
C2 noun /ˈɪrˌʃɑːt/

earshot

Meaning
the range or distance within which a sound can be heard
Example
The children whispered secrets out of earshot of their parents.
C2 noun /oʊf/

Oaf

Meaning
a clumsy, stupid, or insensitive person
Example
Don't be such an oaf - handle the dishes carefully!
C2 adjective /ˈfrɒlɪksəm/

Frolicsome

Meaning
joyful; playful; merry; cheerful
Example
The frolicsome children laughed and played in the park.
C2 adjective /fækˈtɪʃəs/

factitious

Meaning
artificial or fabricated; not natural or genuine
Example
The excitement in his story seemed factitious and forced.
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 verb /dɪsˈroʊb/

disrobe

Meaning
to remove one's clothes
Example
The monk disrobed before entering the river.
C2 noun /daɪˈɡrɛʃən/

digression

Meaning
A temporary departure from the main subject in speech or writing.
Example
Her story was full of interesting digressions.
C2 verb ɪɡˈzɔːrt

exhort

Meaning
To strongly encourage or urge someone to do something.
Example
The teacher exhorted students to work hard for exams.
C2 noun /ˈhɛfər/

heifer

Meaning
a young cow that has not borne a calf
Example
The farmer raised a heifer for dairy production.
C2 noun/adjective /prɪˈsɪpɪtənt/

precipitant

Meaning
As a noun: a substance that causes a substance to be deposited from a solution; as an adjective: acting hastily or impulsively.
Example
The chemist added a precipitant to the solution to observe the reaction.
C2 adjective /ˌʌltrəˈmɒnteɪn/

ultramontane

Meaning
beyond the mountains, especially referring to support for the Pope over local church authority
Example
The debate highlighted the ultramontane position in church politics.
C2 noun /ˌdɪsɪnklɪˈneɪʃən/

disinclination

Meaning
a lack of willingness or desire to do something
Example
She showed a clear disinclination to join the meeting.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈskruːtəbl̩/

inscrutable

Meaning
impossible to understand or interpret
Example
His inscrutable expression made it hard to know what he was thinking.
C2 adjective /ˈmoʊtaɪl/

motile

Meaning
Capable of movement or locomotion.
Example
Certain bacteria are motile and can swim toward nutrients.
C2 adjective /dɪsˈdʒʌŋktɪv/

disjunctive

Meaning
Serving to separate or divide; expressing a choice between alternatives.
Example
In grammar, 'or' is a disjunctive conjunction.
C2 adjective /ˈsiːmi/

seamy

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

athirst

Meaning
Very eager or desirous for something.
Example
The explorer was athirst for adventure.
C2 verb /ˌmɪs.əˈtrɪb.juːt/

misattribute

Meaning
to incorrectly credit something, such as a work or remark, to the wrong person or source
Example
The quote was misattributed to Shakespeare.
C2 verb /ˌækwiˈɛs/

acquiesce

Meaning
to accept something reluctantly but without protest
Example
She decided to acquiesce to her parents’ wishes.
C2 adjective /prɪˈmɒnɪtəri/ or /ˌpriːməˈnɪtəri/

premonitory

Meaning
giving a warning or prediction about something, especially something unpleasant
Example
He ignored the premonitory signs of illness.
C2 adjective əˈdrɔɪt

adroit

Meaning
clever or skillful in using the hands or mind.
Example
She is adroit at solving complex problems.
C2 noun /ɪmˈbroʊlioʊ/

imbroglio

Meaning
An extremely confused, complicated, or embarrassing situation.
Example
The political imbroglio lasted for months without resolution.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈvaɪələt/

inviolate

Meaning
free from violation, injury, or desecration; kept safe and untouched
Example
The ancient temple remained inviolate for centuries.
C2 noun /ˈɔː.rɪ.fɪs/

orifice

Meaning
an opening or hole, especially in the body or a device
Example
The medicine was applied through a small orifice in the device.
C2 noun /ˈkriːməri/

creamery

Meaning
a place where milk and cream are processed and dairy products are made
Example
The local creamery produces fresh butter and cheese daily.
C2 adjective /ˌɪndɪˈtɜːrmənət/

indeterminate

Meaning
Not exactly known, defined, or established; vague or uncertain.
Example
The project was delayed for an indeterminate amount of time.
C2 noun /ˈdʒaɪər/

gyre

Meaning
A circular or spiral motion or form, especially a giant circular oceanic surface current.
Example
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is trapped in a gyre.
C2 noun /ˈkoʊdə/

coda

Meaning
the concluding passage of a piece of music or a literary work
Example
The novel ends with a reflective coda that ties up the themes.
C2 noun /ˈsʌbtərˌfjuːdʒ/

subterfuge

Meaning
Deceit used to achieve one's goal; a trick or excuse to evade something.
Example
They used subterfuge to avoid paying taxes.
C2 adjective /ˈfuːlˌhɑːrdi/

foolhardy

Meaning
Recklessly bold or rash; taking foolish risks.
Example
It was foolhardy of him to climb the mountain without proper gear.
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 verb /əˈnɔɪnt/

anoint

Meaning
To smear or rub with oil, often as part of a religious ceremony or as a sign of consecration.
Example
The priest anointed the king with holy oil.
C2 noun /ˌræproʊʃˈmɑːn/

rapprochement

Meaning
The establishment or resumption of harmonious relations.
Example
The two countries signed an agreement that marked a new rapprochement.
C2 adjective /ˈnɛðər/

nether

Meaning
situated down or below; lower
Example
They explored the nether regions of the cave.
C2 noun ˌsaɪ.bəˈnet.ɪks

cybernetics

Meaning
The science of communications and automatic control systems in both machines and living things.
Example
Cybernetics plays a crucial role in artificial intelligence.
C2 adjective /ˌɪnkɔːrˈpɔːriəl/

incorporeal

Meaning
lacking a physical body; not composed of matter; intangible
Example
Ghosts are often described as incorporeal beings.
C2 adjective /ˌɪnsəˈprɛsəbl/

insuppressible

Meaning
That cannot be suppressed or restrained.
Example
She had an insuppressible urge to laugh during the ceremony.
C2 noun /ˈdɛvɪltrɪ/

deviltry

Meaning
Cruel or malicious behavior; mischief with an evil aspect.
Example
The villain’s deviltry terrified the townsfolk.
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 /sʌbˈlɪŋɡwəl/

sublingual

Meaning
situated or applied under the tongue
Example
The doctor prescribed a sublingual tablet for faster absorption.
C2 noun ˌkɒdʒɪˈteɪʃən

cogitation

Meaning
The action of thinking deeply about something; contemplation
Example
After much cogitation, he made the final decision.
C2 noun /ˈkɪŋʃɪp/

kingship

Meaning
The position, dignity, or authority of a king.
Example
The king’s advisors often reminded him of the responsibilities of kingship.
C2 noun /hæˈʃiːʃ/

hashish

Meaning
a drug made from the resin of the cannabis plant
Example
The police arrested him for possessing hashish.
C2 noun /ˈdʒɛntaɪl/

gentile

Meaning
A person who is not Jewish
Example
The synagogue welcomed both Jews and Gentiles.
C2 verb /əˈmælɡəmeɪt/

amalgamate

Meaning
to combine or unite to form one organization or structure; to merge
Example
The two companies decided to amalgamate their operations.
C2 noun /ˈflɛdʒlɪŋ/

fledgeling

Meaning
A young bird that has just developed its feathers and is learning to fly; a beginner.
Example
The fledgeling was trying hard to take its first flight.
C2 verb /ˈkælsɪfaɪ/

calcify

Meaning
To harden by deposition of calcium salts; to become rigid or inflexible.
Example
Over time, the tissue began to calcify and lose flexibility.
C2 noun /ɪnˈɛrənsi/

inerrancy

Meaning
the belief or quality of being free from error; absolute correctness
Example
Some religious groups strongly affirm the inerrancy of their sacred texts.
C2 verb /bɪˈhəʊv/

behove

Meaning
British spelling of 'behoove'; to be appropriate or necessary
Example
It would behove the company to listen to its customers.
C2 verb /ˈæmərˌtaɪz/

amortize

Meaning
To gradually reduce or pay off a debt with regular payments.
Example
They plan to amortize the mortgage over 20 years.
C2 adjective /ˈnjuː.ɡə.tɔːr.i/

nugatory

Meaning
Of little or no value; worthless or insignificant.
Example
His efforts were nugatory and did not change the outcome.
C2 noun /brɔːn/

brawn

Meaning
physical strength in contrast to intelligence
Example
He used his brawn to lift the heavy box.
C2 noun ˌpɜː.tɪˈnæs.ɪ.ti

pertinacity

Meaning
Firm determination and persistence in achieving something.
Example
His pertinacity in achieving his goals was inspiring.
C2 adjective /ˈtɔːrʃəs/

tortious

Meaning
Relating to or involving a wrongful act leading to legal liability.
Example
The company was found guilty of tortious interference with contracts.
C2 noun/verb /ˈrɛkəmˌpɛns/

recompense

Meaning
to compensate someone for loss or harm suffered; compensation given for damage or injury
Example
The company offered financial recompense to the injured worker.
C2 adjective /dɪˈsɛnʃənt/

dissentient

Meaning
Expressing or holding opinions that are opposed to the majority or official view.
Example
Only a few dissentient voices were heard during the debate.
C2 noun /ˈskæb.ərd/

scabbard

Meaning
A sheath for the blade of a sword or dagger, typically made of leather or metal.
Example
The knight drew his sword from the scabbard.
C2 adjective /ˈbʌksəm/

buxom

Meaning
Plump, with a full figure and often large-breasted, especially used to describe women.
Example
The actress was described as a cheerful and buxom woman.
C2 noun /ˌpɒl.iˈsɪl.ə.bəl/

polysyllable

Meaning
a word with more than one syllable
Example
The word 'elephant' is a polysyllable because it has three syllables.
C2 noun /bɒmˈbeɪ dʌk/

Bombay duck

Meaning
a type of lizardfish found in coastal waters, commonly eaten dried and salted in South Asia
Example
Bombay duck is a popular delicacy when dried and fried.
C2 noun /juːˌtrɑː.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/

eutrophication

Meaning
Excessive richness of nutrients in a lake or other body of water, frequently due to runoff from the land, which causes a dense growth of plant life and death of animal life from lack of oxygen.
Example
Excess fertilizers lead to eutrophication in lakes.
C2 noun /əˈsɛt.ɪˌsɪz.əm/

asceticism

Meaning
The practice of severe self-discipline and abstaining from indulgence, typically for religious or spiritual reasons.
Example
Asceticism has been a part of many religious traditions throughout history.
C2 noun əˌmæl.ɡəˈmeɪ.ʃən

amalgamation

Meaning
The action, process, or result of combining or uniting.
Example
The amalgamation of AI and big data is transforming industries.
C2 noun /ˈhʌk.stər/

huckster

Meaning
A person who sells small items aggressively, often in a showy or dishonest way.
Example
The huckster loudly promoted his goods in the busy marketplace.
C2 noun /ˌhaɪdroʊməˈkænɪks/

hydromechanics

Meaning
The study of the mechanical properties and behavior of fluids in motion and at rest.
Example
Hydromechanics provides the foundation for naval architecture.
C2 noun /ˈsɪniæst/

cineast

Meaning
A film enthusiast or filmmaker; a person deeply interested in cinema.
Example
As a true cineast, she spends most weekends watching classic films.
C2 noun /blæk ˈkɑːr.də.məm/

Black Cardamom

Meaning
a large aromatic spice pod with a smoky flavor, commonly used in Indian and Middle Eastern cooking
Example
Add black cardamom to the curry for a rich, smoky flavor.
C2 adjective /ˈæprəbəˌtɔːri/

approbatory

Meaning
expressing approval or praise
Example
The teacher gave an approbatory nod after reading the essay.
C2 verb /ˌpriːɪɡˈzɪst/

preexist

Meaning
to exist beforehand or before something else
Example
These customs preexist the arrival of modern technology.
C2 adjective /ˈdɛdˌpæn/

deadpan

Meaning
Deliberately impassive or expressionless in manner.
Example
She delivered the joke in a completely deadpan voice.
C2 verb /ˈæktʃueɪt/

actuate

Meaning
to put into action or motion; to motivate or activate
Example
The engineer actuated the machine with a simple switch.
C2 noun /ˈklaɪ.mɪŋ læŋ læŋ/

Climbing lang lang

Meaning
a climbing plant with fragrant flowers native to tropical regions
Example
The climbing lang lang vine produces beautiful fragrant flowers.
C2 adjective ˌvɪz.ju.oʊˈspeɪ.ʃəl

visuospatial

Meaning
Related to understanding the relationship between space and objects through vision.
Example
Good visuospatial skills are important for architecture and design.
C2 adjective /ˈleɪ.baɪl/ or /ˈlæb.aɪl/

labile

Meaning
easily altered or unstable; prone to change
Example
Her mood was so labile that it changed several times in an hour.
C2 noun /ˈɒkjʊlɪst/

oculist

Meaning
An old-fashioned term for an eye doctor or ophthalmologist.
Example
The village oculist was known for treating various eye diseases.
C2 noun /rʌmp/

Rump

Meaning
the hindquarters or buttocks; the lower back area
Example
The horse injured its rump during the fall.
C2 noun /ˌækwəˈpɒnɪks/

aquaponics

Meaning
A system of aquaculture in which the waste produced by farmed fish or other aquatic animals supplies nutrients for plants grown hydroponically.
Example
Aquaponics efficiently utilizes water by integrating fish and plant farming.
C2 noun/verb /ˈsʌkər/

succor

Meaning
Assistance and support in times of hardship or distress.
Example
The charity provided succor to the flood victims.
C2 adjective /ˈfrɛtfəl/

fretful

Meaning
Feeling or showing distress or irritation.
Example
The baby was fretful all night and could not sleep.
C2 verb /ˈvɪʃieɪt/

vitiate

Meaning
to spoil, weaken, or make something less effective
Example
One careless remark can vitiate the entire argument.
C2 noun /kəˌrɒbəˈreɪʃən/

corroboration

Meaning
evidence that confirms or supports a statement, theory, or finding
Example
The documents provided strong corroboration of her claims.
C2 noun /ˌræʃioʊsɪˈneɪʃən/

ratiocination

Meaning
the process of reasoning or logical thinking
Example
His ratiocination impressed the judges during the debate.
C2 verb /ˈɡlaʊ.ər/

glower

Meaning
To look at someone with an angry or sullen expression.
Example
He glowered at his rival across the room.
C2 noun /ˈbaɪəˌɡræf/

biograph

Meaning
A written account of a person's life; an early motion-picture projector (historical use).
Example
The library holds an old biograph of the poet.
C2 noun /ˌæfɛkˈteɪʃən/

affectation

Meaning
an unnatural behavior or speech intended to impress others
Example
Her British accent was just an affectation to sound sophisticated.
C2 adjective /ˈfɛkləs/

feckless

Meaning
lacking initiative or strength of character; irresponsible
Example
His feckless attitude at work caused several missed deadlines.
C2 noun /rɪˌnʌnsiˈeɪʃən/

renunciation

Meaning
the formal rejection or giving up of something, usually a belief, claim, or way of life
Example
His renunciation of worldly pleasures impressed the monks.
C2 noun /ˈhɪl.sə fɪʃ/

Hilsa fish

Meaning
a popular fish species found in South Asian rivers, especially prized in Bengali cuisine
Example
Hilsa fish is considered a delicacy in Bengali culture.
C2 noun /əˈklɪvɪti/

acclivity

Meaning
An upward slope or incline on the ground.
Example
The hikers struggled as they climbed the steep acclivity.
C2 verb /ˈekspərˌɡeɪt/

expurgate

Meaning
To remove offensive or objectionable parts from a text or speech.
Example
The publisher decided to expurgate the novel before reprinting it.
C2 noun /ˌdɛkəˈsɪləbəl/

decasyllable

Meaning
A line of verse with ten syllables.
Example
The poet often wrote in decasyllable form.
C2 noun /ˈseɪpiəns/

sapience

Meaning
Wisdom or intelligence.
Example
Her sapience in solving problems earned her the respect of her colleagues.
C2 noun /ˈæpəˌθɛm/

apothegm

Meaning
A short, witty, and instructive saying or maxim.
Example
His speech was filled with apothegms about life and success.
C2 noun /ˈklɔɪstər/

cloister

Meaning
a covered walk in a convent, monastery, or cathedral, typically with a wall on one side and a colonnade open to a quadrangle on the other.
Example
The monks walked silently through the cloister.
C2 adjective, adverb /ˈsaɪdlɔːŋ/

sidelong

Meaning
Directed to the side; indirect, furtive, or not straightforward.
Example
She gave him a sidelong glance across the room.
C2 noun /ˌætəlˈjeɪ/

atelier

Meaning
A workshop or studio, especially for an artist or designer.
Example
The painter invited us to his atelier to view his new collection.
C2 noun /ˌɛpɪzəʊˈɒtɪk/

epizootic

Meaning
An outbreak of disease affecting many animals of one kind at the same time.
Example
The farmer feared an epizootic might wipe out his cattle.
C2 verb /dɔːb/

daub

Meaning
to spread a thick or sticky substance carelessly on a surface
Example
The children daubed paint all over the walls.
C2 adjective /ˈæfərənt/

afferent

Meaning
carrying impulses toward a central organ or part, especially toward the brain or spinal cord
Example
Afferent nerves carry signals from the body to the brain.
C2 verb /lɪr/

leer

Meaning
To look at someone in an unpleasant, sly, or sexually suggestive way.
Example
He leered at her in a way that made her uncomfortable.
C2 noun /rɪˈkwaɪtəl/

requital

Meaning
The act of returning something, such as a favor, service, or punishment; repayment or retaliation.
Example
She offered her time in requital for his kindness.
C2 noun /ˈkreɪniəm/

cranium

Meaning
the skull, especially the part enclosing the brain
Example
The archaeologists carefully examined the ancient cranium.
C2 noun /ˈbɪbliəfaɪl/

bibliophile

Meaning
A person who loves or collects books.
Example
She is a true bibliophile who spends weekends at old bookstores.
C2 adjective /ˌɪrɪˈtriːvəbl/

irretrievable

Meaning
impossible to recover or regain
Example
The documents were lost in an irretrievable way after the fire.
C2 noun /ænˈtɪfəni/

antiphony

Meaning
a form of music in which two or more groups or choirs sing alternately in response to each other
Example
The cathedral's architecture was designed to enhance the effect of antiphony.
C2 adjective /ˌɪm.pəˈfɛk.tə.bəl/

imperfectible

Meaning
Incapable of being made perfect or complete.
Example
Some human qualities are considered imperfectible.
C2 noun /kəˈpriːs/

caprice

Meaning
a sudden, unpredictable change of mood or behavior
Example
She bought the expensive dress on a caprice.
C2 verb /bɪˈwɪtʃ/

bewitch

Meaning
to enchant or fascinate someone as if by magic
Example
The dancer's performance bewitched the audience.
C2 noun /dʒeɪp/

jape

Meaning
A practical joke or humorous remark.
Example
He enjoyed a harmless jape with his friends.
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.