wastrel
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C2 noun /ˈweɪstrəl/

wastrel

Meaning
A person who wastes time, money, or resources; an idler or spendthrift.
Example
The young man was dismissed as a wastrel by his family.
C2 adjective /kənˈtraɪt/

contrite

Meaning
feeling or showing remorse or guilt
Example
She was contrite after realizing her mistake.
C2 noun /ˈhelmz.mən/

Helmsman

Meaning
a person who steers a ship or boat; the person at the helm of a vessel
Example
The experienced helmsman skillfully guided the yacht through the narrow channel during the storm.
C2 adjective /ɪmˌpɜːrˈsweɪdəbl/

impersuadable

Meaning
not able to be convinced or persuaded
Example
She remained impersuadable despite all our arguments.
C2 adjective /ˈsfɪŋks laɪk/

sphinx-like

Meaning
Mysterious, enigmatic, or difficult to interpret
Example
Her sphinx-like smile made it hard to guess what she was thinking.
C2 verb /ˌɪnkəˈpæsɪteɪt/

incapacitate

Meaning
to deprive someone or something of the ability or strength to function
Example
The severe injury incapacitated the player for the rest of the season.
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 /ˌkæstɪˈɡeɪʃən/

castigation

Meaning
Severe criticism or punishment for wrongdoing.
Example
The manager’s harsh castigation shocked the entire team.
C2 noun /dʒɛˌstɪkjʊˈleɪʃən/

gesticulation

Meaning
a gesture, especially a dramatic one, used instead of speaking or to emphasize speech
Example
His speech was full of passionate gesticulations.
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 adjective /roʊˈtʌnd/

rotund

Meaning
round or plump in shape; full in sound
Example
The rotund cat struggled to climb the fence.
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 adjective /ˈdɪstəl/

distal

Meaning
situated away from the center of the body or from the point of attachment
Example
The doctor examined the distal end of the patient’s arm.
C2 noun ˈɒpjʊləns

opulence

Meaning
Great wealth or luxuriousness.
Example
The opulence of the mansion was evident in its ornate furnishings.
C2 adjective /ˌæk.rɪˈmoʊ.ni.əs/

acrimonious

Meaning
Bitter and angry, often involving harsh words.
Example
The debate turned acrimonious after the controversial remark.
C2 adjective /kəˈdævərəs/

cadaverous

Meaning
Resembling a corpse; very pale, thin, or bony.
Example
His cadaverous appearance shocked everyone at the party.
C2 adjective /ˈpɪd.lɪŋ/

Piddling

Meaning
trivial; insignificant; small in amount
Example
He was annoyed by the piddling amount of money he received.
C2 adjective /ˌdeɪ.kɒlˈteɪ/

decollete

Meaning
of a woman's dress or top, cut low so as to reveal the neck and upper chest
Example
She wore a decollete gown to the party.
C2 adjective /ˈwɪnsəm/

winsome

Meaning
pleasant and attractive in a fresh, innocent, or charming way
Example
Her winsome smile instantly put the nervous guests at ease.
C2 noun juːˈbɪkwɪti

ubiquity

Meaning
The fact of appearing everywhere or of being very common.
Example
The ubiquity of smartphones has transformed communication.
C2 noun /ˈproʊbɪti/

probity

Meaning
The quality of having strong moral principles; honesty and decency.
Example
The judge was admired for his integrity and probity.
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, noun /ˈɡoʊld.brɪk/

goldbrick

Meaning
to avoid work or duty; a person who shirks responsibility
Example
He was accused of goldbricking while the rest of the team worked hard.
C2 adjective /ˈfæn.sɪ.ləs/

fanciless

Meaning
without imagination or creativity; plain or ordinary
Example
His drawings were simple and fanciless.
C2 noun /ˌdɪskwɪˈzɪʃən/

disquisition

Meaning
A long or elaborate discussion or written essay on a particular subject.
Example
The professor gave a lengthy disquisition on ancient philosophy.
C2 noun /ˈlɪniəmənt/

lineament

Meaning
A distinctive feature or characteristic, especially of the face.
Example
Her delicate lineaments revealed her noble birth.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈlɛtəd/

unlettered

Meaning
lacking education or the ability to read and write; illiterate
Example
The unlettered villagers relied on oral traditions to preserve their history.
C2 adjective /ˈɪnmoʊst/

inmost

Meaning
Situated at the very heart or deepest part; most private or secret.
Example
She revealed her inmost thoughts to her closest friend.
C2 noun /ˈænɪməs/

animus

Meaning
A strong feeling of hostility; motivation or purpose behind an action.
Example
His speech was driven by animus against the policy.
C2 noun /ˈskɜː.vi/

scurvy

Meaning
A disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C, leading to weakness, gum disease, and bleeding.
Example
Sailors often suffered from scurvy during long sea voyages without fresh fruits.
C2 verb /ˈsæŋktɪfaɪ/

sanctify

Meaning
to make holy or sacred; to purify
Example
The priest will sanctify the marriage ceremony.
C2 verb /ˌkɒnvəˈlɛs/

convalesce

Meaning
to recover health and strength after illness or medical treatment
Example
After the surgery, she spent several weeks convalescing at home.
C2 verb /bɪˈdaɪzən/

bedizen

Meaning
to dress up or decorate in a showy or tasteless way
Example
She was bedizened with cheap jewelry.
C2 adjective /ˌpriːpəˈzɛsɪŋ/

prepossessing

Meaning
Attractive or appealing in appearance or manner.
Example
She had a prepossessing smile that charmed everyone.
C2 adjective ˈɛr.jʊ.daɪt

erudite

Meaning
Having or showing great knowledge or learning; scholarly and intellectual.
Example
The professor's erudite lecture fascinated the students.
C2 adjective /ˈbeɪlfəl/

baleful

Meaning
Threatening harm; menacing or expressing hatred.
Example
She gave him a baleful look after the insult.
C2 verb /dɪˈpreɪv/

deprave

Meaning
to corrupt morally; to make someone immoral or wicked
Example
The novel was criticized for attempting to deprave the minds of young readers.
C2 adjective /ɡlɪb/

glib

Meaning
speaking easily but without sincerity or depth
Example
The politician gave a glib answer to a serious question.
C2 noun /kəˈrɒn.də/

Karonda

Meaning
a small dark purple berry-like fruit that is sour and used in pickles
Example
Karonda is often used to make pickles and preserves.
C2 noun /ˌɛərəˈstætɪks/

aerostatics

Meaning
The branch of physics that deals with the equilibrium of air and gases and the forces acting on bodies in them.
Example
Aerostatics is essential for understanding how balloons float.
C2 noun /ˌkɒməˈsɛəriət/

commissariat

Meaning
A department responsible for supplying food and equipment, especially in the military.
Example
The army commissariat ensured that the soldiers had enough supplies.
C2 noun /kjuːˈpɪdəti/

cupidity

Meaning
Excessive desire for wealth or possessions; greed.
Example
The king's downfall was caused by his cupidity.
C2 noun /ˈhɒthɛd/

hothead

Meaning
a person who acts quickly and without thinking when angry
Example
He is such a hothead that he often starts arguments.
C2 noun /ˌɔːrnɪˈθɒlədʒɪst/

ornithologist

Meaning
a scientist who studies birds
Example
The ornithologist spent years studying migratory birds.
C2 adjective /ɡælˈvænɪk/

galvanic

Meaning
Relating to electricity produced by chemical action; sudden and dramatic.
Example
The news had a galvanic effect on the audience.
C2 adjective /koʊˈiːvəl/

coeval

Meaning
Having the same age, date of origin, or duration; contemporary.
Example
The philosopher was coeval with the rise of modern science.
C2 noun səˈtaɪ.ə.ti

satiety

Meaning
The feeling of being satisfied or full, especially with regard to food.
Example
High-fiber foods provide longer satiety.
C2 verb /əˈvʌls/

avulse

Meaning
to tear away or separate forcibly, especially in medical or geological contexts
Example
The surgeon had to avulse the damaged tissue during the operation.
C2 noun /ˌrɛprɪˈhɛnʃən/

reprehension

Meaning
The act of rebuking or criticizing severely.
Example
The teacher’s reprehension of the student’s behavior was justified.
C2 verb /əˈɡræn.daɪz/

aggrandize

Meaning
To increase the power, wealth, or importance of a person or entity.
Example
The politician tried to aggrandize himself through exaggerated claims.
C2 noun /ˈkedʒ.ə.riː/

Kedgeree

Meaning
a European dish of cooked rice, fish, and hard-boiled eggs, originally from India
Example
The breakfast menu featured traditional kedgeree with smoked haddock and eggs.
C2 adjective /ˈæsənənt/

assonant

Meaning
Having or characterized by assonance; repeating similar vowel sounds.
Example
The poem is filled with assonant words that create a musical rhythm.
C2 verb /frɪz/

frizz

Meaning
to form into small, tight curls or cause hair to become fuzzy and tangled
Example
The humid weather caused her hair to frizz.
C2 noun /ˈkwɪzlɪŋ/

quisling

Meaning
A traitor who collaborates with an enemy force occupying their country.
Example
During the war, he was branded a quisling for aiding the invaders.
C2 adjective /ˌmʌl.tɪˈfeə.ri.əs/

Multifarious

Meaning
having many different aspects or forms; diverse and varied
Example
The company has multifarious business interests including technology, finance, and healthcare.
C2 noun /ˌvælədɪkˈtɔːriən/

valedictorian

Meaning
The student with the highest academic achievements in a graduating class, often chosen to give the farewell speech.
Example
She was honored as the valedictorian of her class.
C2 verb /ˈkɒdʒɪteɪt/

cogitate

Meaning
to think deeply about something; to meditate or reflect
Example
He sat by the river to cogitate on his future plans.
C2 noun /doʊlt/

dolt

Meaning
A stupid or slow-witted person.
Example
Only a dolt would believe such a story.
C2 noun, verb /ˈhæmstrɪŋ/

hamstring

Meaning
a tendon at the back of the thigh; as a verb, to cripple or severely restrict the effectiveness of someone or something.
Example
Budget cuts hamstrung the organization’s plans.
C2 verb /ˈtɪtər/

titter

Meaning
to laugh in a quiet, nervous, or restrained way
Example
The students began to titter when the projector froze.
C2 verb /drɔːl/

drawl

Meaning
to speak in a slow, lazy way with prolonged vowel sounds
Example
He tends to drawl when he is tired.
C2 noun /ˌhaɪdroʊdaɪˈnæmɪks/

hydrodynamics

Meaning
The branch of science concerned with the motion of fluids, especially liquids, and the forces acting on solid bodies immersed in fluids.
Example
Hydrodynamics is essential in designing efficient ship hulls.
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 adjective /ˈtjuːmɪd/

tumid

Meaning
Swollen, enlarged, or pompous in style.
Example
His tumid prose was difficult to read.
C2 noun /ˈboʊsən/

boatswain

Meaning
a ship's officer in charge of equipment and the crew
Example
The boatswain supervised the sailors on deck.
C2 noun /ˈʃɑːrlətən/

charlatan

Meaning
a person who pretends to have knowledge or skills that they do not really possess; a fraud
Example
The so-called healer was exposed as a charlatan.
C2 noun/verb /ˈmæn.ə.kəl/

manacle

Meaning
A metal shackle for fastening someone's hands or ankles; also to restrain with such shackles.
Example
The prisoner was manacled before being taken to court.
C2 verb /ˈtɪtəleɪt/

titillate

Meaning
To excite or amuse, especially in a slightly sexual or playful way.
Example
The comedian's jokes titillated the audience.
C2 adjective /baɪˈkæmərəl/

bicameral

Meaning
Having two branches or chambers, especially in a legislature.
Example
The United States has a bicameral legislature consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
C2 verb /ˈkɒndʒʊɡeɪt/

conjugate

Meaning
to list the different forms of a verb according to tense, person, and number
Example
Students are asked to conjugate the verb 'to be'.
C2 noun /ˌdaɪələˈtɪʃən/

dialectician

Meaning
A person skilled in dialectic or logical argument.
Example
Socrates is often considered the greatest dialectician in history.
C2 adjective /kwaɪˈesnt/

Quiescent

Meaning
quiet; peaceful; inactive; dormant; at rest
Example
The volcano has been quiescent for over a century.
C2 noun /ˈsɛrəf/

seraph

Meaning
An angelic being associated with light and purity, often depicted as a high-ranking angel in Christian theology.
Example
The stained-glass window depicted a seraph with outstretched wings.
C2 noun /ˌkɒl.əˈneɪd/

colonnade

Meaning
A row of evenly spaced columns supporting a roof, often in classical architecture.
Example
The visitors admired the grand colonnade at the entrance of the temple.
C2 adjective /ˈkɒr.ə.ɡeɪ.tɪd/

corrugated

Meaning
shaped into ridges and grooves; wrinkled or folded
Example
The roof was made of corrugated metal sheets.
C2 verb /nɑːrl/

gnarl

Meaning
To twist into a knotted or distorted form.
Example
The tree roots began to gnarl around the stones.
C2 noun /ˌɔːrəˈtɔːri.oʊ/

oratorio

Meaning
A large-scale musical composition for orchestra, choir, and soloists, usually on a sacred theme, performed without costumes or scenery.
Example
Handel's 'Messiah' is one of the most famous oratorios ever written.
C2 noun /ˌæprəˈbeɪʃən/

approbation

Meaning
approval or praise
Example
The plan won the approbation of the board members.
C2 noun /wiːl/

weal

Meaning
A raised mark on the skin left after a blow; or general well-being and prosperity.
Example
The charity worked for the common weal of the community.
C2 noun /blɑːtʃ/

blotch

Meaning
a large, irregular spot or stain, often on skin or fabric
Example
His shirt had a red blotch from the spilled juice.
C2 noun /oʊˈbleɪʃən/

oblation

Meaning
a religious offering, especially of bread or wine to God
Example
The priest placed the oblation on the altar during the ceremony.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈtɛsteɪt/

intestate

Meaning
Having died without leaving a valid will.
Example
She died intestate, so her assets were distributed by law.
C2 noun /ˌmɔːzəˈliːəm/

mausoleum

Meaning
A large stately building that houses a tomb or several tombs.
Example
The king was buried in a grand mausoleum.
C2 noun /ˈplɔːdɪt/

plaudit

Meaning
an expression of praise or approval
Example
The actor received plaudit for his outstanding performance.
C2 noun /ɪnˈtɛstəsi/

intestacy

Meaning
The condition of dying without having made a valid will.
Example
His estate was divided according to the laws of intestacy.
C2 noun /əˌɡlɒməˈreɪʃən/

agglomeration

Meaning
A mass or collection of things, sometimes clustered together.
Example
The city is an agglomeration of diverse cultures and communities.
C2 noun /bɪər/

bier

Meaning
a frame or stand on which a coffin or body is placed before burial or cremation
Example
The coffin was placed on the bier during the funeral service.
C2 adjective /kəˈrʌp.tə.bəl/

corruptible

Meaning
able to be morally or ethically corrupted
Example
He was known to be corruptible and often accepted bribes.
C2 verb /ˈrævɪʃ/

ravish

Meaning
To fill with intense delight; to captivate or enchant.
Example
The beauty of the sunset ravished the travelers.
C2 noun /sneɪk ɡɔːrd/

Snake gourd

Meaning
a long, curved vegetable that resembles a snake, commonly used in South Asian cuisine
Example
The snake gourd grows in a twisted, serpentine shape in the garden.
C2 noun /ˌkæθəˈlɪsɪti/

catholicity

Meaning
Universality; broad-mindedness; acceptance of a wide variety of things.
Example
Her catholicity of interests makes her a fascinating person.
C2 noun /luːˈbrɪsɪti/

lubricity

Meaning
the quality of being slippery or smooth; sometimes also refers to lewdness
Example
The lubricity of the surface made it difficult to walk on.
C2 adjective /ˈtɪtjələr/

titular

Meaning
holding a title or position in name only without real power; relating to the title of a work
Example
She is the titular head of the committee, but decisions are made by the coordinator.
C2 verb /dʌn/

dun

Meaning
to demand payment of a debt persistently
Example
The landlord dunned the tenant for unpaid rent.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈstɪntɪŋ/

unstinting

Meaning
given generously without holding back
Example
She received unstinting support from her family.
C2 verb /ˌkɒntrəˈvɜːrt/

controvert

Meaning
to dispute or argue against; to contradict
Example
The scientist controversed the previous research findings.
C2 verb /trænˈspoʊz/

transpose

Meaning
to change the order or position of something
Example
The editor transposed two paragraphs in the article.
C2 noun /ˈʌmbrɪdʒ/

umbrage

Meaning
A feeling of resentment or offense.
Example
She took umbrage at his rude remark.
C2 adjective /bɪˈfɒɡd/

befogged

Meaning
Confused or clouded in mind; made unclear like being surrounded by fog.
Example
His mind felt befogged after the long and exhausting meeting.
C2 verb /ˈɑːbdʒərˌɡeɪt/

objurgate

Meaning
to scold or rebuke severely
Example
The teacher objurgated the student for being dishonest.
C2 adjective /ˈwɪznd/

wizened

Meaning
Shriveled, wrinkled, or withered, often due to age.
Example
The wizened tree stood in the field for centuries.
C2 noun /pɪks/

pyx

Meaning
a small container, often used in Christian liturgy to carry the consecrated host
Example
The priest placed the consecrated host into the pyx before visiting the sick.
C2 verb /əˈbæʃ/

abash

Meaning
to make someone feel embarrassed or ashamed
Example
Her sudden question seemed to abash him.
C2 adjective /ˈdʒɔːnti/

jaunty

Meaning
Having a lively, cheerful, and self-confident manner or appearance.
Example
He walked into the room with a jaunty step.
C2 verb /ˌnɒnˈplʌs/

nonplus

Meaning
To surprise and confuse someone so much that they are unsure how to react.
Example
The unexpected question seemed to nonplus the speaker.
C2 noun /ˌnjʊə.rəʊˈdʒɛn.ɪ.sɪs/

neurogenesis

Meaning
The process of forming new nerve cells in the brain.
Example
Scientists are studying neurogenesis to understand brain health.
C2 noun /kæd/

Cad

Meaning
a man who behaves dishonorably, especially toward women
Example
Everyone at the party avoided him because he was known to be a cad.
C2 noun /ˌkæt ə ˈnaɪn ˌteɪlz/

cat-o-nine-tails

Meaning
A whip with nine knotted cords, historically used for punishment.
Example
The sailor feared the cat-o-nine-tails more than the storm at sea.
C2 noun /məˈlæsɪz/

Molasses

Meaning
thick, dark, sweet syrup made from sugar cane
Example
The recipe calls for molasses to give the bread a rich flavor.
C2 noun /ˈkæm.fər/

Camphor

Meaning
a white crystalline substance with a strong aromatic smell, used in medicine and religious ceremonies
Example
The temple was filled with the fragrant smoke of burning camphor.
C2 noun /ɪˌpɪstəˈmɒlədʒi/

epistemology

Meaning
The branch of philosophy that studies the nature, origin, and scope of knowledge.
Example
Epistemology explores the difference between justified belief and opinion.
C2 noun /skæd/

scad

Meaning
A type of fish of the jack family; also informally means a large number or quantity.
Example
The fisherman caught a scad in the net.
C2 noun /məˈnɒkrəsi/

monocracy

Meaning
A system of government by a single person; autocracy.
Example
The nation suffered under decades of monocracy.
C2 adjective /ˈvɒl.jʊ.bəl/

Voluble

Meaning
speaking fluently and readily; talkative; having a continuous flow of words
Example
The voluble salesman talked for hours about his products.
C2 noun /ˈhækəlz/

hackles

Meaning
the hairs on the back of an animal’s neck that rise when it is angry or alarmed; figuratively, feelings of anger or resentment
Example
His rude comment raised my hackles.
C2 noun /ˌpriːpəˈzɛʃən/

prepossession

Meaning
An opinion or feeling formed beforehand; a prejudice or preoccupation.
Example
His prepossession in favor of tradition made him resist change.
C2 noun /ˌɛpɪˈsaɪklɔɪd/

epicycloid

Meaning
a curve traced by a point on the circumference of a circle that rolls around the outside of another circle
Example
The mathematician demonstrated how to draw an epicycloid.
C2 verb /kənˈstrɪndʒ/

constringe

Meaning
to cause to shrink or contract; to constrict
Example
The medicine helped constringe the swollen tissues.
C2 adjective /ɪmˈprɒvɪdənt/

improvident

Meaning
Not having or showing foresight; spending wastefully or without thought for the future.
Example
His improvident habits left him with no savings.
C2 verb /læmˈpuːn/

lampoon

Meaning
to publicly criticize or ridicule someone or something with humor, irony, or sarcasm
Example
The cartoonist lampooned the politician for his contradictory statements.
C2 noun /ˈluː.nə.si/

lunacy

Meaning
Extreme foolishness or madness; insanity.
Example
It was sheer lunacy to go hiking in the storm.