Vocabulary Cards C2
284 cards available.
C2 verb
deputize
Meaning
To appoint someone as a deputy; to act as a substitute or representative.
Example
The sheriff decided to deputize several locals to help maintain order.
C2 verb
deracinate
Meaning
To uproot something completely; to displace people from their native environment or culture.
Example
The conflict deracinated many families from their homeland.
C2 noun
dereliction
Meaning
the state of being abandoned; neglect of duty
Example
The officer was charged with dereliction of duty.
C2 adjective
derisible
Meaning
deserving ridicule or mockery
Example
His excuse was so weak that it was plainly derisible.
C2 adjective
derogative
Meaning
Expressing a low opinion or showing lack of respect.
Example
He made a derogative remark about her work.
C2 noun
derrick
Meaning
A framework or tower used for supporting a crane, especially for oil drilling or lifting heavy loads.
Example
The workers assembled a derrick at the oil drilling site.
C2 noun
descant
Meaning
An additional melody or counterpoint sung or played above the main melody.
Example
The choir added a beautiful descant to the hymn.
C2 verb
descry
Meaning
to catch sight of something, especially something distant or obscure
Example
From the hilltop, they descried a small village in the distance.
C2 verb
desecrate
Meaning
to treat a sacred place or object with disrespect or violation
Example
The vandals desecrated the ancient temple walls with graffiti.
C2 noun
desiccant
Meaning
a substance that absorbs moisture and keeps things dry
Example
Silica gel packets are commonly used as a desiccant in packaging.
C2 verb
desiccate
Meaning
to dry up completely or remove the moisture from something
Example
The hot sun can quickly desiccate plants in the desert.
C2 adjective
desiccated
Meaning
completely dried, having had all moisture removed
Example
The museum displayed desiccated specimens of plants.
C2 noun
desideratum
Meaning
something that is desired or considered necessary
Example
For many students, financial aid is a desideratum.
C2 noun
desistance
Meaning
The act of stopping or ceasing from some action or behavior.
Example
The court urged his desistance from further unlawful activities.
C2 noun
desperado
Meaning
A bold, reckless, or dangerous person, often a criminal.
Example
The sheriff was determined to capture the desperado who terrorized the town.
C2 verb
despoil
Meaning
To steal or violently remove valuable possessions from a place.
Example
The invaders despoiled the village during the war.
C2 noun
despoiler
Meaning
A person who robs, plunders, or violently takes things from others.
Example
The despoilers left the city in ruins.
C2 verb
despond
Meaning
to lose confidence or hope; to become dejected
Example
After repeated failures, he began to despond.
C2 adjective
despotic
Meaning
exercising power in a cruel, oppressive, or authoritarian way
Example
The king’s despotic rule left the people in misery.
C2 noun
desuetude
Meaning
a state of disuse or inactivity
Example
The old law has fallen into desuetude.
C2 adjective
desultory
Meaning
lacking a clear plan, purpose, or enthusiasm
Example
His desultory conversation bored the audience.
C2 adjective
determinate
Meaning
having exact and definite limits or form
Example
The contract is for a determinate period of two years.
C2 noun
detraction
Meaning
The act of belittling or taking away from the value of something.
Example
Her constant detraction of others made her unpopular.
C2 noun
detritus
Meaning
Waste or debris of any kind; fragments left from destruction or decay.
Example
The riverbank was covered with detritus after the flood.