CEFR Level
a small side drum or tambourine used especially in folk music
"The folk musician played a lively tune on his tabour."
reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little
"He was a taciturn man who rarely spoke in meetings."
An object believed to have magical powers or bring good luck.
"He always carried a small talisman in his pocket for luck."
A claw, especially one belonging to a bird of prey.
"The eagle gripped the fish with its sharp talons."
to press down tightly by packing
"He tamped the soil around the plant to secure it."
the condition of touching but not intersecting, especially in geometry
"The circle and the line are in a state of tangency at one point."
A small mountain lake or pool.
"We camped near a tranquil tarn in the highlands."
To delay or linger; to stay longer than intended.
"Do not tarry, or you will miss the train."
A person dressed in ragged clothes; ragged or dilapidated in appearance.
"A tatterdemalion wandered the streets in search of food."
expressing something by repeating the same idea in different words; redundant
"Saying 'free gift' is considered tautological."
the unnecessary repetition of the same idea in different words
"The phrase 'it will happen or it won’t' is a tautology."
cheap and showy but of poor quality
"She wore a tawdry necklace that broke easily."
A warm, sandy or golden-brown color.
"The owl's tawny feathers blended with the tree bark."
The art of preparing, stuffing, and mounting the skins of animals for display.
"The museum had a large collection of taxidermy animals."
A scientist who classifies organisms into groups based on their characteristics.
"The taxonomist discovered a new species of insect."
the descriptive study or writing about the practical arts, technologies, or technical methods of a society
"The anthropologist specialized in technography to understand indigenous tool-making traditions."
the practice or principle of abstaining completely from alcoholic drinks
"He practiced teetotalism throughout his life."
The process of recording and transmitting the readings of an instrument.
"The spacecraft transmitted telemetry data back to Earth."
the explanation of phenomena by the purpose they serve rather than by cause
"Aristotle is often associated with the concept of teleology in philosophy."
Reckless or rash; showing a lack of caution.
"It was a temerarious decision to cross the river during the storm."
Excessive confidence or boldness; audacity.
"He had the temerity to challenge the professor’s argument."
To delay making a decision or taking action in order to gain time.
"The politician temporized when asked about the controversial issue."
Expressing or promoting a particular cause or point of view, often biased.
"The article was criticized for its tendentious tone."
dark, shadowy, or obscure
"The cave was damp and tenebrous, filled with eerie sounds."
Relating to the ability to be stretched or tensioned without breaking.
"Steel has a very high tensile strength."
The 300th anniversary of an event.
"The city celebrated its tercentenary with a grand festival."
Evasion of straightforward action or speech; changing sides or being inconsistent.
"The politician’s tergiversation frustrated his supporters."
A harsh-tempered or overbearing woman.
"The character was portrayed as a loud and domineering termagant."
a small freshwater turtle, especially one found in North America
"The terrapin slowly crawled into the pond."
arranged in a pattern of repeated shapes fitting together without gaps
"The tessellated floor was made of colorful tiles arranged in perfect symmetry."
a person who has made a will
"The lawyer read the will of the deceased testator."
A worker of miracles or magician.
"The thaumaturgist amazed the audience with his tricks."
Rule or government by the gods; divine sovereignty.
"In ancient cultures, some societies believed in thearchy where gods directly guided human affairs."
Belief in the existence of a god or gods, especially a creator who intervenes in the universe.
"Theism is central to many world religions."
A system of government in which priests or religious leaders rule in the name of God or a deity.
"The country was governed as a theocracy where religious leaders had supreme authority."
Government or rule by religious leaders or clergy.
"Theocrasy often merges religious authority with political power."
A person who studies or is an expert in theology.
"Theologians often debate complex questions of faith and morality."
A religious or philosophical belief system that seeks direct knowledge of the mysteries of life and the divine.
"Theosophy attracted people interested in mysticism and spiritual growth."
together with that; in addition to that
"He handed me the contract and the pen therewith."
A layer in a body of water in which temperature changes rapidly with depth.
"The thermocline separates warm surface water from cold deep water."
The process of heat production in living organisms, often associated with burning calories and energy expenditure.
"Spicy foods can enhance thermogenesis and calorie burning."
An actor or actress; relating to drama or theater.
"The festival was filled with talented thespians from across the country."
carried out to the full extent; absolute and complete
"She is a thoroughgoing professional in every sense."
The state of being in someone's power or under strong influence; slavery or bondage.
"He was in thrall to the powerful leader."
Worn out and thin from too much use; shabby.
"His threadbare coat could not keep him warm in winter."
A song, poem, or speech of mourning for someone who has died; a lament.
"The poet composed a moving threnody for the fallen soldiers."
to separate grain from the plant by beating or by using a machine
"Farmers used machines to thresh the wheat after harvest."
intense or violent pain and struggle, often at the beginning or end of something
"The country was in the throes of a political crisis."
slightly drunk; small or tiny
"After a few drinks, he felt a bit tiddley."
unwilling to spend money; stingy
"He is so tightfisted that he refuses to tip at restaurants."
