C2 Unit 46: Society & law 4
18 C2 words: dissension, snobbery, ordain, buccaneer, besiege, mutinous… Learn them in 4 steps, then review them every day.
Word list
| Word | Meaning | Example | |
|---|---|---|---|
| dissension/dɪˈsɛnʃən/ n | dissensiondisagreement within a group | Dissension in the committee made it difficult to reach a decision.Dissension in the committee made it difficult to reach a decision. | |
| snobbery/ˈsnɑbɚi/ n | snobberybehaviour of thinking you are better than others | Her snobbery meant she never spoke to people from small towns.Her snobbery meant she never spoke to people from small towns. | |
| ordain/ɔrˈdeɪn/ v | to ordainto order officially by law or authority | The old law ordained that every citizen must pay the tax.The old law ordained that every citizen must pay the tax. | |
| buccaneer/ˌbʌkəˈnir/ n/v | buccaneera pirate who attacks ships at sea | The buccaneer sailed the sea and attacked other ships for treasure.The buccaneer sailed the sea and attacked other ships for treasure. | |
| besiege/bɪˈsidʒ/ v | to besiegeto surround a place and press on it | Reporters began to besiege the actor’s house with questions.Reporters began to besiege the actor’s house with questions. | |
| mutinous/ˈmjutənəs/ adj | mutinousrefusing to obey those in charge | The mutinous sailors refused to follow the captain’s orders any more.The mutinous sailors refused to follow the captain’s orders any more. | |
| vandalize/ˈvændəˌlaɪz/ v | to vandalizeto damage public property on purpose | Someone tried to vandalize the bus stop with paint last night.Someone tried to vandalize the bus stop with paint last night. | |
| stringently/ˈstrɪndʒəntli/ adv | stringentlyin a very strict way | The school stringently enforces its rules about phones in class.The school stringently enforces its rules about phones in class. | |
| cultish adj | cultishlike a cult, with extreme loyalty | Some people called the group cultish because of its strange rituals.Some people called the group cultish because of its strange rituals. | |
| proscription/proʊˈskrɪpʃən/ n | proscriptionan official ban on something | The new law contains a proscription against smoking in public parks.The new law contains a proscription against smoking in public parks. | |
| preservationist/ˌprɛzɚˈveɪʃənɪst/ n | preservationista person who works to protect old things | A preservationist group saved the old market from being knocked down.A preservationist group saved the old market from being knocked down. | |
| proscribe/proʊˈskraɪb/ v | to proscribeto officially forbid something | The council voted to proscribe all fires in the dry forest.The council voted to proscribe all fires in the dry forest. | |
| plutocrat/ˈplutəˌkræt/ n | plutocrata person who has power because of wealth | A plutocrat who controls the city’s banks has great power.A plutocrat who controls the city’s banks has great power. | |
| punitively adv | punitivelyin a way meant to punish | Judges can act punitively when someone breaks the rule again and again.Judges can act punitively when someone breaks the rule again and again. | |
| secularly adv | secularlyin a way not connected with religion | The country is run secularly, with no church involved in government.The country is run secularly, with no church involved in government. | |
| philanthropically adv | philanthropicallyin a way that helps others | Lucy philanthropically gave much of her money to local schools.Lucy philanthropically gave much of her money to local schools. | |
| deviantly adv | deviantlyin a way that differs from accepted behaviour | The comic acted deviantly, breaking every rule of the formal dinner.The comic acted deviantly, breaking every rule of the formal dinner. | |
| mutinously adv | mutinouslyin a way that rebels against authority | The soldiers mutinously refused to leave the camp.The soldiers mutinously refused to leave the camp. |