Contraband (n): kon-truh-band
Contraband refers to goods that are taken into or out of a country illegally = smuggled goods
The two men were arrested for ingulging in contraband
Contretemps (n): kon-truh-tahn
A contretemps is a small disagreement that is rather embarrassing = dispute
The neighbours enjoyed the contretemps between Jack and his wife over the gardening issue
Contumely (n): kon-too-muh-lee
insulting display of contempt in words or actions; contemptuous or humiliating treatment = insult
Contusion (n): kuhn-too-zhuhn, -tyoo- (355)
A contusion is a bruise = bump
The victims left arm was broken and there was a large contusion to the right shoulder
Conundrum (n): kuh-nuhn-druhm
A conundrum is a problem or puzzle which is difficult or impossible to solve = riddle, difficult problem
The conundrum of our purpose on earth is still to be answered
Conveyance (n): kuhn-vey-uhns
A conveyance is a vehicle = vehicle, transfer
He had never seen such a conveyance before
Conviction (n): kuhn-vik-shuhn
A conviction is a strong belief or opinion = a strong belief
It is our firm conviction that a step forward has been taken
Coquette (n): koh-ket
a woman who frequently tries to attract the attention of men without having sincere feelings for them = flirt
She is thought of as a coquette in the social circles
Cordon (n): kawr-dn (360)
A cordon is a line or ring of police, soldiers, or vehicles preventing people from entering or leaving an area
The police have cordoned off the whole area because of a suspected bomb
Cormorant (n): kawr-mer-uhnt
A cormorant is a type of dark-coloured bird with a long neck Cormorants usually live near the sea and eat = greedy, rapacious bird
Maybe the cormorants were staying home today
Cornice (n): kawr-nis
A cornice is a strip of plaster, wood, or stone which goes along the top of a wall or building
A carved cornice runs around the high-ceilinged room
Correlation (n): kawr-uh-ley-shuhn, kor-
A correlation between things is a connection or link between them = mutual relationship
There is a direct correlation between the best-known brands and the best-selling brands
Corsair (n): kawr-sair
pirate; pirate ship
Cortege (n): kawr-tezh (365)
A cortege is a procession of people who are walking or riding in cars to a funeral = procession q
Coterie (n): koh-tuh-ree
A coterie of a particular kind is a small group of people who are close friends or have a common interest, and who do not want other people to join them = circle, set
The songs he recorded were written by a coterie of dedicated writers
Countenance (n): koun-tn-uhns
Someone’s countenance is their face = physiognomy
He is a young man of handsome countenance
Countermand (n): koun-ter-mand, -mahnd
If you countermand an order, you cancel it, usually by giving a different order = cancel
I can’t countermand Winger’s orders !
Counterpart (n): koun-ter-pahrt
Someone's or something's counterpart is another person or thing that has a similar function or position in a different place
The Foreign Secretary telephoned his Italian counterpart to protest
Coup (n): koo (370)
When there is a coup, a group of people seize power in a country = coup d’etat, plot
He seized power in the military coup in 1998
Covenant (n): kuhv-uh-nuhnt
A covenant is a formal written agreement between two or more people or groups of people which is recognized in law = agreement
He covenanted to pay £30 a month into the fund
Credence (n): kreed-ns
If something lends or gives credence to a theory or story, it makes it easier to believe = credibility
Historical evidence lends credence to his theory
Credo (n): kree-doh
A credo is a set of beliefs, principles, or opinions that strongly influence the way a person lives or works = creed
Lord Clarendon's liberal credo was one of the foundations of his political conduct
Credulity (n): kruh-doo-li-tee
Credulity is a willingness to believe that something is real or true = trusting
It strained credulity to believe that a nuclear war would not lead to the destruction of the planet
Creed (n): kreed (375)
A creed is a religion = faith
The centre is open to all, no matter what race or creed
Crescendo (n): kri-shen-doh
A crescendo is a noise that gets louder and louder Some people also use crescendo to refer to the point when a noise is at its loudest
The applause rose to a crescendo and cameras clicked
Crevice (n): krev-is
A crevice is a narrow crack or gap, especially in a rock = crack, fissure
Small creatures hide in crevices
Criteria (n): krahy-teer-ee-uhn
A criterion is a factor on which you judge or decide something = parameters
Academic ability is not the sole criterion for admission to the college
Crone (n): krohn
A crone is an ugly old woman = hag
Cruet (n): kroo-it (380)
A cruet is a small container, or set of containers, for salt, pepper, or mustard which is used at meals = small glass bottle for vinegar, oil, etc
Bowls of fruit, flowers, even the cruet would have to be paid for
Crypt (n): kript
A crypt is an underground room underneath a church or cathedral
The crypt was damp and smelled of the occupation of the past six nights
Cubicle (n): kyoo-bi-kuhl
A cubicle is a very small enclosed area, for example one where you can have a shower or change your clothes
This hotel provides a separate shower cubicle
Cuisine (n): kwi-zeen
The cuisine of a country or district is the style of cooking that is characteristic of that place = cooking
The cuisine of Japan is low in fat
Cul-de-sac (n): kuhl-duh-sak
A cul-de-sac is a short road which is closed off at one end = close, blind alley, trap
We live in a cul-de-sac, so we don’t get much traffic noise
Culmination (n): kuhl-muh-ney-shuhn (385)
Something, especially something important, that is the culmination of an activity, process, or series of events happens at the end of it = result
Their arrest was the culmination of an operation in which 120 other people were detained
Culvert (n): kuhl-vert
A culvert is a water pipe or sewer that crosses under a road or railway
They built a culvert to reduce the possibility of the road being flooded in rainy season
Cupidity (n): kyoo-pid-i-tee
very strong desire for something, especially money or property = greediness
The cupidity of some businessmen
Curator (n): kyoo-rey-ter, kyoor-ey-
A curator is someone who is in charge of the objects or works of art in a museum or art gallery = caretaker, incharge
The pitch curator is the most sought-afterman at thetime of toss in a cricket match
Curmudgeon (n): ker-muhj-uhn
If you call someone a curmudgeon, you do not like them because they are mean or bad-tempered = churlish, rude
I know him very well, he is not a curmudgeon
Cynic (n): sin-ik (390)
A cynic is someone who believes that people always act selfishly
Even hardened cynics believe the meeting is a step towards peace
Cynosure (n): sahy-nuh-shoor, sin-uh-
something that strongly attracts attention by its brilliance, interest, etc = magnate
The girl, dressed head to foot in gold, was the cynosure of all eyes
Dais (n): dey-is, dahy-, deys
A dais is a raised platform in a hall = stage
When he approached the dais, he was greeted by cheers from the people who had come to honor him
Dastard (n): das-terd
coward
Dearth (n): durth
If there is a dearth of something, there is not enough of it = scarcity, lack
There is no dearthof opportunities for a man who actually wants to do something
Debacle (n): dey-bah-kuhl (395)
A debacle is an event or attempt that is a complete failure = fiasco, failure
The collapse of the company was described as the greatest financial debacle in the US history
Debauchery (n): dih-baw-chuh-ree
You use debauchery to refer to the drinking of alcohol or to sexual activity if you disapprove of it or regard it as excessive = immoral
He spent a life of debauchery
Debenture (n): dih-ben-che
A debenture is a type of savings bond which offers a fixed rate of interest over a long period Debentures are usually issued by a company or a government agency
The converse is the case in relation to debentures
Debility (n): dih-bil-i-tee
Debility is a weakness of a person’s body or mind, especially one caused by an illness = weakness
His total reluctance to indulge in any sort of physical activity led to his debility
Debutante (n): deb-yoo-tahnt
A debutante is a young woman from the upper classes who has started going to social events with other young people = nobility
She was the most famous debutante of 1925
Decadence (n): dek-uh-duhns(400)
Decadence is behaviour that shows that someone has low moral standards and is more concerned with pleasure than serious matters = indulgence
Eating like that every night is sheer decadence
