C
calumny
A statement about someone that is not true and is intended to damage the reputation of that person
capacious
Having a lot of space and able to contain a lot
a capacious pocket/handbag
caper
To run and jump about in an energetic, happy way
capitulate
To accept military defeat
Their forces capitulated five hours after the bombardment of the city began.
caprice
A sudden and usually silly wish to have or do something, or a sudden and silly change of mind or behaviour
cardinal
A priest of very high rank in the Roman Catholic Church
Cardinals elect and advise the Pope.
cataclysm
An event that causes a lot of destruction, or a sudden, violent change
cataract
A disease in which an area of someone's eye becomes less clear so that they cannot see clearly, or the area affected in this way
cavil
To make unreasonable complaints, especially about things that are not important
cede
To allow someone else to have or own something, especially unwillingly or because you are forced to do so
celerity
Speed
censure
strong criticism or disapproval
His dishonest behaviour came under severe censure.
charlatan
A person who pretends to have skills or knowledge that they do not have, especially in medicine
cherubic
Having a round, attractive face like that of a child
a blonde-haired girl with a cherubic face
chicanery
Dishonest but attractive talk or behavior that is used to deceive people
choleric
Very angry or easily annoyed
churlish
Rude, unfriendly, and unpleasant
They invited me to dinner and I thought it would be churlish to refuse.
circumspect
Careful not to take risks
cleft
An opening or crack, especially in a rock or the ground
Eagles often nest in a cleft in the rocks
clemency
Kindness when giving a punishment
The jury passed a verdict of guilty, with an appeal to the judge for clemency.
coalesce
To combine into a single group or thing
The theory is that galaxies coalesced from smaller groupings of stars.
cogent
Persuasive and well expressed
He makes a cogent argument for improving early childhood education.
cogent
Persuasive and well expressed
He makes a cogent argument for improving early childhood education.
cogitate
To spend time thinking very carefully about a subject
commandeer
To take possession of or control private property by force or for military use
commiserate
To express sympathy to someone about some bad luck
I began by commiserating with her over the defeat.
comport
To behave in a particular way
She comported herself with great dignity at her husband's funeral.
conducive
Providing the right conditions for something good to happen or exist
A quiet room is a more conducive atmosphere for studying.
confound
To confuse and very much surprise someone, so that they are unable to explain or deal with a situation
conjecture
A guess about something based on how it seems and not on proof
There's been a lot of conjecture in the media recently about the marriage.
contentious
Causing or likely to cause disagreement:
She has some very contentious views on education.
contravene
To do something that a law or rule does not allow, or to break a law or rule
The company knew its actions contravened international law.
contrite
Feeling very sorry and guilty for something bad that you have done
a contrite apology/expression
contrition
Feeling very sorry and guilty for something bad that you have done
a contrite apology/expression
copious
In large amounts, or more than enough
They drank copious amounts of wine.
corpulent
Fat
a corpulent gentleman
corroborate
To add proof to an account, statement, idea, etc. with new information
Recent research seems to corroborate his theory.
counterpart
A person or thing that has the same purpose as another one in a different place or organization
craven
extremely cowardly
a craven act of terrorism
credence
The belief that something is true
I'm not prepared to give credence to anonymous complaints.
cryptic
Mysterious and difficult to understand
I got a cryptic text message from Sam.
culpable
Deserving to be blamed or considered responsible for something bad
He was held culpable for all that had happened.
cursory
Quick and probably not detailed
a cursory examination
cynical
Believing that people are only interested in themselves and are not sincere
She has a pretty cynical view of men.
