Compétences Lexicales SAT 4 - leçon 31

a wooden instrument of punishment on a post with holes for the wrists and neck; offenders were locked in and so exposed to public scorn

pilori

to plunder, typically during times of war or civil unrest

piller

the state of not being at a place or with a person when it is expected of one

absence

to release someone from blame, guilt, or obligation, clearing them of any wrongdoing

décharger

consider apart from a particular case or instance

abstraire [qch] de

difficult to understand due to being complex or obscure

abscons, obscur, complexe, difficile

unfit for a particular person, thing, or situation

inapproprié, inadéquat

not prudent or wise

imprudent

rude and disrespectful, often toward authority or elders

impudent

powerlessness revealed by an inability to act

impuissance

not capable of being carried out or put into practice

irréaliste

not politic

maladroit, malvenu, mal avisé

the most important dish of a meal

pièce de résistance

a little bit at a time

petit à petit

give life-time employment to

être titulaire

very delicate or thin

ténu, mince, fragile, sans grand fondement, faible

behaving in an unrestrained or unchecked manner, often to the point of being reckless or aggressive

effréné, galopant

a defensive wall or embankment built around a fortification or city for protection against enemy attacks

rempart