Frankenstein — Vocabulary
Mary Shelley
1831 version
(Edited)

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Book sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	2	top 500
thustherefore (for that reason) But I fear, from what you have yourself described to be his properties, that this will prove impracticable; and thus, while every proper measure is pursued, you should make up your mind to disappointment.p.203.961 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) Increase law enforcement reduced the supply of the drug and thus increased the cost, but the improvement was partially offset when the increased cost encouraged more supply.more Show general definition for thus (as in: Thus it was necessary.) therefore (for that reason; or what follows is so because of what was just said)
	60	top 500
thus#2in that way Autumn passed thus.p.134.261 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) She read my diary and mocked my most private thoughts in public. My worst fears realized thus; I avoided friends between classes.more Show general definition for thus (as in: betrayed her thus) in the way mentioned or shown
	5	top 500
despairgive up hope Do not despair.p.136.252 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) Don't despair. Next year will be better.more lose hope Show general definition for despair (as in: do not despair) lose hope or feel distress
	28	top 100
reflectthink Yet it is terrible to reflect that the lives of all these men are endangered through me.p.215.933 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) At the beginning of this passage, the author reflects on her life as a waitress.more reflect → reflects:thinks carefully Show general definition for reflect (as in: I want to reflect on it.) think carefully -- possibly aloud or in writing
	35	top 1000
endureendure → endured:suffered through I accompanied the whale-fishers on several expeditions to the North Sea; I voluntarily endured cold, famine, thirst, and want of sleep;p.17.242 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) I endured insult and injury without complaint.more Show general definition for endure (as in: endured the pain) to suffer through (or put up with something difficult or unpleasant)
	8	top 1000
endure#2continue to exist The tranquillity which I now enjoyed did not endure.p.194.342 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) She is gone, but her teachings endure through the ages.more Show general definition for endure (as in: endure through the ages) to continue to exist
	20	top 100
engageengage → engaged:occupied (involved) Two years passed in this manner, during which I paid no visit to Geneva, but was engaged, heart and soul, in the pursuit of some discoveries which I hoped to make.p.51.925 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) She engaged in conduct that is a violation of the honor code.more engage → engaged:was involved Show general definition for engage (as in: engage in conversation) to interact in various ways -- such as to participate, involve, interest, or attract The exact meaning of this sense of engage depends upon its context. For example: "They engaged in debate." -- participated "She engaged him in conversation." -- involved "She is an engaging conversationalist." -- interesting "She has an engaging smile." -- attractive (attracting interest and interaction) "The proposal engages the interest of many young voters." -- attracts and involves "She engages with her constituents." -- interacts in a meaningful way "She engaged in foolish behavior." -- entered into
	6	top 2000
engage#2engage → engaged:hired I have hired a vessel and am occupied in collecting my sailors; those whom I have already engaged appear to be men on whom I can depend and are certainly possessed of dauntless courage.p.19.225 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) The school district engaged the services of her architectural firm.more Show general definition for engage (as in: engage her services) hire, reserve, book, or occupy
	56	top 1000
endeavorendeavor → endeavouring:trying I continued walking in this manner for some time, endeavouring by bodily exercise to ease the load that weighed upon my mind.p.60.455 more Show context notes This is a British spelling. Americans use endeavoring. Show exemplary sample (not from book) I endeavored to get both sides to agree to a compromise.more endeavor → endeavored:tried or attempted Show general definition to attempt; or a project or activity attempted
	41	top 500
perceiveperceive → perceived:saw (became aware) I perceived that the words they spoke sometimes produced pleasure or pain, smiles or sadness, in the minds and countenances of the hearers.p.115.140 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) I could perceive the ship coming over the horizon.more see (become aware of) Show general definition for perceive (as in: though blind, can perceive light) to become aware of -- especially by using the senses (to see, hear, smell, feel, or taste)
	33	top 500
renderrender → rendered:made ...a thousand conflicting emotions rendered her mute as she bade me a tearful, silent farewell.p.159.332 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) Her verbal attack rendered me speechless.more Show general definition for render (as in: rendered her unconscious) to make or cause to become
	5	top 100
conveycommunicate or express ...words cannot convey an idea of the heart-sickening despair that I then endured.p.87.212 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) She dresses to convey a sense of a successful, no-nonsense woman.more
	8	top 2000
convey#2transport ...he had consequently hired a vessel to convey him to Constantinople, for which city he should sail in a few hours.p.129.312 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) I was ordered to convey her to London.more Show general definition for convey (as in: convey her safely to) transport Show editor's word notes Today, this sense of convey is seldom seen outside of historic literature.
	9	top 100
precedeprecede → preceded:were before It was your journal of the four months that preceded my creation.p.132.88 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) Stone tools preceded bronze tools.more precede → preceded:were before in time Show general definition to go or do before
	2	top 10
illustratehelp make clear As the circumstances of his marriage illustrate his character, I cannot refrain from relating them.p.33.41 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) Pictures of flooding help to illustrate the problem of global warming.more make clear Show general definition for illustrate (as in: as illustrated by this example) to help make clear -- typically by example
	11	top 2000
animateanimate → animated:lively Her hair of a shining raven black, and curiously braided; her eyes were dark, but gentle, although animated;p.119.920 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) The right to pursue happiness is an animating principle of American government.more animate → animating:inspiring people to action Show general definition for animate (as in: animated by her strong belief) inspire, make more lively, or bring to life
	10
animate#2animate → animation:life After days and nights of incredible labour and fatigue, I succeeded in discovering the cause of generation and life; nay, more, I became myself capable of bestowing animation upon lifeless matter.p.53.620 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) Is it animate or not?more alive Show general definition for animate (as in: animate v. inanimate) alive; or (more rarely) an animal--not a plant; or (more rarely still) the degree to which as an animal feels and thinks Show editor's word notes This sense of animate is typically contrasted with inanimate. The adjective animate describes something as being alive--such as a dog. The adjective inanimate describes something as not being alive--such as a rock. Note that this sense of animate is pronounced differently than other senses. Most senses whether used as a noun or an adjective) rhyme with mate, but this sense rhymes more closely with mutt".
	17	top 200
uttercomplete I attempted to accompany them and proceeded a short distance from the house, but my head whirled round, my steps were like those of a drunken man, I fell at last in a state of utter exhaustion;p.200.632 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) She suffered utter devastation when her child died in the accident.more Show general definition for utter (as in: utter stupidity) complete or total (used as an intensifier--typically when stressing how bad something is)
	24	top 100
sufficientadequate (enough) You have guessed right; I have lately been so deeply engaged in one occupation that I have not allowed myself sufficient rest, as you see; but I hope, I sincerely hope, that all these employments are now at an end and that I am at length free.p.61.723 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) We have sufficient supplies.more Show general definition adequate (enough -- often without being more than is needed)
	3	top 10
indicateindicate → indicating:showing I am, however, in good spirits: my men are bold and apparently firm of purpose, nor do the floating sheets of ice that continually pass us, indicating the dangers of the region towards which we are advancing, appear to dismay them.p.23.32 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) These maps are drawn with north to the top unless otherwise indicated.more indicate → indicated:pointed out (shown) Show general definition to show (point out, demonstrate, express, or suggest) Show editor's word notes The form, indicator can refer to many different kinds of things including intentional signals (such as a turn indicator), gauges (such as one that indicates pressure), or a measurement (such as an economic or chemical indicator).