A Christmas Carol — Vocabulary
Charles Dickens
(Edited)

Book sample Uses ACT/SAT
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specterspecter → spectre:ghost
Again the spectre raised a cry, and shook its chain and wrung its shadowy hands.p.22.911 more
Show context notes This is a British spelling. Americans use specter.
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
It aroused specters from her past.more
specter → specters:a mental image of something frightening or disturbing
Show general definition a frightening or disturbing mental image or possibility

or:

a ghostly appearing image
3 top 500
resolveresolve → resolved:decided
But nothing doubting that to whomsoever they applied they had some latent moral for his own improvement, he resolved to treasure up every word he heard, and everything he saw; and especially to observe the shadow of himself when it appeared.p.97.83 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
This year I resolved to lose a pound a week for 5 weeks.more
Show general definition for resolve (as in: I resolved to stop drinking.) to decide -- typically a firm or formal decision
Show editor's word notes In modern writing resolve is typically used to emphasize a firm or formal decision. In classic literature, it is used more frequently and often simply replaces decide or determine.
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resolve#2resolve → resolved:determined (having firm purpose)
But scorning rest, upon his reappearance, he instantly began again, though there were no dancers yet, as if the other fiddler had been carried home, exhausted, on a shutter, and he were a bran-new man resolved to beat him out of sight, or perish.p.45.23 more
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She never waivered in her resolve to attend a good college.more
determination (firmness of purpose)
Show general definition for resolve (as in: Her resolve weakened.) firmness of purpose (strong determination to do something)
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obligeoblige → obliged:required
...he scrambled out of bed, and groped his way to the window. He was obliged to rub the frost off with the sleeve of his dressing-gown before he could see anything;p.30.14 more
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The law obliges doctors to report suspected child abuse.more
oblige → obliges:requires
Show general definition for oblige (as in: I am obliged by law.) require (obligate) to do something
2
obligedgrateful or indebted
I am much obliged to you. I thank you fifty times. Bless you!p.123.14 more
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I am much obliged to you for your help.more
6 top 1000
endeavorendeavor → endeavouring:trying
... a few of us are endeavouring to raise a fund to buy the Poor some meat and drink, and means of warmth.p.10.45 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
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dismaldepressing or gloomy
The door of Scrooge's counting-house was open that he might keep his eye upon his clerk, who in a dismal little cell beyond, a sort of tank, was copying letters.p.4.84 more
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The coach will probably be replaced after such a dismal year.more
terrible
Show general definition of terrible quality or depressing; or dark and dreary (as when bad weather blocks the sun or when it is drizzly)
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recollectrecollect → recollection:memory
A very, very brief time, and you will dismiss the recollection of it, gladly, as an unprofitable dream, from which it happened well that you awoke.p.50.83 more
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I think I recollect that she was away at college that year.more
remember
Show general definition to remember -- especially experiences from long ago
Show editor's word notes Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice):

Relative to its synonyms, recollect brings to mind a leisurely piecing together of distant memories. It may be used in a less formal manner than remember and is almost always less formal than recall.
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benevolentbenevolent → benevolence:kindness or generosity
The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business.p.25.32 more
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They called themselves The Benevolent Association because their mission was to help others.more
kind, generous, or charitable
Show general definition kind, generous, or charitable
4 top 1000
melancholysad or depressing
Scrooge took his melancholy dinner in his usual melancholy tavern;p.14.13 more
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She's been in a melancholy mood since her dog died.more
very sad
Show general definition a sad feeling or manner -- sometimes thoughtfully sad
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agitateagitate → agitated:emotionally upset
The noise in this room was perfectly tumultuous, for there were more children there, than Scrooge in his agitated state of mind could count;p.51.52 more
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We are agitating public unrest, so there will be a cry for change.more
agitate → agitating:stirring up emotions to increase unrest
Show general definition to stir up or shake -- emotionally (as when people are angered or upset) or physically (as when a washing machine cleans clothes)
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wretchedunfortunate or miserable
From the foldings of its robe, it brought two children; wretched, abject, frightful, hideous, miserable.p.89.84 more
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The children were taken into protective custody due to their wretched living conditions.more
miserable
Show general definition very bad
in various senses, including:
  • unfortunate or miserable -- as in "wretched prisoners sleeping on the cold floor"
  • of poor quality -- as in "wretched roads"
  • morally bad -- as in "The wretched woman stole his wallet."
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indignantindignant → indignantly:with anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong
"More shame for him, Fred!" said Scrooge's niece, indignantly.p.81.61 more
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"I am not a fool," she said indignantly.more
Show general definition angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
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neverthelessanyway (despite that)
"A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to the old man, whatever he is!" said Scrooge's nephew. "He wouldn't take it from me, but may he have it, nevertheless."p.88.3
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more
despite that (used to connect contrasting ideas)
Show general definition despite that
Show editor's word notes Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 was just stated, we still have idea 2.  Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrast and but.
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composecompose → composed:calmed or settled
Poor Bob sat down in it, and when he had thought a little and composed himself, he kissed the little face.p.110.9
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I took a deep breath to compose myself and then began my speech.more
calm
Show general definition for compose (as in: compose myself) to calm someone or settle something
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consciousconscious → consciousness:wakefulness
He felt that he was restored to consciousness in the right nick of time, for the especial purpose of holding a conference with the second messenger despatched to him through Jacob Marley's intervention.p.57.28 more
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The operation can be done with local anesthetic, so the patient is still conscious.more
awake
Show general definition for conscious (as in: conscious after the operation) awake (not asleep or in a state similar to sleep where one is unaware of anything)
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conscious#2conscious → consciousness:awareness
They have no consciousness of us.p.36.38 more
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She prides herself on being socially conscious.more
aware and concerned
Show general definition for conscious (as in: environmentally conscious) aware or concerned about something
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accompanyaccompany → accompanied:escorted (in the company of)
Scrooge's former self, now grown a young man, came briskly in, accompanied by his fellow-'prentice.p.43.12 more
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The nurse accompanies the old woman everywhere.more
accompany → accompanies:travels with
Show general definition for accompany (as in: accompany on the journey) to travel along with
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thusin that way
Quite satisfied, he closed his door, and locked himself in; double-locked himself in, which was not his custom. Thus secured against surprise, he took off his cravat; put on his dressing-gown and slippers, and his nightcap; and sat down before the fire to take his gruel.p.17.43 more
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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
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engageengage → engaged:involved
The mother and her daughters were engaged in sewing.p.108.91 more
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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