Dubliners — Vocabulary
James Joyce
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	13	top 100
alludeallude → alluded:indirectly referenced He alluded to Susan without mentioning her name.more Show sample from book "...what shall I call them?--the Three Graces of the Dublin musical world." The table burst into applause and laughter at this allusion.12 more allude → allusion:an indirect reference Show general definition to make an indirect reference Show editor's word notes The expression, no allusion can mean "not even an indirect reference"; i.e., neither a direct nor an indirect reference to something.
	8	top 1000
melancholyvery sad She's been in a melancholy mood since her dog died.more Show sample from book A gentle melancholy took possession of him.†7 more a sad feeling or manner Show general definition a sad feeling or manner -- sometimes thoughtfully sad
	5	top 200
moreoverin addition to what has just been said The company has too much debt. Moreover, it is responsible for a long-term lease on expensive office space.more Show sample from book The French, moreover, were virtual victors.†4 more
	8	top 2000
operaa classical music play in which most of the dialogue is sung She is a popular opera singer.more Show sample from book One night, when an operatic artiste had fallen ill, he had undertaken the part of the king in the opera of Maritana at the Queen's Theatre.†7 more opera → operatic:relating to classical music plays in which most of the dialogue is sung Show general definition a form of musical theater with orchestra in which most of the words are sung, often in a classical style and sometimes in a foreign language
	6	top 1000
pioushighly religious The cartoon with a drawing of Muhammad outraged many pious Muslims.more Show sample from book They are very good men, the monks, very pious men.5 more highly religious and moral Show general definition for pious (as in: a good, pious woman) religious or highly moral
	7	top 2000
amiablefriendly and likable She seemed an ideal candidate--attractive, amiable, intelligent, and energetic.more Show sample from book I watched my master's face pass from amiability to sternness;6 more amiable → amiability:the quality of being friendly and agreeable Show general definition friendly, agreeable, and likable
	3	top 2000
descendmove downward We saw the rocket descend.more Show sample from book She moved her hand about here and there in the air and descended on one of the saucers.3 more descend → descended:moved downward Show general definition for descend (as in: descend the mountain) move or slope downward
	1	top 2000
descend#2descend → descended:came suddenly Despair descended upon us.more Show sample from book THE grey warm evening of August had descended upon the city and a mild warm air, a memory of summer, circulated in the streets.3 more descend → descended:come Show general definition for descend (as in: thieves descended upon us) to come or arrive -- especially suddenly or from above or as an attack
	1	top 2000
bronzea brownish metal that is made of copper and (usually) tin The sculpture of a bull on Wall Street is made of bronze.more Show sample from book On his fourth trial he had been awarded a bronze medal.3 more made of a brownish metal Show general definition for bronze (as in: bronze won't corrode in salt water) a brownish-colored metal with red or yellow hues that is made of copper and (usually) tin Show editor's word notes Bronze metals in the Olympics and many other contests are awarded for third place. With the discovery of bronze (about 3,000 BC), people could make tools and weapons that were harder and more durable than those made of copper and stone that preceded bronze.
	3
bronze#2reddish-brown or yellowish-brown He was attracted by her shining bronze hair.more Show sample from book He was standing at the gate, his peaked cap pushed back on his head and his hair tumbled forward over a face of bronze.3 more a suntanned color Show general definition for bronze (as in: a bronze tan) a reddish-brown or yellowish-brown color like that of one of the metals with the same name -- often used to refer to a suntan or a dark glowing complexion
	6	top 1000
retortquickly reply She wanted to retort that he that he sounded foolish, but she made herself count to ten and thought better of it.more Show sample from book "O, to tell you the truth," retorted Gabriel suddenly, "I'm sick of my own country, sick of it!"†5 more retort → retorted:quickly replied Show general definition for retort (as in: quick retort) a quick reply to a question or remark -- especially a witty or critical one
	5	top 1000
resignation(accepted) something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils It wasn't her first choice, but she accepted it with resignation.more Show sample from book She said he just looked as if he was asleep, he looked that peaceful and resigned.4 more resignation → resigned:as one having accepted what could not be avoided Show general definition for resignation (as in: accepted it with resignation) acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
	3	top 100
candidhonest and direct Don't worry about my feelings. I'd like your candid opinion.more Show sample from book Do you know what my private and candid opinion is about some of those little jokers?2 more honest and straightforward
	3	top 200
tactthe ability and tendency to say or handle things in such a way that others feel good about them She has the tact of a politician or diplomat.more Show sample from book A little tact was necessary.†2 more the ability or act of saying or handling things in such a way that others feel good about them Show general definition the ability or act of saying or handling things in such a way that others feel good about them
	5	top 2000
canvasscanvass → canvassing:talking with people individually She has been canvassing the membership to see how they feel and to ask for their support.more Show sample from book Between ourselves, you know, Crofton (he's a decent chap, of course), but he's not worth a damn as a canvasser.†4 more canvass → canvasser:someone who gets opinions by asking specific questions; and/or asks people for political support individually Show general definition for canvass (as in: canvass the crowd) examine an issue, get opinions by asking specific questions; and/or ask people for political support individually
	5
reparationreparation → reparations:payments required to make up for wrongs done during a war Germany was unable to pay the reparations demanded after World War Imore Show sample from book The question was: What reparation would he make?†4 more compensation for a wrong Show general definition compensation for a wrong -- usually an amount of money -- often payment required from the losing country in a war
	2	top 500
copiousa lot of She took copious notes.†more Show sample from book There he lay, solemn and copious, vested as for the altar, his large hands loosely retaining a chalice.†1 more abundant (large in quantity or number) Show general definition abundant (large in quantity or number)
	2	top 1000
cruxmost important part I see the crux as whether you trust people to make those kinds of decisions for themselves.more Show sample from book And Pius IX his predecessor's motto was Crux upon Crux—that is, Cross upon Cross—to show the difference between their two pontificates.† the most important or difficult part of a problem, argument, or situation Show general definition the most important or difficult part of a problem, argument, or situation
	2	top 2000
diffidenthesitant and unassertive She is diffident around adults, but dominant with her peer group.more Show sample from book Gabriel waited again and then, fearing that diffidence was about to conquer him, he said abruptly: "By the way, Gretta!"1 more diffident → diffidence:hesitancy and unassertiveness due to a lack of self-confidence Show general definition hesitant and unassertive -- often due to a lack of self-confidence
	2	top 2000
gesticulategesticulate → gesticulations:gestures (hand or body movements) made while speaking or to express something The moderator turned her microphone off, leaving us to see her gesticulations, but not hear her words.more Show sample from book talking and gesticulating.†1 more gesticulate → gesticulating:making gestures (hand or body movements) while speaking or to express something Show general definition to make gestures (hand or body movements) while speaking or to express something