Washington Square — Vocabulary
Henry James
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	8	top 1000
obligeoblige → obliges:requires The law obliges doctors to report suspected child abuse.more Show sample from book "The woman's an idiot," thought Morris; but he was obliged to say something different.11 more oblige → obliged:required (to do something) Show general definition for oblige (as in: I am obliged by law.) require (obligate) to do something
	4
obligedgrateful or indebted I am much obliged to you for your help.more Show sample from book I am really very much obliged to her.11 more Show general definition for obliged (as in: I'm much obliged for your kindness) grateful or indebted
	9	top 500
inquiryinvestigation The school launched an official inquiry into the allegations of cheating.more Show sample from book Here, suddenly, Morris was interrupted; these ingenious inquiries had not reached Catherine's ears.†8 more inquiry → inquiries:questions or investigations Show general definition a question or investigation -- especially one meant to gather information or find out the truth
	7	top 100
contradictdisagree with Does the sentence contradict the main claim of the essay?more Show sample from book It wouldn't give you any pleasure to contradict him?†6 more disagree Show general definition disagree in various senses, including: to say something is not true -- as in "She contradicted his testimony." to say something else is true when both can't be true -- as in "I don't believe her. She contradicted herself as she told us what happened." to be in conflict with -- as in "Her assertions contradict accepted scientific principles."
	2	top 2000
attributeattribute → attributes:characteristics The spreadsheet has a column to describe the breed of dog and then ten additional columns to indicate attributes of the breeds. For example, the second column has the average full-grown weight.more Show sample from book "Their number is infinite!" said Mrs. Penniman, in a tone which seemed to suggest that this convenient faculty was one of her brightest attributes.†2 more attribute → attributes:characteristics (of something or someone) Show general definition for attribute (as in: It is an attribute of...) a characteristic or feature (of something or someone)
	1	top 100
attribute#2attribute → attributed:credited (pointed to as the source of) She attributed this quotation to Shakespeare.more Show sample from book He was a thoroughly honest man—honest in a degree of which he had perhaps lacked the opportunity to give the complete measure; and, putting aside the great good-nature of the circle in which he practised, which was rather fond of boasting that it possessed the "brightest" doctor in the country, he daily justified his claim to the talents attributed to him by the popular voice.2 more attribute → attributed:credited (pointed to as the cause of something) Show general definition for attribute (as in: I attribute it to...) to credit (a source for something) in two typical senses: "I attribute it to her work." -- to say who or what made something happen "Remember to attribute any quotations in your paper." -- indicate the source of a quotation or idea
	6	top 200
inconsistentnot the same at different times Her play is inconsistent. Sometimes she's unbeatable and other times she beats herself.more Show sample from book As regards this, however, a critical attitude would be inconsistent with a candid reference to the early annals of any biographer.†5 more not the same in different parts or at different times… Show general definition not the same in different parts or at different times or: not in agreement [with something else]
	3	top 1000
discretionbehavior that does not attract undesired attention or reveal secrets This firm prides itself on its discretion and will not reveal client matters or even acknowledge who is a client.more Show sample from book She had told Morris Townsend that she would not mention him to her father, and she saw no reason to retract this vow of discretion.5 more keeping a secret (so that discomfort is not caused for another) Show general definition for discretion (as in: embarrassing lack of discretion) behavior that does not attract undesired attention or reveal private information
	3	top 1000
discretion#2good judgment This program contains violence that may not be appropriate for younger viewers. Parental discretion is advised.more Show sample from book I have not interfered, I have left you your liberty, I have remembered that you are no longer a little girl-that you have arrived at years of discretion.5 more Show general definition for discretion (as in: Parental discretion advised.) good judgment or good taste
	3	top 2000
discreetdiscreet → discreetly:in a manner that is unlikely to attract attention I leave my phone on silent mode, so it can alert me discreetly when I receive a text message.more Show sample from book Then she saw a gentleman standing in the middle of the room, from which her aunt had discreetly retired.5 more discreet → discreetly:in a manner that is unlikely to attract attention or cause embarrassment Show general definition for discreet (as in: discreet--not showy or gossipy) trustworthy with secrets or subtle (not attracting attention) Show editor's word notes This sense of discreet sometimes indicates that something is small (so as not to attract attention) as in "discreet earrings."
	3
discreet#2sensible and careful She is a discreet investor.more Show sample from book Well, I have been indiscreet, formerly; but I think I have got over it.5 more discreet → indiscreet:not sensible or careful Show context notes The prefix "in-" in indiscreet means not and reverses the meaning of discreet. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure. Show general definition for discreet (as in: discreet--not foolish) sensible and careful; possibly having good manners Show editor's word notes This sense of discreet is more commonly seen in classic literature than in modern writing. There is may also refer to having the judgment to exercise good manners.
	1
trifletrifle → trifling:unimportant We all agree with the goal, but how to achieve it is not a trifling matter.more Show sample from book She had a vision of this ceremony being performed in some subterranean chapel—subterranean chapels in New York were not frequent, but Mrs. Penniman's imagination was not chilled by trifles—and of the guilty couple—she liked to think of poor Catherine and her suitor as the guilty couple—being shuffled away in a fast-whirling vehicle to some obscure lodging in the suburbs, where she would pay them (in a thick veil) clandestine visits, where they would endure a period of romantic privation, and where ultimately, after she should have been their earthly providence, their intercessor, their advocate, and their medium of communication with the world, they should be reconciled to her brother in an†2 more trifle → trifles:things of small importance Show general definition for trifle (as in: a trifling matter) something of small importance; or a small quantity
	2
trifle withtreat thoughtlessly or without respect She is not a woman to trifle with or ignore.more Show sample from book It seems to make you very happy that your daughter's affections have been trifled with.†2 more trifle with → trifled with:treated thoughtlessly or without respect Show general definition for trifle with (as in: trifle with her affections) to treat somebody or something thoughtlessly or without respect
	1	top 1000
cleavesplit Large molecules cleave at their weakest points and produce smaller fragments.more Show sample from book Catherine's outbreak of anger and the sense of wrong gave her, while they lasted, the satisfaction that comes from all assertion of force; they hurried her along, and there is always a sort of pleasure in cleaving the air.1 more cleave → cleaving:splitting Show general definition for cleave (as in: cleave through) to split or cut through something Show editor's word notes Ironically, this word can mean to split in two or to hold together. Note that you may see cleaved, cleft, clove, or cloven as the past tense of this sense of cleave.
	1	top 1000
cleave#2cleave → cleaves:holds firmly The New Testament quotes the Old Testament twice in saying, "Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to this wife, and they become one flesh."more Show sample from book "You will cleave to me?" said Morris.1 more hold firmly Show general definition for cleave (as in: cleave to) to hold firmly to something -- such as an object, a person or idea Show editor's word notes Ironically, this word can mean to split in two or to hold together. Note that you may see cleaved, clove, or clave as the past tense of this sense of cleave.
	1	top 2000
correspondwrite to each other We correspond regularly via email.more Show sample from book He supposed she was in correspondence with Morris Townsend; but he held his peace about it, for he never saw the young man's letters, and Catherine's own missives were always given to the courier to post.†1 more correspond → correspondence:communication by written letters or messages Show general definition for correspond (as in: corresponding by email) communicate -- typically by writing letters or email Show editor's word notes A corresponding secretary is an officer of an organization who is responsible for managing the organization's correspondence and keeping a record of it.
	1
correspondencedone from afar via written communication She took a correspondence course while she was in prison.more Show sample from book I haven't the least idea; I am not in secret correspondence with him!†1 more done from afar Show general definition for correspondence (as in: a correspondence course) done from afar Show editor's word notes For example, a corresponding member or a correspondence course. This sense of corresponding arose because people who lived in distant cities and could not be present for meetings, could communicate by sending written communications.
	4	top 2000
tacitimplied (not directly said, but understood) There was a tacit understanding that Jessica would play good cop and Tyler would play bad cop.more Show sample from book His assent could only be tacit, for he had never been dazzled by his sister's intellectual lustre.†3 more implied Show general definition implied or understood, but not expressed directly
	3	top 500
dispositionnormal mood or typical way of behaving She has a cheerful disposition.more Show sample from book Mrs. Penniman was a tall, thin, fair, rather faded woman, with a perfectly amiable disposition, a high standard of gentility, a taste for light literature, and a certain foolish indirectness and obliquity of character.3 more normal mood and personality Show general definition for disposition (as in: a kind disposition) someone's personality, nature, or typical way of behaving
	1	top 500
disposition#2final decision What was the disposition of the court?more Show sample from book The first of these dated from ten years back, and consisted of a series of dispositions by which he left the great mass of property to his daughter, with becoming legacies to his two sisters.3 more disposition → dispositions:decisions Show general definition for disposition (as in: disposition of the matter) the decision or action taken when an issue was settled so that it no longer requires attention