The Age of Innocence — Vocabulary
Edith Wharton
(Auto-generated)

Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
43 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
No expense had been spared on the setting, which was acknowledged to be very beautiful even by people who shared his acquaintance with the Opera houses of Paris and Vienna.42 more
(built for) 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
20 top 100
alludeallude → alluded:indirectly referenced
He alluded to Susan without mentioning her name.more
Show sample from book
it was against all the rules of their code that the mother and son should ever allude to what was uppermost in their thoughts19 more
refer (even indirectly)
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.
16 top 100
conventionconvention → conventional:normal
It was once conventional wisdom that the earth is flat.more
Show sample from book
...she had managed to brush away the conventions and make him feel that to seek to be alone was the natural thing for two old friends who had so much to say to each other....15 more
convention → conventions:things regarded as normal
Show general definition for convention (as in: conventional behavior) something regarded as normal or typical
8 top 2000
ironywhen what happens is very different than what might be expected
She didn't see the irony in acting like the mother she detested.more
Show sample from book
it shed an ironic light on the situation to know...8 more
irony → ironic:indicating that what happened is very different than what might have be expected
Show general definition for irony (as in: situational irony) when what happens is very different than what might be expected; or when things are together that seem like they don't belong together -- especially when amusing or an entertaining coincidence
Show editor's word notes This is sometimes referred to as "situational irony."  The term is especially appropriate when actions have consequences opposite to those intended.

The expression ironic smile, generally references someone smiling at situational irony.

All forms of irony involve the perception that things are not what they might seem.
1 top 2000
irony#2irony → ironic:saying one thing, while meaning the opposite
She was being ironic when she said she couldn't wait to see you again.more
Show sample from book
She pronounced the "we" with a faint emphasis that gave it an ironic sound.8 more
irony → ironic:saying one thing while meaning another
Show general definition for irony (as in: verbal irony) saying one thing, while meaning the opposite or something else -- usually as humor or sarcasm
Show editor's word notes This is sometimes referred to as "verbal irony." Typically, the speaker says one thing but means the opposite, and the tone of voice or the context of the situation makes the true, contradictory meaning clear.

All forms of irony involve the perception that things are not what they might seem.
10 top 500
conspicuouseasy to notice
She tried not to look conspicuous as she slipped into class after the tardy bell.more
Show sample from book
"It sounds more conspicuous; and that can hardly be what she wishes," said Mrs. Archer distantly.†9 more
easily noticed
Show general definition easily noticed -- typically attracting attention such as by being large, flashy, or unusual
8 top 100
conformconform → conformist:someone who thinks and acts like others in a group
Most teenagers are surprisingly conformist within their subgroup.more
Show sample from book
But European society is not given to divorce: Countess Olenska thought she would be conforming to American ideas in asking for her freedom.†7 more
conform → conforming:complying, fitting in, or being similar to what is normal
Show general definition to comply, fit in, or be similar to what is normal
8 top 200
prudentsensible and careful
She was promoted to manager because she is so prudent.more
Show sample from book
Better keep on the surface, in the prudent old New York way, than risk uncovering a wound he could not heal.†7 more
8 top 1000
perplexperplex → perplexed:confused
She was perplexed by the rules of the game.more
Show sample from book
Archer was proud of the glances turned on her, and the simple joy of possessorship cleared away his underlying perplexities.†7 more
perplex → perplexities:things that confuse
Show general definition to confuse
6 top 100
candidhonest and direct
Don't worry about my feelings. I'd like your candid opinion.more
Show sample from book
May met the question with her unshaken candour.5 more
candid → candour:honesty and directness
Show context notes This is a British spelling. Americans use candor.
6 top 200
eminentrespected and well-known
She studied under an eminent scientist who had won multiple international awards.more
Show sample from book
The young man felt a touch on his arm and saw Mrs. van der Luyden looking down on him from the pure eminence of black velvet and the family diamonds.†5 more
eminent → eminence:famous, respected, or important within a particular field or profession
Show general definition famous, respected, or important within a particular field or profession
6 top 1000
discreditdamage the reputation of
She spoke only of her strengths, but others on her campaign staff worked to discredit her opponent.more
Show sample from book
On the sideboard, between fluted Sheraton knife-cases, stood a decanter of Haut Brion, and another of the old Lanning port (the gift of a client), which the wastrel Tom Lanning had sold off a year or two before his mysterious and discreditable death in San Francisco—an incident less publicly humiliating to the family than the sale of the cellar.†5 more
discredit → discreditable:tending to damage the reputation of
Show context notes The suffix "-able" means able to be. This is the same pattern you see in words like breakable, understandable, and comfortable.
Show general definition damage the reputation of -- often causing distrust of or disbelief in
1 top 1000
phasephase → phases:periods of time or stages during the development of something
It is a planned community that will be built in 5 phases.more
Show sample from book
But, as it was against all the rules of their code that the mother and son should ever allude to what was uppermost in their thoughts, he simply replied: "Oh, well, there's always a phase of family parties to be gone through when one gets engaged, and the sooner it's over the better."1 more
stage (of the development of something)
Show general definition for phase (as in: a critical phase) a period of time or a stage during the development of something
1 top 1000
phase#2a period of time when someone exhibits unusual behavior
When I was three, I went through a phase when I had an imaginary friend.more
Show sample from book
But my poor child is going through a phase of exaltation, of abhorrence of the world.1 more
Show general definition for phase (as in: she's going through a phase) a period of time when someone exhibits unusual behavior
6 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
Mrs. Welland agreed, as if allowing for an inherited oddity; and after that the question of Newland's unemployment was tacitly dropped.†5 more
tacit → tacitly:in an indirect manner
Show general definition implied or understood, but not expressed directly
3 top 1000
enumerateenumerate → enumerated:listed one after another
She enumerated the many obstacles she had encounteredmore
Show sample from book
Archer had been wont to smile at these annual vaticinations of his mother's; but this year even he was obliged to acknowledge, as he listened to an enumeration of the changes, that the "trend" was visible.†2 more
enumerate → enumeration:to name or list things one-by-one
Show general definition to name or list things one-by-one
2 top 500
abysmalvery bad
The refugee camp has abysmal living conditions.more
Show sample from book
And he contemplated her absorbed young face with a thrill of possessorship in which pride in his own masculine initiation was mingled with a tender reverence for her abysmal purity.†1 more
4
inarticulateunable to express herself clearly
She becomes inarticulate when she's nervous.more
Show sample from book
She drew them away, and he turned to the door, found his coat and hat under the faint gas-light of the hall, and plunged out into the winter night bursting with the belated eloquence of the inarticulate.†3 more
unable to express oneself clearly; or not expressed clearly
Show general definition unable to communicate clearly (or to use words)

or (more rarely): a feeling or idea that is not expressed

The exact meaning of inarticulate depends upon its context. For example:
  • unable to find good words to express oneself -- as in "She gets inarticulate when she's nervous."
  • verbally expressing a feeling without words -- as in "She uttered an inarticulate cry of despair."
  • unable to make oneself heard and understood -- as in "She mumbled inarticulately."
  • unable to speak -- as in "She was inarticulate with rage."
  • a feeling or idea that is not expressed -- as in "We shared an inarticulate fear."
  • inability to express or understand feelings or ideas -- as in "She is emotionally inarticulate, " or "Her symphony is inarticulate."
12 top 2000
countenancefacial expression; or face
She has a pleasant countenance.more
Show sample from book
After that there was still time to review, one by one, the familiar countenances in the first rows;13 more
countenance → countenances:faces
Show general definition for countenance (as in: a pleasant countenance) facial expression; or face; or composure or manner
2 top 2000
countenance#2to tolerate or approve
We will not countenance torture.more
Show sample from book
That is just like the extraordinary things that foreigners invent about us. They think we dine at two o'clock and countenance divorce!13 more
approve of
Show general definition for countenance (as in: giving countenance) to tolerate, approve, or show favor or support