And Then There Were None — Vocabulary
Agatha Christie
(Edited)

Book sample Uses ACT/SAT
2 top 100
establishestablish → established:long-existing
"Old established firm," he volunteered.p.55.84 more
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Which word choice best maintains the tone established in the first paragraph?more
establish → established:created
Show general definition for establish (as in: establish a positive tone) create, start, or set in [a] place
3 top 100
establish#2establish → established:demonstrated
We have now dealt with the second killing, and have established the fact that no one of us can be completely exonerated from suspicion.p.160.94 more
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The passage is primarily about establishing the relationship between the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and global temperature.more
establish → establishing:showing or demonstrating
Show general definition for establish (as in: establish that there is a need) show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
9 top 100
neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas)
Death was very near to Philip Lombard now. It had never, he knew, been nearer. Nevertheless he was not beaten yet.p.264.48 more
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The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more
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.
4 top 100
reflectreflect → reflected:thought
Constance Culmington, he reflected to himself, was exactly the sort of woman who would buy an island and surround herself with mystery!p.3.14 more
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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
4 top 1000
sheercomplete
And anyway it's a sheer impossibility that Armstrong can be in the house.p.252.15 more
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She had a look of sheer joy.more
Show general definition for sheer (as in: sheer fun) complete or pure -- without restriction,  qualification, or other elements (used for emphasis)
2 top 1000
sheer#2steep
It's pretty sheer. [the cliff]p.126.55 more
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Be careful on that road. There is a sheer drop-off on the right.more
so steep it is almost vertical
Show general definition for sheer (as in: a sheer cliff) so steep it is almost vertical
2 top 100
consequenceconsequence → consequences:results
If amyl nitrite were withheld—well, the consequences might easily be fatal.p.114.12 more
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Your decision will have three major consequences.more
Show general definition for consequence (as in: a direct consequence of) a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
1 top 1000
consequence#2importance
"It's of no consequence," said the judge.p.37.92 more
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Think carefully. This is a consequential decision.more
consequence → consequential:important
Show general definition for consequence (as in: of little consequence) importance or relevance
4 top 2000
engageengage → engaged:hired
We were engaged by letter, through an agency.p.55.74 more
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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
4 top 200
indignantindignant → indignation:anger or annoyance at something unjust
Your indignation is very natural.p.156.93 more
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"I am not a fool," she said indignantly.more
indignant → indignantly:with anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong
Show general definition angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
3 top 100
contradictdisagree with
He can swear the body's been dead at least an hour and who's to contradict him?p.171.22 more
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Does the sentence contradict the main claim of the essay?more
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."
4
acquitacquit → acquittal:an official finding of "not guilty"
Matthews had been confident. Not a doubt of the verdict. Acquittal practically certain.p.65.73 more
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It took the jury only 30 minutes to acquit her of the murder charge.more
officially find "not guilty"
Show general definition for acquit (as in: she was acquitted) to officially find "not guilty" of criminal charges
Show editor's word notes Being acquitted does not mean the court declared the person innocent. It simply means there was not enough evidence to prove guilt according to the law.

The amount of evidence required depends on the type of case. In a criminal case, where someone could go to prison, the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt—a very high standard. In a civil case, a lawsuit usually about money, the plaintiff only needs to show that the defendant is responsible more likely than not—a much lower standard.

This is why the same person can be found "not guilty" in a criminal trial (their guilt was not proved beyond a reasonable doubt) but still be found guilty in a civil trial for the same actions (because their guilt was more likely than not).
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contrastsomething notably different compared (to something else)
His hands shook. It was such a contrast to his restraint of a few minutes ago that Armstrong was quite taken aback.p.104.9
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The contrast in their leadership styles is striking. Olivia motivated people with fear. Isabella motivated them with praise.more
notable difference
Show general definition for contrast (as in: there is a contrast) a difference -- especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
3 top 1000
concuragree
All his suspicions were directed against Lombard and I pretended to concur in these.p.294.42 more
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We concur on the action to be taken; though we disagree on the reasons.more
Show general definition for concur (as in: I concur) to agree
4
perjurythe criminal offense of lying under oath
What about your own pretty little spot of perjury?p.141.63 more
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They did not charge her with theft. They charged her for perjury during her testimony to the grand jury.more
the criminal offense of telling lies in court after formally promising to tell the truth
Show general definition the criminal offense of telling lies after formally promising to tell the truth -- such as when testifying in a court trial
3
exonerateexonerate → exonerated:found free of blame
But I quite appreciate the fact that we are all strangers to one another and that in those circumstances, nobody can be exonerated without the fullest proof.p.154.52 more
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The jury exonerated her of all charges.more
exonerate → exonerated:freed (of blame)
Show general definition to free someone from blame

or more rarely:

to free someone from an obligation
2
fraughtfilled
The judge said: "There are five of us here in this room. One of us is a murderer. The position is fraught with grave danger."p.205.11 more
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The week following the diagnosis was fraught with difficult choices.more
filled (with something negative)
Show general definition full of negative things; or marked by or causing distress
11 top 200
tonequality of voice expressing a feeling
There was urgency in Rogers' tone.p.51.710 more
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Which of the following words best maintains the tone established in this passage.more
general feeling
Show general definition for tone (as in: the tone of the essay) the general feeling, mood, or attitude of something -- especially of something said or written
11 top 500
gravegrave → gravely:solemnly (in a very serious manner)
General Macarthur said gravely: "None of us are going to leave the island."p.129.210 more
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Her smile disappeared as she suddenly realized the gravity of her situation.more
grave → gravity:seriousness or importance (weightiness)
Show general definition for grave (as in: Her manner was grave.) serious and/or solemn
The exact meaning of this sense of grave can depend upon its context. For example:
  • "This is a grave problem," or "a situation of the utmost gravity." -- important, dangerous, or causing worry
  • "She was in a grave mood upon returning from the funeral." -- sad or solemn
  • "She looked me in the eye and gravely promised." -- in a sincere and serious manner
6 top 500
preservepreserve → preservation:protection
Five people who watched each other, who now hardly troubled to hide their state of nervous tension. ... They were five enemies linked together by a mutual instinct of self-preservation.p.211.55 more
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They are preserving the elephant habitat.more
preserve → preserving:protecting or keeping something from changing
Show general definition for preserve (as in: preserve the records) to protect something or to keep it as it is