Arrowsmith — Vocabulary
Sinclair Lewis
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	1
conventionlarge conference or meeting She is at the convention in Las Vegas.more Show sample from book They came out at a medical convention in Philadelphia16 more Show general definition for convention (as in: teacher's convention) a large conference or meeting
	16	top 100
convention#2convention → conventional:normal It was once conventional wisdom that the earth is flat.more Show sample from book I do so hate these conventional phrases that everybody uses, don't you?16 more convention → conventional:something regarded as typical Show general definition for convention (as in: conventional behavior) something regarded as normal or typical
	17	top 1000
endureendure → endured:suffered through I endured insult and injury without complaint.more Show sample from book To persuade the shopkeeping lords of St. Hubert to endure a test in which half of them might die, so that all plague might--perhaps--be ended forever, was impossible.17 more suffer through (or put up with something difficult or unpleasant) Show general definition for endure (as in: endured the pain) to suffer through (or put up with something difficult or unpleasant)
	1	top 1000
endure#2continue to exist She is gone, but her teachings endure through the ages.more Show sample from book She was before him, provocative, enduring.17 more endure → enduring:continuing to exist Show general definition for endure (as in: endure through the ages) to continue to exist
	33	top 2000
bacteriamicroorganisms (living creatures so small it takes a microscope to see them) The infection is caused by a bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics.more Show sample from book you may have hit on the supreme way to kill pathogenic bacteria.32 more Show general definition microorganisms (living creatures so small it takes a microscope to see them) that can both cause disease and be beneficial. (Bacteria are different and larger than viruses.) Show editor's word notes A single bacteria is called a bacterium and consists of a single cell that reproduces by splitting. (This is unlike a virus that uses cells in the body to reproduce.) Bacteria are found virtually everywhere. For example, there are typically 40 million bacterial cells in a gram of soil and a million bacterial cells in a milliliter of fresh water. Many bacteria reside on our skin and in our bodies. For example, bacteria in the stomach help animals digest food.
	23	top 500
perceivesee (become aware of) I could perceive the ship coming over the horizon.more Show sample from book Martin perceived new avenues of exciting research;22 more perceive → perceived:saw (became aware of or viewed things in a certain way so as to believe) Show general definition for perceive (as in: though blind, can perceive light) to become aware of -- especially by using the senses (to see, hear, smell, feel, or taste)
	15	top 200
assertassert → asserts:says The defense also asserts that the defendant has no previous record of crime.more Show sample from book Gottlieb had asserted that they produced doubtful vaccines,14 more assert → asserted:said (something is true -- especially something disputed) Show general definition for assert (as in: asserted her opinion that...) to say that something is true -- especially something disputed
	21	top 2000
denouncedenounce → denounced:strongly criticized or accused publicly She denounced him as a liar.more Show sample from book Martin hastened to Terry, declaring that he would resign--would denounce-- would expose-- Yes!20 more accuse publicly Show general definition to strongly criticize or accuse publicly or more rarely: to inform against someone (turn someone into the authorities)
	17	top 2000
amiablefriendly and likable She seemed an ideal candidate--attractive, amiable, intelligent, and energetic.more Show sample from book Martin, in ... his distaste for the amiable dullness of Irving Watters, turned to the roaring Clif as to something living and experimenting.16 more friendly, agreeable, and likable Show general definition friendly, agreeable, and likable
	15	top 2000
ardententhusiastic (feeling intense emotion) I am her most ardent fan.more Show sample from book He wanted—like most poor and ardent young men in such a case, he wanted all he could get.†14 more feeling intense emotion (often enthusiasm or love) Show general definition showing or feeling intense emotion -- typically strong positive feelings such as enthusiasm or love
	16	top 2000
placidcalm The sky is clear and the lake placid.more Show sample from book While Clif waited, leering, she placidly investigated the inside of a chicken sandwich and assented, "Um-huh."†15 more placid → placidly:calmly Show general definition calm and not easily excited
	21
pimathematics: an important constant representing the circumference of any circle divided by its diameter (about 3.14) Many schools celebrate Pi Day on March 14th.more Show sample from book Digamma Pi was a lively boarding-house with a billiard table and low prices.†20 more Show general definition mathematics: an important constant representing the circumference of any circle divided by its diameter (about 3.14) Show editor's word notes Pi is about 3.14, but is an irrational number; i.e., with infinite decimals providing a closer approximation.
	5	top 1000
abruptsudden and unexpected The bus came to an abrupt stop.more Show sample from book The light had gone out abruptly, as though an agitated watcher were trying to hide from him.9 more abrupt → abruptly:suddenly Show general definition for abrupt (as in: an abrupt change) sudden and unexpected or (less commonly): characterized by sudden changes or at a steep angle
	5	top 2000
abrupt#2rude or unfriendly because of using too few words or moving too quickly She has an abrupt personality.more Show sample from book ...and if you'll just get over some of your abruptness and your unwillingness to appreciate big executives and charming women ... you and I can become the dictators of science throughout the whole country!9 more abrupt → abruptness:rudeness or unfriendliness caused by using too few words or moving too quickly
	12
antibodyantibody → antibodies:various proteins the body uses to fight infections They are working on antibodies that target regions of the virus that do not easily mutate.more Show sample from book We'll patent your method of synthesizing antibodies and immediately put them on the market in large quantities, with a great big advertising campaign— you know—not circus it, of course—strictly high-class ethical advertising.†11 more Show general definition any of a large variety of proteins the body uses to fight infections Show editor's word notes Antibodies are normally present in the body and/or produced in response to a foreign substance (an antigen).
	2	top 2000
minutetiny Don't eat a lot of poppy seeds for a few days before a drug test. They have a minute amount of a chemical that can cause a false positive when testing for heroin use.more Show sample from book When he had closed the door and let his spirit flow out and fill that minute apartment with his own essence, he felt secure.4 more small Show general definition for minute (as in: minute size) small, exceptionally small, or insignificant
	3
minute#2including even small considerations We discussed it in minute detail.more Show sample from book The calculations were delicate, minute, exquisitely clear; and delicate were the scientist's thin hands among the papers.4 more done with great care Show general definition for minute (as in: minute description) detailed (including even small considerations); and/or careful (done with care)
	8	top 2000
edifyedify → edifies:teaches or instructs She edifies and inspires supporters everywhere she speaks.more Show sample from book "Umph!" grunted the studious audience, doubtful whether it was fitting to be amused, offended, bored, or edified.†7 more edify → edified:instructed Show general definition to instruct -- morally or intellectually
	2
trifletrifle → trifling:unimportant We all agree with the goal, but how to achieve it is not a trifling matter.more Show sample from book He concentrated on Leora, but his talk was of Martin: "Your husband must be an Artist Healer, not a picker of trifles like these laboratory men."†3 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 His trifling with the drug of research was risky.†3 more trifle with → trifling with:treating 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