Main Street — Vocabulary
Sinclair Lewis
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	24	top 200
assertassert → asserts:says The defense also asserts that the defendant has no previous record of crime.more Show sample from book She asserted that it proved him to be a man of the bold free West.23 more assert → asserted:said (something is true) Show general definition for assert (as in: asserted her opinion that...) to say that something is true -- especially something disputed
	1	top 500
perceiveperceive → perceives:views in a certain way She perceives more risk in the trip than he does.more Show sample from book Ella Stowbody, the professional, perceiving that it was because of a conspiracy of jealousy that she had been given a small part, alternated between lofty amusement and Christian patience.14 more perceive → perceiving:viewing things in a certain way so as to form a belief or opinion Show general definition for perceive (as in: perceive the system as unfair) to view in a certain way so as to form a belief or opinion
	14	top 500
perceive#2see (become aware of) I could perceive the ship coming over the horizon.more Show sample from book As they reached the picnic ground she perceived that it was dark,14 more perceive → perceived:saw 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)
	3	top 100
yieldproduce (lead to) The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.more Show sample from book He asked the veterinarian about the value of different breeds of stock; he inquired of Lyman Cass whether or not Einar Gyseldson really had had a yield of forty bushels of wheat to the acre.10 more production Show general definition for yield (as in: will yield valuable data) to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
	8	top 100
yield#2give in The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.more Show sample from book She wasn't going to yield to the village and let down; she was going to keep up a belief in the rite of tea, to which she had always looked forward as the symbol of a leisurely fine existence.10 more give in, give way, or give up Show general definition for yield (as in: yield to pressure) to give in, give way, or give up
	6	top 100
advocateadvocate → advocates:publicly supports She advocates stricter gun control.more Show sample from book Doctor, have the medical societies in Minnesota ever advocated legislation for help to nursing mothers?8 more advocate → advocated:publicly supported Show general definition for advocate (as in: to advocate) to recommend or publicly support (someone or something)
	3	top 100
advocate#2a person who publicly supports and works to advance a cause She is a passionate advocate for children's welfare.more Show sample from book But the advocate of freedom in marriage was as much disappointed as a drooping bride at the alacrity with which he took that freedom and escaped to the world of men's affairs.8 more public supporter Show general definition for advocate (as in: an advocate supporting) a person who publicly supports and works to advance a cause or more rarely: someone acting in the role of a defense lawyer in England's past and in some jurisdictions today
	7	top 2000
positivecertain I'm positive I've seen her before.more Show sample from book The woman was positively known to have worn handkerchiefs in her bodice as padding—oh, the town had simply roared at her.7 more positive → positively:absolutely (used for emphasis) Show general definition for positive (as in: I'm absolutely positive!) certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
	1	top 100
positive#2positive → positively:in a good or beneficial manner Lower interest rates positively affected home sales.†more Show sample from book I've failed at every positive thing I've tried.7 more good Show general definition for positive (as in: had a positive effect) good or beneficial
	20	top 2000
amiablefriendly and likable She seemed an ideal candidate--attractive, amiable, intelligent, and energetic.more Show sample from book The inhabitants of the Humble Home were supposed to be amiable and intelligent.19 more friendly, agreeable, and likable Show general definition friendly, agreeable, and likable
	17	top 1000
cynicalsomeone who expects the worst The experience made her overly cynical.more Show sample from book She was cynical about the joys of a simple laborious life.†16 more someone who expects the worst -- especially of people Show general definition someone who expects the worst -- especially of people (such as expecting them to be selfish and lie)
	19	top 2000
socialisman economic system based on government ownership and control of all companies -- with the ideal of equal benefits to all people She believes that more socialism would be more fair.more Show sample from book You'll be mixing in socialism next!†18 more an economic system based on government ownership or control of all important com… Show general definition an economic system based on government ownership or control of all important companies -- with the ideal of equal benefits to all people
	18
impersonallacking warmth or personal connection I don't want to deal with an impersonal corporation.more Show sample from book She had studied the boys pityingly, but impersonally.†17 more impersonal → impersonally:not influenced by personal feelings Show general definition not influenced by personal feelings -- often indicating a lack of warmth of personal connection
	9	top 2000
stolidemotionless She listened to both arguments thoughtfully, but with a face as stolid as a cow's.more Show sample from book But so few of these stolid worlds wanted to be moved.†8 more having or revealing little emotion Show general definition having or revealing little emotion -- sometimes indicating qualities of not changing or being dependable or (much more rarely): of an object: not interesting -- often large and unmoving
	2
minuteincluding even small considerations We discussed it in minute detail.more Show sample from book Carol understood that Vida believed herself to have recited minutely and brazenly a story of intimate love;3 more minute → minutely:in a detailed manner Show general definition for minute (as in: minute description) detailed (including even small considerations); and/or careful (done with care)
	2
minuteswritten record of what happens at a meeting The secretary keeps the minutes of the meeting.more Show sample from book She hinted that they ought to have (as at the committee-meetings of the Thanatopsis) a "regular order of business," and "the reading of the minutes," but as there were no minutes to read, and as no one knew exactly what was the regular order of the business of being literary, they had to give up efficiency.3 more formal notes (from a meeting) Show general definition for minutes (as in: keep the minutes) a written record of what happened at a meeting
	6	top 2000
flippanthaving an inappropriate lack of seriousness Her response is entertaining, but the question deserves a less flippant answer.more Show sample from book The clerk was flippant and urban.†5 more showing an inappropriate lack of seriousness Show general definition showing an inappropriate lack of seriousness
	6
anarchistsomeone who opposes government or authority At the protest, one anarchist set off fireworks and shouted that all rules were meant to be broken.more Show sample from book I'm the town badman, Mrs. Kennicott: town atheist, and I suppose I must be an anarchist, too.†5 more someone who favors eliminating all government or authority Show general definition someone who favors eliminating all government or authority
	5	top 2000
diffidenthesitant and unassertive She is diffident around adults, but dominant with her peer group.more Show sample from book He presented his idols diffidently, but he expanded in Carol's bookishness, in Miss Sherwin's voluminous praise, in Kennicott's tolerance of any one who amused his wife.†4 more diffident → diffidently:with hesitancy and unassertiveness Show general definition hesitant and unassertive -- often due to a lack of self-confidence
	5	top 2000
superciliousarrogant I have come to hate her supercilious smile.more Show sample from book Carol apologized for her superciliousness.†4 more supercilious → superciliousness:arrogant (acting as if better, more important, and superior in ideas than others… Show general definition arrogant (acting as if better, more important, and superior in ideas than others)