As I Lay Dying — Vocabulary
William Faulkner
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	11	top 2000
begrudgeresent (feel bitter about) I don't begrudge her making a profit, but this is unreasonable.more Show sample from book I know that I deserve my punishment. I do not begrudge it.10 more resent Show general definition to resent (feel bitterness--usually over unfairness); or to give unwillingly
	12	top 2000
reinrein → reined in:restrained The court reined in agency power--describing it as out of control.more Show sample from book ...holding the horse reined back.11 more Show general definition for rein (as in: to rein in their activities) to restrain or control; or a means of control The meaning of rein depends upon its context. For example: "keep a tight rein on the new employee," or "rein in a horse" -- to control or restrain "give the new employee free rein," or "give the horse full rein" -- do not restrain "the reins of government" -- means of control "the reins of the horse" -- leather straps used with a bit to control a horse (You might like to think of other senses of rein as being figurative derivations from this sense.)
	7	top 1000
gauntvery thin She looked gaunt from the chemotherapy.more Show sample from book He too has lost flesh; like ours, his face has an expression strained, dreamy and gaunt.6 more thin and bony Show general definition very thin and bony -- often from hunger or as though having been worn to the bone
	6	top 1000
prescribeprescribe → prescribed:gave medical instructions instructing that the patient should take The doctor prescribed an antibiotic for the infection.more Show sample from book I stopped at the glass and smoothed my hair, then I went behind the prescription case, where she was waiting.†5 more prescribe → prescription:a recommendation or requirement OR (from a medical doctor) an instruction -- such as writing that a patient should take antibiotics Show general definition to recommend or require what should be done or more specifically: of a medical doctor: to give medical instructions -- such as writing that a patient should take antibiotics
	6	top 2000
mortalhuman Don't expect perfection of a mere mortal.more Show sample from book It is our mortal lot to suffer and...5 more Show general definition for mortal (as in: mortal body) human (especially merely human); or subject to death
	6
obligedgrateful or indebted I am much obliged to you for your help.more Show sample from book I'm obliged to you.5 more Show general definition for obliged (as in: I'm much obliged for your kindness) grateful or indebted
	4	top 1000
sullenunhappy and withdrawn She changed from a happy, outgoing child to sullen teenager.more Show sample from book sullenly willing to be disappointed all at the same time.3 more sullen → sullenly:with a gloomy (or bad) mood Show general definition for sullen (as in: a sullen mood) being unhappy (and often withdrawn)
	4	top 2000
gaudytastelessly showy By local standards, her outfit was gaudy.more Show sample from book The horse snorts, then Jewel sees him, glinting for a gaudy instant among the blue shadows.†3 more Show general definition tastelessly showy
	4	top 1000
musemuse → mused:reflected (thought) deeply He mused aloud about the afternoon's developments.more Show sample from book ...from behind his slack-faced astonishment he muses as though from beyond time, upon the ultimate outrage.3 more muse → muses:thinks (reflects deeply) Show general definition for muse (as in: her musings) reflect (think) deeply on a subject -- perhaps aloud
	3	top 1000
deceivemislead The plan was to deceive the Germans into believing the main attack would take place further north.more Show sample from book I tried to deceive no one.†2 more lie or mislead Show general definition to lie to or mislead someone -- occasionally to lie to oneself by denying reality
	4	top 2000
poisecomposure (calm confidence -- even when under pressure) She has great charm and great poise.more Show sample from book He sits lightly, poised, upright, wooden-faced in the saddle, the broken hat raked at a swaggering angle.3 more poise → poised:in control and prepared to move as needed Show general definition calm, confident, and in control—especially in movement, behavior, or when ready to act
	4	top 2000
twilightthe light from the sky in the time of day between daylight and darkness (just after sunset or just before sunrise) It is a beautiful picture taken in twilight.more Show sample from book He looks up at the gaunt face framed by the window in the twilight.3 more light from the time of day between daylight and darkness Show general definition for twilight (as in: pink clouds in a twilight sky) the time of day between daylight and darkness (just after sunset or just before sunrise); or the light from the sky at that time
	4	top 2000
mortgageproperty loan We are the proud owners of a new home and a $100,000 mortgage.more Show sample from book Payed off that mortgage with it, I hear tell.†3 more a real estate loan; or pledging something for a loan Show general definition a real estate loan; or to offer real estate as collateral for a loan (collateral is something that has to be given to the lender if the loan isn't paid as agreed)
	3	top 2000
irrevocableincapable of being undone We agreed not to take any irrevocable action until after the meeting.more Show sample from book her soul faced the awful and irrevocable judgment2 more final (incapable of being undone)
	4	top 1000
raptfascinated She watched with rapt attention.more Show sample from book watching Vernon with rapt absorption.3 more deep interest and focus Show general definition for rapt (as in: rapt attention) deeply interested and focused (on something) -- often while admiring
	3
engendercause (bring into being) The police in Mexico don't engender confidence.more Show sample from book ...sparks rain on it in scattering bursts as though they engendered other sparks from the contact.2 more engender → engendered:gave rise to Show general definition cause -- usually a feeling (possibly a situation)
	2
caricaturea drawing that exaggerates physical traits for comedic effect The artist drew a caricature of the politician, exaggerating his features for comedic effect.more Show sample from book He looms tall above us as we squat; he looks like a figure carved clumsily from tough wood by a drunken caricaturist.†1 more caricature → caricaturist:a representation that exaggerates or highlights certain aspects Show general definition a representation that exaggerates or highlights certain aspects -- especially of a person for comic effect; or creating a drawing with such exaggeration
	2
cessationending The Security Council called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.more Show sample from book For a while yet she looks at him, without reproach, without anything at all, as if her eyes alone are listening to the irrevocable cessation of his voice.†1 more a stopping Show general definition a stopping
	2
inertunmoving The snake had recently eaten and lay inert in the grass.more Show sample from book Pa leans above the bed in the twilight, his humped silhouette partaking of that owl-like quality of awry-feathered, disgruntled outrage within which lurks a wisdom too profound or too inert for even thought.†1 more unmoving, inactive, or unable to move; OR slow, lethargic, or without interest… Show general definition unmoving, inactive, or unable to move or: slow, lethargic, or without interest or (in chemistry/medicine): chemically inactive (not having an effect)
	2
sacrilegedisrespect of something sacred They consider it sacrilege to depict Muhammad in a drawing.more Show sample from book It would be sacrilege to try to.1 more disrespectful of something others consider sacred Show general definition disrespect of something others consider important or sacred