Atlas Shrugged — Vocabulary
Ayn Rand
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	120	top 2000
approachapproach → approaching:getting nearer Winter is approaching.more Show sample from book He snapped on her desk lamp which, in forced concentration on her work, she had neglected to turn on at the approach of dusk.121 more coming Show general definition for approach (as in: approached the city) to get closer to (near in space, time, quantity, or quality)
	2	top 2000
approach#2approach → approached:began communication with They approached her about becoming a member of the committee.more Show sample from book We don't know how to approach you. We can't speak your language.121 more begin communication with Show general definition for approach (as in: approached her with the proposal) to begin communication with someone about something -- often a proposal or a delicate topic
	57	top 500
despaira feeling of hopelessness Don't give in to despair.more Show sample from book She pressed the back of her hand to her eyes, trying to dam the outbreak of a despair she had not permitted herself to acknowledge; she had not known the extent of it, nor how little of her endurance the quest had left her.58 more hopelessness Show general definition for despair (as in: she felt despair) hopelessness; or distress (such as extreme worry or sadness from feeling powerless to change a bad situation)
	2	top 500
despair#2lose hope Don't despair. Next year will be better.more Show sample from book He would not give up the search for her plane, when all others had long since despaired, as he would not give up his mills, as he would not give up any goal he had chosen if a single chance was left.58 more despair → despaired:lost hope Show general definition for despair (as in: do not despair) lose hope or feel distress
	95	top 1000
rationalrational → rationally:in a reasonable manner It's hard to think rationally when I'm this upset.more Show sample from book They cannot be reached by a rational argument.94 more reasonable Show general definition for rational (as in: rational behavior) reasonable, able to think clearly, or based on logic rather than emotion
	30	top 100
establishestablish → established:created Which word choice best maintains the tone established in the first paragraph?more Show sample from book The boy had established an office at the Rearden mills, where four girls took applications for shares of Rearden Metal.33 more Show general definition for establish (as in: establish a positive tone) create, start, or set in [a] place
	4	top 100
establish#2establish → establishing:showing or demonstrating The passage is primarily about establishing the relationship between the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and global temperature.more Show sample from book It appears, as far as can be established at present, that the Comet was stalled just beyond the point where the tunnel makes a sharp curve.33 more establish → established:determined (figured out) Show general definition for establish (as in: establish that there is a need) show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
	101	top 2000
mysticperson with supernatural insights The mystic gazed into the crystal ball, seeking answers to the universe's deepest secrets.more Show sample from book Once he surrendered reason, he was left at the mercy of ... a body moved by unaccountable instincts and of a soul moved by mystic revelations...100 more relating to realities that are outside of scientific understanding and normal experience Show general definition a person who seeks or claims to have direct spiritual insight beyond ordinary understanding; or describing an experience that feels deeply spiritual, mysterious, or otherworldly Show editor's word notes In common usage, mystic is more likely to be used in reference to a practitioner of a less mainstream religion than a more mainstream religion -- possibly because the former is more mysterious to the writer.
	81	top 1000
remnantremnant → remnants:small amounts that remains after the rest is gone They are working to eliminate remnants of al-Qaeda in that area.more Show sample from book There was still a remnant of sunset light in the sky,80 more last bit Show general definition a small amount that remains after the rest is gone -- sometimes specifically of cloth
	57	top 500
perishbe destroyed or cease to exist ...government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.Abraham Lincoln — Gettysburg Addressmore Show sample from book Personally, I believe that it was an accident and that Ellis Wyatt perished in the fire.†56 more perish → perished:died, was destroyed, or ceased to exist Show general definition to die -- especially in an unnatural way or: to be destroyed or cease to exist Show editor's word notes You may encounter an informal expression, "Perish the thought." It means that the speaker hopes the thought will cease to exist and the thing it represents will never happen.
	1	top 1000
resignationa document expressing that someone is quitting a job I know you're unhappy there, but don't submit your resignation until you find a better job.more Show sample from book the general manager had resigned and vanished three days ago35 more resignation → resigned:quit (the job) Show general definition for resignation (as in: submitted her resignation) to quit -- especially a job or position; or a document expressing such an act
	35	top 1000
resignation#2(accepted) something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils It wasn't her first choice, but she accepted it with resignation.more Show sample from book ...he sensed the answer to his question by the look of resignation on the man's face.35 more having accepted something undesired as unavoidable Show general definition for resignation (as in: accepted it with resignation) acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
	33
concertoconcerto → concertos:music written for orchestra and one (or more) solo instruments Concertos have been written for all instruments, but most are written for violin, cello, or piano because those instruments provide such a wide, dynamic and expressive range.more Show sample from book She let a moment pass, before she said slowly and very carefully, "Richard Halley wrote only four concertos."†32 more
	24
anterooma room leading to a larger or more important room He was searched again in the anteroom before entering her office.more Show sample from book In the anteroom, the clerks of James Taggart's personal staff were switching off the lights, getting ready to leave for the day.†23 more Show general definition a room (such as a waiting room) leading to a larger or more important room
	14	top 500
materialistictoo concerned with wealth and possessions She thinks Americans are too materialistic.more Show sample from book Our culture has sunk into a bog of materialism.†13 more materialistic → materialism:overly concerned with wealth and possessions at the expense of other interests Show general definition overly concerned with wealth and possessions at the expense of other interests
	12	top 500
omnipotentall powerful When I was young, I believed in the myth of omnipotent science, technology and logic.more Show sample from book He saw for the first time that he had never known fear because, against any disaster, he had held the omnipotent cure of being able to act.†11 more Show general definition all powerful Show editor's word notes note: "omni" means "all". It is often said that God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent (all powerful, all knowing, and all present; i.e., present everywhere)
	4	top 100
perspectiveway of seeing or thinking about things A child who was abused with have a different perspective of family life than one raised in a nurturing home.more Show sample from book Then, as if a single, sudden blow to his brain blasted a moment's shift of perspective, he felt an immense astonishment at what he was doing here and why.4 more way of seeing and thinking about things Show general definition for perspective (as in: Look at it from her perspective) a particular way of seeing or thinking about things
	1
perspective#2view The penthouse window gives a perspective on half the city.more Show sample from book Rearden stood at the window of his office, his hand pressed to the pane; in the perspective of distance, his hand covered half a mile of structures, as if he were trying to hold them.4 more view (appearance from where looking) Show general definition for perspective (as in: a perspective of the entire block) a view -- often stressing that the view is different from a view from another location
	14
alloymixture of metals Brass is an alloy of zinc and copper.more Show sample from book Rearden Metal was a new alloy, produced by Rearden after ten years of experiments.†13 more a metal that consists of more than one element Show general definition a metal that consists of more than one element
	25	top 100
focusconcentrate I find that studying in the library helps me to focus.more Show sample from book His mind was still focused on the crowd in the ballroom downstairs and on two figures in that crowd.25 more focus → focused:concentrating Show general definition for focus (as in: Turn your focus to question #2.) to direct attention or effort toward a single thing; or the ability to do so without getting distracted