Candide — Vocabulary
Voltaire
introduction by Littell
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	4	top 500
disputedisagreement The area has long been a source of dispute between India and Pakistan.more Show sample from book What! have you no monks who teach, who dispute, who govern, who cabal, and who burn people that are not of their opinion?11 more argue or debate Show general definition for dispute (as in: their border dispute) disagreement, argument, or conflict
	8	top 200
dispute#2dispute → disputes:challenges She disputes her landlord's claim that the music was that loud.more Show sample from book "Let us work," said Martin, "without disputing; it is the only way to render life tolerable."11 more dispute → disputing:arguing Show general definition for dispute (as in: She disputes his claim.) challenge, argue about, or fight over
	7	top 500
despaira feeling of hopelessness Don't give in to despair.more Show sample from book I fell, oppressed with fright, fatigue, horror, despair, and hunger.8 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 I should have been burnt, but you may remember it rained exceedingly hard when they were going to roast me; the storm was so violent that they despaired of lighting the fire, so I was hanged because they could do no better.8 more despair → despaired:lost hope Show general definition for despair (as in: do not despair) lose hope or feel distress
	2	top 1000
profounddeep or far-reaching in intellect or consequence She shared a profound way of thinking about the problem.more Show sample from book ...he would give us good counsel in this emergency, for he was a profound philosopher.6 more deep or far-reaching in insight
	5	top 500
profound#2intense (of great emotional depth) Her apology was heartfelt--expressing profound sorrow and regret.more Show sample from book ...presented it to her with a profound reverence.6 more greatest intensity of Show general definition for profound (as in: profound sadness) of greatest intensity or emotional depth
	2	top 1000
interprettranslate Can she interpret Spanish to English for us?more Show sample from book "I will be your interpreter here," said he to Candide; "let us go in, it is a public-house."†2 more interpret → interpreter:someone who translates language Show general definition for interpret (as in: interpret Spanish to English) to translate someone’s words into spoken words of another language while they are speaking
	6	top 200
prudentsensible and careful She was promoted to manager because she is so prudent.more Show sample from book The prudent old woman saw at once what was to be done.†5 more
	6	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 I did not die, however, but my eunuch, and the Dey, and almost the whole seraglio of Algiers perished.†5 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.
	6	top 500
cultivatedevelop or grow We encourage our representatives to cultivate a close relationship with their clients.more Show sample from book The country was cultivated as much for pleasure as for necessity.†5 more cultivate → cultivated:developed, grown, or prepared for growing crops Show general definition enhance growth or development in various senses, including: to grow crops or prepare land for them enhance a relationship -- especially for a purpose develop discernment (better recognition of differences) in taste or judgment to grow a culture in a petri dish
	5	top 500
resolveresolve → resolved:decided This year I resolved to lose a pound a week for 5 weeks.more Show sample from book And at the end of a few days they resolved also to devour the women.4 more resolve → resolved:definitely decided Show general definition for resolve (as in: I resolved to stop drinking.) to decide -- typically a firm or formal decision Show editor's word notes In modern writing resolve is typically used to emphasize a firm or formal decision. In classic literature, it is used more frequently and often simply replaces decide or determine.
	6	top 2000
abominableexceptionally bad She described the abominable treatment of prisoners.more Show sample from book How could this beautiful cause produce in you an effect so abominable?†5 more exceptionally bad or detestable Show general definition exceptionally bad or intensely disliked
	5	top 1000
melancholyvery sad She's been in a melancholy mood since her dog died.more Show sample from book The company was occupied in playing faro; a dozen melancholy punters held each in his hand a little pack of cards; a bad record of his misfortunes.†4 more a sad feeling or manner Show general definition a sad feeling or manner -- sometimes thoughtfully sad
	8	top 2000
accordaccord → accordance:keeping She will get a fair trial in accordance with the law.more Show sample from book ...it was an Abare village which the Bulgarians had burnt according to the laws of war.8 more accord → according to:in keeping with (in agreement with) Show general definition for accord (as in: according to, or in accord with) in keeping with; or in agreement/harmony/unity with This meaning of accord is often seen in the form according to or accordingly where it can take on more specific meanings. For example: "According to Kim, ..." -- as stated by "To each according to her ability." -- based upon "Points are scored according to how well they perform." -- depending upon "The dose is calculated according to body weight." -- in proportion to "We got a flat tire. Accordingly, I pulled to the side of the road." -- because of what was just said; or as a result
	1
accord#2accord → accorded:given special treatment They expect to be accorded the same respect as any other nuclear armed nation.more Show sample from book ...he accorded him his pardon with a clemency which...8 more accord → accorded:gave (as a special privilege) Show general definition for accord (as in: accord her the respect deserved) to give someone special treatment -- especially respect
	4
inquisitionharsh questioning What was expected to be a quick confirmation hearing turned into an inquisition.more Show sample from book The executioner of the Holy Inquisition was a sub-deacon, and knew how to burn people marvellously well, but he was not accustomed to hanging.3 more former heresy-seeking tribunal of the Roman Catholic Church Show general definition intense or harsh questioning or investigation; more specifically, a church court (especially in Roman Catholic history) set up to find and punish heresy
	4
detestabledeserving intense dislike I think Umbridge is the most detestable character in the Harry Potter books.more Show sample from book "Yes," said the Abbe, "but it means nothing, for they complain of everything with great fits of laughter; they even do the most detestable things while laughing."†3 more
	3
genealogythe study of family ancestry (parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, etc.) The world wide web is making genealogy easier than ever.more Show sample from book I am not a genealogist, but if these preachers tell truth, we are all second cousins.†2 more genealogy → genealogist:a person who studies family ancestries Show general definition family ancestry or its study
	3
sonnetpoem of a particular form I like the sonnet that begins, "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?"more Show sample from book There was surprising pomp and magnificence; there were fetes, carousals, continual opera bouffe; and all Italy composed sonnets in my praise, though not one of them was passable.†2 more sonnet → sonnets:a poem consisting of 14 lines with a fixed rhyme scheme Show general definition a poem consisting of 14 lines with a fixed rhyme scheme Show editor's word notes As an example, here is Shakespeare's 17th Sonnet: Who will believe my verse in time to come, If it were fill'd with your most high deserts? Though yet, heaven knows, it is but as a tomb Which hides your life and shows not half your parts. If I could write the beauty of your eyes And in fresh numbers number all your graces, The age to come would say 'This poet lies: Such heavenly touches ne'er touch'd earthly faces.' So should my papers yellow'd with their age Be scorn'd like old men of less truth than tongue, And your true rights be term'd a poet's rage And stretched meter of an antique song: But were some child of yours alive that time, You should live twice; in it and in my rhyme.
	2	top 2000
scruplesprinciples that discourage certain kinds of action She doesn't share my scruples on the subject.more Show sample from book I own, that if I were in your place, I should have no scruple in marrying the Governor and in making the fortune of Captain Candide.†1 more scruples → scruple:an ethical or moral principle that discourages certain kinds of action