The Diary of a Young Girl — Vocabulary
Anne Frank
The Definitive Edition
(Edited)

Book sample Uses ACT/SAT
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confideplace trust (in someone) and talk about private things
Margot is very kind and would like me to confide in her, but I can't tell her everything.p.232.916 more
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She confided in me. I won't repeat what was said.more
confide → confided:placed trust (in someone) by talking about private things
Show general definition to place trust (in someone) by talking about private things or telling secrets
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accompanytravel with
He asked if I would allow him to accompany me to school.p.16.44 more
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The nurse accompanies the old woman everywhere.more
accompany → accompanies:travels with
Show general definition for accompany (as in: accompany on the journey) to travel along with
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accompany#2accompany → accompanied:joined at the same time
Incidents like these are always accompanied by other disasters, and this was no exception.p.101.14 more
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The trend is easily seen in the accompanying graph.more
accompany → accompanying:provided together
Show general definition for accompany (as in: the accompanying chart) to be present with at the same time and/or location -- sometimes provided to make something more complete or better
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contradictcontradict → contradiction:disagreement
Like so many words, it can be interpreted in two ways: a contradiction imposed from without and one imposed from within.p.361.18 more
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Does the sentence contradict the main claim of the essay?more
disagree with
Show general definition disagree
in various senses, including:
  • to say something is not true -- as in "She contradicted his testimony."
  • to say something else is true when both can't be true -- as in "I don't believe her. She contradicted herself as she told us what happened."
  • to be in conflict with -- as in "Her assertions contradict accepted scientific principles."
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illustrateillustrate → illustrates:helps make clear
This sentence clearly illustrates that she's not exactly what you'd call modest!p.49.92 more
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Pictures of flooding help to illustrate the problem of global warming.more
make clear
Show general definition for illustrate (as in: as illustrated by this example) to help make clear -- typically by example
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dispositionnormal mood and personality
I'm blessed with many things: happiness, a cheerful disposition and strength.p.303.94 more
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She has a cheerful disposition.more
normal mood or typical way of behaving
Show general definition for disposition (as in: a kind disposition) someone's personality, nature, or typical way of behaving
2 top 100
composecompose → composed:wrote
The poem Father composed for my birthday is too nice to keep to myself.p.112.61 more
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The assignment is to compose a poem.more
write
Show general definition for compose (as in: compose a poem) to write or create something with care
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interpretinterpret → interpreted:understood or explained
Like so many words, it can be interpreted in two ways:p.361.1
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
I don't know how to interpret her smile.more
understand (In this case: Why did she smile? What does it mean?)
Show general definition for interpret (as in: her interpretation of the data) to understand or explain something in a particular way -- often the meaning or significance of something
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objectiveunbiased (fact-based without the influence of personal feelings or preferences)
I know I'm better at debating or carrying on a discussion than Mother, I know I'm more objective, I don't exaggerate as much, I'm much tidier and better with my hands, and because of that I feel (this may make you laugh) that I'm superior to her in many ways.p.240.5
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By any objective analysis, you would have to agree that...more
fact-based (not influenced by personal feelings or preferences)
Show general definition for objective (as in: an objective viewpoint) fact-based without the influence of personal feelings or preferences
Show editor's word notes Objective is often contrasted with subjective--which means "influenced by personal belief, feelings, or preferences (rather than being based purely upon fact)."
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composurecalm state of mind
Without them I wouldn't be able to jump back into the fray with my usual composure.p.47.2
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After I regained my composure, I thanked her for telling me about the problem.more
54 top 2000
Dutchthe people of the Netherlands
It's not the fault of the Dutch that we Jews are having such a bad time.p.15.953 more
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The Dutch are famous for their tulips.more
the people of the Netherlands (including Holland)
Show general definition the people of the Netherlands (including Holland); or relating to them (including the name of their language)
Show editor's word notes Many people refer to the Netherlands as Holland -- which is more accurately the most populous region of the Netherlands. The Netherlands is best known for having 25% of its land below sea level.
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Hollandinformal reference to the Netherlands
...there's probably not a more comfortable hiding place in all of Amsterdam. No, in all of Holland.p.30.528 more
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For a long time, windmills were used in Holland to drain water that would otherwise have flooded regions beneath sea level.more
Informal reference to the Netherlands
Show general definition Informal reference to the Netherlands (confusion arises because important provinces in the Netherlands are North Holland and South Holland).
7
black marketwhere things are bought and sold illegally
We also purchase ration books on the black market.p.68.76 more
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India's black market in kidneys arose in response to a combination of the shortage of the organs and extreme poverty amongst people who can survive with one of their two kidneys.more
the coming together of people who buy and sell things illegally
Show general definition an illegal market that trades in illegal goods, stolen goods, or goods sold illegally to avoid tax payments, licensing requirements, or rationing
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correspondcorrespond → corresponds:is the equivalent
The Nazis paid informants 7.50 guilders (which corresponds to about $45 today) for every Jew in hiding they were able to track down.p.365.610 more
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The girls are using a simple code where "1" corresponds to "A", "2" to "B" and so on for each of the 26 letters of the alphabet.more
correspond → corresponds:is equivalent
Show general definition for correspond (as in: corresponding time period) connect or fit together by being equivalent, proportionate, or matched

(Two things are equivalent if they have the same or very similar value, purpose, or result.)
2 top 2000
correspond#2correspond → correspondence:written communication
Not only does he write letters to his Charlotte, he's also carrying on a chatty correspondence with various other people.p.98.710 more
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We correspond regularly via email.more
write to each other
Show general definition for correspond (as in: corresponding by email) communicate -- typically by writing letters or email
Show editor's word notes A corresponding secretary is an officer of an organization who is responsible for managing the organization's correspondence and keeping a record of it.
7
correspondencedone from afar via written communication
To take our minds off matters as well as to develop them, Father ordered a catalog from a correspondence school.p.154.610 more
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She took a correspondence course while she was in prison.more
Show general definition for correspondence (as in: a correspondence course) done from afar
Show editor's word notes For example, a corresponding member or a correspondence course.

This sense of corresponding arose because people who lived in distant cities and could not be present for meetings, could communicate by sending written communications.
1
correspondentcorrespondent → correspondents:reporters
Every evening the war correspondents report on the difficulties, the courage and the fighting spirit of the army.p.337.310 more
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Let's get a report from our correspondent in Mexico City.more
reporter
Show general definition for correspondent (as in: foreign correspondent of the paper) a reporter or other representative -- typically from a foreign country or with a particular expertise
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engageengage → engaged:involved
English and American troops are already engaged in heavy combat.p.335.99 more
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She engaged in conduct that is a violation of the honor code.more
engage → engaged:was involved
Show general definition for engage (as in: engage in conversation) to interact in various ways -- such as to participate, involve, interest, or attract
The exact meaning of this sense of engage depends upon its context. For example:
  • "They engaged in debate." -- participated
  • "She engaged him in conversation." -- involved
  • "She is an engaging conversationalist." -- interesting
  • "She has an engaging smile." -- attractive (attracting interest and interaction)
  • "The proposal engages the interest of many young voters." -- attracts and involves
  • "She engages with her constituents." -- interacts in a meaningful way
  • "She engaged in foolish behavior." -- entered into
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appropriatesuitable (fitting) for the situation
Inside was a little gift for everyone, including an appropriate verse.p.80.91 more
Show context notes In this context, verse is a synonym for poem.
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These clothes aren't appropriate for work.more
suitable (fitting) for a particular situation
Show general definition for appropriate (as in: it is appropriate) suitable (fitting) for a particular situation
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directdirect → directing:aiming
In some passages I had the strong feeling that the writer was directing her disapproval at me, which is why I finally want to bare my soul to you and defend myself against this attack.p.354.77 more
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On the SAT test, some questions direct you to look at an underlined or numbered portion of a passage.more
instruct
Show general definition for direct (as in: direct a question; or direct a film) to guide, aim, or manage -- such as actions, attention, speech, a project or company