The Death of Ivan Ilych — Vocabulary
Leo Tolstoy
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
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howeverdespite that (a transition word use to connect contrasting ideas) Most college application deadlines are in January and February. However, early admission deadlines are around November and some scholarships require even earlier deadlines.more Show sample from book He could not, however, be blamed for that, and Ivan Ilych still obeyed his orders implicitly and at first derived some comfort from doing so.†5 more a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc. Show general definition for however (as in: However, complications may...) though (or another expression that connects contrasting ideas) Show editor's word notes Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrast and but.
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however#2no matter how (how much/how hard/how long…) However hard she tried, she couldn't do it.more Show sample from book But however much he pondered he found no answer.5 more regardless of how Show general definition for however (as in: However much she tried...) to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount)
	10	top 2000
decorumproper manners and conduct All decorum was lost in the classroom.more Show sample from book after a stumble, his life was regaining its due and natural character of pleasant lightheartedness and decorum.9 more Show general definition manners and conduct considered to be proper and in good taste
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magistratejudge The local magistrate insisted on a cash payment for the speeding ticket.more Show sample from book as an examining magistrate, Ivan Ilych felt that everyone without exception, even the most important and self-satisfied, was in his power10 more Show general definition a judge or judicial official The exact meaning of magistrate varies widely depending upon the context. For example: in the U.S. federal court: assists district court judges by handling minor offenses or administrative tasks such as preliminary hearings (often referred to as a magistrate judge rather than just a magistrate) in some U.S. states: a judge in the state court in France, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, and other civil law countries: a sitting magistrate is a judge and a standing magistrate is a prosecutor in England: may be a volunteer without formal legal training who performs a judicial role with regard to minor matters in ancient Rome: a powerful officer with both judicial and executive power
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deceptiondeceiving or misleading The law is intended to defeat denial and deception strategies.more Show sample from book All you have lived for and still live for is falsehood and deception, hiding life and death from you.†6 more the act of lying to or misleading someone; or something that misleads Show general definition the act of lying to or misleading someone; or something that misleads
	4	top 100
contradictdisagree with Does the sentence contradict the main claim of the essay?more Show sample from book A vigorous, resolute Church Reader, in a frock-coat, was reading something in a loud voice with an expression that precluded any contradiction.†3 more contradict → contradiction:something (typically a statement) that disagrees with itself; or (more rarely) the act of disagreeing 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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tormenttorment → tormenting:causing great mental or physical suffering She enjoys tormenting others.†more Show sample from book What tormented Ivan Ilych most was the deception, the lie, which for some reason they all accepted, that he was not dying6 more torment → tormented:caused great mental suffering Show general definition to cause or to experience great mental or physical suffering
	3	top 100
yieldgive in The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.more Show sample from book He did not look once at the dead man, did not yield to any depressing influence, and was one of the first to leave the room.†2 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
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agonyintense suffering She was in agony from a toothache.more Show sample from book why must I die and die in agony?5 more a state with intense suffering Show general definition intense feelings of suffering -- can be from mental or physical pain
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acutesharp (severe or very bad) She felt an acute pain in her neck.more Show sample from book The pain again grew more acute, but he did not stir and did not call.1 more sharp Show general definition for acute (as in: acute pain) sharp (severe or strong) -- usually negative
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acute#2excellent (highly perceptive) Dogs have an acute sense of smell.more Show sample from book But as soon as he had any unpleasantness with his wife, any lack of success in his official work, or held bad cards at bridge, he was at once acutely sensible of his disease.1 more acute → acutely:sharply Show general definition for acute (as in: acute sense of smell) sharp (highly perceptive in some area or mentally sharp)
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exasperatedgreatly annoyed She was exasperated by his teasing.more Show sample from book it should have been clear to him that this exasperation with circumstances and people aggravated his illness, and that he ought therefore to ignore unpleasant occurrences.2 more exasperated → exasperation:great annoyance
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externaloutside (in this case, trade with people and companies in other countries) External trade makes up almost half of the country's economy.more Show sample from book He only required of it those conveniences — dinner at home, housewife, and bed — which it could give him, and above all that propriety of external forms required by public opinion.†2 more outside Show general definition outside in various senses, including: coming from or existing outside a place, organization or thing -- as in "external trade" forming or relating to an outside boundary -- as in "external walls" on the surface or superficial as contrasted to something that is deep or complete -- as in "external appearances"
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incessantcontinuous She grew annoyed by the child's incessant questions.more Show sample from book The pain in his side oppressed him and seemed to grow worse and more incessant3 more Show general definition continuous -- often in an annoying way
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proprietysocially correct or appropriate behavior While she took comfort in propriety, he saw it as a straitjacket.more Show sample from book His wife, without any reason — de gaiete de coeur as Ivan Ilych expressed it to himself — began to disturb the pleasure and propriety of their life.†8 more
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superfluousmore than is needed, desired, or required Eliminate superfluous words.more Show sample from book Such was the Privy Councillor and superfluous member of various superfluous institutions, Ilya Epimovich Golovin.†
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opiuma powerful narcotic Today, other drugs have replaced opium for most medical uses.more Show sample from book He was given opium and hypodermic injections of morphine, but this did not relieve him.†3 more Show general definition a powerful drug made from a type of poppy; relieves pain and aids sleep, but highly addictive and dangerous when abused recreationally
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rectifycorrect, fix, or make right I am doing what I can to rectify the error.more Show sample from book This had to be rectified, but it was impossible to do so.2 more rectify → rectified:corrected or made right
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conjecturea conclusion or opinion based on inconclusive evidence She dismissed it as mere conjecture.more Show sample from book His post had been kept open for him, but there had been conjectures that in case of his death Alexeev might receive his appointment, and...1 more conjecture → conjectures:opinions based on inconclusive evidence Show general definition a conclusion or opinion based on inconclusive evidence; or the act of forming of such a conclusion or opinion Show editor's word notes A conjecture can be widely believed, but the word is also frequently used to imply that evidence is insufficient to support a belief.
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moroseunhappy She drank alone in the corner, looking morose.more Show sample from book He looked morosely at her.1 more morose → morosely:unhappily Show general definition unhappy -- often with a withdrawn personality