Ethan Frome — Vocabulary
Edith Wharton
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	4	top 500
despaira feeling of hopelessness Don't give in to despair.more Show sample from book To-night the pressure of accumulated misgivings sent the scale drooping toward despair, and her indifference was the more chilling after the flush of joy into which she had plunged him by dismissing Denis Eady.4 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)
	1	top 500
despair#2lose hope Don't despair. Next year will be better.more Show sample from book Now he thought she understood him, and feared; now he was sure she did not, and despaired.4 more despair → despaired:lost hope Show general definition for despair (as in: do not despair) lose hope or feel distress
	1	top 100
yieldproduce (lead to) The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.more Show sample from book I had been told that Frome was poor, and that the saw-mill and the arid acres of his farm yielded scarcely enough to keep his household through the winter; but I had not supposed him to be in such want as Harmon's words implied, and I expressed my wonder.3 more yield → yielded:produced Show general definition for yield (as in: will yield valuable data) to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
	3	top 100
yield#2give in The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.more Show sample from book He hesitated, and I had the impression that he felt himself about to yield to a stealing tide of inertia; then, "Thank you-I'll take it," he answered shortly.3 more Show general definition for yield (as in: yield to pressure) to give in, give way, or give up
	9	top 500
indifferentwithout interest About a third are in favor of the change, a third are opposed, and a third are indifferent.more Show sample from book Ethan tried to hide his joy under an air of exaggerated indifference8 more indifferent → indifference:lack of interest Show general definition without interest in various senses, including: unconcerned -- as in "She is indifferent to what is served to eat." unsympathetic -- as in "She is indifferent to his needs." not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context) -- as in "an indifferent performance" impartial -- as in "We need a judge who is indifferent."
	6	top 10
contrastnotable difference The contrast in their leadership styles is striking. Olivia motivated people with fear. Isabella motivated them with praise.more Show sample from book Zeena waited a moment, as if giving him time to feel the full force of the contrast between his own excitement and her composure.5 more difference Show general definition for contrast (as in: there is a contrast) a difference -- especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
	1	top 100
directstraightforward I left them with direct instructions.more Show sample from book I hoped that this incident might set up some more direct communication between us.1 more open (talkative and unguarded) Show general definition for direct (as in: gave a direct answer) straightforward -- often clear, open, or blunt in speech or behavior
	1	top 100
direct#2instruct On the SAT test, some questions direct you to look at an underlined or numbered portion of a passage.more Show sample from book He went about his task without knowing what force directed him, or whose hands and feet were fulfilling its orders. It was not till he led out the sorrel and backed him between the shafts of the sleigh that he once more became conscious of what he was doing.1 more direct → directed:commanded 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
	3	top 10
implyimply → implied:hinted or suggested She wouldn't make a direct statement, but she implied that she supported our position.more Show sample from book I had been told that Frome was poor ... but I had not supposed him to be in such want as Harmon's words implied2 more imply → implied:suggested Show general definition to suggest or say indirectly -- possibly as a logical consequence
	6
junctiona place where things come together The store is at the junction of the 10 and 5 freeways.†more Show sample from book "Straight to the Junction, by the shortest way," he answered, pointing up School House Hill with his whip.†5 more Show general definition a place where two or more things come together
	6	top 2000
rouserouse → roused:awakened A persistent knocking at the door finally roused her from her dreams.more Show sample from book Ethan roused himself with an effort and opened the door.†5 more rouse → roused:to awaken, make more active, or excite Show general definition to awaken, make more active, or excite
	3	top 100
alludeallude → alluded:indirectly referenced He alluded to Susan without mentioning her name.more Show sample from book At our next meeting he made no allusion to the book,2 more allude → allusion:indirect reference Show general definition to make an indirect reference Show editor's word notes The expression, no allusion can mean "not even an indirect reference"; i.e., neither a direct nor an indirect reference to something.
	3	top 200
prudentsensible and careful She was promoted to manager because she is so prudent.more Show sample from book pride, and an instinctive prudence, kept him from resorting to this argument.2 more prudent → prudence:good sense and caution
	3	top 200
enableenable → enables:makes possible The test enables earlier identification of autism.more Show sample from book This plan had the advantage of enabling him to send Jotham to the Flats after dinner to meet Zenobia, while he himself took the lumber down to the village.†2 more enable → enabling:making possible Show general definition to make possible in various senses, including: to give someone the ability, knowledge, or authority to do something -- as in "The study will enable an informed discussion." to activate a computer system for use -- as in "You can enable the feature in the Settings Page." to permit someone to repeat bad behavior, so they reinforce the bad pattern -- as in "I don't want to enable her drug addiction."
	2	top 10
inferfigure out or guess by reasoning Which of the following facts can you infer from the first paragraph?more Show sample from book But one phrase stuck in my memory and served as the nucleus about which I grouped my subsequent inferences: "Guess he's been in Starkfield too many winters."†1 more infer → inferences:things concluded or guessed by reasoning Show general definition to figure out or guess by reasoning
	3	top 1000
constraintlimitation I will devote my full energy to the project, without constraint.more Show sample from book After a moment Mattie seemed to be affected by the same sense of constraint.†2 more something that limits something else Show general definition limitation (something that limits something else)
	2	top 500
latentpotentially existing but not presently active She is unschooled, but I think she has latent talent as an engineer.more Show sample from book The sight made him unhappy, and his unhappiness roused his latent fears.1 more potentially existing but not presently evident or active Show general definition potentially existing but not presently evident or active
	2	top 1000
poignantarousing deep emotion It is a poignant story about a girl who is paralyzed in a car accident.more Show sample from book Such tastes and acquirements in a man of his condition made the contrast more poignant between his outer situation and his inner needs1 more sharp or intense Show general definition sharp or intense -- typically arousing deep emotion such as sadness, but possibly having or creating a sharp smell, taste, or insight
	3
perceptiblecapable of being noticed The car makes a barely perceptible clicking sound at high speeds.more Show sample from book As he lay there he could hear Mattie moving about in her room, and her candle, sending its small ray across the landing, drew a scarcely perceptible line of light under his door.†2 more Show general definition capable of being noticed -- typically because it is different enough or large enough
	2	top 2000
constrainedrestricted The standard of living is ultimately constrained by worker productivity.more Show sample from book Her sombre violence constrained him: she seemed the embodied instrument of fate.†1 more restricted; or lacking spontaneity Show general definition restricted or inhibited