A Farewell to Arms — Vocabulary
Ernest Hemingway
(Auto-generated)

Word Set

Samples

Sort By

Further limit words

by book of first use

to Show all

by difficulty

to (9 is most difficult)

by interest

underline any show only

Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	10	top 1000
peasantpeasant → peasants:an historical term describing people of low income, education, and social standing Most people in the Middle Ages were peasants.more Show sample from book He doesn't want to see peasants. Let him go to centres of culture and civilization.9 more peasant → peasants:uneducated farmers Show general definition used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country: a person of low income, education, and social standing -- especially one who raises crops or livestock
	7	top 2000
socialisman economic system based on government ownership and control of all companies -- with the ideal of equal benefits to all people She believes that more socialism would be more fair.more Show sample from book Everybody is a socialist.†6 more socialism → socialist:a person who wants an economic system based on government ownership or control of all important companies -- with the ideal of equal benefits to all people Show general definition an economic system based on government ownership or control of all important companies -- with the ideal of equal benefits to all people
	2	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 He was living to be one hundred years old and played a smoothly fluent game of billiards that contrasted with his own ninety-four-year-old brittleness.†1 more contrast → contrasted:differed 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
	5
conceitexcessive pride Her conceit will be her downfall.more Show sample from book I wouldn't mind him if he wasn't so conceited and...4 more conceit → conceited:excessively proud Show general definition for conceit (as in: confident, but not conceited) excessive pride in oneself, arrogance, or vanity
	3	top 1000
tauttight The string is pulled taut.more Show sample from book He bandaged, his hands moving very fast and the bandage coming taut and sure.†2 more pulled or drawn tight; OR subjected to great tension Show general definition pulled or drawn tight; or: subjected to great tension
	4	top 2000
dialectregional variety of a language It's not uncommon to hear "y'all" when talking in the American south where the rural areas still have a distinct dialect.more Show sample from book The girl who looked at me said something in a dialect I could not understand a word of.3 more Show general definition a regional variety of a language Show editor's word notes A dialect can use a different accent, vocabulary, and grammar than other dialects of the same language.
	4	top 2000
fracturecrack X-rays showed a small fracture in her collarbone.more Show sample from book You haven't any fracture.3 more crack (in the bone) Show general definition a crack or break, or to cause one, especially in something hard -- such as a bone
	4	top 2000
probeinvestigation There was a congressional probe into the scandal.more Show sample from book Lacerations of the scalp (he probed Does that hurt?)3 more probe → probed:investigated (explored the wound with a medical instrument) Show general definition to investigate closely; or a tool or device used to explore, examine, or gather information
	2	top 1000
dismalterrible The coach will probably be replaced after such a dismal year.more Show sample from book It was daylight and the country was wet, low and dismal looking.†1 more depressing or gloomy Show general definition of terrible quality or depressing; or dark and dreary (as when bad weather blocks the sun or when it is drizzly)
	3
valorcourage (exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger -- especially in battle) She received a medal for valor.more Show sample from book He has been proposed for the silver medal of valor.2 more exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger Show general definition exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger -- especially in battle
	3
breechrear (in this case indicating that the baby came out of the birth canal butt-first) It was a difficult breech birth.†more Show sample from book Rinaldi took the note, folded it without rising from the bed and slid it in his breeches pocket.†2 more breech → breeches:pants Show general definition rear Most commonly used today in the phrase breech birth in reference to a baby who comes out of the birth canal butt-first rather than head-first. More-archaic senses seen in classic literature include: breechcloth -- a form of loincloth consisting in a strip of material passed between the thighs and held up in front and behind by a belt or string breeches -- pants a cannon's breech -- the rear of a gun
	3	top 2000
obligationduty Although she had no legal obligation, she wanted to help him.more Show sample from book Of course some of the bonds were not accounted for but the priest had all of the three per cent bonds and several local obligations, I forget exactly what they were.†2 more obligation → obligations:a duty Show general definition a duty
	2	top 1000
gauntvery thin She looked gaunt from the chemotherapy.more Show sample from book It was a very tall gaunt captain of artillery with a red scar along his jaw.1 more very thin and bony Show general definition very thin and bony -- often from hunger or as though having been worn to the bone
	2	top 1000
remorseregret for doing something wrong There was no sign of remorse until the police caught her.more Show sample from book Even with remorse you will have a better time.1 more regret for doing something that was wrong Show general definition a feeling of deep regret for doing something that was wrong Show editor's word notes Synonym comparison (if you're into word choice): Many consider the word remorse stronger than the word regret. Also, it is more personal. One might regret that their team lost the game, but feel remorse that they missed the bus and weren't there to help the team.
	6
anarchistsomeone who opposes government or authority At the protest, one anarchist set off fireworks and shouted that all rules were meant to be broken.more Show sample from book Are you really anarchists?5 more anarchist → anarchists:people who favor eliminating all government Show general definition someone who favors eliminating all government or authority
	4
hemorrhageto bleed excessively A hemorrhage in the brain is common with shaken baby syndrome.more Show sample from book He said there was so much dirt blown into the wound that there had not been much hemorrhage.3 more bleeding Show general definition severe bleeding -- typically inside the body or: (figurative use) to describe any rapid loss
	3
protractedlong She took part in the protracted negotiations.more Show sample from book The first labor is usually protracted.2 more long-lasting Show general definition long in duration; or to extend something--especially to (prolong or make longer in duration)
	2
inflammationswelling and redness There was inflammation around the wound.more Show sample from book If you've got a fracture you don't want inflammation.†1 more Show general definition swelling, redness, and other body tissue response to injury or infection
	2
whitecapswind-blown waves with white foam at their crest The strong winds caused whitecaps to form on the surface of the lake.more Show sample from book The wind was still blowing outside up the lake and we could see the tops of the whitecaps going away from us and up the lake.†1 more Show general definition wind-blown waves with white foam at their crest
	2
tetanusa deadly bacterial infection that results in muscle spasms whose symptoms include locking the jaw tightly closed The Masai guide had a gap cut between his front teeth so that nutrients could be consumed in the event of tetanus (lockjaw).more Show sample from book Get some more of that Antitetanus.†1 more tetanus → antitetanus:an agent that works against a bacterial infection that is typically contracted through a puncture wound with a dirty object Show context notes The prefix "anti-" in antitetanus means against or opposite. This is the same pattern you see in words like antiviral, antiaircraft, and antisocial. Show general definition a bacterial infection typically contracted through a puncture wound with a dirty object -- such as a rusted nail Show editor's word notes Tetanus is also called lockjaw because of muscle spasms that make the patient incapable of opening their jaw. People who have had the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) vaccine and a subsequent booster shot every 10 years, are protected from tetanus. Others should get a "tetanus shot" after a puncture wound with a dirty object. The tetanus shot provides immediate, short-term protection.