Girl Interrupted — Vocabulary
Susanna Kaysen
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	44	top 1000
interprettranslate Can she interpret Spanish to English for us?more Show sample from book The interpreter is convinced it's unmappable and invisible.†43 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
	21	top 2000
diagnoseidentify Did the doctor diagnose the problem?more Show sample from book Lisa Cody didn't have a diagnosis yet.20 more diagnose → diagnosis:determination of the cause of her illness Show general definition determine or identify the nature of a problem or an illness
	1	top 1000
determinedfirmly planning I'm determined to become a lawyer.more Show sample from book Lisa was determined to get in.1 more firm in purpose Show general definition for determined (as in: is determined to succeed) firm in purpose
	1	top 500
determinedetermine → determines:controls The research paper determines 50% of the class grade.more Show sample from book A complex system of "privileges" determined how many nurses accompanied each patient, and whether a patient could leave the grounds in the first place.1 more determine → determined:controlled (how something turned out) Show general definition for determine (as in: this game determines the champion) to control (how something will turn out)
	4	top 500
pervasiveexisting throughout something We were losing 35 to 0 at halftime and there was a pervasive sense of gloom in the locker room.more Show sample from book An essential feature of this disorder is a pervasive pattern of instability of self-image, interpersonal relationships, and mood, beginning in early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts.3 more commonly seen throughout Show general definition existing throughout something; or generally widespread
	6	top 2000
psychoticsomeone who suffers from a psychosis (any severe mental disorder in which contact with reality is lost or highly distorted) She is borderline psychotic.more Show sample from book It appears to be a way station between neurosis and psychosis: a fractured but not disassembled psyche.†5 more psychotic → psychosis:any severe mental disorder in which contact with reality is lost or highly distorted Show general definition related to psychosis or someone who suffers from a psychosis (any severe mental disorder in which contact with reality is lost or highly distorted)
	5	top 2000
chroniclong-lasting or happening repeatedly She struggled with chronic back pain that made even simple tasks difficult.more Show sample from book The result was chronic emptiness and boredom.4 more long-lasting (of something bad) Show general definition of something bad: lasting a long time or happening repeatedly -- especially in relation to illness
	4	top 1000
pessimisticexpecting that things will turn out badly; Despite the team's losing streak, the coach tried to remain optimistic, while the players grew increasingly pessimistic.more Show sample from book Quite often social contrariness and a generally pessimistic outlook are observed.†3 more expecting that things will turn out badly… Show general definition expecting that things will turn out badly; or focusing on the bad part of things
	4	top 1000
ratiorelative lengths The ratio of width to height of typical computer displays is 4:3.more Show sample from book Even with our high staff-to-pattent ratio, two-toones often meant restricted to the ward.†3 more relative quantities Show general definition the relative magnitudes of two quantities -- often expressed as a:b (which could also be expressed as the fraction a/b) Show editor's word notes For example, if a freshman class at a college is comprised of 400 men and 600 women, the ratio of men to women can be expressed as 400:600 or 4:6 or as the fraction 4/6 = ~67%
	3	top 500
indulgeindulge → indulges:allows them to get their way She indulges her children more than is good for them.more Show sample from book They had a special language: regression, acting out, hostility, withdrawal, indulging in behavior.†2 more indulge → indulging:enjoying to excess Show general definition to give in to a desire or allow someone to enjoy or experience something -- especially something pleasurable
	3	top 500
competentsufficiently capable She is a competent student and I have no doubt she will be a competent lawyer one day.more Show sample from book Their innocence and incompetence aroused our pity, unlike the incompetence of aides, which aroused our scorn.†2 more competent → incompetence:inability to do things sufficiently Show context notes The prefix "in-" in incompetence means not and reverses the meaning of competence. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure. Show general definition capable (able to do something in a generally satisfactory manner) -- sometimes specifically to have legal capability
	4	top 1000
provokeprovoke → provoked:caused Her remarks provoked a public outcry.more Show sample from book We fell silent, listening for agitation in the nursing station--the sort of agitation an escape provokes.3 more provoke → provokes:causes to happen Show general definition to cause a reaction — often an emotional reaction like anger, and sometimes done on purpose
	2	top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book She'd had nothing but scorn for those who did.†1 more disrespect or reject as not good enough Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
	4	top 2000
tainttaint → tainted:spoiled or contaminated Three people died from eating the tainted ice cream.more Show sample from book In the world's terms, though, all of us were tainted.3 more taint → tainted:spoiled (so as to be undesirable) Show general definition to spoil something so it is not desirable -- as when bacteria contaminates a food; or as when a rumor makes people distrust a person
	4
topographysurface features The topography of the region, with its high mountains and deep valleys, makes it a challenging area for hikers.more Show sample from book Toward a Topography of the Parallel Universe.†3 more the features of the surface area of a region; OR their study Show general definition the features of the surface area of a region; or their study -- especially changes in elevation
	4
neuroticexcessively concern She has a neurotic obsession with cleanliness.more Show sample from book It appears to be a way station between neurosis and psychosis: a fractured but not disassembled psyche.†3 more neurotic → neurosis:a mild mental disorder -- usually worrying too much about something Show general definition mildly mentally disturbed -- usually worrying too much about something; or someone with such symptoms Show editor's word notes More formally, a neurotic might be described as someone with a mild personality disorder -- a neurosis not attributable to any known neurological or organic problem.
	3
preemptivepreventive The government launched a preemptive strike against the enemy to prevent an imminent attack.more Show sample from book Maybe I was a victim of improper preemption?†2 more preemptive → preemption:done before something undesired happens to prevent it from happening Show general definition done before something undesired happens to prevent it from happening
	3
compulsivedone too much because of an uncontrollable desire She is a compulsive gambler.more Show sample from book It has been decided that you were compulsively promiscuous.†2 more compulsive → compulsively:excessively due to an uncontrollable desire Show general definition describing something someone does, as done too much because of an uncontrollable desire -- such as excessive gambling or eating
	2
negaterender meaningless Her apology is welcome, but it does not negate her inexperience.more Show sample from book The world, whether dense or hollow, provoked only my negations.†1 more negate → negations:to contradict, offset, or render meaningless Show general definition to contradict, offset, or render meaningless
	2
disinclinedreluctant She is disinclined to spend money while she is still in debt.more Show sample from book But the TV audience was mostly catatonics and depressives, who were disinclined to move.†1 more feeling reluctant to do something Show general definition feeling reluctant to do something