Hiroshima — Vocabulary
John Hersey
(Auto-generated)

Word Set

Samples

Sort By

Further limit words

by chapter of first use

to Show all

by difficulty

to (9 is most difficult)

by interest

underline any show only

Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	22
radiationparticles emitted by radioactive atoms Scientists use Geiger counters to measure radiation emitted by radioactive materials.more Show sample from book ...statisticians calculated that about twenty-five per cent had died of direct burns from the bomb, about fifty per cent from other injuries, and about twenty per cent as a result of radiation effects.21 more particles emitted by nuclear decay Show general definition for radiation (as in: nuclear radiation) particles emitted by unstable atomic nuclei Show editor's word notes Generally, radiation is discussed in terms of harmful levels of radiation that cause sickness. However, there is a normal level of radiation that is not harmful and sometimes radiation is carefully used for beneficial purposes such as medical treatments that use it to kill cancer cells.
	10	top 2000
fracturecrack X-rays showed a small fracture in her collarbone.more Show sample from book Her leg had been so swollen and painful all along that the doctor had not even tried to set the fractures,9 more fracture → fractures:breaks Show general definition a crack or break, or to cause one, especially in something hard -- such as a bone
	1	top 1000
resignationa document expressing that someone is quitting a job I know you're unhappy there, but don't submit your resignation until you find a better job.more Show sample from book who had resigned from the Air Force3 more resignation → resigned:quit Show general definition for resignation (as in: submitted her resignation) to quit -- especially a job or position; or a document expressing such an act
	3	top 1000
resignation#2(accepted) something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils It wasn't her first choice, but she accepted it with resignation.more Show sample from book the Buddhist belief that resignation might lead to clear vision3 more acceptance of things undesired as unavoidable Show general definition for resignation (as in: accepted it with resignation) acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
	7	top 1000
nucleusthe center (in this case, key central members) They have the nucleus of a good team.†more Show sample from book The rays simply destroyed body cells — caused their nuclei to degenerate and broke their walls.6 more nucleus → nuclei:centers Show general definition the center (or most important part) of something such as: in physics: the center of an atom where protons & neutrons are found in biology: the center of a cell where DNA is found in sociology: the closest family (mother/father/children in contrast to the extended family)
	8	top 2000
theologythe study of religion She studied theology at Yale Divinity School.more Show sample from book The theological student, who was wearing slippers, had carried with him a bundle of clothes, in which he had packed two pairs of leather shoes.†7 more theology → theological:relating to the study of religion Show general definition the study of religion; or a particular system or school of religious beliefs
	6	top 1000
compassionsympathy for another's suffering and wanting to help If I see one hungry child, I feel compassion, but when I hear of a million hungry children, I'm overwhelmed and turn my mind to other things.more Show sample from book As a Christian he was filled with compassion for those who were trapped and as a Japanese he was overwhelmed by the shame of being unhurt, and he prayed as he ran, 'God help them and take them out of the fire.'†5 more Show general definition sympathy for another's suffering and wanting to help
	4	top 100
neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas) The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more Show sample from book Nevertheless, he had continued to practise.†3 more Show general definition despite that 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 was just stated, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrast and but.
	4	top 100
attributeattribute → attributed:credited (pointed to as the source of) She attributed this quotation to Shakespeare.more Show sample from book She thought him — under the shortness, which she attributed to pain — gentle, pure, patient, sweet, humorous, and deeply kind.†3 more attribute → attributed:credited (pointed to as the cause of something) Show general definition for attribute (as in: I attribute it to...) to credit (a source for something) in two typical senses: "I attribute it to her work." -- to say who or what made something happen "Remember to attribute any quotations in your paper." -- indicate the source of a quotation or idea
	7	top 2000
baptismbaptism → baptized:"spiritually renewed" in a Christian ceremony She was baptized at the same church as her grandmother.more Show context notes The suffix "-ize" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize. Show sample from book One of them, Tomoko Nakabayashi, whom Father Takakura had converted and baptized, died on an operating table at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.†6 more baptism → baptized:"spiritually renewed" in a Christian ceremony OR initiated or purified by a challenging experience Show context notes The suffix "-ize" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize. Show general definition a Christian ceremony signifying spiritual cleansing and rebirth or: a challenging experience that initiates or purifies Show editor's word notes Most churches baptize infants, but some require an adult to request baptism, and a few (such as the Quakers) require no baptism at all. Typically, water is used as part of the ceremony, such as sprinkling a little water on a baby's head; though some churches use complete submersion in water.
	3	top 100
reviseimprove (change) How can you revise that paragraph to improve the expression of ideas?more Show sample from book Later revisions of the law provided for monthly allowances to victims suffering from various aftereffects.†2 more revise → revisions:changes; or changed versions Show general definition to change (and hopefully improve) -- most frequently to improve a written document, but it can be any intentional change such as a change in an estimated amount, a plan, or a series of procedures
	5	top 1000
debrispieces of something that has been destroyed; or trash that is lying around She swept up the debris.more Show sample from book The debris did not cover her deeply.†4 more Show general definition pieces of something that has been destroyed; or trash that is lying around
	3	top 100
varybe different Your mileage may vary.more Show sample from book The duration of the disease varied depending on the patient's constitution and the amount of radiation he had received.†2 more vary → varied:differed; or changed Show general definition to be different, or to change Show editor's word notes Vary is often used to describe small differences or changes--especially about things of the same type. It would be more common to say "The weight of full-grown elephants varies depending upon diet and other factors," than to say "The weight of elephants varies from that of mice."
	3	top 500
underminegradually weaken She has taken every opportunity to undermine my influence with the team.more Show sample from book Toshio, the boy, apparently had some freedom to move, because she could feel him undermining the pile of wood and tiles as she worked from above.†2 more undermine → undermining:weakening gradually Show general definition weaken gradually
	5
anemiaa deficiency of red blood cells -- resulting in fatigue She takes iron supplements to prevent anemia.more Show sample from book Yaeko and Myeko, the two daughters, were anemic, but all three had so far escaped any of the more serious complications that so many young hibakusha were suffering.†4 more anemia → anemic:suffering from too few red blood cells or (less commonly): lacking vitality Show general definition a deficiency of red blood cells or where red blood cells are deficient in hemoglobin -- resulting in fatigue or (less commonly): suffering from a lack of energy
	2	top 500
allocateallocate → allocated:rationed (distributed according to a plan) During the drought, the council allocated water strictly to ensure it lasted all summer.more Show sample from book Learning that military supplies were being allocated for various kinds of reconstruction, he got requisition slips for "conversion materials" from the prefectural government and began a hunt for things he could use or sell.†1 more allocate → allocated:set apart for a special purpose Show general definition distribute according to a plan or: set apart for a special purpose
	2
anesthesialoss of bodily sensation The operation requires general anesthesia.more Show sample from book IN 1963, wanting to get caught up on the latest developments in anaesthesia, Dr. Sasaki went to the Yokohama Red Cross Hospital to learn about them from its director general, Dr. Tatsutaro Hattori.†1 more anesthesia → anaesthesia:loss of bodily sensation -- especially created intentionally to control pain Show general definition loss of bodily sensation -- especially created intentionally to control pain Show editor's word notes There are two broad categories of anesthetics given to cause anesthesia: A general anesthetic causes loss of consciousness. A local anesthetic blocks sensation in a limited region of the body while maintaining consciousness.
	2
destituteextremely poor The article is entitled Destitute and Desperate in the Land of Plenty.more Show sample from book Hatsuyo Nakamura, weak and destitute, began a courageous struggle, which would last for many years, to keep her children and herself alive.1 more extremely poor; or lacking the necessities of life such as food and shelter Show general definition extremely poor; or lacking the necessities of life such as food and shelter The expression "destitute of" means: lacking
	2
itinerarytravel schedule The travel agency suggested this itinerary for a fourteen-day vacation to Europe.more Show sample from book He drew up a series of itineraries, and soon Tanimoto was on the road with a set speech, "The Faith That Grew Out of the Ashes."†1 more itinerary → itineraries:a planned schedule of events -- often for a trip or for a day Show general definition a planned schedule of events -- often for a trip or for a day
	2
stupefystupefy → stupefied:completely surprised The lawyer said his client was stupefied by the accusation.more Show sample from book After the overturn, Dr Fujii was so stupefied and so tightly squeezed by the beams gripping his chest that he was unable to move at first, and he hung there about twenty minutes in the darkened morning.†1 more stupefy → stupefied:made unable to think; or completely surprised Show general definition make one unable to think; or to completely surprise