I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings — Vocabulary
Maya Angelou
pg #s from Ballantine edition
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	11	top 2000
approachapproach → approaching:getting nearer Winter is approaching.more Show sample from book But Reverend Thomas didn't intend to wait for that eventuality, so as Sister Monroe approached the pulpit from the right he started descending from the left.p.43.112 more approach → approached:moved toward Show general definition for approach (as in: approached the city) to get closer to (near in space, time, quantity, or quality)
	2	top 500
approach#2method (way of doing something) Perhaps I just need to work harder, but I may need an entirely different approach to the problem.more Show sample from book He continued speaking directly to the dead woman, and I half wished she would rise up and answer him, offended by the coarseness of his approach.p.161.612 more technique (way of doing something) Show general definition for approach (as in: use the best approach) a way of doing something; or a route that leads to a particular place
	6	top 2000
accordaccord → accordance:keeping She will get a fair trial in accordance with the law.more Show sample from book But it was a shared if seldom voiced knowledge that all movements fitted, and worked according to a larger plan.p.137.46 more accord → according to:in keeping with Show general definition for accord (as in: according to, or in accord with) in keeping with; or in agreement/harmony/unity with This meaning of accord is often seen in the form according to or accordingly where it can take on more specific meanings. For example: "According to Kim, ..." -- as stated by "To each according to her ability." -- based upon "Points are scored according to how well they perform." -- depending upon "The dose is calculated according to body weight." -- in proportion to "We got a flat tire. Accordingly, I pulled to the side of the road." -- because of what was just said; or as a result
	1	top 2000
accord#2accord → own accord:own mind -- voluntarily (without anyone asking) She was not forced. She did it of her own accord.more Show sample from book It was always possible that the teeth would quiet down and maybe drop out of their own accord.p.188.16 more accord → own accord:own mind (i.e., on their own) Show general definition for accord (as in: done of her own accord) mind Show editor's word notes This sense of accord is typically seen in the form own accord or one accord.
	1	top 1000
interprettranslate Can she interpret Spanish to English for us?more Show sample from book When Bailey tried to interpret the words with: "Whitefolks use 'by the way' to mean while we're on the subject," Momma reminded us that "whitefolks' mouths were most in general loose and their words were an abomination before Christ."p.103.82 more 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
	2	top 10
interpret#2understand (In this case: Why did she smile? What does it mean?) I don't know how to interpret her smile.more Show sample from book She looked at me closely, and only a person who knew her face well could have perceived the muscles relaxing and interpreted this as an indication of concern.p.276.52 more interpret → interpreted:understood (in a particular way) Show general definition for interpret (as in: her interpretation of the data) to understand or explain something in a particular way -- often the meaning or significance of something
	2	top 100
conveycommunicate or express She dresses to convey a sense of a successful, no-nonsense woman.more Show sample from book His nonchalance was meant to convey his authority and power over even dumb animals.p.17.62 more Show general definition for convey (as in: convey her thoughts) communicate or express
	1	top 2000
convey#2transport I was ordered to convey her to London.more Show sample from book Her awareness of life's perils convinced her that while I would be safe on the public conveyances, she "wasn't about to trust a taxi driver with her baby."p.270.62 more convey → conveyances:means of transport Show general definition for convey (as in: convey her safely to) transport Show editor's word notes Today, this sense of convey is seldom seen outside of historic literature.
	7	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 she spent no time in indulging the frivolous.p.216.66 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
	7	top 1000
afflictafflict → afflicted:made to suffer The region was afflicted by a long drought that destroyed most crops.more Show sample from book I slept with Grandmother Baxter, who was afflicted with chronic bronchitis and smoked heavily.p.204.86 more afflict → afflicted:stricken (suffered from) Show general definition to cause pain, suffering, or trouble -- especially something long-lasting or hard to endure
	5	top 1000
tediousboring I'll have to endure one of her tedious lectures.more Show sample from book We spent tedious hours teaching ourselves the Tut language.p.142.34 more long, monotonous (boring) Show general definition boring -- especially because something goes on too long or without variation
	6	top 200
contendcontend → contending:competing Militant groups are contending for control of the countrymore Show sample from book Another right to the body, it looks like it was low … Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the referee is signaling but the contender keeps raining the blows on Louis.p.134.95 more contend → contender:competitor Show general definition for contend (as in: She contended for the gold medal) to compete
	7	top 2000
impudentimproperly bold or disrespectful She is an impudent girl given to insulting strangers.†more Show sample from book When I refused to be the child they knew and accepted me to be, I was called impudent...p.88.36 more improperly bold or disrespectful towards elders Show general definition improperly bold or disrespectful -- especially toward someone who is older or considered to be of higher status
	1
abideabide → abides:lives She abides in the forest.more Show sample from book The pass allowed a reduction in her fare only, and even that had to be approved, so we were made to abide in a kind of limbo until white people we would never see, in offices we would never visit, signed and stamped and mailed the pass back to Momma.p.199.21 more live (figuratively) Show general definition for abide (as in: abide in the forest) to live in a place or more rarely: to live with someone or something
	1
abide#2abide → abiding:long-lasting I have an abiding interest in the subject.more Show sample from book And now I repeat the words of the Apostle Paul, and 'now abideth faith, hope and charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.'p.129.11 more abide → abideth:endures Show general definition for abide (as in: an abiding desire to) to remain or endure or lasting a long time
	1	top 2000
correspondwrite to each other We correspond regularly via email.more Show sample from book Daddy Bailey had a girl friend, who had begun corresponding with me some months before, and she was to meet me at the train.p.226.51 more correspond → corresponding:exchanging letters or messages Show general definition for correspond (as in: corresponding by email) communicate -- typically by writing letters or email Show editor's word notes A corresponding secretary is an officer of an organization who is responsible for managing the organization's correspondence and keeping a record of it.
	1
correspondencedone from afar via written communication She took a correspondence course while she was in prison.more Show sample from book Bailey was obviously always going to be too small to be an athlete, so which concrete angel glued to what country seat had decided that if my brother wanted to become a lawyer he had to first pay penance for his skin by picking cotton and hoeing corn and studying correspondence books at night for twenty years?p.179.91 more done from afar (by mailing letters, reports, etc.) Show general definition for correspondence (as in: a correspondence course) done from afar Show editor's word notes For example, a corresponding member or a correspondence course. This sense of corresponding arose because people who lived in distant cities and could not be present for meetings, could communicate by sending written communications.
	1
volleybarrage or concentrated outpouring The soldiers advanced under a volley of gunfire from the enemy line.more Show sample from book The crash of scraping metal was followed immediately by a volley of Spanish hurled at me from all directions.p.239.61 more barrage or outpouring Show general definition for volley (as in: a volley of...) a rapid burst of bullets, objects, or words -- often happening all at once or in quick succession
	1
volley#2continuous in-the-air play The sustained volley electrified the crowd.more Show sample from book Their remarks and responses were like a Ping-Pong game with each volley clearing the net and flying back to the opposition.p.167.81 more return of the ball Show general definition for volley (in sports) the act of hitting or returning a ball before it touches the ground, or a sustained series of such hits
	2	top 1000
chronologicalfrom oldest to newest Events are listed in chronological order.more Show sample from book I had memorized the Presidents of the United States from Washington to Roosevelt in chronological as well as alphabetical order.†p.173.11 more arranged according to time Show general definition arranged according to time