A Streetcar Named Desire — Vocabulary
Tennessee Williams
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	11	top 500
lamentlament → lamented:expressed grief about She lamented the loss.more Show sample from book All day I've kept hearing a sort of lament that drifts through the air of this place. It says, 'Lost, lost, never to be found again.'10 more an expression of grief Show general definition to express grief or regret
	4	top 100
precedeprecede → preceded:were before in time Stone tools preceded bronze tools.more Show sample from book After all, that would be a bad incident to precede the Boss's all-South-wide to appearance ...and they all know it.†3 more to go or do before Show general definition to go or do before
	6	top 1000
reproachreproach → reproached:criticized and expressed disappointment She reproached him for treating his sister so thoughtlessly.more Show sample from book I know that you're bound to reproach me - but before you do take into consideration - you left!5 more criticize Show general definition a criticism; or to express criticism or disappointment -- especially where a relationship makes the disapproval result in disappointment or shame Show editor's word notes The expression "beyond reproach" is often used to indicate that one must not only be careful to do everything right, but must be careful not to do anything that might make people suspect they did something wrong. For example, politicians often need to behave in a manner that is beyond reproach. "Beyond reproach" can also suggest that something is perfect. More rarely, it can also be used to suggest that someone is too powerful or too well-connected to criticize.
	6	top 2000
ambleamble → ambling:walking slowly or leisurely An old woman was ambling across the street.more Show sample from book Stanley: What is Ambler & Ambler?†5 more amble → ambler:someone who walks leisurely Show general definition to walk leisurely or slowly
	2	top 100
adaptadapt → adapted:changed (to fit this situation) Ideas contained in passages for this test, some of which are excerpted or adapted from published material, do not necessarily represent the opinions of the College Board.more Show sample from book Blanche: I'm very adaptable — to circumstances.†1 more adapt → adaptable:able to change to fit a different situation Show context notes The suffix "-able" means able to be. This is the same pattern you see in words like breakable, understandable, and comfortable. Show general definition for adapt (as in: adapted to the new rules) changed to fit a different situation; or made suitable
	5	top 2000
audiblecapable of being heard She spoke in a barely audible whisper.more Show sample from book She is calling barely audibly.4 more audible → audibly:loud enough to be heard
	3	top 1000
ominousthreatening I'm beginning to hear ominous rumblings of discontent.more Show sample from book They are not ominous in their attitudes.†2 more threatening (suggestive of, or foreshadowing bad things to come) Show general definition threatening (suggestive of, or foreshadowing bad things to come)
	4	top 1000
prescribeprescribe → prescribed:gave medical instructions instructing that the patient should take The doctor prescribed an antibiotic for the infection.more Show sample from book prescription for that cough3 more prescribe → prescription:medical instructions written by a doctor Show general definition to recommend or require what should be done or more specifically: of a medical doctor: to give medical instructions -- such as writing that a patient should take antibiotics
	2	top 200
sinisterevil They created a sinister plan to recruit terrorists.more Show sample from book The 'Varsouviana' is heard, its music rising with sinister rapidity as the bathroom door opens slightly.1 more evil, harmful, or frightening Show general definition evil or harmful; or making an evil or frightening impression
	3	top 1000
sereneserene → serenely:calmly and peacefully While I lie awake worrying, she sleeps serenely.more Show sample from book Her face is serene in the early morning sunlight.2 more calm and untroubled Show general definition calm and untroubled
	2	top 200
deferencerespect They changed their strategy in deference to the President's wishes.more Show sample from book comes deferentially1 more deference → deferentially:with polite respect Show general definition polite respect -- often when submitting to another's wishes
	4	top 2000
vulgarvulgar → vulgarity:crudeness (showing of bad taste) Her vulgarity was a turnoff.more Show sample from book Blanche: I can't stand a naked light bulb, any more than I can a rude remark or a vulgar action.†3 more of bad taste (crude, offensive, or unsophisticated) Show general definition of bad taste -- often crude or offensive or: unsophisticated (or common) -- especially of taste
	4	top 2000
discreetdiscreet → discreetly:in a manner that is unlikely to attract attention I leave my phone on silent mode, so it can alert me discreetly when I receive a text message.more Show sample from book ...like you handled that operation you done on my daughter, so discreetly that a hillbilly Heckler is shouting me questions about it wherever I speak?3 more discreet → discreetly:in a manner that is unlikely to attract attention or cause embarrassment Show general definition for discreet (as in: discreet--not showy or gossipy) trustworthy with secrets or subtle (not attracting attention) Show editor's word notes This sense of discreet sometimes indicates that something is small (so as not to attract attention) as in "discreet earrings."
	2	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 Y'know how indifferent I am to money.1 more uninterested 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."
	5
swindlefraud (or deception) to steal money She stole over a million dollars in her biggest swindle.†more Show sample from book It looks to me like you have been swindled, baby, and when you're swindled under the Napoleonic code I'm swindled too.†4 more swindle → swindled:tricked or cheated someone -- usually to get money Show general definition tricking or cheating someone -- usually to get money
	3	top 1000
cordialfriendly The countries share a long border and have cordial relations.more Show sample from book Blanche: I understand there's to be a little card party to which we ladies are cordially not invited.†2 more cordial → cordially:in a friendly way Show general definition for cordial (as in: a cordial reception) friendly -- usually warm and heartfelt, but possibly only polite
	3	top 2000
gaudytastelessly showy By local standards, her outfit was gaudy.more Show sample from book The table is sloppy with remains of breakfast and the debris of the preceding night, and Stanley's gaudy pyjamas lie across the threshold of the bathroom.†2 more Show general definition tastelessly showy
	2	top 1000
condoneapprove of Such behavior is permitted, but we certainly don't condone it.more Show sample from book I did not condone the operation1 more approve of; or accept without criticism Show general definition accept without criticism; or approve of
	3
ogrefrightening giant In the story, the ogre lived in a dark cave and captured anyone who came near.more Show sample from book I climbed back alone up the beanstalk to the ogre's country where I live, now, alone.†2 more a frightening giant from fairy tales, especially one who eats people… Show general definition a frightening giant from fairy tales, especially one who eats people; or a cruel or terrifying person
	2	top 2000
indolentindolent → indolence:laziness She never recovered from the indolence of her youth.more Show sample from book She raises her arms and stretches, as she moves indolently back to the chair.1 more indolent → indolently:lazily Show general definition for indolent (as in: she is naturally indolent) lazy; disinclined to work