Murder On The Orient Express — Vocabulary
Agatha Christie
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	16	top 500
motivereason (for doing something) She believes the profit motive encourages people to satisfy other people's needs.more Show sample from book Even if in the end everybody on the train proves to have had a motive for killing Ratchett, we have to know.†15 more Show general definition for motive (as in: What is her motive?) a reason for doing something
	11	top 2000
amiablefriendly and likable She seemed an ideal candidate--attractive, amiable, intelligent, and energetic.more Show sample from book Very nice, very amiable.10 more friendly, agreeable, and likable Show general definition friendly, agreeable, and likable
	1	top 100
establishestablish → established:created Which word choice best maintains the tone established in the first paragraph?more Show sample from book Either it was done by the murderer to establish an alibi, and afterwards, when he meant to leave the compartment, he was prevented by hearing people moving about; or...2 more create Show general definition for establish (as in: establish a positive tone) create, start, or set in [a] place
	2	top 100
establish#2establish → establishing:showing or demonstrating The passage is primarily about establishing the relationship between the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and global temperature.more Show sample from book In the case of many of the passengers, to establish their bona fides will be difficult; in most cases it will probably not be attempted, especially since there seems nothing in the way of suspicion attaching to them.2 more demonstrate or prove Show general definition for establish (as in: establish that there is a need) show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
	1	top 10
contrastpoint to differences between Contrast winter in Panama with winter in Alaska.more Show sample from book By contrast the noises on the train seemed unusually loud.1 more contrast → by contrast:in a comparison that shows differences Show general definition for contrast (as in: contrast their writing styles) point to differences between; or compare to show differences
	1	top 10
contrast#2notable difference The contrast in their leadership styles is striking. Olivia motivated people with fear. Isabella motivated them with praise.more Show sample from book Poirot's methods with Hildegarde Schmidt were a complete contrast to his handling of Mary Debenham.1 more something notably different compared (to something) 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
	8	top 2000
acquaintcause to know better You should acquaint yourself with the new computer program.more Show sample from book My daughter always says: 'When Mamma's got a hunch you can bet your bottom dollar it's O.K.' Were you acquainted with any of the Armstrong family, Mrs. Hubbard?†7 more acquaint → acquainted:familiar with OR a friend or associate Show general definition to cause to know; or to cause to be familiar with
	4	top 100
conveycommunicate or express She dresses to convey a sense of a successful, no-nonsense woman.more Show sample from book We know that you cannot give us much information bearing on the crime itself, but you may have seen or heard something that, while conveying nothing to you, may be valuable to us.3 more convey → conveying:communicating or expressing
	2	top 2000
acutesharp (severe or very bad) She felt an acute pain in her neck.more Show sample from book It was at this minute that the position of Countess Andrenyi became acute, and her husband immediately took steps to alter the passport.2 more rapidly and severely negative Show general definition for acute (as in: acute pain) sharp (severe or strong) -- usually negative
	1	top 2000
acute#2excellent (highly perceptive) Dogs have an acute sense of smell.more Show sample from book I have learned to be very acute -- to read the face.2 more highly perceptive Show general definition for acute (as in: acute sense of smell) sharp (highly perceptive in some area or mentally sharp)
	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 A very distinguished officer had committed suicide, another had suddenly resigned,1 more resignation → resigned:quit (from a job or position) Show general definition for resignation (as in: submitted her resignation) to quit -- especially a job or position; or a document expressing such an act
	1	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 "Well, nothing in the world would surprise me now," said Mr. Hardman with quiet resignation.1 more having accepted something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils Show general definition for resignation (as in: accepted it with resignation) acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
	6	top 2000
directwithout intervention from anything (in this case, not sun that is partially blocked or reflected) This flower does best in direct sunlight.more Show sample from book Taken at its simplest it is a clue which directly incriminates someone whose initial is H, and it was dropped there unwittingly by that person.20 more direct → directly:completely Show general definition for direct (as in: directly above; or buy direct) without anything in between -- whether in time, space, or involvement
	4	top 100
direct#2straightforward I left them with direct instructions.more Show sample from book And you do not like the waste of time. No, you like to come straight to the point. You like the direct method.20 more straightforward (specific and to the point) Show general definition for direct (as in: gave a direct answer) straightforward -- often clear, open, or blunt in speech or behavior
	11
incriminatemake herself look guilty She refused to answer on the grounds that she might incriminate herself.more Show sample from book It was used to burn an incriminating paper of some kind.†10 more incriminate → incriminating:making appear guilty Show general definition to make someone appear guilty
	2	top 500
altercationfight She got in a physical altercation and was expelled.more Show sample from book Just a long, poorly lighted platform with loud, furious altercations in Arabic going on somewhere.†1 more altercation → altercations:a noisy argument, confrontation, or fight Show general definition a noisy argument, confrontation, or fight
	3
complicitguilty of helping She is accused of being complicit in the crime.more Show sample from book It was proved afterwards that she had been absolutely innocent of any complicity in the crime.†2 more complicit → complicity:act of helping in a crime or offense Show general definition act of helping in a crime or offense
	1	top 100
hypothesisa seemingly reasonable, but unproven, idea The study will test the hypothesis that a good marriage is more important than a higher income when measuring happiness.more Show sample from book We have here a hypothesis of the First and the Second Murderer, as the great Shakespeare would put it. a seemingly reasonable, but unproven, explanation Show general definition for hypothesis (as in: a study to test her hypothesis) a seemingly reasonable, but unproven idea or explanation based upon known facts Show editor's word notes In casual conversation, theory is a synonym for hypothesis, but a scientist would say that a hypothesis needs to pass rigorous tests before it could be accepted as a theory.
	2	top 2000
deprecatetreat as unimportant You should not deprecate her efforts.more Show sample from book "And it was his murderer speaking!" finished M. Bouc impressively. Poirot raised a deprecating hand. "Let us not go too fast."1 more deprecate → deprecating:disapproving Show general definition to diminish or treat something as unimportant or of low quality; or to express disapproval
	2
coquettea woman who is casually playful in a way that arouses sexual interest of men Her early roles limited her to the decorative coquette, but she had a breakout role in...more Show sample from book The French or the Belgian girl, coquettish, charming-I think there is no one to touch her.†1 more coquette → coquettish:casually playful in a way that arouses sexual interest of men Show general definition a woman who is casually playful in a way that arouses sexual interest of men but does not imply serious flirtation Show editor's word notes Coquette is a French word that is similar to the word flirt. There are two primary differences:<ol><li>Coquette only refers to a woman whereas flirt can refer to either sex.</li><li>To say someone is coquettish implies that she is just being playful and does not intend sexual relations with the man with whom she is interacting; whereas when a woman is described as flirting, the word does not indicate whether she is just being playful or she wants to instigate sexual relations.</li></ol>