Beloved — Vocabulary
Toni Morrison
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however
Most college application deadlines are in January and February. However, early admission deadlines are around November and some scholarships require even earlier deadlines.more
Show sample from bookOccasionally, however, the rustle of a skirt hushes when they wake, and the knuckles brushing a cheek in sleep seem to belong to the sleeper.† Show general definition for however (as in: However, complications may...)though (or another expression that connects contrasting ideas)Show editor's word notesBased on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrast and but. |
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| 3 | top 2000 | |
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however#2
However hard she tried, she couldn't do it.more
Show sample from bookHowever far she was from Sweet Home, there was no point in giving out her real name to the first person she saw. Show general definition for however (as in: However much she tried...)to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount) |
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| 6 | top 1000 | |
Show sample from bookPerhaps it was the smile, or maybe the ever-ready love she saw in his eyes--easy and upfront, the way colts, evangelists and children look at you: with love you don't have to deserve--that made her go ahead and tell him what she had not told Baby Suggs, the only person she felt obliged to explain anything to. Show general definition for oblige (as in: I am obliged by law.)require (obligate) to do something |
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Show sample from bookAnd Sethe would oblige her with anything from fabric to her own tongue. Show general definition for oblige (as in: I obliged her every request.)grant a favor to someone |
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| 2 | top 500 | |
Show sample from bookThe barker called them and their children names ... but the food on his vest and the hole in his pants rendered it fairly harmless. Show general definition for render (as in: rendered her unconscious)to make or cause to become |
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| 2 | top 500 | |
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render#2
The pianist rendered the Beethoven sonata beautifully.more
Show sample from bookchurned butter, rendered fat, laid fires.... Show general definition for render (as in: rendered interpretation)to portray or create something in a particular way; or to interpret, translate, or extract from
The exact meaning of this sense of render depends upon its context. For example:
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| 4 | top 1000 | |
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deliberate
She didn't forget. She deliberately skipped the meeting.more
Show sample from bookInstead of sighs and accidents there was pointed and deliberate abuse. Show general definition for deliberate (as in: deliberate insult)to do something intentionally (do it on purpose) |
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Show sample from bookBraced and heartened by that easy encounter, she picked up speed and began to look deliberately at the neighborhood surrounding her. Show general definition for deliberate (as in: a deliberate thinker)done with great care -- often slowly |
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| 9 | top 1000 | |
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fugitive
She is one of the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives.more
Show sample from bookhis rifle ready, his eyes trained away from the house to the left and to the right, because likely as not the fugitive would make a dash for it. Show general definition for fugitive (as in: she is a fugitive)someone who is running away or hiding to avoid arrest or an unpleasant situation |
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| 5 | top 100 | |
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nevertheless
The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more
Show sample from bookA touch no heavier than a feather but loaded, nevertheless, with desire.†
Show general definitiondespite thatShow editor's word notesBased 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. |
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| 5 | top 500 | |
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agitate
We are agitating public unrest, so there will be a cry for change.more
Show sample from bookIt took them days to get the story properly blown up and themselves agitated and then to calm down and assess the situation. Show general definitionto stir up or shake -- emotionally (as when people are angered or upset) or physically (as when a washing machine cleans clothes) |
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| 6 | top 1000 | |
Show sample from bookNo height was beyond her yearning neck, stretched like a finger toward his, risking everything outside the bowl just to touch his face.† Show general definitionhave a strong desire -- often for something difficult or impossible to have |
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| 2 | top 1000 | |
Show sample from bookmade her believe she could discriminate among them. Show general definition for discriminate (as in: discriminating taste)to recognize or perceive differences -- especially fine distinctions |
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| 1 | top 100 | |
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redundant
What is clarifying for one reader can be a redundant distraction for another.more
Show sample from bookThe break, followed by the redundant announcement of labor, arched her back.† Show general definitionmore than is needed -- often something that is unnecessarily repeatedor in technical usage: describing a secondary component designed to work if the primary component fails |
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dissuade
The ad features a woman dying of lung throat cancer in an attempt to dissuade people from starting to smoke cigarettes.more
Show sample from bookHe tried to dissuade her.†
Show general definitionpersuade someone not to do something |
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thwart
It seemed the world was out to thwart my plan to move to Colorado.more
Show sample from bookThwarted yet wondering, she chopped away with the hoe.† Show general definition for thwart (as in: thwarted her plans)to prevent someone from doing what they want to do; or (less commonly) to oppose someone's efforts |
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meddle
She's always meddling in other people's business.more
Show sample from bookAll the time, no matter what they were doing— whether Denver wiped perspiration from her forehead or stooped to retie her shoes; whether Paul D kicked a stone or reached over to meddle a child's face leaning on its mother's shoulder—all the time the three shadows that shot out of their feet to the left held hands.† Show general definitioninterfere (in another's affairs or business)or: get involved with something where involvement isn't warranted |
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| 1 | top 500 | |
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rancor
He spoke of his former partner with such rancor that everyone felt uncomfortable.more
Show sample from bookshe dispensed with rancor, was indiscriminately polite, saving her real affection for the unpicked children of Cincinnati, Show general definitiondeep and bitter anger or hatred -- especially when long-standing |
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tentative
The puppy approached us tentatively until it knew we wouldn't harm it.more
Show sample from booktentative greetings Show general definition for tentative (as in: said it tentatively)done in a careful or unsure way (indicating a lack of confidence in exactly what will happen) |
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Show sample from bookIt was April and everything alive was tentative.
Show general definition for tentative (as in: a tentative plan)subject to change (likely or possibly going to change) |
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