The Old Man and the Sea — Vocabulary
Ernest Hemingway
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	4	top 1000
tauttight The string is pulled taut.more Show sample from book His line was strong arid made for heavy fish and he held it against his back until it was so taut that beads of water were jumping from it.†p.44.93 more pulled or drawn tight; OR subjected to great tension Show general definition pulled or drawn tight; or: subjected to great tension
	2	top 500
attaingain or reach something with effort She was the first woman to attain the rank of general.more Show sample from book He was too simple to wonder when he had attained humility.p.13.91 more attain → attained:achieved (gained with effort) Show general definition to gain or reach something with effort
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devisecome up with (invent or create) She plans to devise something to launch water balloons.more Show sample from book You must devise a way so that you sleep a little if he is quiet and steady.p.77.41 more come up with (invent) Show general definition for devise (as in: devise a plan) to come up with a way of doing something -- typically a creative idea or plan
	3	top 2000
treacherybetrayal Benedict Arnold remains the U.S.'s symbol of ultimate treachery.more Show sample from book It is a treachery of one's own body.†p.61.92 more Show general definition the behavior of someone who pretends to be a friend and then tricks, cheats, or betrays
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proprietorowner The proprietor of the bookstore greeted each customer warmly and offered personalized recommendations based on their interests.more Show sample from book The proprietor said "There has never been such a fish."p.123.31 more owner of the business Show general definition the owner of a business
	1	top 100
precedeprecede → preceded:were before in time Stone tools preceded bronze tools.more Show sample from book ...he said, and leaned back on the line to see if it was possible to gain any on his fish. But he could not and it stayed at the hardness and water-drop shivering that preceded breaking.p.71.6 precede → preceded:came before Show general definition to go or do before
	2
iridescentrainbow like colors that shimmer or vary with movement Oil spilled on the wet pavement created a rainbow of iridescent colors.more Show sample from book The iridescent bubbles were beautiful.†p.36.41 more bright colors that shimmer or vary with movement Show general definition bright colors that shimmer or vary with movement
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severend She plans to sever the relationship.more Show sample from book ...and he drove the blade between the vertebrae and the brain. It was an easy shot now and he felt the cartilage sever.p.109.71 more split in two Show general definition to end or cut off completely -- either physically or in relationships
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benevolentkind, generous, or charitable They called themselves The Benevolent Association because their mission was to help others.more Show sample from book The brown blotches of the benevolent skin cancer the sun brings from its reflection on the tropic sea were on his cheeks.†p.9.9 Show general definition kind, generous, or charitable
	1	top 500
confideconfide → confided:placed trust (in someone) by talking about private things She confided in me. I won't repeat what was said.more Show sample from book He was still bearing the pull of the fish across his shoulders but he placed his left hand on the gunwale of the bow and confided more and more of the resistance to the fish to the skiff itself.†p.77.1 Show general definition to place trust (in someone) by talking about private things or telling secrets
	1	top 500
waverwaver → wavered:faltered (stopped being strong) Through good times and bad her love for him has never wavered.more Show sample from book he swam fast, just under the surface with his high dorsal fin knifing through he water without wavering.p.100.8 waver → wavering:moving back and forth Show general definition to move back and forth (shake or quiver) or: to change, be unsure, or weak
	1	top 1000
deceivemislead The plan was to deceive the Germans into believing the main attack would take place further north.more Show sample from book I must not deceive myself too much.†p.106.3 lie or mislead Show general definition to lie to or mislead someone -- occasionally to lie to oneself by denying reality
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immunenot in danger (from something) People are immune if they've had the virus previously or been vaccinated.more Show sample from book They were immune to its poison.p.36.1 not susceptible (not in danger from) Show general definition not in danger of being affected by something -- especially a disease or: relating to disease resistance
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perilperil → perils:dangers The mountaineers faced many perils on their ascent to the summit, including treacherous icefalls and avalanches.more Show sample from book It has its perils and its merits.†p.75.9 Show general definition danger
	6
phosphorescencea dim glowing light She loves to swim in the ocean on nights when phosphorescence shines in her wake.†more Show sample from book They came in a pack and he could only see the lines in the water that their fins made and their phosphorescence as they threw themselves on the fish.p.118.15 more dim glowing light Show general definition a soft, dim glow that comes either from a chemical reaction in a living thing or from something that keeps glowing after the light shining on it is gone
	3	top 500
resolutiondetermination She ran each mile of the marathon with increasing resolution.more Show sample from book But I know many tricks and I have resolution.p.23.92 more Show general definition for resolution (as in: Her resolution weakened.) determination (firmness of purpose)
	3
scythegrass-cutting tool They fell like grass before a scythe.more Show sample from book the old man was afraid he would cut the line with his tail which was sharp as a scythep.49.72 more a tool for cutting grass that has a curved blade and a long handle Show general definition a tool for cutting grass that has a curved blade and a long handle that is held with both hands; or the process of cutting with such a tool
	2
perceptiblecapable of being noticed The car makes a barely perceptible clicking sound at high speeds.more Show sample from book But watching the movement of the water against his hand he noted that it was perceptibly slower.†p.73.61 more perceptible → perceptibly:in a manner that is capable of being noticed Show general definition capable of being noticed -- typically because it is different enough or large enough
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tentativesubject to change (likely or possibly going to change) My plans are still tentative.more Show sample from book This time it was a tentative pull, not solid nor heavy,p.41.5 careful (indicating a lack of confidence)
	1	top 2000
conscientiouscareful and thorough She is conscientious in the lab.more Show sample from book Slowly and conscientiously he ate all of the wedge-shaped strips of fish.p.59.8 conscientious → conscientiously:with care Show general definition careful to do what is right--especially to perform duties in a thorough manner