Madame Bovary — Vocabulary
Gustave Flaubert
translated by: Marx-Aveling
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	33	top 200
moreoverin addition to what has just been said The company has too much debt. Moreover, it is responsible for a long-term lease on expensive office space.more Show sample from book Moreover, he could not believe that a man born of him could be a fool.†32 more
	17	top 1000
melancholyvery sad She's been in a melancholy mood since her dog died.more Show sample from book His mother always kept him near her; she cut out cardboard for him, told him tales, entertained him with endless monologues full of melancholy gaiety and charming nonsense.†16 more a sad feeling or manner Show general definition a sad feeling or manner -- sometimes thoughtfully sad
	19	top 1000
peasantpeasant → peasants:an historical term describing people of low income, education, and social standing Most people in the Middle Ages were peasants.more Show sample from book At the crash of the glass Madame Bovary turned her head and saw in the garden the faces of peasants pressed against the window looking in at them.†18 more peasant → peasants:used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country: people of low income, education, and social standing -- especially those who raise crops or livestock Show general definition used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country: a person of low income, education, and social standing -- especially one who raises crops or livestock
	13	top 1000
reproachreproach → reproached:criticized and expressed disappointment She reproached him for treating his sister so thoughtlessly.more Show sample from book For him the universe did not extend beyond the circumference of her petticoat, and he reproached himself with not loving her.†12 more reproach → reproached:criticized 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.
	9	top 1000
languidslow, unhurried No urging could increase his languid pace.more Show sample from book She often begged him to read her the verses; Leon declaimed them in a languid voice, to which he carefully gave a dying fall in the love passages.†8 more lacking energy or relaxed or moving slowly Show general definition lacking energy or relaxed or moving slowly
	10	top 1000
abyssseemingly bottomless pit At the end of the story, Gandalf falls with the demon into the abyss.more Show sample from book But from the general background of all these human faces Emma's stood out isolated and yet farthest off; for between her and him he seemed to see a vague abyss.†9 more a hole or dropoff so deep the bottom cannot be seen -- often used figuratively to imply a frightening bottomless pit Show general definition a hole or dropoff so deep the bottom cannot be seen -- often used figuratively to imply a frightening bottomless pit
	7	top 200
prudentsensible and careful She was promoted to manager because she is so prudent.more Show sample from book ...but vanity getting the better of all prudence,6 more prudent → prudence:good sense and caution
	7	top 500
lamentlament → lamented:expressed grief about She lamented the loss.more Show sample from book In the distance cattle moved about; neither their steps nor their lowing could be heard; and the bell, still ringing through the air, kept up its peaceful lamentation.†6 more lament → lamentation:passionate expression of grief or sorrow Show general definition to express grief or regret
	8	top 1000
monotonouslacking variety and boring We hope to replace people with robots for the most monotonous work.more Show sample from book Afar off a dog sometimes howled; and the bell, keeping time, continued its monotonous ringing that died away over the fields.†7 more lacking in variety and/or boring Show general definition lacking in variety -- typically boring
	8	top 1000
naivenaive → naïve:lacking the understanding or sophistication that comes from experience She criticized America's naïve foreign policy.more Show sample from book He obeyed then, but the strength of his desire protested against the servility of his conduct; and he thought, with a kind of naive hypocrisy, that his interdict to see her gave him a sort of right to love her.†7 more lacking experience or sophistication, and the understanding that comes from them Show general definition lacking experience or sophistication, and the understanding that comes from them -- often too trusting or optimistic
	10	top 2000
detestdetest → detests:dislikes intensely She detests politicians who make promises they don't keep.more Show sample from book And she detested her instinctively.†9 more detest → detested:disliked intensely Show general definition dislike intensely
	9	top 2000
rendezvousmeet at an agreed time and place We're going to rendezvous at Starbucks.more Show sample from book So the next day they talked over how to arrange their rendezvous.†8 more to meet at a specific time and place; OR the meeting itself Show general definition to meet at a specific time and place; or the meeting itself
	6	top 500
anecdoteanecdote → anecdotes:short true stories Her autobiography is sprinkled with amusing anecdotes.more Show sample from book When, in the evening, Charles told her this anecdote, Emma inveighed loudly against his colleague.†5 more a short story that is true -- often told for amusement or to make a point Show general definition a short story that is true -- often told for amusement or to make a point
	7	top 1000
resignation(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 And Charles, his head in his hands, went on in a broken voice, and with the resigned accent of infinite sorrow—.6 more resignation → resigned:having accepted something undesired as unavoidable Show general definition for resignation (as in: accepted it with resignation) acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
	11	top 2000
ecclesiasticalassociated with a church Many consider The Bishop of Rome to be a first among equals in this ecclesiastical fraternity.†more Show sample from book "Sir!" replied the ecclesiastic, with such angry eyes that the druggist was intimidated by them.†10 more Show general definition of or associated with a church -- especially a Christian Church
	12
chateauimpressive country house (or castle) in France She restored the chateau and turned it into a small hotel.†more Show sample from book Then they talked a few moments longer, and after the goodnights, or rather good mornings, the guests of the chateau retired to bed.†11 more an impressive country house (or castle) in France Show general definition an impressive country house (or castle) in France
	10
amorousromantic or sexual She rejected his amorous advances.more Show sample from book By moonlight in the garden she recited all the passionate rhymes she knew by heart, and, sighing, sang to him many melancholy adagios; but she found herself as calm after as before, and Charles seemed no more amorous and no more moved.†9 more Show general definition romantic or sexual
	9
adieugoodbye She whispered a quiet adieu as she turned to leave.more Show sample from book And there was a last "adieu" divided into two words!†8 more Show general definition a farewell remark (an alternative to goodbye) Show editor's word notes Adieu is typically more formal than bye. It comes from the French, à Dieu which literally means "to God" — as in I entrust you to God's care.
	4	top 1000
enumerateenumerate → enumerated:listed one after another She enumerated the many obstacles she had encounteredmore Show sample from book He blushed at the compliment of his landlord, who had already turned to the doctor, and was enumerating to him, one after the other, all the principal inhabitants of Yonville.†3 more enumerate → enumerating:to name or list things one-by-one Show general definition to name or list things one-by-one
	4	top 2000
odiousworthy of hate Though they think the country's government is odious, they're unwilling to help topple it for fear of the consequences.more Show sample from book The noise of footsteps made her ill; when people left her, solitude became odious to her; if they came back, it was doubtless to see her die.†3 more extremely unpleasant, disgusting, dislikable, or worthy of hate Show general definition extremely unpleasant, disgusting, dislikable, or worthy of hate