One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest — Vocabulary
Ken Kesey
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	49	top 2000
chroniclong-lasting or happening repeatedly She struggled with chronic back pain that made even simple tasks difficult.more Show sample from book Ellis is a Chronic came in an Acute and got fouled up bad when they overloaded him in that filthy brain-murdering room that the black boys call the "Shock Shop."†48 more of something bad: lasting a long time or happening repeatedly Show general definition of something bad: lasting a long time or happening repeatedly -- especially in relation to illness
	8	top 2000
fidgetfidget → fidgeting:making small restless movements The child is always fidgeting in his seatmore Show sample from book She's sitting there so silent it makes him nervous and fidgety.7 more fidget → fidgety:restless and finding it hard to sit still Show general definition to make small restless movements
	4	top 500
motivereason (for doing something) She believes the profit motive encourages people to satisfy other people's needs.more Show sample from book What possible motive ?†3 more Show general definition for motive (as in: What is her motive?) a reason for doing something
	4	top 500
monopolycomplete control of a product The company was accused of trying to create a monopoly by buying out all its competitors.more Show sample from book Everybody stops playing cards and Monopoly, turns toward the day-room door.†3 more complete control over a product, service, or resource Show general definition complete control over a product, service, or resource -- usually by a single person, company, or group
	6	top 2000
swaggerswagger → swaggered:walked and behaved in a highly confident manner The team swaggered onto the court--full of confidence.more Show sample from book ...you too, Mr. McMurphy, for all your cowboy bluster and your sideshow swagger, you too, under that crusty surface, are probably just as soft and fuzzy and rabbit-souled as we are.†5 more walk and behave in a highly confident manner Show general definition walk or behave in a highly confident or proud manner -- often arrogant and sometimes to impress or intimidate others Show editor's word notes Swagger is often used to imply that someone moves or behaves as though they are so strong and capable as to be above physical fear. Such people are often portrayed on television as gang members or cowboys.
	2	top 10
implyimply → implied:hinted or suggested She wouldn't make a direct statement, but she implied that she supported our position.more Show sample from book [Miss Ratched:] "No, Billy, I wasn't implying anything."1 more imply → implying:saying indirectly Show general definition to suggest or say indirectly -- possibly as a logical consequence
	3	top 200
inclinedhave a tendency; or an attitude or mood that favors something I'm inclined to believe him.more Show sample from book I've known some people inclined to do that.2 more with a tendency Show general definition for inclined (as in: I'm inclined to) a tendency, mood, desire, or attitude that favors something; or making someone favor something
	4	top 1000
induceinduce → induced:caused She was suffering from alcohol-induced stupidity.more Show sample from book It simply induces a seizure.3 more induce → induces:causes Show general definition for induce (as in: induce symptoms) to cause something to arise or happen
	4	top 1000
shrewdsmart She is a shrewd negotiator.more Show sample from book I don't know-I was always a pretty shrewd customer at twenty-one, but you birds may just be too tough for me.†3 more Show general definition smart -- especially in negotiating with people (may infer underhanded dealings)
	4	top 1000
tauttight The string is pulled taut.more Show sample from book They're still grinning at each other, but their voices have dropped so low and taut I have to sweep over closer to them with my broom to hear.†3 more pulled or drawn tight; OR subjected to great tension Show general definition pulled or drawn tight; or: subjected to great tension
	5	top 2000
diagnoseidentify Did the doctor diagnose the problem?more Show sample from book I realize you haven't had adequate time to arrive at a proper diagnosis of the patient, but you have had a chance at observing him in action.4 more diagnose → diagnosis:identification of the illness Show general definition determine or identify the nature of a problem or an illness
	3	top 500
acquireobtain (get) Children acquire language at an amazing rate.more Show sample from book Her three daytime black boys she acquires after more years of testing and rejecting thousands.†2 more acquire → acquires:obtains (comes into possession of) Show general definition obtain (come into the possession of something)
	2	top 100
dominatecontrol Democrats dominate the committee.more Show sample from book One by one the patients are sneaking looks at her to see how she's taking the way McMurphy is dominating the meeting,1 more dominate → dominating:controlling Show general definition to control; or to be most influential, powerful, abundant, important, or conspicuous
	2	top 200
analogycomparison of different things to point to a shared characteristic Her analogy is flawed.more Show sample from book That certainly is a pleasant analogy, my friend.†1 more a comparison of different things to point to a shared characteristic Show general definition a comparison of different things to point to a shared characteristic Show editor's word notes Analogies are typically used to explain something unfamiliar by comparing it to something that is simpler or more familiar. They are also used in argument to suggest that what is true for one situation is also true in the other.
	4	top 2000
ornerycranky (easily annoyed and quick to complain and argue) I avoid contact when he's in an ornery mood.more Show sample from book He's that way all through lunch, and at one o'clock he's the first one in his seat for the meeting, his eyes blue and ornery from his place in the corner.†3 more easily annoyed and quick to complain and argue Show general definition for ornery (as in: is ornery when she first wakes up) quick to get annoyed, complain, argue, and be uncooperative
	2	top 500
reminiscerecall fond memories My parents like to reminisce about their college days.more Show sample from book And in the course of our reminiscing we happened to bring up the carnivals the school used to sponsor-marvelous, noisy, gala occasions.†1 more reminisce → reminiscing:to talk or think fondly about past experiences Show general definition to talk or think fondly about past experiences
	2	top 1000
jargonwords or expressions commonly used in a particular field but not elsewhere The medical jargon used by the doctors was difficult for the patient to understand.more Show sample from book The Shock Shop, Mr. McMurphy, is jargon for the EST machine, the Electro Shock Therapy.†1 more specialized vocabulary Show general definition words or expressions commonly used in a particular field but not understood by most people
	2
impregnableable to withstand attack The ancient fortress, perched atop a steep cliff and surrounded by a deep moat, was considered impregnable for centuriesmore Show sample from book She's impregnable herself, and with the element of time working for her she eventually gets inside everyone.†1 more
	2
limberflexible Yoga has helped me to become more limber.more Show sample from book Just limbering up.†1 more limber → limbering:making flexible Show general definition for limber (as in: the gymnast stays limber) of a person's body: flexible (capable of moving, bending, and stretching easily) or: readily adaptable -- especially of someone's mind
	1	top 500
acclaimacclaim → acclaimed:popularly and enthusiastically praised It's a critically acclaimed movie.more Show sample from book —and do you think, for all your acclaimed psychopathic powers, that you could effectively use your weapon against our champion?† Show general definition to praise enthusiastically and publicly -- sometimes choosing without opposition or a formal vote