A Passage to India — Vocabulary
E. M. Forster
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	26	top 100
consequenceconsequence → consequences:results Your decision will have three major consequences.more Show sample from book Windows were barred, lest the servants should see their mem-sahibs acting, and the heat was consequently immense.27 more consequence → consequently:resultantly (as a result) Show general definition for consequence (as in: a direct consequence of) a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
	2	top 1000
consequence#2consequence → consequential:important Think carefully. This is a consequential decision.more Show sample from book If I do break down, it is of no consequence.†27 more importance Show general definition for consequence (as in: of little consequence) importance or relevance
	37	top 2000
magistratejudge The local magistrate insisted on a cash payment for the speeding ticket.more Show sample from book But the case has to come before a magistrate now;36 more Show general definition a judge or judicial official The exact meaning of magistrate varies widely depending upon the context. For example: in the U.S. federal court: assists district court judges by handling minor offenses or administrative tasks such as preliminary hearings (often referred to as a magistrate judge rather than just a magistrate) in some U.S. states: a judge in the state court in France, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, and other civil law countries: a sitting magistrate is a judge and a standing magistrate is a prosecutor in England: may be a volunteer without formal legal training who performs a judicial role with regard to minor matters in ancient Rome: a powerful officer with both judicial and executive power
	3	top 10
illustratemake clear Pictures of flooding help to illustrate the problem of global warming.more Show sample from book And in order to illustrate the strategy, they produced a plan of the Marabar Hills, showing the route that the party had taken, and the "Tank of the Dagger" where they had camped.3 more help make clear Show general definition for illustrate (as in: as illustrated by this example) to help make clear -- typically by example
	1	top 2000
illustrate#2draw pictures to accompany I write and illustrate children's books.more Show sample from book "McBryde has an illustrated bird book," he said dejectedly.†3 more illustrate → illustrated:(verb) drew pictures to accompany OR (adjective) accompanied by pictures Show general definition for illustrate (as in: an illustrated children's book) to draw pictures (or provide photographs) to accompany a book or other writing
	12	top 1000
cynicalsomeone who expects the worst The experience made her overly cynical.more Show sample from book He knew little of the district and less against the inhabitants, so he was in a less cynical state of mind.†11 more someone who expects the worst -- especially of people Show general definition someone who expects the worst -- especially of people (such as expecting them to be selfish and lie)
	8	top 100
contradictdisagree with Does the sentence contradict the main claim of the essay?more Show sample from book It was this that led him to repeat, exaggerate, contradict.†7 more disagree Show general definition disagree in various senses, including: to say something is not true -- as in "She contradicted his testimony." to say something else is true when both can't be true -- as in "I don't believe her. She contradicted herself as she told us what happened." to be in conflict with -- as in "Her assertions contradict accepted scientific principles."
	9	top 500
subordinateless important or subservient At that time, women were thought subordinate to men in political matters.more Show sample from book But the Major assumed either that his subordinates were made of ice, or that they repaired to the Chandrapore bazaars—disgusting ideas both.†8 more subordinate → subordinates:less important or subservient; OR to rank as such Show general definition less important or subservient; or to rank as such
	9	top 1000
compelforce Does our DNA compel us to act as we do?more Show sample from book Turton would never do this unless compelled.†8 more compel → compelled:forced; or (more rarely) convinced Show general definition to force someone to do something or more rarely: to convince someone to do something Show editor's word notes Most typically, compel describes an external influence forcing someone to do something, but it can also describe being driven by an internal desire.
	8	top 1000
appallingshockingly terrible or horrible The live in appalling conditions.more Show sample from book Vexed rather than appalled, she stood still, her eyes on the sparkling rock.†7 more appalling → appalled:shocked by how terrible or horrible something is
	5	top 100
varybe different Your mileage may vary.more Show sample from book Whatever she said produced a murmur of deprecation, varying into a murmur of concern when she dropped her pocket-handkerchief.†4 more vary → varying:differing; or changing Show general definition to be different, or to change Show editor's word notes Vary is often used to describe small differences or changes--especially about things of the same type. It would be more common to say "The weight of full-grown elephants varies depending upon diet and other factors," than to say "The weight of elephants varies from that of mice."
	5	top 100
alludeallude → alluded:indirectly referenced He alluded to Susan without mentioning her name.more Show sample from book They attacked one another with obscure allusions and had a silly quarrel.†4 more allude → allusions:indirect references Show general definition to make an indirect reference Show editor's word notes The expression, no allusion can mean "not even an indirect reference"; i.e., neither a direct nor an indirect reference to something.
	5	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, Adela in her excitement knelt and swept her skirts about, until it was she if anyone who appeared to have attacked the car.†4 more
	5	top 200
malicemalice → malicious:evil; or made with the intent to make others suffer I am not interested in hearing malicious gossip.more Show sample from book Ronny had emphasized to his mother that Adela would arrive in a morbid state, yet she was being positively malicious.†4 more malice → malicious:the intention or desire to see others suffer Show general definition the intention or desire to see others suffer
	6	top 500
censurecensure → censured:formally criticized They censured him for bringing dishonor upon the Senate.more Show sample from book It was the first interruption, and the Magistrate felt bound to censure it.5 more criticize Show general definition harsh criticism; or formal criticism from an organization -- such as the U.S. Senate
	7
pathosa quality that arouses pity or sorrow The novel triumphs with humor and pathos.more Show sample from book He had seen the quatrain on the tomb of a Deccan king, and regarded it as profound philosophy—he always held pathos to be profound.†6 more
	5	top 2000
deprecatetreat as unimportant You should not deprecate her efforts.more Show sample from book Fielding deprecated confidences, but Sir Gilbert insisted on imparting them;4 more deprecate → deprecated:disapproved of Show general definition to diminish or treat something as unimportant or of low quality; or to express disapproval
	5	top 2000
impudentimproperly bold or disrespectful She is an impudent girl given to insulting strangers.†more Show sample from book Then it was impudence.†4 more Show general definition improperly bold or disrespectful -- especially toward someone who is older or considered to be of higher status
	5
detestabledeserving intense dislike I think Umbridge is the most detestable character in the Harry Potter books.more Show sample from book It was a detestable shanty near a low bazaar.†4 more
	3	top 1000
discreditdamage the reputation of She spoke only of her strengths, but others on her campaign staff worked to discredit her opponent.more Show sample from book He made pleasant remarks and a few jokes, which were applauded lustily, but he knew something to the discredit of nearly every one of his guests, and was consequently perfunctory.†2 more Show general definition damage the reputation of -- often causing distrust of or disbelief in