The Pearl — Vocabulary
John Steinbeck
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
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appraiseappraise → appraised:assigned a value
The bank required the house to be appraised before approving the mortgage.more
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I am only an appraiser.1 more
appraise → appraiser:one who places a value on things
Show general definition for appraise (as in: appraise value or worth) assign a value on or judge the worth of something
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appraise#2appraise → appraised:evaluate (consider in a comprehensive way)
She appraised the situation carefully before acting.more
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looked quickly at Juana's old blue skirt, saw the tears in her shawl, appraised the green ribbon on her braids, read...1 more
appraise → appraised:considered in a comprehensive way
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recedediminish (decrease)
Interest in the story is beginning to recede.more
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And he could smell the sharp odour of exposed kelp from the receding tide.3 more
recede → receding:retreating (moving away)
Show general definition to move away or diminish (become less)
The exact meaning of recede depends upon its context. For example:
  • "We can't move back in until the floodwaters recede." -- diminish and move away
  • "Her fear receded." -- diminished
  • "The waves first advance and then recede." -- move away
  • "The news story receded into the background as it was replaced by new stories." -- received diminished attention
  • "a receding hairline" -- diminished hair (each year the line where hair stops growing is higher on the forehead)
  • "She has a receding chin." -- sloping back (as contrasted to sticking out)
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waverwaver → wavered:faltered (stopped being strong)
Through good times and bad her love for him has never wavered.more
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Behind him Juanas fire leaped into flame and threw spears of light through the chinks of the brush-house wall and threw a wavering square of light out the door.†1 more
waver → wavering:moving back and forth; or being unsure or weak
Show general definition to move back and forth (shake or quiver)

or:

to change, be unsure, or weak
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deftquick and skillful
She painted with deft, swift touches.more
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Kino deftly slipped his knife into the edge of the shell.†1 more
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glimmerglimmer → glimmered:shined (with a dim or wavering light)
The moonlight glimmered on the lake.more
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Kino and Juana watched it go, winking and glimmering under the setting sun.2 more
glimmer → glimmering:shining (with a dim or wavering light)
Show general definition for glimmer (as in: glimmering lights) a dim, wavering, or reflected light
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baptismbaptism → baptized:"spiritually renewed" in a Christian ceremony
She was baptized at the same church as her grandmother.more
Show context notes The suffix "-ize" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.
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...and she dressed Coyotito in the clothes she had prepared for his baptism,2 more
a Christian ceremony signifying spiritual cleansing and rebirth
Show general definition a Christian ceremony signifying spiritual cleansing and rebirth

or:

a challenging experience that initiates or purifies
Show editor's word notes Most churches baptize infants, but some require an adult to request baptism, and a few (such as the Quakers) require no baptism at all.

Typically, water is used as part of the ceremony, such as sprinkling a little water on a baby's head; though some churches use complete submersion in water.
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contemptlack of respect
Familiarity breeds contempt.more
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The first dealer, dry and stringy, seemed now to see the pearl for the first time. He took it up, rolled it quickly between thumb and forefinger, and then cast it contemptuously back into the tray.1 more
contempt → contemptuously:showing disrespect and dislike for it
Show general definition for contempt (as in: feels contempt towards her) lack of respect for someone or something thought inferior -- often accompanied by a feeling of dislike or disgust
Show editor's word notes A famous saying, "familiarity breeds contempt" comes from Aesop's fable, "The Fox and the Lion".  (6th century BC)

When first the Fox saw the Lion he was terribly frightened, and ran away and hid himself in the wood. Next time however he came near the King of Beasts he stopped at a safe distance and watched him pass by. The third time they came near one another the Fox went straight up to the Lion and passed the time of day with him, asking him how his family were, and when he should have the pleasure of seeing him again; then turning his tail, he parted from the Lion without much ceremony.

The moral is traditionally, "Familiarity breeds contempt"; though an alternative moral is "Acquaintance softens prejudices."
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writhewrithe → writhed:moved in a twisting or contorted motion
The patient writhed in pain.more
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The lip-like flesh writhed up and then subsided.†1 more
Show general definition to move in a twisting or contorted motion -- often of a person when struggling or in pain
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neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas)
The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more
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Everyone in La Paz remembers the return of the family; there may be some old ones who saw it, but those whose fathers and whose grandfathers told it to them remember it nevertheless.†
Show general definition despite that
Show editor's word notes Based 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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patronpatron → patrons:customers
The café was filled with patrons enjoying coffee and studying for exams.more
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The news came to these men, and their eyes squinted and their finger-tips burned a little, and each one thought how the patron could not live forever and someone had to take his place.†1 more
a regular customer…
Show general definition for patron (as in: a patron of the arts) a regular customer; or someone who gives money or support to an organization, cause, or person
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essencedefining quality
Her speech captured the essence of what the movement was really about.more
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The essence of pearl mixed with essence of men and a curious dark residue was precipitated.†
the defining or most important quality of something…
Show general definition the defining or most important quality of something

or:

a extract that concentrates important qualities of something such as smell or taste
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probeinvestigation
There was a congressional probe into the scandal.more
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His eyes and his mind probed for danger before it appeared.1 more
probe → probed:searched (investigated)
Show general definition to investigate closely; or a tool or device used to explore, examine, or gather information
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subsequentfollowing
Her guess was proven right by subsequent developments.more
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The doctor had once for a short time been a part of the great world and his whole subsequent life was memory and longing for France.†
following something else
Show general definition following something else
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disparagedisparage → disparaging:criticizing or making seem less important
She has a reputation for disparaging the efforts of her co-workers.more
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And this is said in disparagement, whereas it is one of the greatest talents the species has and one that has made it superior to animals that are satisfied with what they have.
disparage → disparagement:the act of criticizing
Show general definition to criticize or make seem less important -- especially in a disrespectful or contemptuous manner
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lethargiclacking energy
I'm hoping a cold iced tea will help me get past this lethargic feeling.more
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A lethargy had settled on him, and a little gray hopelessness.
lethargic → lethargy:lack of energy
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diffusespread out
When the United States focused on terrorism, the movement went further underground and became more diffuse.more
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the tone of the diffused green light of the sea bottom.
diffuse → diffused:faintly dispersed (spread without being concentrated or bright in any one area)
Show general definition to spread; or to soften or calm

or:

to be spread out (not concentrated) -- sometimes implying a lack of organization
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strenuousdifficult (requiring much effort)
The doctor recommended strenuous exercise three times a week.more
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They made a quick soft-footed procession into the center of the town, first Juana and Kino, and behind them Juan Tomas and Apolonia, her big stomach jiggling with the strenuous pace, then all the neighbours with the children trotting on the flanks.†
Show general definition energetic; or physically or mentally difficult or requiring endurance
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petulantunreasonably annoyed or upset
She stomped her foot like a petulant child.more
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And the baby was weary and petulant, and he cried softly until Juana gave him her breast,
unreasonably upset
Show general definition unreasonably annoyed or upset

or:

easily annoyed or upset
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subjugatesubjugate → subjugation:forced submission to another's dominance
The essay discusses that era's subjugation of women in a male-dominated world.more
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Kino stood in the door, filling it, and hatred raged and flamed in back of his eyes, and fear too, for the hundreds of years of subjugation were cut deep in him.†
Show general definition to force into submission
in various senses, including:
  • when a people are defeated in battle and oppressed -- as in "The Romans subjugated most of Europe."
  • when something is treated as less important than something else -- as in "subjugate the desires of the individual to the desires of the state," or "subjugate instinct to reason"