The Power and the Glory — Vocabulary
Grace MacGowan Cooke
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Exemplary sample	Uses	Broad Use
	16	top 500
inquiryinvestigation The school launched an official inquiry into the allegations of cheating.more Show sample from book He began some carefully worded inquiries as to her experience in the mill and her opinion of the work.†15 more inquiry → inquiries:questions or investigations Show general definition a question or investigation -- especially one meant to gather information or find out the truth
	16	top 2000
socialisman economic system based on government ownership and control of all companies -- with the ideal of equal benefits to all people She believes that more socialism would be more fair.more Show sample from book Most of the men who are loud in the leadership of socialism have made a failure of their own lives.†15 more an economic system based on government ownership or control of all important com… Show general definition an economic system based on government ownership or control of all important companies -- with the ideal of equal benefits to all people
	10	top 1000
assentconsent or agreement The patient gave her assent to the surgery, even though she was nervous about it.more Show sample from book "Uh-huh," assented Buckheath.†9 more assent → assented:to express agreement -- especially with a statement or proposal to do something Show general definition to express agreement -- especially with a statement or proposal to do something
	12	top 2000
specimenspecimen → specimens:examples representative of their type The museum holds over a million insect specimens.more Show sample from book She was glad they were such fine specimens—all perfect.†11 more specimen → specimens:examples regarded as typical of their class Show general definition an example thought to represent its type; or a bit of tissue, blood, or urine that is taken for diagnostic purposes
	10	top 2000
tremulousquivering (shaky) She spoke timidly in a tremulous voice.more Show sample from book "That!" cried Laurella Passmore, taking it up with angrily tremulous fingers.†9 more Show general definition quivering (unsteady or shaky) -- usually from weakness or fear -- especially of the voice
	8	top 1000
deftquick and skillful She painted with deft, swift touches.more Show sample from book And, having made a bed in the cradle from some folded covers, he lifted the baby with strange deftness and placed it in.†7 more
	8	top 1000
monotonouslacking variety and boring We hope to replace people with robots for the most monotonous work.more Show sample from book First it was a hymn, all abrupt, odd, minor cadences and monotonous refrain.†7 more lacking in variety and/or boring Show general definition lacking in variety -- typically boring
	9	top 1000
clamorloud noise and/or persistent demands She ignored the clamor of the crowd.more Show sample from book The Hardwick mill was a large one; to the mountain-bred girl it seemed endless, while its clamour and roar was a thing to daunt.†8 more Show general definition loud noise and/or persistent demands -- especially from human voice
	8	top 1000
dismaydismay → dismayed:sad, disappointed, or worried Don't be dismayed. I have a solution.more Show sample from book Now her face dimpled as she remembered the shriek of dismay Laurella sent after her.†7 more sadness, disappointment, or worry Show general definition to feel sadness, disappointment, or worry -- typically in response to something surprising
	6	top 200
dubiousquestionable or unreliable The theory is based on dubious evidence that hasn’t been verified.more Show sample from book They turned to find a squat, middle-aged man regarding them dubiously.†5 more dubious → dubiously:doubtfully or suspiciously Show general definition doubtful, questionable, or suspicious -- especially in a way that makes something seem unreliable, improper, or uncertain doubtful in various senses, including: questionable or doubtful that something should be relied upon -- as in "The argument relies on a dubious assumption." suspicious or doubtful that something is morally proper -- as in "The company is accused of using dubious sales practices to influence minors." bad or of questionable value -- as in "The state has the dubious distinction of the highest taxes." uncertain or doubtful -- as in "She is dubious about making the change."
	9	top 2000
vigorenergy and strength After a good night’s sleep, she woke up full of vigor and ready to tackle the day’s challenges.more Show sample from book Her own vigorous young frame resisted valiantly; yet the Saturday half-holiday, the Sunday of rest, could scarcely renew her for the exorbitant hours of mechanical toil.†8 more vigor → vigorous:with strength or energy Show general definition strength, energy, or good health
	8	top 2000
aspireaspire → aspiring:hoping to be successful The aspiring scientist set her sights on curing cancer, a goal that would require years of hard work and dedication.more Show sample from book If you thought that my wishing and—aspiring—would ever bring me such as that, I'd sure try.†7 more Show general definition to hope to be successful -- especially in a career
	5	top 100
alludeallude → alluded:indirectly referenced He alluded to Susan without mentioning her name.more Show sample from book A "concrete form" she imagined might allude to the fact that Miss Sessions had a better figure than she.†4 more to make an indirect reference 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
sinisterevil They created a sinister plan to recruit terrorists.more Show sample from book She was not without a healthy young woman's relish for this sort of admiration; but Shade Buckheath's proposal came with so little grace, in such almost sinister form, that she scarcely recognized it.4 more evil, harmful, or frightening Show general definition evil or harmful; or making an evil or frightening impression
	12
remonstratecriticize or argue When she has a complaint with her staff, she will remonstrate quietly and in private.more Show sample from book "Wait till some other time, I—I don't want to—" But her remonstrance came too late; Mandy had yanked her forward and was performing the introduction...11 more remonstrate → remonstrance:argument in protest or opposition Show general definition argue, complain, or criticize
	9	top 2000
reprovereprove → reproves:criticizes She's the kind of boss who reproves in private and praises in public.more Show sample from book "Oh, John!" she said reprovingly, 'Daily bread' is all we have anything to do with.†8 more reprove → reprovingly:in a critical manner Show general definition express disapproval or criticism -- typically in a mild manner & sometimes even in a friendly manner
	6
inertunmoving The snake had recently eaten and lay inert in the grass.more Show sample from book At the porch edge he strove to recover himself, failed, and with a short, coughing groan, pitched down the steps and lay, an inert mass, at their foot.†5 more unmoving, inactive, or unable to move; OR slow, lethargic, or without interest… Show general definition unmoving, inactive, or unable to move or: slow, lethargic, or without interest or (in chemistry/medicine): chemically inactive (not having an effect)
	4
inarticulateunable to express herself clearly She becomes inarticulate when she's nervous.more Show sample from book Pap Himes looked at her, at the beads, and gave the fierce, inarticulate, ludicrously futile growl of a thwarted, perplexed animal.†3 more unable to express oneself clearly; or not expressed clearly Show general definition unable to communicate clearly (or to use words) or (more rarely): a feeling or idea that is not expressed The exact meaning of inarticulate depends upon its context. For example: unable to find good words to express oneself -- as in "She gets inarticulate when she's nervous." verbally expressing a feeling without words -- as in "She uttered an inarticulate cry of despair." unable to make oneself heard and understood -- as in "She mumbled inarticulately." unable to speak -- as in "She was inarticulate with rage." a feeling or idea that is not expressed -- as in "We shared an inarticulate fear." inability to express or understand feelings or ideas -- as in "She is emotionally inarticulate, " or "Her symphony is inarticulate."
	3	top 2000
forbearancetolerance She won the children over with patience and forbearance.more Show sample from book He sat for some time silent, with introverted gaze, Johnnie with difficulty restraining her impatience, forbearing to break in upon his meditation.†2 more forbearance → forbearing:refraining (holding back) from acting Show general definition patient tolerance or self-control; or holding back from taking action or enforcing a right Show editor's word notes Today, the word, forbearance, is most commonly seen in the field of law to indicate that a legal right, claim or privilege is not being enforced.
	3	top 2000
penitentsorry for having done wrong When her anger passed, she was penitent.more Show sample from book The explanation of how the girl came to be riding in his car that Sunday morning was neither as full nor as penitent as Miss Lydia could have wished; yet it did recognize the impropriety of the act, and was, in so far, satisfactory.†2 more feeling or expressing sorrow for having done wrong; OR a person who does such Show general definition feeling or expressing sorrow for having done wrong; or a person who does such