White Noise — Vocabulary
Don DeLillo
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	5	top 1000
interprettranslate Can she interpret Spanish to English for us?more Show sample from book The chairman, Alfonse Stompanato, seemed to feel that one of the other instructors, a three-hundred-pound former rock 'n' roll bodyguard named Dimitrios Cotsakis, had established prior right by having flown to Memphis when the King died, interviewed members of the King's entourage and family, been inter viewed himself on local television as an Interpreter of the Phenomenon.†5 more interpret → interpreter:someone who translates language Show general definition for interpret (as in: interpret Spanish to English) to translate someone’s words into spoken words of another language while they are speaking
	12	top 500
simulateimitate or represent A computer model is used to simulate the effects of wind.more Show sample from book They didn't prepare us for this at the death simulator in Denver.†11 more simulate → simulator:something that imitates something else Show general definition make an imitation or representation of
	11	top 1000
moleculechemical substance They want to genetically engineer bacteria or yeast to produce the molecule required to replace gasoline.more Show sample from book The swiftness and noise of their leaving had put the room in a state of molecular agitation.†10 more molecule → molecular:relating to the smallest amount of a chemical substance that can exist by itself Show general definition the smallest amount of a chemical substance that can exist by itself -- usually consisting of 2 or more atoms
	8	top 500
nostalgianostalgia → nostalgic:with a longing for something past The music makes me feel nostalgic.more Show sample from book Fool, you're supposed to look at me in a fond and nostalgic way, smiling ruefully.†7 more Show general definition happiness that come with the memory of good times combined with a hint of sadness that those times are over
	2	top 1000
consoleconsole → consoled:comforted She consoled him after his mother died.more Show sample from book I was inconsolable, withdrew completely into myself.4 more console → inconsolable:too sad to be comforted Show context notes The prefix "in-" in inconsolable means not and reverses the meaning of consolable. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure. Show general definition for console (as in: console her grief) to comfort (emotionally)
	3	top 1000
console#2controls for electronic equipment She pushed a button on the console.more Show sample from book We drove to the state trooper barracks and talked to a female clerk who sat behind a computer console.4 more video monitor Show general definition for console (as in: plug it into the console) controls or video monitor(s) for electrical equipment; or a cabinet made to hold electronic equipment
	10	top 1000
prescribeprescribe → prescribed:gave medical instructions instructing that the patient should take The doctor prescribed an antibiotic for the infection.more Show sample from book The doctor prescribed thirty pills.†9 more prescribe → prescribed:recommended or required what should be done OR (of a medical doctor) gave medical instructions -- such as writing that a patient should take antibiotics Show general definition to recommend or require what should be done or more specifically: of a medical doctor: to give medical instructions -- such as writing that a patient should take antibiotics
	9	top 2000
aurasurrounding feeling or atmosphere The place has an aura of romance.more Show sample from book Every photograph reinforces the aura.†8 more A distinctive quality, mood, or feeling that seems to surround a person, place, … Show general definition A distinctive quality, mood, or feeling that seems to surround a person, place, or thing; or, more literally, a glowing light shown around someone's head or body in spiritual or artistic images
	5	top 100
contextcontext → out of context:in a misleading manner (because the quote left out additional words that changed the meaning of what was quoted) She said she was quoted out of context and that anyone who read her full speech would know it.more Show context notes When someone is quoted "out of context" it means that selected words were quoted that misrepresent the meaning of all their words. For example, if you said "I admire their effort, but they are dead wrong if they think this will work," and someone implied that you supported their plan by quoting you as only saying, "I admire their effort," they would be quoting you out of context. Show sample from book How stupid and out of context.†4 more context → out of context:misleading because something is presented without the setting or situation in which it occurred Show context notes When someone is quoted "out of context" it means that selected words were quoted that misrepresent the meaning of all their words. For example, if you said "I admire their effort, but they are dead wrong if they think this will work," and someone implied that you supported their plan by quoting you as only saying, "I admire their effort," they would be quoting you out of context. Show general definition the setting or situation in which something occurs
	6	top 500
crucialvery important Doing well on the ACT is crucial to getting into the college I want to attend.more Show sample from book Wasn't Hitler's own struggle to express himself in German the crucial subtext of his massive ranting autobiography, dictated in a fortress prison in the Bavarian hills?†5 more Show general definition very important or necessary -- often because it determines how something else will turn out
	5	top 200
coherentsensible and clear She presented a compelling and coherent plan.more Show sample from book From deep in the woods we heard motorcycles revving, voices raising incoherent cries.†4 more coherent → incoherent:not sensible or clear; or describing parts as not fitting together in a consistent or pleasing manner Show context notes The prefix "in-" in incoherent means not and reverses the meaning of coherent. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure. Show general definition sensible and clear; or describing parts as fitting together in a consistent or pleasing manner
	5	top 500
ambiguousunclear because it could be interpreted in different ways The detective found the suspect’s statement ambiguous, unsure whether it was a confession or a denial.more Show sample from book Because Mylex is itself a suspect material, the results tended to be ambiguous and a second round of more rigorous detection had to be scheduled.†4 more unclear -- because there could be two or more interpretations Show general definition unclear -- because there could be two or more interpretations
	6	top 1000
deftquick and skillful She painted with deft, swift touches.more Show sample from book Let's enjoy these aimless days while we can, I told myself, I fearing some kind of deft acceleration.†5 more
	4	top 100
precedeprecede → preceded:were before in time Stone tools preceded bronze tools.more Show sample from book She sincerely wants to precede me.†3 more to go or do before Show general definition to go or do before
	19
déjà vuthe strange feeling of having lived the current moment before As she walked through the old town, she had a strong sense of déjà vu, as if she had been there before.more Show sample from book It was Heinrich who'd told me that exposure to the chemical waste could cause a person to experience a sense of deja vu.†18 more déjà vu → deja vu:the strange feeling of having lived the current moment before… Show general definition the strange feeling of having lived the current moment before; or referring to something as similar to what has happened before
	8
ionion → ions:atoms with an electrical charge caused by the loss or gain of an electron When lithium-ion batteries are recharged, the lithium ions are moved back to the negative electrode.more Show sample from book He is known as Old Man Treadwell, as if he were a landmark, a rock format ion or brooding swamp.†7 more an atom that has acquired an electrical charge by the loss or gain of an electron Show general definition an atom that has acquired an electrical charge by the loss or gain of an electron
	2	top 100
narratoran actor who helps to tell a story by talking directly to the audience (breaking the imaginary barrier between the performers and the audience) The narrator in the play, Our Town talks to characters in the play as well as to the audience.more Show sample from book I'd been pushed away from the narrator by people crowding in to listen, well over a hundred of them, dragging their shoulder bags and garment bags across the dusty floor.†1 more storyteller Show general definition someone who tells a story--especially the main voice in a documentary, or a character who talks directly to the audience in a movie, play or other performance
	2	top 200
inhibitinhibit → inhibits:slows or prevents The drug inhibits the spread of cancer.more Show sample from book Mr. Gray found fear of death and then went to work on finding the chemicals that would induce the brain to make its own inhibitors.†1 more inhibit → inhibitors:to limit the activity of someone or something Show general definition for inhibit (as in: inhibited the growth of...) to limit the activity of someone or something
	4
bigotryintolerance and prejudice It's a difficult subject due to her bigotry.more Show sample from book People who can fix things are usually bigots.†3 more bigotry → bigots:people who are intolerant and prejudiced
	2	top 1000
reclusesomeone withdrawn from society (living alone and avoiding contact with others) He became a recluse after his wife passed away.more Show sample from book Members of an air-crash cult will hijack a jumbo jet and crash it into the White House in an act of blind devotion to their mysterious and reclusive leader, known only as Uncle Bob.†1 more recluse → reclusive:withdrawn from society (avoiding contact with others) Show general definition someone withdrawn from society (living alone and avoiding contact)