The ABC Murders — Vocabulary
Agatha Christie
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	3	top 100
directstraightforward I left them with direct instructions.more Show sample from book You yourself are English and yet you do not seem to appreciate the quality of the English reaction to a direct question.†7 more straightforward (specific and clear) Show general definition for direct (as in: gave a direct answer) straightforward -- often clear, open, or blunt in speech or behavior
	5	top 100
direct#2instruct On the SAT test, some questions direct you to look at an underlined or numbered portion of a passage.more Show sample from book Or is his animosity impersonal-directed against a foreigner?†7 more direct → directed:aimed or focused Show general definition for direct (as in: direct a question; or direct a film) to guide, aim, or manage -- such as actions, attention, speech, a project or company
	13	top 500
motivereason (for doing something) She believes the profit motive encourages people to satisfy other people's needs.more Show sample from book Poirot said slowly: "It seems to me that there is one very important clue-the discovery of the motive."†12 more Show general definition for motive (as in: What is her motive?) a reason for doing something
	13	top 2000
coincidencea situation where things happened at the same time by chance even though it was unlikely It was a pure coincidence that both got sick the same weekend.more Show sample from book It would be too much of a coincidence to combine the two.12 more a situation where two things happened at the same time or in the same way by chance even though it was unlikely Show general definition a situation where two things happened at the same time or in the same way by chance even though it was unlikely
	4	top 2000
accordaccord → accordance:keeping She will get a fair trial in accordance with the law.more Show sample from book As soon as I heard of the shocking occurrence I perceived that my statement might be helpful and came forward accordingly.6 more accord → accordingly:in keeping with (the perception) Show general definition for accord (as in: according to, or in accord with) in keeping with; or in agreement/harmony/unity with This meaning of accord is often seen in the form according to or accordingly where it can take on more specific meanings. For example: "According to Kim, ..." -- as stated by "To each according to her ability." -- based upon "Points are scored according to how well they perform." -- depending upon "The dose is calculated according to body weight." -- in proportion to "We got a flat tire. Accordingly, I pulled to the side of the road." -- because of what was just said; or as a result
	3	top 2000
accord#2accord → own accord:own mind -- voluntarily (without anyone asking) She was not forced. She did it of her own accord.more Show sample from book You, I understand, went to the police of your own accord?6 more accord → own accord:own mind (voluntarily) Show general definition for accord (as in: done of her own accord) mind Show editor's word notes This sense of accord is typically seen in the form own accord or one accord.
	7	top 100
neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas) The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more Show sample from book Nevertheless I felt convinced that something ought to be done and that we should not allow the grass to grow under our feet.†6 more 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.
	10	top 1000
narrativeStory He titled his autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.more Show sample from book In this narrative of mine I have departed from my usual practice of reporting only those incidents and scenes at which I myself was present.9 more story Show general definition for narrative (as in: Narrative of the Life of...) a story; or related to a story
	9	top 1000
anonymousby someone whose name is not known The police arrested her after an anonymous tip told them where to find the stolen diamonds.more Show sample from book Did she ever get anonymous letters?8 more written by an unknown person Show general definition for anonymous (as in: an anonymous author) an unknown person, or of an unknown person -- such as an unknown author, or donation of an unknown person
	7	top 1000
cunningclever and deceitful She came up with a cunning scheme to cheat him.more Show sample from book Stupid and cunning, ruthless and magnanimous-and that there must be some dominating factor that reconciles his two natures.6 more clever Show general definition for cunning (as in: a cunning thief) being good at achieving goals through cleverness -- and typically through deception as well (tricking others)
	6	top 500
inquiryinvestigation The school launched an official inquiry into the allegations of cheating.more Show sample from book The police have all the means at their disposal for that kind of inquiry.†5 more questioning or investigating Show general definition a question or investigation -- especially one meant to gather information or find out the truth
	5	top 500
adversaryopponent She is his greatest adversary.more Show sample from book And then-then, when I have got the answer to a certain question, I will go and see A.B.C...We will be face to face at last-A. B.C, and Hercule Poirot-the adversaries.†4 more adversary → adversaries:opponents Show general definition an opponent
	3	top 200
tentativetentative → tentatively:in a careful way (indicating a lack of confidence) The puppy approached us tentatively until it knew we wouldn't harm it.more Show sample from book Again, tentatively, he felt his coat sleeve.3 more tentative → tentatively:in an unsure or hesitant manner Show general definition for tentative (as in: said it tentatively) done in a careful or unsure way (indicating a lack of confidence in exactly what will happen)
	1	top 200
tentative#2subject to change (likely or possibly going to change) My plans are still tentative.more Show sample from book the race-meeting undoubtedly complicated the plans we had made tentatively beforehand.3 more tentative → tentatively:with an expectation that there might be changes
	1	top 2000
minutetiny Don't eat a lot of poppy seeds for a few days before a drug test. They have a minute amount of a chemical that can cause a false positive when testing for heroin use.more Show sample from book The Barnards Elizabeth Barnard's parents lived in a minute bungalow, one of fifty or so recently run up by a speculative builder on the confines of the town.3 more small Show general definition for minute (as in: minute size) small, exceptionally small, or insignificant
	3
minute#2including even small considerations We discussed it in minute detail.more Show sample from book He then went to the hotel at which Cust had put up and extracted a minute description of that gentleman's departure.3 more detailed Show general definition for minute (as in: minute description) detailed (including even small considerations); and/or careful (done with care)
	2	top 500
discrepancyan unexpected difference between two things She is on paid leave while the accounting discrepancy is investigated.†more Show sample from book Here, if one could but hit on the idea ....This alphabetical business, it has discrepancies.†1 more discrepancy → discrepancies:disagreement -- especially an unexpected difference between two things Show general definition disagreement -- especially an unexpected difference between two things
	3	top 2000
conjecturea conclusion or opinion based on inconclusive evidence She dismissed it as mere conjecture.more Show sample from book "That's all pure conjecture," I objected.2 more opinion based on inconclusive evidence Show general definition a conclusion or opinion based on inconclusive evidence; or the act of forming of such a conclusion or opinion Show editor's word notes A conjecture can be widely believed, but the word is also frequently used to imply that evidence is insufficient to support a belief.
	1	top 10
inferfigure out or guess by reasoning Which of the following facts can you infer from the first paragraph?more Show sample from book The slight inferences I permitted myself to make.† infer → inferences:things concluded or guessed by reasoning Show general definition to figure out or guess by reasoning
	3
indefatigableenergetic without showing sign of tiring She is an indefatigable fund raiser for the cause.more Show sample from book On the contrary, Scotland Yard and the local police of the various counties were indefatigable in following up the smallest clues.†2 more with tireless effort Show general definition with tireless effort