Cujo — Vocabulary
Stephen King
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	7	top 500
irrationalunreasonable I have an irrational fear of spiders.more Show sample from book She was suddenly, irrationally afraid that she would not recognize Holly.†6 more irrational → irrationally:in a manner that is not reasonable Show general definition not reasonable
	6	top 1000
rationalrational → rationally:in a reasonable manner It's hard to think rationally when I'm this upset.more Show sample from book Eventually Vic and Roger had worn him down, but not with rational arguments.5 more based on reason Show general definition for rational (as in: rational behavior) reasonable, able to think clearly, or based on logic rather than emotion
	4	top 100
factorthing (that influenced a result) Cost was an important factor in our decision.more Show sample from book Free will was not a factor.†3 more thing that affects a result or outcome Show general definition for factor (as in: It was the deciding factor.) something that affects a result or outcome Show editor's word notes You also may encounter x-factor or x factor--meaning "the most important thing that influences a result or outcome."
	6	top 1000
sullenunhappy and withdrawn She changed from a happy, outgoing child to sullen teenager.more Show sample from book She had put her foot down and it had stayed down, in spite of Joe's sullen mutterings and Brett's wounded eyes.5 more gloomy (demonstrating a bad mood) Show general definition for sullen (as in: a sullen mood) being unhappy (and often withdrawn)
	4	top 200
coherentsensible and clear She presented a compelling and coherent plan.more Show sample from book The glazed way his eyes rolled toward her when she spoke to him, like the eyes of a fighter who has been struck and struck and struck, a fighter who has lost his coherence along with his mouthguard3 more coherent → coherence:ability to think logically Show general definition sensible and clear; or describing parts as fitting together in a consistent or pleasing manner
	5	top 1000
resignation(accepted) something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils It wasn't her first choice, but she accepted it with resignation.more Show sample from book She had been frightened because she could see no logic in her mother's tantrum ... and because of the expression she had seen in her father's eyes. It had been a kind of resigned disgust.4 more resignation → resigned:having accepted something undesirable as unacceptable Show general definition for resignation (as in: accepted it with resignation) acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
	3	top 200
prudentsensible and careful She was promoted to manager because she is so prudent.more Show sample from book it seemed prudent to do everything legally.2 more sensible and cautious
	1	top 2000
resumebegin again After a brief break, the meeting will resume at 2 p.m.more Show sample from book Time had resumed its former slow crawl.1 more resume → resumed:begun again Show general definition for resume (as in: resume the meeting) begin or take again Show editor's word notes This sense of resume generally means to begin again or continue after a pause. In usage like, "resumed her seat", it scan also mean to take again.
	1	top 2000
résumésummary of qualifications She submitted her résumé along with a cover letter to apply for the job.more Show sample from book Start shopping my résumé around?1 more a person's qualifications to do something Show general definition for résumé (as in: submitted her résumé) a brief summary of a person's qualifications to do something -- typically submitted with an employment application Show editor's word notes In practice, résumé is often written without the accented e's.
	3	top 500
indulgeindulge → indulges:allows them to get their way She indulges her children more than is good for them.more Show sample from book And the next PR firm will be chosen by his son, who will make his Pick based on which one he believes will give him the freest rein to indulge his crackpot ideas.†2 more enjoy to excess Show general definition to give in to a desire or allow someone to enjoy or experience something -- especially something pleasurable
	5	top 2000
hideousextremely ugly, offensive, and/or frightening The beast had hideous fangs.more Show sample from book She found a box of Keebler figbars and a couple of Slim Jims (Donna thought they were hideous things, but they were Tad's all-time favorite snack).†4 more
	5	top 2000
disorientedconfused (without situational awareness) She felt disoriented after waking up in the unfamiliar hospital room.more Show sample from book There might be tears, even mild hysteria, but that sort of reaction would be provoked by simple disorientation.†4 more disoriented → disorientation:confused or unsure about location, circumstances, or how to respond Show general definition confused or unsure about location, circumstances, or how to respond
	5	top 2000
interstatefreeway, or highway that runs between states There was an accident on the interstate.more Show context notes When a word begins with the prefix, "inter-", the prefix often means between. In this case, interstate means between different states. Interstate is often used as an abbreviation for interstate highway, a highway that runs between states. It has also come to mean freeway in a place like Hawaii where no major highway connects to another state. Show sample from book Their positions were very similar: the awkward sleeping positions of those forced to spend long hours on interstate buses.†4 more freeway, or highway that runs between states… Show context notes When a word begins with the prefix, "inter-", the prefix often means between. In this case, interstate means between different states. Interstate is often used as an abbreviation for interstate highway, a highway that runs between states. It has also come to mean freeway in a place like Hawaii where no major highway connects to another state. Show general definition for interstate (as in: interstate commerce) freeway, or highway that runs between states or: relating to the mutual relations between states -- especially of the United States Show editor's word notes Note that interstate is often contrasted with intrastate. An intrastate highway is used to move from one location in a state to another, rather than to move between states. Similarly, interstate commerce is business between states; whereas intrastate commerce affects a state without affecting other states. Under the U.S. Constitution, the interstate/intrastate distinction is important when determining when the federal government has authority to override state government.
	5	top 2000
mortgageproperty loan We are the proud owners of a new home and a $100,000 mortgage.more Show sample from book Me, I've got seventeen years left on a twenty-year mortgage and twin girls who have their hearts set on Bridgton Academy.†4 more a real estate loan; or pledging something for a loan Show general definition a real estate loan; or to offer real estate as collateral for a loan (collateral is something that has to be given to the lender if the loan isn't paid as agreed)
	4	top 500
preserveschunks of fruit cooked with sugar so they will not spoil My grandmother made preserves.more Show sample from book The preserves were Smucker's.3 more fruit cooked with sugar (like jam) Show general definition for preserves (as in: mom made preserves) chunks of fruit cooked with sugar (like jam) and sealed (usually in a mason jar) so it will not spoil
	3	top 1000
apathylack of interest and enthusiasm Seeing too much senior apathy, the high school began having juniors declare a major for their senior year.more Show sample from book Then a kind of fatalistic apathy had settled in as certain emotional circuits quietly shut themselves down.†2 more
	4
cloyingoverly sweet or sentimental She found the movie’s ending cloying, filled with clichés and syrupy dialogue.more Show sample from book Lightning bugs flickered across the dark, and the masses of honeysuckle clinging to Gary's fence filled the hot night with its cloying, heavy scent.†3 more overly sweet or sentimental in a way that becomes unpleasant or excessive Show general definition overly sweet or sentimental in a way that becomes unpleasant or excessive -- on the tongue or in sentiment
	3	top 2000
implacableunyielding Despite his apologies, she remained implacable and refused to forgive him.more Show sample from book A failing out doesn't preclude a later rapprochement, his mind retorted with a kind of grave and implacable calm.†2 more Show general definition unyielding -- often in remaining angry
	1	top 100
redundantmore than is needed or desired What is clarifying for one reader can be a redundant distraction for another.more Show sample from book To Vic it was so much redundancy; he knew in his guts that it had been Kemp. redundant → redundancy:more than is needed Show general definition more than is needed -- often something that is unnecessarily repeated or in technical usage: describing a secondary component designed to work if the primary component fails
	2
epiphanysudden realization The struggle led to an epiphany.more Show sample from book A kind of epiphany filled her.1 more Show general definition a sudden realization -- especially one of importance Show editor's word notes James Joyce coined common use of the term from Christianity where it refers to the moment it was realized that Jesus was divine. When capitalized, "Epiphany" references that day twelve days after Christmas -- January 6th. The term was widely used by James Joyce in his critical writings, and the stories in Joyce's Dubliners are commonly called "epiphanies."