Tess of the d'Urbervilles — Vocabulary
Thomas Hardy
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	4	top 100
yieldproduce (lead to) The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.more Show sample from book The men who sat nearest considerately turned their faces towards the other end of the field, some of them beginning to smoke; one, with absent-minded fondness, regretfully stroking the jar that would no longer yield a stream.8 more produce or give Show general definition for yield (as in: will yield valuable data) to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
	5	top 100
yield#2give in The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.more Show sample from book He put it that way that she might not think he had yielded to an impulse of which his head would disapprove.8 more yield → yielded:gave in, gave way, or gave up Show general definition for yield (as in: yield to pressure) to give in, give way, or give up
	20	top 1000
reproachreproach → reproached:criticized and expressed disappointment She reproached him for treating his sister so thoughtlessly.more Show sample from book As he fell out of the dance his eyes lighted on Tess Durbeyfield, whose own large orbs wore, to tell the truth, the faintest aspect of reproach that he had not chosen her.†19 more a criticism; or to express criticism Show general definition a criticism; or to express criticism or disappointment -- especially where a relationship makes the disapproval result in disappointment or shame Show editor's word notes The expression "beyond reproach" is often used to indicate that one must not only be careful to do everything right, but must be careful not to do anything that might make people suspect they did something wrong. For example, politicians often need to behave in a manner that is beyond reproach. "Beyond reproach" can also suggest that something is perfect. More rarely, it can also be used to suggest that someone is too powerful or too well-connected to criticize.
	21	top 1000
discernnotice or see (something that is not obvious) The second picture has more pixels, but the human eye can't discern the difference.more Show sample from book An inner cloud of dust rose around the prostrate figures amid the general one of the room, in which a twitching entanglement of arms and legs was discernible.†20 more discern → discernible:possible to notice or understand Show general definition to notice or understand something -- often something that is not obvious
	22	top 2000
ascendmove upward We saw the rocket ascend.more Show sample from book Soon the equipage began to ascend to higher ground, and the wind grew keener with the change of level and soil.21 more move higher Show general definition for ascend (as in: ascend the mountain) to move or slope upward -- sometimes figuratively as when climbing the corporate ladder
	20	top 2000
parisha local church community or in some places including Louisiana: a jurisdiction of government like a county Are we talking about a governmental or a religious parish?more Show sample from book To persons of limited spheres, miles are as geographical degrees, parishes as counties, counties as provinces and kingdoms.†19 more parish → parishes:a local church community…
	20	top 2000
deemedbelieved or judged The producer deemed her too old to play the role.more Show sample from book So he allowed his mind to be occupied with her, deeming his preoccupation to be no more than a philosopher's regard of an exceedingly novel, fresh, and interesting specimen of womankind.†19 more deemed → deeming:believing or judging
	11	top 200
moreoverin addition to what has just been said The company has too much debt. Moreover, it is responsible for a long-term lease on expensive office space.more Show sample from book Moreover, alone in a desert island would she have been wretched at what had happened to her?†10 more
	9	top 100
alludeallude → alluded:indirectly referenced He alluded to Susan without mentioning her name.more Show sample from book But the allusion was lost upon Tess.†8 more allude → allusion: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.
	7	top 2000
ironywhen what happens is very different than what might be expected She didn't see the irony in acting like the mother she detested.more Show sample from book She—and how many more—might have ironically said to God with Saint Augustine: "Thou hast counselled a better course than Thou hast permitted."7 more irony → ironically:when what happened was very different than what might have been expected Show general definition for irony (as in: situational irony) when what happens is very different than what might be expected; or when things are together that seem like they don't belong together -- especially when amusing or an entertaining coincidence Show editor's word notes This is sometimes referred to as "situational irony." The term is especially appropriate when actions have consequences opposite to those intended. The expression ironic smile, generally references someone smiling at situational irony. All forms of irony involve the perception that things are not what they might seem.
	1	top 2000
irony#2irony → ironic:saying one thing, while meaning the opposite She was being ironic when she said she couldn't wait to see you again.more Show sample from book He went forward and opened the door for her, saying with tender raillery— "Why, maidy" (he frequently, with unconscious irony, gave her this pet name), "the prettiest milker I've got in my dairy; you mustn't get so fagged as this at the first breath of summer weather, or we shall be finely put to for want of 'ee by dog-days, shan't we, Mr Clare?"7 more Show general definition for irony (as in: verbal irony) saying one thing, while meaning the opposite or something else -- usually as humor or sarcasm Show editor's word notes This is sometimes referred to as "verbal irony." Typically, the speaker says one thing but means the opposite, and the tone of voice or the context of the situation makes the true, contradictory meaning clear. All forms of irony involve the perception that things are not what they might seem.
	8
trifletrifle → trifling:unimportant We all agree with the goal, but how to achieve it is not a trifling matter.more Show sample from book Trifling as the matter was, he yet instinctively felt that she was hurt by his oversight.†8 more trifle → trifling:something of small importance; OR a small quantity Show general definition for trifle (as in: a trifling matter) something of small importance; or a small quantity
	1
trifle withtreat thoughtlessly or without respect She is not a woman to trifle with or ignore.more Show sample from book For near three mortal months have you trifled with my feelings, eluded me, and snubbed me; and I won't stand it!†8 more trifle with → trifled with:treated thoughtlessly or without respect Show general definition for trifle with (as in: trifle with her affections) to treat somebody or something thoughtlessly or without respect
	6	top 500
impetuousimpulsive (made suddenly without much thought) She regretted her impetuous promise.†more Show sample from book "Get up his strength!" said Tess impetuously, the tears welling to her eyes.†5 more impetuous → impetuously:impulsively (acting suddenly without much thought) Show general definition for impetuous (as in: an impetuous decision) impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought) -- often with an unfortunate consequence
	6	top 2000
stratalayers The Grand Canyon has many exposed rock strata ranging from 200 million to 2 billion years old.more Show sample from book The sapling which had rooted down to a poisonous stratum on the spot of its sowing had been transplanted to a deeper soil.†5 more strata → stratum:layers… Show context notes Strata, the plural form of this word is used much more commonly than the singular form. Many Latin words that end in "um" are made plural by changing the "um" to "a"--such as stratum to strata, bacterium to bacteria, and millennium to millennia. In modern writing, changing the "um" to "ums" is also accepted for many Latin words ending in um, but not for any of those listed above. Show general definition layers or: levels, classes, or groups into which people or other things are divided
	6
engendercause (bring into being) The police in Mexico don't engender confidence.more Show sample from book An unguided ramble into its recesses in bad weather is apt to engender dissatisfaction with its narrow, tortuous, and miry ways.†5 more cause Show general definition cause -- usually a feeling (possibly a situation)
	6
pedigreerecorded ancestry The dog’s pedigree showed generations of championship winners.more Show sample from book Your father learnt it on his way hwome from Shaston, and he has been telling me the whole pedigree of the matter.†5 more the line of ancestors of an animal… Show general definition the line of ancestors of an animal; or any background or history of a person or idea, showing origins and development
	5
abstracteddistracted or lost in thought She was so abstracted; she didn't hear me.more Show sample from book For several days after Tess's arrival Clare, sitting abstractedly reading from some book, periodical, or piece of music just come by post, hardly noticed that she was present at table.7 more abstracted → abstractedly:in a distracted manner Show general definition for abstracted (as in: abstracted, so didn't notice) lost in thought; or distracted by thoughts
	3	top 200
abstracted#2abstracted → abstracting:removing She was accused of abstracting money from the wallet.more Show sample from book The differences which distinguished them as individuals were abstracted by this passion, and each was but portion of one organism called sex.7 more removed Show general definition for abstracted (as in: abstracted his wallet) removed
	3	top 100
establishestablish → established:created Which word choice best maintains the tone established in the first paragraph?more Show sample from book There was one wearing a pale pink jacket, another in a cream-coloured tight-sleeved gown, another in a petticoat as red as the arms of the reaping-machine; and others, older, in the brown-rough "wropper" or over-all—the old-established and most appropriate dress of the field-woman, which the young ones were abandoning.3 more establish → established:long-practiced Show general definition for establish (as in: establish a positive tone) create, start, or set in [a] place