The Broken Gun — Vocabulary
Louis L'Amour
(Auto-generated)

Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	5	top 100
howeverdespite that (a transition word use to connect contrasting ideas) Most college application deadlines are in January and February. However, early admission deadlines are around November and some scholarships require even earlier deadlines.more Show sample from book In the back of my mind, however, there was something else.†5 more a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc. Show general definition for however (as in: However, complications may...) though (or another expression that connects contrasting ideas) 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 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrast and but.
	1	top 2000
however#2no matter how (how much/how hard/how long…) However hard she tried, she couldn't do it.more Show sample from book Out in lonely country there are always such sounds-the rustle of some small animal moving, the trickle of sand, the sound of wind, however slight.5 more regardless of how Show general definition for however (as in: However much she tried...) to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount)
	6	top 500
warydistrustful She was taught to be wary of strangers.more Show sample from book I know the wariness did not show, for I have frequently been called too trusting by people who knew me only slightly.†5 more wary → wariness:caution or distrust Show general definition careful or nervous about something
	4	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, a little to my left and back of me there was a saddle about six or seven hundred feet higher than where I now lay.†3 more
	5	top 1000
contemptlack of respect Familiarity breeds contempt.more Show sample from book They were confident their plans would succeed, and had nothing but contempt for the law and for the law-abiding citizen.4 more disrespect Show general definition for contempt (as in: feels contempt towards her) lack of respect for someone or something thought inferior -- often accompanied by a feeling of dislike or disgust Show editor's word notes A famous saying, "familiarity breeds contempt" comes from Aesop's fable, "The Fox and the Lion". (6th century BC) When first the Fox saw the Lion he was terribly frightened, and ran away and hid himself in the wood. Next time however he came near the King of Beasts he stopped at a safe distance and watched him pass by. The third time they came near one another the Fox went straight up to the Lion and passed the time of day with him, asking him how his family were, and when he should have the pleasure of seeing him again; then turning his tail, he parted from the Lion without much ceremony. The moral is traditionally, "Familiarity breeds contempt"; though an alternative moral is "Acquaintance softens prejudices."
	5	top 1000
accustomaccustom → accustomed to:used to (have adapted to and have an expectation of) In the United States we're accustomed to forming our own opinion about the promises of advertisements and politicians.more Show sample from book Even when there were no comments on the scars, I could see the curiosity they created, and I had not grown accustomed to it.†4 more accustom → accustomed to:used to (adapted to something, so it seems normal) Show general definition to make someone used to something (used to is an expression that means someone has adapted to something, so it does not seem unusual) Show editor's word notes In professional environments, you may make a better impression by saying one is accustomed to something rather than one is used to something.
	3	top 500
motivereason (for doing something) She believes the profit motive encourages people to satisfy other people's needs.more Show sample from book I would be an invited guest, they had no motive for wanting me out of the way that anyone could guess ...it would simply be an accident.†2 more Show general definition for motive (as in: What is her motive?) a reason for doing something
	3	top 500
acquireobtain (get) Children acquire language at an amazing rate.more Show sample from book If the Wells family had never tried to sell any of their land perhaps there had never been a title search; and even if there had been, the methods of acquiring land in pioneer days had been irregular, to say the least.†2 more acquire → acquiring:obtaining (coming into possession of) Show general definition obtain (come into the possession of something)
	4	top 1000
tauntintentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone She used Twitter to taunt the opposing candidate.more Show sample from book He turned to look at me, his eyes faintly taunting.†3 more taunt → taunting:intentionally angering, challenging, or upsetting Show general definition to intentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone -- especially by mocking them or hurling insults or (as a noun): an insult or other action intended to anger, challenge, or upset someone
	2	top 200
skepticaldoubtful I am skeptical about her plan.more Show sample from book The bronc I was riding had so far shown no real itch for trouble, but I was a skeptic, and I kept remembering that shying for even a small drop-off.†1 more skeptical → skeptic:doubtful (that something is true or worthwhile); OR more rarely:… Show general definition doubtful (that something is true or worthwhile) or more rarely: generally tending to doubt what others believe
	2	top 200
inclinedhave a tendency; or an attitude or mood that favors something I'm inclined to believe him.more Show sample from book ...good police officers have a sense of impending trouble, and a natural inclination to be not only suspicious, but skeptical.1 more inclined → inclination:tendency Show general definition for inclined (as in: I'm inclined to) a tendency, mood, desire, or attitude that favors something; or making someone favor something
	2	top 1000
infiniteunlimited There are infinite possibilities.more Show sample from book Slowly, with infinite care, my palms reached up along the wall...up, up higher.†1 more unlimited; without boundaries; OR too numerous to count Show general definition unlimited; without boundaries; or too numerous to count
	1	top 100
neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas) The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more Show sample from book Nevertheless, there had to be a catch somewhere.† 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.
	2	top 2000
refugesafe place The park serves as a refuge for wildlife.more Show sample from book Cities and highways and people were not many miles away from us, no distance at all as such things are figured in these days, but between ourselves and whatever refuge they offered, those miles were all desert and mountains.†1 more something giving protection or comfort -- especially a safe place Show general definition something giving protection or comfort -- especially a safe place
	2	top 2000
belligerenthostile or combative She spoke to her teacher in a belligerent tone and was sent to the office.more Show sample from book He looked belligerent, but scared too.†1 more hostile (the attitude of one eager to fight)… Show general definition hostile (the attitude of one eager to fight); or one already engaged in a fight or war
	2
feintdeceptive maneuver The attack from the south was just a feint to distract us from the real attack.Mark Twain — The Innocents Abroadmore Show sample from book He got up off the floor, his face a great blotch of blood, and I feinted.†1 more feint → feinted:any distracting or deceptive maneuver; OR the act of making the maneuver Show general definition any distracting or deceptive maneuver; or the act of making the maneuver Show editor's word notes Feint is most typically used for physical maneuvers as when boxing, fencing, or moving troops where a mock attack diverts attention from the real attack. But it can also be used much more generally as when Charlotte Bronte wrote of "a mere feint of politeness."
	2
subconsciousmental activity of which we are not aware, but which can influence feelings and behavior In the experiment, the image flashed too quickly to be seen consciously, but it impacted the subconscious.more Show sample from book Or some subconscious perception of movement?†1 more Show general definition mental activity of which one is not aware, but which can influence feelings and behavior; or the part of the mind that engages in such activity Show editor's word notes Though commonly used in daily conversation, the word subconscious is not used clinically. Where the layperson says subconscious, psychologists are likely to say unconscious mind.
	1	top 1000
authenticityquality of being real or original The court confirmed the authenticity of the Anne Frank diary.more Show sample from book They were the things a hoaxer would not think of, and they were evidence of authenticity to me.† quality of being real or true Show general definition quality of being real or true
	1	top 2000
docileeasily led or managed It is a gentle old horse, docile and obedient.more Show sample from book I had expected a bucker, but he had seemed most docile.† easily led or managed -- perhaps submissive or well-behaved Show general definition easily led or managed -- perhaps submissive or well-behaved
	1	top 2000
litigatego to court to settle I'm hoping we won't have to litigate the matter.more Show sample from book After some litigation you would lose the ranch, but you would still be free.† litigate → litigation:the process of a engaging in a lawsuit Show general definition use a court to settle a disagreement with force of law