The Trial — Vocabulary
Franz Kafka
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	32	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 Then, still with her hands balled into fists, she ran after K. who, however, had been given a long start.†42 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.
	11	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 And of course, it always wakes me up when I hear the door opened beside the bed, however fast asleep I am.42 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)
	13	top 2000
directwithout intervention from anything (in this case, not sun that is partially blocked or reflected) This flower does best in direct sunlight.more Show sample from book The girl noticed it straight away, and to make the air fresher for K., she took a window pole that was leaning against the wall and pushed open a small hatch directly above K.'s head that led to the outside.†106 more direct → directly:close, or in a straight line Show general definition for direct (as in: directly above; or buy direct) without anything in between -- whether in time, space, or involvement
	5	top 100
direct#2straightforward I left them with direct instructions.more Show sample from book There was no direct source of light but it was not entirely dark as many of the departments, instead of solid walls, had just wooden bars reaching up to the ceiling to separate them from the corridor.†106 more clear Show general definition for direct (as in: gave a direct answer) straightforward -- often clear, open, or blunt in speech or behavior
	89	top 100
direct#3instruct On the SAT test, some questions direct you to look at an underlined or numbered portion of a passage.more Show sample from book And anyway, K.'s knowledge of Italian was surprisingly good, the director was sure he would get by very well.†106 more direct → director:to guide, aim, or manage Show context notes The suffix "-or" often converts a verb to a noun that means "a person who." This is the pattern you see in words like actor, editor, and visitor. 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
	28	top 2000
defendanta person (or institution) legally accused or sued in court The defendant is confident she will be found innocent.more Show sample from book Not a single innocent defendant in so many cases?27 more someone legally accused in court
	21	top 1000
nonethelessin spite of that (used to connect contrasting ideas) Sometimes she gets angry and loses her temper, but I love her nonetheless.more Show sample from book "Thank you, I'll take your word for it," said K, but went nonetheless over to the open door.†20 more Show general definition in spite of that (Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nevertheless, all the same, still, and however.)
	10	top 100
contradictdisagree with Does the sentence contradict the main claim of the essay?more Show sample from book K. just did not feel like contradicting him...The girl's intention may have been good, perhaps she was under instructions to distract him or to give him the chance to collect himself, but the attempt had not worked.†9 more contradict → contradicting:disagreeing Show general definition disagree in various senses, including: to say something is not true -- as in "She contradicted his testimony." to say something else is true when both can't be true -- as in "I don't believe her. She contradicted herself as she told us what happened." to be in conflict with -- as in "Her assertions contradict accepted scientific principles."
	8	top 200
comprehendcomprehend → comprehends:fully understands I don't think she comprehends how dangerous this has become.more Show sample from book There followed an incomprehensible, interwoven babble of shouts and replies and calls of agreement.7 more comprehend → incomprehensible:not understandable Show context notes The prefix "in-" in incomprehensible means not and reverses the meaning of comprehensible. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure. Show general definition to understand something -- especially to understand it completely
	8	top 500
subordinateless important or subservient At that time, women were thought subordinate to men in political matters.more Show sample from book But he's also being deceived by the man from the country as he's this man's subordinate and doesn't know it.†7 more less important or subservient; OR to rank as such Show general definition less important or subservient; or to rank as such
	7	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 You slope of with some dirty, little thing who, moreover, is obviously the lawyer's beloved, and stay away for hours.†6 more
	8	top 1000
colleaguefellow worker -- especially in a respected profession such as teaching, medicine, or law My colleague suggested a different approach.more Show sample from book "Really!" said K. "They're colleagues of mine then."†7 more colleague → colleagues:fellow workers -- especially in a respected profession such as teaching, medicine, or law
	7	top 1000
albeitalthough (used to introduce a phrase that reduces or modifies the effect of what preceded it) She is just a person, albeit a very powerful person.more Show sample from book It must have been especially troublesome for those visitors who were in the gallery, as they were forced to quietly ask the participants in the assembly what exactly was happening, albeit with timid glances at the judge.†6 more Show general definition although (used to introduce a phrase that reduces or modifies the effect of what preceded it)
	7	top 1000
deceivemislead The plan was to deceive the Germans into believing the main attack would take place further north.more Show sample from book But he's also being deceived by the man from the country as he's this man's subordinate and doesn't know it.†6 more deceive → deceived:lied or misled Show general definition to lie to or mislead someone -- occasionally to lie to oneself by denying reality
	46
acquitofficially find "not guilty" It took the jury only 30 minutes to acquit her of the murder charge.more Show sample from book Moreover, you said earlier that the judges can be influenced personally but now you insist that an absolute acquittal, as you call it, can never be attained through personal influence.45 more acquit → acquittal:official finding of "not guilty" Show general definition for acquit (as in: she was acquitted) to officially find "not guilty" of criminal charges Show editor's word notes Being acquitted does not mean the court declared the person innocent. It simply means there was not enough evidence to prove guilt according to the law. The amount of evidence required depends on the type of case. In a criminal case, where someone could go to prison, the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt—a very high standard. In a civil case, a lawsuit usually about money, the plaintiff only needs to show that the defendant is responsible more likely than not—a much lower standard. This is why the same person can be found "not guilty" in a criminal trial (their guilt was not proved beyond a reasonable doubt) but still be found guilty in a civil trial for the same actions (because their guilt was more likely than not).
	9	top 2000
litigatego to court to settle I'm hoping we won't have to litigate the matter.more Show sample from book So many litigants, at the same stage in their trials, have stood before me just like you are now8 more litigate → litigants:people involved in a lawsuit Show general definition use a court to settle a disagreement with force of law
	2	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 And the accused doesn't get to see the court records either, and it's very difficult to infer what's in the court records from what's been said during questioning based on them, especially for the accused who is in a difficult situation and is faced with every possible worry to distract him.†1 more conclude or guess by reasoning Show general definition to figure out or guess by reasoning
	4	top 500
allocateallocate → allocated:rationed (distributed according to a plan) During the drought, the council allocated water strictly to ensure it lasted all summer.more Show sample from book The room they've been allocated, with its narrow space and low ceiling, will be enough to show what contempt the court has for these people.†3 more allocate → allocated:set apart for a special purpose Show general definition distribute according to a plan or: set apart for a special purpose
	2	top 500
impartialwithout favoritism or bias An impartial judge is necessary for a fair trial.more Show sample from book It showed how important K. had become in the bank and how its second most important official seemed to value his friendship, or at least his impartiality.†1 more impartial → impartiality:lack of favoritism or bias
	3	top 2000
augmentenlarge or increase Our school hired a new counselor to augment our college counseling service.more Show sample from book he could do it without K.'s taking part, and K.'s presence would do nothing to augment the effect of it.2 more Show general definition enlarge or increase