The Unbearable Lightness of Being — Vocabulary
Milan Kundera
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	63	top 2000
communisman economic system that abolishes private ownership of property with the goal of a classless society A challenge with communism is that it is harder to know how to allocate capital when prices are subjective rather than the product of individual valuations.†more Show sample from book All faith in Communism and love for Russia was dead.62 more an economic system that abolishes private ownership of property in a classless society
	9	top 1000
interprettranslate Can she interpret Spanish to English for us?more Show sample from book Just then the interpreter, at the head of the parade, raised a large megaphone to her lips and called out in Khmer to the other side: These people are doctors; they request permission to enter the territory of Cambodia and offer medical assistance; they have no political designs whatsoever and are guided solely by a concern for human life.†12 more interpret → interpreter:someone who translates language Show general definition for interpret (as in: interpret Spanish to English) to translate someone’s words into spoken words of another language while they are speaking
	4	top 10
interpret#2understand (In this case: Why did she smile? What does it mean?) I don't know how to interpret her smile.more Show sample from book Tomas was not sure whether to interpret it as a sincere, friendly warning ( Watch out, we're being filmed; if you talk to us, you may be hauled in for another interrogation ) or as irony ( If you weren't brave enough to sign the petition, be consistent and don't try the old-pals act on us ).†12 more to understand or explain something in a particular way Show general definition for interpret (as in: her interpretation of the data) to understand or explain something in a particular way -- often the meaning or significance of something
	8	top 2000
positivecertain I'm positive I've seen her before.more Show sample from book That's proof positive I'm not dead!†8 more Show general definition for positive (as in: I'm absolutely positive!) certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
	1	top 100
positive#2positive → positively:in a good or beneficial manner Lower interest rates positively affected home sales.†more Show sample from book Unlike Parmenides, Beethoven apparently viewed weight as something positive.†8 more good or beneficial Show general definition for positive (as in: had a positive effect) good or beneficial
	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 In a flash of insight Franz saw how laughable they all were, but instead of cutting him off from them or flooding him with irony, the thought made him feel the kind of infinite love we feel for the condemned.8 more 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.
	2	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 To clear the air Tomas came out with as sprightly a "Fine, just fine!" as he could muster, but he immediately felt that no matter how hard he tried (in fact, because he tried so hard), his "fine" sounded bitterly ironic.8 more irony → ironic:saying one thing while meaning the opposite 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.
	13	top 1000
persecutionvery bad and unfair treatment Everyone knows about the persecution of the Jews by the Nazis.more Show sample from book The words prison, persecution, banned books, occupation, tanks were ugly, without the slightest trace of romance.†12 more Show general definition very bad and unfair treatment of others -- often because of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or political beliefs
	1	top 1000
resignationa document expressing that someone is quitting a job I know you're unhappy there, but don't submit your resignation until you find a better job.more Show sample from book The very next day he resigned from the clinic,5 more resignation → resigned:quit (a job) Show general definition for resignation (as in: submitted her resignation) to quit -- especially a job or position; or a document expressing such an act
	5	top 1000
resignation#2(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 ...he resigned himself with a sigh to a sea of words with no weight and no resemblance to life.5 more resignation → resigned:gave up (accepting something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils) Show general definition for resignation (as in: accepted it with resignation) acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
	9	top 1000
naivenaive → naïve:lacking the understanding or sophistication that comes from experience She criticized America's naïve foreign policy.more Show sample from book Alain was so naive and sincere as to try to give the gallery owner's daughter an honest answer.†8 more lacking experience or sophistication, and the understanding that comes from them Show general definition lacking experience or sophistication, and the understanding that comes from them -- often too trusting or optimistic
	10	top 1000
metaphormetaphor → metaphorically:with a figure of speech in which a similarity between two things is highlighted by using a word to refer to something that it does not literally denote He was speaking metaphorically when he referred to being mugged by reality.more Show sample from book Tomas did not realize at the time that metaphors are dangerous.†9 more metaphor → metaphors:figures of speech in which a similarity between two things is highlighted by using a word to refer to something that it does not literally mean Show general definition a figure of speech in which a similarity between two things is implied by using a word to refer to something it does not literally mean—as in, "All the world’s a stage." Show editor's word notes When Shakespeare wrote, "All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players." he was not saying the world is really a stage and all people are actors. But he was pointing to the similarities he wants us to recognize. While metaphors and similes are both techniques of figurative language. The distinction is that a simile explicitly shows that a comparison is being made, by using words such as "like" or "as". A metaphor simply substitutes words assuming the reader will understand the meaning should not be take literally. "She is like a diamond in the rough" is a simile; while "She is a diamond in the rough" is a metaphor.
	10	top 2000
recurhappen again The infection is less likely to recur if you finish all the recommended antibiotics.more Show sample from book Her dreams recurred like themes and variations or television series.†9 more recur → recurred:happened again Show general definition to happen repeatedly or a second time
	9
amnestypardons The government offered amnesty to political prisoners as part of the peace agreement.more Show sample from book The only thing such a petition would accomplish was to keep political prisoners from being amnestied if there happened to be a plan afoot to do so!†8 more amnesty → amnestied:official forgiveness or a pardon… Show general definition official forgiveness or a pardon; or the time period during which the pardon is offered
	8
anterooma room leading to a larger or more important room He was searched again in the anteroom before entering her office.more Show sample from book She stood up from the toilet, flushed it, and went into the anteroom.†7 more Show general definition a room (such as a waiting room) leading to a larger or more important room
	7
metaphysicalabout things beyond the physical world, like the soul or God Many people are comforted by metaphysical beliefs about the soul continuing to exist after death.more Show sample from book Beethoven's hero is a lifter of metaphysical weights.†6 more about things beyond the physical world, such as existence, reality, or the soul Show general definition relating to things beyond the physical world—such as existence, reality, God, or the soul—and sometimes to ideas that are very abstract or overly theoretical Show editor's word notes People often use metaphysical for beliefs or questions that go beyond what can be directly tested by science—for example, beliefs about the soul, God, or what ultimately makes something real. These are usually things without material form that you cannot touch or measure. In philosophy, metaphysical specifically refers to metaphysics, the branch of philosophy that studies being and knowing—questions like "What is real?", "Do we have free will?", or "What does it mean for something to exist?" In everyday language, someone might call a discussion metaphysical if it feels very abstract or "off in the clouds," as in "They got lost in a metaphysical argument about whether anything is truly knowable."
	1
trifletrifle → trifling:unimportant We all agree with the goal, but how to achieve it is not a trifling matter.more Show sample from book We would have been shocked, on the other hand, if Beethoven had transformed the seriousness of his quartet into the trifling joke of a four-voice canon about Dembscher's purse.†1 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 Metaphors are not to be trifled with.†1 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
	3	top 1000
condoneapprove of Such behavior is permitted, but we certainly don't condone it.more Show sample from book She neither resisted nor assisted him, her soul thereby announcing that it did not condone what was happening but had decided to remain neutral.†2 more accept without criticism; or approve of Show general definition accept without criticism; or approve of
	3	top 2000
banaluninteresting due to a lack of anything original or unusual The movie was banal, but it led to a fascinating conversation.more Show sample from book she had failed to understand his apprehensive attempts to save their love from banality2 more banal → banality:being uninteresting due to a lack of anything original or unusual Show general definition uninteresting due to a lack of anything original or unusual Show editor's word notes Pronunciation: Banal is correctly pronounced differently by various educated speakers of American English.