The Yellow Wallpaper — Vocabulary
Charlotte Perkins Gilman
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
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flourishflourish → flourishing:growing or developing well
The children are flourishing.more
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He laughed a little the other day, and said I seemed to be flourishing in spite of my wall-paper.1 more
Show general definition for flourish (as in: the business is flourishing) to thrive (grow or develop well)
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flourish#2showy gesture
She entered with a great flourish.more
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the bloated curves and flourishes1 more
flourish → flourishes:showy gestures (ornamental flowing curves)
Show general definition for flourish (as in: dismissed them with a flourish) a showy gesture

or:

the act of waving -- a hand or an item
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provokeprovoke → provoked:caused
Her remarks provoked a public outcry.more
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pronounced enough to constantly irritate and provoke study1 more
cause (in reaction)
Show general definition to cause a reaction — often an emotional reaction like anger, and sometimes done on purpose
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contradictdisagree with
Does the sentence contradict the main claim of the essay?more
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It is dull enough to confuse the eye in following, pronounced enough to constantly irritate and provoke study, and when you follow the lame uncertain curves for a little distance they suddenly commit suicide—plunge off at outrageous angles, destroy themselves in unheard of contradictions.†
contradict → contradictions:things that disagree with themselves; or (more rarely) acts of 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."
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subtleunderstated (so as not to draw attention to itself)
Her warning was subtle, but unmistakable.more
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It is not bad--at first, and very gentle, but quite the subtlest, most enduring odor I ever met.
subtle → subtlest:most understated
Show general definition for subtle (as in: a subtle shade of blue) understated so as not to draw excess attention
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earnestearnest → in earnest:in a serious manner
I began training in earnest the summer before high school.more
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I tried to have a real earnest reasonable talk with him the other day,
sincere or serious
Show general definition characterized by sincere belief

or:

intensely or excessively serious or determined
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conspicuouseasy to notice
She tried not to look conspicuous as she slipped into class after the tardy bell.more
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I can see a strange, provoking, formless sort of figure, that seems to skulk about behind that silly and conspicuous front design.
very noticeable (attention-attracting)
Show general definition easily noticed -- typically attracting attention such as by being large, flashy, or unusual
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principlebelief
I accept as a basic principle that all people are precious and should be treated with equal dignity.more
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I know a little of the principle of design, and I know this thing was not arranged on any laws of radiation, or alternation, or repetition, or symmetry, or anything else that I ever heard of.†
basic rule or belief
Show general definition a basic rule or belief
The exact meaning of principle can depend upon its context. For example:
  • "our guiding principles" -- basic moral beliefs that guide decisions and behavior
  • "electromagnetic principles" -- rules describing how the world works
  • "She lacks principles." -- lacks moral guidelines
  • "We agree in principle." -- about important basic beliefs
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cultivatedevelop or grow
We encourage our representatives to cultivate a close relationship with their clients.more
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And that cultivates deceit, for I don't tell them I'm awake—O no!
cultivate → cultivates:enhances development of
Show general definition enhance growth or development
in various senses, including:
  • to grow crops or prepare land for them
  • enhance a relationship -- especially for a purpose
  • develop discernment (better recognition of differences) in taste or judgment
  • to grow a culture in a petri dish
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sequenceordered set
The sequence of events leading to the accident was carefully reviewed by the investigators.more
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On a pattern like this, by daylight, there is a lack of sequence, a defiance of law, that is a constant irritant to a normal mind.
happening in a specific order
Show general definition a set of things arranged or happening in a specific order -- often chronological order
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perplexperplex → perplexed:confused
She was perplexed by the rules of the game.more
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In the daytime it is tiresome and perplexing.
perplex → perplexing:confusing due to complexity
Show general definition to confuse
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reproachreproach → reproached:criticized and expressed disappointment
She reproached him for treating his sister so thoughtlessly.more
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"Better in body perhaps—" I began, and stopped short, for he sat up straight and looked at me with such a stern, reproachful look that I could not say another word.
reproach → reproachful:critical (full of 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.
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endurecontinue to exist
She is gone, but her teachings endure through the ages.more
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...quite the subtlest, most enduring odor I ever met.
endure → enduring:continuing to exist
Show general definition for endure (as in: endure through the ages) to continue to exist
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prescribeprescribe → prescribed:gave medical instructions instructing that the patient should take
The doctor prescribed an antibiotic for the infection.more
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I have a schedule prescription for each hour in the day;
prescribe → prescription:recommendation, instruction, or rule
Show general definition to recommend or require what should be done

or more specifically:

of a medical doctor:  to give medical instructions -- such as writing that a patient should take antibiotics
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interminableseemingly endless (and probably boring)
Her speech was interminable.more
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If you can imagine a toadstool in joints, an interminable string of toadstools, budding and sprouting in endless convolutions—why, that is something like it.†1 more
seemingly endless; OR  long and unpleasant
Show general definition seemingly endless; or long and unpleasant (often boring or annoying)
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congenialfriendly
She has a congenial relationship with her neighbors.more
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Personally, I believe that congenial work, with excitement and change, would do me good.
agreeable or compatible
Show general definition agreeable or compatible in a positive way -- often in the context of being friendly and sociable
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conscientiouscareful and thorough
She is conscientious in the lab.more
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I cannot keep count of them, though I have tried conscientiously.
conscientious → conscientiously:with care
Show general definition careful to do what is right--especially to perform duties in a thorough manner
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impertinentrude or improperly bold
It was impertinent of the child to lecture a grownup.more
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I get positively angry with the impertinence of it and the everlastingness.
impertinent → impertinence:rudeness or improper boldness
Show general definition for impertinent (as in: she was impertinent) rude or improperly bold -- especially toward someone more respected
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hinderhinder → hindered:delayed or made difficult
Her efforts to turn the department around were further hindered by budgetary cuts.more
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I am sitting by the window now, up in this atrocious nursery, and there is nothing to hinder my writing as much as I please, save lack of strength.
slow down or cause problems for
Show general definition for hinder (as in: hindered by) slow down or cause problems for
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stimulussomething that creates growth (in this case economic growth)
We're hoping the stimulus package will increase the number and quality of available jobs.more
Show sample from book
I sometimes fancy that my condition if I had less opposition and more society and stimulus—but John says the very worst thing I can do is to think about my condition, and I confess it always makes me feel bad.†
something that creates growth or excitement, or something that causes an action
Show general definition something that creates growth or excitement, or something that causes an action
in various senses, including:
  • economic stimulus -- something that makes the economy grow
  • biological or psychological stimulus -- something that makes the body react in a particular way such as when more light make the eye pupil shrink, or when lack of sleep causes stress