Uncle Vanya — Vocabulary
Anton Chekhov
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	8	top 1000
peasantpeasant → peasants:an historical term describing people of low income, education, and social standing Most people in the Middle Ages were peasants.more Show sample from book The peasants were all lying side by side in their huts, and the calves and pigs were running about the floor among the sick.†7 more peasant → peasants:used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country: people of low income, education, and social standing -- especially those who raise crops or livestock Show general definition used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country: a person of low income, education, and social standing -- especially one who raises crops or livestock
	5	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 I hate all that rhetoric of hers, that morality of indolence, that absurd talk about the destruction of the world——[A pause] Oh, how I have been deceived!†4 more deceive → deceived:lied or misled Show general definition to lie to or mislead someone -- occasionally to lie to oneself by denying reality
	3	top 500
agitateagitate → agitating:stirring up emotions to increase unrest We are agitating public unrest, so there will be a cry for change.more Show sample from book [In great agitation] Do you hear me†2 more agitate → agitation:the act of stirring up (emotionally or physically); or a state of emotional unrest Show general definition to stir up or shake -- emotionally (as when people are angered or upset) or physically (as when a washing machine cleans clothes)
	2	top 200
malicemalice → malicious:evil; or made with the intent to make others suffer I am not interested in hearing malicious gossip.more Show sample from book You are cultured and intelligent, Ivan, and you surely understand that the world is not destroyed by villains and conflagrations, but by hate and malice and all this spiteful tattling.†1 more the desire to hurt others or see them suffer Show general definition the intention or desire to see others suffer
	3	top 1000
tediousboring I'll have to endure one of her tedious lectures.more Show sample from book And then, existence is tedious, anyway; it is a senseless, dirty business, this life, and goes heavily.†2 more boring or monotonous Show general definition boring -- especially because something goes on too long or without variation
	3	top 1000
compassionsympathy for another's suffering and wanting to help If I see one hungry child, I feel compassion, but when I hear of a million hungry children, I'm overwhelmed and turn my mind to other things.more Show sample from book You all abuse my husband and look on me with compassion; you think, "Poor woman, she is married to an old man."†2 more Show general definition sympathy for another's suffering and wanting to help
	2	top 500
ferventintense She has a fervent desire to change society.more Show sample from book I have faith, Uncle, fervent, passionate faith.†1 more characterized by intense emotion or passionate belief Show general definition characterized by intense emotion or passionate belief
	3	top 1000
appallingshockingly terrible or horrible The live in appalling conditions.more Show sample from book There is nothing appalling about it.†2 more Show general definition shockingly terrible or horrible
	3	top 1000
futilepointless because it cannot produce anything useful Resistance is futile.more Show sample from book Now I suddenly find myself plunged in this wilderness, condemned to see the same stupid people from morning till night and listen to their futile conversation.†2 more effort that is pointless because it is unproductive or unsuccessful Show general definition effort that is pointless because it is unproductive or unsuccessful
	3	top 2000
despisedespise → despises:dislikes strongly and looks down upon She despises the people he works for.more Show sample from book I like life as life, but I hate and despise it in a little Russian country village, and as far as my own personal life goes, by heaven!†2 more dislike strongly and look down upon Show general definition to dislike strongly and to look down upon with disrespect
	2	top 2000
respitebreak The cool evening breeze offered a welcome respite from the afternoon heat.more Show sample from book The Professor sits in his library from morning till night, as usual— "Straining the mind, wrinkling the brow, We write, write, write, Without respite Or hope of praise in the future or now."†1 more a temporary relief from harm or discomfort Show general definition a temporary relief from harm or discomfort
	1	top 100
contradictdisagree with Does the sentence contradict the main claim of the essay?more Show sample from book Jean, don't contradict Alexander.† disagree 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."
	2	top 2000
vulgarvulgar → vulgarity:crudeness (showing of bad taste) Her vulgarity was a turnoff.more Show sample from book Yes, I must confess I am getting vulgar, but then, you see, I am drunk.1 more showing bad taste (crude, offensive, or unsophisticated) Show general definition of bad taste -- often crude or offensive or: unsophisticated (or common) -- especially of taste
	2	top 2000
agonyintense suffering She was in agony from a toothache.more Show sample from book This is agony!†1 more Show general definition intense feelings of suffering -- can be from mental or physical pain
	2	top 1000
posterityfuture generations We must secure the benefits of freedom for ourselves and our posterity.more Show sample from book I have gone through so much in the last few hours that I feel capable of writing a whole treatise on the conduct of life for the instruction of posterity.†1 more all future generations Show general definition all future generations
	2	top 2000
indolentindolent → indolence:laziness She never recovered from the indolence of her youth.more Show sample from book [Indolently] What shall I tell you†1 more indolent → indolently:lazily Show general definition for indolent (as in: she is naturally indolent) lazy; disinclined to work
	2	top 2000
wilyclever and good at tricking others Don't underestimate her. She is a wily campaigner.more Show sample from book [He searches her face with his eyes, and shakes his finger at her] Oho, you are wily†1 more clever Show general definition clever and good at tricking others to achieve a goal
	1	top 500
refuterefute → refuted:argued against The speaker refuted his opponent's arguments.more Show sample from book He refutes the very theories which he defended seven years ago.† refute → refutes:proves or argues that something is false Show general definition to disprove or argue against
	1	top 1000
audaciousbold and daring It was an audacious act of piracy.more Show sample from book At such times my audacity and temerity know no bounds.† audacious → audacity:boldness and daring Show general definition bold and daring (inclined to take risks) -- especially in violating social convention in a manner that could offend others
	1	top 1000
wresttake (with effort) The radical wing of the party is trying to wrest control from the moderates.more Show sample from book [Trying to wrest the revolver from him] Give it to me; give it to me, I tell you† obtain with difficult effort or force Show general definition obtain with difficult effort or force