Waiting for Godot — Vocabulary
Samuel Beckett
(Auto-generated)

Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
4 top 100
establishestablish → establishing:showing or demonstrating
The passage is primarily about establishing the relationship between the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and global temperature.more
Show sample from book
...it is established ... that...3 more
establish → established:known or proven
Show general definition for establish (as in: establish that there is a need) show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
7 top 1000
recoilrecoil → recoiled:suddenly moved back (away from)
She recoiled in horror.more
Show sample from book
Estragon recoils in horror.6 more
recoil → recoils:moves backward suddenly
Show general definition to move backward suddenly (sometimes figuratively)
especially:
  • the backward jerk of a gun or cannon when it is fired
  • when a person flinches (suddenly draws back) from someone or something, as with fear, disgust, or pain
  • when a person is emotionally repulsed, as by disgust
  • when something intended to go in one direction figuratively falls back in the opposite direction; for example, a story told to hurt someone that comes back to hurt the teller
5 top 500
contemplatethink deeply about
After the meeting, she needed some time alone to contemplate her next move.more
Show sample from book
The second is never so sweet ....(he takes thepipe out of his mouth, contemplates it) ....as the first I mean.†4 more
contemplate → contemplates:consider or ponder
Show general definition consider or ponder
4 top 1000
vehementforceful or intense
She was vehement in her defense of her friend, insisting that he was innocent.more
Show sample from book
VLADIMIR: (vehemently).†3 more
vehement → vehemently:marked by extreme intensity -- especially emotion such as anger
Show general definition marked by extreme intensity -- especially emotion such as anger
3 top 1000
speciesa group of similar animals or plants
It is an endangered species.more
Show sample from book
when ... we weigh the pros and cons we are no less a credit to our species.2 more
a similar group of animals
Show general definition a group of animals or plants that are similar -- typically identified as belonging to the same group when they are of a kind that can reproduce new members of the group together
2 top 1000
resolutedetermined and unwavering
She stood resolute as some complained that she was asking too much of the team.more
Show sample from book
We should turn resolutely towards Nature.1 more
resolute → resolutely:firm in purpose
Show general definition firm in purpose, belief, or action
2 top 2000
vexfrustrate
The complicated math problem continued to vex the entire class until the teacher provided a clearer explanation of the formula.more
Show sample from book
VLADIMIR: (vexed). Then why do you always come crawling back?1 more
vex → vexed:annoyed
Show general definition to annoy, worry, or frustrate -- especially by being difficult or persistent
2 top 2000
abominableexceptionally bad
She described the abominable treatment of prisoners.more
Show sample from book
It's abominable!†1 more
exceptionally bad or detestable
Show general definition exceptionally bad or intensely disliked
2 top 1000
repentto feel regret for having done wrong and to firmly decide to be a better person in the future
Prisoners who repent are more likely to be released on parole.more
Show sample from book
VLADIMIR: Suppose we repented.†1 more
repent → repented:expressed regret for having done something wrong
2 top 1000
writhewrithe → writhed:moved in a twisting or contorted motion
The patient writhed in pain.more
Show sample from book
Pozzo writhes, groans, beats the ground with his fists.†1 more
writhe → writhes:moves in a twisting or contorted motion
Show general definition to move in a twisting or contorted motion -- often of a person when struggling or in pain
1 top 100
contradictdisagree with
Does the sentence contradict the main claim of the essay?more
Show sample from book
ESTRAGON: That's the idea, let's contradict each another.†
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."
1 top 100
precedeprecede → preceded:were before in time
Stone tools preceded bronze tools.more
Show sample from book
He appears, crosses the stage preceded by Lucky†
precede → preceded:went or was before
Show general definition to go or do before
1 top 100
alludeallude → alluded:indirectly referenced
He alluded to Susan without mentioning her name.more
Show sample from book
Are you alluding to anything in particular?
allude → alluding:making an indirect reference
Show general definition to make an indirect reference
Show editor's word notes The expression, no allusion can mean "not even an indirect reference"; i.e., neither a direct nor an indirect reference to something.
1 top 200
coherentsensible and clear
She presented a compelling and coherent plan.more
Show sample from book
wild gestures, incoherent words.
coherent → incoherent:not understandable (unclear)
Show context notes The prefix "in-" in incoherent means not and reverses the meaning of coherent. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.
Show general definition sensible and clear; or describing parts as fitting together in a consistent or pleasing manner
12
adieugoodbye
She whispered a quiet adieu as she turned to leave.more
Show sample from book
ESTRAGON: Then adieu.†11 more
Show general definition a farewell remark (an alternative to goodbye)
Show editor's word notes Adieu is typically more formal than bye. It comes from the French, à Dieu which literally means "to God" — as in I entrust you to God's care.
1 top 2000
conciliatoryintended to end bad feelings or build trust
Their statements are conciliatory, but their actions are uncompromising.more
Show sample from book
Pozzo advances threateningly.
VLADIMIR: (conciliating). I once knew...
conciliatory → conciliating:attempting to end bad feelings or build trust
1 top 2000
constrainedrestricted
The standard of living is ultimately constrained by worker productivity.more
Show sample from book
VLADIMIR: All I know is that the hours are long, under these conditions, and constrain us to beguile them with proceedings which —how shall I say— whichmay at first sight seem reasonable, until they become a habit.†
constrained → constrain:restrict
Show general definition restricted or inhibited
1 top 2000
judiciousshows good judgment
She is judicious when spending her money.more
Show sample from book
Judiciously.†
judicious → judiciously:in a manner that shows good judgment
Show general definition showing good judgment
1 top 2000
quibbleargue about unimportant things
Let's not quibble over pennies.more
Show sample from book
VLADIMIR: Don't let's quibble about that now.†
argue or argument (about unimportant things)
Show general definition to argue about unimportant things; or an argument or complaint about something unimportant
1 top 2000
tiradespeech of angry criticism
She unleashed a stunning tirade that could be heard in the next room.more
Show sample from book
During Lucky's tirade the others react as follows.
Show general definition a speech of angry criticism