Nights in Rodanthe — Vocabulary
Nicholas Sparks
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
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directstraightforward I left them with direct instructions.more Show sample from book He never complained about the work or the conditions, he offered suggestions only when asked directly, and though he never took credit for it, the director finally admitted that my father had been the one who supplied the new medicines and equipment we'd desperately needed, though he'd insisted that his gift remain anonymous.†5 more direct → directly:in a straightforward manner Show general definition for direct (as in: gave a direct answer) straightforward -- often clear, open, or blunt in speech or behavior
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direct#2instruct On the SAT test, some questions direct you to look at an underlined or numbered portion of a passage.more Show sample from book The clinic is short of just about everything— medicine, equipment, and the necessary beds—but I spoke to the director and I think I'll be able to rectify at least part of the problem.†5 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
	4	top 500
warydistrustful She was taught to be wary of strangers.more Show sample from book It wasn't that she was wary of men; on the contrary, even now she occasionally found her eyes drawn to younger men in the supermarket.†3 more careful, nervous, or distrustful Show general definition careful or nervous about something
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inevitablecertain to happen It is as inevitable as death and taxes.more Show sample from book They were inevitable, but she hoped they wouldn't come immediately.†2 more Show general definition certain to happen (even if one tried to prevent it)
	4	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 Though worried about the frantic pace he held himself to, she nonetheless accepted his proposal, and they walked the aisle ten months later.†3 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.)
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evaluateevaluate → evaluating:thinking carefully and making a judgment about I'm evaluating colleges and deciding which I want to apply to.more Show sample from book As a result, she found herself evaluating him in the way strangers often do.†1 more Show general definition to think carefully and make a judgment about something
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skepticaldoubtful I am skeptical about her plan.more Show sample from book Though Dan had been skeptical—hadn't they tried that all along?†1 more doubtful (that something is true or worthwhile); OR more rarely:… Show general definition doubtful (that something is true or worthwhile) or more rarely: generally tending to doubt what others believe
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melancholyvery sad She's been in a melancholy mood since her dog died.more Show sample from book The lines in his face, grown deep over the years, were still prominent, but the intensity he once saw in his reflection had been replaced with a sort of weary melancholy.†2 more a sad feeling or manner Show general definition a sad feeling or manner -- sometimes thoughtfully sad
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nostalgianostalgia → nostalgic:with a longing for something past The music makes me feel nostalgic.more Show sample from book Remembering those days always aroused a mixture of emotions in her—something akin to, but not quite, nostalgia.†1 more longing for something past Show general definition happiness that come with the memory of good times combined with a hint of sadness that those times are over
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confideconfide → confided:placed trust (in someone) by talking about private things She confided in me. I won't repeat what was said.more Show sample from book More than once, colleagues had recommended the name of a good therapist and confided that the person had helped them.†1 more Show general definition to place trust (in someone) by talking about private things or telling secrets
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estimateroughly calculate or guess What do you estimate this will cost?more Show sample from book In his estimation, Rodanthe was exactly what it appeared to he: an old fishing village riding the water's edge, a place where modern life had been slow in coming.†1 more estimate → estimation:a judgment, rough calculation or guess of qualities or a value Show general definition rough calculation or judgment
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empathythe understanding and sharing of others' feelings She lacks empathy and is very selfish.more Show sample from book It might have been the setting or the fact that she was alone; either way, the surge of empathy was a foreign sensation, one that caught him completely off guard.†1 more the ability or tendency to understand or share in others' feelings Show general definition the ability, tendency, or act of understanding and sharing another's emotional state
	3	top 2000
incessantcontinuous She grew annoyed by the child's incessant questions.more Show sample from book People nowadays talked incessantly about the glories of youth, but Adrienne had no desire to be young again.†2 more incessant → incessantly:continuously Show general definition continuous -- often in an annoying way
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haphazardwithout pattern or planning She seemed to have a most haphazard system of record keeping.more Show sample from book There were three cars out front parked haphazardly, each coated with a thin layer of salt.†1 more Show general definition without pattern or planning
	3
sensualrelating to pleasing the body's senses The novel described the scene with sensual detail, focusing on textures and scents.more Show sample from book To Paul, the gesture seemed oddly sensual, and he wiped at the sweat on his brow.†2 more Show general definition relating to pleasing the body's senses (in contrast to the intellect)
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perfunctorydone without much interest or effort She gave us menus and a perfunctory smile.more Show sample from book Other than perfunctory questions as to how school was going or what was happening in the fields, dinners were punctuated only by the sounds of silverware tapping against the plates.†1 more Show general definition done without much interest or effort -- especially as when dispensing with a formality
	2
ailmentillness She died of a heart ailment.more Show sample from book A benign cyst, it wasn't a life-threatening ailment, but it was unsightly, to say the least.†1 more Show general definition an illness
	2
peruseread or examine Please peruse this report at your leisure.more Show sample from book After washing the dishes, his father would migrate to the living room and peruse farm reports, while Paul immersed himself in books.†1 more Show general definition to read or examine
	2
stationerypaper and envelopes for writing letters It was a form-letter, but it was written on the President's stationery with a White House return address.more Show sample from book Wedged against the wall beneath the bed was a small stationery box, and Adrienne set it on the pillow beside her.†1 more Show general definition paper and envelopes for writing letters Show editor's word notes Stationery is commonly confused with stationary; i.e., remaining still. The words are pronounced identically, so be sure to note the spelling. It might help to remember which is which, by thinking "First sit still; then write."
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divergemove apart The two paths diverge here.more Show sample from book Their lives were diverging because of responsibilities to others, and it suddenly seemed cruelly unfair to Adrienne.† diverge → diverging:to move apart; OR be or become different Show general definition to move apart; or be or become different