Nineteen Minutes — Vocabulary
Jodi Picoult
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	25	top 100
focusconcentrate I find that studying in the library helps me to focus.more Show sample from book 'Preliminary reports are focusing on two pistols,' the anchor confided, just before his image disappeared.28 more focus → focusing:concentrating Show general definition for focus (as in: Turn your focus to question #2.) to direct attention or effort toward a single thing; or the ability to do so without getting distracted
	4	top 100
focus#2area where attention is concentrated Since we're running out of time, let's narrow our focus to just what needs to be done tomorrow.more Show sample from book Often, with fragile witnesses or young children, they'd plant a person as a focal point to make testifying less scary.28 more focus → focal:place to concentrate attention Show general definition for focus (as in: The focus of our study is...) where attention is concentrated or directed
	29	top 2000
defendanta person (or institution) legally accused or sued in court The defendant is confident she will be found innocent.more Show sample from book What did the defendant do?28 more person legally accused of a crime
	20	top 2000
midwifea non-doctor who practices the profession of assisting women in childbirth The village has no doctor, but there is a midwife.more Show sample from book When Lacy had been a midwife in training, she'd spent months walking around with a little centimeter ruler, measuring.19 more a woman skilled in aiding the delivery of babies Show general definition a trained (usually non-doctor) professional who assists women in childbirth; or more broadly, a person who helps bring something new into existence or helps guide it into being
	18
bailiffcourt officer responsible for keeping order in the court The bailiff escorted them from the courtroom.more Show sample from book The clerk called Peter's case, and two bailiffs led him through a doorway.17 more bailiff → bailiffs:court officers responsible for keeping order in the court including custody of prisoners while in court Show general definition court officer responsible for keeping order in the court including custody of the jury, and custody of prisoners while in court
	18	top 2000
testifytestify → testified:provided oral evidence in court She testified against the robber.more Show sample from book At least you're not nervous about testifying.17 more testify → testifying:providing oral evidence in court Show general definition provide evidence of something -- especially to say something under oath in a court of law
	12	top 500
scrutinyscrutiny → scrutinized:looked very carefully at She scrutinized her reflection in the mirror.more Show context notes The suffix "-ize" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize. Show sample from book He crawled beneath the wooden bench and scrutinized the underside.11 more scrutiny → scrutinized:carefully examined Show context notes The suffix "-ize" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize. Show general definition careful examination of something
	8	top 2000
accordaccord → accordance:keeping She will get a fair trial in accordance with the law.more Show sample from book ...he needed people on a jury who were open-minded enough to understand that rules weren't always what you thought they were, who could listen to the new regulations and follow them accordingly.8 more accord → accordingly:in consequence Show general definition for accord (as in: according to, or in accord with) in keeping with; or in agreement/harmony/unity with This meaning of accord is often seen in the form according to or accordingly where it can take on more specific meanings. For example: "According to Kim, ..." -- as stated by "To each according to her ability." -- based upon "Points are scored according to how well they perform." -- depending upon "The dose is calculated according to body weight." -- in proportion to "We got a flat tire. Accordingly, I pulled to the side of the road." -- because of what was just said; or as a result
	1	top 2000
accord#2accord → own accord:own mind -- voluntarily (without anyone asking) She was not forced. She did it of her own accord.more Show sample from book She walked in with the bailiff, but instead of marching toward the tiny wooden balcony where the witness was to sit, her body moved of its own accord in the other direction.8 more accord → own accord:own mind (without her telling it to) Show general definition for accord (as in: done of her own accord) mind Show editor's word notes This sense of accord is typically seen in the form own accord or one accord.
	3	top 10
illustratemake clear Pictures of flooding help to illustrate the problem of global warming.more Show sample from book You also said that part of your diagnosis of PTSD was illustrated by Peter's retreat into a fantasy world, correct?3 more illustrate → illustrated:helped make clear Show general definition for illustrate (as in: as illustrated by this example) to help make clear -- typically by example
	1	top 2000
illustrate#2draw pictures to accompany I write and illustrate children's books.more Show sample from book Joey picked up a Sports Illustrated magazine from three years ago and started to read.3 more illustrate → illustrated:accompanied by pictures Show general definition for illustrate (as in: an illustrated children's book) to draw pictures (or provide photographs) to accompany a book or other writing
	12
acquitofficially find "not guilty" It took the jury only 30 minutes to acquit her of the murder charge.more Show sample from book A jury's not made up of battered women, but they've been known to acquit them before.11 more officially found "not guilty" Show general definition for acquit (as in: she was acquitted) to officially find "not guilty" of criminal charges Show editor's word notes Being acquitted does not mean the court declared the person innocent. It simply means there was not enough evidence to prove guilt according to the law. The amount of evidence required depends on the type of case. In a criminal case, where someone could go to prison, the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt—a very high standard. In a civil case, a lawsuit usually about money, the plaintiff only needs to show that the defendant is responsible more likely than not—a much lower standard. This is why the same person can be found "not guilty" in a criminal trial (their guilt was not proved beyond a reasonable doubt) but still be found guilty in a civil trial for the same actions (because their guilt was more likely than not).
	9	top 1000
rationalrational → rationally:in a reasonable manner It's hard to think rationally when I'm this upset.more Show sample from book I'll kill him, Alex thought rationally, calmly, after I take care of my daughter.†8 more rational → rationally:reasonable, able to think clearly, or based on logic rather than emotion Show general definition for rational (as in: rational behavior) reasonable, able to think clearly, or based on logic rather than emotion
	1
tenuretime period during which a position was held During her tenure as principal, the school saw significant improvements in test scores.more Show sample from book This would be her first big trial as a superior court judge, the one that set a tone for the rest of her tenure on the bench.2 more Show general definition for tenure (as in: during her tenure) the time period during which a position or right is held
	2
tenure#2the right to permanent employment After publishing her second influential book, the professor was granted tenure, ensuring her job security at the university.more Show sample from book But he also knew that every eye in the Connecticut Valley was on him-maybe even in the whole Northeast-and that he was up for tenure at Sterling.2 more the right to keep a job as long as desired Show general definition for tenure (as in: she was granted tenure) right to keep a job as long as desired -- often earned by professors after years of service
	2	top 100
narratoran actor who helps to tell a story by talking directly to the audience (breaking the imaginary barrier between the performers and the audience) The narrator in the play, Our Town talks to characters in the play as well as to the audience.more Show sample from book 'We had to write a story with a first-person narrator, and we could pick anyone,' the boy said.†1 more storyteller Show general definition someone who tells a story--especially the main voice in a documentary, or a character who talks directly to the audience in a movie, play or other performance
	4
reparationreparation → reparations:payments required to make up for wrongs done during a war Germany was unable to pay the reparations demanded after World War Imore Show sample from book And to Lacy, that meant that instead of making reparations to these victims, she and Lewis needed to start closer to home-with Peter.†3 more reparation → reparations:compensation for a wrong Show general definition compensation for a wrong -- usually an amount of money -- often payment required from the losing country in a war
	2	top 500
monetarymoney I don't do this job for monetary reward.more Show sample from book He'd taught seminars and written articles and had been interviewed on CNN about measuring the effects of pleasure and good fortune on a monetary scale-and yet he'd been at a loss when it came to figuring out what Lacy would enjoy.†1 more relating to or involving money Show general definition relating to or involving money
	2	top 500
allocateallocate → allocated:rationed (distributed according to a plan) During the drought, the council allocated water strictly to ensure it lasted all summer.more Show sample from book The survey had even considered time allocation: how long a person spent at work, how often he went to church, how many times a week he had sex and with how many partners.†1 more allocate → allocation:something distributed or set apart for a special purpose Show general definition distribute according to a plan or: set apart for a special purpose
	3	top 2000
canvasscanvass → canvassing:talking with people individually She has been canvassing the membership to see how they feel and to ask for their support.more Show sample from book There were still students streaming out of Sterling High as teams of EMTs began canvassing the building to take care of the wounded.†2 more canvass → canvassing:examining an issue, getting opinions by asking specific questions; and/or asking people for political support individually Show general definition for canvass (as in: canvass the crowd) examine an issue, get opinions by asking specific questions; and/or ask people for political support individually