Change of Heart — Vocabulary
Jodi Picoult
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	45	top 2000
gospelgospel → gospels:books in the New Testament that Christian's believe tell the story of Jesus Christ's life and teachings The earliest surviving complete copy of the gospels dates back to the 4th century.more Show sample from book And the author of the Gospel of John never mentions his own name...44 more one of the four books in the New Testament that Christians believe tell the story of Jesus Christ's life Show general definition for gospel (as in: gospel of the Bible) the religious teachings of Jesus or: one of the four books in the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) that Christian's believe tell the story of Jesus Christ's life and teachings
	20	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 This defendant was small and delicately proportioned—the kind of guy who grew up being the punch line to high school jokes.†19 more a person or institution legally accused or sued in court
	14	top 500
congregationpeople who worship together in the same building It's a casual congregation where many people wander into services late.more Show sample from book I thought about what my father would say if a member of his congregation came to him to ease his soul.†13 more Show general definition for congregation (as in: the congregation voted) people who worship together in the same building
	16	top 2000
orthodoxnormal The new findings challenge orthodox views.more Show sample from book "Orthodoxy takes the risk away," Fletcher agreed.†15 more orthodox → orthodoxy:a commonly accepted belief or practice Show general definition normal (describing thinking or behavior as commonly or traditionally accepted)
	15
heresysomething immoral It is a hardline form of Sunni Islam that condemns all other strains as heresy.more Show sample from book What didn't fit this equation became heretical—if you weren't worshipping the right way, you were out.†14 more heresy → heretical:counter to popular belief of what is proper Show general definition opinions or actions most people consider immoral
	12	top 2000
infirmarysmall facility where patients receive treatment She felt ill and went to the infirmary.more Show sample from book Lucius When Shay Bourne returned to I-tier after three days in the hospital infirmary, he was a man with a mission.†11 more a small facility where patients receive treatment Show general definition a small facility where patients receive treatment -- such as a room or two at a school as contrasted to a busy hospital or medical clinic
	12	top 2000
testimonythe statement of a witness at a trial Her emotional testimony moved the jury.more Show sample from book At the start of the testimony, the judge had given us nearly an hour's worth of verbal instructions.†11 more something that serves as evidence -- especially a statement at a trial or hearing Show general definition something that serves as evidence -- especially a statement at a trial or hearing
	9
seminarya school for training ministers, priests, or rabbis Princeton Theological Seminary has the largest theological library in the United States.more Show sample from book Back when I was at seminary, I imagined I heard my grandfather's voice: I thought God was supposed to love you unconditionally Those sure sound like a lot of conditions to me.†8 more a school for training clerics -- usually ministers, priests, or rabbis Show general definition a school for training clerics -- usually ministers, priests, or rabbis
	8	top 2000
baptismbaptism → baptized:"spiritually renewed" in a Christian ceremony She was baptized at the same church as her grandmother.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 Hannah Smythe was the first baby I baptized at St. Catherine's.†7 more baptism → baptized:"spiritually renewed" in a Christian ceremony OR initiated or purified by a challenging experience 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 a Christian ceremony signifying spiritual cleansing and rebirth or: a challenging experience that initiates or purifies Show editor's word notes Most churches baptize infants, but some require an adult to request baptism, and a few (such as the Quakers) require no baptism at all. Typically, water is used as part of the ceremony, such as sprinkling a little water on a baby's head; though some churches use complete submersion in water.
	7	top 2000
patronpatron → patrons:customers The café was filled with patrons enjoying coffee and studying for exams.more Show sample from book Dear St. John of God, patron saint of those who are ill, I ask for your intercession that the Lord will have mercy on this child and return him to health.†6 more patron → patron saint:saint who supports or looks after Show general definition for patron (as in: a patron of the arts) a regular customer; or someone who gives money or support to an organization, cause, or person
	5	top 1000
naivenaive → naïve:lacking the understanding or sophistication that comes from experience She criticized America's naïve foreign policy.more Show sample from book In spite of the fact that he'd been incarcerated for eleven years, Shay was still the most naive inmate I'd ever met.†4 more lacking experience or sophistication, and the understanding that comes from them Show general definition lacking experience or sophistication, and the understanding that comes from them -- often too trusting or optimistic
	6	top 2000
parisha local church community or in some places including Louisiana: a jurisdiction of government like a county Are we talking about a governmental or a religious parish?more Show sample from book Even though I was clearly the junior priest at St. Catherine's, we were one of only four parishes to serve all of Concord, New Hampshire.†5 more parish → parishes:a local church community…
	6	top 100
factorthing (that influenced a result) Cost was an important factor in our decision.more Show sample from book Because A + B—the factors that had led to the deaths of Kurt and Eliza beth Nealon—would always be greater than C. You couldn't bring them back, and there was no sob story in the world big enough to erase that truth.†6 more factor → factors:things that affect a result or outcome Show general definition for factor (as in: It was the deciding factor.) something that affects a result or outcome Show editor's word notes You also may encounter x-factor or x factor--meaning "the most important thing that influences a result or outcome."
	1
factor#2include consideration of Did you factor maintenance costs into your budget?more Show sample from book It's said to be cheaper to execute a man than to keep him in prison for life—but in fact, when you factor in the cost of eleven years of appeals, paid for with public funds, it costs about a third more to execute a prisoner than to sentence him to life in prison.6 more include consideration of (for the affect on a result or outcome)
	3	top 2000
positivecertain I'm positive I've seen her before.more Show sample from book "Here," he said, and I absolutely, positively stopped breathing.4 more positive → positively:with certainty Show general definition for positive (as in: I'm absolutely positive!) certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
	2
positive#2it found the condition present The pregnancy test was positive.more Show sample from book One night, when I was on duty, the inmates got intoxicated, and sure enough the pipes tested positive for alcohol residue one day, although the water source tested perfectly normal.4 more indicating that a condition was found Show general definition for positive (as in: The test came back positive.) found a condition or substance to be present indicating the presence of something being tested for -- especially a disease, condition, or substance
	9
cardiacheart She is in the cardiac care unit.more Show sample from book Claire began to pull the cardiac monitors off her chest.†8 more of or relating to the heart Show general definition of or relating to the heart
	5	top 500
mediatehelp others to settle a disagreement She suggested asking Saudi Arabia to mediate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.more Show sample from book I want to know if there's some kind of court-ordered mediation we can ask for.4 more mediate → mediation:process of helping to settle a disagreement
	4
secularnon-religious Many countries of the Middle East and North Africa maintain a dual system of secular courts and religious courts, in which the religious courts mainly regulate marriage and inheritance.more Show sample from book To be honest, I had split religion along the seam of secular and nonsecular; choosing to concentrate on the beauty of a Caravaggio without noticing the Madonna and child; or finding the best lamb recipe for a lavish Easter dinner, without thinking about the Passion.†3 more not religious Show general definition for secular (as in: a secular organization) not religious
	4
manslaughterunintentional killing of a person The girl who sent texts to her boyfriend encouraging him to kill himself was charged with involuntary manslaughter.more Show sample from book I hadn't realized that the charges might have included negligent homicide, or even manslaughter.†3 more Show general definition unintentional killing of a person Show editor's word notes Manslaughter can be involuntary (as when a drunk driver accidentally kills someone), or voluntary (as when there was no plan to kill someone, but then the person kills in the heat of passion).