Light in August — Vocabulary
William Faulkner
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	23	top 1000
gauntvery thin She looked gaunt from the chemotherapy.more Show sample from book His face was gaunt, the flesh a level dead parchment color.†22 more very thin and bony Show general definition very thin and bony -- often from hunger or as though having been worn to the bone
	18	top 2000
proprietorowner The proprietor of the bookstore greeted each customer warmly and offered personalized recommendations based on their interests.more Show sample from book The proprietor was among them.†17 more the owner of a business Show general definition the owner of a business
	14	top 500
trivialunimportant We're in agreement on the main issues. We just have some trivial details to work out.more Show sample from book His voice sounds light, trivial, like a thistle bloom falling into silence without a sound, without any weight.†13 more Show general definition of little importance -- sometimes more specifically describing a challenge as easy and uninteresting
	18	top 2000
foremansupervisor She complained to the shop foreman.more Show sample from book When he first heard about how he might have to leave, he knowed then it would be best to go, that he could get along faster somewhere where the foreman wouldn't be down on him.†17 more a person chosen to lead and speak for a group… Show general definition a person chosen to lead and speak for a group, especially at work or in a courtroom Show editor's word notes At work, a foreman is the worker who supervises and directs other workers, often in factories, workshops, or on construction sites. In a court case, the foreman is the juror selected to lead the jury and announce its decision.
	15	top 1000
tranquilcalm I love a lake with tranquil blue water.†more Show sample from book Its doggedness has a soft quality, an inwardlighted quality of tranquil and calm unreason and detachment.†14 more calm and undisturbed Show general definition calm and undisturbed
	15	top 2000
abominableexceptionally bad She described the abominable treatment of prisoners.more Show sample from book For I will have you learn soon that the two abominations are sloth and idle thinking, the two virtues are work and the fear of God.†14 more abominable → abominations:things that are exceptionally bad or detestable Show general definition exceptionally bad or intensely disliked
	13	top 1000
monotonouslacking variety and boring We hope to replace people with robots for the most monotonous work.more Show sample from book Now there is no sound in the room save the steady shrilling of insects and the monotonous sound of Byron's voice.†12 more lacking in variety and/or boring Show general definition lacking in variety -- typically boring
	14	top 2000
abjectextreme As the world grows more affluent, our definition of abject poverty changes.more Show sample from book Then it seemed to him that he could see her— something, prone, abject; her eyes perhaps.†13 more Show general definition extreme (in a negative sense such as misery, hopelessness, submissiveness, cruelty, or cowardice)
	10	top 500
austerelacking luxury (and stern) He took a vow of silence and leads an austere life at the monastery.more Show sample from book He fell in love contrary to all the tradition of his austere and jealous country raising which demands in the object physical inviolability.†9 more a notable absence of luxury, comfort, or decoration; or stern in manner Show general definition a notable absence of luxury, comfort, or decoration or: of a person: stern in manner; or practicing great self-denial
	10	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 The poker game ran quietly through that day, broken by the periodical patrols, while the quiet church bells rang and the congregations gathered in decorous clumps of summer colors.†9 more Show general definition for congregation (as in: the congregation voted) people who worship together in the same building
	10	top 500
paradoxsomething that seems contradictory but is true It’s a paradox that the more we learn, the more we realize how little we know.more Show sample from book Sometimes, with the old couple snoring in the room beneath, when he lifted out the silent rope he would think of the paradox.†9 more a situation or statement that seems to contradict itself but may still be true Show general definition a situation or statement that seems to contradict itself but may still be true
	12
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 And how Hightower had come straight to Jefferson from the seminary, refusing to accept any other call; how he had pulled every string he could in order to be sent to Jefferson.†11 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 500
evokeevoke → evoked:aroused Her story evoked sympathy.more Show sample from book But now there was nothing evocative of unspoken promise, of rich and unmentionable delights, in them.†7 more evoke → evocative:bringing strong feelings or memories to mind Show general definition to call forth or cause -- typically to arouse an emotion or bring a memory to mind
	11	top 1000
raptfascinated She watched with rapt attention.more Show sample from book They are moving now, plaiting with rapt bemusement a fold of her skirt.12 more focused Show general definition for rapt (as in: rapt attention) deeply interested and focused (on something) -- often while admiring
	2	top 1000
rapt#2deeply moved or filled with intense pleasure She danced rapt with the music.more Show sample from book So he preached to them, as he had always preached: with that rapt fury which they had considered sacrilege and which those from the other churches believed to be out and out insanity.12 more deeply moved
	4	top 1000
clairvoyancehe supposed ability to know things beyond normal perception The detective's ability to solve cold cases seemed almost like clairvoyance, though it was really just careful observation and intuition.more Show sample from book Perhaps he knew that he was going back; perhaps with his child's clairvoyance he had known all the while what the man had not: that it would not, could not, last.†3 more to perceive things beyond the natural range of the senses Show general definition to perceive things beyond the natural range of the senses -- especially foreseeing the future
	5
grand jurya group of citizens who decide whether or not there is enough evidence to formally accuse someone of a crime During his testimony before the grand jury, she repeatedly said she had no memory of such a conversation.more Show sample from book Grand jury meets today.†4 more a group of citizens who decide whether there is enough evidence to formally accuse someone of a crime Show general definition a group of citizens who decide if there is enough evidence to formally accuse someone of a crime
	4	top 2000
diffidenthesitant and unassertive She is diffident around adults, but dominant with her peer group.more Show sample from book It is not diffidence, shyness.†3 more diffident → diffidence:hesitancy and unassertiveness due to a lack of self-confidence Show general definition hesitant and unassertive -- often due to a lack of self-confidence
	4	top 2000
indomitableunyielding resolve and spirit Despite the harsh conditions, the climbers pressed on with indomitable courage.more Show sample from book The man was bundled too against the cold, squat, big, shapeless, somehow rocklike, indomitable, not so much ungentle as ruthless.†3 more impossible to defeat or discourage… Show general definition impossible to defeat or discourage; or showing unshakable strength, determination, or spirit
	4
impregnableable to withstand attack The ancient fortress, perched atop a steep cliff and surrounded by a deep moat, was considered impregnable for centuriesmore Show sample from book They speak quietly, without heat, giving pause to weigh one another's words, as two men already impregnable, each in his own conviction will.†3 more