A Day No Pigs Would Die — Vocabulary
Robert Newton Peck
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	1	top 2000
abidetolerate I can't abide her continual complaints.more Show sample from book He says he abides in Shaker Law.1 more abide → abides:obeys the rules Show general definition for abide (as in: abide by her decision) to tolerate or put up with something
	1
abide#2abide → abides:lives She abides in the forest.more Show sample from book And we ask only that his soul enter the Kingdom Hall, there to abide forever.1 more live Show general definition for abide (as in: abide in the forest) to live in a place or more rarely: to live with someone or something
	3	top 2000
talontalon → talons:sharp hooked claws Bald eagle talons can measure as long as two inches.more Show sample from book Seeing his talons were buried in its fur, the hawk was being whipped through that juniper bush for fair.†2 more Show general definition a sharp hooked claw -- especially on a bird of prey
	2
clergyformal religious leaders She was surprised to hear a member of the clergy talk like that.more Show sample from book She was looking clean as clergy.1 more religious leaders Show general definition formal religious leaders (typically in Christianity) Show editor's word notes Clergy is typically used in reference to Christian churches; however, clerics (members of the clergy) are referred to in different ways for different denominations. A Catholic priest is the equivalent of a Protestant minister. A pastor is any Christian cleric in charge of a congregation or parish. The clergy is distinguished from the laity.
	2
desecratedesecrate → desecrated:violated the sacred nature of They desecrated the cemetery on Halloween night.more Show sample from book We don't let Sebring Hillman desecrate what's ours that's buried there.1 more violate the sacred character of Show general definition violate the sacred nature of something
	2	top 2000
mirthfun and laughter The room filled with mirth as the friends shared stories and laughed late into the night.more Show sample from book I don't know whether she found it as mirthful as Papa, but she seemed to enjoy it some.1 more mirth → mirthful:full of fun and laughter
	2	top 2000
trespasstrespass → trespassing:entering another's property without right or permission Since the door was wide open, she was charged with trespassing rather than breaking and entering.more Show sample from book Papa didn't take too kind to trespass.1 more someone entering his property without permission Show general definition for trespass (as in: a "No Trespassing" sign) to enter another's property without right or permission
	2	top 2000
republicrepublic → republics:governmental systems in which a majority of citizens elect representatives to make laws The United States and each of its states are republics.more Show sample from book No. Aren't you a Republican ?1 more republic → republican:of a system of government in which a majority of citizens elect representatives … Show general definition for republic (as in: the country is a republic) of a system of government in which a majority of citizens elect representatives to make laws; or someone in favor of such a form of government
	1	top 500
recollectremember I think I recollect that she was away at college that year.more Show sample from book recollection embraces them forever. recollect → recollection:memory (especially experiences from long ago) Show general definition to remember -- especially experiences from long ago Show editor's word notes Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice): Relative to its synonyms, recollect brings to mind a leisurely piecing together of distant memories. It may be used in a less formal manner than remember and is almost always less formal than recall.
	1	top 1000
mustermuster → mustered:gathered She mustered the courage to introduce herself.more Show sample from book Any time I went fishing, she got fish. And all the soybean meal and alfalfa I could muster. gather Show general definition for muster (as in: muster strength or the crew) to gather The exact meaning of this sense of muster is often subject to its context. For example: "mustered her courage/strength/a smile" -- to gather from within "muster the soldiers/crew" -- to gather -- typically for inspection "muster volunteers/votes" -- to gather enough to do something
	1	top 2000
gistmain point(s) Just tell me the gist of the matter.more Show sample from book But any schoolboy who gists a D had better learn.† gist → gists:the main point(s) of a more detailed matter Show general definition the main point(s) of a more detailed matter
	1	top 2000
goadgoad → goaded:provoked (angered or annoyed) She goaded him into an argument.more Show sample from book Until Mr. Tanner gave me a healthy prod in the backside with his goad and said, "Git!" a pointed stick or other device used to prod animals (get them to move) Show general definition to provoke or annoy someone into doing something—often something unwise or: to prod an animal to move, or the stick used to do so
	1	top 1000
expelexpel → expulsion:the act of forcing out (in this case, kicking someone out of school) Her records show expulsion from two schools.more Show sample from book It's no laughing matter. Next thing it'll be an F, for Failure. And you know what that means. Expulsion. He'll be put back a grade. expel → expulsion:kicked out of school (expelled) Show general definition force out especially in 2 primary senses: kicking someone out of an organization -- such as a school or country squeezing something to eliminate a liquid or gas
	1	top 1000
coaxgently persuade Although she has retired from public life, we are going to try to coax her to accept the award.more Show sample from book Perhaps your pig is barren, perhaps no. Sometimes a girl just has to be coaxed and courted.† coax → coaxed:tried to obtain a result through gentle and careful effort -- often gently persuaded Show general definition for coax (as in: coax her to join us) try to obtain a result through gentle and careful effort -- often gentle persuasion
	2
weanwean → weaned:adapt to the removal of breastmilk Worldwide, most babies are weaned much later, but in the US, fewer than 20% of babies are still nursing when they are six months old.more Show sample from book She'll farrow at least ten pigs, spring and fall— if you breed her fresh again just three days after she weans.†1 more wean → weans:adapts Show general definition to adapt to in various senses, including: "She was weaned at 3 months." -- a mammal's adaption to the removal of breastmilk (note this is the unqualified sense) "I weaned myself from cigarettes." -- adapted to the gradual removal of "I was weaned on progressive principals" -- raised on or adapted to at a very early age.
	1	top 500
rendergive We're waiting for the jury to render a verdict.more Show sample from book I didn't want to render it up, but they took it.more Show general definition for render (as in: rendered service or a verdict) to give or supply something
	1	top 2000
ornerycranky (easily annoyed and quick to complain and argue) I avoid contact when he's in an ornery mood.more Show sample from book Solomon's got it at sundown, and that's the only time of day that big ox is ornery. easily annoyed and quick to complain and argue Show general definition for ornery (as in: is ornery when she first wakes up) quick to get annoyed, complain, argue, and be uncooperative
	1
archangelangel of high rank In the movie, John Travolta played a seemingly irreverent archangel.†more Show sample from book She was clean as an archangel. Show general definition an angel of high rank
	1
gospelan unquestionable truth I heard her story, but I don't take it as gospel.more Show sample from book And that's Gospel. Show general definition for gospel (as in: they consider it gospel) a set of beliefs firmly held by a group or: an unquestionable truth
	1
Saharalargest desert in the world (in northern Africa) The vast expanse of the Sahara desert, with its shifting sand dunes and scorching heat, presents a formidable challenge to even the most seasoned explorers.more Show sample from book Five acres of Vermont became a Sahara of raw responsibility.† North African desert that is the largest in the world (3.5 million square miles … Show general definition North African desert that is the largest in the world (3.5 million square miles - 7 times larger than the next largest desert and almost as large as the entire USA).