Words by Heart — Vocabulary
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	4	top 500
waverwaver → wavered:faltered (stopped being strong) Through good times and bad her love for him has never wavered.more Show sample from book The lamplight wavered on the water bucket and Papa's shaving mirror, and went still.†3 more waver → wavered:was unsure or weak; or moved back and forth Show general definition to move back and forth (shake or quiver) or: to change, be unsure, or weak
	3	top 200
apprehensiveworried She is apprehensive about her new job.more Show sample from book His silence made her more apprehensive than hearing something terrible would have.†2 more nervous or worried Show general definition worried over possible misfortune
	3	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 whole congregation was there, it seemed like, and new faces that might be relatives or friends of the contestants.†2 more Show general definition for congregation (as in: the congregation voted) people who worship together in the same building
	3	top 1000
perplexperplex → perplexed:confused She was perplexed by the rules of the game.more Show sample from book Papa's way of thinking perplexed her.†2 more perplex → perplexed:confused or puzzled Show general definition to confuse
	2	top 500
earnestearnest → in earnest:in a serious manner I began training in earnest the summer before high school.more Show sample from book Winslow smiled, and in his deep, earnest voice said, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."†1 more sincere or serious Show general definition characterized by sincere belief or: intensely or excessively serious or determined
	3	top 1000
tauttight The string is pulled taut.more Show sample from book As she started on the yams, the rope she had dropped wiggled and snapped taut.†2 more pulled or drawn tight; OR subjected to great tension Show general definition pulled or drawn tight; or: subjected to great tension
	2	top 2000
aspireaspire → aspiring:hoping to be successful The aspiring scientist set her sights on curing cancer, a goal that would require years of hard work and dedication.more Show sample from book They're to aspire to.†1 more hope to be successful Show general definition to hope to be successful -- especially in a career
	2	top 1000
contemptlack of respect Familiarity breeds contempt.more Show sample from book She couldn't bear to think of their contempt turned on her.1 more dislike and disrespect Show general definition for contempt (as in: feels contempt towards her) lack of respect for someone or something thought inferior -- often accompanied by a feeling of dislike or disgust Show editor's word notes A famous saying, "familiarity breeds contempt" comes from Aesop's fable, "The Fox and the Lion". (6th century BC) When first the Fox saw the Lion he was terribly frightened, and ran away and hid himself in the wood. Next time however he came near the King of Beasts he stopped at a safe distance and watched him pass by. The third time they came near one another the Fox went straight up to the Lion and passed the time of day with him, asking him how his family were, and when he should have the pleasure of seeing him again; then turning his tail, he parted from the Lion without much ceremony. The moral is traditionally, "Familiarity breeds contempt"; though an alternative moral is "Acquaintance softens prejudices."
	2	top 1000
gauntvery thin She looked gaunt from the chemotherapy.more Show sample from book She could see the windmill at home, fluttering like some kind of gaunt, tethered bird.†1 more very thin and bony Show general definition very thin and bony -- often from hunger or as though having been worn to the bone
	2	top 1000
wanewane → waned:gradually decreased When the headlines moved on to other topics, public interest waned and only the companies being regulated paid attention to what was happening.more Show sample from book If it looked like the letter C it was waning, Papa had taught her.†1 more wane → waning:declining or diminishing Show general definition gradually decrease in strength, intensity, size, or importance -- especially the part of the moon that is visible
	2	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 "Walk this way, Lena," he coaxed, standing behind it.†1 more 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	top 2000
inferiorof lower quality Nazis believed other races were inferior.more Show sample from book Yes, Elsie, throughout history the superior races have necessarily shouldered the burden of ruling the inferior ones.†1 more (adjective) of low quality, or of lower quality or rank than something else OR (more rarely as a noun) a person of lower rank or status Show general definition of low quality, or of lower quality or rank than something else -- sometimes used as a noun to refer to a person of lower rank or status
	2	top 2000
hoardgather and collect (something thought valuable) She decided to hoard her favorite snacks in the back of the pantry, keeping them hidden from her siblings.more Show sample from book She and Winslow began in earnest, using their hoarded ammunition carefully.†1 more hoard → hoarded:gathered something valuable and stored it Show general definition to gather something valuable and store it; or a collection of such things
	2	top 2000
probeinvestigation There was a congressional probe into the scandal.more Show sample from book She sat frozen like a leaf in a winter puddle, watching his fingers probe his scraped face.†1 more to investigate; or an investigation; or an instrument used for investigation Show general definition to investigate closely; or a tool or device used to explore, examine, or gather information
	4
arbora framework that supports climbing plants The arbor provided a shady resting place in the park.more Show sample from book At the side of the house was a brush arbor, and out of its top stuck a little whittled windmill, rolling in the breeze like a crazed sunflower.3 more a framework that supports climbing plants; or a shady rest area made by such a framework or by trees and shrubs Show general definition for arbor (as in: shaded arbor) a framework that supports climbing plants; or a shady rest area made by such a framework or by trees and shrubs Show editor's word notes The framework of an arbor is generally thought of as a wood lattice made to support vines, but it can also be a natural framework such as trees.
	1	top 100
omitomit → omitted:left out She recounted the whole story except that she omitted names.more Show sample from book You omitted to tell Miss Chism you took her books, didn't you?† omit → omitted:to exclude or neglect something Show general definition to exclude or neglect something
	2
hallowedtreated as sacred She was buried in hallowed ground.more Show sample from book A hallowed spot.†1 more treated as sacred or greatly respected Show general definition treated as sacred or greatly respected
	1	top 1000
chronologicalfrom oldest to newest Events are listed in chronological order.more Show sample from book LENA HAD GRABBED Professor Gurshelfs Illustrated Atlas of the World — Being a Compendium of Statistical, Descriptive, Chronological, Geographical, Astronomical and Political Information Respecting All the Peoples and Nations of the Earth.† arranged according to time Show general definition arranged according to time
	1	top 1000
audaciousbold and daring It was an audacious act of piracy.more Show sample from book She went in and set the table for Mrs. Chism, numbed by her own audacity.† audacious → audacity:boldness and daring Show general definition bold and daring (inclined to take risks) -- especially in violating social convention in a manner that could offend others
	1	top 2000
fortitudestrength of mind She has physical strength and mental fortitude.more Show sample from book Lena rolled her eyes to show fortitude, and nodded.† strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity with courage Show general definition strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity with courage