The Devil's Arithmetic — Vocabulary
Jane Yolen
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
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neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas) The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more Show sample from book "Nevertheless, you must learn them," Rivka said.†3 more Show general definition despite that Show editor's word notes Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 was just stated, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrast and but.
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deliberatedeliberate → deliberately:intentionally She didn't forget. She deliberately skipped the meeting.more Show sample from book "You know it's Passover," her mother said, sighing, in a voice deliberately low.1 more Show general definition for deliberate (as in: deliberate insult) to do something intentionally (do it on purpose)
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deliberate#2careful and slow She is a deliberate thinker--not the fastest, but always thorough.more Show sample from book When still no one moved, the officer very slowly and deliberately removed the pistol from his holster and pointed it at the feet of a man standing near the edge of the crowd.1 more deliberate → deliberately:with great care Show general definition for deliberate (as in: a deliberate thinker) done with great care -- often slowly
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reciterecite → recited:said aloud She recited a poem.more Show sample from book It was obvious she had recited these same words to each group of newcomers, yet her voice held a sweetness and a patience quite out of keeping with the information she delivered.4 more Show general definition to say or read something aloud -- especially something previously memorized such as a poem or: to say in detail -- especially a list of things
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solemnvery serious He took a solemn oath.more Show sample from book "I hear Reb Boruch is a solemn man," Gitl said carefully.2 more Show general definition in a very serious (and often dignified) manner
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resolveresolve → resolved:decided This year I resolved to lose a pound a week for 5 weeks.more Show sample from book She wondered if Gitl would know what it was, and resolved to ask her.1 more resolve → resolved:definitely decided Show general definition for resolve (as in: I resolved to stop drinking.) to decide -- typically a firm or formal decision Show editor's word notes In modern writing resolve is typically used to emphasize a firm or formal decision. In classic literature, it is used more frequently and often simply replaces decide or determine.
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elaboratecomplicated It's part of her elaborate plan for getting accepted at Harvard.more Show sample from book Whether it was a dream or an elaborate game, she'd show them all she was a good sport.1 more detailed and complicated Show general definition for elaborate (as in: an elaborate design) having details and complexity -- sometimes fancy or ornate Show editor's word notes Depending upon it's context, this sense of elaborate can additionally imply that details make something either:<ul><li>more special than others of its kind in a good way</li></ul>or:<ul><li>more complicated than necessary in a bad way</li></ul>
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ominousthreatening I'm beginning to hear ominous rumblings of discontent.more Show sample from book The smokestack and the ominous black curl emerging from it, dissipating against the bright blue sky,1 more threatening; or suggestive of bad things to come Show general definition threatening (suggestive of, or foreshadowing bad things to come)
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hysteriastate of excessive, uncontrolled emotion We need to get past the hysteria and decide what to do.more Show sample from book A woman, her voice edged with hysteria, said, "You heard, you heard, but if they were all dead, how could anyone know for sure?"†2 more a state of excessive, uncontrollable emotion Show general definition a state of excessive, uncontrollable emotion Show editor's word notes In addition to being the adjective form of hysteria, the form hysterical can also indicate that something is exceedingly funny (leading to uncontrollable laughter)
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demonstratedemonstrate → demonstrated:showed The salesperson demonstrated features of both phones so I could compare them.more Show sample from book "Maybe there's something everyone is afraid of. With you it's getting married. With me it's shots." "Shots?" "Shots. You know. Needles?" She jabbed her right finger into her left arm to demonstrate. show or exhibit (how something works) Show general definition for demonstrate (as in: It demonstrates my point.) to show The exact meaning of this sense of demonstrate can depend upon its context. For example: "I will demonstrate how to throw a Frisbee." -- show how to do something "I will demonstrate how much quicker the new computer is than the old one." -- show how something works "Her questioned demonstrated that she was listening and thinking deeply about what was said." -- showed to be true or proved
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genuinegenuine → genuinely:sincerely I am genuinely sorry for what I did.more Show sample from book But Shmuel's smile was so genuine.† real Show general definition real (as when a person is sincere or an object is not a replica or fake)
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dominatecontrol Democrats dominate the committee.more Show sample from book The dominant color was brown: dominate → dominant:most conspicuous or influential Show general definition to control; or to be most influential, powerful, abundant, important, or conspicuous
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ironywhen what happens is very different than what might be expected She didn't see the irony in acting like the mother she detested.more Show sample from book His name was Wolfe. Wolfe! And the irony of it was that he was as gentle as a lamb.1 more when things are together that seem like they don't belong together Show general definition for irony (as in: situational irony) when what happens is very different than what might be expected; or when things are together that seem like they don't belong together -- especially when amusing or an entertaining coincidence Show editor's word notes This is sometimes referred to as "situational irony." The term is especially appropriate when actions have consequences opposite to those intended. The expression ironic smile, generally references someone smiling at situational irony. All forms of irony involve the perception that things are not what they might seem.
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mesmerizemesmerize → mesmerized:spellbound or enthralled The storyteller's vivid descriptions of faraway lands mesmerized the children.more Show sample from book She mesmerized them with her tellings.†1 more Show general definition to spellbind or enthrall (completely hold someone's entire attention) or more rarely: to hypnotize or be in a trance
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synagoguesynagogue → synagogues:Jewish houses of worship They were arrested for planning to bomb a series of synagogues.more Show sample from book They made a perfect half circle in front of the synagogue doors, like a steel trap with gaping jaws ready to be sprung.3 more a place where members of the Jewish faith worship Show general definition a place of worship for a people of the Jewish faith
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pervasiveexisting throughout something We were losing 35 to 0 at halftime and there was a pervasive sense of gloom in the locker room.more Show sample from book Though she'd already gotten used to the pervasive camp smell, a cloudy musk that seemed to hang over everything, a mix of sweat and fear and sickness and the ever-present smoke that stained the sky, existing throughout Show general definition existing throughout something; or generally widespread
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arbitrarybased on chance or impulse It was an arbitrary decision.more Show sample from book After the meal, the zugangi were lined up again in what seemed to Hannah to be a totally arbitrary order, orchestrated by the same three-fingered woman. Show general definition based on chance or impulse (rather than upon reasoning, consistent rules, or a proper sense of fairness)
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alienatealienate → alienated:made feel emotionally separated She alienated half her friends when she became fanatically political.more Show sample from book The proverbs say 'He who harps on a matter alienates his friend.'† alienate → alienates:make feel emotionally separated Show general definition make feel emotionally separated
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garishtastelessly showy The clown’s garish outfit, with its bright colors and bold patterns, made the children laugh.more Show sample from book Putting her hands on her hips, barely covering the garish flowers on the red print dress, she smiled mockingly.† Show general definition tastelessly showy; or excessively bright
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lucidcapable of thinking clearly Although she was on heavy pain medication, she was still lucid.†more Show sample from book Sometimes she is lucid, other times she talks of Rochelles and needles and snakes. Show general definition of a person: capable of thinking clearly or: of language: clearly expressed so it is easily understood