Lucky — Vocabulary
Alice Sebold
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	24	top 2000
testifytestify → testified:provided oral evidence in court She testified against the robber.more Show sample from book ...they would lead with the other witnesses and somehow work it so I could testify on the second day.23 more provide oral evidence in court Show general definition provide evidence of something -- especially to say something under oath in a court of law
	22
bailiffcourt officer responsible for keeping order in the court The bailiff escorted them from the courtroom.more Show sample from book The bailiff beside me became more and more alert.†21 more court officer responsible for keeping order in the court including custody of th… Show general definition court officer responsible for keeping order in the court including custody of the jury, and custody of prisoners while in court
	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 Later she tells cops that she thought it could have been either the defendant or the other guy.19 more person legally accused of a crime
	11	top 1000
prescribeprescribe → prescribed:gave medical instructions instructing that the patient should take The doctor prescribed an antibiotic for the infection.more Show sample from book I thought, even then, that this doctor needed the Valium he prescribed for me more than I did.10 more prescribe → prescribed:instructed to be given Show general definition to recommend or require what should be done or more specifically: of a medical doctor: to give medical instructions -- such as writing that a patient should take antibiotics
	12	top 2000
testimonythe statement of a witness at a trial Her emotional testimony moved the jury.more Show sample from book On top was a copy of my testimony from the preliminary hearing.11 more statement at a trial or hearing Show general definition something that serves as evidence -- especially a statement at a trial or hearing
	6	top 10
implyimply → implied:hinted or suggested She wouldn't make a direct statement, but she implied that she supported our position.more Show sample from book The tone it was asked in implied that in having come back I had done something wrong—something not normal.5 more imply → implied:suggested (said indirectly) Show general definition to suggest or say indirectly -- possibly as a logical consequence
	6	top 500
approximateapproximate → approximately:about The state has approximately as many Republicans as Democrats.more Show sample from book From approximately eight to midnight.†5 more approximate → approximately:about (but not exactly) Show general definition almost, but not exact; or similar
	1	top 2000
acutesharp (severe or very bad) She felt an acute pain in her neck.more Show sample from book I felt the pain most acutely in my eyes.2 more acute → acutely:sharply (severely) Show general definition for acute (as in: acute pain) sharp (severe or strong) -- usually negative
	2	top 2000
acute#2excellent (highly perceptive) Dogs have an acute sense of smell.more Show sample from book My focus became acute.2 more sharp Show general definition for acute (as in: acute sense of smell) sharp (highly perceptive in some area or mentally sharp)
	4	top 500
scrutinyscrutiny → scrutinized:looked very carefully at She scrutinized her reflection in the mirror.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 I was scrutinizing his mother.3 more scrutiny → scrutinizing:looking at very carefully 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 careful examination of something
	4	top 500
confideconfide → confided:placed trust (in someone) by talking about private things She confided in me. I won't repeat what was said.more Show sample from book He confided that he owned a women's clothing store in Utica, and had to go down often to look in on it.†3 more Show general definition to place trust (in someone) by talking about private things or telling secrets
	5	top 1000
narrativeStory He titled his autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.more Show sample from book I had picked theoretical arguments with the deacon of our church, cultivated any obscene narrative I could get my hands on, and imitated Father Breuninger's sermons to the delight of my family and even Father Breuninger himself.†4 more story Show general definition for narrative (as in: Narrative of the Life of...) a story; or related to a story
	3	top 100
primarilymainly Did the author mention multiple companies primarily to demonstrate diversity of solutions or to show that interest in the industry is widespread?more Show sample from book My relationship to Victor, before that morning, consisted primarily of not understanding what he had in common with Diane, whom I found loud.†2 more Show general definition mainly (most importantly)
	4	top 500
cultivatedevelop or grow We encourage our representatives to cultivate a close relationship with their clients.more Show sample from book I couldn't sing either, but I would cultivate what Merman had, or try: force of personality.†3 more develop, grow, or prepare for growing crops Show general definition enhance growth or development in various senses, including: to grow crops or prepare land for them enhance a relationship -- especially for a purpose develop discernment (better recognition of differences) in taste or judgment to grow a culture in a petri dish
	16
affidavitwritten statement made under oath She described the incident in an affidavit.more Show sample from book I told the officers in the station that I would return in a few hours and could be counted on to give an affidavit and look through mug shots.†15 more a written statement made under oath Show general definition a written statement made under oath
	16
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 "Held for action of the grand jury," the judge said finally.15 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
	1
minuteincluding even small considerations We discussed it in minute detail.more Show sample from book I went into minute detail and, this time, did as Gail had told me to; I took each question slowly.1 more careful explanation of Show general definition for minute (as in: minute description) detailed (including even small considerations); and/or careful (done with care)
	1
minuteswritten record of what happens at a meeting The secretary keeps the minutes of the meeting.more Show sample from book Do you remember—looking at page sixteen of the grand jury minutes, line ten—'You picked him out of the lineup?'1 more formal notes Show general definition for minutes (as in: keep the minutes) a written record of what happened at a meeting
	4
cloneclone → clones:genetically identical copies (like identical twins created with technology) To understand differences that could be expected in human clones, it is useful to look at identical twins.more Show sample from book As Clones we decided to room together off campus.3 more clone → clones:copies Show general definition for clone (as in: It is a clone.) a copy of something -- especially an organism with identical genetics created through technology
	2	top 500
discrepancyan unexpected difference between two things She is on paid leave while the accounting discrepancy is investigated.†more Show sample from book Why the time discrepancy between seeing him and calling the police?†1 more Show general definition disagreement -- especially an unexpected difference between two things