The Bean Trees — Vocabulary
Barbara Kingsolver
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	9	top 2000
baptismbaptism → baptized:"spiritually renewed" in a Christian ceremony She was baptized at the same church as her grandmother.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 It's water from Tug Fork, the crick at home that I was baptized in.8 more Show general definition a Christian ceremony signifying spiritual cleansing and rebirth or: a challenging experience that initiates or purifies Show editor's word notes Most churches baptize infants, but some require an adult to request baptism, and a few (such as the Quakers) require no baptism at all. Typically, water is used as part of the ceremony, such as sprinkling a little water on a baby's head; though some churches use complete submersion in water.
	8
meteormeteor → meteors:a streak of light in the night sky that results from a space rock burning in the earth's atmosphere Most meteors come from rocks that are about the size of a pebble.more Show sample from book There wasn't any meteor shower.7 more a streak of light in the night sky that results from small extraterrestrial bodies burning in the earth's atmosphere Show general definition a streak of light in the sky caused by a small space rock (a meteoroid) burning up in Earth’s atmosphere
	6	top 2000
refugeerefugee → refugees:people who fled their homeland to getaway from a dangerous or difficult situation We're asking for humanitarian aid to assist and resettle the refugees.more Show sample from book Mattie used to talk about the Underground Railroad, by which she meant these churches and the people who carried refugees between them,5 more refugee → refugees:people fleeing their homeland (in this case, fleeing slavery in the South) Show general definition someone who has fled their homeland to getaway from a dangerous or difficult situation; or related to such people
	4	top 2000
interstatefreeway, or highway that runs between states There was an accident on the interstate.more Show context notes When a word begins with the prefix, "inter-", the prefix often means between. In this case, interstate means between different states. Interstate is often used as an abbreviation for interstate highway, a highway that runs between states. It has also come to mean freeway in a place like Hawaii where no major highway connects to another state. Show sample from book I left the interstate at an off ramp and pulled over next to what looked like the Flying Nun's hat made out of bumpy concrete, held up by orange poles.†3 more freeway, or highway that runs between states… Show context notes When a word begins with the prefix, "inter-", the prefix often means between. In this case, interstate means between different states. Interstate is often used as an abbreviation for interstate highway, a highway that runs between states. It has also come to mean freeway in a place like Hawaii where no major highway connects to another state. Show general definition for interstate (as in: interstate commerce) freeway, or highway that runs between states or: relating to the mutual relations between states -- especially of the United States Show editor's word notes Note that interstate is often contrasted with intrastate. An intrastate highway is used to move from one location in a state to another, rather than to move between states. Similarly, interstate commerce is business between states; whereas intrastate commerce affects a state without affecting other states. Under the U.S. Constitution, the interstate/intrastate distinction is important when determining when the federal government has authority to override state government.
	2	top 500
abundantpresent in great quantity Farmers in the region enjoy good soil, moderate temperatures, and an abundant supply of water.more Show sample from book My mama said the Hardbines had kids just about as fast as they could fall down the well and drown. This must not have been entirely true, since they were abundant in Pittman County and many survived to adulthood.1 more Show general definition present in great quantity
	2	top 500
parcheddried out Nothing will grow in this parched soil.more Show sample from book We hadn't had a drop of rain since that double-rainbow hailstorm back in January, and the whole world was looking parched.1 more dried out by heat (thirsty in a metaphorical sense) Show general definition dried out by heat or excessive exposure to sunlight; or very thirsty
	3	top 1000
persistpersist → persisted:continued The child persisted in asking questions despite my obvious desire to be left alone.more Show sample from book But Mattie persisted.2 more Show general definition to continue -- often despite difficulty or to repeat a question
	2	top 1000
resilientable to withstand strain and/or quickly recover from it Times have been tough, but she is resilient.more Show sample from book I think you'll find that your daughter can be a surprisingly resilient little person.1 more Show general definition able to withstand strain and/or quickly recover from it -- such as a person retaining a positive attitude, or a material returning to its shape after being bent, stretched, or pressed
	2	top 1000
perturbperturb → perturbed:disturbed She is not perturbed by attacks from a hostile press.more Show sample from book Estevan didn't seem perturbed, and I realized he must hear this kind of thing every day of his life.1 more Show general definition for perturb (as in: she was perturbed) to disturb in mind or make uneasy
	3
tempestviolent storm The ship struggled to navigate through the raging tempest.more Show sample from book You're about as tempest-tossed as they come.†2 more a violent commotion or disturbance Show general definition a violent commotion or disturbance -- especially a violent storm or emotional outburst Show editor's word notes The expression tempest in a teapot describes people as being upset over an unimportant matter.
	3	top 2000
dehydrateddried out (didn't have enough water in the body) I didn't drink enough water while hiking and became dehydrated.more Show sample from book It's so dry out here kids will dehydrate real fast,2 more dehydrated → dehydrate:suffer from excessive loss of water from the body Show general definition suffering from excessive loss of water from the body or: dried and/or preserved by removing natural moisture
	1	top 100
establishestablish → establishing:showing or demonstrating The passage is primarily about establishing the relationship between the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and global temperature.more Show sample from book We had already established that our hometowns in Kentucky were separated by only two counties, and that we had both been to the exact same Bob Seger concert at the Kentucky State Fair my senior year. establish → established:learned Show general definition for establish (as in: establish that there is a need) show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
	2	top 2000
dormantnot active, but capable of activity in the future We hiked on a dormant volcano.more Show sample from book Mattie said all the things that looked dead were just dormant.†1 more not active or growing, but capable of doing so in the future Show general definition not active or growing, but capable of doing so in the future
	2	top 1000
deprivedeprive → deprived:left without a basic comfort The storm deprived the town of electricity.more Show sample from book "You're saying that she was subjected to deprivation or abuse in the biological parents' home," he said.†1 more deprive → deprivation:to take away or keep from having Show general definition to take away or keep from having
	3
phobiaphobia → phobias:extreme and unreasonable fears of things One of the most common phobias is agoraphobia--the fear of being in public places.more Show sample from book I mean, ackero-phobia doesn't have anything to do with being afraid you'll holler out something god-awful in church, does it?†2 more extreme and unreasonable fear of something Show general definition extreme and unreasonable fear of something Show editor's word notes Many words end with "phobia" to indicate "fear of" something. It is also common to turn the noun into an adjective with an "ic" suffix; e.g., "phobic" or "xenophobic."
	2
catharsisrelease of emotional tensions Watching the tragic play provided a powerful catharsis, allowing the audience to release pent-up emotions through tears.more Show sample from book A catharsis.†1 more Show general definition a release of emotional tensions
	2
congregategather together The planned demonstration never materialized because a heavy presence of police and soldiers made it impossible for protesters to congregate.more Show sample from book About nineteen people congregated during the time it took for Norman Strick to walk up to the Courthouse and blow the whistle for the volunteer fire department.1 more congregate → congregated:come together Show general definition come together as a group
	2
arbora framework that supports climbing plants The arbor provided a shady resting place in the park.more Show sample from book It wasn't unreasonably hot yet, and the kids were bouncing around the house like superballs (this was mainly Turtle, with Dwayne Ray's participation being mainly vocal), so we took them out to sit under the arbor for a while.1 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 1000
phasea period of time when someone exhibits unusual behavior When I was three, I went through a phase when I had an imaginary friend.more Show sample from book Lou Ann was going through a phase of cutting her own hair every other day. Show general definition for phase (as in: she's going through a phase) a period of time when someone exhibits unusual behavior
	1	top 1000
condoneapprove of Such behavior is permitted, but we certainly don't condone it.more Show sample from book In Aimee's opinion it would have been condoning sin to let Sandi and her illegitimate son stay there for free. condone → condoning:accepting without taking a stand against it Show general definition accept without criticism; or approve of