The Chosen — Vocabulary
Chaim Potok
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	22	top 100
passagea short part of a longer written work Each passage below is followed by a number of questions.more Show sample from book I had broken up the passage into its thought units as I had studied it, so I knew precisely at what points I would stop reading and begin my explanations.21 more Show general definition for passage (as in: In lines 1-9 of the passage...) a short part of a longer written work Show editor's word notes This meaning of passage is commonly seen on standardized tests like the SAT and ACT.
	12	top 100
contradictdisagree with Does the sentence contradict the main claim of the essay?more Show sample from book Instead, I heard him sigh a little, then offer a passage from the Baba Bathra that contradicted Danny's explanation.†11 more contradict → contradicted:disagreed Show general definition disagree in various senses, including: to say something is not true -- as in "She contradicted his testimony." to say something else is true when both can't be true -- as in "I don't believe her. She contradicted herself as she told us what happened." to be in conflict with -- as in "Her assertions contradict accepted scientific principles."
	13	top 2000
orthodoxnormal The new findings challenge orthodox views.more Show sample from book Most of the stores were run by gentiles, but some were owned by Orthodox Jews, members of the Hasidic sects in the area.†12 more normal (describing thinking or behavior as commonly or traditionally accepted) Show general definition normal (describing thinking or behavior as commonly or traditionally accepted)
	9	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 A whisper moved through the congregation, followed by the rustle of pages as prayer books were opened.†8 more Show general definition for congregation (as in: the congregation voted) people who worship together in the same building
	8	top 1000
somberserious and cheerless Before she said anything, I knew it was bad news from her somber face.more Show sample from book He sounded unhappy, and there was a somber look on his face.7 more serious (without humour or fun--perhaps sad) Show general definition for somber (as in: a somber mood) serious (without cheer or lightheartedness); or sad
	10	top 2000
medievalthe Middle Ages (roughly 500–1500 AD) The story takes place during medieval times.more Show sample from book He asked what a certain medieval commentator had remarked about that statement, and Danny answered.†9 more relating to or belonging to the Middle Ages Show general definition relating to or belonging to the Middle Ages (the period of European history between the fall of the Roman Empire and the beginning of the Renaissance -- roughly 500–1500 AD) Show editor's word notes Often thought of as a time of instability, superstition, plagues, feudal lords, and knighthood.
	9	top 1000
peasantpeasant → peasants:an historical term describing people of low income, education, and social standing Most people in the Middle Ages were peasants.more Show sample from book Nothing happened for a long time, because the Cossacks, like the Polish peasants, were afraid of the Polish nobles.†8 more peasant → peasants:used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country: people of low income, education, and social standing -- especially those who raise crops or livestock Show general definition used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country: a person of low income, education, and social standing -- especially one who raises crops or livestock
	6	top 1000
gauntvery thin She looked gaunt from the chemotherapy.more Show sample from book He sat there now, wearing his small, black skullcap and pecking at the typewriter with his index fingers, a thin, frail man in his fifties, with gray hair, gaunt cheeks, and spectacles.†5 more very thin and bony Show general definition very thin and bony -- often from hunger or as though having been worn to the bone
	3	top 100
alludeallude → alluded:indirectly referenced He alluded to Susan without mentioning her name.more Show sample from book I saw allusions in passages that Danny and his father overlooked, and I resolved a contradiction with an appeal to grammar.†2 more allude → allusions:indirect references Show general definition to make an indirect reference Show editor's word notes The expression, no allusion can mean "not even an indirect reference"; i.e., neither a direct nor an indirect reference to something.
	4	top 500
indifferentwithout interest About a third are in favor of the change, a third are opposed, and a third are indifferent.more Show sample from book It destroys our self-pride, our arrogance, our indifference toward others.3 more indifferent → indifference:lack of concern and interest Show general definition without interest in various senses, including: unconcerned -- as in "She is indifferent to what is served to eat." unsympathetic -- as in "She is indifferent to his needs." not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context) -- as in "an indifferent performance" impartial -- as in "We need a judge who is indifferent."
	4	top 500
reconcilereconcile → reconciled:made peace or restored friendship After months of not speaking, the two friends finally reconciled over coffee.more Show sample from book Then I would go into the attempt of the late medieval commentary to reconcile the diverse explanations of the commentaries.3 more bring into agreement Show general definition for reconcile (as in: reconciled their differences) to make peace between people or bring different ideas into agreement
	4	top 1000
compassionsympathy for another's suffering and wanting to help If I see one hungry child, I feel compassion, but when I hear of a million hungry children, I'm overwhelmed and turn my mind to other things.more Show sample from book He has a reputation for brilliance and compassion.†3 more Show general definition sympathy for another's suffering and wanting to help
	72
synagoguesynagogue → synagogues:Jewish houses of worship They were arrested for planning to bomb a series of synagogues.more Show sample from book The synagogue had been burned to the ground.71 more a place where members of the Jewish faith worship Show general definition a place of worship for a people of the Jewish faith
	10	top 100
hypothesisa seemingly reasonable, but unproven, idea The study will test the hypothesis that a good marriage is more important than a higher income when measuring happiness.more Show sample from book Inductive logic, Freud, experimental psychology, mathematizing hypotheses, scientific study of the Talmud.10 more hypothesis → hypotheses:ideas or explanations that are seemingly reasonable, but unproven Show general definition for hypothesis (as in: a study to test her hypothesis) a seemingly reasonable, but unproven idea or explanation based upon known facts Show editor's word notes In casual conversation, theory is a synonym for hypothesis, but a scientist would say that a hypothesis needs to pass rigorous tests before it could be accepted as a theory.
	1
hypothesis#2something that may or may not be true, but is temporarily treated as true to advance a discussion or to further investigation For the purpose of discussion, let's accept that the hypothesis that she is guilty as true. What would we have expected her to do after the incident?more Show sample from book —and invariably these arguments revolved around this hypothetical question: On what side would an American Jew fight should America ever declare war against a Jewish state?†10 more hypothesis → hypothetical:of something temporarily treated as true to advance a discussion or to further investigation Show general definition for hypothesis (as in: assume as a working hypothesis) something that may or may not be true, but is temporarily treated as true to advance a discussion or to further investigation Show editor's word notes This sense of hypothesis is typically seen in the form, hypothetical, or hypothetically.
	7
secularnon-religious Many countries of the Middle East and North Africa maintain a dual system of secular courts and religious courts, in which the religious courts mainly regulate marriage and inheritance.more Show sample from book Secular literature was forbidden, and the Hasidim lived shut off from the rest of the world.†6 more not religious Show general definition for secular (as in: a secular organization) not religious
	2	top 2000
minutetiny Don't eat a lot of poppy seeds for a few days before a drug test. They have a minute amount of a chemical that can cause a false positive when testing for heroin use.more Show sample from book He chose a minute aspect of the answer and asked who had dealt with it in an altogether different way, and Danny answered.2 more minor Show general definition for minute (as in: minute size) small, exceptionally small, or insignificant
	1
minuteswritten record of what happens at a meeting The secretary keeps the minutes of the meeting.more Show sample from book The meeting had started pleasantly enough with the usual reading of the minutes and committee reports, when Davey Cantor burst into the room, looking as though he was crying, and shouted! breathlessly that someone had just told him President Roosevelt was dead.2 more formal notes Show general definition for minutes (as in: keep the minutes) a written record of what happened at a meeting
	2	top 500
refuterefute → refuted:argued against The speaker refuted his opponent's arguments.more Show sample from book They are interested solely in confirming highly dubious theoretical hypotheses ... and make no attempt at refutation1 more refute → refutation:evidence or argument that something is false Show general definition to disprove or argue against
	2	top 1000
recuperaterecuperate → recuperating:regaining health The patient is recuperating.more Show sample from book My father, recuperating slowly and looking worn and weary, sat in his bed propped on pillows, and read the newspaper stories of the horrors that had occurred in those camps.†1 more recuperate → recuperating:regaining health or strength Show general definition to regain good health or strength