Selected Essays — Vocabulary
Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	46	top 200
prudentsensible and careful She was promoted to manager because she is so prudent.more Show sample from book Cheapest, say the prudent, is the dearest labor.†45 more
	16	top 100
yieldproduce (lead to) The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.more Show sample from book There is in woods and waters a certain enticement and flattery, together with a failure to yield a present satisfaction.18 more produce or give Show general definition for yield (as in: will yield valuable data) to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
	3	top 100
yield#2give in The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.more Show sample from book For there is nothing settled in manners, but the laws of behavior yield to the energy of the individual.†18 more give in, give way, or give up Show general definition for yield (as in: yield to pressure) to give in, give way, or give up
	19	top 1000
doctrineprinciple She argues that the action is protected under the separation-of-powers doctrine that is fundamental to the US Constitution.more Show sample from book I find a similar base tone in the popular religious works of the day, and the same doctrines assumed by the literary men when occasionally they treat the related topics.†18 more doctrine → doctrines:a belief (or system of beliefs or principles) accepted as authoritative by some … Show general definition a belief (or system of beliefs or principles) accepted as authoritative by some group
	14	top 500
cultivatedevelop or grow We encourage our representatives to cultivate a close relationship with their clients.more Show sample from book Our property is timid, our laws are timid, our cultivated classes are timid.†13 more cultivate → cultivated:developed, grown, or prepared 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
	3	top 2000
attributeattribute → attributes:characteristics The spreadsheet has a column to describe the breed of dog and then ten additional columns to indicate attributes of the breeds. For example, the second column has the average full-grown weight.more Show sample from book There can be no excess to love; none to knowledge; none to beauty, when these attributes are considered in the purest sense.†4 more attribute → attributes:characteristics (of something or someone) Show general definition for attribute (as in: It is an attribute of...) a characteristic or feature (of something or someone)
	2	top 100
attribute#2attribute → attributed:credited (pointed to as the source of) She attributed this quotation to Shakespeare.more Show sample from book Frivolous and fantastic additions have got associated with the name, but the steady interest of mankind in it must be attributed to the valuable properties which it designates.4 more attribute → attributed:credited (pointed to as the cause of something) Show general definition for attribute (as in: I attribute it to...) to credit (a source for something) in two typical senses: "I attribute it to her work." -- to say who or what made something happen "Remember to attribute any quotations in your paper." -- indicate the source of a quotation or idea
	9	top 100
conformconform → conformist:someone who thinks and acts like others in a group Most teenagers are surprisingly conformist within their subgroup.more Show sample from book [172] The objection to conforming to usages that have become dead to you is, that it scatters your force†8 more conform → conforming:complying, fitting in, or being similar to what is normal Show general definition to comply, fit in, or be similar to what is normal
	9	top 500
subordinateless important or subservient At that time, women were thought subordinate to men in political matters.more Show sample from book [30] Undoubtedly there is a right way of reading, so it be sternly subordinated†8 more subordinate → subordinated:less important or subservient; OR to rank as such Show general definition less important or subservient; or to rank as such
	10	top 1000
externaloutside (in this case, trade with people and companies in other countries) External trade makes up almost half of the country's economy.more Show sample from book I do not wish more external goods,—neither possessions, nor honors, nor powers, nor persons.†9 more outside Show general definition outside in various senses, including: coming from or existing outside a place, organization or thing -- as in "external trade" forming or relating to an outside boundary -- as in "external walls" on the surface or superficial as contrasted to something that is deep or complete -- as in "external appearances"
	13	top 2000
essencedefining quality Her speech captured the essence of what the movement was really about.more Show sample from book [25] In its essence it is progressive†12 more the defining or most important quality of something… Show general definition the defining or most important quality of something or: a extract that concentrates important qualities of something such as smell or taste
	10	top 1000
grandeurimpressive magnificence The hotel is well past the days of its grandeur.†more Show sample from book Let the grandeur of justice shine in his affairs.†9 more Show general definition impressive magnificence -- usually on a grand (large) scale
	8	top 500
spontaneoussudden and unplanned Her spontaneous decision to take a road trip led to one of the best weekends of her life.more Show sample from book The inquiry leads us to that source, at once the essence of genius, of virtue, and of life, which we call Spontaneity or Instinct.†7 more spontaneous → spontaneity:behavior or action that happens naturally without planning or external force Show general definition happening naturally, suddenly, or without outside planning or action
	11
trifletrifle → trifling:unimportant We all agree with the goal, but how to achieve it is not a trifling matter.more Show sample from book At times the whole world seems to be in conspiracy to importune you with emphatic trifles.†11 more trifle → trifles:things of small importance Show general definition for trifle (as in: a trifling matter) something of small importance; or a small quantity
	1
trifle withtreat thoughtlessly or without respect She is not a woman to trifle with or ignore.more Show sample from book The world still wants its poet-priest, a reconciler, who shall not trifle with Shakspeare the player, nor shall grope in graves with Swedenborg the mourner; but who shall see, speak, and act, with equal inspiration.†11 more Show general definition for trifle with (as in: trifle with her affections) to treat somebody or something thoughtlessly or without respect
	8
omnipresentwidespread The trend is omnipresent in pop culture.more Show sample from book The true doctrine of omnipresence is, that God reappears with all his parts in every moss and cobweb.†7 more omnipresent → omnipresence:widespread (seemingly everywhere); OR of God: being present everywhere at once Show general definition widespread (seemingly everywhere) or: of God: being present everywhere at once
	6
bardsomeone who composes poems about important events and people Shakespeare is sometimes called the Bard of Avon.more Show sample from book Each philosopher, each bard, each actor has only done for me, as by a delegate, what one day I can do for myself.†5 more someone who composes and recites or sings poems about important events and peopl… Show general definition for bard (as in: written by the bard) someone who composes and recites or sings poems about important events and people; or (as a proper noun) Shakespeare Show editor's word notes Shakespeare is sometimes called the Bard of Avon or just the Bard.
	4	top 1000
intrinsicinherent (built-in or natural) It has an intrinsic value separate from its sale price.more Show sample from book I cannot consent to pay for a privilege where I have intrinsic right.†3 more belonging to a thing by its very nature Show general definition belonging naturally or essential to the nature of something
	3	top 500
omnipotentall powerful When I was young, I believed in the myth of omnipotent science, technology and logic.more Show sample from book The blindness of the preacher consisted in deferring to the base estimate of the market of what constitutes a manly success, instead of confronting and convicting the world from the truth; announcing the presence of the soul; the omnipotence of the will: and so establishing the standard of good and ill, of success and falsehood.†2 more omnipotent → omnipotence:the quality of being all powerful Show general definition all powerful Show editor's word notes note: "omni" means "all". It is often said that God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent (all powerful, all knowing, and all present; i.e., present everywhere)
	4	top 2000
antagonismhostility There is skepticism, if not antagonism, between the two groups.more Show sample from book I am equally balked by antagonism and by compliance.†3 more hostility or opposition Show general definition hostility, opposition, or tension between opposing forces or ideas