Bartleby, the Scrivener: a Story of Wall Street — Vocabulary
Herman Melville
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	7	top 500
resolveresolve → resolved:decided This year I resolved to lose a pound a week for 5 weeks.more Show sample from book I resolved to argue the matter over with him again.7 more 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.
	1	top 500
resolve#2determination (firmness of purpose) She never waivered in her resolve to attend a good college.more Show sample from book Mortified as I was at his behavior, and resolved as I had been to dismiss him when I entered my offices, nevertheless I strangely felt something superstitious knocking at my heart, and forbidding me to carry out my purpose, and denouncing me for a villain if I dared to breathe one bitter word against this forlornest of mankind.7 more resolve → resolved:determined (having had firm purpose) Show general definition for resolve (as in: Her resolve weakened.) firmness of purpose (strong determination to do something)
	1	top 500
perceiveperceive → perceives:views in a certain way She perceives more risk in the trip than he does.more Show sample from book And when at last it is perceived that such pity cannot lead to effectual succor, common sense bids the soul rid of it.4 more perceive → perceived:viewed in a certain way so as to form a belief or opinion Show general definition for perceive (as in: perceive the system as unfair) to view in a certain way so as to form a belief or opinion
	4	top 500
perceive#2see (become aware of) I could perceive the ship coming over the horizon.more Show sample from book The reader of nice perceptions will here perceive that, it being morning, Turkey's answer is couched in polite and tranquil terms, but Nippers replies in ill-tempered ones.4 more see (became aware) Show general definition for perceive (as in: though blind, can perceive light) to become aware of -- especially by using the senses (to see, hear, smell, feel, or taste)
	6	top 200
prudentsensible and careful She was promoted to manager because she is so prudent.more Show sample from book I was now in such a state of nervous resentment that I thought it but prudent to check myself at present from further demonstrations.†5 more
	9
premisesproperty She was injured on the premises of the defendant.more Show sample from book He refuses to do any copying; he refuses to do any thing; he says he prefers not to; and he refuses to quit the premises.8 more Show general definition for premises (as in: located on the premises) land and/or buildings -- especially of a business or organization
	5	top 100
neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas) The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more Show sample from book So I made up my mind to let him stay, resolving, nevertheless, to see to it, that during the afternoon he had to do with my less important papers.†4 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.
	7	top 1000
eccentricodd or unusual Her eccentric outfits always turned heads at school.more Show sample from book I then assured the functionary that Bartleby was a perfectly honest man, and greatly to be compassionated, however unaccountably eccentric.6 more unconventional or strange Show general definition unconventional or strange; or a person with such traits -- often in a way that seems interesting or harmless
	7	top 1000
tranquilcalm I love a lake with tranquil blue water.†more Show sample from book The reader of nice perceptions will here perceive that, it being morning, Turkey's answer is couched in polite and tranquil terms, but Nippers replies in ill-tempered ones†6 more calm and undisturbed Show general definition calm and undisturbed
	4	top 200
moreoverin addition to what has just been said The company has too much debt. Moreover, it is responsible for a long-term lease on expensive office space.more Show sample from book Moreover, if, after reaching home, he found himself at any time in want of aid, a letter from him would be sure of a reply.†3 more
	5	top 1000
melancholyvery sad She's been in a melancholy mood since her dog died.more Show sample from book For the first time in my life a feeling of overpowering stinging melancholy seized me.4 more sadness or depression Show general definition a sad feeling or manner -- sometimes thoughtfully sad
	5	top 1000
complykeep (follow or obey) You must comply with school rules if you want to stay on the team.more Show sample from book I rather absurdly concluded, knowing not with what possible threat to try to frighten his immobility into compliance.4 more comply → compliance:conforming to rules or the wishes of others Show general definition to act in agreement with a rule, request, or demand
	3	top 200
deferencerespect They changed their strategy in deference to the President's wishes.more Show sample from book As Nippers, looking very sour and sulky, was departing, Turkey blandly and deferentially approached.2 more deference → deferentially:with polite respect Show general definition polite respect -- often when submitting to another's wishes
	4	top 1000
perplexperplex → perplexed:confused She was perplexed by the rules of the game.more Show sample from book I pondered a moment in sore perplexity.3 more perplex → perplexity:confusion due to complexity Show general definition to confuse
	5
pallidabnormally pale (lacking healthy skin color) She looked weak and her face was pallid.more Show sample from book I can see that figure now—pallidly neat, pitiably respectable, incurably forlorn!†4 more pallid → pallidly:abnormally pale (lacking healthy skin color)… Show general definition abnormally pale (lacking healthy skin color); or anything that lacks energy or liveliness
	5
vagrantvagrant → vagrants:people who lack a home, job, and money She says the American hobo has nearly died out and that today's developed world is hard on vagrants in general.more Show sample from book he a vagrant, a wanderer, who refuses to budge?†4 more someone who is poor and has no regular home or job Show general definition someone who is poor and has no regular home or job
	2	top 1000
ignominiousbringing disgrace or shame They retreated in ignominious defeat.more Show sample from book With any other man I should have flown outright into a dreadful passion, scorned all further words, and thrust him ignominiously from my presence.†1 more ignominious → ignominiously:in a manner that deserves or brings disgrace or shame Show general definition deserving or bringing disgrace or shame -- typically in reference to behavior or character
	2	top 2000
construeinterpret The executive branch does not construe the provision as requiring it to share additional information with Congress.more Show sample from book If the individual so resisted be of a not inhumane temper, and the resisting one perfectly harmless in his passivity; then, in the better moods of the former, he will endeavor charitably to construe to his imagination what proves impossible to be solved by his judgment.†1 more understand something to have a specific meaning Show general definition to interpret (understand) something as have a specific meaning
	2	top 2000
stationarynot moving The car was stationary when it was hit.more Show sample from book I like to be stationary.†1 more standing still; OR not capable of being moved Show general definition standing still; or not capable of being moved Show editor's word notes Stationary is commonly confused with stationery; i.e., paper for writing letters. The words are pronounced identically, so be sure to note the spelling. It might help to remember which is which, by thinking "First sit still; then write."
	1	top 100
narratoran actor who helps to tell a story by talking directly to the audience (breaking the imaginary barrier between the performers and the audience) The narrator in the play, Our Town talks to characters in the play as well as to the audience.more Show sample from book But ere parting with the reader, let me say, that if this little narrative has sufficiently interested him, to awaken curiosity as to who Bartleby was, and what manner of life he led prior to the present narrator's making his acquaintance, I can only reply, that in such curiosity I fully share, but am wholly unable to gratify it.† storyteller Show general definition someone who tells a story--especially the main voice in a documentary, or a character who talks directly to the audience in a movie, play or other performance