The Purloined Letter — Vocabulary
Edgar Allan Poe
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	9
premisesproperty She was injured on the premises of the defendant.more Show sample from book "Then," I said, "you have been making a miscalculation, and the letter is not upon the premises, as you suppose."8 more place (land and buildings together) Show general definition for premises (as in: located on the premises) land and/or buildings -- especially of a business or organization
	6	top 500
presumepresume → presumed:assumed I presumed she was an expert since she spoke so confidently.more Show sample from book D—, I presume, is not altogether a fool, and, if not, must have anticipated...5 more assume Show general definition for presume (as in: presumption of innocence) to think of something as true or likely, even though it is not known with certainty Show editor's word notes Something can be presumed because it seems reasonable or because there is a rule or law demanding such an assumption. For example, in the United States someone charged with a crime is presumed by law to be innocent unless they are proven guilty at a trial.
	5	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 ...then we scrutinized each individual square inch throughout the premises,4 more scrutiny → scrutinized:looked 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
	3	top 100
adaptadapt → adapted:changed (to fit this situation) Ideas contained in passages for this test, some of which are excerpted or adapted from published material, do not necessarily represent the opinions of the College Board.more Show sample from book A certain set of highly ingenious resources are, with the Prefect, a sort of Procrustean bed, to which he forcibly adapts his designs.†2 more adapt → adapts:changes to fit a different situation Show general definition for adapt (as in: adapted to the new rules) changed to fit a different situation; or made suitable
	3	top 200
analogycomparison of different things to point to a shared characteristic Her analogy is flawed.more Show sample from book an analogous source of error2 more analogy → analogous:similar in some respect Show general definition a comparison of different things to point to a shared characteristic Show editor's word notes Analogies are typically used to explain something unfamiliar by comparing it to something that is simpler or more familiar. They are also used in argument to suggest that what is true for one situation is also true in the other.
	5	top 2000
probeinvestigation There was a congressional probe into the scandal.more Show sample from book The cushions we probed with the fine long needles you have seen me employ.4 more probe → probed:investigated Show general definition to investigate closely; or a tool or device used to explore, examine, or gather information
	2	top 100
alludeallude → alluded:indirectly referenced He alluded to Susan without mentioning her name.more Show sample from book The boy to whom I allude won all the marbles of the school.1 more indirectly reference 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.
	3	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 —And here the Prefect, producing a memorandum-book proceeded to read aloud a minute account of the internal, and especially of the external appearance of the missing document.†2 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"
	3	top 1000
cunningclever and deceitful She came up with a cunning scheme to cheat him.more Show sample from book They are persevering, ingenious, cunning, and thoroughly versed in the knowledge which their duties seem chiefly to demand.†2 more good at achieving goals through cleverness and deception Show general definition for cunning (as in: a cunning thief) being good at achieving goals through cleverness -- and typically through deception as well (tricking others)
	2	top 500
attaingain or reach something with effort She was the first woman to attain the rank of general.more Show sample from book There are two brothers, I know; and both have attained reputation in letters.†1 more attain → attained:gained or reached something with effort Show general definition to gain or reach something with effort
	2	top 500
motivereason (for doing something) She believes the profit motive encourages people to satisfy other people's needs.more Show sample from book In the consideration of motive it fails; for two motives, each of a given value, have not, necessarily, a value when united, equal to the sum of their values apart.†1 more Show general definition for motive (as in: What is her motive?) a reason for doing something
	3	top 2000
ingeniousshowing cleverness and originality It is an ingenious solution to the problem. It is as reliable as it is easy.more Show sample from book The method of the theft was not less ingenious than bold.†2 more
	2	top 500
profoundintense (of great emotional depth) Her apology was heartfelt--expressing profound sorrow and regret.more Show sample from book "Ha! ha! ha--ha! ha! ha!--ho! ho! ho!" roared our visiter, profoundly amused, "oh, Dupin, you will be the death of me yet!"1 more profound → profoundly:with greatest intensity or emotional depth Show general definition for profound (as in: profound sadness) of greatest intensity or emotional depth
	4	top 10
inferfigure out or guess by reasoning Which of the following facts can you infer from the first paragraph?more Show sample from book "It is clearly inferred," replied the Prefect,3 more infer → inferred:concluded by reasoning Show general definition to figure out or guess by reasoning
	1	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 A novice in the game generally seeks to embarrass his opponents by giving them the most minutely lettered names; but the adept selects such words as stretch, in large characters, from one end of the chart to the other.1 more minute → minutely:in a small way Show general definition for minute (as in: minute size) small, exceptionally small, or insignificant
	1
minute#2including even small considerations We discussed it in minute detail.more Show sample from book And here the Prefect, producing a memorandum-book proceeded to read aloud a minute account of the internal, and especially of the external appearance of the missing document.1 more carefully detailed Show general definition for minute (as in: minute description) detailed (including even small considerations); and/or careful (done with care)
	4
ingenuitythe ability to solve problems in smart creative ways It will take more than ingenuity to clean this up. We're going to have to admit our mistake.more Show sample from book ...I reflected upon the daring, dashing, and discriminating ingenuity of D—3 more ability to solve problems in smart creative ways
	3
waylayambush I worried that the gang might be waiting outside to waylay me.more Show sample from book He has been twice waylaid, as if by footpads, and his person rigorously searched under my own inspection.†2 more waylay → waylaid:to stop someone unexpectedly -- usually to attack or to talk Show general definition to stop someone unexpectedly -- usually to attack or to talk
	2	top 2000
unobtrusiveunobtrusive → unobtrusively:fitting in so as not to attract much attention or disturb The web site has a lot of ads, but they are unobtrusively placed on the far right of the screen.more Show sample from book These, like the over-largely lettered signs and placards of the street, escape observation by dint of being excessively obvious; and here the physical oversight is precisely analogous with the moral inapprehension by which the intellect suffers to pass unnoticed those considerations which are too obtrusively and too palpably self-evident.†1 more unobtrusive → obtrusively:in a manner that attracts undesired attention or imposes on others Show context notes Unobtrusive is encountered more than twice as commonly as any form of obtrusive without the prefix un-. The prefix "un-" in unobtrusively means not and reverses the meaning of obtrusively. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.
	2
felonsomeone convicted of a serious crime Each state determines how long a felon is denied the right to vote.more Show sample from book They are right in this much—that their own ingenuity is a faithful representative of that of the mass; but when the cunning of the individual felon is diverse in character from their own, the felon foils them, of course.† someone legally convicted of a felony (serious crime) Show general definition someone legally convicted of a felony (serious crime)