Their Eyes Were Watching God — Vocabulary
Zora Neale Hurston
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	15	top 2000
liablelikely to She's so busy, she's liable to forget.more Show sample from book he's liable to bite somebody elsep.177.714 more maybe going to Show general definition for liable (as in: she is liable to) likely to; or maybe going to; or subject to
	8	top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book Making all that show of humbleness and scorning him all the time!p.80.77 more scorn → scorning:rejecting as not good enough Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
	5	top 200
malicemalice → malicious:evil; or made with the intent to make others suffer I am not interested in hearing malicious gossip.more Show sample from book He says he never mean to lay de weight uh his hand on me in malice.p.22.94 more wanting to see others suffer Show general definition the intention or desire to see others suffer
	3	top 500
reconcilecome to terms with After the accident, she had to reconcile herself to life without loving parents.more Show sample from book In a way it was good because it reconciled her to things.p.77.22 more reconcile → reconciled:brought to terms (made compatible) Show general definition for reconcile (as in: reconciled herself to) to accept something difficult or unwanted -- especially when it can’t be changed
	4	top 1000
rationration → rationed:restricted in the amount each person could have Gasoline was rationed during the 1970s oil embargo.more Show sample from book ain't you never goin' tuh gimme dat lil rations you brought me?†p.5.13 more ration → rations:a fixed share of something, especially scarce goods like food or fuel… Show general definition a fixed share of something, especially scarce goods like food or fuel; or to limit and distribute something in fixed shares
	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 Behind her crude words was a belief that somehow she and others through worship could attain her paradise—a heaven of straighthaired, thin-lipped, high-nose boned white seraphs.†p.145.41 more Show general definition to gain or reach something with effort
	2	top 500
indulgeindulge → indulges:allows them to get their way She indulges her children more than is good for them.more Show sample from book Everybody indulged in mule talk.†p.53.91 more indulge → indulged:enjoyed to excess Show general definition to give in to a desire or allow someone to enjoy or experience something -- especially something pleasurable
	3	top 1000
divinewonderful Her pies are divine.more Show sample from book Mrs. Tony's ecstasy was divine.p.73.52 more Show general definition for divine (as in: to forgive is divine) wonderful; or god-like or coming from God
	3	top 1000
dwindlegradually decrease As the night wore on, the crowd at the concert began to dwindle.more Show sample from book Nanny sent Janie along with a stern mien, but she dwindled all the rest of the day as she worked.†p.24.62 more dwindle → dwindled:decreased Show general definition to gradually become smaller, fewer, or weaker
	2	top 1000
futilepointless because it cannot produce anything useful Resistance is futile.more Show sample from book ...Janie knew the futile fight was not with her.p.87.31 more pointless (useless because it will be unproductive or unsuccessful) Show general definition effort that is pointless because it is unproductive or unsuccessful
	2	top 1000
retortquickly reply She wanted to retort that he that he sounded foolish, but she made herself count to ten and thought better of it.more Show sample from book "You'se uh lie," Sop retorted.†p.150.71 more retort → retorted:quickly replied Show general definition for retort (as in: quick retort) a quick reply to a question or remark -- especially a witty or critical one
	2	top 1000
revelationsomething surprising and previously unknown It was a revelation to me. Until they gave us those tests, I had no idea that I was better than most people at clerical accuracy.more Show sample from book Janie full of that oldest human longing—self-revelation.p.7.11 more something previously unknown; or making such a thing known Show general definition something that was previously unknown (and typically surprising); or making such a thing known
	2	top 2000
ridiculemock (make fun of) It's easier to ridicule her ideas than to seriously refute her findings.more Show sample from book She even ridiculed him in her mind and was a little ashamed of the association.†p.106.31 more ridicule → ridiculed:mocked (made fun of) Show general definition mock (make fun of); or the language or behavior that does so
	2	top 2000
refugesafe place The park serves as a refuge for wildlife.more Show sample from book Janie was a good cook, and Joe had looked forward to his dinner as a refuge from other things.†p.72.11 more something giving protection or comfort -- especially a safe place Show general definition something giving protection or comfort -- especially a safe place
	4
scoundrelsomeone without moral principles He's a scoundrel. Don't trust him.more Show sample from book Then when her ready cash was gone, had come Who Flung to denounce his predecessor as a scoundrel and took up around the house himself.†p.118.93 more Show general definition someone without moral principles
	4
bushellarge amount After the event, we had a bushel of leftover food that we donated to a local shelter.more Show sample from book He's out huntin' up uh few mo' bushels.†p.130.23 more bushel → bushels:a large amount; OR a unit of measure used for dry goods Show general definition a large amount or: a unit of measure used for dry goods (filling an 8 gallon container)
	3
pacifycalm She was upset and I could not pacify her.more Show sample from book You ain't tried tuh pacify nobody but yo'self.p.87.12 more calm from violence Show general definition calm someone who is angry; or establish peace Show editor's word notes Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice): "Pacify" is often chosen to imply success in creating a peaceful state. "Placate" can imply that concessions were made and/or that anger was successfully replaced with goodwill. "Mollify" is a more neutral selection.
	2	top 2000
ornerycranky (easily annoyed and quick to complain and argue) I avoid contact when he's in an ornery mood.more Show sample from book Does feed de ornery varmint!†p.53.11 more easily annoyed and quick to complain and argue Show general definition for ornery (as in: is ornery when she first wakes up) quick to get annoyed, complain, argue, and be uncooperative
	2	top 2000
stolidemotionless She listened to both arguments thoughtfully, but with a face as stolid as a cow's.more Show sample from book She got so she received all things with the stolidness of the earth which soaks up urine and perfume with the same indifference.p.77.31 more stolid → stolidness:lack of emotion Show general definition having or revealing little emotion -- sometimes indicating qualities of not changing or being dependable or (much more rarely): of an object: not interesting -- often large and unmoving
	2	top 2000
hinderhinder → hindered:delayed or made difficult Her efforts to turn the department around were further hindered by budgetary cuts.more Show sample from book 'Tain't nothin' tuh hinder him 'cause Ah places de water for him.†p.24.31 more slowed down or caused problems for Show general definition for hinder (as in: hindered by) slow down or cause problems for