Like Water for Chocolate — Vocabulary
Laura Esquivel
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	7	top 100
establishestablish → established:created Which word choice best maintains the tone established in the first paragraph?more Show sample from book From the first, they had established a communication that went far beyond words.8 more establish → established:created and maintained Show general definition for establish (as in: establish a positive tone) create, start, or set in [a] place
	2	top 100
establish#2establish → establishing:showing or demonstrating The passage is primarily about establishing the relationship between the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and global temperature.more Show sample from book And besides, she'd like to know what kind of studies had established that the youngest daughter and not the eldest is best suited to care for their mother.8 more establish → established:shown Show general definition for establish (as in: establish that there is a need) show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
	1	top 10
contrastpoint to differences between Contrast winter in Panama with winter in Alaska.more Show sample from book John, in contrast, was offering her something different, the opportunity to establish a new family that no one could take away from her.2 more contrast → in contrast:in a comparison that shows a difference Show general definition for contrast (as in: contrast their writing styles) point to differences between; or compare to show differences
	2	top 10
contrast#2notable difference The contrast in their leadership styles is striking. Olivia motivated people with fear. Isabella motivated them with praise.more Show sample from book The delicacy of her face, the perfection of her pure virginal body contrasted with the passion, the lust, that leapt from her eyes, from her every pore.2 more contrast → contrasted:gave a completely different impression Show general definition for contrast (as in: there is a contrast) a difference -- especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
	2	top 100
howeverdespite that (a transition word use to connect contrasting ideas) Most college application deadlines are in January and February. However, early admission deadlines are around November and some scholarships require even earlier deadlines.more Show sample from book However, hot chocolate made with water is more digestible than that made with milk.2 more though (used to connect contrasting ideas) Show general definition for however (as in: However, complications may...) though (or another expression that connects contrasting ideas) 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 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrast and but.
	1	top 2000
however#2in whatever way However we do it, someone is going to be unhappy.more Show sample from book She could move them however she pleased, yet she didn't know what to do with them, other than knitting.2 more Show general definition for however (as in: However you do it, get it done!) in whatever way
	2	top 2000
acutesharp (severe or very bad) She felt an acute pain in her neck.more Show sample from book John's diagnosis was an acute congestion of the stomach.2 more very bad Show general definition for acute (as in: acute pain) sharp (severe or strong) -- usually negative
	1	top 2000
acute#2excellent (highly perceptive) Dogs have an acute sense of smell.more Show sample from book ...her senses were more acute,2 more perceptive (working very well) Show general definition for acute (as in: acute sense of smell) sharp (highly perceptive in some area or mentally sharp)
	7	top 2000
tormenttorment → tormenting:causing great mental or physical suffering She enjoys tormenting others.†more Show sample from book For months she'd been tormented by the thought that Pedro had lied to her on his wedding day, that he'd told her he loved her just so she wouldn't suffer, or that as time went on, he really had grown to love Rosaura.6 more torment → tormented:made to experience great mental suffering Show general definition to cause or to experience great mental or physical suffering
	6	top 1000
infiniteunlimited There are infinite possibilities.more Show sample from book no matter how hard Tita tried she always got an infinite number of things wrong.5 more too numerous to count Show general definition unlimited; without boundaries; or too numerous to count
	4	top 1000
luminousshining The sky was luminous with stars.more Show sample from book Using this method, he obtained a luminous substance that burned with an intensity such as had never been seen before.3 more glowing Show general definition glowing or shining (also used metaphorically to describe beauty or intelligence)
	3	top 500
agitateagitate → agitating:stirring up emotions to increase unrest We are agitating public unrest, so there will be a cry for change.more Show sample from book "You know that she can't marry!" she exclaimed, gripped by a violent agitation.†2 more agitate → agitation:the act of stirring up (emotionally or physically); or a state of emotional unrest Show general definition to stir up or shake -- emotionally (as when people are angered or upset) or physically (as when a washing machine cleans clothes)
	3	top 500
confideconfide → confided:placed trust (in someone) by talking about private things She confided in me. I won't repeat what was said.more Show sample from book Mama Elena asked the doctor to lock the door and confided to him her suspicions about the bitterness of the food.†2 more Show general definition to place trust (in someone) by talking about private things or telling secrets
	3	top 500
motivereason (for doing something) She believes the profit motive encourages people to satisfy other people's needs.more Show sample from book Tita was so happy that she didn't realize that her mother—like John, except that she had a different motive—was not letting her out of sight for a single instant.†2 more Show general definition for motive (as in: What is her motive?) a reason for doing something
	5	top 1000
kindlearouse or inspire Travel documentaries kindle my desire to explore new places.more Show sample from book It was as if all her inner joy, which had nearly been extinguished, had suddenly been rekindled by Pedro's warm breath upon her neck, the hot touch of his hands upon her back, his chest...4 more kindle → rekindled:re-aroused Show context notes The prefix "re-" in rekindles means again. This is the same pattern you see in words like reconsider, rearrange, and regenerate.
	3
illicitillegal Too many people die from unregulated, illicit drugs.more Show sample from book Young Jose Trevino was the product of an illicit love affair between the elder Jose Trevino and a beautiful Negress.2 more contrary to law or accepted morality
	2
insomniaan inability to sleep She suffers from insomnia.more Show sample from book Chencha, weeping, was running alongside the carriage as they left and barely managed to toss onto Tita's shoulders the enormous bedspread she had knit during her endless nights of insomnia.†1 more Show general definition an inability to sleep; or a disease that constantly creates an inability to sleep
	2
perpetuatecause to continue Spreading false rumors can perpetuate harmful stereotypes.more Show sample from book Tita prayed that the idea of perpetuating this cruel tradition would not cross Rosaura's mind.†1 more perpetuate → perpetuating:to cause to continue Show general definition to cause to continue
	1	top 500
inhibitedunable to act naturally due to being overly self-conscious She's personable and funny with her friends, but she tends to be inhibited with strangers.more Show sample from book She lightly hitched her skirt up to her knee, quite uninhibited.† inhibited → uninhibited:acting naturally without being overly self-conscious Show context notes The prefix "un-" in uninhibited means not and reverses the meaning of inhibited. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.
	1	top 1000
rigorousthorough The scientist conducted a rigorous analysis of the data to ensure no detail was overlooked.more Show sample from book By itself, the regimen proposed here, when followed rigorously, can purify the foulest breath. rigorous → rigorously:thoroughly and carefully Show context notes In this context, a regimen is a set of instructions for doing something. Show general definition for rigorous (as in: we follow a rigorous procedure) thorough and careful procedures