The House of the Spirits — Vocabulary
Isabel Allende
translated by: Magda Bogin
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	82	top 2000
patronpatron → patrons:customers The café was filled with patrons enjoying coffee and studying for exams.more Show sample from book After his terrible encounter with his patron, he was taken in by Father Jose Dulce Maria in the parish house.†81 more a regular customer… Show general definition for patron (as in: a patron of the arts) a regular customer; or someone who gives money or support to an organization, cause, or person
	60	top 1000
peasantpeasant → peasants:an historical term describing people of low income, education, and social standing Most people in the Middle Ages were peasants.more Show sample from book Because when it comes right down to it, those poor peasants are a lot worse off today than they were fifty years ago.†59 more peasant → peasants:used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country: people of low income, education, and social standing -- especially those who raise crops or livestock Show general definition used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country: a person of low income, education, and social standing -- especially one who raises crops or livestock
	2	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 Clara's strangeness was simply an attribute of their youngest daughter, like Luis's limp or Rosa's beauty.†10 more characteristic (of something or someone) Show general definition for attribute (as in: It is an attribute of...) a characteristic or feature (of something or someone)
	9	top 100
attribute#2attribute → attributed:credited (pointed to as the source of) She attributed this quotation to Shakespeare.more Show sample from book This they attributed to Clara.10 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
	29	top 2000
communisman economic system that abolishes private ownership of property with the goal of a classless society A challenge with communism is that it is harder to know how to allocate capital when prices are subjective rather than the product of individual valuations.†more Show sample from book Trueba would not listen to this sort of thing: it smacked, he said, of Communism.†28 more Show general definition an economic system that abolishes private ownership of property with the goal of a classless society
	28	top 2000
socialisman economic system based on government ownership and control of all companies -- with the ideal of equal benefits to all people She believes that more socialism would be more fair.more Show sample from book "The Socialists are going to win," Jaime had said.†27 more socialism → socialists:people who want an economic system based on government ownership or control of all important companies -- with the ideal of equal benefits to all people Show general definition an economic system based on government ownership or control of all important companies -- with the ideal of equal benefits to all people
	6	top 100
correspondcorrespond → corresponds:is equivalent The girls are using a simple code where "1" corresponds to "A", "2" to "B" and so on for each of the 26 letters of the alphabet.more Show sample from book I am beginning to suspect that nothing that happens is fortuitous, that it all corresponds to a fate laid down before my birth, and that Esteban Garcia is part of the design.†7 more correspond → corresponds:connects or fits together by being equivalent, proportionate, or matched Show general definition for correspond (as in: corresponding time period) connect or fit together by being equivalent, proportionate, or matched (Two things are equivalent if they have the same or very similar value, purpose, or result.)
	2	top 2000
correspond#2write to each other We correspond regularly via email.more Show sample from book Over the course of the next few years Esteban Trueba kept abreast of the black sheep of the family through Blan-ca's sporadic correspondence with him.†7 more correspond → correspondence:communication by written letters or messages Show general definition for correspond (as in: corresponding by email) communicate -- typically by writing letters or email Show editor's word notes A corresponding secretary is an officer of an organization who is responsible for managing the organization's correspondence and keeping a record of it.
	17	top 1000
eccentricodd or unusual Her eccentric outfits always turned heads at school.more Show sample from book She had helped at her birth and was the only one who really understood the child's eccentricities.†16 more eccentric → eccentricities:unconventional or strange behaviors Show general definition unconventional or strange; or a person with such traits -- often in a way that seems interesting or harmless
	11	top 100
precedeprecede → preceded:were before in time Stone tools preceded bronze tools.more Show sample from book I suppose I blew my stack from all the pressure I'd been under the preceding months.†10 more precede → preceding:prior (in time or space) Show general definition to go or do before
	4	top 500
preservepreserve → preserving:protecting or keeping something from changing They are preserving the elephant habitat.more Show sample from book Both men plunged into the work of preserving her with unguents and filling her with mortician's paste.6 more preserve → preserving:protecting (keeping it as it is) Show general definition for preserve (as in: preserve the records) to protect something or to keep it as it is
	3	top 500
preserveschunks of fruit cooked with sugar so they will not spoil My grandmother made preserves.more Show sample from book She took a deep breath and the air brought her the sweet scent of peaches that were drying in the courtyard to be used in preserves.6 more fruit cooked with sugar and sealed (usually in a jar) so it will not spoil Show general definition for preserves (as in: mom made preserves) chunks of fruit cooked with sugar (like jam) and sealed (usually in a mason jar) so it will not spoil
	18	top 2000
foremansupervisor She complained to the shop foreman.more Show sample from book He was the foreman's son and, to differentiate him from his father and grandfather, had been named Pedro Tercero Garcia.†17 more foreman → foreman's:a person chosen to lead and speak for a group… Show general definition a person chosen to lead and speak for a group, especially at work or in a courtroom Show editor's word notes At work, a foreman is the worker who supervises and directs other workers, often in factories, workshops, or on construction sites. In a court case, the foreman is the juror selected to lead the jury and announce its decision.
	3	top 10
illustratemake clear Pictures of flooding help to illustrate the problem of global warming.more Show sample from book The Jesuit's index finger, which was already raised to illustrate additional tortures, remained suspended like a lightning rod above his head.4 more help make clear Show general definition for illustrate (as in: as illustrated by this example) to help make clear -- typically by example
	10	top 1000
clairvoyancehe supposed ability to know things beyond normal perception The detective's ability to solve cold cases seemed almost like clairvoyance, though it was really just careful observation and intuition.more Show sample from book Marcos maintained that his niece's gift could be a source of income and a good opportunity for him to cultivate his own clairvoyance.†9 more to perceive things beyond the natural range of the senses Show general definition to perceive things beyond the natural range of the senses -- especially foreseeing the future
	6
complicitguilty of helping She is accused of being complicit in the crime.more Show sample from book She was waiting for him seated in her chair, holding Miguel's hand, the two of them deep in a mutual complicity from which, as always, Nicolas felt excluded.†5 more complicit → complicity:act of helping in a crime or offense Show general definition act of helping in a crime or offense
	6
harangueannoyingly try to persuade or criticize My parents continuously harangue me about my grades.more Show sample from book She was too busy putting things on the table and taking them away, and keeping an eye on her daughter, but as she removed the soup bowl with the leftover lentils she caught the final words of her husband's harangue.†5 more to try to persuade, or to criticize in an impassioned and often annoying manner… Show general definition to try to persuade, or to criticize in an impassioned and often annoying manner; or a speech with such an intent
	4	top 500
opulentmagnificent and luxurious We were impressed by her opulent home.more Show sample from book She was no longer the opulent woman he had left years ago.†3 more Show general definition magnificent and luxurious -- usually expensive
	4
anesthesialoss of bodily sensation The operation requires general anesthesia.more Show sample from book He had never administered anesthesia or performed a surgical operation.†3 more loss of bodily sensation -- especially created intentionally to control pain Show general definition loss of bodily sensation -- especially created intentionally to control pain Show editor's word notes There are two broad categories of anesthetics given to cause anesthesia: A general anesthetic causes loss of consciousness. A local anesthetic blocks sensation in a limited region of the body while maintaining consciousness.
	4
cavortcavort → cavorted:played in a lively, unrestrained manner The puppies cavorted in the basket.more Show sample from book He was probably happy that night and the few nights after as the two of them cavorted like two puppies in the huge wrought-iron bed that had belonged to the first Trueba and was now somewhat wobbly, although it still withstood the thrusts of love.†3 more Show general definition to play in a lively, unrestrained manner -- typically with someone -- sometimes implying sexual play