Go Tell It on the Mountain — Vocabulary
James Baldwin
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	17	top 500
congregationpeople who worship together in the same building It's a casual congregation where many people wander into services late.more Show sample from book One Sunday, when regular service was over, Father James had uncovered sin in the congregation of the righteous.†16 more Show general definition for congregation (as in: the congregation voted) people who worship together in the same building
	15	top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book She knew that she was mouthing words; and she realized suddenly that her mother scorned to dignify these words with her attention.†14 more scorn → scorned:disrespected or rejected Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
	14	top 500
perpetualcontinuing forever A perpetual flame burns beside the grave of John F. Kennedy.more Show sample from book In their eyes lived perpetually a lewd, uneasy wonder concerning the night she had been taken in the fields.†13 more perpetual → perpetually:continuing forever without change; OR occurring so frequently it seems constant Show general definition continuing forever without change; or occurring so frequently it seems constant
	15	top 2000
testimonythe statement of a witness at a trial Her emotional testimony moved the jury.more Show sample from book And among those many voices, and stammering with his own, John would care no longer for her testimony.†14 more something that serves as evidence -- especially a statement at a trial or hearing Show general definition something that serves as evidence -- especially a statement at a trial or hearing
	9	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 John smiled back at her, a smile that, despite the shy gratitude it was meant to convey, did not escape being ironic, or even malicious.†8 more malice → malicious:the intention or desire to see others suffer Show general definition the intention or desire to see others suffer
	13	top 2000
anguishpain I felt unbearable anguish when my 4-year-old child died from brain cancer.more Show sample from book He watched her face, his heart swollen with love for her and with an anguish, not yet his own, that he did not understand and that frightened him.†12 more extreme pain, suffering, or distress Show general definition extreme pain, suffering, or distress (of body or mind)
	11	top 1000
wrathextreme anger She could hardly contain her wrath when she learned he had betrayed her.more Show sample from book When he was young, John had paid no attention in Sunday school, and always forgot the golden text, which earned him the wrath of his father.†10 more Show general definition extreme anger or angry punishment
	12	top 2000
testifytestify → testified:provided oral evidence in court She testified against the robber.more Show sample from book And Ella Mae was not so beautiful now as she was when she was singing and testifying, but looked like a sullen, ordinary girl.†11 more testify → testifying:providing evidence of something -- especially oral evidence in court Show general definition provide evidence of something -- especially to say something under oath in a court of law
	12	top 2000
baptismbaptism → baptized:"spiritually renewed" in a Christian ceremony She was baptized at the same church as her grandmother.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 Their church was called the Temple of the Fire Baptized.†11 more baptism → baptized:"spiritually renewed" in a Christian ceremony OR initiated or purified by a challenging experience 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 a Christian ceremony signifying spiritual cleansing and rebirth or: a challenging experience that initiates or purifies Show editor's word notes Most churches baptize infants, but some require an adult to request baptism, and a few (such as the Quakers) require no baptism at all. Typically, water is used as part of the ceremony, such as sprinkling a little water on a baby's head; though some churches use complete submersion in water.
	6	top 100
neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas) The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more Show sample from book His first thought, nevertheless, was: "Will anyone remember?"†5 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 500
exasperatedgreatly annoyed She was exasperated by his teasing.more Show sample from book He kicked, pounded, twisted, pushed, using his lack of size to confound and exasperate Elisha, whose damp fists, joined at the small of John's back, soon slipped.†6 more exasperated → exasperate:greatly annoy
	8	top 1000
bewilderconfuse Some of their customs can bewilder travelers.more Show sample from book He stood, stupid with bewilderment and grief, a few inches from the bed.†7 more bewilder → bewilderment:a feeling of extreme confusion Show general definition to confuse someone
	8	top 1000
perilperil → perils:dangers The mountaineers faced many perils on their ascent to the summit, including treacherous icefalls and avalanches.more Show sample from book In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren.† Show general definition danger
	6	top 500
indifferentwithout interest About a third are in favor of the change, a third are opposed, and a third are indifferent.more Show sample from book Then she shrugged, the mildest, most indifferent gesture he had ever seen, and smiled.†5 more Show general definition without interest in various senses, including: unconcerned -- as in "She is indifferent to what is served to eat." unsympathetic -- as in "She is indifferent to his needs." not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context) -- as in "an indifferent performance" impartial -- as in "We need a judge who is indifferent."
	5
evangelista Christian who tries to convince others to become Christians The well-known evangelist, Billy Graham, filled the stadium.more Show sample from book She was one of the pillars of the church, a powerful evangelist and very widely known.†4 more someone who actively tries to persuade others to accept a belief or cause… Show general definition someone who actively tries to persuade others to accept a belief or cause, especially a Christian preacher who urges people to become Christians Show editor's word notes Most often, evangelist refers to a Christian who preaches and tries to win converts, sometimes on television, radio, or at large revival meetings. More broadly, the word can be used for anyone who strongly promotes an idea, product, or cause—such as a “climate evangelist” or a “tech evangelist.” When capitalized as Evangelist in Christian writing, it can also refer to one of the traditional authors of the four Gospels in the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
	4	top 2000
brazenbold and improper She made a brazen attempt to take credit for her colleague’s work during the meeting.more Show sample from book that she stood, so brazen, in the congregation of the righteous and refused to bow her head.†3 more bold and unrestrained by what others consider proper Show general definition bold and unrestrained by what others consider proper
	4
impersonallacking warmth or personal connection I don't want to deal with an impersonal corporation.more Show sample from book The weak, unsteady light placed shadows under her mouth and in the sockets of her eyes, making the face impersonal with majesty, like the face of a prophetess, or like a mask.†3 more Show general definition not influenced by personal feelings -- often indicating a lack of warmth of personal connection
	3	top 2000
implacableunyielding Despite his apologies, she remained implacable and refused to forgive him.more Show sample from book Go on, girl, he whispered, as the student, facing her implacable ill will, sighed and wept.†2 more Show general definition unyielding -- often in remaining angry
	3
infernalvery annoying Please stop making that infernal noise!more Show sample from book For there were really two dreams, the first like a dim, blurred, infernal foreshadowing of the second.†2 more very bad; OR very annoying; OR characteristic of hell or the underworld Show general definition very bad; or very annoying; or characteristic of hell or the underworld
	2	top 1000
corroboratesupport The detectives looked for evidence to corroborate her story.more Show sample from book He regretted making his offer almost as soon as it was made; he had been certain that she was about to rush off to some trysting-place or other, and he had merely wished to be corroborated.†1 more corroborate → corroborated:supported Show general definition to support an opinion -- typically with additional evidence or testimony