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Doctor Zhivago

Extra Credit Words with Typical Sample Sentences

instructions
affectation
2 uses
She is comfortable in her own skin and meets strangers without affectation.
affectation = behaving in an artificial way to make an impression
Word Statistics
Book2 uses
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 2.13
Web Links
aggrieve
1 use
He fears a lawsuit from one of the aggrieved parties.
aggrieved = feeling harmed from unfair treatment
DefinitionGenerally aggrieve means:
feeling harmed by unfair treatment; or (more rarely) harming someone unfairly
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 2.13
Web Links
antediluvian
1 use
Someone needs to replace her and her antediluvian ideas.
antediluvian = ancient
DefinitionGenerally antediluvian means:
very old; or relating to the period before the biblical flood
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library0 uses in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 2.9
Web Links
arable
1 use
China has almost 20% of the world's population, but has only 7% of its arable land.
arable = capable of being farmed productively
DefinitionGenerally arable means:
of land:  capable of being farmed productively
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library0 uses in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 2.10
Web Links
arbiter
1 use
She was the final arbiter on all matters of fashion.
arbiter = someone who settles disputes — often because of reputation
DefinitionGenerally arbiter means:
someone who settles disputes — often because of reputation

or:

someone chosen to judge and decide a disputed issue
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 1.2
Web Links
atrophy
1 use
Muscles that are not used will quickly atrophy.
atrophy = wither or weaken — especially from lack of use
DefinitionGenerally atrophy means:
to wither or weaken — especially from lack of use
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 2.11
Web Links
banal
1 use
The movie was banal, but it led to a fascinating conversation.
banal = uninteresting due to a lack of anything original or unusual
DefinitionGenerally banal means:
uninteresting due to a lack of anything original or unusual

(editor's note:  This word is correctly pronounced differently by various educated speakers of American English.)
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 1.4
Web Links
calumny
1 use
He denied all such allegations as "lies, calumny, and manipulation."
calumny = false accusations
DefinitionGenerally calumny means:
false accusation against a person
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 1.2
Web Links
carouse
1 use
They were out carousing last night.
carousing = having fun in a noisy manner while drinking alcohol
DefinitionGenerally carouse means:
having fun with others in a noisy manner while drinking alcohol
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 2.17
Web Links
conducive
1 use
The dorm room was not conducive to studying.
conducive = helpful
DefinitionGenerally conducive means:
contribute (help lead to a result)
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 1000
1st useChapter 2.14
Web Links
diffident
3 uses
She is diffident around adults, but dominant with her peer group.
diffident = hesitant and unassertive
DefinitionGenerally diffident means:
hesitant and unassertive — often due to a lack of self-confidence
Word Statistics
Book3 uses
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 1.1
Web Links
foreshadow
1 use
The author is known for creative use of foreshadowing.
foreshadowing = using events as signs of future events
DefinitionGenerally foreshadow means:
to be a sign of future events
Word Statistics
Book1 use
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 500
1st useChapter 2.6
Web Links
inarticulate
2 uses
She becomes inarticulate when she's nervous.
inarticulate = unable to express herself clearly
DefinitionGenerally inarticulate means:
unable to communicate clearly (or to use words)

or (more rarely): a feeling or idea that is not expressed

The exact meaning of inarticulate depends upon its context. For example:
  • unable to find good words to express oneself — as in "She gets inarticulate when she's nervous."
  • verbally expressing a feeling without words — as in "She uttered an inarticulate cry of despair."
  • unable to make oneself heard and understood — as in "She mumbled inarticulately."
  • unable to speak — as in "She was inarticulate with rage."
  • a feeling or idea that is not expressed — as in "We shared an inarticulate fear."
  • inability to express or understand feelings or ideas — as in "She is emotionally inarticulate, " or "Her symphony is inarticulate."
Word Statistics
Book2 uses
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 2.5
Web Links
inveterate
3 uses
She's an inveterate gossip.
inveterate = habitual
DefinitionGenerally inveterate means:
habitual; or something of long standing
Word Statistics
Book3 uses
Library0 uses in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 1.1
Web Links
misanthrope
2 uses
Homer Simpson's boss is a greedy misanthrope.
misanthrope = person who dislikes other people
DefinitionGenerally misanthrope means:
someone who dislikes people — and often distrusts them
Word Statistics
Book2 uses
Library0 uses in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 1.4
Web Links
naivete
3 uses
She criticized the naivete of American foreign policy.
naivete = lack of sophistication
DefinitionGenerally naivete means:
inexperience, innocence, or lack of sophistication
Word Statistics
Book3 uses
Library0 uses in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 2.5
Web Links
repudiate
2 uses
The parents repudiated their son.
repudiated = strongly rejected
DefinitionGenerally repudiate means:
strong rejection — especially when the idea or thing being rejected was once embraced
Word Statistics
Book2 uses
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
SAT®*top 1000
1st useChapter 2.13
Web Links
supercilious
2 uses
I have come to hate her supercilious smile.
supercilious = arrogant
DefinitionGenerally supercilious means:
arrogant (acting as if better, more important, and superior in ideas than others)
Word Statistics
Book2 uses
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 2.11
Web Links
superfluous
5 uses
Eliminate superfluous words.
superfluous = more than is needed, desired, or required
Word Statistics
Book5 uses
Library1 use in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 1.2
Web Links
timorous
3 uses
She was timorous as a mouse.
timorous = timid
DefinitionGenerally timorous means:
timid (fearful) or shy
Word Statistics
Book3 uses
Library0 uses in 10 avg bks
1st useChapter 2.12
Web Links
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