Adam Bede — Vocabulary
George Eliot
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	58	top 2000
parisha local church community or in some places including Louisiana: a jurisdiction of government like a county Are we talking about a governmental or a religious parish?more Show sample from book Your Reverence is very good to say so; an' I'm sensable as, you not livin' i' the parish, there's more upo' my shoulders.†57 more a local church community…
	22	top 1000
yearnstrongly desire or wish I yearn for her return.more Show sample from book The two pale faces were looking at each other: one with a wild hard despair in it, the other full of sad yearning love.†21 more yearn → yearning:strongly desiring; or a strong desire Show general definition have a strong desire -- often for something difficult or impossible to have
	14	top 500
abundantpresent in great quantity Farmers in the region enjoy good soil, moderate temperatures, and an abundant supply of water.more Show sample from book The tall buildings round the yard shut out a good deal of the sky, but the large window let in abundant light to show every corner of the house-place.†13 more Show general definition present in great quantity
	3	top 100
yieldproduce (lead to) The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.more Show sample from book The boy's flutelike voice has its own spring charm; but the man should yield a richer deeper music.5 more produce or give Show general definition for yield (as in: will yield valuable data) to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
	3	top 100
yield#2give in The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.more Show sample from book The amatory David was a young man of an unconscious abstracted expression, which was due probably to a squint of superior intensity rather than to any mental characteristic; for he was not indifferent to Ben's invitation, but blushed and laughed and rubbed his sleeve over his mouth in a way that was regarded as a symptom of yielding.5 more yield → yielding:giving in, giving up, or giving way (easily moved or soft) Show general definition for yield (as in: yield to pressure) to give in, give way, or give up
	9	top 10
contrastnotable 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 family likeness between her and her niece Dinah Morris, with the contrast between her keenness and Dinah's seraphic gentleness of expression, might have served a painter as an excellent suggestion for a Martha and Mary.†8 more 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
	16	top 2000
forsakeabandon or give up The country must forsake terrorism as a political instrument.more Show sample from book 'My God, my God!' he cries, 'why hast Thou forsaken me?'†15 more forsake → forsaken:abandoned or given up on Show general definition to abandon or give up on -- such as someone who needs you, or an idea, or a place
	11	top 200
moreoverin addition to what has just been said The company has too much debt. Moreover, it is responsible for a long-term lease on expensive office space.more Show sample from book Moreover, Hetty was particularly clever at making up the butter; it was the one performance of hers that her aunt allowed to pass without severe criticism; so she handled it with all the grace that belongs to mastery.†10 more
	13	top 1000
languidslow, unhurried No urging could increase his languid pace.more Show sample from book "Molly," she said, rather languidly, "just run out and get me a bunch of dock-leaves: the butter's ready to pack up now."†12 more languid → languidly:without much energy; or moving slowly or in a relaxed manner Show general definition lacking energy or relaxed or moving slowly
	14	top 1000
reproachreproach → reproached:criticized and expressed disappointment She reproached him for treating his sister so thoughtlessly.more Show sample from book I could ha' wished myself as Adam could ha' made another choice, but I wouldn't reproach him for what he can't help.†13 more a criticism; or to express criticism Show general definition a criticism; or to express criticism or disappointment -- especially where a relationship makes the disapproval result in disappointment or shame Show editor's word notes The expression "beyond reproach" is often used to indicate that one must not only be careful to do everything right, but must be careful not to do anything that might make people suspect they did something wrong. For example, politicians often need to behave in a manner that is beyond reproach. "Beyond reproach" can also suggest that something is perfect. More rarely, it can also be used to suggest that someone is too powerful or too well-connected to criticize.
	15	top 1000
discernnotice or see (something that is not obvious) The second picture has more pixels, but the human eye can't discern the difference.more Show sample from book There was light enough for her, if she opened her Bible, to discern the text sufficiently to know what it would say to her.†14 more notice or understand something Show general definition to notice or understand something -- often something that is not obvious
	15	top 2000
tremulousquivering (shaky) She spoke timidly in a tremulous voice.more Show sample from book Hetty spoke more audibly now, but still rather tremulously; she thought, perhaps she seemed as stupid to Captain Donnithorne as Luke Britton did to her.†14 more tremulous → tremulously:with quivering (shakiness) Show general definition quivering (unsteady or shaky) -- usually from weakness or fear -- especially of the voice
	14	top 2000
vexfrustrate The complicated math problem continued to vex the entire class until the teacher provided a clearer explanation of the formula.more Show sample from book She's own niece to Poyser's wife, an' they'll be fine an' vexed at her for making a fool of herself i' that way.†13 more vex → vexed:annoyed Show general definition to annoy, worry, or frustrate -- especially by being difficult or persistent
	12	top 1000
melancholyvery sad She's been in a melancholy mood since her dog died.more Show sample from book A melancholy morning—because it was nearly time hay-harvest should begin, and instead of that the meadows were likely to be flooded.†11 more a sad feeling or manner Show general definition a sad feeling or manner -- sometimes thoughtfully sad
	56	top 1000
allayreduce the intensity of They have tried to allay fears by saying their weapons are of a defensive nature.more Show sample from book He's allays put up his hoss here, sir, iver since before I hed the Donnithorne Arms.†55 more allay → allays:reduces the intensity of or calms Show general definition reduce the intensity of; or calm
	10
peevisheasily annoyed The peevish child refused to eat his vegetables and threw a tantrum at the dinner table.more Show sample from book Seth had never in his life spoken a harsh word to his mother, and timid people always wreak their peevishness on the gentle.†9 more peevish → peevishness:annoyed or easily annoyed -- especially by unimportant things Show general definition annoyed or easily annoyed -- especially by unimportant things
	6	top 500
impetuousimpulsive (made suddenly without much thought) She regretted her impetuous promise.†more Show sample from book "Let be!" said Adam impetuously, shaking her off and seizing one of the planks that stood against the wall.†5 more impetuous → impetuously:impulsively (acting suddenly without much thought) Show general definition for impetuous (as in: an impetuous decision) impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought) -- often with an unfortunate consequence
	7	top 2000
approbationapproval She is not motivated by popular approbation.more Show sample from book His own approbation was necessary to him, and it was not an approbation to be enjoyed quite gratuitously; it must be won by a fair amount of merit.†6 more Show general definition approval - often official
	5	top 500
superfluousmore than is needed, desired, or required Eliminate superfluous words.more Show sample from book But for all who saw them through a less mythical medium, the Miss Irwines were quite superfluous existences—inartistic figures crowding the canvas of life without adequate effect.†4 more
	6
coquettea woman who is casually playful in a way that arouses sexual interest of men Her early roles limited her to the decorative coquette, but she had a breakout role in...more Show sample from book Hetty dropped the prettiest little curtsy, and stole a half-shy, half-coquettish glance at him as she said, "Yes, thank you, sir."†5 more coquette → coquettish:casually playful in a way that arouses sexual interest of men Show general definition a woman who is casually playful in a way that arouses sexual interest of men but does not imply serious flirtation Show editor's word notes Coquette is a French word that is similar to the word flirt. There are two primary differences:<ol><li>Coquette only refers to a woman whereas flirt can refer to either sex.</li><li>To say someone is coquettish implies that she is just being playful and does not intend sexual relations with the man with whom she is interacting; whereas when a woman is described as flirting, the word does not indicate whether she is just being playful or she wants to instigate sexual relations.</li></ol>