Lost Horizon — Vocabulary
James Hilton
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	12	top 500
recollectremember I think I recollect that she was away at college that year.more Show sample from book He gave a Speech Day oration in Greek, I recollect, and was outstandingly first-rate in school theatricals.†11 more Show general definition to remember -- especially experiences from long ago Show editor's word notes Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice): Relative to its synonyms, recollect brings to mind a leisurely piecing together of distant memories. It may be used in a less formal manner than remember and is almost always less formal than recall.
	15
monasterymonastery → monasteries:residences of religious communities Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries was the largest legally enforced transfer of property in English history since the Norman Conquest.more Show sample from book "Please," she said, though the word was by no means submissive, "will you tell us about the monastery?"†14 more the residence of a religious community Show general definition the residence of a religious community
	10	top 1000
retortquickly reply She wanted to retort that he that he sounded foolish, but she made herself count to ten and thought better of it.more Show sample from book "I know that nobody except a damn fine airman could," retorted Barnard.†9 more retort → retorted:quickly replied Show general definition for retort (as in: quick retort) a quick reply to a question or remark -- especially a witty or critical one
	7	top 500
contemplatethink deeply about After the meeting, she needed some time alone to contemplate her next move.more Show sample from book While he was still contemplating the scene, twilight fell, steeping the depths in a rich, velvet gloom that spread upwards like a dye.†6 more contemplate → contemplating:consider or ponder Show general definition consider or ponder
	8	top 1000
tranquilcalm I love a lake with tranquil blue water.†more Show sample from book One had to breathe consciously and deliberately, which, though disconcerting at first, induced after a time an almost ecstatic tranquillity of mind.†7 more tranquil → tranquillity:peace and quiet; or calmness Show context notes This is a British spelling. Americans use tranquility. Show general definition calm and undisturbed
	5	top 100
phenomenonsomething that is of special interest It is a growing social phenomenon on high school campuses.more Show sample from book I said I couldn't imagine such a phenomenon, and chaffed her gently about being able to detect a refined accent in a language she didn't know.†4 more something that exists or happened -- often of special interest Show general definition something that exists or happened -- especially something of special interest -- sometimes someone or something that is extraordinary Show editor's word notes "Phenomenons" and "phenomena" are both appropriate plural forms of this noun. "Phenomena" is generally used in scientific or philosophical contexts.
	8	top 2000
inhabitantinhabitant → inhabitants:people (who live in a particular place) What will traffic be like if the city has twice as many inhabitants?more Show sample from book In the valley which you have seen, and in which there are several thousand inhabitants living under the control of our order, we have found that the principle makes for a considerable degree of happiness.†7 more Show general definition a person who lives in a particular place
	5	top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book Mallinson answered with that touch of scorn which any healthy-minded young Englishman must feel at the mention of poetry.†4 more disrespect or reject as not good enough Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
	5	top 500
attaingain or reach something with effort She was the first woman to attain the rank of general.more Show sample from book After ten years in various parts of Asia he had attained to a somewhat fastidious valuation of places and happenings; and this he was bound to admit promised unusually.†4 more attain → attained:gained or reached something with effort Show general definition to gain or reach something with effort
	6	top 1000
sereneserene → serenely:calmly and peacefully While I lie awake worrying, she sleeps serenely.more Show sample from book It was so radiant, so serenely poised, that he wondered for a moment if it were real at all.†5 more serene → serenely:in a manner that is calm and untroubled Show general definition calm and untroubled
	4	top 100
varybe different Your mileage may vary.more Show sample from book He turned to the others, who had by this time caught up and were regarding the encounter with varying degrees of astonishment.†3 more vary → varying:differing; or changing Show general definition to be different, or to change Show editor's word notes Vary is often used to describe small differences or changes--especially about things of the same type. It would be more common to say "The weight of full-grown elephants varies depending upon diet and other factors," than to say "The weight of elephants varies from that of mice."
	6	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 And he knew, too, that his mind dwelt in a world of its own, Shangri-La in microcosm, and that this world also was in peril.†5 more danger Show general definition danger
	7	top 2000
preoccupiedbusy (doing or thinking about other things) She got no help from her husband who was preoccupied with the children.more Show sample from book It was the wind, before much time had passed, that became the central preoccupation of them all—the leitmotif, as it were, of the whole mournful night.†6 more preoccupied → preoccupation:busy thinking about or doing something so that other things are not noticed or d… Show general definition busy thinking about or doing something so that other things are not noticed or done
	4	top 200
novelnew and original We're looking for novel marketing ideas.more Show sample from book There were moments in life when one opened wide one's soul just as one might open wide one's purse if an evening's entertainment were proving unexpectedly costly but also unexpectedly novel.3 more Show general definition for novel (as in: a novel situation) new and original -- typically something considered good
	7	top 1000
cordialfriendly The countries share a long border and have cordial relations.more Show sample from book Conway responded cordially, and afterwards, when he and Chang were left together, commented on the vividness with which the lamas appeared to recollect their pre-Tibetan lives.†6 more cordial → cordially:in a friendly way Show general definition for cordial (as in: a cordial reception) friendly -- usually warm and heartfelt, but possibly only polite
	5
consulatean official government office in another country After her passport was stolen, she went to the U.S. consulate to get emergency travel papers.more Show sample from book I've worked with him at the Consulate.†4 more a diplomat appointed by a government to live in a foreign country and help its citizens visiting that country; or the offices of that person and assistants Show general definition the offices where a consul works; or a consul (a diplomat appointed by a government to live in a foreign country, help its citizens visiting that country, and protect its commercial interests there)
	2	top 500
impetuousimpulsive (made suddenly without much thought) She regretted her impetuous promise.†more Show sample from book My friend is impetuous, but I don't blame him, he's quite right to make things clear.†1 more impulsive (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
	2	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 We do as we think fit, guided a little by the example of the past, but still more by our present wisdom, and by our clairvoyance of the future.†1 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
	3
interposeinterpose → interposed:inserted She interposed herself between them before someone threw a punch.more Show sample from book "Good for you, sir," interposed Barnard heartily.†2 more interpose → interposed:to insert between other elements; OR to interrupt or stop action by others Show general definition to insert between other elements; or to interrupt or stop action by others
	3
pacifycalm She was upset and I could not pacify her.more Show sample from book He liked the serene world that Shangri-La offered him, pacified rather than dominated by its single tremendous idea.†2 more pacify → pacified:calm someone who is angry; OR establish peace Show general definition calm someone who is angry; or establish peace Show editor's word notes Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice): "Pacify" is often chosen to imply success in creating a peaceful state. "Placate" can imply that concessions were made and/or that anger was successfully replaced with goodwill. "Mollify" is a more neutral selection.