The Lone Star Ranger — Vocabulary
Zane Grey
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	223	top 2000
blanddull (lacking flavor) While adequate nutritiously, her diet is bland.more Show sample from book T hey ape Bland an' King Fisher an' Hardin an' all the big outlaws.†222 more dull or lacking stimulating characteristics -- especially in the flavor of food Show general definition dull or lacking stimulating characteristics -- especially in the flavor of food
	10	top 100
neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas) The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more Show sample from book Duane heard no step, saw no movement; nevertheless, there was another present at that camp-fire vigil.†9 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.
	15	top 1000
fugitivefugitive → fugitives:people hiding from law enforcement officers She is one of the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives.more Show sample from book Dawn caught the fugitives at a green camping-site on the bank of a rocky little stream.†14 more Show general definition for fugitive (as in: she is a fugitive) someone who is running away or hiding to avoid arrest or an unpleasant situation
	9	top 500
agitateagitate → agitating:stirring up emotions to increase unrest We are agitating public unrest, so there will be a cry for change.more Show sample from book She, however, in her agitation did not notice his shrinking.†8 more agitate → agitation:the act of stirring up (emotionally or physically); or a state of emotional unrest Show general definition to stir up or shake -- emotionally (as when people are angered or upset) or physically (as when a washing machine cleans clothes)
	9	top 500
scrutinyscrutiny → scrutinized:looked very carefully at She scrutinized her reflection in the mirror.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 He had a long face, a flaming red beard, and clear, cold blue eyes that fixed in close scrutiny upon Duane.†8 more careful look or inspection Show general definition careful examination of something
	10	top 1000
somberserious and cheerless Before she said anything, I knew it was bad news from her somber face.more Show sample from book "I'm done," he said, somberly.9 more somber → somberly:solemnly (in a manner that is serious--not cheerful or lighthearted) Show general definition for somber (as in: a somber mood) serious (without cheer or lightheartedness); or sad
	8	top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book "You mean for me to run?" asked Duane, in scorn.†7 more disrespect or reject as not good enough Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
	8	top 500
motivereason (for doing something) She believes the profit motive encourages people to satisfy other people's needs.more Show sample from book Not once since this daring motive had stirred him had he been haunted by the phantom of Bain beside his bed.†7 more Show general definition for motive (as in: What is her motive?) a reason for doing something
	6	top 100
yieldgive in The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.more Show sample from book For a moment he half yielded to a temptation to try to slip along the river-shore, close in under the willows.†5 more yield → yielded:gave in, gave way, or gave up Show general definition for yield (as in: yield to pressure) to give in, give way, or give up
	8	top 1000
ponderthink about The question the audience is left to ponder is...more Show sample from book He had no fear of Bain or of any other man; but a vague fear of himself, of this strange force in him, made him ponder and shake his head.†7 more think deeply or carefully about Show general definition to think deeply or carefully about something
	10	top 2000
consciencemoral judgment of personal behavior I have a guilty conscience and want to make it right.more Show sample from book But now with conscience flayed to the quick, yet utterly powerless over this tiger instinct, he was lost.†9 more feeling or appraisal of having personally behaved in a morally right or wrong manner Show general definition feeling or judgment of morally right or wrong personal behavior
	5	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 When he spoke his expressionless face was in strange contrast with the ring, the quality, the cruelty of his voice.†4 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
	9	top 1000
ensueensue → ensuing:happening after Ensuing events confirmed the prediction.more Show sample from book The noise ceased upon his entrance, and the silence ensuing presently broke to the clink of Mexican silver dollars at a monte table.†8 more ensue → ensuing:subsequent (happening later) Show general definition to happen after or as a result
	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 Duane's keenness told him that at the very darkest and most perilous moment there was still a chance for him.†7 more peril → perilous:dangerous Show general definition danger
	6	top 2000
conjecturea conclusion or opinion based on inconclusive evidence She dismissed it as mere conjecture.more Show sample from book Very probably his faculties were absorbed in conjecture as to Duane's possibilities.†5 more a conclusion or opinion based on inconclusive evidence… Show general definition a conclusion or opinion based on inconclusive evidence; or the act of forming of such a conclusion or opinion Show editor's word notes A conjecture can be widely believed, but the word is also frequently used to imply that evidence is insufficient to support a belief.
	5	top 2000
augmentenlarge or increase Our school hired a new counselor to augment our college counseling service.more Show sample from book But Duane's years on the border had augmented a natural instinct or gift to read character, or at least to sense the evil in men; and he knew at once that these strangers were dishonest.†4 more augment → augmented:enlarged or increased
	3	top 1000
denotesindicates The asterisk ("") denotes a footnote.more Show sample from book Presently he turned to Duane with an expression that denoted resignation, and yet a spirit which showed wherein they were of the same blood.†2 more denotes* → denoted:means literally; OR indicates Show general definition means literally; or indicates
	4
farceridiculous situation What started as a serious debate quickly turned into a farce, with people shouting over each other and making jokes.more Show sample from book Law here has been a farce.†3 more a ridiculous, exaggerated situation too absurd to be taken seriously… Show general definition a ridiculous, exaggerated situation too absurd to be taken seriously; or a type of comedy that relies on absurd humor, using physical slapstick, unlikely situations, and deliberate misunderstandings
	4
juncturejuncture → junctures:points in time and circumstances At such junctures she always had an impulse to leave.more Show sample from book At this juncture several more outlaws crowded out of the door, and the one in the lead was a tall man of stalwart physique.†3 more where things come together -- especially a point in time with a critical event Show general definition where things come together -- especially a point in time with a critical event
	4
laconicusing few words I need more than the book and my teacher's laconic answers to understand this material.more Show sample from book Soon, perchance, I shall have the pleasure of writing of the border of to-day, which in Joe Sitter's laconic speech, "Shore is 'most as bad an' wild as ever!"†3 more Show general definition using few words Show editor's word notes The word laconic is named after Laconia, a region of Greece once known for using few words. For example, when ancient Athens was fighting Sparta, Athens sent a long message saying "If we beat you, we will destroy your civilization, we will kill everybody, we will spare no-one." The Spartans replied with one word: "If."