A Good Man is Hard to Find AND OTHER STORIES — Vocabulary
Flannery O'Connor
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	27	top 2000
displacedisplace → displaced:forced to move (in this case, out of their old jobs) It is a much better way to manufacture the product, but many workers will be displaced by the new technology.more Show sample from book The Displaced Person The peacock was following Mrs. Shortley up the road to the hill where she meant to stand.†26 more displace → displaced:forced to move Show general definition force to move; or to take the place of
	9	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 "Listen," Mrs. Connin said, "have you ever been Baptized, Bevel?"†8 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.
	9	top 2000
sulkto overly indulge in being unhappy and unsociable She was disappointed and retreated to her room to sulk.more Show sample from book She watched as he came out of the barn and motioned to Sulk, who was coming around the back of the lot.†8 more to be overly unhappy and unsociable Show general definition to be overly unhappy and unsociable -- often due to disappointment or a sense of not getting what was deserved
	8	top 2000
obligationduty Although she had no legal obligation, she wanted to help him.more Show sample from book "Mr. Guizac," she said, "I can barely meet my obligations now."†7 more obligation → obligations:a duty Show general definition a duty
	5	top 200
indignantindignant → indignantly:with anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong "I am not a fool," she said indignantly.more Show sample from book He gave one low cry of pain and indignation.†4 more indignant → indignation:anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong Show general definition angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
	6	top 1000
afflictafflict → afflicted:made to suffer The region was afflicted by a long drought that destroyed most crops.more Show sample from book "Of your affliction," Mrs. Connin said icily.†5 more afflict → affliction:something that causes ongoing suffering Show general definition to cause pain, suffering, or trouble -- especially something long-lasting or hard to endure
	3	top 500
reveredeeply respect and admire Many fans revere Michael Jordan as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.more Show sample from book "Yer leg," he said reverently.†2 more revere → reverently:with feelings of deep respect and admiration -- sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear Show general definition regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration -- sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
	5	top 2000
ambleamble → ambling:walking slowly or leisurely An old woman was ambling across the street.more Show sample from book Bobby Lee and Hiram came ambling back from the woods.†4 more amble → ambling:walking leisurely Show general definition to walk leisurely or slowly
	3	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 Susan said, "How?" in an indifferent tone and she knew that she had them.†2 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."
	3	top 1000
ominousthreatening I'm beginning to hear ominous rumblings of discontent.more Show sample from book The child crashed through the woods, making the fallen leaves sound ominous under her feet.†2 more threatening (suggestive of, or foreshadowing bad things to come) Show general definition threatening (suggestive of, or foreshadowing bad things to come)
	3	top 1000
solemnvery serious He took a solemn oath.more Show sample from book They stood close together, waiting; their faces were solemn but expectant and every eye was on him.†2 more very serious--possibly dignified Show general definition in a very serious (and often dignified) manner
	2	top 500
earnestearnest → in earnest:in a serious manner I began training in earnest the summer before high school.more Show sample from book "He who losest his life shall find it," he said simply and he was so sincere, so genuine and earnest that: Mrs. Hopewell would not for the world have smiled.†1 more sincere or serious Show general definition characterized by sincere belief or: intensely or excessively serious or determined
	2	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 She scrutinized a chair across the room and then headed for it, putting her feet carefully one before the other.†1 more scrutiny → scrutinized:looked at very carefully 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 careful examination of something
	1	top 2000
minutetiny Don't eat a lot of poppy seeds for a few days before a drug test. They have a minute amount of a chemical that can cause a false positive when testing for heroin use.more Show sample from book His attention was fixed on the cock who was taking minute steps backward, his head against the spread tail.1 more small Show general definition for minute (as in: minute size) small, exceptionally small, or insignificant
	1
minute#2including even small considerations We discussed it in minute detail.more Show sample from book Mrs. Shortley observed it minutely for half a second.1 more minute → minutely:carefully Show general definition for minute (as in: minute description) detailed (including even small considerations); and/or careful (done with care)
	5
junctiona place where things come together The store is at the junction of the 10 and 5 freeways.†more Show sample from book They would have to leave the house at four to get to the railroad junction by five-thirty.†4 more Show general definition a place where two or more things come together
	3	top 2000
impudentimproperly bold or disrespectful She is an impudent girl given to insulting strangers.†more Show sample from book He justified what he was going to do on the grounds that it is sometimes necessary to teach a child a lesson he wont forget, particularly when the child is always reasserting his position with some new impudence.†2 more Show general definition improperly bold or disrespectful -- especially toward someone who is older or considered to be of higher status
	2	top 1000
forebodingfeeling that something bad would happen All that week I had a steadily escalating sense of foreboding.more Show sample from book "An old man," the boy said and had a sudden foreboding that he was not going to enjoy the day.†1 more a feeling that something bad is going to happen Show general definition a feeling that something bad is going to happen
	2	top 2000
jauntylively and self-confident She walks with a jaunty step.more Show sample from book "Bevel," he said in a loud jaunty voice.†1 more appearing cheerful, lively, and self-confident Show general definition appearing cheerful, lively, and self-confident
	2
perceptiblecapable of being noticed The car makes a barely perceptible clicking sound at high speeds.more Show sample from book There had not been any perceptible change in him for the last five years, but she had the sense that she might be cheated out of her triumph because she so often was.†1 more Show general definition capable of being noticed -- typically because it is different enough or large enough