Long Day's Journey into Night — Vocabulary
Eugene O'Neill
Second Edition
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	19	top 2000
detachdetach → detached:emotionally uninvolved (separated from emotions) She spoke in a cold, detached manner as though she didn't care about him anymore.more Show sample from book Then with a strange, abrupt change to a detached, impersonal tone.†18 more detach → detached:separated OR emotionally uninvolved (separated from emotions) Show general definition to separate something from something else (physically or emotionally)
	15	top 1000
cynicalsomeone who expects the worst The experience made her overly cynical.more Show sample from book All I did was make a pal of him and be absolutely frank so he'd learn from my mistakes that — He shrugs his shoulders-cynically.†14 more cynical → cynically:someone who expects the worst -- especially of people Show general definition someone who expects the worst -- especially of people (such as expecting them to be selfish and lie)
	15	top 1000
contemptlack of respect Familiarity breeds contempt.more Show sample from book You shouldn't treat him with such contempt all the time.14 more a lack of respect Show general definition for contempt (as in: feels contempt towards her) lack of respect for someone or something thought inferior -- often accompanied by a feeling of dislike or disgust Show editor's word notes A famous saying, "familiarity breeds contempt" comes from Aesop's fable, "The Fox and the Lion". (6th century BC) When first the Fox saw the Lion he was terribly frightened, and ran away and hid himself in the wood. Next time however he came near the King of Beasts he stopped at a safe distance and watched him pass by. The third time they came near one another the Fox went straight up to the Lion and passed the time of day with him, asking him how his family were, and when he should have the pleasure of seeing him again; then turning his tail, he parted from the Lion without much ceremony. The moral is traditionally, "Familiarity breeds contempt"; though an alternative moral is "Acquaintance softens prejudices."
	10	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 JAMIE With a defensive air of weary indifference again.†9 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."
	7	top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book JAMIE With a scornful shrug of his shoulders.†6 more scorn → scornful:full of strong disrespect or rejection Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
	7	top 2000
deridederide → derides:criticizes with strong disrespect She relentlessly mocks and derides the younger students.more Show sample from book He winks at her, with a derisive glance at his father.†6 more deride → derisive:contemptuous (treating as inferior and unworthy of respect) Show general definition to criticize with strong disrespect -- often with humor
	4	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 TYRONE With indignant appeal now.†3 more angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong Show general definition angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
	5	top 1000
resignation(accepted) something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils It wasn't her first choice, but she accepted it with resignation.more Show sample from book All we can do is try to be resigned -- again.4 more resignation → resigned:accepting as inevitable something undesired Show general definition for resignation (as in: accepted it with resignation) acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
	4	top 1000
vehementforceful or intense She was vehement in her defense of her friend, insisting that he was innocent.more Show sample from book That was when — EDMUND Too vehemently.†3 more vehement → vehemently:marked by extreme intensity -- especially emotion such as anger Show general definition marked by extreme intensity -- especially emotion such as anger
	5	top 1000
prescribeprescribe → prescribed:gave medical instructions instructing that the patient should take The doctor prescribed an antibiotic for the infection.more Show sample from book CATHLEEN The way the man in the drugstore acted when I took in the prescription for you.†4 more prescribe → prescription:a recommendation or requirement OR (from a medical doctor) an instruction -- such as writing that a patient should take antibiotics Show general definition to recommend or require what should be done or more specifically: of a medical doctor: to give medical instructions -- such as writing that a patient should take antibiotics
	3	top 200
apprehensiveworried She is apprehensive about her new job.more Show sample from book His manner is nervously apprehensive and he looks more sickly than in the previous act.†2 more nervous or worried Show general definition worried over possible misfortune
	4	top 1000
melancholyvery sad She's been in a melancholy mood since her dog died.more Show sample from book There is a lot of stolid, earthy peasant in him, mixed with streaks of sentimental melancholy and rare flashes of intuitive sensibility.†3 more a sad feeling or manner Show general definition a sad feeling or manner -- sometimes thoughtfully sad
	3	top 500
exasperatedgreatly annoyed She was exasperated by his teasing.more Show sample from book A moment later he is heard calling from the porch exasperatedly.†2 more exasperated → exasperatedly:with great annoyance
	2	top 200
disdainlack of respect She tries to be polite, but she cannot hide her disdain for authority.more Show sample from book Disdainfully.†1 more disdain → disdainfully:with a lack of respect; or with a sense of superiority Show general definition to disrespect or reject as unworthy
	4
swindlefraud (or deception) to steal money She stole over a million dollars in her biggest swindle.†more Show sample from book You were swindled again as you always are, because you insist on secondhand bargains in everything.†3 more swindle → swindled:tricked or cheated someone -- usually to get money Show general definition tricking or cheating someone -- usually to get money
	3	top 2000
contritesorry She apologized, but she didn't seem genuinely contrite.more Show sample from book She adds quickly with a detached contrition.†2 more contrite → contrition:sorrow or regret for a fault or offense Show general definition feeling sorrow or regret for a fault or offense
	2	top 1000
fastidiouscareful and attentive to detail She is fastidious in her work.more Show sample from book Her hair is arranged with fastidious care.†1 more giving careful attention to detail… Show general definition giving careful attention to detail or: excessively concerned with cleanliness or matters of taste
	3
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 Coquettishly.†2 more coquette → coquettishly:in a manner that playfully and casually 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>
	2	top 2000
enmityhatred between enemies The war has deepened tribal enmity.more Show sample from book Turns on Edmund with a hard, accusing antagonism-almost a revengeful enmity.†1 more hatred Show general definition hatred toward someone or between people -- typically long-lasting Show editor's word notes Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice): "Enmity" is used in place of synonyms like "hatred" to indicate a feeling that runs deeper and is typically longer in the making.
	2	top 2000
reprovereprove → reproves:criticizes She's the kind of boss who reproves in private and praises in public.more Show sample from book MARY Reprovingly.†1 more reprove → reprovingly:in a critical manner Show general definition express disapproval or criticism -- typically in a mild manner & sometimes even in a friendly manner