The Collected Stories of Eudora Welty — Vocabulary
Eudora Welty
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	25	top 2000
recitalsolo performance As part of her degree requirements, the music major performed a challenging piano recital, showcasing her technical skills and musical interpretation.more Show sample from book JUNE RECITAL Loch was in a tempest with his mother.†24 more performance Show general definition a performance such as music, dance, or a poetry reading Show editor's word notes A music recital is usually done solo or with a single accompanist. A dance recital may include many dancers.
	11	top 1000
luminousshining The sky was luminous with stars.more Show sample from book "It must be the real truth," says the waitress, sucking in her lower lip, her luminous eyes turning sadly, seeking the windows.†10 more glowing or shining… Show general definition glowing or shining (also used metaphorically to describe beauty or intelligence)
	11	top 1000
commotiondisturbance I looked up to see what caused the commotion.more Show sample from book Yes'm, she kept her eyes onwhat's that thing makes all the commotion?†10 more noisy disturbance Show general definition a disturbance -- typically noisy
	8	top 100
neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas) The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more Show sample from book Words which at first horrified Clytie poured in a full, light stream from her throat, which soon, nevertheless, felt strangely relaxed and rested.†7 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.
	10	top 1000
sereneserene → serenely:calmly and peacefully While I lie awake worrying, she sleeps serenely.more Show sample from book Bowman averted his head and saw the woman looking serenely back at the mule, with only satisfaction in her face.†9 more serene → serenely:in a manner that is calm and untroubled Show general definition calm and untroubled
	10	top 1000
reproachreproach → reproached:criticized and expressed disappointment She reproached him for treating his sister so thoughtlessly.more Show sample from book With a reproachful look at him the woman reached up and took off her hat.†9 more reproach → reproachful:critical (full of 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.
	9	top 1000
languidslow, unhurried No urging could increase his languid pace.more Show sample from book "We ran away," said Phoebe languidly.†8 more languid → languidly:without much energy; or moving slowly or in a relaxed manner Show general definition lacking energy or relaxed or moving slowly
	10	top 1000
revelationsomething surprising and previously unknown It was a revelation to me. Until they gave us those tests, I had no idea that I was better than most people at clerical accuracy.more Show sample from book Joel sat quietly, waiting for the full revelation of the meetings.9 more something previously unknown; or making such a thing known Show general definition something that was previously unknown (and typically surprising); or making such a thing known
	11	top 2000
ravinedeep, narrow, steep-sided valley The car plunged into a 15-foot ravine.more Show sample from book Then he saw that he was on the edge of a ravine that fell away, a red erosion, and that this was indeed the road's end.†10 more Show general definition a deep, narrow, steep-sided gorge or valley -- especially one formed by running water
	7	top 500
recollectremember I think I recollect that she was away at college that year.more Show sample from book I really don't recollect the faintest.†6 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.
	7	top 500
congregationpeople who worship together in the same building It's a casual congregation where many people wander into services late.more Show sample from book The poor souls that were not saved were darker and more pitiful than those that were, and still there was not any of the radiance he would have hoped to see in such a congregation.†6 more Show general definition for congregation (as in: the congregation voted) people who worship together in the same building
	7	top 500
contemplatethink deeply about After the meeting, she needed some time alone to contemplate her next move.more Show sample from book For a space Mama opened her eyes and contemplated her screaming daughter as she would the sunset behind her.†6 more contemplate → contemplated:consider or ponder Show general definition consider or ponder
	8	top 1000
beckonbeckon → beckoned:called With a nod of her head, she beckoned me to join them.more Show sample from book Ladies waved and beckoned with their fans, conversation opened up.7 more beckon → beckoned:called (to come nearer by using a hand gesture) Show general definition to call -- typically to ask or tell someone to come nearer by using a hand gesture or a nod of the head
	5	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 Every now and then, as though he perceived some minute thing, a sudden alert, tantalized look would creep over the little man's face, and he would gaze slowly around him, quite slyly.5 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 He stared away as if he saw it minutely, as if he could see a lady in white take a flowered cover off the organ, which was set on a little slant in the shade, dust the keys, and start to pump and play.5 more minute → minutely:in a detailed manner Show general definition for minute (as in: minute description) detailed (including even small considerations); and/or careful (done with care)
	6
indelibleunforgettable or permanent The trip left an indelible impression on her, shaping the way she saw the world.more Show sample from book It was written not properly in ink but in indelible pencil, and so its message had not been washed away as it might have been.†5 more impossible to remove, forget, or erase Show general definition impossible to remove, forget, or erase -- can refer to physical marks or lasting memories
	5
languishlanguish → languished:suffering in a bad situation for a long time The prisoner languished in the dungeon for years.more Show sample from book She waits like a drop, hands languishing together in front.†4 more Show general definition to suffer in a bad situation for a long time
	4	top 2000
belligerenthostile or combative She spoke to her teacher in a belligerent tone and was sent to the office.more Show sample from book "Mr. Fletcher and myself are as much in love as the day we married," said Mrs. Fletcher belligerently as Leota stuffed cotton into her ears.†3 more belligerent → belligerently:with an attitude of one eager to fight Show general definition hostile (the attitude of one eager to fight); or one already engaged in a fight or war
	2	top 500
disparagedisparage → disparaging:criticizing or making seem less important She has a reputation for disparaging the efforts of her co-workers.more Show sample from book Clyde snatched it roughly and with a grabbing disparagement.†1 more disparage → disparagement:the act of criticizing or making seem less important Show general definition to criticize or make seem less important -- especially in a disrespectful or contemptuous manner
	3	top 2000
impudentimproperly bold or disrespectful She is an impudent girl given to insulting strangers.†more Show sample from book Miss Eckhart had made an exception of Virgie Rainey; she had first respected Virgie Rainey, and now fell humble before her impudence.†2 more Show general definition improperly bold or disrespectful -- especially toward someone who is older or considered to be of higher status