Why I Live at the P.O. — Vocabulary
Eudora Welty
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
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adoptadopt → adopted:took on as its own
The country adopted the metric system.more
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She said, "Sister, I don't need to tell you you got a lot of nerve and always did have and I'll thank you to make no future reference to my adopted child whatsoever."†8 more
adopt → adopted:took on as one's own
Show general definition to take on as one's own
The exact meaning of adopt depends upon its context. For example:
  • "adopt a child" -- to legally take on parental responsibilities for another person's child
  • "adopt a plan" -- to accept or begin to use something
  • "adopt a pet" -- to take in a pet -- especially one from an animal shelter
  • "Congress adopted the resolution." -- had a formal vote and passed
  • "adopted a confident attitude" -- took on or displayed
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precariousunsure (in danger of falling)
Her footing on the ladder looked precarious.more
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Not very good for your Uncle Rondo in his precarious condition, I must say.†1 more
unsafe or unsure
Show general definition unsafe or in danger of getting worse -- especially in danger of falling
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prescribeprescribe → prescribed:gave medical instructions instructing that the patient should take
The doctor prescribed an antibiotic for the infection.more
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What he'd really done, he'd drunk another bottle of that prescription.†1 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
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biasbias → biased:has a prejudice that prevents objective consideration
Everyone knows she is too biased to act as an impartial judge.more
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It wasn't five minutes before Uncle Rondo suddenly appeared in the hall in one of Stella-Rondo's flesh-colored kimonos, all cut on the bias, like something Mr. Whitaker probably thought was gorgeous.†
a personal preference; or any tendency to move in a particular direction
Show general definition a tendency to favor one side -- in people, a prejudice that affects fair judgment; more generally, any built-in lean to move or behave in a particular way (like a car that pulls right)
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on the other handfrom another point of view
Change can be hard to deal with. On the other hand, it often brings opportunity.more
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And he said on the other hand he thought Stella-Rondo had a brilliant mind and deserved credit for getting out of town.†
from another point of view; OR  in a way that is different
Show general definition from another point of view; or in a way that is different (a phrase used to introduce a different perspective or idea)
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sulkto overly indulge in being unhappy and unsociable
She was disappointed and retreated to her room to sulk.more
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Papa-Daddy's Mama's papa and sulks.†
sulk → sulks:is 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
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preserveschunks of fruit cooked with sugar so they will not spoil
My grandmother made preserves.more
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I stood on the step-ladder and got all my watermelon-rind preserves and every fruit and vegetable I'd put up, every jar.
Show general definition for preserves (as in: mom made preserves) chunks of fruit cooked with sugar (like jam) and sealed (usually in a mason jar) so it will not spoil
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susceptibleeasily influenced or harmed
I am more susceptible to colds than most.more
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Well, I'm just terribly susceptible to noise of any kind, the doctor has always told me I was the most sensitive person he had ever seen in his whole life, and I was simply prostrated.†
easily influenced or harmed; OR capable of being treated in a particular way
Show general definition easily influenced or harmed

or:

capable of being treated in a particular way
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liablelikely to
She's so busy, she's liable to forget.more
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Uncle Rondo has got the most terrible temper in the world. Anything is liable to make him tear the house down...
maybe going (to)
Show general definition for liable (as in: she is liable to) likely to; or maybe going to; or subject to
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prostratelying face downward on the ground
It is their custom to worship five times a day, prostrate and facing toward Mecca.more
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Well, I'm just terribly susceptible to noise of any kind, the doctor has always told me I was the most sensitive person he had ever seen in his whole life, and I was simply prostrated.†
prostrate → prostrated:lying down - typically face downward on the ground as in submission
Show general definition lying down - typically face downward on the ground as in submission