Listening for Lions — Vocabulary
Gloria Whelan
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	18	top 2000
influenzainfluenza → the flu:a highly contagious respiratory disease commonly called the flu Influenza is caused by RNA viruses that mutate and spread around the world in seasonal epidemics -- which is why the flu vaccine is changed each year.more Show sample from book All over the world the cruel influenza had been taking lives.†17 more highly contagious respiratory disease commonly called the flu Show general definition highly contagious respiratory disease commonly called the flu
	9	top 1000
deceivemislead The plan was to deceive the Germans into believing the main attack would take place further north.more Show sample from book They would surely punish me if I did not, but if I had deceived Grandfather once, I would not deceive him again.†8 more deceive → deceived:lied or misled Show general definition to lie to or mislead someone -- occasionally to lie to oneself by denying reality
	3	top 200
malicemalice → malicious:evil; or made with the intent to make others suffer I am not interested in hearing malicious gossip.more Show sample from book That was just malicious talk, I am sure.†2 more malice → malicious:the intention or desire to see others suffer Show general definition the intention or desire to see others suffer
	3	top 500
perishbe destroyed or cease to exist ...government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.Abraham Lincoln — Gettysburg Addressmore Show sample from book What if upon hearing the news he threw up his hands and perished in front of me?†2 more perish → perished:died, was destroyed, or ceased to exist Show general definition to die -- especially in an unnatural way or: to be destroyed or cease to exist Show editor's word notes You may encounter an informal expression, "Perish the thought." It means that the speaker hopes the thought will cease to exist and the thing it represents will never happen.
	3	top 500
deceptiondeceiving or misleading The law is intended to defeat denial and deception strategies.more Show sample from book I had thought my deception would be for only a few weeks.†2 more the act of lying to or misleading someone; or something that misleads Show general definition the act of lying to or misleading someone; or something that misleads
	3	top 500
scarcityshortage There is a scarcity of work in the region.more Show sample from book Wherever I went, tea would be set out, weak tea where money was scarce.†2 more scarcity → scarce:in short supply OR barely or hardly (by a small margin) Show general definition shortage (having an amount that is less than desired)
	2	top 1000
prejudiceunreasonable and unfair belief or feeling The group works to eliminate racial prejudice.more Show sample from book Prejudiced?†1 more prejudice → prejudiced:bias that prevents objective consideration Show general definition bias that prevents objective consideration -- especially an unreasonable belief that is unfair to members of a race, religion, or other group
	2	top 1000
coaxgently persuade Although she has retired from public life, we are going to try to coax her to accept the award.more Show sample from book She showed me how to coax the patients into taking their medicine, which they often refused, and how to give them goat broth with a lot of salt to treat the dehydration that came with cholera.†1 more try to obtain a result through gentle and careful effort Show general definition for coax (as in: coax her to join us) try to obtain a result through gentle and careful effort -- often gentle persuasion
	1	top 100
omitomit → omitted:left out She recounted the whole story except that she omitted names.more Show sample from book That was very instructive, although you would have done well to omit your last words.† to exclude or neglect something Show general definition to exclude or neglect something
	2	top 2000
diagnoseidentify Did the doctor diagnose the problem?more Show sample from book Raspton chose a young resident who looked stunned at being singled out—"give us your diagnosis."†1 more diagnose → diagnosis:the identification of the cause of a problem or illness Show general definition determine or identify the nature of a problem or an illness
	2	top 2000
manelong coarse hair growing around the head It was a healthy male lion with a golden mane.more Show sample from book I told him of the lion that had carried away small children and how the lion had been hunted down and a mask made of his mane and a great ngoma held to both celebrate and mourn his death.†1 more long coarse hair on an animal Show general definition long coarse hair such as that which grows around a lion's head or on the back of a horse's neck
	2	top 2000
coyplayfully shy She gave him a coy smile before looking away.more Show sample from book He gave me a rather coy smile and added, "It would give me so much pleasure to have you here in Stagsway."1 more subtly playful Show general definition playfully shy or subtly flirtatious; and/or, deliberately evasive to avoid giving information or making a commitment Show editor's word notes Writers often use coy when someone acts shy or innocent in a playful way, while being aware of the effect—like giving a coy smile. The word can also describe being deliberately evasive or withholding information, as in a coy answer that dodges the real question or a coy response that modestly downplays an accomplishment. In many cases, the person is both playful and withholding at once, as when teasing someone with coy hints about a surprise without revealing what it is.
	2	top 2000
notifynotify → notified:told On Friday, the governor notified the legislature of her decision.more Show sample from book "The mission board will have to be notified," I said.†1 more notify → notified:told someone about something Show general definition to tell someone about something -- typically in an official manner
	1	top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book We took a taxi across the city to the ship, which looked to me as large as Noah's ark, but Mrs. Pritchard was scornful.† scorn → scornful:full of strong disrespect or rejection Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
	3
regentregent → regental:members of a governing board The California Board of Regents voted to increase student fees at all University of California schools.more Show sample from book One Sunday afternoon I followed the crowds to the zoological gardens in Regent's Park.†2 more a member of a governing board Show general definition a member of a governing board -- especially at a state university or: someone who rules a country temporarily while the king or queen is too young, too sick, or away
	1	top 500
impetuousimpulsive (made suddenly without much thought) She regretted her impetuous promise.†more Show sample from book He cautioned me, "Though sensible in her own way, my sister is inclined to be somewhat impetuous and is, I'm afraid, a little too involved with art and other nonsense."† impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought) Show general definition for impetuous (as in: an impetuous decision) impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought) -- often with an unfortunate consequence
	1	top 2000
antagonismhostility There is skepticism, if not antagonism, between the two groups.more Show sample from book By our last year the early antagonisms were forgotten.† antagonism → antagonisms:hostility, opposition, or tension between opposing forces or ideas Show general definition hostility, opposition, or tension between opposing forces or ideas
	1	top 2000
edifyedify → edifies:teaches or instructs She edifies and inspires supporters everywhere she speaks.more Show sample from book The orphans had to listen to someone reading from the Bible or some other edifying book during meals and could not talk with one another.† edify → edifying:instructive Show general definition to instruct -- morally or intellectually
	1	top 2000
fawnfawn → fawns:shows excessive flattery or affection She fawns all over her children.more Show sample from book I saw that many of the passengers liked being fawned over.† fawn → fawned:showed excessive flattery or affection Show general definition for fawn (as in: fawned all over her) showing excessive flattery or affection
	1	top 2000
persevereto keep working at something despite difficulties We will persevere through these difficult times. Better days are ahead.†more Show sample from book I persevered.† persevere → persevered:kept working at something despite difficulties Show general definition to keep working at something -- especially despite difficulties