The Magic Mountain — Vocabulary
Thomas Mann
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Exemplary sample	Uses	Broad Use
	25	top 100
establishestablish → established:created Which word choice best maintains the tone established in the first paragraph?more Show sample from book "An international union of Freemasons does not exist." "It shall be established—and I repeat, we are very quietly, very diligently working to achieve it."25 more Show general definition for establish (as in: establish a positive tone) create, start, or set in [a] place
	1	top 100
establish#2establish → establishing:showing or demonstrating The passage is primarily about establishing the relationship between the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and global temperature.more Show sample from book All those things you have established in regard to morality, you and your ailing compatriot—do you seriously suppose they surprise me?25 more establish → established:shown or proved Show general definition for establish (as in: establish that there is a need) show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
	48	top 100
phenomenonsomething that is of special interest It is a growing social phenomenon on high school campuses.more Show sample from book It was fun—he stood there for a long time, just trying out this little optical phenomenon over and over.†47 more something that exists or happened -- often of special interest Show general definition something that exists or happened -- especially something of special interest -- sometimes someone or something that is extraordinary Show editor's word notes "Phenomenons" and "phenomena" are both appropriate plural forms of this noun. "Phenomena" is generally used in scientific or philosophical contexts.
	19	top 100
correspondcorrespond → corresponds:is equivalent The girls are using a simple code where "1" corresponds to "A", "2" to "B" and so on for each of the 26 letters of the alphabet.more Show sample from book That may well cause amazement—and yet it is perfectly in order and corresponds to the laws of how stories are told and listened to.†19 more correspond → corresponds:connects or fits together by being equivalent, proportionate, or matched Show general definition for correspond (as in: corresponding time period) connect or fit together by being equivalent, proportionate, or matched (Two things are equivalent if they have the same or very similar value, purpose, or result.)
	1	top 2000
correspond#2write to each other We correspond regularly via email.more Show sample from book He casually showed Hans Castorp correspondence he had received from foreign Masonic dignitaries concerning this matter, a handwritten letter from the Swiss Grand Master, Brother Quartier la Tente of the Thirty-third Degree; and he discussed the plan to declare Esperanto the official world language of Freemasonry.†19 more correspond → correspondence:communication by written letters or messages Show general definition for correspond (as in: corresponding by email) communicate -- typically by writing letters or email Show editor's word notes A corresponding secretary is an officer of an organization who is responsible for managing the organization's correspondence and keeping a record of it.
	58
bourgeoistypical middle class Our lifestyle upsets their bourgeois sensibilities.more Show sample from book There could be no question whatever of any counteracting bourgeois forces.†57 more typical of the middle class or their values and habits Show general definition typical of the middle class or their values and habits - typically used disapprovingly or (in Marxist theory): typical of the property-owning class Show editor's word notes Bourgeois is often used to refer to the values of the upper middle class. You may also see the term petit bourgeois to describe very small business owners. Note that bourgeois, bourgeoisie, and bourgeoise are often interchanged. Bourgeois is most common and can be used as an adjective or a noun. Bourgeoisie is typically used only as a noun, and bourgeoise is occasionally used as an alternate spelling of bourgeois.
	193	top 100
howeverdespite that (a transition word use to connect contrasting ideas) Most college application deadlines are in January and February. However, early admission deadlines are around November and some scholarships require even earlier deadlines.more Show sample from book If we are to get on with our story, however, it will be impossible to fathom and analyze all of that.†199 more a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc. Show general definition for however (as in: However, complications may...) though (or another expression that connects contrasting ideas) 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 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrast and but.
	6	top 2000
however#2no matter how (how much/how hard/how long…) However hard she tried, she couldn't do it.more Show sample from book For it was his sincere desire faithfully to defend and uphold that dignity in his own eyes, however difficult that might be after an almost six-month stay among "people up here."199 more regardless of how Show general definition for however (as in: However much she tried...) to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount)
	1	top 2000
however#3in whatever way However we do it, someone is going to be unhappy.more Show sample from book He was probably a little anemic from the start, or so Dr. Heidekind said, prescribing for him a nice daily glass of porter, to be drunk with his snack when he returned from school—a robust brew, as everyone knows, which Dr. Heidekind believed helped build the blood and which, however that might be, Hans Castorp discovered, much to his satisfaction, had a calming effect on his spirits and pleasantly assisted him in his proclivity to "doze"—as his Uncle Tienappel put it—when he would sit with his mouth slightly open, dreaming away without a single firm thought in his head.†199 more Show general definition for however (as in: However you do it, get it done!) in whatever way
	9	top 100
yieldproduce (lead to) The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.more Show sample from book What belongs to you is invested quite nicely and will yield a secure return.15 more produce or give Show general definition for yield (as in: will yield valuable data) to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
	7	top 100
yield#2give in The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.more Show sample from book And he held his last expressive gesture, which both yielded to her and waived all responsibility for any substantial misinterpretation she might make despite his broad hints.15 more yield → yielded:gave in, gave way, or gave up Show general definition for yield (as in: yield to pressure) to give in, give way, or give up
	38	top 1000
melancholyvery sad She's been in a melancholy mood since her dog died.more Show sample from book Joachim cast him a gentle glance and smiled a curious smile— melancholy and slightly mocking, it seemed—but why, he kept to himself.†37 more a sad feeling or manner Show general definition a sad feeling or manner -- sometimes thoughtfully sad
	12	top 2000
positivecertain I'm positive I've seen her before.more Show sample from book And if you are for values, then, in the end, personality is a positive value, too, I should think—a more positive value than stupidity or cleverness, positive in the highest degree, absolutely positive, like life itself—in short, a value for life and in that sense suitable for our earnest consideration.†14 more Show general definition for positive (as in: I'm absolutely positive!) certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
	3	top 100
positive#2good or beneficial The new tutor had a positive effect on her math grades all semester.more Show sample from book I take it as something positive.†14 more Show general definition for positive (as in: had a positive effect) good or beneficial
	23	top 1000
causticsarcastic, critical, or harsh She has a caustic sense of humor.more Show sample from book Naphta's words had been caustic, apodictic—even though it was he who had defended a larger definition of freedom.22 more harsh or critical
	24
asceticthe practice of self-denial The ascetic life has been more pronounced in Hinduism and Buddhism than in other major religions.more Show sample from book If only they could have also heard Carducci's interpretation of Dante—celebrating him as a citizen of a great city, who had defended the revolutionary and reforming spirit of human enterprise against asceticism and all denial of the world.†23 more ascetic → asceticism:the practice of extreme self-denial (often to encourage spiritual growth) Show general definition someone who practices self-denial (often to encourage spiritual growth); or relating to such self-denial or: severely plain (without decoration)
	15
drollamusingly odd Grandpa's droll comments at dinner made everyone chuckle quietly.more Show sample from book The phrase "saddled you with" sounded particularly droll coming from him.†14 more comical in an unusual way Show general definition comical in an unusual way -- often clever and understated
	12	top 2000
subjectiveinfluenced by personal belief, feelings, or preferences (rather than being based purely upon fact) Existing evaluations are largely subjective. The union wants objective criteria, so our employees will know how to succeed and will not need to worry about bias.more Show sample from book Thanks so much, I'm feeling almost normal, subjectively at least.†11 more subjective → subjectively:in a manner influenced by personal belief, feelings, or preferences (rather than being based purely upon fact) Show general definition influenced by personal belief, feelings, or preferences (rather than being based purely upon fact) Show editor's word notes Subjective is often contrasted to objective--meaning based upon fact without the influence of personal feelings or preferences.
	10	top 2000
pedanticoverly concerned with book learning Her lectures were too pedantic for my taste.more Show sample from book She was probably not a dressmaker after all, because she spoke correctly, almost pedantically.9 more pedantic → pedantically:with too much concern for formal rules or book learning Show general definition too concerned with formal rules, details, or book learning
	11
transcendentbeyond the ordinary range of human experience or understanding Hearing the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah was a transcendent experience for me.more Show sample from book It is a way of overcoming the world by ruling the world, a transition; its point is transcendence, the kingdom itself.†10 more transcendent → transcendence:beyond the ordinary range of human experience or understanding… Show general definition beyond the ordinary range of human experience or understanding or: surpassing usual limits of excellence