Wide Sargasso Sea — Vocabulary
Jean Rhys
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	8	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 He nodded indifferently. A hundred years, a thousand all the same to...7 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."
	1	top 2000
attributeattribute → attributes:characteristics The spreadsheet has a column to describe the breed of dog and then ten additional columns to indicate attributes of the breeds. For example, the second column has the average full-grown weight.more Show sample from book But another one knew about Heaven and the attributes of the blessed, of which the least is transcendent beauty.†1 more attribute → attributes:characteristics (of something or someone) Show general definition for attribute (as in: It is an attribute of...) a characteristic or feature (of something or someone)
	1	top 100
attribute#2attribute → attributed:credited (pointed to as the source of) She attributed this quotation to Shakespeare.more Show sample from book Cases of sudden or mysterious death are attributed to a poison known to the negroes which cannot be traced.†1 more attribute → attributed:credited (pointed to as the cause of something) Show general definition for attribute (as in: I attribute it to...) to credit (a source for something) in two typical senses: "I attribute it to her work." -- to say who or what made something happen "Remember to attribute any quotations in your paper." -- indicate the source of a quotation or idea
	7	top 2000
massacrecrushing defeat Her team lost 12–0 in what can only be described as a complete massacre on the field.more Show sample from book And who was massacred here?6 more massacre → massacred:the savage and excessive killing of many people Show general definition crushing defeat or brutal, overwhelming attack — used figuratively in competition and literally for violent killings
	5	top 1000
contemptlack of respect Familiarity breeds contempt.more Show sample from book He spoke politely enough, but I could feel his dislike and contempt.4 more 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."
	5	top 2000
forsakeabandon or give up The country must forsake terrorism as a political instrument.more Show sample from book 'I will not forsake her,' I said wearily.4 more abandon or give up on Show general definition to abandon or give up on -- such as someone who needs you, or an idea, or a place
	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 Her expression was so full of delighted malice, so intelligent, above all so intimate that I felt ashamed and looked away.2 more desire to see others suffer Show general definition the intention or desire to see others suffer
	4	top 1000
bewilderconfuse Some of their customs can bewilder travelers.more Show sample from book Reality might disconcert her, bewilder her, hurt her, but it would not be reality.†3 more Show general definition to confuse someone
	3	top 500
persistentcontinuing over time She has a persistent cough.more Show sample from book Persistently.†2 more persistent → persistently:in a continuing manner -- especially despite difficulties or opposition Show general definition continuing -- especially despite difficulties or opposition
	2	top 500
perpetualcontinuing forever A perpetual flame burns beside the grave of John F. Kennedy.more Show sample from book Let perpetual light shine on them.†1 more continuing forever without change; OR occurring so frequently it seems constant Show general definition continuing forever without change; or occurring so frequently it seems constant
	4	top 2000
discreetdiscreet → discreetly:in a manner that is unlikely to attract attention I leave my phone on silent mode, so it can alert me discreetly when I receive a text message.more Show sample from book I also told them to engage a staff of servants whom I was prepared to pay very liberally — so long as they keep their mouths shut, I thought — provided that they are discreet, I wrote.3 more trustworthy with secrets Show general definition for discreet (as in: discreet--not showy or gossipy) trustworthy with secrets or subtle (not attracting attention) Show editor's word notes This sense of discreet sometimes indicates that something is small (so as not to attract attention) as in "discreet earrings."
	2	top 500
haughtyarrogant or condescending (acting superior or self-important) It is a story about a haughty princess who has a great fall.more Show sample from book I never put my eyes on a man haughty and proud like that — he walk like he own the earth.1 more arrogant
	2	top 500
ceasestop According to the treaty, all offensive military action will cease at midnight.more Show sample from book So quickly now I draw to a close and cease my task.†1 more stop or discontinue Show general definition to stop or discontinue
	3	top 2000
infamousfamous (for something bad) He is one of Chicago's most infamous mobsters.more Show sample from book That my mother was mad and an infamous woman and that my little brother who died was born a cretin, an idiot, and that I am a mad girl too.†2 more having an exceedingly bad reputation Show general definition having an exceedingly bad reputation
	5	top 2000
magistratejudge The local magistrate insisted on a cash payment for the speeding ticket.more Show sample from book Mr Fraser is an Englishman, a retired magistrate, and he insisted on telling me at length about some of his cases.4 more Show general definition a judge or judicial official The exact meaning of magistrate varies widely depending upon the context. For example: in the U.S. federal court: assists district court judges by handling minor offenses or administrative tasks such as preliminary hearings (often referred to as a magistrate judge rather than just a magistrate) in some U.S. states: a judge in the state court in France, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, and other civil law countries: a sitting magistrate is a judge and a standing magistrate is a prosecutor in England: may be a volunteer without formal legal training who performs a judicial role with regard to minor matters in ancient Rome: a powerful officer with both judicial and executive power
	4
conceitexcessive pride Her conceit will be her downfall.more Show sample from book I disliked their laughter and their tears, their flattery and envy, conceit and deceit.3 more Show general definition for conceit (as in: confident, but not conceited) excessive pride in oneself, arrogance, or vanity
	4
meddlemeddle → meddling:interfering (getting involved where not wanted) She's always meddling in other people's business.more Show sample from book Bad, bad trouble come when beke meddle with that.†3 more interfere (in another's affairs or business); or handle (something that shouldn't be handled) Show general definition interfere (in another's affairs or business) or: get involved with something where involvement isn't warranted
	3	top 2000
emancipatedreleased from social restraints (used as a metaphor for the literal sense of being released from slavery) She was an emancipated 20th century woman pursuing her career.†more Show sample from book Still waiting for this compensation the English promised when the Emancipation Act was passed.†2 more emancipated → emancipation:the act of being released from slavery or servitude; or (metaphorically) from social restraints Show general definition released from slavery or servitude; or (metaphorically) from social restraints
	3	top 2000
obstinatestubbornly not doing what others want She is an obstinate child who will not follow the family rules.more Show sample from book If she was a child she was not a stupid child but an obstinate one.†2 more
	3
hypocritesomeone who violates claimed moral standards She calls him a hypocrite for suggesting a green lifestyle except when it is personally inconvenient.more Show sample from book The old hypocrite,' she kept saying.†2 more