Alias Grace — Vocabulary
Margaret Atwood
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	13	top 100
establishestablish → established:created Which word choice best maintains the tone established in the first paragraph?more Show sample from book They were Church of England, as all the best people were in those days, and also those who wanted to be the best, as it was Established.13 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 I established the fact that Nancy had been in the habit of selling her employer's cast-off garments to the servants, with or without her master's permission; so McDermott could have come by his Shirt of Nessus honestly enough.13 more establish → established:demonstrated Show general definition for establish (as in: establish that there is a need) show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
	13	top 200
inclinedhave a tendency; or an attitude or mood that favors something I'm inclined to believe him.more Show sample from book He always brings something with him; the first day it was a dried flower of some sort, blue it was, the second day a winter pear, the third an onion, you never know what he will bring, although he inclines to the fruits and vegetables;14 more inclined → inclines:has a tendency to favor Show general definition for inclined (as in: I'm inclined to) a tendency, mood, desire, or attitude that favors something; or making someone favor something
	2	top 200
inclinesomething sloping upward (such as a hill) It is a steep incline.more Show sample from book The fact is so obvious that Simon merely inclines his head.14 more incline → inclines:bends (or angles) (like an affirmative nod) Show general definition for incline (as in: on an incline or incline his head) to be at an angle or to bend
	8	top 500
preservepreserve → preserving:protecting or keeping something from changing They are preserving the elephant habitat.more Show sample from book We must all pray to have our sanity preserved; but I have grave doubts concerning your future prospects, should your proposed course of action be pursued.8 more preserve → preserved:protected Show general definition for preserve (as in: preserve the records) to protect something or to keep it as it is
	1	top 500
preserveschunks of fruit cooked with sugar so they will not spoil My grandmother made preserves.more Show sample from book Samantha says that her strawberry preserves, which you loved so much as a Boy, continue as good as ever, and you should hurry back for a taste of them, before she "crosses over the river," as she puts it;8 more fruit cooked with sugar (like jam) 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
	13	top 500
indulgeindulge → indulges:allows them to get their way She indulges her children more than is good for them.more Show sample from book I was indulging myself, he thinks.†12 more indulge → indulging:enjoying to excess Show general definition to give in to a desire or allow someone to enjoy or experience something -- especially something pleasurable
	10	top 500
recollectremember I think I recollect that she was away at college that year.more Show sample from book Lost memories lie down there like sunken treasure, to be retrieved piecemeal, if at all; and amnesia itself may be in effect a sort of dreaming in reverse; a drowning of recollection, a plunging under.... Behind his back the door opens: his breakfast is making its entrance.†9 more recollect → recollection:memory 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.
	12	top 1000
repentto feel regret for having done wrong and to firmly decide to be a better person in the future Prisoners who repent are more likely to be released on parole.more Show sample from book But if Grace Marks repent at last, And for her sins atone, Then when she comes to die, she'll stand At her Redeemer's throne.†11 more to express or feel regret for having done wrong
	10	top 1000
cunningclever and deceitful She came up with a cunning scheme to cheat him.more Show sample from book Is it a real case of amnesia, of the somnambulistic type, or is he the victim of a cunning imposture?†9 more good at achieving goals through cleverness and deception Show general definition for cunning (as in: a cunning thief) being good at achieving goals through cleverness -- and typically through deception as well (tricking others)
	11	top 1000
sullenunhappy and withdrawn She changed from a happy, outgoing child to sullen teenager.more Show sample from book I am of a sullen disposition with a quarrelsome temper…10 more Show general definition for sullen (as in: a sullen mood) being unhappy (and often withdrawn)
	8	top 1000
nonethelessin spite of that (used to connect contrasting ideas) Sometimes she gets angry and loses her temper, but I love her nonetheless.more Show sample from book Should you nonetheless decide to examine Grace Marks at her current place of abode, be pleased to consider yourself amply warned.†7 more Show general definition in spite of that (Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nevertheless, all the same, still, and however.)
	10
amnesialoss of memory The movie is about a woman who suffers amnesia and doesn't even remember her husband.more Show sample from book He said you are well up on cerebral diseases and nervous afflictions, and that in matters concerning amnesia you are on your way to becoming a leading expert.†9 more Show general definition loss of memory (partial or total)
	1	top 200
contendcontend → contends:struggles She contends with headaches.more Show sample from book Melting anguish is a good deal less attractive now that he actually has to contend with it up close and in the flesh.1 more struggle Show general definition for contend (as in: She contended with it) to struggle or argue
	1	top 200
contend#2contend → contending:competing Militant groups are contending for control of the countrymore Show sample from book He then continued with some remarks about the intellectual turmoil in this field of study, and about the contending schools of thought amongst alienists.1 more Show general definition for contend (as in: She contended for the gold medal) to compete
	5	top 1000
clairvoyancehe supposed ability to know things beyond normal perception The detective's ability to solve cold cases seemed almost like clairvoyance, though it was really just careful observation and intuition.more Show sample from book I could go about the fairs, he said, and be a fire-eater, or else a medical clairvoyant, and trade in Mesmerism and Magnetism, which is always a draw.†4 more clairvoyance → clairvoyant:to perceive things beyond the natural range of the senses Show general definition to perceive things beyond the natural range of the senses -- especially foreseeing the future
	5	top 1000
discreditdamage the reputation of She spoke only of her strengths, but others on her campaign staff worked to discredit her opponent.more Show sample from book Is not this Neurohypnotism simply the reanimated corpse of Mesmer's discredited Animal Magnetism?†4 more discredit → discredited:damaged the reputation of Show general definition damage the reputation of -- often causing distrust of or disbelief in
	6
inquestformal inquiry or investigation The coroner's inquest ruled the death a homicide.more Show sample from book Grace appears to have told one story at the inquest, another one at the trial, and, after her death sentence had been commuted, yet a third.†5 more formal investigation Show general definition a formal inquiry or investigation -- typically into the cause of an undesirable event -- often an investigation of an unexpected death
	3	top 500
conducivehelpful The dorm room was not conducive to studying.more Show sample from book There are so many considerations to attend to, and surely the daily consorting with the insane would be far from conducive to a tranquil existence.†2 more helpful; or tending to contribute (to something) Show general definition helpful; or tending to contribute (to something)
	4	top 2000
edifyedify → edifies:teaches or instructs She edifies and inspires supporters everywhere she speaks.more Show sample from book Dr. Jordan, he said, was to be congratulated upon the edifying remarks with which he had honoured them today.†3 more edify → edifying:instructive Show general definition to instruct -- morally or intellectually