All the King's Men — Vocabulary
Robert Penn Warren
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	1	top 1000
resignationa document expressing that someone is quitting a job I know you're unhappy there, but don't submit your resignation until you find a better job.more Show sample from book He resigned as Attorney General to become counsel and vice-president for the American Electric Power Company,20 more resignation → resigned:quit (a job) Show general definition for resignation (as in: submitted her resignation) to quit -- especially a job or position; or a document expressing such an act
	20	top 1000
resignation#2(accepted) something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils It wasn't her first choice, but she accepted it with resignation.more Show sample from book I am resigned to it all now, Jack.20 more resignation → resigned:having accepted something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils Show general definition for resignation (as in: accepted it with resignation) acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
	19	top 500
recollectremember I think I recollect that she was away at college that year.more Show sample from book Then I recollected how he'd done right well in his law practice.18 more recollect → recollected:remembered 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.
	8	top 200
inclinedhave a tendency; or an attitude or mood that favors something I'm inclined to believe him.more Show sample from book And the skin will be inclined to break down.8 more with a tendency 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
	1	top 200
inclinesomething sloping upward (such as a hill) It is a steep incline.more Show sample from book Adam inclined his head in acceptance, and went out.8 more incline → inclined:bent Show general definition for incline (as in: on an incline or incline his head) to be at an angle or to bend
	21	top 2000
chroniclechronicle → chronicles:records or reports She chronicles daily events of interest in Twitter.more Show sample from book At least, he knew that I worked for the Chronicle, which at that time was supporting the Joe Harrison outfit.†20 more a record of events… Show general definition a record of events; or the act of creating such a record or telling others of the events
	11	top 500
ambiguousunclear because it could be interpreted in different ways The detective found the suspect’s statement ambiguous, unsure whether it was a confession or a denial.more Show sample from book It was a very ambiguous contract.†10 more unclear -- because there could be two or more interpretations Show general definition unclear -- because there could be two or more interpretations
	15	top 2000
legislatureelected body that makes laws The state legislature passed a law to increase the minimum wage, but the governor vetoed it while claiming it would reduce the number of entry-level jobs for young people.more Show sample from book Get in there busting some sense into that Legislature, and it leaves a man worse'n the summer complaint.†14 more a group, made up of government representatives, that has the power to create laws Show general definition a group made up of government representatives (usually elected) that has the power to create laws
	9	top 100
irrelevantnot relevant The sentence should be deleted because it introduces information that is irrelevant to the passage.more Show sample from book You could hear one insane and irrelevant July fly sawing away up in one of the catalpa trees in the square.†8 more not relevant (not related to the subject being considered, or not important enough to want to consider) Show general definition not relevant (not related to the subject being considered, or not important enough to want to consider)
	12	top 2000
mortgageproperty loan We are the proud owners of a new home and a $100,000 mortgage.more Show sample from book He was paying his way, he said, even if he had to put another mortgage on his pappy's farm and the last one it would hold.†11 more a real estate loan; or pledging something for a loan Show general definition a real estate loan; or to offer real estate as collateral for a loan (collateral is something that has to be given to the lender if the loan isn't paid as agreed)
	2	top 100
consequenceconsequence → consequences:results Your decision will have three major consequences.more Show sample from book So, I observed, my nobility (or whatever it was) had had in my world almost as dire a consequence as Cass Mastern's sin had had in his.†2 more result Show general definition for consequence (as in: a direct consequence of) a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
	1	top 1000
consequence#2consequence → consequential:important Think carefully. This is a consequential decision.more Show sample from book She stood in the middle of the room pressing her hair into place, and I stumblingly ventured some remark about our future, a remark very vague for my being was still confused, but she responded, 'Oh, let us not think about it now,' as though I had broached a subject of no consequence.†2 more importance Show general definition for consequence (as in: of little consequence) importance or relevance
	10	top 2000
bemusedpuzzled She was obviously bemused by his questions.more Show sample from book He was not only bemused by the voice he had heard.†9 more puzzled or amused; OR (less commonly) interested, engrossed or intrigued Show general definition puzzled or amused or (less commonly): interested, engrossed or intrigued
	6	top 2000
askewnot straight (not in proper alignment) She came out of the water with her glasses askew but still on her head.more Show sample from book Then, with the faces in place and only a little askew, they crowded around the Boss and shook his hand.†5 more not straight; or not right Show general definition not straight (not in proper alignment) or: (when used figuratively) not right, or not as planned
	4	top 500
superfluousmore than is needed, desired, or required Eliminate superfluous words.more Show sample from book The remark was superfluous.†3 more
	6
peevisheasily annoyed The peevish child refused to eat his vegetables and threw a tantrum at the dinner table.more Show sample from book "Name of Jeffers," Mr. Pillsbury said peevishly, as at an unpleasant recollection.†5 more peevish → peevishly:annoyed or easily annoyed -- especially by unimportant things Show general definition annoyed or easily annoyed -- especially by unimportant things
	1	top 2000
vengeancerevenge Most Americans wanted vengeance after the 9-11 attacks.more Show sample from book Then I was traveling through the part where the crook-legged, high-heeled, gun-wearing, spick-killing, callous-rumped sons of the range live and crowd the drugstore on Saturday night and then all go round the corner to see episode three of "Vengeance on Vinegar Creek," starring Gene Autry as Borax Pete.†1 more the act of taking revenge Show general definition for vengeance (as in: vengeance is mine) the act of taking revenge (Revenge means to harm someone to get them back for something harmful that they have done.)
	1
with a vengeancewith intensity I thought I was getting over my cold and went to work, but it came back with a vengeance.more Show sample from book A Governor can succeed himself in our state, and the Boss succeeded himself with a vengeance†1 more Show general definition for with a vengeance (as in: with a vengeance) with intensity
	4	top 2000
squalorextremely dirty and unpleasant living conditions To meet her today, you would never guess she lived in squalor as a child.more Show sample from book He even took a relish in the squalor, in the privilege of letting a last crust of buttered toast fall to the floor to be undisturbed until the random heel should grind it into the mud-colored carpet, in the spectacle of the fat roach moving across the cracked linoleum of the bathroom floor while he steamed in the tub.†3 more Show general definition (describing a place) extremely dirty and unpleasant -- typically due to poverty
	4
gossamerdelicate or light The painting has a fairy with gossamer wings.more Show sample from book The cord is so gossamer that it breaks every day, but the marks get there finally, and finally one day the gossamer cord doesn't break and is enough.†3 more extremely light, delicate, airy, or thin Show general definition extremely light, delicate, airy, or thin