Major Barbara — Vocabulary
George Bernard Shaw
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	11	top 2000
consciencemoral judgment of personal behavior I have a guilty conscience and want to make it right.more Show sample from book Wot I done to er is not on me mawnd—wot she [indicating Barbara] might call on me conscience—no more than stickin a pig.†10 more feeling or appraisal of having personally behaved in a morally right or wrong manner Show general definition feeling or judgment of morally right or wrong personal behavior
	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 [Suddenly turning on her with intense malice] And if I don't find Mog there, I'll come back and do two years for you, selp me Gawd if I don't†2 more the desire to hurt others or see them suffer Show general definition the intention or desire to see others suffer
	3	top 200
indignantindignant → indignantly:with anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong "I am not a fool," she said indignantly.more Show sample from book RUMMY [running indignantly to him to scold him].†2 more Show general definition angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
	3	top 500
recollectremember I think I recollect that she was away at college that year.more Show sample from book [Recollecting] Oh, I know: you're the man that Jenny Hill was praying for inside just now†2 more recollect → recollecting:remembering 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.
	3	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 sits down again, and stretches his legs in an attempt to seem indifferent]†2 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."
	2	top 100
alludeallude → alluded:indirectly referenced He alluded to Susan without mentioning her name.more Show sample from book The cannon is mounted on an experimental gun carriage: possibly the original model of the Undershaft disappearing rampart gun alluded to by Stephen.†1 more Show general definition to make an indirect reference Show editor's word notes The expression, no allusion can mean "not even an indirect reference"; i.e., neither a direct nor an indirect reference to something.
	3	top 1000
vehementforceful or intense She was vehement in her defense of her friend, insisting that he was innocent.more Show sample from book LADY BRITOMART [vehemently] I did, Charles.†2 more vehement → vehemently:marked by extreme intensity -- especially emotion such as anger Show general definition marked by extreme intensity -- especially emotion such as anger
	4	top 2000
amiablefriendly and likable She seemed an ideal candidate--attractive, amiable, intelligent, and energetic.more Show sample from book I find myself in a specially amiable humor just now because, this morning, down at the foundry, we blew twenty-seven dummy soldiers into fragments with a gun which formerly destroyed only thirteen.†3 more friendly, agreeable, and likable Show general definition friendly, agreeable, and likable
	4	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 STEPHEN [obstinately] I would die sooner than ask him for another penny.†3 more obstinate → obstinately:stubbornly unyielding to the wishes of others
	3	top 1000
cunningclever and deceitful She came up with a cunning scheme to cheat him.more Show sample from book CUSINS [disingenuously] Well—er—well, possibly, as a collector of religions— LOMAX [cunningly] Not as a drummer, though, you know.†2 more cunning → cunningly:in a manner that is clever and typically that includes tricking others 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)
	2	top 200
complacentunworried and satisfied She had become complacent after years of success.more Show sample from book LADY BRITOMART [complacently] Yes: I have made a very good match for Sarah.†1 more complacent → complacently:with satisfaction or contentment (unworried and satisfied) Show general definition contented (unworried and satisfied) -- often to a fault
	2	top 200
dubiousquestionable or unreliable The theory is based on dubious evidence that hasn’t been verified.more Show sample from book STEPHEN [dubiously] I am afraid I should make a poor hand of managing a cannon foundry.†1 more dubious → dubiously:doubtfully or suspiciously Show general definition doubtful, questionable, or suspicious -- especially in a way that makes something seem unreliable, improper, or uncertain doubtful in various senses, including: questionable or doubtful that something should be relied upon -- as in "The argument relies on a dubious assumption." suspicious or doubtful that something is morally proper -- as in "The company is accused of using dubious sales practices to influence minors." bad or of questionable value -- as in "The state has the dubious distinction of the highest taxes." uncertain or doubtful -- as in "She is dubious about making the change."
	2	top 200
enableenable → enables:makes possible The test enables earlier identification of autism.more Show sample from book It enables Parliament to do things at eleven at night that no sane person would do at eleven in the morning.†1 more Show general definition to make possible in various senses, including: to give someone the ability, knowledge, or authority to do something -- as in "The study will enable an informed discussion." to activate a computer system for use -- as in "You can enable the feature in the Settings Page." to permit someone to repeat bad behavior, so they reinforce the bad pattern -- as in "I don't want to enable her drug addiction."
	3	top 1000
cynicalsomeone who expects the worst The experience made her overly cynical.more Show sample from book BILL [cynically, aside to Barbara, his voice and accent horribly debased] Wot prawce Selvytion nah?†2 more cynical → cynically:someone who expects the worst -- especially of people Show general definition someone who expects the worst -- especially of people (such as expecting them to be selfish and lie)
	5
drivelnonsense Too much television is brain-rotting drivel.more Show sample from book Charles: if you must drivel, drivel like a grown-up man and not like a schoolboy.†4 more worthless talk or information Show general definition for drivel (as in: talking drivel) worthless talk or information
	5
remonstratecriticize or argue When she has a complaint with her staff, she will remonstrate quietly and in private.more Show sample from book LOMAX [remonstrating] Oh I say!†4 more remonstrate → remonstrating:arguing in protest or opposition Show general definition argue, complain, or criticize
	2	top 200
obsoleteno longer in general use because it was replaced by something better My mother still has a twenty-year-old obsolete computer in storage.more Show sample from book It scraps its obsolete steam engines and dynamos; but it won't scrap its old prejudices and its old moralities and its old religions and its old political constitutions.†1 more Show general definition no longer in general use because it was replaced by something better
	2	top 500
impetuousimpulsive (made suddenly without much thought) She regretted her impetuous promise.†more Show sample from book CUSINS [returning impetuously from the shelter with a flag and a trombone, and coming between Mrs Baines and Undershaft] You shall carry the flag down the first street, Mrs Baines [he gives her the flag].†1 more impetuous → impetuously:impulsively (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
	4
scoundrelsomeone without moral principles He's a scoundrel. Don't trust him.more Show sample from book In other words, some men are honest and some are scoundrels.†3 more scoundrel → scoundrels:people without moral principles
	2	top 1000
scrupulouscareful and thorough You can count on her. She is scrupulous in her work.more Show sample from book You got oil because you were selfish and unscrupulous.†1 more scrupulous → unscrupulous:unethical Show context notes The prefix "un-" in unscrupulous means not and reverses the meaning of scrupulous. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky. Show general definition careful to behave ethically and/or diligently (with great care and attention to detail)