Obasan — Vocabulary
Joy Kogawa
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	6	top 2000
directwithout intervention from anything (in this case, not sun that is partially blocked or reflected) This flower does best in direct sunlight.more Show sample from book Her answers are always oblique and the full story never emerges in a direct line.†8 more without anything in between Show general definition for direct (as in: directly above; or buy direct) without anything in between -- whether in time, space, or involvement
	3	top 100
direct#2straightforward I left them with direct instructions.more Show sample from book But in nearly four hours of increasingly bitter debate, there was no direct answer to the blunt question posed by Mr. Maclnnis: If the national security is no longer in danger, what is the reason for curtailing the freedom of Canadian citizens?†8 more clear, or straightforward Show general definition for direct (as in: gave a direct answer) straightforward -- often clear, open, or blunt in speech or behavior
	6	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 They were branded, however, as theorists, visionary idealists, purists, talkers of academic nonsense, weepers of crocodile tears.†8 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.
	3	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 "In the heat of the August sun," Grandma writes, "however much the effort to forget, there is no forgetfulness."8 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)
	12	top 1000
beckonbeckon → beckoned:called With a nod of her head, she beckoned me to join them.more Show sample from book The two women step out, beckoning to the girls to follow them.11 more beckon → beckoning:calling (to follow by using a hand gesture or a nod) Show general definition to call -- typically to ask or tell someone to come nearer by using a hand gesture or a nod of the head
	9	top 2000
exileeviction from one's home country She fled Tibet and is living in exile in India.more Show sample from book The Orders-in-Council provide for the exile of Canadian citizens.8 more forcing someone to live outside of their home country Show general definition to force someone to live outside of their homeland; or living in such a condition or more rarely: voluntary absence from a place someone would rather be
	7	top 1000
protrudestick out Metal spikes protrude from the dog's collar.more Show sample from book Rusted nails protrude from the walls.6 more Show general definition to stick out from
	7	top 1000
perilperil → perils:dangers The mountaineers faced many perils on their ascent to the summit, including treacherous icefalls and avalanches.more Show sample from book Grandma Nakane, Uncle's mother, was too old then to understand political expediency, race riots, the yellow peril.†6 more danger Show general definition danger
	7	top 1000
democracya system of government in which citizens have power with equal votes The United States has a representative democracy.more Show sample from book She was no doubt keeping the home fires burning and shouting "Democracy" to keep the enemy at bay.†6 more
	7
deportdeport → deported:forced to leave the country The government deported her.more Show sample from book Deportation on racial grounds has been defined as a crime against humanity,6 more deport → deportation:forcing someone to leave a country Show general definition for deport (as in: deport from the U.S.) forced removal to another location -- typically a different country
	5	top 500
waverwaver → wavered:faltered (stopped being strong) Through good times and bad her love for him has never wavered.more Show sample from book The coulee is so still right now that if a match were to be lit, the flame would not waver.†4 more to move back and forth (shake or quiver); OR to change, be unsure, or weak Show general definition to move back and forth (shake or quiver) or: to change, be unsure, or weak
	4	top 500
agitateagitate → agitating:stirring up emotions to increase unrest We are agitating public unrest, so there will be a cry for change.more Show sample from book His agitation seemed to abate as we walked through the waving grass, though his eyes still stabbed at the air around him and occasionally at me.†3 more agitate → agitation:the act of stirring up (emotionally or physically); or a state of emotional unrest Show general definition to stir up or shake -- emotionally (as when people are angered or upset) or physically (as when a washing machine cleans clothes)
	6	top 2000
partitionpartition → partitioned:divided into parts The classroom was partitioned into smaller sections using folding walls.more Show sample from book On the other side of a partition is a family with three children.5 more a structure (less substantial than a wall) that divides a room Show general definition to divide something into parts; or a divider itself, or one of the sections created
	4	top 1000
deftquick and skillful She painted with deft, swift touches.more Show sample from book With swift deft fingers, Mother removes the live chicks first, placing them in her apron.†3 more
	5
pyrepyre → pyres:piles of wood or other burnable materials While cremation is not uncommon in the western world, open air funeral pyres are typically illegal.more Show sample from book A little distance from the pyre, there are two stacks of wood.†4 more a pile of wood or other burnable material Show general definition a pile of wood or other burnable material -- especially to burn a dead body as in a funeral rite
	3	top 2000
expedientpractical but not ideal It was a necessary expedient to get the job done.more Show sample from book Expedience still demands decisions which will one day be judged unjust.2 more expedient → expedience:the need for practical actions Show general definition convenient and practical, but sometimes not the best or most moral choice
	2	top 1000
loathreluctant or unwilling She is loath to admit a mistake.more Show sample from book He's quoted as saying, "We can do without the Japanese," but he's not loath to take our boats.†1 more reluctant or unwilling to do something Show general definition reluctant or unwilling to do something Show editor's word notes Word Confusion: Do not confuse loath with loathe which sounds very similar or the same. Loath is typically used as an adjective while loathe is a verb that means "to dislike greatly".
	2	top 2000
conscientiouscareful and thorough She is conscientious in the lab.more Show sample from book Those of us who are really conscientious and loyal—how will we ever get a chance to prove ourselves to this country?†1 more careful to do what is right Show general definition careful to do what is right--especially to perform duties in a thorough manner
	2
liquidatesell off (assets) After the company declared bankruptcy, it was forced to liquidate all its assets to pay back creditors.more Show sample from book The American Japanese were interned as we were in Canada, and sent off to concentration camps, but their property wasn't liquidated as ours was.†1 more liquidate → liquidated:To settle or dispose of something completely Show general definition To settle or dispose of something completely -- especially by selling assets or forcefully eliminating a person or thing
	2
revokerevoke → revoked:cancelled (took back) The college revoked her admission when she was caught cheating in high school.more Show sample from book Revocation of nationality.†1 more revoke → revocation:to void, cancel, or take back -- especially to do so in an official manner Show general definition for revoke (as in: revoked his privileges) to void, cancel, or take back -- especially to do so in an official manner