The Piano Lesson — Vocabulary
August Wilson
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
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congregationpeople who worship together in the same building
It's a casual congregation where many people wander into services late.more
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I'm getting more people in my congregation every day.2 more
Show general definition for congregation (as in: the congregation voted) people who worship together in the same building
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dominatecontrol
Democrats dominate the committee.more
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Dominating the parlor is an old upright piano.
dominate → dominating:most conspicuous in
Show general definition to control; or to be most influential, powerful, abundant, important, or conspicuous
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renderrender → rendered:played (portrayed or gave her interpretation of)
The pianist rendered the Beethoven sonata beautifully.more
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The carvings are rendered with a grace and power of invention that lifts them out of the realm of craftsmanship and into the realm of art.
render → rendered:portrayed or created (in a particular way)
Show general definition for render (as in: rendered interpretation) to portray or create something in a particular way; or to interpret, translate, or extract from
The exact meaning of this sense of render depends upon its context. For example:
  • "Each artist will render a different interpretation when painting a portrait." -- create in a particular way
  • "A Supreme Court judge may render his own interpretation of the Constitution." -- interpret in a particular way
  • "The computer you are using, rendered this page from software instructions." -- created through interpretation
  • "A graph is rendered from the underlying data." -- made
  • "Fat can be rendered (extracted) by cooking meat slowly." -- extracted from
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prominentconspicuous (easily noticed)
By law, the notice must be placed in a prominent location.more
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Doaker's room is prominent and opens onto the kitchen.
central
Show general definition for prominent (as in: a prominent place on the shelf) very easily noticed
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perilperil → perils:dangers
The mountaineers faced many perils on their ascent to the summit, including treacherous icefalls and avalanches.more
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It is a life-and-death struggle fraught with perils and faultless terror.†
Show general definition danger
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sparsenot dense
The grass was sparse in the dry field, with patches of dirt showing everywhere.more
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The house is sparsely furnished, and although there is evidence of a woman's touch, there is a lack of warmth and vigor.
sparse → sparsely:in a manner that is not dense or is few in number
Show general definition not dense; or few in number and spread out
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refugesafe place
The park serves as a refuge for wildlife.more
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The Bible say, "The Lord is my refuge . . . and my strength!"
something giving protection
Show general definition something giving protection or comfort -- especially a safe place
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vigorenergy and strength
After a good night’s sleep, she woke up full of vigor and ready to tackle the day’s challenges.more
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The house is sparsely furnished, and although there is evidence of a woman's touch, there is a lack of warmth and vigor.†
strength, energy, or good health
Show general definition strength, energy, or good health
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empowerempower → empowers:gives power or authority to
The Constitution empowers the Vice President to cast tie-breaking votes in the Senate.more
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May this vial of water be empowered with thy spirit.
empower → empowered:given power
Show general definition give or delegate authority or power to

or:

give knowledge or confidence to someone that permits doing something
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righteousrighteous → righteousness:moral correctness
The extremism is fed by unquestioned belief in the righteousness of their cause.more
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Get thee behind the face of Righteousness as we Glorify His Holy Name!
righteous → righteousness:morally correct behavior
Show general definition for righteous (as in: a righteous cause) morally correct; or morally justified

or:

acting or feeling morally superior -- especially when it isn't true (this meaning is more typically seen as a compound word "self-righteous")
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baptismbaptism → baptized:"spiritually renewed" in a Christian ceremony
She was baptized at the same church as her grandmother.more
Show context notes The suffix "-ize" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.
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She been baptized.
Show general definition a Christian ceremony signifying spiritual cleansing and rebirth

or:

a challenging experience that initiates or purifies
Show editor's word notes Most churches baptize infants, but some require an adult to request baptism, and a few (such as the Quakers) require no baptism at all.

Typically, water is used as part of the ceremony, such as sprinkling a little water on a baby's head; though some churches use complete submersion in water.
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pawn shopa shop that offers loans to people who use their personal property as collateral
She put up her wedding ring at the pawn shop to get a 1-week loan so she could fix her car.more
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I thought you took that suit to the pawnshop?†1 more
pawn shop → pawnshop:a shop that offers loans to individuals who use their personal property as collateral
Show general definition a shop that either offers loans to individuals who use their personal property as collateral, or that purchases the personal property outright
Show editor's word notes At a pawn shop, collateral refers to personal property of the borrower that that is left at the pawn shop. If the loan isn't repaid with interest, the pawn shop keeps (the property an sells it to someone else. Otherwise, the property is returned to the borrower.
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abideabide → abides:lives
She abides in the forest.more
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May each drop of it be a weapon and a shield against the presence of all evil and may it be a cleansing and blessing of this humble abode.
abide → abode:a place where one lives
Show general definition for abide (as in: abide in the forest) to live in a place

or more rarely:  to live with someone or something
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fervorintense feelings
The school has a lot of fervor for football.†more
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They sing in harmony with great fervor and style.
Show general definition intense feelings
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fraughtfilled (with something negative)
The week following the diagnosis was fraught with difficult choices.more
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It is a life-and-death struggle fraught with perils and faultless terror.†
full of negative things; OR  marked by or causing distress
Show general definition full of negative things; or marked by or causing distress
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brashbold or self-confident in a manner that seems disrespectful
A brash newcomer wants to change the way the club operates.more
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He is brash and impulsive, talkative and somewhat crude in speech and manner.†
bold or self-confident in a manner that seems disrespectful or tasteless
Show general definition for brash (as in: brash behavior) bold or self-confident in a manner that seems disrespectful or tasteless
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harmoniouspleasing
The changes created a more harmonious melody.more
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They sing in harmony with great fervor and style.
harmonious → harmony:in a pleasing manner (through the combination of different notes)
Show general definition for harmonious (as in: soothing, harmonious music) of music: pleasing (through the combination of different notes)
Show editor's word notes When speaking of music, do not confuse harmonious (pleasing sound) with harmony (the structure of the music with respect to the composition and progression of chords regardless of how pleasing it may or may not be).
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portentportent → portents:signs
She believes ominous dreams are often portents of significant events about to unfold in life.more
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A stillness that is a portent, a gathering, a coming together of something akin to a storm.†
a sign of something about to happen
Show general definition a sign of something about to happen
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genuinegenuine → genuinely:sincerely
I am genuinely sorry for what I did.more
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That's one hundred percent genuine silk.†
real
Show general definition real (as when a person is sincere or an object is not a replica or fake)
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anxietynervousness
She suffers from more than the usual pre-test anxiety.more
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In their anxiety they knock over a lamp.
nervousness or worry
Show general definition nervousness or worry