Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead — Vocabulary
Tom Stoppard
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	10	top 500
rhetoricuse of words to make a point She has convincing rhetoric, but she makes bad decisions.more Show sample from book PLAYER: It's about a King and Queen.... GUIL: Escapism! What else? PLAYER: Blood GUIL: -Love and rhetoric.9 more the use of words to make a point Show general definition the use of (or study of using) words to make a point -- typically implying skillful use Show editor's word notes Rhetoric is used with many connotations. "Effective rhetoric" has a positive connotation, If someone says something is "just rhetoric," they're implying that the words may make a good surface impression, but they are lacking in substance.
	6	top 100
factorthing (that influenced a result) Cost was an important factor in our decision.more Show sample from book Two, probability is not operating as a factor.†5 more thing that affects a result or outcome Show general definition for factor (as in: It was the deciding factor.) something that affects a result or outcome Show editor's word notes You also may encounter x-factor or x factor--meaning "the most important thing that influences a result or outcome."
	9	top 1000
afflictafflict → afflicted:made to suffer The region was afflicted by a long drought that destroyed most crops.more Show sample from book He's afflicted.8 more afflict → afflicted:suffering from something Show general definition to cause pain, suffering, or trouble -- especially something long-lasting or hard to endure
	2	top 2000
ironywhen what happens is very different than what might be expected She didn't see the irony in acting like the mother she detested.more Show sample from book Between "just desserts" and "tragic irony" we are given quite a lot of scope for our particular talent.2 more Show general definition for irony (as in: situational irony) when what happens is very different than what might be expected; or when things are together that seem like they don't belong together -- especially when amusing or an entertaining coincidence Show editor's word notes This is sometimes referred to as "situational irony." The term is especially appropriate when actions have consequences opposite to those intended. The expression ironic smile, generally references someone smiling at situational irony. All forms of irony involve the perception that things are not what they might seem.
	1	top 2000
irony#2irony → ironic:saying one thing, while meaning the opposite She was being ironic when she said she couldn't wait to see you again.more Show sample from book Then GUIL claps solo with slow measured irony.2 more saying one thing while meaning the opposite Show general definition for irony (as in: verbal irony) saying one thing, while meaning the opposite or something else -- usually as humor or sarcasm Show editor's word notes This is sometimes referred to as "verbal irony." Typically, the speaker says one thing but means the opposite, and the tone of voice or the context of the situation makes the true, contradictory meaning clear. All forms of irony involve the perception that things are not what they might seem.
	4	top 1000
obscurenot clearly understood For some obscure reason that goes back many years, they don't like each other.more Show sample from book ...we are tied down to a language which makes up in obscurity what it lacks in style.3 more obscure → obscurity:the quality of being difficult to understand Show general definition for obscure (as in: the view or directions are obscure) not clearly seen, understood, or expressed Show editor's word notes Although this meaning of obscure typically refers to seeing or understanding, it can refer to difficulty with any type of detection as when something is hard to hear. It can also more specifically mean vague, or mysterious, or unknown by anyone. Much more rarely, it can mean secretive.
	3	top 200
plausiblesounding reasonable She offered a plausible excuse.more Show sample from book It doesn't sound very plausible.2 more likely (reasonable that it would be true) Show general definition apparently reasonable, but unproven
	4	top 1000
melancholyvery sad She's been in a melancholy mood since her dog died.more Show sample from book GUIL: He's-melancholy.†3 more a sad feeling or manner Show general definition a sad feeling or manner -- sometimes thoughtfully sad
	3	top 500
precedentan example from a prior time that justifies the belief If the looters are not punished, it will set a precedent that others can loot with impunity.more Show sample from book GUIL: You and I, Alfred-we could create a dramatic precedent here.†2 more an example from a prior time Show general definition for precedent (as in: sets a precedent) an example from a prior time -- typically used to justify similar occurrences at a later time (especially a judicial decision)
	3	top 500
arbitrarybased on chance or impulse It was an arbitrary decision.more Show sample from book If we start being arbitrary it'll just be a shambles:2 more doing things based on chance or impulse Show general definition based on chance or impulse (rather than upon reasoning, consistent rules, or a proper sense of fairness)
	2	top 100
neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas) The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more Show sample from book ROS: Nevertheless, I suppose one might say that this was a chance.... One might well ...accost him.... Yes, it definitely looks like a chance to me.... Something on the lines of a direct informal approach ...man to man ...straight from the shoulder.... Now look here, what's it all about ...sort of thing.†1 more Show general definition despite that 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 was just stated, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrast and but.
	5	top 2000
anguishpain I felt unbearable anguish when my 4-year-old child died from brain cancer.more Show sample from book GUIL: But why? Was it all for this? Who are we that so much should converge on our little deaths? (In anguish to the PLAYER:) Who are we?4 more extreme pain, suffering, or distress Show general definition extreme pain, suffering, or distress (of body or mind)
	2	top 100
phenomenonsomething that is of special interest It is a growing social phenomenon on high school campuses.more Show sample from book GUIL: The scientific approach to the examination of phenomena is a defence against the pure emotion of fear.†1 more phenomenon → phenomena:things that exists or happened -- often of special interest Show general definition something that exists or happened -- especially something of special interest -- sometimes someone or something that is extraordinary Show editor's word notes "Phenomenons" and "phenomena" are both appropriate plural forms of this noun. "Phenomena" is generally used in scientific or philosophical contexts.
	2	top 2000
vengeancerevenge Most Americans wanted vengeance after the 9-11 attacks.more Show sample from book GUIL (fear, vengeance, scorn): Your experience!†2 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 And so here you are-with a vengeance.†2 more Show general definition for with a vengeance (as in: with a vengeance) with intensity
	2
amnesialoss of memory The movie is about a woman who suffers amnesia and doesn't even remember her husband.more Show sample from book GUIL: Difficult to say, really-some kings tend to be amnesiac, others I suppose-the opposite, whatever that is.... ROS: Yes-but GUIL: Elephantine ...?†1 more amnesia → amnesiac:someone who has lost their memory Show general definition loss of memory (partial or total)
	1	top 200
pragmaticpractical She is a pragmatic problem solver.more Show sample from book ROS: Why don't you go and have a look? GUIL: Pragmatism?!--is that all you have to offer? pragmatic → pragmatism:concern with practical matters -- especially where quick results and/or practical experience triumph over theory Show general definition concerned with practical matters -- especially where quick results and/or practical experience triumph over theory
	1	top 2000
credulousgullible (being too willing to believe) The trick would fool none but the most credulous.more Show sample from book His face and his hands indicate his incredulity.† credulous → incredulity:a state of not believing Show context notes The prefix "in-" in incredulity means not and reverses the meaning of credulity. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.
	1	top 2000
hiatusgap in time when activity stopped After a four-month hiatus, Days of Our Lives resumed production.more Show sample from book Hiatus.† gap in time without activity Show general definition a gap in time (when there is no or less activity)
	1	top 2000
unobtrusiveunobtrusive → unobtrusively:fitting in so as not to attract much attention or disturb The web site has a lot of ads, but they are unobtrusively placed on the far right of the screen.more Show sample from book It's just a man failing to reappear, that's all —now you see him, now you don't, that's the only thing that's real: here one minute and gone the next and never coming back-an exit, unobtrusive and unannounced, a disappearance gathering weight as it goes on, until, finally, it is heavy with death.† Show general definition fitting in so as not to attract much attention or disturb