The Soloist — Vocabulary
Steve Lopez
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	18	top 2000
symphonyan orchestra that plays classical music We heard the Vienna Symphony.more Show sample from book I know he's an excellent player, a magnificently accomplished professional musician, because I saw him playing Beethoven's Third Symphony.17 more a long and complex piece of music -- typically for full orchestra in four parts Show general definition a long, complex piece of music for full orchestra (often in several movements); also, the orchestra or performance of such a work, or by extension any richly harmonious combination of many parts
	4	top 100
advocateadvocate → advocates:publicly supports She advocates stricter gun control.more Show sample from book Even a columnist, with a license to advocate for one thing or another, generally stops short of personal involvement in the life of a subject.4 more publicly support Show general definition for advocate (as in: to advocate) to recommend or publicly support (someone or something)
	1	top 100
advocate#2a person who publicly supports and works to advance a cause She is a passionate advocate for children's welfare.more Show sample from book Nathaniel, it seems, already has an advocate and trusted acquaintance, namely me.4 more public supporter Show general definition for advocate (as in: an advocate supporting) a person who publicly supports and works to advance a cause or more rarely: someone acting in the role of a defense lawyer in England's past and in some jurisdictions today
	14	top 2000
diagnoseidentify Did the doctor diagnose the problem?more Show sample from book The diagnosis was paranoid schizophrenia, and his life, as he had lived it until then, was over.13 more diagnose → diagnosis:the name of a disease that was determined to be the cause of an illness Show general definition determine or identify the nature of a problem or an illness
	8	top 2000
psychoticsomeone who suffers from a psychosis (any severe mental disorder in which contact with reality is lost or highly distorted) She is borderline psychotic.more Show sample from book That doesn't mean that in the case of someone who is acutely psychotic, and a threat to himself or someone else, Ragins would argue against meds and hospital care.†7 more related to psychosis or someone who suffers from a psychosis (any severe mental disorder in which contact with reality is lost or highly distorted) Show general definition related to psychosis or someone who suffers from a psychosis (any severe mental disorder in which contact with reality is lost or highly distorted)
	7	top 2000
deludedelude → deluded:with a false belief She is a sincere but deluded idealist.more Show sample from book If the poor soul is that delusional, he's even sicker than I thought.6 more delude → delusional:out of touch with reality (having false beliefs) Show general definition deceive (convince to have a false belief)
	5	top 500
techniqueway of doing something She developed a new surgical technique that shortens recovery time.more Show sample from book Talent—A Technique—A Tone—A Rhythm—A Intonation—A Memory—B+ Grade—A Scholarship— Definitely.†4 more Show general definition a way of doing something; or the methods used to do it well
	6	top 1000
prescribeprescribe → prescribed:gave medical instructions instructing that the patient should take The doctor prescribed an antibiotic for the infection.more Show sample from book I'm curious to know her every thought, her diagnosis, her prognosis, her prescription.5 more prescribe → prescription:medical recommendation Show general definition to recommend or require what should be done or more specifically: of a medical doctor: to give medical instructions -- such as writing that a patient should take antibiotics
	4	top 500
mentorsomeone who guides and advises another who is less experienced Each new employee is matched with a mentor.more Show sample from book Having spent years under Homer Mensch's wing, he recognized the sound as that of his mentor, and he decided to steal just a minute or two to peek in and watch the master at work.†3 more someone who guides and advises another who is less experienced… Show general definition someone who guides and advises another who is less experienced; or the act of providing such guidance
	4	top 500
competentsufficiently capable She is a competent student and I have no doubt she will be a competent lawyer one day.more Show sample from book Mr. Stuart Robinson is not competent to manage Lamp, Los Angeles, Cleveland, New York City LAPD, and I don't want any of those clowns in there telling me what to do when they cannot deal with the drug addicts and cigarette smokers who come in here and steal everything.†3 more Show general definition capable (able to do something in a generally satisfactory manner) -- sometimes specifically to have legal capability
	4	top 1000
compassionsympathy for another's suffering and wanting to help If I see one hungry child, I feel compassion, but when I hear of a million hungry children, I'm overwhelmed and turn my mind to other things.more Show sample from book After decades of inadequate services and lack of awareness or compassion, Nathaniel has put a human face on the suffering of thousands and on the work of those, like the Van Horns, whose mission is to help them.†3 more Show general definition sympathy for another's suffering and wanting to help
	2	top 100
negativenegative → negatively:in a bad or harmful manner Higher interest rates negatively affected home sales.more Show sample from book She says patients like Nathaniel, who have been forcibly hospitalized or had negative reactions to medication, often aggressively resist any efforts to help them.†1 more bad or harmful Show general definition for negative (as in: had a negative effect) bad or harmful
	2	top 100
accompanyaccompany → accompanying:provided together The trend is easily seen in the accompanying graph.more Show sample from book I'm no doctor, but I am able to diagnose the mild dread that is now washing over me, accompanied by a nervous stomach.5 more accompany → accompanied:joined at the same time Show general definition for accompany (as in: the accompanying chart) to be present with at the same time and/or location -- sometimes provided to make something more complete or better
	4	top 100
accompany#2perform with Who can accompany me on the piano?more Show sample from book You can play it yourself or have someone accompany you while you're on cello or violin.5 more Show general definition for accompany (as in: accompanied her in the performance) to perform with
	8
concertoconcerto → concertos:music written for orchestra and one (or more) solo instruments Concertos have been written for all instruments, but most are written for violin, cello, or piano because those instruments provide such a wide, dynamic and expressive range.more Show sample from book He did, however, dig up and copy Camille Saint—Saens's Concerto for Violoncello.†7 more
	1	top 1000
musemuse → mused:reflected (thought) deeply He mused aloud about the afternoon's developments.more Show sample from book I scribble Nathaniel's musings in my spiral notebook, trying to keep up with a running soliloquy that is somewhat reminiscent of Joseph Mitchell's Professor Sea Gull character.2 more muse → musings:thoughts Show general definition for muse (as in: her musings) reflect (think) deeply on a subject -- perhaps aloud
	2	top 2000
muse#2the source of an artist's inspiration She was his muse. He hasn't written anything of quality since she left.more Show sample from book Each is as true today as it will always be, and for Nathaniel the music is both medicine and muse, no less an inspiration now than it was before his fall.2 more source of inspiration Show general definition for muse (as in: She was his muse) the source of an artist's inspiration - especially a person or mythological goddess Show editor's word notes The 9 muses were the daughters of the Greek gods Zeus & Mnemosyne. Each of the muses was thought to inspire and preside over one of the arts.
	3	top 2000
tiradespeech of angry criticism She unleashed a stunning tirade that could be heard in the next room.more Show sample from book She remembers too well her brother's tirades, which terrified her and were like a dagger through her mother's heart.2 more tirade → tirades:speeches of angry criticism Show general definition a speech of angry criticism
	3
arbora framework that supports climbing plants The arbor provided a shady resting place in the park.more Show sample from book The patio is an oasis of trees and benches, a manicured lawn and bougainvillea cascading over a wooden arbor.2 more a framework that supports climbing plants; or a shady rest area made by such a framework or by trees and shrubs Show general definition for arbor (as in: shaded arbor) a framework that supports climbing plants; or a shady rest area made by such a framework or by trees and shrubs Show editor's word notes The framework of an arbor is generally thought of as a wood lattice made to support vines, but it can also be a natural framework such as trees.
	2	top 2000
narratenarrate → narrates:writes or tells (a story) She narrates the story with the wisdom of an older woman looking back on life.more Show sample from book We listen to classical KUSC on my car radio and it's like having a DJ on board, with Nathaniel narrating and patiently tutoring me.†1 more narrate → narrating:telling (a story) Show general definition to tell a story-possibly as the main voice in a documentary; or a character who speaks to the audience in a performance The specific meaning of narrate depends on context. For example: "She narrated her story with tears in her eyes." -- told a story "Her diary chillingly narrates her descent into madness." -- tells a story in writing "Morgan Freeman narrated the documentary which features historic news reports and interviews." -- was the voice that tells a story while tying the scenes of a documentary together "The character who plays the Stage Director in Our Town* also narrates for the audience."* -- when an actor in a play, movie, or other performance helps to tell the story by talking directly to the audience (breaking the imaginary barrier between the performers and the audience)