The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman — Vocabulary
Ernest J. Gaines
(Auto-generated)

Word Set

Samples

Sort By

Further limit words

by chapter of first use

to Show all

by difficulty

to (9 is most difficult)

by interest

underline any show only

Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	19	top 2000
parisha local church community or in some places including Louisiana: a jurisdiction of government like a county Are we talking about a governmental or a religious parish?more Show sample from book The children had ridden from all over the parish to attend classes.18 more in Louisiana: a jurisdiction of government that is like a county
	11	top 2000
stallionstallion → stallions:a male horse that has not been castrated Breeders carefully select stallions with excellent lineage to improve the bloodline of their horses.more Show sample from book When we came up even with the corral, a black stallion ran long the fence whinnying and bobbing his head.†10 more a male horse that has not been castrated (gelded) Show general definition a male horse that has not been castrated (gelded) -- especially one used for breeding purposes
	5	top 2000
republicrepublic → republics:governmental systems in which a majority of citizens elect representatives to make laws The United States and each of its states are republics.more Show sample from book The Democrats said that was strange coming from a Republican when a dirty scalawag had one of the biggest plantations in the parish.4 more republic → republican:of a system of government in which a majority of citizens elect representatives … Show general definition for republic (as in: the country is a republic) of a system of government in which a majority of citizens elect representatives to make laws; or someone in favor of such a form of government
	3	top 500
contracta written agreement that is enforceable by law She signed the contract.more Show sample from book ...just like you get contracts to cut wood.2 more contract → contracts:written agreements that are enforceable by law Show general definition for contract (as in: legal contract) an agreement - typically written and enforceable by law
	4	top 2000
reinrein → reined in:restrained The court reined in agency power--describing it as out of control.more Show sample from book He held back on the reins and the horse stopped.3 more rein → reins:straps used to control a horse Show general definition for rein (as in: to rein in their activities) to restrain or control; or a means of control The meaning of rein depends upon its context. For example: "keep a tight rein on the new employee," or "rein in a horse" -- to control or restrain "give the new employee free rein," or "give the horse full rein" -- do not restrain "the reins of government" -- means of control "the reins of the horse" -- leather straps used with a bit to control a horse (You might like to think of other senses of rein as being figurative derivations from this sense.)
	3	top 2000
chastisechastise → chastising:criticizing She said the United Nations resolution amounted to chastising Israel for wanting to exist.more Show sample from book If we saw him fighting, we chastised him no matter who was wrong.2 more chastise → chastised:scolded or criticized Show general definition to scold or criticize
	2	top 1000
narrativeStory He titled his autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.more Show sample from book I should mention here that even though I have used only Miss Jane's voice throughout the narrative, there were times when others carried the story for her.1 more story Show general definition for narrative (as in: Narrative of the Life of...) a story; or related to a story
	2	top 2000
vexfrustrate The complicated math problem continued to vex the entire class until the teacher provided a clearer explanation of the formula.more Show sample from book When the white people found out she was telling lies and refused to fire the servants Molly vexed them and ... till they quit them-self.1 more vex → vexed:annoyed Show general definition to annoy, worry, or frustrate -- especially by being difficult or persistent
	2	top 2000
squabbleargument over unimportant things Their petty squabble is disrupting the team.more Show sample from book I had been sitting there on the end of a log listening to them squabbling over new names, but I didn't have to get in the squabbling because I already had a new name.† squabble → squabbling:arguing -- typically over unimportant things Show general definition an act or instance of arguing -- typically over unimportant things
	2	top 1000
beckonbeckon → beckoned:called With a nod of her head, she beckoned me to join them.more Show sample from book I looked back over my shoulder, and there was Joe and Ned on the other bank beckoning for me to come back to them.1 more beckon → beckoning:calling (to come 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
	1	top 100
contradictdisagree with Does the sentence contradict the main claim of the essay?more Show sample from book The other person would not contradict her, because, after all, this was her story.† disagree Show general definition disagree in various senses, including: to say something is not true -- as in "She contradicted his testimony." to say something else is true when both can't be true -- as in "I don't believe her. She contradicted herself as she told us what happened." to be in conflict with -- as in "Her assertions contradict accepted scientific principles."
	2	top 2000
consciencemoral judgment of personal behavior I have a guilty conscience and want to make it right.more Show sample from book Don't tell me conscience was catching up with him.†1 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
	1	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 That schoolhouse up there go'n be shut down till I can find y'all a competent teacher.† Show general definition capable (able to do something in a generally satisfactory manner) -- sometimes specifically to have legal capability
	2
weanwean → weaned:adapt to the removal of breastmilk Worldwide, most babies are weaned much later, but in the US, fewer than 20% of babies are still nursing when they are six months old.more Show sample from book Shirley went to New Orleans soon after she weaned him, and now it was just him and Lena in the house down there.†1 more wean → weaned:adapted Show general definition to adapt to in various senses, including: "She was weaned at 3 months." -- a mammal's adaption to the removal of breastmilk (note this is the unqualified sense) "I weaned myself from cigarettes." -- adapted to the gradual removal of "I was weaned on progressive principals" -- raised on or adapted to at a very early age.
	1	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 When she was tired, or when she just did not feel like talking any more, or when she had forgotten certain things, someone else would always pick up the narration.† narrate → narration:the act, process, or instance of 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)
	1
exodusdeparture by a lot of people She refers to the departure of domestic migrants form California as the California exodus.more Show sample from book EXODUS (chapter title): Then the people started leaving. Show general definition a departure by a lot of people Show editor's word notes When used as a proper noun (capitalized), "Exodus" typically references the second book of the Old Testament or the story it includes about the departure of the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt.
	1	top 2000
gospelgospel → gospels:books in the New Testament that Christian's believe tell the story of Jesus Christ's life and teachings The earliest surviving complete copy of the gospels dates back to the 4th century.more Show sample from book Listening to his travels we knowed he was close to God, and now we wanted him to pick up the gospel.2 more the religious teachings of Jesus Show general definition for gospel (as in: gospel of the Bible) the religious teachings of Jesus or: one of the four books in the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) that Christian's believe tell the story of Jesus Christ's life and teachings
	1
gospel#2an unquestionable truth I heard her story, but I don't take it as gospel.more Show sample from book "And that makes it gospel truth," he said.2 more Show general definition for gospel (as in: they consider it gospel) a set of beliefs firmly held by a group or: an unquestionable truth
	1
gospel#3a type of vocal music that originated in African-American churches in the United States She sings gospel music at church.more Show sample from book We didn't like for him to listen to the radio, either; 'less he was listening to gospel music on Sundays.2 more Show general definition for gospel (as in: gospel music) a type of vocal music that originated in African-American churches in the United States
	1
Old TestamentOld Testament → Old and New Testaments:first half of the Christian Bible The Bible consists of the Old and New Testaments.more Show sample from book Go to the Old Testament; go to the New. the collection of books comprising the sacred scripture of the Hebrews (Jews) which is the first half of the Christian Bible Show general definition the collection of books comprising the sacred scripture of the Hebrews (Jews) which is the first half of the Christian Bible Show editor's word notes In academic circles, the term Hebrew Bible is commonly used to refer to the Old Testament. Most scholars agree that it was written and compiled between the 12th and the 2nd century BC.