Jacob Have I Loved — Vocabulary
Katherine Paterson
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	1	top 500
resolveresolve → resolved:decided This year I resolved to lose a pound a week for 5 weeks.more Show sample from book But as fast as I would repent, resolving never again to hate, some demon would slip into my soul, tug at the corner, and...1 more resolve → resolving:definitely deciding Show general definition for resolve (as in: I resolved to stop drinking.) to decide -- typically a firm or formal decision Show editor's word notes In modern writing resolve is typically used to emphasize a firm or formal decision. In classic literature, it is used more frequently and often simply replaces decide or determine.
	1	top 500
resolve#2resolve → resolved:settled or solved Three of the five issues have already been resolved.more Show sample from book "The only way to resolve the problem of the cats," he said, "is to dispose of them humanely."1 more solve or settle Show general definition for resolve (as in: How was the problem resolved?) to solve a problem, settle a disagreement, or for a situation to change
	4	top 500
scarcityshortage There is a scarcity of work in the region.more Show sample from book in the mountains where doctors were scarce3 more scarcity → scarce:available less than desired Show general definition shortage (having an amount that is less than desired)
	4	top 1000
debrispieces of something that has been destroyed; or trash that is lying around She swept up the debris.more Show sample from book We could pole the skiff down to his house, maneuvering around the debris as we would ice floes.†3 more Show general definition pieces of something that has been destroyed; or trash that is lying around
	3	top 500
earnestearnest → in earnest:in a serious manner I began training in earnest the summer before high school.more Show sample from book "Don't worry," Call began earnestly, "you wouldn't have to—" at which point my bare heel slammed down on his bare toes.†2 more earnest → earnestly:sincerely or seriously Show general definition characterized by sincere belief or: intensely or excessively serious or determined
	2	top 100
contradictdisagree with Does the sentence contradict the main claim of the essay?more Show sample from book I knew she was expecting me to contradict Momma, but I wasn't going to.†1 more 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 100
conventionconvention → conventional:normal It was once conventional wisdom that the earth is flat.more Show sample from book I wanted to get away from what I thought of as a very conventional small town and try my wings.1 more convention → conventional:typical Show general definition for convention (as in: conventional behavior) something regarded as normal or typical
	5	top 2000
midwifea non-doctor who practices the profession of assisting women in childbirth The village has no doctor, but there is a midwife.more Show sample from book When I was about ready to graduate, a list of Appalachian communities asking for nurse-midwives was posted on the student bulletin board.4 more midwife → midwives:someone skilled in aiding the delivery of babies Show general definition a trained (usually non-doctor) professional who assists women in childbirth; or more broadly, a person who helps bring something new into existence or helps guide it into being
	3	top 500
exasperatedgreatly annoyed She was exasperated by his teasing.more Show sample from book My hands were shaking with rage or frustration or exasperation, who knew which, but I managed to fill the mug to the brim with the thick yellowish milk.2 more exasperated → exasperation:greatly annoyance
	4	top 1000
repentto feel regret for having done wrong and to firmly decide to be a better person in the future Prisoners who repent are more likely to be released on parole.more Show sample from book But as fast as I would repent, resolving never again to hate, some demon would slip into my soul, tug at the corner, and...3 more feel regret for having done wrong
	3	top 1000
solemnvery serious He took a solemn oath.more Show sample from book I pulled in my cheeks in an attempt to appear solemn.†2 more very serious--possibly dignified Show general definition in a very serious (and often dignified) manner
	2	top 500
indulgeindulge → indulges:allows them to get their way She indulges her children more than is good for them.more Show sample from book I stuck with him not only because we could work well together, but because our teamwork was so automatic that I was free to indulge my romantic fantasies at the same time.†1 more enjoy to excess Show general definition to give in to a desire or allow someone to enjoy or experience something -- especially something pleasurable
	4	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 Within a few days we learned that Mr. Rice had volunteered for the army and would be leaving for the war soon after Christmas. In chorus one morning the irony of celebrating the birth of the Prince of Peace suddenly seemed too much.3 more when things are together that seem like they don't belong together 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.
	4	top 2000
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. Show sample from book But, Nurse, it must be baptized before it dies.†3 more baptism → baptized:"spiritually renewed" in a Christian ceremony OR initiated or purified by a challenging experience 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. 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.
	15
cullselect for elimination They cull the deer twice a year to assure their numbers can be sustained.more Show sample from book Into it each crab pot will be emptied and from it the legal-sized crabs—hard, peeler, and soft—will be culled from their smaller kin as well as from the blowfish, sea nettles, seaweed, shells, and garbage, all such unwelcome harvest as the Bay seems ever generous to offer up.†14 more cull → culled:to select from among many Show general definition to select from among many -- sometimes what is desired; sometimes to eliminate that which is not wanted
	7
heathenheathen → heathens:people who do not believe in Christianity The crusaders called them heathens and they called the crusaders infidels.more Show sample from book "T'ain't fitting a heathen should read the Word of God," she said.†6 more someone who is not civilized or not moral OR an offensive term for a person who does not believe in a preferred religion Show general definition an often offensive (sometimes humorous) word for someone seen as uncivilized or immoral, especially because she does not share the speaker’s religion or comes from a culture unfamiliar with it Show editor's word notes This word is usually judgmental or insulting, so today it is used mostly in joking contexts or when describing older attitudes.
	3
deltageological area where a river divides before entering a larger body of water The delta has rich soil, but it is subject to flooding.more Show sample from book Now, for example, I would be reassuring the Pharaoh that the flood was a gift from the gods, that once it receded, the rich black earth of the delta would bring forth abundant grain.2 more geographic area where a river divides before entering a larger body of water Show general definition for delta (as in: river delta) a typically triangular area with sand or soil where a river divides before entering a larger body of water
	2	top 1000
petulantunreasonably annoyed or upset She stomped her foot like a petulant child.more Show sample from book At six, Grandma woke, hungry and petulant.1 more Show general definition unreasonably annoyed or upset or: easily annoyed or upset
	2
ailmentillness She died of a heart ailment.more Show sample from book At suppertime my mother came in to ask if I were ill, and being too slow-witted to invent an ailment, I got up and went down to the meal.†1 more Show general definition an illness
	1	top 500
rancorfeelings of deep and bitter anger or hatred She made the suggestion to reduce the partisan rancor.†more Show sample from book Every waking moment was poisoned by Grandma's hatred, but my mother ... kept her silent course around the house with only a murmured word or two when a reply seemed necessary and could be given without risking further rancor. feelings of bitter anger or hatred Show general definition deep and bitter anger or hatred -- especially when long-standing