Cold Sassy Tree — Vocabulary
Olive Ann Burns
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	12	top 500
recollectremember I think I recollect that she was away at college that year.more Show sample from book Please recollect the funeral I gave Miss Mattie Lou.11 more remember -- especially experiences from long ago Show general definition to remember -- especially experiences from long ago Show editor's word notes Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice): Relative to its synonyms, recollect brings to mind a leisurely piecing together of distant memories. It may be used in a less formal manner than remember and is almost always less formal than recall.
	13	top 2000
reinrein → reined in:restrained The court reined in agency power--describing it as out of control.more Show sample from book Ever since she passed, it's been like Mania's lost holt of the reins.12 more rein → reins:means of control (figuratively referencing the 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.)
	9	top 500
congregationpeople who worship together in the same building It's a casual congregation where many people wander into services late.more Show sample from book But I like being part of a congregation.8 more Show general definition for congregation (as in: the congregation voted) people who worship together in the same building
	6
obligedgrateful or indebted I am much obliged to you for your help.more Show sample from book When Mr. Beach offered to carry me home in his buggy, I said, "Thank you, sir, I'd sure be much obliged."5 more Show general definition for obliged (as in: I'm much obliged for your kindness) grateful or indebted
	5
hypocritesomeone who violates claimed moral standards She calls him a hypocrite for suggesting a green lifestyle except when it is personally inconvenient.more Show sample from book "But I like being part of a congregation. I miss the people, Rucker." "All them dang hypocrites?" "My mother always said never expect church members to be perfect."4 more hypocrite → hypocrites:people who violate moral standards they claim to hold
	5	top 2000
dumfoundeddumfounded → dumbfounded:too surprised to know what to say or do She was beyond surprised. She was dumbfounded.more Show sample from book And Mr. Blakeslee said maybe Will and the boys should go campin' for a few days first. Mama looked dumfounded.4 more bewildered (confused and surprised) Show context notes Today this is more commonly spelled dumbfounded. Show general definition very surprised - often too surprised to know what to say or do
	5	top 2000
chordchord → chords:a combination of three or more notes that blend harmoniously when sounded together In her first day learning the guitar, she has learned how to play G major, C major, and D major chords.more Show sample from book All of a sudden Miss Love hopped up like she'd sat on a pin, plopped herself down on the piano stool, and went to playing chords.†4 more chord → chords:a combination of three or more notes that blend harmoniously when sounded togeth… Show general definition for chord (as in: piano chord) a combination of three or more notes that blend harmoniously when sounded together; or figuratively to express harmonious blending or clashing
	4	top 1000
retortquickly reply She wanted to retort that he that he sounded foolish, but she made herself count to ten and thought better of it.more Show sample from book God retorted.†3 more retort → retorted:quickly replied Show general definition for retort (as in: quick retort) a quick reply to a question or remark -- especially a witty or critical one
	2	top 200
indignantindignant → indignantly:with anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong "I am not a fool," she said indignantly.more Show sample from book God was indignant as all get-out.1 more angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong Show general definition angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
	2	top 500
lamentlament → lamented:expressed grief about She lamented the loss.more Show sample from book "I have bought the mansion of a love, but not possess'd it" was his lament.1 more expressed grief or regret Show general definition to express grief or regret
	4	top 2000
ambleamble → ambling:walking slowly or leisurely An old woman was ambling across the street.more Show sample from book We both laughed, ambling on towards the house.3 more amble → ambling:walking leisurely Show general definition to walk leisurely or slowly
	4	top 2000
flusterfluster → flustered:into a state of nervous confusion When talking to groups she tends to get flustered and lose his train of thought.more Show sample from book It's not easy for a pretty lady with her chin in the air to look flustered, but Miss Love did.†3 more fluster → flustered:nervous or confused Show general definition a state, or to cause a state, of nervous confusion or agitation
	4	top 2000
rouserouse → roused:awakened A persistent knocking at the door finally roused her from her dreams.more Show sample from book When Granny roused a little he held the rose close to her face.†3 more rouse → roused:to awaken, make more active, or excite Show general definition to awaken, make more active, or excite
	1	top 2000
abidetolerate I can't abide her continual complaints.more Show sample from book After the Georgia legislature declared a prohibition against alcoholic beverages in 1907, Papa quit making or drinking beer — he believed in being law-abiding — and the churches started using fruit nectars instead of wine.4 more abide → law-abiding:law-obeying Show general definition for abide (as in: abide by her decision) to tolerate or put up with something
	4
abide#2abide → abides:lives She abides in the forest.more Show sample from book Her hands went straying around the keyboard, found "Abide With Me," and played a few lines, real quiet.4 more live 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
	8
pimathematics: an important constant representing the circumference of any circle divided by its diameter (about 3.14) Many schools celebrate Pi Day on March 14th.more Show sample from book She would be thinking that when you've married somebody else's husband, if you play on her pi-ana it ought to be a contrite hymn that starts, "Lord, my sins be as scarlet" or "Too shamed to lift my head, Lord, too stained to hope for Heaven."†7 more Show general definition mathematics: an important constant representing the circumference of any circle divided by its diameter (about 3.14) Show editor's word notes Pi is about 3.14, but is an irrational number; i.e., with infinite decimals providing a closer approximation.
	4	top 1000
suffrageright to vote Although few of the women who pioneered women's suffrage lived long enough vote, the right was finally granted to women in 1920.more Show sample from book Not a man in town thought it mattered a hoot about women voting, and only two ladies went to the first women's suffrage meeting Miss Love set up.†3 more Show general definition the right to vote
	5
sacrilegedisrespect of something sacred They consider it sacrilege to depict Muhammad in a drawing.more Show sample from book Don't talk sacrilege.4 more disrespect of something others consider important -- especially something sacred Show general definition disrespect of something others consider important or sacred
	5
arbora framework that supports climbing plants The arbor provided a shady resting place in the park.more Show sample from book A touring Shakespeare company had let Loma try out after their performance in Cold Sassy's brush arbor and then asked her to join the troupe.4 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.
	4	top 2000
defiledefile → defiled:polluted They defiled the river by emptying raw sewage into it.more Show sample from book Defiled cain't be the right word for you, Love.†3 more defile → defiled:spoiled the beauty or purity of something Show general definition to spoil the beauty or purity of something in various senses, including: pollute a pristine lake harm a reputation or good name damage or disrespect something sacred take a person's virginity in a disrespectful way