The Good Earth — Vocabulary
Pearl S. Buck
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	24	top 100
neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas) The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more Show sample from book Nevertheless, he had to struggle with his flesh before he could answer.†23 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.
	17	top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book But this scorn did not change the mind of Wang Lung.†16 more disrespect or reject as not good enough Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
	16	top 1000
heedheed → heedlessness:pay close attention to Heed the advice of those who have been there before.more Show context notes The suffix "-lessness" in heedlessness means in a state without. This is the same pattern you see in words like fearlessness, powerlessness, and harmlessness. Show sample from book Wang Lung living among these who labored at feasting others, heard strange things of which he took little heed.†15 more pay close attention to; or do what is suggested Show general definition pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested -- especially with regard to a warning or other advice
	12	top 200
moreoverin addition to what has just been said The company has too much debt. Moreover, it is responsible for a long-term lease on expensive office space.more Show sample from book Moreover, who has heard of a pretty slave who was virgin in a wealthy house?†11 more
	9	top 200
malicemalice → malicious:evil; or made with the intent to make others suffer I am not interested in hearing malicious gossip.more Show sample from book And then he added somewhat maliciously, pulling at the hairs on his mole, "And do not think that silver will waken him—he has had silver under his hand since he was born."†8 more malice → maliciously:with a desire to see others suffer; or in a threatening manner Show general definition the intention or desire to see others suffer
	10	top 1000
ponderthink about The question the audience is left to ponder is...more Show sample from book Sometimes, working over the clods in the fields, he would fall to pondering about her.†9 more ponder → pondering:thinking deeply or carefully about Show general definition to think deeply or carefully about something
	9	top 500
haughtyarrogant or condescending (acting superior or self-important) It is a story about a haughty princess who has a great fall.more Show sample from book And as he passed Wang Lung each driver gave him a scornful and haughty look, and no prince could have looked more haughty than these drivers in their rough work coats as they passed by the small group of persons, standing wondering at the edge of the roadway.†8 more arrogant
	8	top 500
cultivatedevelop or grow We encourage our representatives to cultivate a close relationship with their clients.more Show sample from book He came to where Wang Lung was and he stood in silence while Wang Lung hoed a narrow line beside the broad beans he was cultivating.†7 more cultivate → cultivating:developing, growing, or preparing to grow crops Show general definition enhance growth or development in various senses, including: to grow crops or prepare land for them enhance a relationship -- especially for a purpose develop discernment (better recognition of differences) in taste or judgment to grow a culture in a petri dish
	10
robuststrong She enjoys a robust workout.†more Show sample from book Then Wang Lung set himself robustly to the soil and he begrudged even the hours he must spend in the house for food and sleep.†9 more robust → robustly:in a strong manner Show general definition strong The exact meaning of robust can depend upon its context. For example: "a robust person" -- strong and healthy "a robust system" -- unlikely to fail "a robust defense" -- strong and energetic "robust flavor" -- strong, rich, and complex
	9	top 1000
accustomaccustom → accustomed to:used to (have adapted to and have an expectation of) In the United States we're accustomed to forming our own opinion about the promises of advertisements and politicians.more Show sample from book Then when they slept and Wang Lung still sat at the table dreaming she washed herself for sleeping and at last she went into her accustomed room and slept alone upon her bed.†8 more accustom → accustomed:used to (adapted to something, so it seems normal) Show general definition to make someone used to something (used to is an expression that means someone has adapted to something, so it does not seem unusual) Show editor's word notes In professional environments, you may make a better impression by saying one is accustomed to something rather than one is used to something.
	9	top 1000
recedediminish (decrease) Interest in the story is beginning to recede.more Show sample from book But he looked across the fields at the small figures of the men receding and he muttered over and over, "At least I have the land—I have the land."†8 more recede → receding:moving away or diminishing (become less) Show general definition to move away or diminish (become less) The exact meaning of recede depends upon its context. For example: "We can't move back in until the floodwaters recede." -- diminish and move away "Her fear receded." -- diminished "The waves first advance and then recede." -- move away "The news story receded into the background as it was replaced by new stories." -- received diminished attention "a receding hairline" -- diminished hair (each year the line where hair stops growing is higher on the forehead) "She has a receding chin." -- sloping back (as contrasted to sticking out)
	9	top 1000
compelforce Does our DNA compel us to act as we do?more Show sample from book "I am compelled to lend it to my uncle," he replied shortly.†8 more compel → compelled:forced; or (more rarely) convinced Show general definition to force someone to do something or more rarely: to convince someone to do something Show editor's word notes Most typically, compel describes an external influence forcing someone to do something, but it can also describe being driven by an internal desire.
	9	top 1000
coaxgently persuade Although she has retired from public life, we are going to try to coax her to accept the award.more Show sample from book And when the lad was still silent, he coaxed again, and he said, "Tell your old father why you want to be a soldier?"†8 more coax → coaxed:tried to obtain a result through gentle and careful effort -- often gently persuaded Show general definition for coax (as in: coax her to join us) try to obtain a result through gentle and careful effort -- often gentle persuasion
	5	top 100
yieldgive in The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.more Show sample from book She sat up, then, and pushed her hair fretfully back from her face and she shrugged her shoulders when he would have drawn her to him, and she would not yield to his coaxing.†4 more give in, give way, or give up Show general definition for yield (as in: yield to pressure) to give in, give way, or give up
	31
opiuma powerful narcotic Today, other drugs have replaced opium for most medical uses.more Show sample from book It was as though she was suddenly impatient to be done with all this and to be left alone in the stillness of the great room with her opium pipe.†30 more Show general definition a powerful drug made from a type of poppy; relieves pain and aids sleep, but highly addictive and dangerous when abused recreationally
	9	top 2000
impudentimproperly bold or disrespectful She is an impudent girl given to insulting strangers.†more Show sample from book "If you are buying nothing more," he said at last with much impudence, "you will have to pay rent for the stool."†8 more Show general definition improperly bold or disrespectful -- especially toward someone who is older or considered to be of higher status
	7
dowrymoney or property given by a woman's family to the husband at marriage She was given her inheritance in the form of a dowry.more Show sample from book Well, and who will pay for the dowry and for the wedding and for the middleman's fees?†6 more in some societies, money or property given by a woman's family to the husband at… Show general definition in some societies, money or property given by a woman's family to the husband at marriage or less formally: money or property a bride brings to a marriage
	6	top 2000
consternationdismay (unhappiness and worry) Much to the consternation of Congress, raising the tax decreased tax collections as manufacturers moved to other countries.more Show sample from book "No woman?" he asked in consternation.†5 more dismay (unhappiness, worry, and often confusion) Show general definition dismay (unhappiness, worry, and often confusion) -- typically over something unexpected
	5	top 1000
petulantunreasonably annoyed or upset She stomped her foot like a petulant child.more Show sample from book He grew moody and petulant and would not eat this and that and he wearied of his books, and Wang Lung was frightened and did not know what to make of it and talked of a doctor.†4 more unreasonably annoyed or upset; OR easily annoyed or upset Show general definition unreasonably annoyed or upset or: easily annoyed or upset
	6
peevisheasily annoyed The peevish child refused to eat his vegetables and threw a tantrum at the dinner table.more Show sample from book "I will buy it," he repeated peevishly as he might repeat a demand to his mother who crossed him.†5 more peevish → peevishly:annoyed or easily annoyed -- especially by unimportant things Show general definition annoyed or easily annoyed -- especially by unimportant things