A Lesson Before Dying — Vocabulary
Ernest J. Gaines
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	7	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 Am I vexing you, Jefferson?6 more vex → vexing:annoying Show general definition to annoy, worry, or frustrate -- especially by being difficult or persistent
	3	top 100
precedeprecede → preceded:were before in time Stone tools preceded bronze tools.more Show sample from book I motioned for him to precede me into the church.2 more go before Show general definition to go or do before
	3	top 500
approximateapproximate → approximately:about The state has approximately as many Republicans as Democrats.more Show sample from book Bayonne was a small town of about six thousand. Approximately three thousand five hundred whites; approximately two thousand five hundred colored.2 more approximate → approximately:about (but not exactly) Show general definition almost, but not exact; or similar
	4	top 1000
cynicalsomeone who expects the worst The experience made her overly cynical.more Show sample from book His expression remained the same—cynical, defiant, painful.†3 more someone who expects the worst -- especially of people Show general definition someone who expects the worst -- especially of people (such as expecting them to be selfish and lie)
	3	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 And the congregation responded with "Amen, Amen, Amen."2 more Show general definition for congregation (as in: the congregation voted) people who worship together in the same building
	4	top 1000
humiliatehumiliate → humiliated:extremely embarrassed (feeling decreased dignity) She felt humiliated by his public insults.more Show sample from book I had come through that back door against my will, and it seemed that he and the sheriff were doing everything they could to humiliate me even more by making me wait on them.3 more decrease dignity, self-respect, or pride Show general definition extremely embarrass (decrease dignity, self-respect, or pride -- especially in front of others)
	4	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 assignment was to draw a map of Louisiana and write in the names of the parishes in their appropriate places.3 more parish → parishes:jurisdictions of government in Louisiana (like a counties in other states)
	3	top 2000
allegianceloyalty At the citizenship ceremony, she pledged allegiance to her new country.more Show sample from book Did you pledge allegiance to the flag this morning?2 more to be loyal Show general definition loyalty to a person, group, or cause
	3	top 2000
reciterecite → recited:said aloud She recited a poem.more Show sample from book Odessa Freeman's Twas the Night before Christmas followed, and it was more than a simple recitation; it was a dramatic performance.2 more recite → recitation:saying from memory Show general definition to say or read something aloud -- especially something previously memorized such as a poem or: to say in detail -- especially a list of things
	1	top 10
demonstratedemonstrate → demonstrated:showed The salesperson demonstrated features of both phones so I could compare them.more Show sample from book One of the men backed away from the bar to demonstrate how slow the pitcher was in throwing the ball, which gave Jackie the opportunity to steal home plate. show or exhibit Show general definition for demonstrate (as in: It demonstrates my point.) to show The exact meaning of this sense of demonstrate can depend upon its context. For example: "I will demonstrate how to throw a Frisbee." -- show how to do something "I will demonstrate how much quicker the new computer is than the old one." -- show how something works "Her questioned demonstrated that she was listening and thinking deeply about what was said." -- showed to be true or proved
	2	top 1000
prejudiceunreasonable and unfair belief or feeling The group works to eliminate racial prejudice.more Show sample from book ...they would come here and bring their prejudiced attitude with them.1 more prejudice → prejudiced:unreasonable and unfair beliefs or feelings -- especially against members of a race, religion, or other group Show general definition bias that prevents objective consideration -- especially an unreasonable belief that is unfair to members of a race, religion, or other group
	1	top 100
passagea short part of a longer written work Each passage below is followed by a number of questions.more Show sample from book Ask him to describe a rose, to quote one passage from the Constitution or the Bill of Rights. Show general definition for passage (as in: In lines 1-9 of the passage...) a short part of a longer written work Show editor's word notes This meaning of passage is commonly seen on standardized tests like the SAT and ACT.
	1	top 100
dominatecontrol Democrats dominate the committee.more Show sample from book But how could I not think about something that had dominated my thoughts for nearly six months? dominate → dominated:was most influential in Show general definition to control; or to be most influential, powerful, abundant, important, or conspicuous
	2	top 2000
accordaccord → accordance:keeping She will get a fair trial in accordance with the law.more Show sample from book They formed a double line, boys in one line and girls in the other, according to grades and sizes.2 more accord → according to:depending upon (in keeping with) Show general definition for accord (as in: according to, or in accord with) in keeping with; or in agreement/harmony/unity with This meaning of accord is often seen in the form according to or accordingly where it can take on more specific meanings. For example: "According to Kim, ..." -- as stated by "To each according to her ability." -- based upon "Points are scored according to how well they perform." -- depending upon "The dose is calculated according to body weight." -- in proportion to "We got a flat tire. Accordingly, I pulled to the side of the road." -- because of what was just said; or as a result
	1
accord#2agreement They're hoping to have a stronger climate-change accord by the end of the year.more Show sample from book "You and I are in accord there," he said.2 more Show general definition for accord (as in: reached an accord) an agreement Show editor's word notes In this sense, accord can refer to a formal agreement (such as one written between two countries) or an informal agreement (such as an unvoiced consensus about what should be done).
	6
rusticcharacteristic of rural life; simple without refined touches They spent their vacation in a rustic cottage by the lake, enjoying the simplicity and tranquility of nature.more Show sample from book It's rustic, all right.†5 more
	5
aggravateaggravate → aggravating:annoying She is the most aggravating person I know.more Show sample from book But the first sign of aggravation, I'm calling it off.4 more aggravate → aggravation:annoyance or irritation Show general definition for aggravate (as in: she aggravates me) annoy or irritate
	4
pastoralcountryside The cabin was charming in its pastoral setting.more Show sample from book "It is pastoral," she said, looking around.3 more countryside that is charmingly, simple, and serene Show general definition for pastoral (as in: a pastoral scene) relating to the countryside or life of shepherds -- especially idealizing charmingly simple and serene country life
	2
roteby repetition She memorized the speech by rote, repeating it over and over until she could recite it perfectly.more Show sample from book JEFFERSON'S DIARY mr wigin you say rite somethin but i dont kno what to rite an you say i must be thinkin bout things i aint telin nobody an i order put it on paper but i dont kno what to put on paper cause i aint never rote nothin but homework i aint never rote a leter in all my life cause nanan use to get other chiren to rite her leter an read her leter for her not me so i cant think of too much to say but maybe nex time its evenin an i done eat my rice an beans an i done had my cup of milk an the sun comin in the windo cause i can see it splashin on the flo and I can yer ned an them talkin an thats bout all for now i coudn sleep las nite cause i kept dremin it and i dont want dreem it cau† memorization by repetition… Show general definition memorization by repetition; or repeated behavior done automatically without thought
	1	top 500
pervasiveexisting throughout something We were losing 35 to 0 at halftime and there was a pervasive sense of gloom in the locker room.more Show sample from book She raised the lids on two other pots, but still the odor of the onions, pepper, and garlic pervaded the room. pervasive → pervaded:filled Show general definition existing throughout something; or generally widespread