A Raisin in the Sun — Vocabulary
Lorraine Hansberry
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
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preciseaccurate Is it precise enough if I measure to the closest inch?more Show sample from book BENEATHA: (Angrily, precisely as in the first scene of the play) What have you got to do with who I marry!3 more precise → precisely:exactly Show general definition for precise (as in: about noon; 12:03 to be precise) exact (accurate) Show editor's word notes In the fields of science, engineering, and statistics, precise and accurate are not properly used as synonyms the way they are in general usage. If you throw darts at a dartboard and keep missing the bullseye, but hit in the same place on the dartboard each time, you would be described as precise, but not accurate. If you seldom hit the bullseye, but tended to get close each time, you would be described as accurate, but not precise. Finally, if you hit the bullseye each time, you would be considered both accurate and precise.
	3	top 200
precise#2meticulous (careful about details) She has the kind of precise personality that never has a cluttered desk or an out-of-fashion item in her closet.more Show sample from book Her bearing is perhaps most like the noble bearing of the women of the Hereros of Southwest Africa—rather as if she imagines that as she walks she still bears a basket or a vessel upon her head. Her speech, on the other hand, is as careless as her carriage is precise—she is inclined to slur everything—3 more proper in form Show general definition for precise (as in: a precise personality) meticulous (careful about details) -- especially to do things properly
	3	top 2000
appreciateam grateful for I appreciate your wanting to help, but this is something I need to do myself.more Show sample from book I'm going to try to get right to the point. I'm sure we'll all appreciate that in the long run.3 more be grateful for Show general definition for appreciate (as in: I appreciate your help.) to recognize the value or importance of and/or: to be grateful for
	1	top 500
appreciate#2understand I didn't appreciate how long it would take to write a good report.more Show sample from book BENEATHA: (With appreciation of the two meanings, which escape RUTH and WALTER) Un-huh.3 more appreciate → appreciation:understanding (of a situation) Show general definition for appreciate (as in: I appreciate the complexities) to understand a situation-often one with important complications
	6	top 500
exasperatedgreatly annoyed She was exasperated by his teasing.more Show sample from book BENEATHA: (Staring at him and crossing away with exasperation) Oh—Asagai—at this moment you decide to be romantic!5 more exasperated → exasperation:great annoyance
	6	top 500
profoundintense (of great emotional depth) Her apology was heartfelt--expressing profound sorrow and regret.more Show sample from book (RUTH: Almost gently, with profound understanding) You think you a woman, Bennie—but you still a little girl.5 more deep (of great intensity or depth) Show general definition for profound (as in: profound sadness) of greatest intensity or emotional depth
	4	top 200
inclinedhave a tendency; or an attitude or mood that favors something I'm inclined to believe him.more Show sample from book This is a woman who decided long ago to be enthusiastic about EVERYTHING in life and she is inclined to wave her wrist vigorously at the height of her exclamatory comments.3 more has a tendency Show general definition for inclined (as in: I'm inclined to) a tendency, mood, desire, or attitude that favors something; or making someone favor something
	6	top 2000
vigorenergy and strength After a good night’s sleep, she woke up full of vigor and ready to tackle the day’s challenges.more Show sample from book (Struck senseless with the news, in its various degrees of goodness and trouble, she sits a moment, her fists propping her chin in thought, and then she starts to rise, bringing her fists down with vigor, the radiance spreading from cheek to cheek again) Well —well†5 more strength, energy, or good health Show general definition strength, energy, or good health
	4	top 500
indifferentwithout interest About a third are in favor of the change, a third are opposed, and a third are indifferent.more Show sample from book WALTER: Me and you ought to sit down and talk sometimes, man. Man, I got me some ideas. GEORGE: (With boredom) Yeah—sometimes we'll have to do that, Walter. WALTER: (Understanding the indifference, and offended) Yeah—well, when you get the time, man...3 more indifferent → indifference:lack of interest Show general definition without interest in various senses, including: unconcerned -- as in "She is indifferent to what is served to eat." unsympathetic -- as in "She is indifferent to his needs." not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context) -- as in "an indifferent performance" impartial -- as in "We need a judge who is indifferent."
	3	top 200
mockmock → mocked:made fun of She was upset when he mocked her.more Show sample from book (When she speaks to him, her voice has become a very gentle tease) RUTH: (Mocking; as she thinks he would say it) Oh, Mama makes me so mad sometimes, I don't know what to do!2 more mock → mocking:imitating to make fun of Show general definition for mock (as in: don't mock me) make fun of (ridicule--sometimes by imitating in an exaggerated manner) or (more rarely): just to make fun or to be ridiculous without targeting anyone as a victim Show editor's word notes These senses of mockery come together when a comedian pokes fun at a politician by pretending to be the politician and saying ridiculous things.
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indignantindignant → indignantly:with anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong "I am not a fool," she said indignantly.more Show sample from book (Indignantly) What's the matter with you all!2 more Show general definition angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
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agitateagitate → agitating:stirring up emotions to increase unrest We are agitating public unrest, so there will be a cry for change.more Show sample from book ...(Pointing at his sister)—that is going to be the chairman of the Committee on Unending Agitation.2 more agitate → agitation:stirring up emotional unrest Show general definition to stir up or shake -- emotionally (as when people are angered or upset) or physically (as when a washing machine cleans clothes)
	3	top 2000
plaintivesad She asked in a plaintive voice.more Show sample from book (Plaintively) Walter Lee—why don't we just try to talk about it ....WALTER: (Not listening) I been out talking with people who understand me†2 more plaintive → plaintively:in a sad manner Show general definition expressing sadness -- sometimes with a plea for help
	3
idealismbelief that behavior should be guided by high ideals Some criticized her idealism as naive, but others admired her hopefulness.more Show sample from book And it is very odd but those who see the changes—who dream, who will not give up—are called idealists . . . and those who see only the circle we call them the "realists"!2 more idealism → idealists:people who believe behavior should be guided by high ideals or standards -- often implying that they are unrealistic Show general definition for idealism (as in: youthful idealism) the belief that behavior should be guided by high ideals or standards and often that good things will result -- sometimes used to imply that such beliefs are unrealistic
	2	top 2000
credulousgullible (being too willing to believe) The trick would fool none but the most credulous.more Show sample from book (Frightened at this telling) Well—well—it's out there in Clybourne Park— (Rum's radiance fades abruptly, and WALTER finally turns slowly to face his mother with incredulity and hostility) RUTH: Where†1 more credulous → incredulity:a state of not believing Show context notes The prefix "in-" in incredulity means not and reverses the meaning of credulity. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.
	2
down paymenta partial payment made at the time of purchase We're saving money for a down payment on a home.more Show sample from book (Pause) I gave her a five-dollar down payment†1 more Show general definition a partial payment made at the time of purchase (the rest to be paid later)
	2
monologuemonologue → monologues:a long speech by one person In books we find monologues from the greatest minds. And where those books disagree, it is up to the reader to create a dialogue.more Show sample from book In one second we will hear all about the great Ashanti empires; the great Songhay civilizations; and the great sculpture of Benin—and then some poetry in the Bantu—and the whole monologue will end with the word heritage!†1 more a long uninterrupted speech Show general definition a long speech by one person, whether it's a dramatic speech in a play, a run-on talk that keeps others from getting a word in, or a comedian's continuous stream of jokes and stories delivered alone Show editor's word notes Although less frequently used, "monolog" is also a correct spelling in the United States.
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replenishreplace what was used up The recent storms helped replenish the city's water supply.more Show sample from book They who might kill me even ....actually replenish all that I was.† replace what was used up; or restore to a previous condition Show general definition replace what was used up; or restore to a previous condition
	2	top 500
elaboratecomplicated It's part of her elaborate plan for getting accepted at Harvard.more Show sample from book [As Ruth opens her gift from Travis] ...and lifts out an elaborate, but very elaborate, wide gardening hat, and all the adults break up at the sight of it2 more having details and complexity Show general definition for elaborate (as in: an elaborate design) having details and complexity -- sometimes fancy or ornate Show editor's word notes Depending upon it's context, this sense of elaborate can additionally imply that details make something either:<ul><li>more special than others of its kind in a good way</li></ul>or:<ul><li>more complicated than necessary in a bad way</li></ul>
	1
elaborate#2exaggerated He gave her a slow elaborate wink.more Show sample from book Brother isn't really crazy yet he—he's an elaborate neurotic.2 more exaggerated (or with lots of detail) Show general definition for elaborate (as in: an elaborate wink) to exaggerate an action Show editor's word notes At times, this sense of elaborate can further imply that an action was exaggerated by prolonging it (performing it more slowly than normal).