East of Eden — Vocabulary
John Steinbeck
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	1	top 1000
resignationa document expressing that someone is quitting a job I know you're unhappy there, but don't submit your resignation until you find a better job.more Show sample from book I think I'll resign before I tell the sheriff, because he's sure as hell going to fire me afterward.5 more resignation → resign:quit (from a job) Show general definition for resignation (as in: submitted her resignation) to quit -- especially a job or position; or a document expressing such an act
	5	top 1000
resignation#2(accepted) something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils It wasn't her first choice, but she accepted it with resignation.more Show sample from book He has a gift of resigned loyalty without hope of reward.5 more resignation → resigned:accept something undesired as unavoidable Show general definition for resignation (as in: accepted it with resignation) acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
	2	top 200
functionjob or purpose The function of the lens of the eye is to focus light on the retina.more Show sample from book That is only natural, just as it is natural for a man whose life function is the making of money to make money out of a war.3 more purpose Show general definition for function (as in: Its main function is to...) purpose, job, or natural activity
	2	top 200
function#2work or operate I don't function well on less than six hours of sleep a night; and I do best on nine.more Show sample from book Her mind functioned like a wooden mind, her body moved crookedly like a badly operated marionette, but she went steadily about her business.3 more function → functioned:worked or operated Show general definition for function (as in: can't function well without sleep) work or operate -- sometimes to work or operate normally or in a particular way
	8	top 500
desolatevery sad I heard a low desolate wail.more Show sample from book It was no easy thing for him to abandon Adam to his desolation.7 more desolate → desolation:a feeling of extreme sadness or misery--often with loneliness Show general definition for desolate (as in: felt desolate) sad or miserable--and often lonely
	1	top 2000
attributeattribute → attributes:characteristics The spreadsheet has a column to describe the breed of dog and then ten additional columns to indicate attributes of the breeds. For example, the second column has the average full-grown weight.more Show sample from book She had the inhuman attribute of abandoning what she could not get and of waiting for what she could get.†2 more characteristic (of something or someone) Show general definition for attribute (as in: It is an attribute of...) a characteristic or feature (of something or someone)
	2	top 100
attribute#2attribute → attributed:credited (pointed to as the source of) She attributed this quotation to Shakespeare.more Show sample from book No crime of commission was ever attributed to him, and his crimes of omission were only misdemeanors.†2 more attribute → attributed:credited (pointed to as the cause of something) Show general definition for attribute (as in: I attribute it to...) to credit (a source for something) in two typical senses: "I attribute it to her work." -- to say who or what made something happen "Remember to attribute any quotations in your paper." -- indicate the source of a quotation or idea
	1	top 500
contractcontract → contracted:acquired (gotten; or picked up) She contracted an STD (sexually transmitted disease).more Show sample from book I contracted pleural pneumonia, in that day a killing disease.3 more contract → contracted:got (became ill with) Show general definition for contract (as in: contract the disease) to get -- especially in reference to a disease
	3	top 500
contract#2contract → contracts:gets shorter When it is cold, the metal in the bridge contracts and the joints are further apart.more Show sample from book His stomach contracted.3 more contract → contracted:cramped (tightened as the muscles shortened) Show general definition for contract (as in: the metal contracted in the cold) when something gets shorter or smaller
	5	top 200
eminentrespected and well-known She studied under an eminent scientist who had won multiple international awards.more Show sample from book Even vicariously this was an eminence we could hardly stand.†4 more eminent → eminence:famous, respected, or important within a particular field or profession Show general definition famous, respected, or important within a particular field or profession
	6	top 1000
distortalter in an unnatural or untrue way These sunglasses distort my vision.more Show sample from book The identity of the distortion came to him slowly.†5 more distort → distortion:to alter something in an unnatural or untrue way Show general definition to alter something in an unnatural or untrue way
	5	top 500
devisecome up with (invent or create) She plans to devise something to launch water balloons.more Show sample from book And as soon as she was aware that a condition existed, she devised a new theology.†4 more devise → devised:came up with (invented or created) Show general definition for devise (as in: devise a plan) to come up with a way of doing something -- typically a creative idea or plan
	5	top 1000
monotonouslacking variety and boring We hope to replace people with robots for the most monotonous work.more Show sample from book He walked on out of the woodlot, and his head hung down so that his chin rested on his chest, and the rise and fall of his hip when his wooden leg struck the ground was monotonous.†4 more lacking in variety and/or boring Show general definition lacking in variety -- typically boring
	4	top 2000
immaculateperfect Check her record. You will see that it is immaculate.more Show sample from book His picture--never really inspected--had been of clean-eyed young men and immaculate girls, all in academic robes and converging on a white temple on the crown of a wooded hill in the evening.6 more perfect (without fault or error) Show general definition for immaculate (as in: immaculate timing) perfect (without fault or error)
	3	top 2000
immaculate#2completely neat and clean They were all in immaculate white uniforms.more Show sample from book Charles had moved into a shed where his nostrils would not be assailed by the immaculate but painful smells of lye and soda and ammonia and yellow soap.6 more Show general definition for immaculate (as in: the housekeeper left it immaculate) completely neat and clean
	6	top 2000
contentiouslikely to cause disagreement We started with the most contentious item on the agenda.more Show sample from book "Samuel," she said, "you're the most contentious man this world has ever seen."5 more argumentative Show general definition causing or likely to cause disagreement; or argumentative
	3	top 500
disparagedisparage → disparaging:criticizing or making seem less important She has a reputation for disparaging the efforts of her co-workers.more Show sample from book "College! What do them fellas know?..." And he spat a brown disparaging comment on the ground.2 more Show general definition to criticize or make seem less important -- especially in a disrespectful or contemptuous manner
	5
vagrantvagrant → vagrants:people who lack a home, job, and money She says the American hobo has nearly died out and that today's developed world is hard on vagrants in general.more Show sample from book If she did it again she found herself in jail, charged with vagrancy and public prostitution.†4 more vagrant → vagrancy:someone who is poor and has no regular home or job Show general definition someone who is poor and has no regular home or job
	2	top 500
abysmalvery bad The refugee camp has abysmal living conditions.more Show sample from book Although the hill ranch was large it was abysmally poor.†1 more abysmal → abysmally:very badly
	3	top 2000
ornerycranky (easily annoyed and quick to complain and argue) I avoid contact when he's in an ornery mood.more Show sample from book You have to keep the girls well and as happy as possible, and some of them can get pretty ornery.†2 more easily annoyed and quick to complain and argue Show general definition for ornery (as in: is ornery when she first wakes up) quick to get annoyed, complain, argue, and be uncooperative