Travels with Charley — Vocabulary
John Steinbeck
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	9	top 500
desolatevery sad I heard a low desolate wail.more Show sample from book It's just a very lonely, helpless feeling at first—a kind of desolate feeling.10 more sad or miserable--and often lonely Show general definition for desolate (as in: felt desolate) sad or miserable--and often lonely
	2	top 500
desolate#2empty, providing no shelter or sustenance The photos show the desolate surface of the moon.more Show sample from book Such a place the Fallen Angels might have built as a spite to Heaven, dry and sharp, desolate and dangerous, and for me filled with foreboding.10 more Show general definition for desolate (as in: a desolate place) empty, providing no shelter or sustenance
	6	top 500
paradoxsomething that seems contradictory but is true It’s a paradox that the more we learn, the more we realize how little we know.more Show sample from book But the more I inspected this American image, the less sure I became of what it is. It appeared to me increasingly paradoxical,5 more paradox → paradoxical:a situation or statement that seems impossible because parts of it seem to contradict each other Show general definition a situation or statement that seems to contradict itself but may still be true
	7	top 2000
inhabitantinhabitant → inhabitants:people (who live in a particular place) What will traffic be like if the city has twice as many inhabitants?more Show sample from book When an Indian village became too deep in its own filth, the inhabitants moved.6 more Show general definition a person who lives in a particular place
	3	top 200
objectivefact-based (not influenced by personal feelings or preferences) By any objective analysis, you would have to agree that...more Show sample from book In the first place I knew the countryside, and in the second I had friends and relatives by marriage, and such a situation makes objectivity practically impossible,2 more objective → objectivity:understanding or decisions based on facts without the influence of personal feelings or preferences Show general definition for objective (as in: an objective viewpoint) fact-based without the influence of personal feelings or preferences Show editor's word notes Objective is often contrasted with subjective--which means "influenced by personal belief, feelings, or preferences (rather than being based purely upon fact)."
	3	top 500
nostalgianostalgia → nostalgic:with a longing for something past The music makes me feel nostalgic.more Show sample from book Our treasured and nostalgic picture of the village store, the cracker-barrel store where an informed yeomanry gather to express opinion and formulate the national character, is very rapidly disappearing.†2 more Show general definition happiness that come with the memory of good times combined with a hint of sadness that those times are over
	3	top 500
indulgeindulge → indulges:allows them to get their way She indulges her children more than is good for them.more Show sample from book It can't explain how it feels, though on the other hand it can't lie, build up its symptoms, or indulge in the pleasures of hypochondria.†2 more enjoy to excess Show general definition to give in to a desire or allow someone to enjoy or experience something -- especially something pleasurable
	3	top 500
approximateapproximate → approximately:about The state has approximately as many Republicans as Democrats.more Show sample from book It is a mystique closely approximating a religion.†2 more approximate → approximating:estimating (almost, but not exactly) Show general definition almost, but not exact; or similar
	3	top 500
cultivatedevelop or grow We encourage our representatives to cultivate a close relationship with their clients.more Show sample from book I cultivate this beard not for the usual given reasons of skin trouble or pain of shaving, nor for the secret purpose of covering a weak chin, but as pure unblushing decoration, much as a peacock finds pleasure in his tail.†2 more develop, grow, or prepare for growing 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
	4	top 2000
vestigeremaining trace The House of Lords is a vestige of the British system of aristocracy.more Show sample from book And Charley, who still had vestiges of his Chicago grooming, waded in the water and became his old dirty self again.3 more vestige → vestiges:remaining traces of something that was previously there Show general definition a remaining trace (little bit of something) that was previously abundant Show editor's word notes In biology, vestige (especially in the form vestigial) references a part of the body that is underdeveloped and no longer used, but which formally was an important body part. As in: Darwin believed vestigial organs are evidence of evolution.
	4	top 1000
prejudiceunreasonable and unfair belief or feeling The group works to eliminate racial prejudice.more Show sample from book I of course found myself prejudiced in spite of his deficiencies, being his owner, but the dog had one advantage over most dogs.†3 more prejudice → prejudiced:bias that prevents objective consideration Show general definition bias that prevents objective consideration -- especially an unreasonable belief that is unfair to members of a race, religion, or other group
	3	top 1000
migratemove from one place to another The birds migrate in the Winter.more Show sample from book From the moment I left Sag Harbor the guns were booming at the migrating ducks, and as I drove in Maine the rifle shots in the forests would have frightened off any number of redcoats so long as they didn't know what was happening.†2 more migrate → migrating:moving from one place to another Show general definition move from one place to another -- sometimes seasonally
	3	top 1000
sereneserene → serenely:calmly and peacefully While I lie awake worrying, she sleeps serenely.more Show sample from book You come out of serene country and suddenly you are tossed and battered by a howling hurricane of traffic.†2 more calm and untroubled Show general definition calm and untroubled
	3	top 1000
dismalterrible The coach will probably be replaced after such a dismal year.more Show sample from book Even the cabin was dismal and damp.†2 more depressing or gloomy Show general definition of terrible quality or depressing; or dark and dreary (as when bad weather blocks the sun or when it is drizzly)
	1	top 200
inhibitinhibit → inhibits:slows or prevents The drug inhibits the spread of cancer.more Show sample from book The grieving sky turned the little water to a dangerous metal and then the wind got up—not the gusty, rabbity wind of the seacoasts I know but a great bursting sweep of wind with nothing to inhibit it for a thousand miles in any direction.†1 more limit or prevent Show general definition for inhibit (as in: inhibited the growth of...) to limit the activity of someone or something
	1	top 500
inhibitedunable to act naturally due to being overly self-conscious She's personable and funny with her friends, but she tends to be inhibited with strangers.more Show sample from book Against the descending sun the battlements were dark and clean-lined, while to the east, where the uninhibited light poured slantwise, the strange landscape shouted with color.†1 more inhibited → uninhibited:acting naturally without being overly self-conscious Show context notes The prefix "un-" in uninhibited means not and reverses the meaning of inhibited. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.
	3	top 200
obsoleteno longer in general use because it was replaced by something better My mother still has a twenty-year-old obsolete computer in storage.more Show sample from book ...in this era of planned obsolescence, when a thing breaks down I can usually find something in my collection to repair it—a toilet, or a motor, or a, lawn mower.2 more Show general definition no longer in general use because it was replaced by something better
	4	top 2000
taciturnwith a tendency to be reserved and not to talk She is taciturn by nature, but people like her once they get to know her.more Show sample from book The natural New England taciturnity reaches its glorious perfection at breakfast.3 more Show general definition with a tendency to be reserved and not to talk Show editor's word notes Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice): Consider using reticent rather than taciturn when the reluctance to talk is brought on by a particular situation rather than being a general disposition.
	2	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 Some years ago, Edna Ferber wrote a book about a very tiny group of very rich Texans. Her description was accurate, so far as my knowledge extends, but the emphasis was one of disparagement. And instantly the book was attacked by Texans of all groups, classes, and...1 more disparage → disparagement:criticism Show general definition to criticize or make seem less important -- especially in a disrespectful or contemptuous manner
	2	top 500
conducivehelpful The dorm room was not conducive to studying.more Show sample from book As often as I could I chose the small wood roads, and they are not conducive to speed.†1 more helpful; or tending to contribute (to something) Show general definition helpful; or tending to contribute (to something)