The Pigman — Vocabulary
Paul Zindel
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	9	top 2000
omena sign of what would happen The sudden appearance of a black cat was considered an omen of bad luck by the superstitious villagers.more Show sample from book Right there and then I should have known the dream was an omen of death.8 more sign of something about to happen Show general definition a sign of something about to happen
	6	top 1000
distortalter in an unnatural or untrue way These sunglasses distort my vision.more Show sample from book Also, you'll find out soon enough that John distorts--when he isn't out-and-out lying.5 more distort → distorts:alters the truth Show general definition to alter something in an unnatural or untrue way
	2	top 2000
patheticpitiful (arousing pity) She was pathetic as she tried to salvage her dignity.more Show sample from book He walked very slowly, and he had lost so much weight. It was pathetic, that's what it was.2 more pitiful (something that arouses pity)
	1	top 2000
pathetic#2so bad it was laughable It was a pathetic attempt to insult me.more Show sample from book I mean those particular cops were so dumb it was pathetic.2 more so bad it is laughable or contemptible Show general definition for pathetic (as in: a pathetic attempt to insult me) very bad -- possibly so bad it is laughable (possibly mixed with some feeling of pity)
	5	top 1000
democracya system of government in which citizens have power with equal votes The United States has a representative democracy.more Show sample from book And if you think having Problems in American Democracy is a fun way to end the day, you need a snug-fitting straitjacket.†4 more
	4	top 1000
compassionsympathy for another's suffering and wanting to help If I see one hungry child, I feel compassion, but when I hear of a million hungry children, I'm overwhelmed and turn my mind to other things.more Show sample from book But as I was saying, it is a fact that John has compassion deep inside of him, which is the real reason we got involved with the Pigman.3 more Show general definition sympathy for another's suffering and wanting to help
	4	top 2000
epican outstanding literary work that is long and heroic I think Game of Thrones is the most epic fantasy written since The Rings Trilogy.more Show sample from book The truth and nothing but the truth, until this memorial epic is finished, So Help Us God!†3 more an outstanding work of literature or film Show general definition something that is outstanding -- especially a literary work that is long and heroic
	4
subconsciousmental activity of which we are not aware, but which can influence feelings and behavior In the experiment, the image flashed too quickly to be seen consciously, but it impacted the subconscious.more Show sample from book "...and you can't even tell a subconscious suicide when you talk to one. ... He sounded just like the kind of guy who'd commit suicide by taking a cold shower and then leaving the windows open to die of pneumonia!"3 more Show general definition mental activity of which one is not aware, but which can influence feelings and behavior; or the part of the mind that engages in such activity Show editor's word notes Though commonly used in daily conversation, the word subconscious is not used clinically. Where the layperson says subconscious, psychologists are likely to say unconscious mind.
	2	top 500
elaboratecomplicated It's part of her elaborate plan for getting accepted at Harvard.more Show sample from book She finally got out of the house again that night by performing an elaborate ritual about having to go to the library.1 more detailed (perhaps complex) 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>
	3	top 2000
marathona footrace of about 26 miles She is training to run in the Boston Marathon.more Show sample from book Anyway, the idea of the telephone marathon was you had to close your eyes and stick your finger on a number in the directory and then call it up to see how long you could keep whoever answered talking on the phone.†2 more Show general definition for marathon (as in: ran her first marathon) a 26.2-mile footrace; or, more generally, any long and demanding activity requiring endurance
	2	top 1000
deliberatedeliberate → deliberately:intentionally She didn't forget. She deliberately skipped the meeting.more Show sample from book Would he think we had forsaken him and deliberately ripped his wife's clothes--viciously broken the pigs?1 more Show general definition for deliberate (as in: deliberate insult) to do something intentionally (do it on purpose)
	1	top 100
analyzeexamine in detail to better understand Analyze the situation and tell me what you think we should do.more Show sample from book I've spent hours trying to analyze the situation, and the closest I've been able to come to a theory is that his father set a bad example at an age when John was impressionable.† examine Show general definition to examine and consider something in detail to better understand it
	1	top 100
factorthing (that influenced a result) Cost was an important factor in our decision.more Show sample from book Now, I don't like school, which you might say is one of the factors that got us involved with this old guy we nicknamed the Pigman. factor → factors:things that affect a result or outcome Show general definition for factor (as in: It was the deciding factor.) something that affects a result or outcome Show editor's word notes You also may encounter x-factor or x factor--meaning "the most important thing that influences a result or outcome."
	2	top 2000
inquireask about or look into Students should contact our office to inquire about scholarship opportunities.more Show sample from book "What did you have for breakfast?" Lorraine inquired, which was a little uncalled-for since all you had to do was look at the tray,1 more inquire → inquired:asked Show general definition to ask about or look into something
	2	top 500
antagonistenemy or opponent In the movie, Star Wars, Darth Vader is the antagonist to Luke Skywalker.more Show sample from book I mean, that's how antagonistic she was.†1 more antagonist → antagonistic:with opposition or hostility Show general definition for antagonist (as in: the antagonist in the film) someone who offers opposition or is hostile
	3
nocturnalactive during the night The mice are nocturnal, so we never see them, but we see their droppings.more Show sample from book we went into the nocturnal room of the Mammal Building.2 more (for animals that are) active during the night Show general definition active during the night; or relating to night
	2
aggravateaggravate → aggravating:annoying She is the most aggravating person I know.more Show sample from book This aggravates his father no end, and several other adults have made nasty remarks about it too.1 more aggravate → aggravates:annoys or irritates Show general definition for aggravate (as in: she aggravates me) annoy or irritate
	2
hypnotizehypnotize → hypnotized:fascinated so much that awareness of other surrounding things is lost or too much trust is granted When I look into her eyes, I feel hypnotized.more Show sample from book Snakes can hypnotize their prey.1 more fascinate so much that awareness of other things is lost Show general definition for hypnotize (as in: hypnotized by her performance) fascinate so much that awareness of other surrounding things is lost or too much trust is granted
	1	top 500
proficiencyskill After months of practice, her proficiency in Spanish let her hold real conversations.more Show sample from book One of the attendants was washing the sea-lion manure off the middle platform of the pool, and at least he was able to do that with a certain degree of proficiency.† Show general definition skillfulness in something
	1	top 1000
strenuousdifficult (requiring much effort) The doctor recommended strenuous exercise three times a week.more Show sample from book Everybody was in it, so I knew it was going to be a strenuous bore. difficult Show general definition energetic; or physically or mentally difficult or requiring endurance