The Help — Vocabulary
Kathryn Stockett
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	16	top 1000
initiativewillingness to act independently She is smart, dedicated and has initiative. I expect to see her promoted soon.more Show sample from book For the second week in a row, I leave out Hilly's bathroom initiative.15 more proposal or thing started Show general definition the ability and tendency to determine what should be done and to start doing it without instruction or: to start something The exact meaning of starting something depends upon the context. For example: "She did it on her own initiative." -- started it without anyone telling her to "She seized the initiative." -- started actions that force others to react to her rather than her having to react to them "the peace initiative" -- a plan or the start of actions to bring about something "a ballot initiative" -- a proposed law that is started by citizen petition rather than by the legislature (applicable in many jurisdictions such as California)
	1	top 100
focusconcentrate I find that studying in the library helps me to focus.more Show sample from book He turns and focuses on me for what, I'm pretty sure, is the first time all night. After several long moments of standing there being looked at, my eyes fill with tears.5 more focus → focuses:looks Show general definition for focus (as in: Turn your focus to question #2.) to direct attention or effort toward a single thing; or the ability to do so without getting distracted
	5	top 2000
focus#2into view (as an area of attention) The bridge collapse brought aging infrastructure into focus as a political issue.more Show sample from book Hour after hour, in Aibileen's kitchen, she reads her writing and I type, the details thickening, the babies' faces sliding into focus.5 more view (a state where something can be seen clearly) Show general definition for focus (as in: bring into focus; or out of focus) a state where something has come into view or can be seen clearly; or an adjustment made to permit a clear view
	8	top 2000
patheticpitiful (arousing pity) She was pathetic as she tried to salvage her dignity.more Show sample from book I don't let myself say to him what I'd like to, that he probably deserved whatever she did, but he's just too pathetic-looking.8 more pitiful
	1	top 2000
pathetic#2so bad it was laughable It was a pathetic attempt to insult me.more Show sample from book calling the governor 'a pathetic man with the morals of a streetwalker.'8 more so bad he is laughable 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)
	7	top 200
domesticrelated to the home or family The shelter helps victims of domestic violence find safe housing and support.more Show sample from book I've come to get more books for Aibileen and check if anything's ever been written about domestic help.6 more relating to a home Show general definition for domestic (as in: domestic happiness) relating to a home or family
	6	top 1000
anonymousby someone whose name is not known The police arrested her after an anonymous tip told them where to find the stolen diamonds.more Show sample from book "It's been written anonymously," I say, "but with Hilly around, there's still a good chance people will know it was me."5 more anonymous → anonymously:by an unnamed author so others will not know who wrote it Show general definition for anonymous (as in: an anonymous author) an unknown person, or of an unknown person -- such as an unknown author, or donation of an unknown person
	7	top 2000
asthmaa common lung disorder characterized by wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and sometimes coughing Asthma is the leading cause of hospitalization in children.more Show sample from book But Benny got the asthma tonight, so Minny ain't gone make it.6 more a common respiratory disorder characterized by wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and sometimes coughing
	3	top 100
perspectiveway of seeing or thinking about things A child who was abused with have a different perspective of family life than one raised in a nurturing home.more Show sample from book No one's ever written a book like this.... We'd be breaking new ground. It's a brand-new perspective.2 more way of seeing and thinking about things Show general definition for perspective (as in: Look at it from her perspective) a particular way of seeing or thinking about things
	6	top 2000
résumésummary of qualifications She submitted her résumé along with a cover letter to apply for the job.more Show sample from book I hand him my résumé and sample articles I'd written in school.5 more résumé → resume:a written, brief summary of a person's qualifications to do something Show general definition for résumé (as in: submitted her résumé) a brief summary of a person's qualifications to do something -- typically submitted with an employment application Show editor's word notes In practice, résumé is often written without the accented e's.
	5	top 2000
fidgetfidget → fidgeting:making small restless movements The child is always fidgeting in his seatmore Show sample from book She clears her throat, fidgets.†4 more fidget → fidgets:makes small restless movements Show general definition to make small restless movements
	3	top 500
mundaneordinary -- possibly boring I'm going to have to spend all of Saturday running errands and doing mundane chores.†more Show sample from book The talk turns mundane at times, with complaints of low pay, hard hours, bratty children.2 more ordinary (lacking interest or excitement) Show general definition ordinary or lacking interest or excitement -- possibly to the point of being boring or more rarely: belonging to this earth or world; not ideal or heavenly
	3	top 1000
naivenaive → naïve:lacking the understanding or sophistication that comes from experience She criticized America's naïve foreign policy.more Show sample from book I was fourteen and had never made less than an A. I was smart, but I was as naive as they come.†2 more lacking experience or sophistication, and the understanding that comes from them Show general definition lacking experience or sophistication, and the understanding that comes from them -- often too trusting or optimistic
	4	top 100
appropriatesuitable (fitting) for a particular situation These clothes aren't appropriate for work.more Show sample from book You go upstairs and put on something appropriate.4 more suitable (proper or fitting for a particular situation)
	1	top 200
appropriate#2appropriate → appropriated:set aside for a particular use The money has been appropriated, but it hasn't yet been spent.more Show sample from book Sincerely, Hilly Holbrook President and Chairman of Appropriations4 more appropriate → appropriations:committee that designates funding Show general definition for appropriate (as in: Congress will appropriate funds) to set aside for a particular use
	3	top 2000
gaudytastelessly showy By local standards, her outfit was gaudy.more Show sample from book She goes in the bathroom and dabs some more rouge on her gaudy cheeks.†2 more Show general definition tastelessly showy
	3
compulsivedone too much because of an uncontrollable desire She is a compulsive gambler.more Show sample from book I guess she was a compulsive liar even back then.2 more Show general definition describing something someone does, as done too much because of an uncontrollable desire -- such as excessive gambling or eating
	1	top 100
highlightemphasize (call attention to) The main purpose of this passage is to highlight the degree of income inequality.more Show sample from book And we're adding a fashion column, highlighting some of the best outfits worn by our members, and a makeup column with all the latest trends. highlight → highlighting:emphasizing (drawing attention to) Show general definition for highlight (as in: highlight the main findings) emphasize (call attention to something)
	2
paraphernaliaitems that accompany a given activity The state has a law against possessing certain paraphernalia associated with illegal drugs.more Show sample from book Look, I found that paraphernalia of yours.1 more Show general definition items that accompany a given activity
	2
charadefalse display The politician's promises were nothing more than a charade, designed to win votes without any intention of follow-through.Fred Wertheimermore Show sample from book I can't believe the charade has gone on this long, with Mister Johnny knowing about me, and Miss Celia walking around like a ding-a-ling, like she's still pulling her trick.†1 more a situation in which people act as though something is true that is not Show general definition a situation in which people act as though something is true that is not