When the Legends Die — Vocabulary
Hal Borland
(Auto-generated)

Word Set

Samples

Sort By

Further limit words

by chapter of first use

to Show all

by difficulty

to (9 is most difficult)

by interest

underline any show only

Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	63	top 2000
reinrein → reined in:restrained The court reined in agency power--describing it as out of control.more Show sample from book He reined the horse around62 more rein → reined:forced (the horse) in a direction by pulling on straps that are attached to the bit in its mouth Show general definition for rein (as in: to rein in their activities) to restrain or control; or a means of control The meaning of rein depends upon its context. For example: "keep a tight rein on the new employee," or "rein in a horse" -- to control or restrain "give the new employee free rein," or "give the horse full rein" -- do not restrain "the reins of government" -- means of control "the reins of the horse" -- leather straps used with a bit to control a horse (You might like to think of other senses of rein as being figurative derivations from this sense.)
	9	top 2000
baptismbaptism → baptized:"spiritually renewed" in a Christian ceremony She was baptized at the same church as her grandmother.more Show context notes The suffix "-ize" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize. Show sample from book Blue Elk says this boy's baptismal name is Thomas Black Bull, so he is probably George Black Bull's son.†8 more baptism → baptismal:relating to a Christian ceremony signifying spiritual cleansing and rebirth OR relating to a challenging experience that initiates or purifies Show general definition a Christian ceremony signifying spiritual cleansing and rebirth or: a challenging experience that initiates or purifies Show editor's word notes Most churches baptize infants, but some require an adult to request baptism, and a few (such as the Quakers) require no baptism at all. Typically, water is used as part of the ceremony, such as sprinkling a little water on a baby's head; though some churches use complete submersion in water.
	8	top 2000
rouserouse → roused:awakened A persistent knocking at the door finally roused her from her dreams.more Show sample from book Tom wakened, roused by his own voice and the howling, and after a moment he knew he had been dreaming.†7 more rouse → roused:to awaken, make more active, or excite Show general definition to awaken, make more active, or excite
	6	top 1000
wryhumorous in an subtle, ironic, or cynical way The old woman gave a wry smile, as if she knew something that I didn't.more Show sample from book He smiled, wryly.†5 more wry → wryly:humor Show general definition humor -- often understated, sarcastic, or ironic -- often expressed by twisting the face
	2	top 100
conventionconvention → conventional:normal It was once conventional wisdom that the earth is flat.more Show sample from book He swung into the saddle on the sorrel, a conventional saddle with a horn.1 more convention → conventional:normal or typical Show general definition for convention (as in: conventional behavior) something regarded as normal or typical
	4	top 1000
tauttight The string is pulled taut.more Show sample from book Tom kept the rein taut, rode without trouble for several seconds.†3 more pulled or drawn tight; OR subjected to great tension Show general definition pulled or drawn tight; or: subjected to great tension
	3	top 1000
speculatespeculate → speculated:thought and guessed without certainty Philosophers have speculated on the question for thousands of years.more Show sample from book The doctor looked at him, speculating. "I'd think you'd want to settle down."2 more speculate → speculating:guessing (thinking aloud) Show general definition for speculate (as in: don't know, but I'll speculate) to think about, wonder, guess or theorize with much uncertainty
	2	top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book Scorn was in her eyes.†1 more disrespect or reject as not good enough Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
	3	top 1000
bewilderconfuse Some of their customs can bewilder travelers.more Show sample from book She looked at him, bewildered.†2 more bewilder → bewildered:confused Show general definition to confuse someone
	2	top 500
deceptiondeceiving or misleading The law is intended to defeat denial and deception strategies.more Show sample from book The mountains stood in deceptive ranks, scattered but looking like successive ranges, each with its own degree of shadow and distance.†1 more deception → deceptive:misleading Show general definition the act of lying to or misleading someone; or something that misleads
	3	top 2000
deridederide → derides:criticizes with strong disrespect She relentlessly mocks and derides the younger students.more Show sample from book He laughed at that, a snorting laugh of derision.2 more deride → derision:treatment as inferior and unworthy of respect Show general definition to criticize with strong disrespect -- often with humor
	3	top 1000
witherwither → withered:shriveled (wrinkled as they dried out) The grapes withered on the vine.more Show sample from book He could see Meo's garden patch, weedy but still with the mark of Meo's hand upon it, withering in the searing heat.2 more wither → withering:drying out Show general definition for wither (as in: wither on the vine) to shrivel (wrinkle and contract -- usually from lack of water)
	3	top 1000
accustomaccustom → accustomed to:used to (have adapted to and have an expectation of) In the United States we're accustomed to forming our own opinion about the promises of advertisements and politicians.more Show sample from book As his eyes accustomed themselves to the dimness, Blue Elk remembered his own boyhood and his grandmother's lodge.†2 more accustom → accustomed:used to (adapted to something, so it seems normal) Show general definition to make someone used to something (used to is an expression that means someone has adapted to something, so it does not seem unusual) Show editor's word notes In professional environments, you may make a better impression by saying one is accustomed to something rather than one is used to something.
	3	top 1000
persistpersist → persisted:continued The child persisted in asking questions despite my obvious desire to be left alone.more Show sample from book even with the sheep gone their smell persisted.2 more Show general definition to continue -- often despite difficulty or to repeat a question
	2	top 1000
lobbyistlobbyist → lobbyists:people paid to influence legislation through persuasion of public officials Critics argued that the bill favored corporate interests due to pressure from powerful lobbyists.more Show sample from book And he was known as a hostile, silent man at the chutes, on the street, in the hotel lobbies.†1 more lobbyist → lobbies:someone who is paid to influence legislation through persuasion of public offici… Show general definition someone who is paid to influence legislation through persuasion of public officials
	2	top 2000
solicitousshowing great care or concern for someone (in this case, for guests) It's a mid-price hotel in a great location with a solicitous staff.more Show sample from book She was the most skillful of the nurses, the most solicitous and helpful, the most friendly.1 more showing care or concern for someone Show general definition showing care or concern for someone
	2
penancean act seeking forgiveness In some traditions, saying a prayer or performing a good deed can serve as penance for a sin.more Show sample from book He sewed to the end of the sinew and drew another strand from his mouth, remembering the penance trip up the mountain.†1 more an act that shows sorrow for wrongdoing Show general definition an act that shows sorrow for wrongdoing -- such as expressing regret, asking for forgiveness, or trying to make up for the harm done
	2
brashbold or self-confident in a manner that seems disrespectful A brash newcomer wants to change the way the club operates.more Show sample from book A first-year man, brash in his ignorance, might ask, "What year did Black win the championship?"†1 more bold or self-confident in a manner that seems disrespectful or tasteless Show general definition for brash (as in: brash behavior) bold or self-confident in a manner that seems disrespectful or tasteless
	1	top 200
appropriateappropriate → appropriated:took without asking The invading army appropriated the home to use as a local headquarters.more Show sample from book When they had eaten, Red appropriated the herder's hat, appropriate → appropriated:took Show general definition for appropriate (as in: appropriate from their culture) to take without asking -- often without right
	1	top 1000
reclusesomeone withdrawn from society (living alone and avoiding contact with others) He became a recluse after his wife passed away.more Show sample from book He stopped drinking, became more of a recluse than ever, and rode with cold and ruthless fury. someone withdrawn from society (living alone and avoiding contact) Show general definition someone withdrawn from society (living alone and avoiding contact)