A Tree Grows in Brooklyn — Vocabulary
Betty Smith
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	18	top 2000
midwifea non-doctor who practices the profession of assisting women in childbirth The village has no doctor, but there is a midwife.more Show sample from book "It's time to get the midwife," Sissy said.17 more a woman skilled in aiding the delivery of babies Show general definition a trained (usually non-doctor) professional who assists women in childbirth; or more broadly, a person who helps bring something new into existence or helps guide it into being
	6	top 1000
witherwither → withered:shriveled (wrinkled as they dried out) The grapes withered on the vine.more Show sample from book Her right arm had been horribly burned and she grew up with its skin withered and purple.6 more wither → withered:shriveled (wrinkled and/or shrunk) Show general definition for wither (as in: wither on the vine) to shrivel (wrinkle and contract -- usually from lack of water)
	1	top 2000
wither#2wither → withered:weakened Her confidence withered under the constant criticism from her boss.more Show sample from book The war touched the Model Press Clipping Bureau with its mailed finger and made it wither away.6 more weaken and become smaller until it disappeared Show general definition for wither (as in: her confidence withered) to become weaker--sometimes to get smaller and disappear
	12	top 2000
chordchord → chords:a combination of three or more notes that blend harmoniously when sounded together In her first day learning the guitar, she has learned how to play G major, C major, and D major chords.more Show sample from book He picked out some chords.†11 more chord → chords:a combination of three or more notes that blend harmoniously when sounded togeth… Show general definition for chord (as in: piano chord) a combination of three or more notes that blend harmoniously when sounded together; or figuratively to express harmonious blending or clashing
	2	top 100
consequenceconsequence → consequences:results Your decision will have three major consequences.more Show sample from book Consequently, there was a great surprise waiting for Johnny when he sauntered home to get a fresh dicky and collar for his evening's job.2 more consequence → consequently:resultantly (as a result) Show general definition for consequence (as in: a direct consequence of) a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
	1	top 1000
consequence#2consequence → consequential:important Think carefully. This is a consequential decision.more Show sample from book What she wrote was of little consequence.†2 more importance Show general definition for consequence (as in: of little consequence) importance or relevance
	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 all of whom expected the city reading job when and if Miss Armstrong resigned.4 more resignation → resigned:quit (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
	4	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 There was resigned regret that the new flat was not as nice as their Lorimer Street home.4 more resignation → resigned:accepted 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
	9	top 1000
tauntintentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone She used Twitter to taunt the opposing candidate.more Show sample from book No matter that her brother would straggle back, empty-handed with his gang and taunt later comers the same way.†8 more (verb) to intentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone -- especially by mocking them or hurling insults OR (noun) an insult or other action intended to anger, challenge, or upset someone Show general definition to intentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone -- especially by mocking them or hurling insults or (as a noun): an insult or other action intended to anger, challenge, or upset someone
	9	top 2000
consciencemoral judgment of personal behavior I have a guilty conscience and want to make it right.more Show sample from book So they went to this early mass, got it over with and went home and slept all day with a free conscience.†8 more feeling or appraisal of having personally behaved in a morally right or wrong manner Show general definition feeling or judgment of morally right or wrong personal behavior
	6	top 500
devisecome up with (invent or create) She plans to devise something to launch water balloons.more Show sample from book The boys looked at it briefly, quickly lost interest in it and started up a four-man baseball game of their own devising.†5 more devise → devising:coming up with (inventing or creating) 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
	8	top 1000
musemuse → mused:reflected (thought) deeply He mused aloud about the afternoon's developments.more Show sample from book Everyone has a secret life, she mused.7 more muse → mused:thought Show general definition for muse (as in: her musings) reflect (think) deeply on a subject -- perhaps aloud
	6	top 500
reminiscerecall fond memories My parents like to reminisce about their college days.more Show sample from book They reminisced about past Christmases, or, as Francie put it, they talked about olden times.†5 more reminisce → reminisced:to talk or think fondly about past experiences Show general definition to talk or think fondly about past experiences
	5	top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book "A witch my foot," she said scornfully.†4 more scorn → scornfully:in a disrespectful or rejecting manner Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
	8
purgatorya state of temporary suffering while waiting The months between his surgery and the news that he was cancer-free were emotional purgatory for his whole family.more Show sample from book For the rest of her days, his mother had a mass said once a month for the repose of his soul which she knew wandered about in Purgatory.†7 more a place or state of temporary suffering while waiting… Show general definition a place or state of temporary suffering while waiting or in Roman Catholic theology: the place where those who have died in a state of grace undergo limited suffering to pay for their sins
	6	top 1000
poignantarousing deep emotion It is a poignant story about a girl who is paralyzed in a car accident.more Show sample from book With poignancy, Sissy realized that he was growing up.5 more poignant → poignancy:deeply felt emotion -- perhaps sadness Show general definition sharp or intense -- typically arousing deep emotion such as sadness, but possibly having or creating a sharp smell, taste, or insight
	5
weanwean → weaned:adapt to the removal of breastmilk Worldwide, most babies are weaned much later, but in the US, fewer than 20% of babies are still nursing when they are six months old.more Show sample from book The poor woman figured and figured on a way to wean Gussie.†4 more adapt Show general definition to adapt to in various senses, including: "She was weaned at 3 months." -- a mammal's adaption to the removal of breastmilk (note this is the unqualified sense) "I weaned myself from cigarettes." -- adapted to the gradual removal of "I was weaned on progressive principals" -- raised on or adapted to at a very early age.
	4
beguilebeguile → beguiling:enchanting; or enchanting and deceptive Few men could remain detached while looking into her beguiling eyes.more Show sample from book The Nolan men grew handsomer, weaker and more beguiling with each generation.†3 more beguile → beguiling:charming or enchanting; or deceiving through charm Show general definition to charm, enchant, or entertain someone; or to deceive -- especially through charm
	4
inflexibleunbending (not willing to compromise or make concessions) They accused her of being stubborn and inflexible.more Show sample from book Inflexibly rigid in her own moral conduct, she condoned weaknesses in others.†3 more inflexible → inflexibly:in a manner that is not bendable or adaptable Show general definition not bendable or adaptable in various senses, including: not willing to compromise or make concessions -- as when a boss says "Do it my way or you're fired." not able to adjust well to different conditions -- as of a schedule that cannot be changed not easily bent without physical damage or injury -- as of brittle steel or person with stiff joints
	4
unwieldydifficult to move or manage I bumped into her while carrying the unwieldy package.†more Show sample from book She continued working until she got too unwieldy to dust under the desks.†3 more Show general definition difficult to move or manage in various senses, including: "an unwieldy package" -- difficult to handle because of size, weight, or shape "an unwieldy person" -- lacking grace in movement due to something like weight or injury "an unwieldy organization or system" -- slow, inefficient, or ineffective due to size or poor organization