Water for Elephants — Vocabulary
Sara Gruen
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	8	top 200
tentativetentative → tentatively:in a careful way (indicating a lack of confidence) The puppy approached us tentatively until it knew we wouldn't harm it.more Show sample from book Then she leans in and kisses me, a gentle kiss, tentative but lingering.7 more done in a careful way indicating a lack of confidence Show general definition for tentative (as in: said it tentatively) done in a careful or unsure way (indicating a lack of confidence in exactly what will happen)
	8	top 2000
perimeterouter edges Don't go beyond the perimeter of the campgrounds.more Show sample from book They swerve and cross the length of the field, tour its perimeter, and then swing back around.†7 more the outer edge Show general definition the outer edge The exact meaning of perimeter can depend upon its context. For example: "Stay inside the defensive perimeter." -- the outer edges of the area that is defended "It is common on the city's perimeter." -- the outer edges of the city "What is the perimeter of the square?" -- the sum of the length of the sides of a geometric shape
	5	top 200
indignantindignant → indignantly:with anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong "I am not a fool," she said indignantly.more Show sample from book "He's ten years younger than me," I say, straightening up indignantly.†4 more Show general definition angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
	5	top 500
conspicuouseasy to notice She tried not to look conspicuous as she slipped into class after the tardy bell.more Show sample from book It's just dawned on me that the floors of their dens are conspicuously clean.†4 more conspicuous → conspicuously:easily noticed Show general definition easily noticed -- typically attracting attention such as by being large, flashy, or unusual
	6	top 2000
providenceluck; or God's plan On the eve of battle, he prayed that providence was in our favor.more Show sample from book Day after day he marches into town, negotiating by telegram, and by the following Friday the son has agreed to meet us in Providence and take custody of the old man.†5 more resulting from God's intervention or plan; or lucky Show general definition for providence (as in: divine providence) resulting from God's intervention or plan; or lucky -- especially with regard to when something happened
	2	top 10
implyimply → implied:hinted or suggested She wouldn't make a direct statement, but she implied that she supported our position.more Show sample from book "I'm not implying anything," the clerk says.†1 more imply → implying:suggesting (saying indirectly) Show general definition to suggest or say indirectly -- possibly as a logical consequence
	4	top 500
waverwaver → wavered:faltered (stopped being strong) Through good times and bad her love for him has never wavered.more Show sample from book There was an ungodly collision of brass, reed, and percussion—trombones and piccolos skidded into cacophony, a tuba farted, and the hollow clang of a cymbal wavered out of the big top, over our heads and into oblivion.†3 more waver → wavered:was unsure or weak; or moved back and forth Show general definition to move back and forth (shake or quiver) or: to change, be unsure, or weak
	5	top 1000
recedediminish (decrease) Interest in the story is beginning to recede.more Show sample from book Her mouth is open, her chin receding as though she were snoring.†4 more recede → receding:moving away or diminishing (become less) Show general definition to move away or diminish (become less) The exact meaning of recede depends upon its context. For example: "We can't move back in until the floodwaters recede." -- diminish and move away "Her fear receded." -- diminished "The waves first advance and then recede." -- move away "The news story receded into the background as it was replaced by new stories." -- received diminished attention "a receding hairline" -- diminished hair (each year the line where hair stops growing is higher on the forehead) "She has a receding chin." -- sloping back (as contrasted to sticking out)
	2	top 100
evaluateevaluate → evaluating:thinking carefully and making a judgment about I'm evaluating colleges and deciding which I want to apply to.more Show sample from book I lean over and evaluate Rosie's toenails, running my hands along the underside of her foot.†1 more to think carefully and make a judgment about Show general definition to think carefully and make a judgment about something
	3	top 500
scrutinyscrutiny → scrutinized:looked very carefully at She scrutinized her reflection in the mirror.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 He scrutinizes me for what feels like a very long time.2 more scrutiny → scrutinizes:looks at or examines very carefully 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 general definition careful examination of something
	2	top 100
alternativealternative → alternatives:possibilities Let's think of at least three alternatives before we decide what to do.more Show sample from book It's not like we had a lot of alternatives.1 more alternative → alternatives:other possibilities Show general definition for alternative (as in: an alternative plan) a different choice or possibility, or describing something that offers a different choice or possibility
	2	top 200
disdainlack of respect She tries to be polite, but she cannot hide her disdain for authority.more Show sample from book Her expression of bored disdain drops immediately.1 more lack of respect -- suggesting distaste and an undeserved sense of superiority Show general definition to disrespect or reject as unworthy
	3	top 1000
languidslow, unhurried No urging could increase his languid pace.more Show sample from book Catherine sees me looking and slides one knee over the other, smoothing her skirt with languorous fingers.†2 more languid → languorous:slow, relaxed, or with little energy Show general definition lacking energy or relaxed or moving slowly
	85
menageriecollection of animals The traveling circus included a menagerie of lions, tigers, and exotic birds.more Show sample from book The crowd mills around the menagerie, viewing the animals on their way to the big top.84 more a collection of wild animals in captivity; or their enclosure Show general definition a collection of wild or unusual animals kept for exhibition; or more generally, a diverse or strange mixture of people or things
	3	top 2000
gesticulategesticulate → gesticulations:gestures (hand or body movements) made while speaking or to express something The moderator turned her microphone off, leaving us to see her gesticulations, but not hear her words.more Show sample from book She gesticulates wildly, arms flailing.2 more gesticulate → gesticulates:makes gestures (hand or body movements) Show general definition to make gestures (hand or body movements) while speaking or to express something
	2	top 1000
deliriumdelirium → delirious:in a state of having been taken over by excitement or emotion The basketball fans were delirious with joy.more Show sample from book Uncle Al is delirious, standing in the center of the hippodrome track with his arms and face raised, basking in the coins that rain down on him.1 more delirium → delirious:extremely happy and excited Show general definition for delirium (as in: delirious with joy) a state of having been taken over by excitement or emotion
	2	top 2000
belligerenthostile or combative She spoke to her teacher in a belligerent tone and was sent to the office.more Show sample from book Her expression is unmistakably belligerent.1 more hostile (showing the attitude of one eager to fight) Show general definition hostile (the attitude of one eager to fight); or one already engaged in a fight or war
	2
regaleregale → regaled:entertained She regaled us with tales from her first year at college.more Show sample from book His face glows with wine and sentiment as he regales me with the tale of how he wooed Marlena.†1 more regale → regales:entertains Show general definition to entertain -- especially with amusing stories
	1	top 2000
piquepique → piqued:excited or aroused She piqued my curiosity.more Show sample from book The crowd is denser, their interest piqued.1 more pique → piqued:aroused Show general definition for pique (as in: pique your interest) to excite -- especially to arouse one's interest or curiosity
	1	top 2000
pique#2a feeling of resentment or indignation She quit the committee in a pique over the professional slight.more Show sample from book The next one—another roustabout—also leaves in a fit of pique.1 more feelings of resentment or indignation Show general definition for pique (as in: in a pique about it) a feeling of resentment or indignation; or to excite such a feeling