The Pianist — Vocabulary
Wladyslaw Szpilman
translated by: Anthea Bell
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	2	top 100
appropriatesuitable (fitting) for a particular situation These clothes aren't appropriate for work.more Show sample from book Jews were to do two years' labour in concentration camps where we would receive 'appropriate social education', to cure us of being 'parasites on the healthy organism of the Aryan peoples'.6 more suitable (fitting)
	5	top 200
appropriate#2appropriate → appropriated:took without asking The invading army appropriated the home to use as a local headquarters.more Show sample from book In exactly the same way, Germany shifted the borders of the European countries it had subdued, appropriating province after province;6 more appropriate → appropriating:taking (seizing) Show general definition for appropriate (as in: appropriate from their culture) to take without asking -- often without right
	12	top 500
agitateagitate → agitating:stirring up emotions to increase unrest We are agitating public unrest, so there will be a cry for change.more Show sample from book They were all in an agitated state, running back and forth like animals put into a cage and not yet used to it.†11 more agitate → agitated:not calm; or stirred up (often emotionally) Show general definition to stir up or shake -- emotionally (as when people are angered or upset) or physically (as when a washing machine cleans clothes)
	7	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 We were horrified and indignant.6 more angered at something unjust or wrong Show general definition angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
	7	top 200
optimisticexpecting the best I'm optimistic that I'll get into a good college.more Show sample from book Only incorrigible optimists had still cherished the delusion that Poland's determined stance would deter Hitler at the last moment.†6 more optimistic → optimists:people who expect the best; or who focus on the good part of things Show general definition expecting the best; or focusing on the good part of things
	1	top 2000
intellectualrelating to the use of intelligence The job pays my expenses, but it doesn't offer much intellectual stimulation.more Show sample from book In his view an intellectually creative person must do physical labour in order to assess his own capabilities properly, and so he did his quota of work, although it interrupted his studies.4 more intellectual → intellectually:in a manner that relates to intelligence Show general definition for intellectual (as in: intellectual stimulation) related to intelligence -- such as requiring, appealing to, or possessing intelligence
	4
intellectual#2intellectual → intellectuals:highly educated people interested in learning and exploring ideas During China's The Cultural Revolution, many intellectuals were killed or sent to the countryside to do farmwork.more Show sample from book When they had finished, they stationed themselves a few paces away on the pavement, drew their pistols, and Thwick-Thwack shouted, 'Intellectuals, fall out!'4 more intellectual → intellectuals:highly educated people Show general definition for intellectual (as in: She is an intellectual.) a highly educated person interested in learning and exploring ideas -- sometimes while ignoring practical considerations
	9	top 2000
socialisman economic system based on government ownership and control of all companies -- with the ideal of equal benefits to all people She believes that more socialism would be more fair.more Show sample from book Apart from these everyday occupations, however, Zyskind was an idealistic socialist.†8 more socialism → socialist:a person who wants an economic system based on government ownership or control of all important companies -- with the ideal of equal benefits to all people Show general definition an economic system based on government ownership or control of all important companies -- with the ideal of equal benefits to all people
	9	top 2000
inhabitantinhabitant → inhabitants:people (who live in a particular place) What will traffic be like if the city has twice as many inhabitants?more Show sample from book The street might have been swept clean: doors were locked or left wide open in the buildings from which all the inhabitants had been taken.†8 more Show general definition a person who lives in a particular place
	9	top 2000
tormenttorment → tormenting:causing great mental or physical suffering She enjoys tormenting others.†more Show sample from book Initially they were conducted clumsily, as if the perpetrators felt ashamed of this new means of tormenting people, and they had not had any practice anyway.†8 more Show general definition to cause or to experience great mental or physical suffering
	7	top 1000
monotonouslacking variety and boring We hope to replace people with robots for the most monotonous work.more Show sample from book They stood by lamp-posts, by the walls of buildings and in the road, heads raised, monotonously whimpering that they were hungry.†6 more monotonous → monotonously:lacking in variety and/or boring Show general definition lacking in variety -- typically boring
	3	top 2000
accordaccord → accordance:keeping She will get a fair trial in accordance with the law.more Show sample from book According to the rumours, the resettlement 'action' was to start on Sunday night.3 more accord → according to:as stated by; or in agreement with Show general definition for accord (as in: according to, or in accord with) in keeping with; or in agreement/harmony/unity with This meaning of accord is often seen in the form according to or accordingly where it can take on more specific meanings. For example: "According to Kim, ..." -- as stated by "To each according to her ability." -- based upon "Points are scored according to how well they perform." -- depending upon "The dose is calculated according to body weight." -- in proportion to "We got a flat tire. Accordingly, I pulled to the side of the road." -- because of what was just said; or as a result
	1	top 2000
accord#2accord → own accord:own mind -- voluntarily (without anyone asking) She was not forced. She did it of her own accord.more Show sample from book You can dream of that world if you have the time and inclination; however, if you don't think of it, it will not force itself on your notice of its own accord.3 more Show general definition for accord (as in: done of her own accord) mind Show editor's word notes This sense of accord is typically seen in the form own accord or one accord.
	3	top 2000
ironywhen what happens is very different than what might be expected She didn't see the irony in acting like the mother she detested.more Show sample from book 'Are you getting the place ready for our concert on Saturday yet?' I asked. He looked at me as if he didn't know what I was talking about. Then his face showed ironic sympathy for my ignorance of the events that had given a completely different turn to the fate of the ghetto. 'You really think we'll still be alive on Saturday?' he enquired,3 more Show general definition for irony (as in: situational irony) when what happens is very different than what might be expected; or when things are together that seem like they don't belong together -- especially when amusing or an entertaining coincidence Show editor's word notes This is sometimes referred to as "situational irony." The term is especially appropriate when actions have consequences opposite to those intended. The expression ironic smile, generally references someone smiling at situational irony. All forms of irony involve the perception that things are not what they might seem.
	3	top 1000
apathylack of interest and enthusiasm Seeing too much senior apathy, the high school began having juniors declare a major for their senior year.more Show sample from book Life, although so unimportant, had none the less forced me to overcome my apathy and seek some way of earning a living,2 more lack of both interest and enthusiasm
	4
censusan official count of a population The U.S. Constitution requires a census every ten years to determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives.more Show sample from book We discussed how I was to be fed and how I should manage about the census when it took place next day.†3 more Show general definition an official count of a population (often accompanied by collection of other data)
	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 There was also hopeless confusion in the corridors of the centre, where a mood of belligerent self-confidence prevailed.1 more combative (eager to fight) Show general definition hostile (the attitude of one eager to fight); or one already engaged in a fight or war
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irrevocableincapable of being undone We agreed not to take any irrevocable action until after the meeting.more Show sample from book I was aware of being torn irrevocably from everything that had made up my life until now.†1 more irrevocable → irrevocably:in a manner that cannot be undone
	2
diabolicalevil and clever As part of her diabolical plan, she spent the first year gaining their trust.more Show sample from book What other diabolical things have they devised?†1 more evil; very bad; OR cruel and clever (like something of the devil) Show general definition evil; very bad; or cruel and clever (like something of the devil)
	2
intersperseintersperse → interspersed:inserted at irregular intervals She interspersed the lecture with jokes and stories to keep the audience engaged.more Show sample from book The rifle fire was interspersed with the louder explosions of hand grenades — or if artillery had been brought into action perhaps I was hearing shells.†1 more intersperse → interspersed:to place something at irregular intervals in something else… Show general definition to place something at irregular intervals in something else; or to mix two things irregularly