Clay — Vocabulary
David Almond
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	7	top 1000
ponderthink about The question the audience is left to ponder is...more Show sample from book I paused and pondered.6 more ponder → pondered:thought deeply or carefully Show general definition to think deeply or carefully about something
	4	top 500
congregationpeople who worship together in the same building It's a casual congregation where many people wander into services late.more Show sample from book He told the congregation to go in peace,3 more Show general definition for congregation (as in: the congregation voted) people who worship together in the same building
	4	top 1000
deceivemislead The plan was to deceive the Germans into believing the main attack would take place further north.more Show sample from book I try to tell myself that I've been fooled, I've been deceived, I've been hypnotized, I've been ..."Davie?" says Mam.†3 more deceive → deceived:lied or misled Show general definition to lie to or mislead someone -- occasionally to lie to oneself by denying reality
	2	top 100
neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas) The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more Show sample from book I think an artist is simply human, a human with an astounding skill, a skill that may indeed be God-given, but nevertheless ...human.†1 more Show general definition despite that Show editor's word notes Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 was just stated, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrast and but.
	2	top 200
optimisticexpecting the best I'm optimistic that I'll get into a good college.more Show sample from book "I," says Prat, "am an optimist."1 more optimistic → optimist:someone who expects the best; or who focuses on the good part of things Show general definition expecting the best; or focusing on the good part of things
	2	top 1000
nucleusthe center (in this case, key central members) They have the nucleus of a good team.†more Show sample from book We'll be able to create living creatures with chemicals and electricity and nuclear power.1 more nucleus → nuclear:coming from the center of an atom where protons & neutrons reside Show general definition the center (or most important part) of something such as: in physics: the center of an atom where protons & neutrons are found in biology: the center of a cell where DNA is found in sociology: the closest family (mother/father/children in contrast to the extended family)
	2	top 2000
swaggerswagger → swaggered:walked and behaved in a highly confident manner The team swaggered onto the court--full of confidence.more Show sample from book We were swaggering along like always, laughing and joking like always.†1 more swagger → swaggering:walking and behaving in a highly confident manner Show general definition walk or behave in a highly confident or proud manner -- often arrogant and sometimes to impress or intimidate others Show editor's word notes Swagger is often used to imply that someone moves or behaves as though they are so strong and capable as to be above physical fear. Such people are often portrayed on television as gang members or cowboys.
	2	top 2000
hypnotizehypnotize → hypnotized:put into a trance-like state of focused concentration and heightened suggestibility (a state of hypnosis) I want to be hypnotized and given the suggestion that I don't like to snack on fattening foods.more Show sample from book He did hypnotism tricks in the bars in Cullercoats and Whitley Bay.1 more hypnotize → hypnotism:the act of putting someone into a trance-like state of focused concentration and heightened suggestibility Show general definition for hypnotize (as in: hypnotized to try to remember) to put someone into a state of hypnosis (a trance-like state of focused concentration and heightened suggestibility) Show editor's word notes Hypnosis is a special, trance-like state of focused attention. A hypnotized person is often very relaxed and more willing than usual to accept and act on the hypnotist’s suggestions. Despite popular myths, hypnotized people don't lose control and won't do things against their core values.
	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 I knelt at the altar rail and said my penance.1 more prayer to make up for wrong-doing 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
	1	top 200
compensatecompensate → compensated:paid She is generously compensated for her work.more Show sample from book The battle for compensation lasted years, as these things always do. compensate → compensation:payment to someone (to make up for a loss or inconvenience they suffered) Show general definition for compensate (as in: she is generously compensated) to make payment to someone
	1	top 200
subtleunderstated (so as not to draw attention to itself) Her warning was subtle, but unmistakable.more Show sample from book And we ourselves become somehow not ourselves, but we turn subtler, weirder, less attached to our bodies, less attached to our names. subtle → subtler:more understated (less obvious as individuals) Show general definition for subtle (as in: a subtle shade of blue) understated so as not to draw excess attention
	1	top 500
accommodateaccommodate → accommodates:adjusts for (different needs) She accommodates different learning styles.more Show sample from book He is cold, but he moves his arm to accommodate me, like he's half-holding me. adjust for Show general definition for accommodate (as in: moved to accommodate her) adjust something to provide for a need; or help
	1	top 500
resolveresolve → resolved:decided This year I resolved to lose a pound a week for 5 weeks.more Show sample from book Say five Hail Marys and one Our Father and resolve that you will be good. definitely decide Show general definition for resolve (as in: I resolved to stop drinking.) to decide -- typically a firm or formal decision Show editor's word notes In modern writing resolve is typically used to emphasize a firm or formal decision. In classic literature, it is used more frequently and often simply replaces decide or determine.
	1	top 500
engrossedwith all attention focused She was so engrossed in her conversation; she didn't realize the bell had rung.more Show sample from book And we become engrossed in it, and sometimes I forget myself and where I am, and I forget how crazy this would seem if someone else from Felling stumbled into the quarry tonight. Show general definition for engrossed (as in: engrossed in the book) with all attention focused
	2	top 2000
penitentsorry for having done wrong When her anger passed, she was penitent.more Show sample from book Other penitents are waiting outside.1 more penitent → penitents:people expressing sorrow for having done wrong Show general definition feeling or expressing sorrow for having done wrong; or a person who does such
	1	top 2000
banaluninteresting due to a lack of anything original or unusual The movie was banal, but it led to a fascinating conversation.more Show sample from book And so I told him the banal old stuff and he blessed me and dismissed me. Show general definition uninteresting due to a lack of anything original or unusual Show editor's word notes Pronunciation: Banal is correctly pronounced differently by various educated speakers of American English.
	1	top 2000
blasphemydisrespect of something considered sacred The government of the Muslim nation monitors major websites for blasphemy.more Show sample from book This is both theft and blasphemy. disrespectful of something considered sacred Show general definition something said or done that is disrespectful of something considered sacred -- especially God or religion
	1	top 2000
ungainlylacking grace in movement or appearance The ungainly, tilt-rotor aircraft is shockingly expensive.more Show sample from book He was ungainly and twisted.† lacking grace in movement or appearance; or difficult to handle or manage Show general definition lacking grace in movement or appearance; or difficult to handle or manage -- especially because of shape
	1
beguilebeguile → beguiling:enchanting; or enchanting and deceptive Few men could remain detached while looking into her beguiling eyes.more Show sample from book I thought for an instant of the bitter beguiling taste of the cigarettes. beguile → beguiling:enchanting or deceptive Show general definition to charm, enchant, or entertain someone; or to deceive -- especially through charm
	1
incantationincantation → incantations:combinations of words believed to have a magical effect when they are said aloud She believes in the power of magical incantations.more Show sample from book I spent that night awake, making plasticine creatures, breathing prayers and incantations and commands on them while the moon shone down at me. incantation → incantations:recitations of words or sounds believed to have a magical effect Show general definition words believed to have a magical effect when they are said aloud; or the saying of such words