Nectar in a Sieve — Vocabulary
Kamala Markandaya
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	2	top 100
yieldproduce (lead to) The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.more Show sample from book "Those can only come our way when the yield is rich," I said.†6 more production Show general definition for yield (as in: will yield valuable data) to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
	5	top 100
yield#2give in The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.more Show sample from book Like his brothers, he was hardworking and conscientious, but he had no love for it and in return it did not yield to him.†6 more give in, give way, or give up Show general definition for yield (as in: yield to pressure) to give in, give way, or give up
	6	top 100
howeverdespite that (a transition word use to connect contrasting ideas) Most college application deadlines are in January and February. However, early admission deadlines are around November and some scholarships require even earlier deadlines.more Show sample from book There would be meals to cook on the journey, however, since we were travelling by bullock cart and expected to be on the road at least two days, and for these I took the hand-made bellows and six cakes of dung.†6 more a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc. Show general definition for however (as in: However, complications may...) though (or another expression that connects contrasting ideas) 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 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrast and but.
	1	top 2000
however#2no matter how (how much/how hard/how long…) However hard she tried, she couldn't do it.more Show sample from book And however much they played and were children, still their faces were scored with the knowledge and cares that children should not have, their eyes were knowing and guileful beyond their years.6 more regardless of how Show general definition for however (as in: However much she tried...) to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount)
	12	top 1000
contemptlack of respect Familiarity breeds contempt.more Show sample from book "She is a fool," Nathan said contemptuously when I told him.11 more contempt → contemptuously:with disrespect Show general definition for contempt (as in: feels contempt towards her) lack of respect for someone or something thought inferior -- often accompanied by a feeling of dislike or disgust Show editor's word notes A famous saying, "familiarity breeds contempt" comes from Aesop's fable, "The Fox and the Lion". (6th century BC) When first the Fox saw the Lion he was terribly frightened, and ran away and hid himself in the wood. Next time however he came near the King of Beasts he stopped at a safe distance and watched him pass by. The third time they came near one another the Fox went straight up to the Lion and passed the time of day with him, asking him how his family were, and when he should have the pleasure of seeing him again; then turning his tail, he parted from the Lion without much ceremony. The moral is traditionally, "Familiarity breeds contempt"; though an alternative moral is "Acquaintance softens prejudices."
	6	top 100
neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas) The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more Show sample from book Nevertheless he had made provision for the morrow: I saw in his lap a bundle bulging with food; sugar syrup and butter had soaked through the cloth patchily.†5 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.
	8	top 1000
bewilderconfuse Some of their customs can bewilder travelers.more Show sample from book Nathan turned bewildered eyes on me.7 more bewilder → bewildered:confused Show general definition to confuse someone
	5	top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book When Janaki, recovered from her sickness, came to see me, she marvelled that I could write; but Kali, who had come too, was scornful of the strange symbols which had no meaning for her and dismissed it as a foible of pregnancy.†4 more scorn → scornful:full of strong disrespect or rejection Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
	7	top 1000
clamorloud noise and/or persistent demands She ignored the clamor of the crowd.more Show sample from book The baby, who had slept through all the clamour, woke up now in the sudden hush and began squalling.†6 more Show general definition loud noise and/or persistent demands -- especially from human voice
	4	top 100
varybe different Your mileage may vary.more Show sample from book I think it cost him a good deal to say what he did, and he never varied his attitude once.†3 more vary → varied:differed; or changed Show general definition to be different, or to change Show editor's word notes Vary is often used to describe small differences or changes--especially about things of the same type. It would be more common to say "The weight of full-grown elephants varies depending upon diet and other factors," than to say "The weight of elephants varies from that of mice."
	5	top 500
indifferentwithout interest About a third are in favor of the change, a third are opposed, and a third are indifferent.more Show sample from book We stared at the cruel sky, calm, blue, indifferent to our need.4 more unsympathetic Show general definition without interest in various senses, including: unconcerned -- as in "She is indifferent to what is served to eat." unsympathetic -- as in "She is indifferent to his needs." not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context) -- as in "an indifferent performance" impartial -- as in "We need a judge who is indifferent."
	5	top 500
exasperatedgreatly annoyed She was exasperated by his teasing.more Show sample from book Several times work stopped altogether ... while Kenny and Selvam strode about the deserted site in exasperation,4 more exasperated → exasperation:great annoyance
	7	top 2000
tormenttorment → tormenting:causing great mental or physical suffering She enjoys tormenting others.†more Show sample from book ...who knows what fears tormented his child's mind?6 more torment → tormented:caused great mental or physical suffering Show general definition to cause or to experience great mental or physical suffering
	5	top 1000
reproachreproach → reproached:criticized and expressed disappointment She reproached him for treating his sister so thoughtlessly.more Show sample from book Sometimes I would go to see my parents, but seldom, since there was so much to be done in my own home; and my mother, knowing this, did not reproach me for the long intervals between my visits.4 more criticize Show general definition a criticism; or to express criticism or disappointment -- especially where a relationship makes the disapproval result in disappointment or shame Show editor's word notes The expression "beyond reproach" is often used to indicate that one must not only be careful to do everything right, but must be careful not to do anything that might make people suspect they did something wrong. For example, politicians often need to behave in a manner that is beyond reproach. "Beyond reproach" can also suggest that something is perfect. More rarely, it can also be used to suggest that someone is too powerful or too well-connected to criticize.
	10
dowrymoney or property given by a woman's family to the husband at marriage She was given her inheritance in the form of a dowry.more Show sample from book Our relatives, I know, murmured that the match was below me; my mother herself was not happy, but I was without beauty and without dowry and it was the best she could do.†9 more in some societies, money or property given by a woman's family to the husband at… Show general definition in some societies, money or property given by a woman's family to the husband at marriage or less formally: money or property a bride brings to a marriage
	4	top 2000
jauntylively and self-confident She walks with a jaunty step.more Show sample from book The animals, refreshed, began stepping jauntily again, tossing their heads and jangling the bells that hung from their red-painted horns.†3 more jaunty → jauntily:appearing cheerful, lively, and self-confident Show general definition appearing cheerful, lively, and self-confident
	3
benefactorfinancial supporter She is the largest benefactor of the museum.more Show sample from book "My lord, my benefactor," I cried.†2 more someone who helps a person or organization -- especially financially Show general definition someone who helps a person or organization -- especially financially
	3
bereftlacking (something desired) She is bereft of hope.more Show sample from book "A snake," I whispered, bereft of voice and breath.†2 more not having something, or greatly saddened by the loss of something Show general definition not having something, or greatly saddened by the loss of something
	3
dissuadepersuade someone not to do something The ad features a woman dying of lung throat cancer in an attempt to dissuade people from starting to smoke cigarettes.more Show sample from book "You are young," I attempted to dissuade him.†2 more Show general definition persuade someone not to do something
	3
bartertrade things of value She doesn't have money, but she is willing to barter.more Show sample from book At last no option but to draw upon my secret hoard: a small stock of rice, ten ollocks in all, shielded from every temptation to sell or barter, kept even when the need to hold our land had squeezed us dry of everything else.†2 more trade Show general definition to trade things of value without involving money