The Plague — Vocabulary
Albert Camus
translated by: Stuart Gilbert
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	27	top 2000
exileeviction from one's home country She fled Tibet and is living in exile in India.more Show sample from book Thus, too, they came to know the incorrigible sorrow of all prisoners and exiles, which is to live in company with a memory that serves no purpose.†26 more exile → exiles:to force someone to live outside of their homeland… Show general definition to force someone to live outside of their homeland; or living in such a condition or more rarely: voluntary absence from a place someone would rather be
	14	top 100
conveycommunicate or express She dresses to convey a sense of a successful, no-nonsense woman.more Show sample from book Only one, at the far end of the ward, was screaming, or rather uttering little exclamations at regular intervals, which seemed to convey surprise more than pain.†13 more Show general definition for convey (as in: convey her thoughts) communicate or express
	24	top 2000
magistratejudge The local magistrate insisted on a cash payment for the speeding ticket.more Show sample from book As he was leaving the platform, near the exit he met M. Othon, the police magistrate, holding his small boy by the hand.†23 more judicial official Show general definition a judge or judicial official The exact meaning of magistrate varies widely depending upon the context. For example: in the U.S. federal court: assists district court judges by handling minor offenses or administrative tasks such as preliminary hearings (often referred to as a magistrate judge rather than just a magistrate) in some U.S. states: a judge in the state court in France, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, and other civil law countries: a sitting magistrate is a judge and a standing magistrate is a prosecutor in England: may be a volunteer without formal legal training who performs a judicial role with regard to minor matters in ancient Rome: a powerful officer with both judicial and executive power
	13	top 200
enableenable → enables:makes possible The test enables earlier identification of autism.more Show sample from book All he desired was the prospect of a life suitably insured on the material side by honest work, enabling him to devote his leisure to his hobbies.†12 more enable → enabling:making possible Show general definition to make possible in various senses, including: to give someone the ability, knowledge, or authority to do something -- as in "The study will enable an informed discussion." to activate a computer system for use -- as in "You can enable the feature in the Settings Page." to permit someone to repeat bad behavior, so they reinforce the bad pattern -- as in "I don't want to enable her drug addiction."
	19	top 2000
chroniclechronicle → chronicles:records or reports She chronicles daily events of interest in Twitter.more Show sample from book The unusual events described in this chronicle occurred in 194at Oran.†18 more a record of events… Show general definition a record of events; or the act of creating such a record or telling others of the events
	19	top 2000
sentryperson standing guard She successfully bluffed her way past the sentry.more Show sample from book In the early days a favored few managed to persuade the sentries at the gates to allow them to get messages through to the outside world.†18 more sentry → sentries:people standing guard Show general definition someone who stands guard
	13	top 500
inquiryinvestigation The school launched an official inquiry into the allegations of cheating.more Show sample from book On the landing he told Grand that he was obliged to make a report, but would ask the police inspector to hold up the inquiry for a couple of days.†12 more questioning or investigating Show general definition a question or investigation -- especially one meant to gather information or find out the truth
	11	top 200
subsequentfollowing Her guess was proven right by subsequent developments.more Show sample from book Reviewing that first phase in the light of subsequent events, our townsfolk realized that they had never dreamed it possible that our little town should be chosen out for the scene of such grotesque happenings as the wholesale death of rats in broad daylight or the decease of concierges through exotic maladies.†10 more following something else Show general definition following something else
	11	top 200
moreoverin addition to what has just been said The company has too much debt. Moreover, it is responsible for a long-term lease on expensive office space.more Show sample from book But naturally that was impossible to put into practice; moreover, what man knows ten thousand faces?†10 more
	11	top 1000
nonethelessin spite of that (used to connect contrasting ideas) Sometimes she gets angry and loses her temper, but I love her nonetheless.more Show sample from book None the less, guided by a spirit of prudence that all would appreciate, the Prefect was putting into force some precautionary measures.†10 more Show general definition in spite of that (Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nevertheless, all the same, still, and however.)
	8	top 100
varybe different Your mileage may vary.more Show sample from book The town-topics column, usually very varied, is now devoted exclusively to a campaign against the local authorities.†7 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."
	8	top 200
abstractof a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance We all agree that we want what's "best for the country", but that is an abstract concept, and we cannot agree on which specific laws should be passed.more Show sample from book My notions on the subject were purely abstract, and I'd never given it serious thought.7 more a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
	8	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 And on the Sunday of the sermon a huge congregation filled the nave, overflowing onto the steps and precincts.†7 more Show general definition for congregation (as in: the congregation voted) people who worship together in the same building
	8	top 1000
resignation(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 ... and poverty had taught her resignation.7 more acceptance of 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
	29	top 100
narratoran actor who helps to tell a story by talking directly to the audience (breaking the imaginary barrier between the performers and the audience) The narrator in the play, Our Town talks to characters in the play as well as to the audience.more Show sample from book But, obviously, a narrator cannot take account of these differences of outlook.†28 more storyteller Show general definition someone who tells a story--especially the main voice in a documentary, or a character who talks directly to the audience in a movie, play or other performance
	26
pestilencewidespread disease The Black Death was a pestilence that killed an estimated 30% of the European population in the 14th century.more Show sample from book A pestilence isn't a thing made to man's measure; therefore we tell ourselves that pestilence is a mere bogy of the mind, a bad dream that will pass away.†25 more widespread disease (usually severe)… Show general definition widespread disease (usually severe); or any severely harmful or evil influence that is hard to get rid of
	4	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 Sons who had lived beside their mothers hardly giving them a glance fell to picturing with poignant regret each wrinkle in the absent face that memory cast upon the screen.†3 more sharp or intense Show general definition sharp or intense -- typically arousing deep emotion such as sadness, but possibly having or creating a sharp smell, taste, or insight
	4	top 1000
stringentstrict We insist that our employees follow stringent safety measures.more Show sample from book The Prefect's riposte to criticisms echoed by the press-Could not the regulations be modified and made less stringent?†3 more Show general definition demanding strict attention to detailed rules and procedures or: with restricted options -- such as when there is a shortage of money or time
	4	top 2000
qualmsfeelings of uneasiness She has no qualms about doing whatever it takes to win.more Show sample from book Looking from his window at the town, outwardly quite unchanged, the doctor felt little more than a faint qualm for the future, a vague unease.†3 more qualms → qualm:feeling of uneasiness Show context notes Qualm is much more commonly used in the plural form, qualms. Show general definition feelings of uneasiness -- especially about whether it is right to do something
	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 She was greatly struck by the apathy of his voice when, on her asking how he was feeling, he replied that he was in a bad way, he did not need a doctor, and all he wished was to be taken to the hospital, so as to comply with the regulations.†2 more