The Namesake — Vocabulary
Jhumpa Lahiri
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	2	top 500
dwellthink or talk about something longer than seems appropriate Don't dwell on the past.more Show sample from book Ashima is outraged by the remark, dwelling on it all day.7 more dwell → dwelling:to think or let attention stay on (or return to) something for a prolonged period Show general definition for dwell (as in: Don't dwell on it.) to think, communicate, or let attention stay on (or return to) something for a prolonged period
	6	top 500
dwell#2dwell → dwells:lives in The creature dwells in the forest.more Show sample from book ...one day he was to dwell in a snowy place himself,7 more live in Show general definition for dwell (as in: It dwells in the forest.) make one's home in; or to live in; or to stay (in a place)
	9	top 100
neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas) The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more Show sample from book At times his name, an entity shapeless and weightless, manages nevertheless to distress him physically, like the scratchy tag of a shirt he has been forced permanently to wear.†8 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.
	10	top 500
perpetualcontinuing forever A perpetual flame burns beside the grave of John F. Kennedy.more Show sample from book She was in her thirties, unmarried, perpetually sipping herbal tea.9 more perpetual → perpetually:continually; or always Show general definition continuing forever without change; or occurring so frequently it seems constant
	10	top 2000
résumésummary of qualifications She submitted her résumé along with a cover letter to apply for the job.more Show sample from book She reads through the résumé, learns exactly where he's been and what he's done for the past decade.9 more a written, brief summary of a person's qualifications to do something Show general definition for résumé (as in: submitted her résumé) a brief summary of a person's qualifications to do something -- typically submitted with an employment application Show editor's word notes In practice, résumé is often written without the accented e's.
	7	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 Assured by his grades and his apparent indifference to girls, his parents don't suspect Gogol of being, in his own fumbling way, an American teenager.6 more indifferent → indifference:lack of interest 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."
	7	top 500
persistentcontinuing over time She has a persistent cough.more Show sample from book Though he will never forget that night, it no longer lurks persistently in his mind, stalking him in the same way.†6 more persistent → persistently:in a continuing manner -- especially despite difficulties or opposition Show general definition continuing -- especially despite difficulties or opposition
	8	top 1000
persistpersist → persisted:continued The child persisted in asking questions despite my obvious desire to be left alone.more Show sample from book They enter complaining of the cold that has persisted this far into spring,7 more Show general definition to continue -- often despite difficulty or to repeat a question
	4	top 100
structureorganization The structure of the essay made her argument easy to follow.more Show sample from book It is the one thing that structures their days: the sound of the food being warmed in the microwave, three plates lowered from the cupboard, three glasses filled.3 more structure → structures:gives shape or order Show general definition for structure (as in: sentence structure or structure it) an organized form or system; or the act of giving something that form
	8	top 2000
suburbanin an area located near the outer edge of a city where it isn't so crowded I want a suburban home with a white picket fence and a big yard.more Show sample from book For Ashima, migrating to the suburbs feels more drastic, more distressing than the move from Calcutta to Cambridge had been.†7 more suburban → suburbs:residential areas located near the outer edge of a city where it isn't as crowded Show general definition relating to a residential area located near the outer edge of a city where it isn't as crowded
	4	top 100
correspondcorrespond → corresponds:is equivalent The girls are using a simple code where "1" corresponds to "A", "2" to "B" and so on for each of the 26 letters of the alphabet.more Show sample from book He puts on his Abbey Road CD, skipping ahead to the songs that would have been on side 2 of the album, and tries to work on the drawing, making sure his measurements correspond to the principal designer's notes.†3 more connect or fit together by being equivalent, proportionate, or matched Show general definition for correspond (as in: corresponding time period) connect or fit together by being equivalent, proportionate, or matched (Two things are equivalent if they have the same or very similar value, purpose, or result.)
	6	top 1000
adornadorn → adorned:decorated The women adorned themselves with shell necklaces.more Show sample from book Though it is from Ashima's father, no drawings for Gogol adorn the margins, no elephants or parrots or tigers.†5 more decorate Show general definition to decorate -- especially a person
	6	top 2000
respectiverelating separately to the people or things just mentioned Our salespeople are paid in accordance with their respective sales.more Show sample from book But soon enough they are conversing easily, as they had before, exchanging tales of their respective holidays.†5 more Show general definition relating separately to the people or things just mentioned
	5	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 Though she knows it's not his fault, she can't help but associate him, at times, with a sense of resignation, with the very life she has resisted, has struggled so mightily to leave behind.4 more having accepted something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils Show general definition for resignation (as in: accepted it with resignation) acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
	6
dissertationlengthy academic paper She wrote her dissertation on T.S. Eliot.more Show sample from book Like Ashoke, busy with his teaching and research and dissertation seven days a week, she, too, now has something to occupy her fully, to demand her utmost devotion, her last ounce of strength.†5 more a lengthy academic paper Show general definition a lengthy academic paper -- especially a scholarly work required for an advanced academic degree
	2	top 100
highlightemphasize (call attention to) The main purpose of this passage is to highlight the degree of income inequality.more Show sample from book Alongside the clutter there is a starkness about the place that appeals to him: the floors are bare, the woodwork stripped, many of the windows without curtains to highlight their generous proportions.1 more Show general definition for highlight (as in: highlight the main findings) emphasize (call attention to something)
	2	top 500
anecdoteanecdote → anecdotes:short true stories Her autobiography is sprinkled with amusing anecdotes.more Show sample from book The anecdote amuses him.†1 more a short story that is true -- often told for amusement or to make a point Show general definition a short story that is true -- often told for amusement or to make a point
	2	top 500
sanctionsanction → sanctions:penalties When they withdraw their troops from the country, international sanctions should be lifted.more Show sample from book In spite of his parents' sanction he feels that he is overstepping them, correcting a mistake they've made.1 more Show general definition for sanction (as in: sanctions against them) formal penalty Show editor's word notes This word has contradictory meanings that are frequently used. When selecting words for an audience who may not be sure of this word's contextual meaning, consider substituting words like penalize for this sense of sanction.
	2	top 1000
fastidiouscareful and attentive to detail She is fastidious in her work.more Show sample from book He is fastidious about his clothing; their first argument had been over a sweater she'd shrunk in the washing machine.1 more giving careful attention to detail Show general definition giving careful attention to detail or: excessively concerned with cleanliness or matters of taste
	3
unwittingunwitting → unwittingly:without knowledge or intent She unwittingly bought and sold stolen merchandise.more Show sample from book Often in one's infancy, one answers unwittingly to dozens of pet names, until one eventually sticks.†2 more Show general definition without knowledge or intent