Dreaming in Cuban — Vocabulary
Christina Garcia
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	12	top 2000
seduceseduce → seduced:persuaded to do something She was seduced by the temptation of easy money.more Show sample from book I did try to seduce her.11 more to entice someone into having sex Show general definition to persuade someone to do something by tempting them with something pleasurable or desired -- often to make them want to participate in sexual activity
	9	top 2000
communisman economic system that abolishes private ownership of property with the goal of a classless society A challenge with communism is that it is harder to know how to allocate capital when prices are subjective rather than the product of individual valuations.†more Show sample from book Who will repay us for our homes, for the lands the Communists stole from us?8 more communism → communists:the political party that supports an economic system that abolishes private ownership of property
	8	top 1000
coaxgently persuade Although she has retired from public life, we are going to try to coax her to accept the award.more Show sample from book Jorge coaxed me to try a guayabita del pinar, a local drink, and I surprised myself by finishing four.†7 more coax → coaxed:tried to obtain a result through gentle and careful effort -- often gently persuaded Show general definition for coax (as in: coax her to join us) try to obtain a result through gentle and careful effort -- often gentle persuasion
	4	top 200
ornatehaving lots of decorative detail The hotel is decorated with ornate furniture, lots of carved designs, and gold leaf gilding.more Show sample from book But his handwriting, an ornate script he learned in another century, revealed his decay.†3 more Show general definition highly decorative or elaborate in style — whether in appearance (with lots of detail) or in language that sounds flowery and overly complicated
	5	top 1000
tauttight The string is pulled taut.more Show sample from book I cried when I saw him bandaged in white, his arms taut in midair like a sea gull.†4 more pulled or drawn tight; OR subjected to great tension Show general definition pulled or drawn tight; or: subjected to great tension
	5	top 1000
tauntintentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone She used Twitter to taunt the opposing candidate.more Show sample from book "So the woman of the house is a fighter?" the tall soldier taunted.†4 more taunt → taunted:intentionally angered, challenged, or upset Show general definition to intentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone -- especially by mocking them or hurling insults or (as a noun): an insult or other action intended to anger, challenge, or upset someone
	3	top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book Celia wanted to tell Jorge how his mother and his sister, Ofelia, scorned her, how they ate together in the evenings without inviting her.†2 more scorn → scorned:disrespected or rejected Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
	4	top 1000
haphazardwithout pattern or planning She seemed to have a most haphazard system of record keeping.more Show sample from book She notices the way his fingers are twisted above the first joints, stiffened haphazardly like branches.†3 more Show general definition without pattern or planning
	2	top 100
adaptadapt → adapted:changed (to fit this situation) Ideas contained in passages for this test, some of which are excerpted or adapted from published material, do not necessarily represent the opinions of the College Board.more Show sample from book It became clear to Lourdes shortly after she and Rufino moved to New York that he would never adapt.†1 more change to fit a different situation; or make suitable Show general definition for adapt (as in: adapted to the new rules) changed to fit a different situation; or made suitable
	3	top 500
ambiguousunclear because it could be interpreted in different ways The detective found the suspect’s statement ambiguous, unsure whether it was a confession or a denial.more Show sample from book Lourdes abhors ambiguity.†2 more ambiguous → ambiguity:lack of clarity -- unclear because there could be two or more interpretations Show general definition unclear -- because there could be two or more interpretations
	3	top 500
arbitrarybased on chance or impulse It was an arbitrary decision.more Show sample from book They stack up in her mind, soggily, arbitrarily, and she sorts through them like cherished belongings after a flood.†2 more arbitrary → arbitrarily:in a manner based on chance or impulse Show general definition based on chance or impulse (rather than upon reasoning, consistent rules, or a proper sense of fairness)
	2	top 200
disdainlack of respect She tries to be polite, but she cannot hide her disdain for authority.more Show sample from book Pilar is like her grandmother, disdainful of rules, of religion, of everything meaningful.1 more disdain → disdainful:lacking respect Show general definition to disrespect or reject as unworthy
	5	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 I'm not religious but I get the feeling that it's the simplest rituals, the ones that are integrated with the earth and its seasons, that are the most profound. It makes more sense to me than the more abstract forms of worship.5 more Show general definition for abstract (as in: abstract thought) of a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
	1	top 200
abstract#2not imitating objects of nature She is an abstract painter.more Show sample from book Abstract painting is more up my alley.5 more Show general definition for abstract (as in: abstract art) not imitating external reality or the objects of nature
	1
temperedmade less extreme Her criticism was tempered with kindly sympathy.more Show sample from book There's a sadness in her expression tempered by hope.1 more Show general definition for tempered (as in: bad news tempered by kindness) made less extreme
	1	top 2000
tempered#2tempered → even-tempered:not easily angered or upset She is patient and even-tempered.more Show sample from book Outside, the spring rains resume ill-temperedly.1 more tempered → temperedly:in a nasty (unkind) manner Show general definition for tempered (as in: short-tempered) having a typical mood or temperament -- often in reference to how easily one is angered
	2	top 500
opulentmagnificent and luxurious We were impressed by her opulent home.more Show sample from book Lourdes wishes Ivanito were with her so she could point out the opulence—the nine-hole golf course, the landing dock for the seaplane, the Carrara marble floors.1 more opulent → opulence:luxury Show general definition magnificent and luxurious -- usually expensive
	3	top 2000
divinepredict supernaturally She claims she can divine the future with a crystal ball.more Show sample from book In the second week of January, Felicia visits a santero known for his grace and power in reading the divining shells.2 more divine → divining:used to predict or discover something supernaturally (as if by magic) Show general definition for divine (as in: divined from tea leaves) to discover or predict something supernaturally (as if by magic)
	2	top 1000
fastidiouscareful and attentive to detail She is fastidious in her work.more Show sample from book Her father had been a fastidious man, impeccable, close-shaven, with razor-sharp creases pressed into his trousers.1 more excessively concerned with cleanliness or matters of taste Show general definition giving careful attention to detail or: excessively concerned with cleanliness or matters of taste
	2	top 1000
inciteprovoke -- (arouse feelings that will cause) They want to incite a riot.more Show sample from book The yanquis, rumors go, have ringed the island with nuclear poison, hoping to starve the people and incite a counterrevolution.†1 more provoke Show general definition provoke -- (arouse feelings, often leading to action)