The Red Pony — Vocabulary
John Steinbeck
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	10	top 2000
stallionstallion → stallions:a male horse that has not been castrated Breeders carefully select stallions with excellent lineage to improve the bloodline of their horses.more Show sample from book Jess Taylor, up to the ridge ranch, has a fair stallion, but it'll cost five dollars.†9 more a male horse that has not been castrated (gelded) Show general definition a male horse that has not been castrated (gelded) -- especially one used for breeding purposes
	6	top 2000
manelong coarse hair growing around the head It was a healthy male lion with a golden mane.more Show sample from book Jody reached up a hand and took hold of Nellie's mane.5 more long coarse hair growing on the back of the neck of a horse Show general definition long coarse hair such as that which grows around a lion's head or on the back of a horse's neck
	3	top 1000
listlesslacking energy and normal enthusiasm She was listless and bored.more Show sample from book Jody walked up to the house and took his place listlessly at the table.2 more listless → listlessly:with a lack of energy and normal enthusiasm
	3	top 1000
solemnvery serious He took a solemn oath.more Show sample from book Doubletree Mutt sat still, as though he knew some solemn thing was happening.2 more very serious or dignified Show general definition in a very serious (and often dignified) manner
	2	top 500
perpetualcontinuing forever A perpetual flame burns beside the grave of John F. Kennedy.more Show sample from book As she walked about the yellowing hillsides or worked at easy tasks, her lips were curled in a perpetual fatuous smile.†1 more continuing forever without change; OR occurring so frequently it seems constant Show general definition continuing forever without change; or occurring so frequently it seems constant
	4	top 2000
saunterwalk leisurely It was pleasant to saunter lazily through the park.more Show sample from book After a while the boy sauntered down the hill again.3 more saunter → sauntered:walked leisurely Show general definition to walk leisurely
	2	top 1000
contemptlack of respect Familiarity breeds contempt.more Show sample from book His father looked down at him contemptuously.1 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."
	2	top 1000
infiniteunlimited There are infinite possibilities.more Show sample from book It was awful to see the red hide cut, but infinitely more terrible to know it was being cut and not to see it.†1 more infinite → infinitely:unlimited; without boundaries; OR too numerous to count Show general definition unlimited; without boundaries; or too numerous to count
	2	top 1000
deliberatedeliberate → deliberately:intentionally She didn't forget. She deliberately skipped the meeting.more Show sample from book He found a hard black clod on the floor and deliberately threw it.1 more Show general definition for deliberate (as in: deliberate insult) to do something intentionally (do it on purpose)
	2	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 The dogs coaxed and whined about him, but he could not go.†1 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
	1	top 100
precedeprecede → preceded:were before in time Stone tools preceded bronze tools.more Show sample from book The room was dark but there was a grayness in the window like that which precedes the dawn.† precede → precedes:goes, does, or is before Show general definition to go or do before
	2
salvea cream or liquid put onto skin to make it feel better or heal She smeared some salve on the wound and then wrapped it in a bandage.more Show sample from book He held up the head while Billy swabbed out the wound with weak carbolic acid salve.1 more Show general definition a cream or liquid put onto skin to make it feel better or heal or: anything that eases pain or anxiety; or the act of doing such
	2	top 2000
detachdetach → detached:emotionally uninvolved (separated from emotions) She spoke in a cold, detached manner as though she didn't care about him anymore.more Show sample from book The red fearless eyes still looked at him, impersonal and unafraid and detached.1 more Show general definition to separate something from something else (physically or emotionally)
	2	top 2000
probeinvestigation There was a congressional probe into the scandal.more Show sample from book "Be a good thing for all of us if ham and eggs grew on the side-hills " Jody knew how his father was probing for a place to hurt in Gitano.†1 more probe → probing:investigating Show general definition to investigate closely; or a tool or device used to explore, examine, or gather information
	3
impersonallacking warmth or personal connection I don't want to deal with an impersonal corporation.more Show sample from book The red fearless eyes still looked at him, impersonal and unafraid and detached.†2 more Show general definition not influenced by personal feelings -- often indicating a lack of warmth of personal connection
	1	top 200
complacentunworried and satisfied She had become complacent after years of success.more Show sample from book The bay mare Nellie quickly grew complacent. contented (unworried and satisfied) Show general definition contented (unworried and satisfied) -- often to a fault
	1	top 500
disparagedisparage → disparaging:criticizing or making seem less important She has a reputation for disparaging the efforts of her co-workers.more Show sample from book "It's just a show saddle," Billy Buck said disparagingly. disparage → disparagingly:with criticism or in a manner that makes something seem less important Show general definition to criticize or make seem less important -- especially in a disrespectful or contemptuous manner
	1	top 500
rancorfeelings of deep and bitter anger or hatred She made the suggestion to reduce the partisan rancor.†more Show sample from book Jody peered cautiously at her to see whether any rancor toward him remained. feelings of anger or hatred Show general definition deep and bitter anger or hatred -- especially when long-standing
	1	top 1000
strenuousdifficult (requiring much effort) The doctor recommended strenuous exercise three times a week.more Show sample from book His eyes narrowed, his mouth worked strenuously; for the first time that afternoon he was intent.† strenuous → strenuously:in a manner that requires much effort Show general definition energetic; or physically or mentally difficult or requiring endurance
	1	top 2000
conscientiouscareful and thorough She is conscientious in the lab.more Show sample from book Hearing his mother open the lunch pail and then gasp with rage, a memory stabbed him and he trotted away toward the barn, conscientiously not hearing the angry voice that called him from the house.† conscientious → conscientiously:in a manner that is careful to do what is right Show general definition careful to do what is right--especially to perform duties in a thorough manner