The Gift of the Magi — Vocabulary
O. Henry
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
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implyimply → implied:hinted or suggested She wouldn't make a direct statement, but she implied that she supported our position.more Show sample from book Pennies saved one and two at a time by bulldozing the grocer and the vegetable man and the butcher until one's cheeks burned with the silent imputation of parsimony that such close dealing implied. imply → implied:said indirectly or demonstrated Show general definition to suggest or say indirectly -- possibly as a logical consequence
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adornadorn → adorned:decorated The women adorned themselves with shell necklaces.more Show sample from book And now, they were hers, but the tresses that should have adorned the coveted adornments were gone.†1 more adorn → adornments:decorations Show general definition to decorate -- especially a person
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assertassert → asserts:says The defense also asserts that the defendant has no previous record of crime.more Show sample from book This dark assertion will be illuminated later on. assert → assertion:statement that something is true Show general definition for assert (as in: asserted her opinion that...) to say that something is true -- especially something disputed
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prudentsensible and careful She was promoted to manager because she is so prudent.more Show sample from book When Della reached home her intoxication gave way a little to prudence and reason. prudent → prudence:good sense and caution
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scrutinyscrutiny → scrutinized:looked very carefully at She scrutinized her reflection in the mirror.more Show context notes The suffix "-ize" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize. Show sample from book He enfolded his Della. For ten seconds let us regard with discreet scrutiny some inconsequential object in the other direction. careful look or inspection Show general definition careful examination of something
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sequenceordered set The sequence of events leading to the accident was carefully reviewed by the investigators.more Show sample from book A very thin and very agile person may, by observing his reflection in a rapid sequence of longitudinal strips, obtain a fairly accurate conception of his looks. order Show general definition a set of things arranged or happening in a specific order -- often chronological order
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predominantpredominant → predominantly:most commonly In the summer, our afternoon breezes come predominantly from the southwest.more Show sample from book Which instigates the moral reflection that life is made up of sobs, sniffles, and smiles, with sniffles predominating.† predominant → predominating:most frequent, common, or important; OR having more power and influence Show general definition most frequent, common, or important; or having more power and influence
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agileable to move well quickly and easily She is amazingly agile for someone so tall.more Show sample from book A very thin and very agile person may, by observing his reflection in a rapid sequence of longitudinal strips, obtain a fairly accurate conception of his looks. Show general definition able to move well quickly and easily or: able to think well quickly and easily
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ecstaticecstatic → ecstatically:with feelings of intense happiness They are ecstatically in love.more Show sample from book And then an ecstatic scream of joy; feeling intense happiness and excitement Show general definition feeling intense happiness and excitement (as when in a state of ecstasy)
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metaphormetaphor → metaphorically:with a figure of speech in which a similarity between two things is highlighted by using a word to refer to something that it does not literally denote He was speaking metaphorically when he referred to being mugged by reality.more Show sample from book Forget the hashed metaphor. a figure of speech in which a word is used to refer to something that it does not literally denote in order to suggest a similarity -- as when Shakespeare wrote, "All the world's a stage." Show general definition a figure of speech in which a similarity between two things is implied by using a word to refer to something it does not literally mean—as in, "All the world’s a stage." Show editor's word notes When Shakespeare wrote, "All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players." he was not saying the world is really a stage and all people are actors. But he was pointing to the similarities he wants us to recognize. While metaphors and similes are both techniques of figurative language. The distinction is that a simile explicitly shows that a comparison is being made, by using words such as "like" or "as". A metaphor simply substitutes words assuming the reader will understand the meaning should not be take literally. "She is like a diamond in the rough" is a simile; while "She is a diamond in the rough" is a metaphor.
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yearnstrongly desire or wish I yearn for her return.more Show sample from book They were expensive combs, she knew, and her heart had simply craved and yearned over them without the least hope of possession.† yearn → yearned:strongly desired Show general definition have a strong desire -- often for something difficult or impossible to have
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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 In the vestibule below was a letter-box into which no letter would go, and an electric button from which no mortal finger could coax a ring.† try to obtain a result through gentle and careful effort 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
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chroniclechronicle → chronicles:records or reports She chronicles daily events of interest in Twitter.more Show sample from book And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. record of events Show general definition a record of events; or the act of creating such a record or telling others of the events
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ravageravage → ravaged:destroyed or badly damaged Flames ravaged their home.more Show sample from book She got out her curling irons and lighted the gas and went to work repairing the ravages made by generosity added to love. ravage → ravages:damages Show general definition to destroy or damage; or damaging effects
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inconsequentialunimportant Once I was accepted in college, high school work seemed inconsequential.†more Show sample from book For ten seconds let us regard with discreet scrutiny some inconsequential object in the other direction.† not important
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ardententhusiastic (feeling intense emotion) I am her most ardent fan.more Show sample from book The dull precious metal seemed to flash with a reflection of her bright and ardent spirit.† feeling intense emotion (often enthusiasm or love) Show general definition showing or feeling intense emotion -- typically strong positive feelings such as enthusiasm or love
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chastea virgin Despite the societal pressure to engage in premarital relations, Bella remained chaste until her wedding night.more Show sample from book It was a platinum fob chain simple and chaste in design, properly proclaiming its value by substance alone and not by meretricious ornamentation—as all good things should do.† not having sexual intercourse (ever, outside of marriage, or for a long time); or not involving sexual desire Show general definition for chaste (as in: remained chaste) not having sex; or not involving sexual desire Show editor's word notes The exact meaning of not having sex depends upon context. It can mean<ul><li>to be a virgin (never have sex)</li><li>to be sexually inactive currently or for a long time</li><li>to not have sex outside of marriage</li></ul>
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instigateinstigate → instigating:starting The group is accused of instigating the violence in the area.more Show sample from book Which instigates the moral reflection that life is made up of sobs, sniffles, and smiles, with sniffles predominating. instigate → instigates:sets into motion Show general definition start or set into motion -- typically some kind of conflict
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unassuminghumble -- not arrogant, showy, or self-important She is so unassuming, it was wonderful to see her kick the winning goal.more Show sample from book ...they were thinking seriously of contracting to a modest and unassuming D. humble
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longitudea measure of east/west (relative to the Prime Meridian) on the earth Just put the latitude and longitude into the navigation system and it will tell us how to get there.more Show sample from book A very thin and very agile person may, by observing his reflection in a rapid sequence of longitudinal strips, obtain a fairly accurate conception of his looks.† Show general definition a measure of east/west (relative to the Prime Meridian) on the earth Show editor's word notes Lines of longitude are the imaginary lines that run from the North Pole to the South Pole. They are sometimes called meridians. Unlike latitude, which measures north–south, longitude measures how far east or west a place is on Earth. By international agreement, the zero line of longitude (0°) is the prime meridian, which passes through Greenwich, England. Longitudes go up to 180° east and 180° west. Used together with latitude, longitude lets you give an exact position for any point on Earth.