The God of Small Things — Vocabulary
Arundhati Roy
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	26	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 This earned him the wrath of the Chinese Communist Party. They ... and accused him of "providing relief to the people and thereby blunting the People's Consciousness and diverting them from the Revolution."25 more communism → communist:someone who supports an economic system that abolishes private ownership of property with the goal of a classless society
	1	top 1000
resignationa document expressing that someone is quitting a job I know you're unhappy there, but don't submit your resignation until you find a better job.more Show sample from book "I'm afraid I have no option," he said, "but to ask for your resignation."5 more to quit a job; or a document expressing that someone is quitting a job Show general definition for resignation (as in: submitted her resignation) to quit -- especially a job or position; or a document expressing such an act
	5	top 1000
resignation#2(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 Mother Bear suffered those beatings with mute resignation.5 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
	8	top 1000
luminousshining The sky was luminous with stars.more Show sample from book She had a delicate, chiseled face, black eyebrows angled like a soaring seagull's wings, a small straight nose and luminous, nutbrown skin.†7 more glowing or shining… Show general definition glowing or shining (also used metaphorically to describe beauty or intelligence)
	8	top 1000
tauttight The string is pulled taut.more Show sample from book Her watchfulness stretched her, made her taut and tense.†7 more pulled or drawn tight; OR subjected to great tension Show general definition pulled or drawn tight; or: subjected to great tension
	8	top 1000
expelexpel → expulsion:the act of forcing out (in this case, kicking someone out of school) Her records show expulsion from two schools.more Show sample from book That was the first of three expulsions.†7 more expel → expulsions:acts of forcing out Show general definition force out especially in 2 primary senses: kicking someone out of an organization -- such as a school or country squeezing something to eliminate a liquid or gas
	1	top 500
implicationsomething implied (said indirectly) I object to her implication that my work was sub-standard.more Show sample from book If they hurt Velutha more than they intended to, it was only because any kinship, any connection between themselves and him, any implication that if nothing else, at least biologically he was a fellow creature—had been severed long ago.1 more something suggested indirectly Show general definition for implication (as in: the implication is that...) Something that follows from something else. The thing that follows could be: something suggested indirectly (not said directly) something that can be concluded (often a logical consequence) something that results from something else
	1	top 500
implication#2involvement She is suspected of implication in three burglaries.more Show sample from book Comrade K. N. M. Pillai claimed that the Management had implicated the Paravan in a false police case because he was an active member of the Communist Party.1 more implication → implicated:accused of being involved Show general definition for implication (as in: Her implication in the crime) involvement in or the suggestion that someone was involved in something -- especially a crime
	7
bourgeoistypical middle class Our lifestyle upsets their bourgeois sensibilities.more Show sample from book The Naxalite movement spread across the country and struck terror in every bourgeois heart.†6 more typical of the middle class or their values and habits Show general definition typical of the middle class or their values and habits - typically used disapprovingly or (in Marxist theory): typical of the property-owning class Show editor's word notes Bourgeois is often used to refer to the values of the upper middle class. You may also see the term petit bourgeois to describe very small business owners. Note that bourgeois, bourgeoisie, and bourgeoise are often interchanged. Bourgeois is most common and can be used as an adjective or a noun. Bourgeoisie is typically used only as a noun, and bourgeoise is occasionally used as an alternate spelling of bourgeois.
	7	top 2000
mortgageproperty loan We are the proud owners of a new home and a $100,000 mortgage.more Show sample from book After Paradise Pickles closed down, some rice fields were sold (along with their mortgages) to pay off the bank loans.†6 more mortgage → mortgages:real estate loans; or pledges something for a loan Show general definition a real estate loan; or to offer real estate as collateral for a loan (collateral is something that has to be given to the lender if the loan isn't paid as agreed)
	3	top 100
reviseimprove (change) How can you revise that paragraph to improve the expression of ideas?more Show sample from book Of course it was Chacko himself who pointed this out to them and promised that as soon as things picked up, their wages would be revised.†2 more revise → revised:changed Show general definition to change (and hopefully improve) -- most frequently to improve a written document, but it can be any intentional change such as a change in an estimated amount, a plan, or a series of procedures
	4	top 200
invokeinvoke → invokes:calls upon Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God. Each invokes God's aid against the other.Abraham Lincoln (Second Inaugural Address)more Show sample from book She invoked the Love Laws.3 more invoke → invoked:cited Show general definition to call upon The exact meaning of invoke can depend upon its context. For example: "invoking God's help"; or "invoking the spirit of the dead" -- to call upon a great or magical power "I invoke the First Amendment"; or "I invoke the words of Thomas Jefferson" -- to cite or call upon for validation "She invoked his sympathy and family memories." -- to call upon someone's feelings or memories "She invoked his assistance." -- to call earnestly for "The program invokes the subroutine" -- to call up a computer program
	4	top 200
coherentsensible and clear She presented a compelling and coherent plan.more Show sample from book Ammu was incoherent with rage and disbelief at what was happening to her—at being locked away like the family lunatic in a medieval household.†3 more coherent → incoherent:not sensible or clear; or describing parts as not fitting together in a consistent or pleasing manner Show context notes The prefix "in-" in incoherent means not and reverses the meaning of coherent. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure. Show general definition sensible and clear; or describing parts as fitting together in a consistent or pleasing manner
	3	top 200
disdainlack of respect She tries to be polite, but she cannot hide her disdain for authority.more Show sample from book An hour after the lights went out, disdaining Mammachi's frightened pleading, little Ammu crept back into the house through a ventilator to rescue her new gumboots that she loved more than anything else.2 more disdain → disdaining:rejecting as not good enough (showing a lack of respect for Mammachi's pleading) Show general definition to disrespect or reject as unworthy
	6
dowrymoney or property given by a woman's family to the husband at marriage She was given her inheritance in the form of a dowry.more Show sample from book They were separated and made into rings and pendants for unmarried daughters' dowries.†5 more Show general definition in some societies, money or property given by a woman's family to the husband at marriage or less formally: money or property a bride brings to a marriage
	4
cloyingoverly sweet or sentimental She found the movie’s ending cloying, filled with clichés and syrupy dialogue.more Show sample from book The smell of cloying sandalwood and terry-cotton armpits (small medium large) hung in the air.†3 more overly sweet or sentimental in a way that becomes unpleasant or excessive Show general definition overly sweet or sentimental in a way that becomes unpleasant or excessive -- on the tongue or in sentiment
	2	top 1000
allayreduce the intensity of They have tried to allay fears by saying their weapons are of a defensive nature.more Show sample from book In order to allay any fears his clients might have about his political leanings, he had altered his name slightly.†1 more reduce the intensity of; OR calm Show general definition reduce the intensity of; or calm
	2	top 1000
sumptuousmagnificent The guests were treated to a sumptuous feast, with an array of delicious dishes and desserts.more Show sample from book Biscuit tins with sumptuous pictures of English castles and ladies with bustles and ringlets.†1 more magnificent (impressively wonderful) -- often indicating something expensive Show general definition magnificent (impressively wonderful) -- often indicating something expensive
	3
pariahoutcast The scandal made her a political pariah.more Show sample from book As a special favor they were even given their own separate Pariah Bishop.†2 more a social outcast Show general definition a social outcast
	3
chameleoncapable of changing appearance and behavior to suit different circumstances The chameleon actor can transform herself into any character, no matter how different from his own personality.more Show sample from book He walked through the world like a chameleon.†2 more a person who changes opinions, behavior, or appearance depending upon the circum… Show general definition a person who changes opinions, behavior, or appearance depending upon the circumstances or: a kind of lizard that changes its colors to match the colors around it