John Adams — Vocabulary
David McCullough
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	46	top 100
establishestablish → established:created Which word choice best maintains the tone established in the first paragraph?more Show sample from book A Judiciary Act was deliberated and passed, establishing a federal court system, and set the size of the Supreme Court.46 more establish → establishing:creating Show general definition for establish (as in: establish a positive tone) create, start, or set in [a] place
	1	top 100
establish#2establish → establishing:showing or demonstrating The passage is primarily about establishing the relationship between the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and global temperature.more Show sample from book That your sex are naturally tyrannical is a truth so thoroughly established as to admit of no dispute, but such of yours as wish to be happy willingly give up the harsh title of master for the more tender and endearing one of friend.46 more establish → established:demonstrated or proved Show general definition for establish (as in: establish that there is a need) show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
	96	top 2000
republicrepublic → republics:governmental systems in which a majority of citizens elect representatives to make laws The United States and each of its states are republics.more Show sample from book That Jefferson would be the Republican choice to oppose him in the election was a foregone conclusion.95 more republic → republican:of a system of government in which a majority of citizens elect representatives … Show general definition for republic (as in: the country is a republic) of a system of government in which a majority of citizens elect representatives to make laws; or someone in favor of such a form of government
	24	top 2000
approachapproach → approaching:getting nearer Winter is approaching.more Show sample from book When night approached, the wind died away…25 more approach → approached:got near Show general definition for approach (as in: approached the city) to get closer to (near in space, time, quantity, or quality)
	2	top 500
approach#2method (way of doing something) Perhaps I just need to work harder, but I may need an entirely different approach to the problem.more Show sample from book For the first time, he was on his own with his studies, and he bent to them with the spirit of independence and intense determination that were to characterize much of his whole approach to life.†25 more technique (way of doing something) Show general definition for approach (as in: use the best approach) a way of doing something; or a route that leads to a particular place
	4	top 2000
attributeattribute → attributes:characteristics The spreadsheet has a column to describe the breed of dog and then ten additional columns to indicate attributes of the breeds. For example, the second column has the average full-grown weight.more Show sample from book Adams believed his strongest attributes were, as he said, "candor, probity, and decision," but these he failed to find in the face that looked back from the finished canvas, and he expressed disappointment.†15 more attribute → attributes:characteristics (of something or someone) Show general definition for attribute (as in: It is an attribute of...) a characteristic or feature (of something or someone)
	12	top 100
attribute#2attribute → attributed:credited (pointed to as the source of) She attributed this quotation to Shakespeare.more Show sample from book The first edition, attributed to an unnamed "Englishman" and published by Robert Bell in a print shop on Third Street, appeared January 9, 1776.15 more attribute → attributed:credited (pointed to as the cause of something) Show general definition for attribute (as in: I attribute it to...) to credit (a source for something) in two typical senses: "I attribute it to her work." -- to say who or what made something happen "Remember to attribute any quotations in your paper." -- indicate the source of a quotation or idea
	29	top 200
prudentsensible and careful She was promoted to manager because she is so prudent.more Show sample from book The only choice was to make for the nearest friendly port, for Spain, "with all the sail the ship could prudently bear."†28 more prudent → prudently:with good sense and caution
	40
envoyrepresentative sent on a mission The State Department's new envoy to North Korea has a good understanding of the region.more Show sample from book With France and America now joined in common cause, he was no longer the envoy of a friendly nation but of an ally.39 more Show general definition a representative sent on a mission -- often representing a government
	37	top 2000
legislatureelected body that makes laws The state legislature passed a law to increase the minimum wage, but the governor vetoed it while claiming it would reduce the number of entry-level jobs for young people.more Show sample from book He was too independent by nature and his political experience amounted to less than a year's service in the Massachusetts legislature.†36 more a group, made up of government representatives, that has the power to create laws Show general definition a group made up of government representatives (usually elected) that has the power to create laws
	18	top 2000
correspondwrite to each other We correspond regularly via email.more Show sample from book To judge by their correspondence he might still have been in France.†19 more correspond → correspondence:communication by written letters or messages Show general definition for correspond (as in: corresponding by email) communicate -- typically by writing letters or email Show editor's word notes A corresponding secretary is an officer of an organization who is responsible for managing the organization's correspondence and keeping a record of it.
	2
correspondentreporter Let's get a report from our correspondent in Mexico City.more Show sample from book A correspondent for the Massachusetts Spy observed in a letter from Washington that numbers of Adams's friends wished he had not departed so abruptly.†19 more Show general definition for correspondent (as in: foreign correspondent of the paper) a reporter or other representative -- typically from a foreign country or with a particular expertise
	4
trifletrifle → trifling:unimportant We all agree with the goal, but how to achieve it is not a trifling matter.more Show sample from book Trifles, whipped syllabubs, floating islands ...and then a dessert of fruits, raisins, almonds, pears, peaches—wines most excellent and admirable.†4 more trifle → trifles:things of small importance Show general definition for trifle (as in: a trifling matter) something of small importance; or a small quantity
	1
trifle withtreat thoughtlessly or without respect She is not a woman to trifle with or ignore.more Show sample from book Our countrymen have too long trifled with public and private credit.†4 more trifle with → trifled with:treated thoughtlessly or without respect Show general definition for trifle with (as in: trifle with her affections) to treat somebody or something thoughtlessly or without respect
	8	top 2000
approbationapproval She is not motivated by popular approbation.more Show sample from book "I take vast satisfaction in the general approbation of the Massachusetts Constitution," he would tell a friend.†7 more Show general definition approval - often official
	8
embargoban The country placed an embargo on oil exports to pressure its rival.more Show sample from book On February 26 there was enacted an embargo on exports to Britain.†7 more an official ban or restriction -- especially a government-imposed trade barrier Show general definition an official ban or restriction -- especially a government-imposed trade barrier
	5	top 500
amicablefriendly The two countries have a productive and amicable relationship.more Show sample from book The reunion of the Adamses and Jefferson in New York was appropriately amicable.†4 more friendly or showing goodwill Show general definition friendly or showing goodwill
	5	top 1000
adversedifficult She did an impressive job given the adverse circumstances.more Show sample from book Its principal adverse effects on his way of life were spiraling inflation, and the loss of twenty-two of his slaves who ran off in the hope of joining the British side and gaining their freedom.†4 more working against one's interests Show general definition working against one's interests
	2	top 500
mediatehelp others to settle a disagreement She suggested asking Saudi Arabia to mediate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.more Show sample from book But before either departed, Adams himself was off to Paris, summoned by Vergennes to take part in discussions of a possible mediation of the war by Russia and Austria.2 more mediate → mediation:the process of helping others to settle a disagreement
	1	top 500
mediate#2mediate → mediated:influenced The effect of the drug and be mediated by diet and the adrenal gland.more Show sample from book "When the election between Burr and myself was kept in suspense by the Federalists," Jefferson would write to Benjamin Rush, "and they were mediating to place the President [pro tempore] of the Senate at the head of government, I called on Mr. Adams with a view to have this desperate measure prevented by his negative."2 more mediate → mediating:influencing