Cutting for Stone — Vocabulary
Abraham Verghese
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	86	top 2000
probationperiod of being watched closely After breaking school rules, she was put on disciplinary probation for the rest of the semester.more Show sample from book He summoned the probationer, a young, nervous Eritrean girl.85 more probation → probationer:a person being tried out as a new employee who does not have all the privileges of a regular employee Show general definition a period of time when a person is being tested or watched to see if they meet certain expectations or follow rules
	33	top 500
perpetualcontinuing forever A perpetual flame burns beside the grave of John F. Kennedy.more Show sample from book To his perpetual shame, he and Almaz had been intimate twice over the years, both times when he was drunk.†32 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
	13	top 100
conveycommunicate or express She dresses to convey a sense of a successful, no-nonsense woman.more Show sample from book There was not a bit of good news they could convey.†13 more Show general definition for convey (as in: convey her thoughts) communicate or express
	1	top 2000
convey#2transport I was ordered to convey her to London.more Show sample from book I squeezed his fingers, a Morse code to convey what was in my heart.†13 more Show general definition for convey (as in: convey her safely to) transport Show editor's word notes Today, this sense of convey is seldom seen outside of historic literature.
	10	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 Lord Shiva's name, held her breath, and cut above each clamp, bracing herself for something terrible.9 more invoke → invoked:called upon 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
	13
cadaverdead human body A cadaver is assigned to each medical student.more Show sample from book "Hema, if you want pretty, dissect cadavers," he once told her.†12 more cadaver → cadavers:dead bodies of human beings -- especially in reference to medical study Show general definition the dead body of a human being -- especially one used for medical study Show editor's word notes Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice): Typically cadaver references a body used for medical reasons such as medical education or research. Otherwise a dead body is more likely to be referenced by the word corpse or body.
	10	top 2000
expedientpractical but not ideal It was a necessary expedient to get the job done.more Show sample from book How easily Matron probed the gap between ambition and expediency.†9 more expedient → expediency:convenient, speedy, or practical; or an action that is speedy or practical Show general definition convenient and practical, but sometimes not the best or most moral choice
	9	top 1000
peasantpeasant → peasants:an historical term describing people of low income, education, and social standing Most people in the Middle Ages were peasants.more Show sample from book The peasant Florino became Don Florino when he crossed the Suez.†8 more used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country: a person of l… Show general definition used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country: a person of low income, education, and social standing -- especially one who raises crops or livestock
	6	top 100
phenomenonsomething that is of special interest It is a growing social phenomenon on high school campuses.more Show sample from book We would have further "explored the phenomenon," as Ghosh put it, but he had to return to the hospital.†5 more something that exists or happened -- often of special interest Show general definition something that exists or happened -- especially something of special interest -- sometimes someone or something that is extraordinary Show editor's word notes "Phenomenons" and "phenomena" are both appropriate plural forms of this noun. "Phenomena" is generally used in scientific or philosophical contexts.
	9	top 2000
specimenspecimen → specimens:examples representative of their type The museum holds over a million insect specimens.more Show sample from book "I imagine he'll write for his books and specimens once he is settled," Matron said.†8 more specimen → specimens:examples regarded as typical of their class Show general definition an example thought to represent its type; or a bit of tissue, blood, or urine that is taken for diagnostic purposes
	5	top 100
contextcontext → out of context:in a misleading manner (because the quote left out additional words that changed the meaning of what was quoted) She said she was quoted out of context and that anyone who read her full speech would know it.more Show context notes When someone is quoted "out of context" it means that selected words were quoted that misrepresent the meaning of all their words. For example, if you said "I admire their effort, but they are dead wrong if they think this will work," and someone implied that you supported their plan by quoting you as only saying, "I admire their effort," they would be quoting you out of context. Show sample from book Her face hovered over me, and for one second I thought she was going to kiss me, which would have been very strange in the context of our exchange.†4 more the setting or situation in which something occurs Show general definition the setting or situation in which something occurs
	6	top 500
meticuloustreating details with great care She is a meticulous researcher who takes pride in a thorough job.more Show sample from book While Hemlatha meticulously resected uterus or repaired a bladder tear, Stone, who could not carry a tune, nevertheless whistled "God Save the Queen," which riled Hema.†5 more meticulous → meticulously:in a manner treating details with great care
	5	top 200
novelnew and original We're looking for novel marketing ideas.more Show sample from book On top of each book was a shiny new Pelikan pen, the Pelicano, every schoolkid's dream, along with cartridges—such a novelty.†4 more novel → novelty:the quality of being new and original Show general definition for novel (as in: a novel situation) new and original -- typically something considered good
	21
obstetriciana physician specializing in childbirth She saw her obstetrician for an exam.more Show sample from book What other obstetricians perhaps dreaded, she relished.†20 more obstetrician → obstetricians:physicians who specialize in childbirth
	19
hepatitisdisease that causes inflammation of the liver She is tired and looks a little yellow, so I want a doctor to test her for hepatitis.more Show sample from book Little Abhi Ghoshe was a month old when his father died of hepatitis.†18 more Show general definition inflammation of the liver that can make it hard for the body to process wastes and other chemicals Show editor's word notes There are several types of hepatitis viruses, including hepatitis A, B, and C. Type A spreads mainly through contaminated food or water. Types B & C spread through contact with infected blood or body fluids. Some infections go away, but others can become long-term and damage the liver.
	1	top 2000
atriuma large public room leading to other rooms The hotel has a beautiful eight-story atrium.more Show sample from book The revolving doors led to a glass-walled atrium, the ceiling extending up at least three stories and accommodating a real tree.3 more large public room containing plants Show general definition for atrium (as in: atrium of the building) a central open space in a building -- often a large skylit hall near the entrance Show editor's word notes In ancient Roman houses and early Christian churches, an atrium was an open courtyard. In many modern buildings, it is an indoor space that may include plants, water features, and balconies or walkways to other rooms.
	3	top 2000
atrium#2chamber at the top of the heart All animals with a closed circulatory system have at least one atrium.more Show sample from book Deepak put a purse-string suture around the right atrium, the upper chamber of the heart that received blood from the vena cava.3 more Show general definition for atrium (as in: right atrium of the heart) chamber from which blood enters the heart
	7
hubrisexcessive pride and confidence It is another example of hubris preceding a fall.more Show sample from book To work for him, for his patients, to be his skilled assistant, was sufficient ambition, and it was an ambition without hubris, and God willing, it was something she could reasonably do.†6 more excessive pride, arrogance, or confidence Show general definition excessive pride, arrogance, or confidence Show editor's word notes Hubris is especially used to indicate that one will suffer for ignoring convention.
	7
biopsyremoval and examination of tissues or liquids from the living body to determine the existence or cause of a disease The doctor told me it was cancerous even before the biopsy came back.more Show sample from book Early that morning I had to do a simple breast lump excision, and if the biopsy was positive, then a mastectomy and auxiliary node dissection.†6 more Show general definition removal and examination of tissues or liquids from the living body to determine the existence or cause of a disease
	4
inflammationswelling and redness There was inflammation around the wound.more Show sample from book Or was there, as he suspected, a mild, endemic inflammation along the passage that carried urine out?†3 more Show general definition swelling, redness, and other body tissue response to injury or infection