Democracy In America, Volume 1 — Vocabulary
Alexis de Toqueville
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	135	top 100
establishestablish → established:created Which word choice best maintains the tone established in the first paragraph?more Show sample from book Thus, as the condition of society was democratic, the empire of democracy was established without difficulty.140 more Show general definition for establish (as in: establish a positive tone) create, start, or set in [a] place
	6	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 Two points to be established in order to estimate the extent of the public charges, viz., the national wealth and the rate of taxation...140 more establish → established:determined (figured out) Show general definition for establish (as in: establish that there is a need) show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
	185	top 1000
democracya system of government in which citizens have power with equal votes The United States has a representative democracy.more Show sample from book Some assisted the democracy by their talents, others by their vices.†184 more
	192	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 but I am certain that they hold it to be indispensable to the maintenance of republican institutions.191 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
	151	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 Amendments must be proposed by two-thirds of both Houses of Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of three-fourths of the several States.†150 more legislature → legislatures:groups of government representatives that have the power to create laws Show general definition a group made up of government representatives (usually elected) that has the power to create laws
	2	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 The attributes of the Federal Government were therefore carefully enumerated and all that was not included amongst them was declared to constitute a part of the privileges of the several Governments of the States.†42 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)
	41	top 100
attribute#2attribute → attributed:credited (pointed to as the source of) She attributed this quotation to Shakespeare.more Show sample from book I am surprised that ancient and modern jurists have not attributed to this law a greater influence on human affairs.42 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
	107	top 2000
magistratejudge The local magistrate insisted on a cash payment for the speeding ticket.more Show sample from book The towns named their own magistrates of every kind, rated themselves, and levied their own taxes.†106 more magistrate → magistrates:judges or civil authorities who conduct a court Show general definition a judge or judicial official The exact meaning of magistrate varies widely depending upon the context. For example: in the U.S. federal court: assists district court judges by handling minor offenses or administrative tasks such as preliminary hearings (often referred to as a magistrate judge rather than just a magistrate) in some U.S. states: a judge in the state court in France, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, and other civil law countries: a sitting magistrate is a judge and a standing magistrate is a prosecutor in England: may be a volunteer without formal legal training who performs a judicial role with regard to minor matters in ancient Rome: a powerful officer with both judicial and executive power
	73	top 500
deriveget She likes to win, but she doesn't derive pleasure from watching others lose.more Show sample from book If the sphere of his authority and his means of action are the same as those of other judges, it may be asked whence he derives a power which they do not possess.†72 more derive → derives:gets Show general definition to get something from something else (If the context doesn't otherwise indicate where something came from, it is generally from reasoning--especially deductive reasoning.)
	20	top 100
adaptadapt → adapted:changed (to fit this situation) Ideas contained in passages for this test, some of which are excerpted or adapted from published material, do not necessarily represent the opinions of the College Board.more Show sample from book It may easily be proved that the Union could not adapt the judicial power of the States to its wants.21 more change to fit Show general definition for adapt (as in: adapted to the new rules) changed to fit a different situation; or made suitable
	2	top 100
adaptedadapted → well adapted:well suited Penguins are especially well adapted for cold weather.more Show sample from book Democracy appears to me to be much better adapted for the peaceful conduct of society, or for an occasional effort of remarkable vigor, than for the hardy and prolonged endurance of the storms which beset the political existence of nations.21 more suited Show general definition for adapted (as in: the species is well adapted for) to be especially well suited or appropriate for something
	56	top 1000
tyrannya form of government where some people control others in a harsh, unfair manner The U.S. constitution was designed with checks and balances and limited government to protect Americans from tyranny.more Show sample from book What resistance can be offered to tyranny in a country where every private individual is impotent, and where the citizens are united by no common tie?†55 more harsh and unjust rule Show general definition harsh and unjust rule
	3	top 10
contrastpoint to differences between Contrast winter in Panama with winter in Alaska.more Show sample from book I am no longer comparing the Anglo-American States to foreign nations; but I am contrasting them with each other, and endeavoring to discover why they are so unlike.16 more contrast → contrasting:pointing to differences between Show general definition for contrast (as in: contrast their writing styles) point to differences between; or compare to show differences
	14	top 10
contrast#2notable difference The contrast in their leadership styles is striking. Olivia motivated people with fear. Isabella motivated them with praise.more Show sample from book What then is the cause of this strange contrast, and why are the most able citizens to be found in one assembly rather than in the other?16 more something notably different Show general definition for contrast (as in: there is a contrast) a difference -- especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
	47	top 1000
propensitytendency or inclination She has a propensity for getting into trouble, always finding herself in the wrong place at the wrong time.more Show sample from book The Americans have not been able to counteract the tendency which legislative assemblies have to get possession of the government, but they have rendered this propensity less irresistible.†46 more
	22	top 1000
suffrageright to vote Although few of the women who pioneered women's suffrage lived long enough vote, the right was finally granted to women in 1920.more Show sample from book The exception at last becomes the rule, concession follows concession, and no stop can be made short of universal suffrage.†21 more Show general definition the right to vote
	16
engendercause (bring into being) The police in Mexico don't engender confidence.more Show sample from book Henceforward every new discovery, every new want which it engendered, and every new desire which craved satisfaction, was a step towards the universal level.†15 more engender → engendered:caused Show general definition cause -- usually a feeling (possibly a situation)
	16
maritimerelated to the sea She specializes in maritime law, which deals with disputes on oceans and waterways.more Show sample from book Thus all the questions which concern maritime commerce evidently fall under the cognizance of the Federal tribunals.†15 more related to the sea or ships Show general definition related to the sea or ships
	16
servileexcessively submissive We expect our waiters to give world-class service, but not to be so servile they sacrifice their human dignity.more Show sample from book This state of mind displays itself in their manners and language; they are at once insolent and servile.†15 more too eager to serve or obey others Show general definition too eager to serve or obey others -- often in a way that seems overly submissive, weak, or lacking self-respect or: related to low-status tasks
	11	top 1000
disseminatespread widely The organization worked to disseminate accurate health information during the outbreak.more Show sample from book The vast extent of the country and the dissemination of the inhabitants render a collision between parties less probable and less dangerous there than elsewhere.†10 more disseminate → dissemination:to spread widely -- especially information or opinions Show general definition to spread widely -- especially information or opinions