The Lords of Discipline — Vocabulary
Pat Conroy
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	24	top 2000
alcoverecessed (pushing outward from the main room) It is a beautiful room with an alcove window.more Show sample from book I was sitting at my desk in the rear of the alcove shining my inspection shoes when I heard the door open and Mark Santoro come into the room.†23 more a recessed or secluded space -- such as in a room or garden Show general definition a recessed or secluded space -- such as in a room or garden Show editor's word notes The alcove of a room is a smaller room attached to a larger room and separated by an arch or other architectural feature other than a door.
	15	top 1000
melancholyvery sad She's been in a melancholy mood since her dog died.more Show sample from book The frozen, unconvincing smile is an expression of almost incomprehensible melancholy.†14 more a sad feeling or manner Show general definition a sad feeling or manner -- sometimes thoughtfully sad
	13	top 1000
resolutedetermined and unwavering She stood resolute as some complained that she was asking too much of the team.more Show sample from book He gave me a look that linked us as spiritual allies, resolute desperadoes in headlong flight from the false and sinister veneer of Charleston.†12 more firm in purpose, belief, or action Show general definition firm in purpose, belief, or action
	12	top 1000
cunningclever and deceitful She came up with a cunning scheme to cheat him.more Show sample from book I reeled sideways but fell into the cunning, waiting shout of another, and he screamed me back to the other one.†11 more good at achieving goals through cleverness and deception Show general definition for cunning (as in: a cunning thief) being good at achieving goals through cleverness -- and typically through deception as well (tricking others)
	8	top 100
irrelevantnot relevant The sentence should be deleted because it introduces information that is irrelevant to the passage.more Show sample from book It is irrelevant to discuss what Mr. Pignetti might have stolen.†7 more not relevant (not related to the subject being considered, or not important enough to want to consider) Show general definition not relevant (not related to the subject being considered, or not important enough to want to consider)
	12	top 2000
cadencerhythm or recurring pattern The sound of the waves crashing on the shore had a comforting cadence.more Show sample from book The air filled up with the rhythm of cadence.†11 more Show general definition rhythm or recurring pattern of sounds or movements
	10	top 1000
formidableintimidating or impressive She is a formidable opponent.more Show sample from book The adversary who is truly formidable is the one who works within the fortress walls, singing pleasant songs while licking honey off knives.†9 more Show general definition intimidating or impressive -- arousing fear or admiration due to impressiveness or challenge
	12	top 2000
swaggerswagger → swaggered:walked and behaved in a highly confident manner The team swaggered onto the court--full of confidence.more Show sample from book There was a swaggering cockiness to his walk, and he strutted like an imperfect cross between a pit bull and a bird of paradise.†11 more swagger → swaggering:walking and behaving in a highly confident manner Show general definition walk or behave in a highly confident or proud manner -- often arrogant and sometimes to impress or intimidate others Show editor's word notes Swagger is often used to imply that someone moves or behaves as though they are so strong and capable as to be above physical fear. Such people are often portrayed on television as gang members or cowboys.
	12	top 2000
grotesquedistorted or ugly She was wearing a grotesque mask that was quite disturbing.more Show sample from book This was the story he would tell: At the Institute the making of men was a kind of grotesque artistry.†11 more distorted and unnatural in shape or size Show general definition distorted and unnatural in shape or size -- especially in a disturbing way or: ugly, gross, or very wrong
	7	top 200
sinisterevil They created a sinister plan to recruit terrorists.more Show sample from book He gave me a look that linked us as spiritual allies, resolute desperadoes in headlong flight from the false and sinister veneer of Charleston.6 more evil, harmful, or frightening Show general definition evil or harmful; or making an evil or frightening impression
	9	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 The city, river-girt, has a tyrannical need for order and symmetry.†8 more tyranny → tyrannical:harsh and unjust Show general definition harsh and unjust rule
	7	top 500
solidarityagreement and mutual support The incident threatens Arab solidarity.more Show sample from book Our survival lay in our solidarity.†6 more a state of agreement and support -- especially for political action Show general definition a state of agreement and support -- especially for political action
	2	top 1000
sublimeimpressively wonderful I love good movies, from the silly to the sublime.more Show sample from book To walk in the spire-proud shade of Church Street is to experience the chronicle of a mythology that is particular to this city and this city alone, a trinitarian mythology with equal parts of the sublime, the mysterious, and the grotesque.4 more wonderful Show general definition for sublime (as in: she is sublime) impressively wonderful -- often beautiful or morally admirable
	3	top 1000
sublime#2pure or extreme With a sublime ignorance of human nature, she set out to save the world.more Show sample from book I think it's this sense of sublime order that offends you, Will.4 more extreme
	6
transfiguretransfigure → transfigured:completely changed Her face was transfigured by a smile.more Show sample from book It is a precious, world-transfiguring stare when a girl looks at you with love in her eyes for the first time.†5 more transfigure → transfiguring:change completely the nature or appearance of -- especially in a positive way Show general definition change completely the nature or appearance of -- especially in a positive way
	6
unconscionableunreasonable or immoral The proposed budget is unconscionable given the debt it puts on the backs of the younger generation.more Show sample from book In Charleston, more than elsewhere, you get the feeling that the twentieth century is a vast, unconscionable mistake.†5 more excessively unreasonable or immoral Show general definition excessively unreasonable or immoral
	6
contemptiblevery bad (deserving no respect) She is uninformed and her views are contemptible.more Show sample from book I am a member-in-good-standingof that contemptible race and I cannot help it.†5 more deserving no respect (worthless or of bad quality)
	1	top 2000
abidetolerate I can't abide her continual complaints.more Show sample from book It was the system and we had all agreed to abide by its laws.1 more live (follow, or comply with) Show general definition for abide (as in: abide by her decision) to tolerate or put up with something
	1
abide#2abide → abiding:long-lasting I have an abiding interest in the subject.more Show sample from book It was an education she gladly shared with me, and though I had no abiding interest in interior or exterior design, her enthusiasm was catching.1 more Show general definition for abide (as in: an abiding desire to) to remain or endure or lasting a long time
	5
luxuriantrich, attractive, and healthy She unpinned her long, luxuriant hair.more Show sample from book She removed her scarf and her long blonde hair fell luxuriantly to her shoulders.†4 more luxuriant → luxuriantly:characterized by growing well or being richly thick or abundant Show general definition characterized by growing well or being richly thick or abundant -- as of vegetation or hair or (more rarely): characterized by luxury (very comfortable or extravagant)