Cry, the Beloved Country — Vocabulary
Alan Paton
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	22	top 2000
magistratejudge The local magistrate insisted on a cash payment for the speeding ticket.more Show sample from book The chief saluted the magistrate, and...21 more 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
	14	top 1000
compassionsympathy for another's suffering and wanting to help If I see one hungry child, I feel compassion, but when I hear of a million hungry children, I'm overwhelmed and turn my mind to other things.more Show sample from book His brother is filled with compassion for him.13 more Show general definition sympathy for another's suffering and wanting to help
	13	top 1000
sullenunhappy and withdrawn She changed from a happy, outgoing child to sullen teenager.more Show sample from book Gertrude stood sullenly.12 more sullen → sullenly:showing a gloomy or bad mood Show general definition for sullen (as in: a sullen mood) being unhappy (and often withdrawn)
	11	top 1000
repentto feel regret for having done wrong and to firmly decide to be a better person in the future Prisoners who repent are more likely to be released on parole.more Show sample from book If I say to him, do you repent, he will say, it is as my father says.10 more feel regret for having done wrong and resolve to be a better person in the future
	8	top 500
earnestearnest → in earnest:in a serious manner I began training in earnest the summer before high school.more Show sample from book Over this he prayed long and earnestly.7 more earnest → earnestly:sincerely with seriousness Show general definition characterized by sincere belief or: intensely or excessively serious or determined
	7	top 500
indifferentwithout interest About a third are in favor of the change, a third are opposed, and a third are indifferent.more Show sample from book But he is not indifferent, there is a mark of pain between his eyes.6 more without concern Show general definition without interest in various senses, including: unconcerned -- as in "She is indifferent to what is served to eat." unsympathetic -- as in "She is indifferent to his needs." not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context) -- as in "an indifferent performance" impartial -- as in "We need a judge who is indifferent."
	7	top 1000
bewilderconfuse Some of their customs can bewilder travelers.more Show sample from book Jarvis looked at him, at first bewildered, but then something came to him.6 more bewilder → bewildered:confused (or perplexed or baffled) Show general definition to confuse someone
	7	top 2000
forsakeabandon or give up The country must forsake terrorism as a political instrument.more Show sample from book Tixo, he says, Tixo, forsake me not.6 more abandon or give up on Show general definition to abandon or give up on -- such as someone who needs you, or an idea, or a place
	7	top 1000
compelforce Does our DNA compel us to act as we do?more Show sample from book So he compelled himself to read the last paragraph slowly—with his head, not his heart, so that he could understand it.6 more compel → compelled:forced Show general definition to force someone to do something or more rarely: to convince someone to do something Show editor's word notes Most typically, compel describes an external influence forcing someone to do something, but it can also describe being driven by an internal desire.
	6	top 1000
perplexperplex → perplexed:confused She was perplexed by the rules of the game.more Show sample from book And while he was waiting he looked at the counsellors who stood behind the chief, and he saw too that they were frowning and perplexed, and that for this matter there was no counsel that they could give at all.5 more perplex → perplexed:baffled (confused--not knowing what to do) Show general definition to confuse
	4	top 100
conventionconvention → conventional:normal It was once conventional wisdom that the earth is flat.more Show sample from book Our natives today produce criminals and prostitutes and drunkards, not because it is their nature to do so, but because their simple system of order and tradition and convention has been destroyed.3 more what is normal or typical Show general definition for convention (as in: conventional behavior) something regarded as normal or typical
	6	top 1000
reproachreproach → reproached:criticized and expressed disappointment She reproached him for treating his sister so thoughtlessly.more Show sample from book I have not come here to reproach you.5 more criticize Show general definition a criticism; or to express criticism or disappointment -- especially where a relationship makes the disapproval result in disappointment or shame Show editor's word notes The expression "beyond reproach" is often used to indicate that one must not only be careful to do everything right, but must be careful not to do anything that might make people suspect they did something wrong. For example, politicians often need to behave in a manner that is beyond reproach. "Beyond reproach" can also suggest that something is perfect. More rarely, it can also be used to suggest that someone is too powerful or too well-connected to criticize.
	5	top 1000
constraintlimitation I will devote my full energy to the project, without constraint.more Show sample from book Msimangu's face lights up, but he talks humbly, there is no pride or false constraint.†4 more something that limits something else Show general definition limitation (something that limits something else)
	2	top 10
inferfigure out or guess by reasoning Which of the following facts can you infer from the first paragraph?more Show sample from book And the question is whether on the facts here proved an inference of that nature was rightly drawn.†1 more infer → inference:conclusion (reached by reasoning) Show general definition to figure out or guess by reasoning
	5	top 2000
boycottrefusal to buy Chavez led a nationwide boycott of table grapes.more Show sample from book I had forgotten that there were no buses; at least I had forgotten the boycott of the buses.†4 more to refuse to buy things (from someone)… Show general definition to refuse to buy things (from someone); or to refuse to participate in an activity (with someone) in order to express disapproval
	5
squattersquatter → squatters:people who live in an unoccupied place without the legal right She estimates that there are over a billion squatters in the world.more Show sample from book — I heard he was gone to Orlando, and lives there amongst the squatters in Shanty Town.†4 more Show general definition someone who lives in an unoccupied place without the legal right Show editor's word notes In most countries, if squatters are able to stay long enough, they will acquire legal title.
	2	top 200
inconsistentnot the same at different times Her play is inconsistent. Sometimes she's unbeatable and other times she beats herself.more Show sample from book Alongside of these very arguments we use others totally inconsistent, so that the accusation of repression may be refuted.†1 more not the same in different parts or at different times… Show general definition not the same in different parts or at different times or: not in agreement [with something else]
	3
vagabondperson who wanders from town to town with no fixed home or job She describes him as a vagabond storyteller.†more Show sample from book And what did vagabonds do?†2 more vagabond → vagabonds:a person who wanders from town to town with no fixed home or job Show general definition a person who wanders from town to town with no fixed home or job
	3	top 500
apprehensionconcern about what will happen She looked around the examination room with apprehension.more Show sample from book The small girls looked on, half with enjoyment, half with apprehension.3 more worry or concern about what will happen Show general definition for apprehension (as in: apprehension about finals) worry about what is to come
	1	top 500
apprehension#2capture The tip led to the criminal's apprehension in Mexico.more Show sample from book One must also bear in mind the strange coincidence that what is argued to be a wrong identification led to the apprehension of an associate who immediately confessed.3 more the capture (typically of a criminal) Show general definition for apprehension (as in: apprehension of the criminal) the capture of a criminal