Everyday Use — Vocabulary
Alice Walker
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
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earnestearnest → in earnest:in a serious manner
I began training in earnest the summer before high school.more
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She will marry John Thomas (who has mossy teeth in an earnest face) and then I'll be free to sit here and I guess just sing church songs to myself.†
sincere or serious
Show general definition characterized by sincere belief

or:

intensely or excessively serious or determined
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cowercower → cowered:showed fear by positioning the body as though afraid of being hit
She cowered in fear.more
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She stoops down quickly and lines up picture after picture of me sitting there in front of the house with Maggie cowering behind me.†
cower → cowering:showing fear by positioning the body as though afraid of being hit
Show general definition show fear by positioning the body as though afraid of being hit
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confrontdeal directly with an unpleasant situation
You must confront your problems.more
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You've no doubt seen those TV shows where the child who has "made it" is confronted, as a surprise, by her own mother and father, tottering in weakly from backstage.†
confront → confronted:to deal directly with an unpleasant situation or person; OR to challenge someone
Show general definition to deal directly with an unpleasant situation or person

or:

to challenge someone -- often by presenting evidence
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glimpsequick look
I caught a glimpse of them at the game.more
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But even the first glimpse of leg out of the car tells me it is Dee.†
a quick look or partial understanding
Show general definition a quick look or partial understanding
The exact meaning of glimpse can depend upon its context. For example:
  • "I caught a glimpse of her when I was walking to class." -- a very quick look
  • "I glimpsed at the headlines." -- looked quickly
  • "Reading the book gave me a glimpse of the life of a devout Muslim immigrant in America." -- a quick, incomplete view
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furtivedone in a way that attempts to avoid notice
Despite her attempt to look interested, her teacher did not miss her furtive glances at the clock.more
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Furtive boys in pink shirts hanging about on washday after school.†
taking pains to avoid being observed; OR in a manner indicating nervousness
Show general definition taking pains to avoid being observed

or:

in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
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alcoverecessed (pushing outward from the main room)
It is a beautiful room with an alcove window.more
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"I can use the chute top as a centerpiece for the alcove table," she said, sliding a plate over the chute, "and I'll think of something artistic to do with the dasher."†
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.
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doctrineprinciple
She argues that the action is protected under the separation-of-powers doctrine that is fundamental to the US Constitution.more
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a. barber said, "I accept some of their doctrines, but farming and raising cattle is not my style."†
doctrine → doctrines:a belief (or system of beliefs or principles) accepted as authoritative by some …
Show general definition a belief (or system of beliefs or principles) accepted as authoritative by some group
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serfMiddle Ages Europe:  a person who is bound to the land and owned with the land by the feudal lord
Unlike slaves, serf families could not be broken up, but they could be sold as a group with the land to which they were attached.more
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Pressed us to her with the serf' ous way she read, to shove us away at just the moment, like dimwits, we seemed about to understand.†
Show general definition Middle Ages Europe:  a person who is bound to the land and owned with the land by the feudal lord