Growing Up — Vocabulary
Russell Baker
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	8	top 2000
approachapproach → approaching:getting nearer Winter is approaching.more Show sample from book Unlike the movies, talk was free, and a great river of talk flowed through the house, rising at suppertime, and cresting as my bedtime approached before subsiding into a murmur that trickled along past midnight, when all but Uncle Charlie had drifted off to bed, leaving him alone to reheat the pot, roll another cigarette, and settle down with his book.8 more approach → approached:got near Show general definition for approach (as in: approached the city) to get closer to (near in space, time, quantity, or quality)
	1	top 500
approach#2method (way of doing something) Perhaps I just need to work harder, but I may need an entirely different approach to the problem.more Show sample from book While I bullied him with subtle psychological torments, my mother took the direct approach and bullied him without finesse.8 more technique (way of doing something) Show general definition for approach (as in: use the best approach) a way of doing something; or a route that leads to a particular place
	4	top 10
illustratemake clear Pictures of flooding help to illustrate the problem of global warming.more Show sample from book Rising from the table, Uncle Hal yanked his belt off to illustrate.3 more help make clear Show general definition for illustrate (as in: as illustrated by this example) to help make clear -- typically by example
	7	top 2000
communisman economic system that abolishes private ownership of property with the goal of a classless society A challenge with communism is that it is harder to know how to allocate capital when prices are subjective rather than the product of individual valuations.†more Show sample from book Communists were "crackpots" and "bomb throwers."†6 more communism → communists:people who support an economic system that abolishes private ownership of property with the goal of a classless society
	4	top 500
perpetualcontinuing forever A perpetual flame burns beside the grave of John F. Kennedy.more Show sample from book Uncle Irvey focused the talk on Audrey, a dimpled blond infant ten months old with a perpetual smile.†3 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
	6	top 2000
presidelead or direct The principal will preside over the graduation ceremony this year.more Show sample from book On others she presided over family dinners cooked on Sunday afternoons for children who were now gray with age.†5 more preside → presided:chaired; or headed; or was in charge Show general definition to lead or be in charge of a meeting, event, or group -- especially in an official or formal role
	3	top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book With all her love for me, however, she never forgave my mother, and my mother returned the scorn measure for measure.†2 more disrespect or reject as not good enough Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
	3	top 200
coherentsensible and clear She presented a compelling and coherent plan.more Show sample from book When my cousin Catherine's hand touched a red-hot wood stove, my grandmother seized her arm and with fingertips light as feathers stroked the blistering skin while murmuring an incoherent incantation in a trancelike monotone.†2 more coherent → incoherent:not sensible or clear; or describing parts as not fitting together in a consistent or pleasing manner Show context notes The prefix "in-" in incoherent means not and reverses the meaning of coherent. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure. Show general definition sensible and clear; or describing parts as fitting together in a consistent or pleasing manner
	3	top 200
enableenable → enables:makes possible The test enables earlier identification of autism.more Show sample from book It enabled her to contribute to the budget for Wakeman Avenue, and that was good for her self-respect, but there was no longer any deceiving herself about becoming independent.†2 more enable → enabled:made possible Show general definition to make possible in various senses, including: to give someone the ability, knowledge, or authority to do something -- as in "The study will enable an informed discussion." to activate a computer system for use -- as in "You can enable the feature in the Settings Page." to permit someone to repeat bad behavior, so they reinforce the bad pattern -- as in "I don't want to enable her drug addiction."
	4	top 1000
cunningclever and deceitful She came up with a cunning scheme to cheat him.more Show sample from book I was too cunning for that.†3 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)
	1	top 2000
ironywhen what happens is very different than what might be expected She didn't see the irony in acting like the mother she detested.more Show sample from book Maybe, watching me lead Mimi up to the porch at Mary-dell Road that Sunday, she caught a glimpse of life repeating itself as an ironic joke and dreaded what was to come.1 more Show general definition for irony (as in: situational irony) when what happens is very different than what might be expected; or when things are together that seem like they don't belong together -- especially when amusing or an entertaining coincidence Show editor's word notes This is sometimes referred to as "situational irony." The term is especially appropriate when actions have consequences opposite to those intended. The expression ironic smile, generally references someone smiling at situational irony. All forms of irony involve the perception that things are not what they might seem.
	1	top 2000
irony#2irony → ironic:saying one thing, while meaning the opposite She was being ironic when she said she couldn't wait to see you again.more Show sample from book That Christmas morning she roused us early, "to see what Santa Claus brought," she said with just the right tone of irony to indicate we were all old enough to know who Santa Claus was.1 more saying one thing, while meaning something else Show general definition for irony (as in: verbal irony) saying one thing, while meaning the opposite or something else -- usually as humor or sarcasm Show editor's word notes This is sometimes referred to as "verbal irony." Typically, the speaker says one thing but means the opposite, and the tone of voice or the context of the situation makes the true, contradictory meaning clear. All forms of irony involve the perception that things are not what they might seem.
	3	top 500
spontaneoussudden and unplanned Her spontaneous decision to take a road trip led to one of the best weekends of her life.more Show sample from book I threw my arms around her spontaneously and kissed her.†2 more spontaneous → spontaneously:happening in a natural manner without planning or external force Show general definition happening naturally, suddenly, or without outside planning or action
	5	top 2000
insistentfirm and continuing We questioned her repeatedly and she remained insistent that she knew nothing of the event.more Show sample from book Three years in that job, which I would gladly have quit after the first day except for her insistence, produced at least one valuable result.†4 more insistent → insistence:demand or persist Show general definition persistent or continuing or firm -- especially in maintaining a view or demanding something
	2	top 500
latentpotentially existing but not presently active She is unschooled, but I think she has latent talent as an engineer.more Show sample from book Certainly, this is a strange new era loaded with immense latent possibilities.†1 more potentially existing but not presently evident or active Show general definition potentially existing but not presently evident or active
	3	top 2000
canvasscanvass → canvassing:talking with people individually She has been canvassing the membership to see how they feel and to ask for their support.more Show sample from book Aunt Pat headed out to canvass the neighbors.†2 more get the opinions (of people) by asking specific questions; or solicit votes Show general definition for canvass (as in: canvass the crowd) examine an issue, get opinions by asking specific questions; and/or ask people for political support individually
	3
maximshort saying that expresses a general truth or principle The advisor often quotes the maxim that all politics is local.more Show sample from book My mother reached into her bottomless supply of maxims and told Doris, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."†2 more maxim → maxims:short sayings that express general truths or principles Show general definition a short saying that expresses a general truth or principle
	3
pauperperson who is very poor I want to go to a college where the loans won't leave me feeling like a pauper-in-waiting.more Show sample from book Many parents who were hardly more than paupers still believed their sons could do it.†2 more pauper → paupers:people who are very poor Show general definition someone who is very poor
	3
carnalsexual The novel explored the contrast between spiritual love and carnal desire.more Show sample from book My appetite for her was not carnal but pure.†2 more sexual, or related to the body or physical desire Show general definition sexual, or related to the body or physical desire (in contrast to spiritual desires or higher ideals)
	3
lusciousrichly appealing The ripe, luscious peach dripped with sweet juice as she bit into the velvety skin.more Show sample from book My suffering was increased by my certainty that no tomato would ever let her luscious bosom heave against my chest.†2 more very desirable Show general definition richly appealing to the senses -- especially taste, smell, or appearance -- often used for delicious food, attractive appearance, or sensuous beauty