Long Walk to Freedom — Vocabulary
Nelson Mandela
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	87	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 The spirit of mass action surged, but I remained skeptical of any action undertaken with the Communists and Indians.†86 more communism → communists:people who support an economic system that abolishes private ownership of property with the goal of a classless society
	55
regentregent → regental:members of a governing board The California Board of Regents voted to increase student fees at all University of California schools.more Show sample from book This was the regent who was to become my guardian and benefactor for the next decade.†54 more a member of a governing board Show general definition a member of a governing board -- especially at a state university or: someone who rules a country temporarily while the king or queen is too young, too sick, or away
	45	top 2000
magistratejudge The local magistrate insisted on a cash payment for the speeding ticket.more Show sample from book One did not defy magistrates in those days.†44 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
	34	top 2000
parliamentparliament → parliaments:legislative assemblies (that pass laws) National European parliaments help insure that the European Union's decisions reflect the democratic principles and interests of its member states.more Show sample from book On these occasions, the regent was surrounded by his amaphakathi, a group of councilors of high rank who functioned as the regent's parliament and judiciary.†33 more legislative assembly that passes laws (existing in some countries) Show general definition for parliament (with a lowercase "p") a legislative assembly in certain countries (that can pass laws)
	24	top 2000
treasonbetraying one's own country He was executed for treason in a time of war.more Show sample from book All were charged with the crime of treason, a crime punishable by death.†23 more an act of betrayal Show general definition betraying someone or something -- typically betraying one's own country (in this context, to betray is to not be loyal--often by helping enemies)
	16	top 1000
grievancegrievance → grievances:complaints The First Amendment also says Congress will make no law depriving the right of people to peaceably "assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."more Show sample from book Shortly before the election, a meeting of all students was held to discuss problemsand voice our grievances.†15 more Show general definition the cause of a complaint (real or imagined); or the complaint in formally written form
	19	top 2000
exileeviction from one's home country She fled Tibet and is living in exile in India.more Show sample from book Having anticipated a crackdown on the organization, the ANC had ordered Oliver Tambo to leave South Africa so that he could continue to run the organization in exile.†18 more to force someone to live outside of their homeland… Show general definition to force someone to live outside of their homeland; or living in such a condition or more rarely: voluntary absence from a place someone would rather be
	11	top 200
subsequentfollowing Her guess was proven right by subsequent developments.more Show sample from book He turned away, and met all my subsequent overtures with silence.†10 more following something else Show general definition following something else
	10	top 200
eminentrespected and well-known She studied under an eminent scientist who had won multiple international awards.more Show sample from book Though this process seemed to me eminently fair—and also humorous—Tefu was still unhappy.†9 more eminent → eminently:with high standing Show general definition famous, respected, or important within a particular field or profession
	14	top 1000
prejudiceunreasonable and unfair belief or feeling The group works to eliminate racial prejudice.more Show sample from book My father did not subscribe to local prejudice toward amaMfengu and befriended two amaMfengu brothers, George and Ben Mbekela.†13 more bias that prevents objective consideration Show general definition bias that prevents objective consideration -- especially an unreasonable belief that is unfair to members of a race, religion, or other group
	71
apartheidapartheid → antiapartheid:a system that unfairly treats people of a different race Apartheid was a system in South Africa that kept people of different races separate and unequal.more Show context notes The prefix "anti-" in antiapartheid means against or opposite. This is the same pattern you see in words like antiviral, antiaircraft, and antisocial. Show sample from book Malan's platform was known as apartheid.†70 more Show general definition a system that unfairly treats people of a different race in laws, jobs, and politics
	1	top 500
sanctionapprove of The General insists that he does not sanction any form of torture and that he has placed procedures in place to prevent it.more Show sample from book He campaigned against international sanctions.26 more sanction → sanctions:penalties Show general definition for sanction (as in: cannot sanction such behavior) formal approval Show editor's word notes Ironically, this word has contradictory meanings that are frequently used. When selecting words for an audience who may not be sure of this word's contextual meaning, consider substituting a word like endorse for this sense of sanction.
	26	top 500
sanction#2sanction → sanctions:penalties When they withdraw their troops from the country, international sanctions should be lifted.more Show sample from book ... we were praising the fact that the day before, the General Assembly of the U.N. had voted in favor of sanctions against South Africa for the first time.26 more Show general definition for sanction (as in: sanctions against them) formal penalty Show editor's word notes This word has contradictory meanings that are frequently used. When selecting words for an audience who may not be sure of this word's contextual meaning, consider substituting words like penalize for this sense of sanction.
	3	top 2000
correspondwrite to each other We correspond regularly via email.more Show sample from book I had tried to write him in prison, but regulations forbade prisoners from corresponding with each other.4 more correspond → corresponding:exchanging written letters Show general definition for correspond (as in: corresponding by email) communicate -- typically by writing letters or email Show editor's word notes A corresponding secretary is an officer of an organization who is responsible for managing the organization's correspondence and keeping a record of it.
	2
correspondencedone from afar via written communication She took a correspondence course while she was in prison.more Show sample from book I had begun correspondence studies for my LL.B., a bachelor of laws degree allowing one to practice as an advocate.4 more Show general definition for correspondence (as in: a correspondence course) done from afar Show editor's word notes For example, a corresponding member or a correspondence course. This sense of corresponding arose because people who lived in distant cities and could not be present for meetings, could communicate by sending written communications.
	5	top 500
mediatehelp others to settle a disagreement She suggested asking Saudi Arabia to mediate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.more Show sample from book I was not opposing the authorities but mediating between my own people and the men I had so long fought against.4 more mediate → mediating:helping others to settle a disagreement
	5	top 500
materialistictoo concerned with wealth and possessions She thinks Americans are too materialistic.more Show sample from book Its materialistic analysis of economics rang true to me.†4 more Show general definition overly concerned with wealth and possessions at the expense of other interests
	5	top 1000
enumerateenumerate → enumerated:listed one after another She enumerated the many obstacles she had encounteredmore Show sample from book I enumerated the many times that we had brought our grievances before the government and the equal number of times that we were ignored or shunted aside.†4 more enumerate → enumerated:to name or list things one-by-one Show general definition to name or list things one-by-one
	10	top 1000
briefbrief → briefed:given a summary of important information The reporters were briefed about the President's plan to invade.more Show sample from book I knew that I had to be more inclusive, brief more people as to our progress, and I proceeded with that in mind.11 more give a summary of important information to Show general definition for brief (as in: briefed her) to give a summary of important information to someone
	2	top 1000
brief#2summary of important facts for a legal case The ACLU filed the brief in October.more Show sample from book I could now spend the day reading, writing letters, discussing issues with my comrades, or formulating legal briefs.11 more Show general definition for brief (as in: legal brief) a summary of important facts -- especially an opinion of a legal case