On the Beach — Vocabulary
Nevil Shute
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	8	top 1000
nucleusthe center (in this case, key central members) They have the nucleus of a good team.†more Show sample from book After all, if he commands a nuclear-powered submarine he ought to be able to learn to shovel silage.†7 more nucleus → nuclear:relating to the central or most important part of something Show general definition the center (or most important part) of something such as: in physics: the center of an atom where protons & neutrons are found in biology: the center of a cell where DNA is found in sociology: the closest family (mother/father/children in contrast to the extended family)
	8	top 2000
detachdetach → detached:emotionally uninvolved (separated from emotions) She spoke in a cold, detached manner as though she didn't care about him anymore.more Show sample from book He managed to detach her from the hotel after her second drink, and they walked to the station in the evening light.†7 more to separate something from something else Show general definition to separate something from something else (physically or emotionally)
	3	top 500
scarcityshortage There is a scarcity of work in the region.more Show sample from book They may be a bit scarce now.†2 more scarcity → scarce:in short supply OR barely or hardly (by a small margin) Show general definition shortage (having an amount that is less than desired)
	4	top 1000
infiniteunlimited There are infinite possibilities.more Show sample from book After all, if an infinite number of monkeys start playing with an infinite number of typewriters, one of them will write a play of Shakespeare.†3 more unlimited; without boundaries; OR too numerous to count Show general definition unlimited; without boundaries; or too numerous to count
	3	top 1000
disposedispose → disposed:placed Troops were disposed strategically along the northern border.more Show sample from book Apart from that, she is the only long-range vessel left at our disposal for communication with South America and with South Africa.2 more dispose → disposal:command Show general definition for dispose (as in: disposed the troops along...) the arrangement, positioning, or use of things Show editor's word notes This sense of dispose can be used in the form disposal to indicate that a person can use something as they wish -- as in:<ul><li>I am at your disposal.</li><li>She has many assets at her disposal.</li></ul>
	2	top 200
indignantindignant → indignantly:with anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong "I am not a fool," she said indignantly.more Show sample from book "Shopping!" she said indignantly.†1 more Show general definition angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
	2	top 500
perishbe destroyed or cease to exist ...government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.Abraham Lincoln — Gettysburg Addressmore Show sample from book It's perishing cold up there.†1 more perish → perishing:dying or being destroyed; or extremely cold Show general definition to die -- especially in an unnatural way or: to be destroyed or cease to exist Show editor's word notes You may encounter an informal expression, "Perish the thought." It means that the speaker hopes the thought will cease to exist and the thing it represents will never happen.
	3	top 1000
immunenot in danger (from something) People are immune if they've had the virus previously or been vaccinated.more Show sample from book We wouldn't be immune.†2 more not in danger of suffering from something OR relating to disease resistance Show general definition not in danger of being affected by something -- especially a disease or: relating to disease resistance
	2	top 500
nonchalantcalm and unconcerned I could tell she was nervous, but she was trying to look nonchalant.more Show sample from book "Seven it is," said the captain nonchalantly.†1 more nonchalant → nonchalantly:calmly (appearing unconcerned) Show general definition calm in manner -- appearing unconcerned
	2	top 500
competentsufficiently capable She is a competent student and I have no doubt she will be a competent lawyer one day.more Show sample from book He's very competent.†1 more Show general definition capable (able to do something in a generally satisfactory manner) -- sometimes specifically to have legal capability
	2	top 500
relinquishgive up Mary Queen of Scots refused to relinquish her throne, so Queen Elizabeth had her executed.more Show sample from book As they approached more populous districts there were always one or two men waiting to look through the periscope as soon as the officers relinquished it.†1 more relinquish → relinquished:gave up or let go Show general definition to give something up, or to let go of something -- typically an idea, position or possession
	3	top 2000
conscientiouscareful and thorough She is conscientious in the lab.more Show sample from book I've never met anyone so conscientious.†2 more careful to do what is right Show general definition careful to do what is right--especially to perform duties in a thorough manner
	3	top 2000
consternationdismay (unhappiness and worry) Much to the consternation of Congress, raising the tax decreased tax collections as manufacturers moved to other countries.more Show sample from book She stared at him in consternation.†2 more dismay (unhappiness, worry, and often confusion) Show general definition dismay (unhappiness, worry, and often confusion) -- typically over something unexpected
	3	top 1000
wryhumorous in an subtle, ironic, or cynical way The old woman gave a wry smile, as if she knew something that I didn't.more Show sample from book John Osborne smiled wryly.†2 more wry → wryly:humor Show general definition humor -- often understated, sarcastic, or ironic -- often expressed by twisting the face
	3	top 500
allocateallocate → allocated:rationed (distributed according to a plan) During the drought, the council allocated water strictly to ensure it lasted all summer.more Show sample from book I put himin the wardroom and got the duty officer to allocate a cabin for him for tonight.†2 more distribute or set apart for a special purpose Show general definition distribute according to a plan or: set apart for a special purpose
	4
anterooma room leading to a larger or more important room He was searched again in the anteroom before entering her office.more Show sample from book She lunched with the Americans at the end of one of the long tables, and took coffee with them in the anteroom.†3 more Show general definition a room (such as a waiting room) leading to a larger or more important room
	3	top 2000
diffidenthesitant and unassertive She is diffident around adults, but dominant with her peer group.more Show sample from book "Mrs. Holmes," he said a little diffidently.†2 more diffident → diffidently:with hesitancy and unassertiveness Show general definition hesitant and unassertive -- often due to a lack of self-confidence
	3	top 2000
harrowingfrightening It was a harrowing journey through war-torn Afghanistan.more Show sample from book Sometimes I drive a bullock round the farm at home, harrowing the muck.†2 more frightening or unsettling Show general definition for harrowing (as in: a harrowing story) frightening or unsettling
	2
longitudea measure of east/west (relative to the Prime Meridian) on the earth Just put the latitude and longitude into the navigation system and it will tell us how to get there.more Show sample from book On the surface along latitude thirty, north of New Zealand, south of Pitcairn, till we pick up longitude one-twenty.†1 more Show general definition a measure of east/west (relative to the Prime Meridian) on the earth Show editor's word notes Lines of longitude are the imaginary lines that run from the North Pole to the South Pole. They are sometimes called meridians. Unlike latitude, which measures north–south, longitude measures how far east or west a place is on Earth. By international agreement, the zero line of longitude (0°) is the prime meridian, which passes through Greenwich, England. Longitudes go up to 180° east and 180° west. Used together with latitude, longitude lets you give an exact position for any point on Earth.
	1	top 500
inhibitedunable to act naturally due to being overly self-conscious She's personable and funny with her friends, but she tends to be inhibited with strangers.more Show sample from book The general effect was one of boisterous and uninhibited lightheartedness, more in the style of 1890 than of 1963.† inhibited → uninhibited:acting naturally without being overly self-conscious Show context notes The prefix "un-" in uninhibited means not and reverses the meaning of inhibited. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.