The Rocking-Horse Winner — Vocabulary
D. H. Lawrence
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
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anxietynervousness She suffers from more than the usual pre-test anxiety.more Show sample from book Although they lived in style, they felt always an anxiety in the house.†4 more nervousness or worry Show general definition nervousness or worry
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ceasestop According to the treaty, all offensive military action will cease at midnight.more Show sample from book His eyes blazed at her for one strange and senseless second, as he ceased urging his wooden horse.†1 more cease → ceased:stopped or discontinued Show general definition to stop or discontinue
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neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas) The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more Show sample from book Nevertheless, when her children were present, she always felt the centre of her heart go hard.† Show general definition despite that Show editor's word notes Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 was just stated, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrast and but.
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intrusionunwelcome involvement It is an unnecessary government intrusion into private affairs.more Show sample from book She did not want her son's privacy intruded upon.†1 more intrusion → intruded:interrupted or involved oneself without welcome Show general definition an involvement or interruption that is unwelcome
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heedheed → heedlessness:pay close attention to Heed the advice of those who have been there before.more Show context notes The suffix "-lessness" in heedlessness means in a state without. This is the same pattern you see in words like fearlessness, powerlessness, and harmlessness. Show sample from book Absorbed, taking no heed of other people, he went about with a sort of stealth, seeking inwardly for luck.† pay close attention to; or do what is suggested Show general definition pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested -- especially with regard to a warning or other advice
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sereneserene → serenely:calmly and peacefully While I lie awake worrying, she sleeps serenely.more Show sample from book The child, flushed and with eyes blazing, was curiously serene.† calm and untroubled Show general definition calm and untroubled
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compelforce Does our DNA compel us to act as we do?more Show sample from book This angered him somewhere, and made him want to compel her attention.† force; or (more rarely) convince 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.
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anguishpain I felt unbearable anguish when my 4-year-old child died from brain cancer.more Show sample from book Sometimes, for half an hour, she would feel a sudden anxiety about him that was almost anguish.† extreme pain, suffering, or distress Show general definition extreme pain, suffering, or distress (of body or mind)
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agonyintense suffering She was in agony from a toothache.more Show sample from book He was in agony for the Lincoln.† Show general definition intense feelings of suffering -- can be from mental or physical pain
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tormenttorment → tormenting:causing great mental or physical suffering She enjoys tormenting others.†more Show sample from book Then he fell with a crash to the ground, and she, all her tormented motherhood flooding upon her, rushed to gather him up.† torment → tormented:caused great mental or physical suffering Show general definition to cause or to experience great mental or physical suffering
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brazenbold and improper She made a brazen attempt to take credit for her colleague’s work during the meeting.more Show sample from book "God told me," he asserted, brazening it out.† brazen → brazening:bold and unrestrained by what others consider proper Show general definition bold and unrestrained by what others consider proper
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emancipatedreleased from social restraints (used as a metaphor for the literal sense of being released from slavery) She was an emancipated 20th century woman pursuing her career.†more Show sample from book Since he was emancipated from a nurse and a nursery-governess, he had had his rocking-horse removed to his own bedroom at the top of the house.† released from slavery or servitude;; OR (metaphorically) from social restraints Show general definition released from slavery or servitude; or (metaphorically) from social restraints
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obstinatestubbornly not doing what others want She is an obstinate child who will not follow the family rules.more Show sample from book Bassett was obstinately silent, looking at Paul.† obstinate → obstinately:stubbornly unyielding to the wishes of others
	1
stealthof something hard to see or to detect The stealth bomber cannot be seen with standard radar.more Show sample from book Absorbed, taking no heed of other people, he went about with a sort of stealth, seeking inwardly for luck.† hard to see or detect; OR done in a manner to avoid detection Show general definition hard to see or detect; or done in a manner to avoid detection
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divulgemake known (secret information) We interrogated her for hours, but she wouldn't divulge who helped her.more Show sample from book He had a secret within a secret, something he had not divulged, even to Bassett or to his Uncle Oscar.† divulge → divulged:made known (secret or private information) Show general definition make known (secret of private information)