Snow Flower and the Secret Fan — Vocabulary
Lisa See
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	4	top 100
yieldproduce (lead to) The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.more Show sample from book Haven't they heard an exhausted well yields no water?†5 more yield → yields:produces or gives Show general definition for yield (as in: will yield valuable data) to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
	2	top 100
yield#2give in The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.more Show sample from book Even when the farmers in our group sat around him, shielding him from our view and comforting him in low whispers, he did not yield.†5 more give in, give way, or give up Show general definition for yield (as in: yield to pressure) to give in, give way, or give up
	8	top 100
neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas) The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more Show sample from book Nevertheless, Father must agree too, before we can go any further.†7 more 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.
	9	top 500
confideconfide → confided:placed trust (in someone) by talking about private things She confided in me. I won't repeat what was said.more Show sample from book "I can do these things for your little girl," he confided to Baba, "but they will be money spent on a no-use cause."†8 more Show general definition to place trust (in someone) by talking about private things or telling secrets
	7	top 500
lamentlament → lamented:expressed grief about She lamented the loss.more Show sample from book More hours passed with meals and laments.†6 more lament → laments:expresses grief or regret Show general definition to express grief or regret
	9	top 2000
tormenttorment → tormenting:causing great mental or physical suffering She enjoys tormenting others.†more Show sample from book We three girls were nearly paralyzed from our physical torment, yet our trial had barely begun.†8 more to cause or to experience great mental or physical suffering Show general definition to cause or to experience great mental or physical suffering
	5	top 100
contextcontext → out of context:in a misleading manner (because the quote left out additional words that changed the meaning of what was quoted) She said she was quoted out of context and that anyone who read her full speech would know it.more Show context notes When someone is quoted "out of context" it means that selected words were quoted that misrepresent the meaning of all their words. For example, if you said "I admire their effort, but they are dead wrong if they think this will work," and someone implied that you supported their plan by quoting you as only saying, "I admire their effort," they would be quoting you out of context. Show sample from book "pair," or "pear," context usually makes the meaning clear.†4 more the setting or situation in which something occurs Show general definition the setting or situation in which something occurs
	8	top 2000
dialectregional variety of a language It's not uncommon to hear "y'all" when talking in the American south where the rural areas still have a distinct dialect.more Show sample from book She spoke a slightly different dialect than I was familiar with in Puwei, but this was not the only reason for my incomprehension.†7 more Show general definition a regional variety of a language Show editor's word notes A dialect can use a different accent, vocabulary, and grammar than other dialects of the same language.
	5	top 500
diligentcareful and hardworking She's the kind of diligent worker we want to hire.more Show sample from book I foolishly believed that if I was diligent, I would inspire Beautiful Moon to be diligent too.†4 more hard work and care Show general definition for diligent (as in: she is diligent) working carefully and steadily with effort and attention to detail
	5	top 500
cultivatedevelop or grow We encourage our representatives to cultivate a close relationship with their clients.more Show sample from book They cultivated that land with rice, cotton, taro, and kitchen crops.†4 more cultivate → cultivated:developed, grown, or prepared for growing crops Show general definition enhance growth or development in various senses, including: to grow crops or prepare land for them enhance a relationship -- especially for a purpose develop discernment (better recognition of differences) in taste or judgment to grow a culture in a petri dish
	3	top 10
implyimply → implied:hinted or suggested She wouldn't make a direct statement, but she implied that she supported our position.more Show sample from book I looked over at Beautiful Moon, and her face was as white as her name implied.†2 more imply → implied:suggested (said indirectly) Show general definition to suggest or say indirectly -- possibly as a logical consequence
	5	top 500
waverwaver → wavered:faltered (stopped being strong) Through good times and bad her love for him has never wavered.more Show sample from book Maybe I could make our love grow like a farmer made his crop to grow—through hard work, unwavering will, and the blessings of nature.†4 more waver → unwavering:steady Show context notes The prefix "un-" in unwavering means not and reverses the meaning of wavering. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky. Show general definition to move back and forth (shake or quiver) or: to change, be unsure, or weak
	6	top 2000
prosperousfinancially successful She owns a prosperous law firm.more Show sample from book To us, this seemed prosperous, but it was still far, far less than what my future father-in-law controlled on his brother's behalf.†5 more successful or good -- especially with regard to finances or wealth Show general definition successful or good -- especially with regard to finances or wealth
	6	top 2000
agonyintense suffering She was in agony from a toothache.more Show sample from book Even with empty stomachs, we vomited out our agony.†5 more Show general definition intense feelings of suffering -- can be from mental or physical pain
	36
latticecrisscross frame Vines climbed up the wooden lattice along the fence, threading through the crisscrossed slats as they grew taller.more Show sample from book Grandmother and Elder Sister moved to the lattice window and looked out.†35 more regular crisscross grid that repeats in a pattern of squares or diamonds Show general definition regular crisscross pattern of lines or points that forms a repeating grid of squares or diamonds Show editor's word notes regular crisscross grid that repeats in a pattern of squares or diamonds
	32
dowrymoney or property given by a woman's family to the husband at marriage She was given her inheritance in the form of a dowry.more Show sample from book She does business with men, establishing bride prices, haggling over dowries, and serving as a go-between.†31 more Show general definition in some societies, money or property given by a woman's family to the husband at marriage or less formally: money or property a bride brings to a marriage
	4	top 2000
gaudytastelessly showy By local standards, her outfit was gaudy.more Show sample from book Today I would say it was gaudy and unbefitting a widow, but then a matchmaker is not like a regular woman.†3 more Show general definition tastelessly showy
	4
benefactorfinancial supporter She is the largest benefactor of the museum.more Show sample from book Out on the road, he had no friends, no benefactors, and only the clothes on his back.†3 more benefactor → benefactors:people who help a person or organization Show general definition someone who helps a person or organization -- especially financially
	4
chastea virgin Despite the societal pressure to engage in premarital relations, Bella remained chaste until her wedding night.more Show sample from book We must stay in our upstairs rooms, be chaste, be modest, and perfect the womanly arts.†3 more not having sexual intercourse (ever, outside of marriage, or for a long time); or not involving sexual desire Show general definition for chaste (as in: remained chaste) not having sex; or not involving sexual desire Show editor's word notes The exact meaning of not having sex depends upon context. It can mean<ul><li>to be a virgin (never have sex)</li><li>to be sexually inactive currently or for a long time</li><li>to not have sex outside of marriage</li></ul>
	4
forthrighthonest and direct She was characteristically forthright.more Show sample from book Snow Flower regarded me in the same forthright way she had in the palanquin.†3 more honest and direct in speaking or behavior -- even when it’s uncomfortable Show general definition honest and direct in speaking or behavior -- even when it’s uncomfortable