Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes — Vocabulary
Chris Crutcher
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	37	top 2000
abortionintentionally ending pregnancy Abortion is a tough issue. Some consider it a question of a woman's right to control her body, but others consider it a question of defending the helpless from murder.more Show sample from book I gave you possibilities such as war, world hunger, abortion, the homeless, children's rights, spiritual beliefs, political ideologies, et cetera.†36 more intentionally ending a pregnancy Show general definition for abortion (as in: have an abortion) intentional ending of pregnancy with medical assistance by removing the fetus or embryo from the body before it is able to survive Show editor's word notes A spontaneous abortion (more commonly called a miscarriage) is an abortion that happens without medical assistance or intent
	4	top 100
perspectiveway of seeing or thinking about things A child who was abused with have a different perspective of family life than one raised in a nurturing home.more Show sample from book All I require is that you be willing to look at your subject from a personal perspective, that is, how the dilemma affects you.†4 more way of seeing and thinking about things Show general definition for perspective (as in: Look at it from her perspective) a particular way of seeing or thinking about things
	1	top 100
perspective#2a sensible view of a situation She loses perspective and continually wants to change the plan in a manner that depends on the most recent complaint.more Show sample from book We do have time to put it in perspective.†4 more Show general definition for perspective (as in: Keep it in perspective) a sensible view of a situation that considers its different parts in a balanced way
	4	top 100
factorthing (that influenced a result) Cost was an important factor in our decision.more Show sample from book "Other factors," Mr. Ellerby says quietly.†3 more factor → factors:things that affect a result or outcome Show general definition for factor (as in: It was the deciding factor.) something that affects a result or outcome Show editor's word notes You also may encounter x-factor or x factor--meaning "the most important thing that influences a result or outcome."
	4	top 1000
compassionsympathy for another's suffering and wanting to help If I see one hungry child, I feel compassion, but when I hear of a million hungry children, I'm overwhelmed and turn my mind to other things.more Show sample from book You could be a little more compassionate, Calhoune.†3 more compassion → compassionate:feeling or showing sympathy for another's suffering
	3	top 500
dilemmahard choice It is an ethical dilemma.more Show sample from book All I require is that you be willing to look at your subject from a personal perspective, that is, how the dilemma affects you.†2 more a situation in which a difficult choice must be made between imperfect alternatives Show general definition a situation in which a difficult choice must be made between imperfect alternatives
	3	top 1000
zealactive interest and enthusiasm She attacks each challenge with zeal.more Show sample from book With a zeal rivaled only by Alex Haley's relentless search for Kunta Kinte, he dived into Dale's seamy background, where he discovered the above story to be absolutely true and correct.†2 more Show general definition active interest and enthusiasm
	3	top 1000
rationalrational → rationally:in a reasonable manner It's hard to think rationally when I'm this upset.more Show sample from book For purposes of discussion, keep your passion to a minimum and make your points rationally.†2 more rational → rationally:reasonable, able to think clearly, or based on logic rather than emotion Show general definition for rational (as in: rational behavior) reasonable, able to think clearly, or based on logic rather than emotion
	2	top 500
controversialtends to arouse strong disagreement The issue of the death penalty is highly controversial in some states.more Show sample from book Also attending the ceremony were Eric Calhoune, the victim of Virgil Bymes's attack; Sandy Calhoune, theboy's mother and a frequent columnist for this newspaper; Carver Milddleton, who served time on an assault charge against Virgil Byrnes in a related incident; the Reverend John Ellerby, controversial Episcopalian minister whose support of female clergy and full homosexual rights has frequently focused a spotlight on him in his 15-year stay at St. Mark's; and his son, Steve Ellerby, who describes himself as "a controversial Episcopalian preacher's kid."† tending to arouse strong disagreement Show general definition tending to arouse strong disagreement
	2	top 500
adjacentside-x-side (very near) We stayed in adjacent hotel rooms.more Show sample from book Ellerby, Brittain, and I lead circle patterns in adjacent lanes so we can see each other—another stroke of Lemry's genius which seems to keep our competitive juices flowing.†1 more nearby Show general definition very near -- often directly beside
	2	top 500
enigmasomething mysterious that seems unexplainable As Churchill said about Russia, it is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.more Show sample from book And they call me an enigma.†1 more
	2	top 500
meticuloustreating details with great care She is a meticulous researcher who takes pride in a thorough job.more Show sample from book Each tool hangs on the wall inside a meticulously drawn outline of that tool.†1 more meticulous → meticulously:in a manner treating details with great care
	3	top 1000
tauntintentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone She used Twitter to taunt the opposing candidate.more Show sample from book Though few of us would dare taunt him alone, there was safety in numbers and he'd already heard his name far more times than he would have expected.†2 more (verb) to intentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone -- especially by mocking them or hurling insults OR (noun) an insult or other action intended to anger, challenge, or upset someone Show general definition to intentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone -- especially by mocking them or hurling insults or (as a noun): an insult or other action intended to anger, challenge, or upset someone
	1	top 200
functionjob or purpose The function of the lens of the eye is to focus light on the retina.more Show sample from book They have different functions.1 more function → functions:purposes Show general definition for function (as in: Its main function is to...) purpose, job, or natural activity
	1
function#2result Their success is a function of their teamwork and practice.more Show sample from book A counselor friend of Mom's once said that's merely a function of adolescence—that teenagers are into separating from our parents and others in authority in order to establish our independence.1 more Show general definition for function (as in: oxygen is a function of altitude) saying one results from another; or saying that the amount of one thing is dependent upon the value of another. Show editor's word notes If x is a function of y, then x results from y; or the amount of x can be calculated based on the amount of y.
	5
slandertelling lies that damage the reputation of another In the United States, it is extremely difficult for someone famous to win a slander lawsuit--almost no matter what is said.more Show sample from book Man, you got to be careful when you go slandering one of us.†4 more slander → slandering:lying in a way that damages the reputation of another Show general definition lie to damage the reputation of another; or the lies told Show editor's word notes The legal distinction between libel and slander is that libel is an oral offense while slander is written or published.
	3	top 2000
blasphemydisrespect of something considered sacred The government of the Muslim nation monitors major websites for blasphemy.more Show sample from book Wouldn't you just expect some theological prodigy driving a blasphemous Pontiac station wagon to bring us his religious view packaged in a country-western song.†2 more blasphemy → blasphemous:disrespectful of something considered sacred Show general definition something said or done that is disrespectful of something considered sacred -- especially God or religion
	3	top 2000
monstrosityterrible and large The tax system is a monstrosity.more Show sample from book Mom opens the kitchen window to tell him to get that monstrosity away from her house before she calls a local Christian terrorist group, but Ellerby only smiles and says, "Hi, Mrs. Moby," and drops dramatically to his hands and knees to crawl safely to the kitchen door.†2 more something that is big and terrible Show general definition something that is ugly or terrible -- typically large
	3	top 2000
flammableeasily set on fire Gasoline is highly flammable.more Show sample from book She even got Mr. Otto to write DANGER-FLAMMABLE on the side of the box in adult handwriting so it would look all official.†2 more Show general definition easily set on fire
	2
incriminatemake herself look guilty She refused to answer on the grounds that she might incriminate herself.more Show sample from book "I stand on the Fifth Amendment," I squeaked, "on thegrounds that my answer may tend to incriminate me."†1 more make appear guilty Show general definition to make someone appear guilty