The Contender — Vocabulary
Robert Lipsyte
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Exemplary sample Uses Broad Use
11 top 2000
quiverquiver → quivered:shook or trembled slightly
The puppy's lower lip quivered when it heard the thunder.more
Show sample from book
The scrawny body came up very slowly, quivering with the strain, folding over until the face and the knees were almost touching.†10 more
quiver → quivering:to shake or tremble slightly
Show general definition to shake or tremble slightly
2 top 500
congregationpeople who worship together in the same building
It's a casual congregation where many people wander into services late.more
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The other members of the congregation turned to watch her, as they always did, and most of them were smiling.1 more
Show general definition for congregation (as in: the congregation voted) people who worship together in the same building
2 top 1000
sereneserene → serenely:calmly and peacefully
While I lie awake worrying, she sleeps serenely.more
Show sample from book
The serene look on Aunt Pearl's face calmed him at first, then made him angrier. Sometimes you'd think she was deaf, dumb, and blind, he thought.1 more
calm and untroubled
Show general definition calm and untroubled
1 top 100
positivegood or beneficial
The new tutor had a positive effect on her math grades all semester.more
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Now if I really want to do something positive, I can do it right here in this country.†
Show general definition for positive (as in: had a positive effect) good or beneficial
2 top 2000
twilightthe light from the sky in the time of day between daylight and darkness (just after sunset or just before sunrise)
It is a beautiful picture taken in twilight.more
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He waited on the stoop until twilight, pretending to watch the sun melt into the dirty gray Harlem sky.1 more
the time of day between daylight and darkness
Show general definition for twilight (as in: pink clouds in a twilight sky) the time of day between daylight and darkness (just after sunset or just before sunrise); or the light from the sky at that time
1 top 200
mockmock → mocked:made fun of
She was upset when he mocked her.more
Show sample from book
Angel's face, framed in the headguard, bobbed up, mocking him.
mock → mocking:making fun of
Show general definition for mock (as in: don't mock me) make fun of (ridicule--sometimes by imitating in an exaggerated manner)

or (more rarely): just to make fun or to be ridiculous without targeting anyone as a victim
Show editor's word notes These senses of mockery come together when a comedian pokes fun at a politician by pretending to be the politician and saying ridiculous things.
1 top 500
perpetualcontinuing forever
A perpetual flame burns beside the grave of John F. Kennedy.more
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Henry limped down into the clubroom, dragging his crippled left leg, the perpetual grin spread across his skinny face.
occurring so frequently it seems continual (always there)
Show general definition continuing forever without change; or occurring so frequently it seems constant
1 top 500
contracta written agreement that is enforceable by law
She signed the contract.more
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Couldn't sign a contract because I was underage, and my momma, your grandma, wouldn't sign for me.
Show general definition for contract (as in: legal contract) an agreement - typically written and enforceable by law
1 top 1000
principalmost important
The principal idea is that decisions should be made by the people who are most knowledgeable about specific circumstances that impact the decision.more
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He would be Mrs. McCormick, their public school principal, pressing his lips together until they almost disappeared, fluttering his eyelids.†
most important; or person that is most important
Show general definition most important; or person who is most important
The exact meaning of principal can depend upon its context. For example:
  • "the principal idea" or "the principal performer" -- the most important
  • "the principal of the school" -- the person in charge
  • "a principal of a company" -- an owner or person with controlling authority
  • "the principal in a transaction" (as contrasted to the agent) -- the person on whose behalf an agent acts
1 top 1000
gauntvery thin
She looked gaunt from the chemotherapy.more
Show sample from book
Bud's gaunt face seemed to get blacker.
very thin and bony
Show general definition very thin and bony -- often from hunger or as though having been worn to the bone
1 top 1000
sullenunhappy and withdrawn
She changed from a happy, outgoing child to sullen teenager.more
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Willie Streeter came back to the gym, sullen and overweight.
Show general definition for sullen (as in: a sullen mood) being unhappy (and often withdrawn)
1 top 2000
paralysisloss of the ability to move
She suffers paralysis of her legs.more
Show sample from book
The ice ball exploded, spraying his entire body with freezing, paralyzing streams of water, weighing down his arms, deadening his legs, squeezing his heart.
paralysis → paralyzing:making unable to move
Show general definition loss of the ability to move the body or a part of it

or:

inability to act or make a decision
1 top 2000
righteousrighteous → righteousness:moral correctness
The extremism is fed by unquestioned belief in the righteousness of their cause.more
Show sample from book
Has Alfred strayed from the path of righteousness?
righteous → righteousness:morally correct behavior
Show general definition for righteous (as in: a righteous cause) morally correct; or morally justified

or:

acting or feeling morally superior -- especially when it isn't true (this meaning is more typically seen as a compound word "self-righteous")
1 top 2000
probeinvestigation
There was a congressional probe into the scandal.more
Show sample from book
Fingers probed.
probe → probed:pushed against or into to investigate
Show general definition to investigate closely; or a tool or device used to explore, examine, or gather information
10 top 200
contendcontend → contending:competing
Militant groups are contending for control of the countrymore
Show sample from book
It's not easy trying to become a contender.9 more
contend → contender:contestant (competitor) for a prize
Show general definition for contend (as in: She contended for the gold medal) to compete
8 top 2000
swaggerswagger → swaggered:walked and behaved in a highly confident manner
The team swaggered onto the court--full of confidence.more
Show sample from book
Major swaggered across the room, the metal tips on his pointed shoes clicking on the concrete floor.†7 more
swagger → swaggered:walked or behaved in a highly confident manner
Show general definition walk or behave in a highly confident or proud manner -- often arrogant and sometimes to impress or intimidate others
Show editor's word notes Swagger is often used to imply that someone moves or behaves as though they are so strong and capable as to be above physical fear. Such people are often portrayed on television as gang members or cowboys.
2 top 2000
probationperiod of being watched closely
After breaking school rules, she was put on disciplinary probation for the rest of the semester.more
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I'm on probation, they'll send me away this time.1 more
a period during which a criminal does not have to be in prison as long as they demonstrate good behavior and obey special restrictions
Show general definition a period of time when a person is being tested or watched to see if they meet certain expectations or follow rules
2
synagoguesynagogue → synagogues:Jewish houses of worship
They were arrested for planning to bomb a series of synagogues.more
Show sample from book
They close early on Friday to go to synagogue.1 more
a place of worship for a people of the Jewish faith
Show general definition a place of worship for a people of the Jewish faith
1 top 1000
unanimouswith everyone in complete agreement
It was a unanimous decision.more
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The bell rang, but neither of them heard it, grunting, straining, slugging, and then everyone was in the ring pulling them apart, grabbing their gloves....by unanimous decision ....Elston Hubbard.†
with everyone in agreement
Show general definition with everyone in agreement
1 top 1000
listlesslacking energy and normal enthusiasm
She was listless and bored.more
Show sample from book
The nationalist on the stepladder, his quick hands slashing through the air, was whipping his growing audience out of its morning listlessness.
listless → listlessness:lack of energy and normal enthusiasm