The Fallacy of Success — Vocabulary
G. K. Chesterton
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
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reveredeeply respect and admire Many fans revere Michael Jordan as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.more Show sample from book I look reverently at the portrait of Lord Rothschild; I read reverently about the exploits of Mr. Vanderbilt.† revere → reverently:with feelings of deep respect and admiration -- sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear Show general definition regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration -- sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
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apprenticelearner on the job After high school, Bella began work as an apprentice at a local bakery, waking up before dawn to help make bread and learn the craft.more Show sample from book A hundred years ago we had the ideal of the Industrious Apprentice; boys were told that by thrift and work they would all become Lord Mayors.†3 more person who learns a trade or skill through hands-on experience under a skilled w… Show general definition person who learns a trade or skill through hands-on experience under a skilled worker; or (as a verb) performance of that kind of work
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professprofess → professed:claimed (insincerely) She professed innocence but later admitted her guilt.more Show sample from book These writers profess to tell the ordinary man how he may succeed in his trade or speculation—how, if he is a builder, he may succeed as a builder; how, if he is a stockbroker, he may succeed as a stockbroker.†1 more claim Show general definition to claim or declare -- often insincerely
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moreoverin addition to what has just been said The company has too much debt. Moreover, it is responsible for a long-term lease on expensive office space.more Show sample from book Moreover, the romances of chivalry were at least about chivalry; the religious tracts are about religion.†
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attaingain or reach something with effort She was the first woman to attain the rank of general.more Show sample from book But, although this is so, still, in our own sphere and in our own circumstances, we can follow his general methods; we can seize those opportunities that are given us, and give ourselves a very fair chance of attaining riches.† attain → attaining:gaining or reaching something with effort Show general definition to gain or reach something with effort
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cunningclever and deceitful She came up with a cunning scheme to cheat him.more Show sample from book And it fills his soul with a sort of transport of cunning, an ecstasy of priestcraft, that he should pretend to be telling to the multitude that terrible secret which he does not know.† good at achieving goals through cleverness and deception Show general definition for cunning (as in: a cunning thief) being good at achieving goals through cleverness -- and typically through deception as well (tricking others)
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endeavorendeavor → endeavored:tried or attempted I endeavored to get both sides to agree to a compromise.more Show sample from book Also (like most other prominent and wealthy persons) he endeavoured to conceal the fact.† endeavor → endeavoured:tried or attempted Show context notes This is a British spelling. Americans use endeavored. Show general definition to attempt; or a project or activity attempted
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formidableintimidating or impressive She is a formidable opponent.more Show sample from book It is decorated in front with a formidable portrait of Lord Rothschild.† Show general definition intimidating or impressive -- arousing fear or admiration due to impressiveness or challenge
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cynicalsomeone who expects the worst The experience made her overly cynical.more Show sample from book It is not mere business; it is not even mere cynicism.† cynical → cynicism:believing that things usually go poorly and that selfish and insincere Show general definition someone who expects the worst -- especially of people (such as expecting them to be selfish and lie)
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denouncedenounce → denounced:strongly criticized or accused publicly She denounced him as a liar.more Show sample from book The Puritans are always denouncing books that inflame lust; what shall we say of books that inflame the viler passions of avarice and pride?† denounce → denouncing:strongly criticizing or accusing publicly OR (more rarely) informing against someone Show general definition to strongly criticize or accuse publicly or more rarely: to inform against someone (turn someone into the authorities)
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deridederide → derides:criticizes with strong disrespect She relentlessly mocks and derides the younger students.more Show sample from book At least, let us hope that we shall all live to see these absurd books about Success covered with a proper derision and neglect.† deride → derision:critical disrespect -- typically while laughing at or making fun of Show general definition to criticize with strong disrespect -- often with humor
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exultexult → exultation:extreme happiness or elation I was filled with a both exultation and fear.more Show sample from book We exult in its very invisibility.† feel or express extreme happiness or elation Show general definition feel or express extreme happiness or elation
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botanythe branch of biology that studies plants She is studying botany.†more Show sample from book Nobody would dare to publish a book about electricity which literally told one nothing about electricity; no one would dare to publish an article on botany which showed that the writer did not know which end of a plant grew in the earth.† the branch of biology that studies plants… Show general definition the branch of biology that studies plants; or all the plant life in a particular region or period
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deitydeity → deities:gods and goddesses Literature is filled with references to Greek and Roman deities.more Show sample from book He really revels in the fact his deity Vanderbilt is keeping a secret from him.† god or goddess Show general definition god or goddess
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avariceexcessive desire for wealth We can try both to minimize greed and avarice and to channel them into directions beneficial to society.more Show sample from book There are many definite methods, honest and dishonest, which make people rich; the only "instinct" I know of which does it is that instinct which theological Christianity crudely describes as "the sin of avarice."†1 more Show general definition excessive desire for wealth Show editor's word notes Like "greed", but implies greed specifically for money. The early Christian Church counted avarice as one of the "seven deadly sins."
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fallacya mistaken belief The entire argument is built on a fallacy.more Show sample from book THE FALLACY OF SUCCESS.† a mistaken belief; or a common form of incorrect reasoning Show general definition a mistaken belief; or a common form of incorrect reasoning
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prostratelying face downward on the ground It is their custom to worship five times a day, prostrate and facing toward Mecca.more Show sample from book He merely wished to prostrate himself before the mystery of a millionaire.† lying down - typically face downward on the ground as in submission Show general definition lying down - typically face downward on the ground as in submission
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amassgather together Over the years, she managed to amass a valuable collection of rare books.more Show sample from book He seized his opportunities, the opportunities that were given by the application of the steam-engine to ocean traffic, and by the birth of railway locomotion in the wealthy but undeveloped United States of America, and consequently he amassed an immense fortune.† amass → amassed:get or gather together Show general definition get or gather together
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PuritansEnglish Protestants who in the 16th and 17th centuries wanted more purity and less ritual in worship, and who stressed hard work above pleasure The Pilgrims who we remember on Thanksgiving were Puritans who came to the New Word.more Show sample from book The Puritans are always denouncing books that inflame lust; what shall we say of books that inflame the viler passions of avarice and pride?† English Protestants of the 16th and 17th centuries who wanted simpler worship and strict, hard-working lives Show general definition English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries who wanted simpler, “purer” worship and emphasized hard work over pleasure Show editor's word notes Protestants are Christian groups that broke away from the Catholic Church; in the United States, well-known Protestant churches include Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, and Episcopalians.
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fallaciousmistaken (based on incorrect information or belief) She reached a false conclusion that was based on fallacious reasoning.more Show sample from book This was fallacious, but it was manly, and had a minimum of moral truth.† not correct Show general definition not correct typically describing something as mistaken due to incorrect information or belief sometimes describing something as an intentional lie