The Handmaid's Tale — Vocabulary
Margaret Atwood
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	7	top 1000
interprettranslate Can she interpret Spanish to English for us?more Show sample from book "He asks, are you happy," says the interpreter.†7 more interpret → interpreter:someone who translates language Show general definition for interpret (as in: interpret Spanish to English) to translate someone’s words into spoken words of another language while they are speaking
	7	top 1000
subversiongradual destruction The Chinese activist was imprisoned for encouraging subversion of state power.more Show sample from book Subversion, sedition, blasphemy, heresy, all rolled into one.†6 more gradual destruction (of something previously established) -- such as a government, rule, or belief Show general definition gradual destruction (of something previously established) -- such as a government, rule, or belief
	1	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 Perspective is necessary.1 more a particular way of seeing or 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 What I need is perspective.1 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
	8
oblongan elongated shape The artist carefully painted an oblong shape on the canvas, using broad strokes to create a sense of movement.more Show sample from book That is the landscape I focus on, a field of oblongs, gently undulating where the earth beneath has buckled, from decade after decade of winter frost.†7 more oblong → oblongs:an elongated shape (having more length than width) Show general definition an elongated shape (having more length than width) -- typically of a stretched circle that is longer than an oval, but occasionally used to describe a rectangle
	4	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 I see the dishtowel, out of context, and I catch my breath.3 more context → out of context:the setting or situation in which something occurs 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 general definition the setting or situation in which something occurs
	4	top 100
varybe different Your mileage may vary.more Show sample from book Where the edges are we aren't sure, they vary, according to the attacks and counterattacks; but this is the center, where nothing moves.†3 more differ; or change Show general definition to be different, or to change Show editor's word notes Vary is often used to describe small differences or changes--especially about things of the same type. It would be more common to say "The weight of full-grown elephants varies depending upon diet and other factors," than to say "The weight of elephants varies from that of mice."
	3	top 100
reviseimprove (change) How can you revise that paragraph to improve the expression of ideas?more Show sample from book I'll have to revise that: if they cut the hair for lice, they'd cut the beard too.†2 more change Show general definition to change (and hopefully improve) -- most frequently to improve a written document, but it can be any intentional change such as a change in an estimated amount, a plan, or a series of procedures
	6
black marketthe coming together of people who buy and sell things illegally India's black market in kidneys arose in response to a combination of the shortage of the organs and extreme poverty amongst people who can survive with one of their two kidneys.more Show sample from book The cigarettes must have come from the black market, I thought, and this gave me hope.†5 more Show general definition an illegal market that trades in illegal goods, stolen goods, or goods sold illegally to avoid tax payments, licensing requirements, or rationing
	6	top 2000
testifytestify → testified:provided oral evidence in court She testified against the robber.more Show sample from book Two-thirty comes during Testifying.†5 more testify → testifying:providing evidence of something -- especially oral evidence in court Show general definition provide evidence of something -- especially to say something under oath in a court of law
	4	top 500
trivialunimportant We're in agreement on the main issues. We just have some trivial details to work out.more Show sample from book At the same time I saw this longing of mine as trivial and absurd, because I'd taken such magazines lightly enough once.†3 more Show general definition of little importance -- sometimes more specifically describing a challenge as easy and uninteresting
	5	top 1000
expelexpel → expulsion:the act of forcing out (in this case, kicking someone out of school) Her records show expulsion from two schools.more Show sample from book Breathe in to the count of five, hold, expel.†4 more force out Show general definition force out especially in 2 primary senses: kicking someone out of an organization -- such as a school or country squeezing something to eliminate a liquid or gas
	3	top 500
benevolentkind, generous, or charitable They called themselves The Benevolent Association because their mission was to help others.more Show sample from book Is there no end to his disguises, of benevolence?†2 more benevolent → benevolence:kindness and goodwill
	3	top 1000
transparentcapable of being seen through with clarity The transparent shower door shows water spots.more Show sample from book Coming towards us there's a small procession, a funeral: three women, each with a black transparent veil thrown over her headdress.3 more easily seen through Show general definition for transparent (as in: transparent shower door) able to be seen through with clarity
	1	top 1000
transparent#2obvious (despite attempts to hide them) She tried to hide her emotions, but her true feelings were transparent.more Show sample from book I feel transparent. Surely they will be able to see through me.3 more easily seen and understood (despite attempts to hide deceive) Show general definition for transparent (as in: transparent lie) obvious despite attempts to hide
	4	top 100
narratoran actor who helps to tell a story by talking directly to the audience (breaking the imaginary barrier between the performers and the audience) The narrator in the play, Our Town talks to characters in the play as well as to the audience.more Show sample from book If we could establish an identity for the narrator, we felt, we might be well on the way to an explanation of how this document — let me call it that for the sake of brevity — came into being.†3 more storyteller Show general definition someone who tells a story--especially the main voice in a documentary, or a character who talks directly to the audience in a movie, play or other performance
	3	top 200
obsoleteno longer in general use because it was replaced by something better My mother still has a twenty-year-old obsolete computer in storage.more Show sample from book It was obsolete by then, you couldn't buy anything with it.†2 more Show general definition no longer in general use because it was replaced by something better
	2	top 500
camaraderieclose friendship amongst a group of people Basketball encourages teamwork and camaraderie.more Show sample from book What we're aiming for, says Aunt Lydia, is a spirit of camaraderie among women.†1 more
	2	top 1000
ignominiousbringing disgrace or shame They retreated in ignominious defeat.more Show sample from book It's an absurd as well as an ignominious position.†1 more deserving or bringing disgrace or shame Show general definition deserving or bringing disgrace or shame -- typically in reference to behavior or character
	2	top 1000
indigenousoriginally from there Los Angeles replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day.†more Show sample from book As I have said elsewhere, there was little that was truly original with or indigenous to Gilead: its genius was synthesis.†1 more of local origin Show general definition of local origin