Self-Reliance — Vocabulary
Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	8	top 100
conformconform → conformist:someone who thinks and acts like others in a group Most teenagers are surprisingly conformist within their subgroup.more Show sample from book Infancy conforms to nobody: all conform to it, so that one babe commonly makes four or five[159] out of the adults who prattle and play to it.†7 more to comply, fit in, or be similar to what is normal Show general definition to comply, fit in, or be similar to what is normal
	2	top 100
yieldproduce (lead to) The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.more Show sample from book Our age yields no great and perfect persons.2 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
	1	top 100
yield#2give in The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.more Show sample from book In your metaphysics you have denied personality to the Deity; yet when the devout motions of the soul come, yield to them heart and life, though they should clothe God with shape and color.†2 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
	4	top 100
contradictdisagree with Does the sentence contradict the main claim of the essay?more Show sample from book Why drag about this corpse of your memory, lest you contradict somewhat[184] you have stated in this or that public place?†3 more disagree Show general definition disagree in various senses, including: to say something is not true -- as in "She contradicted his testimony." to say something else is true when both can't be true -- as in "I don't believe her. She contradicted herself as she told us what happened." to be in conflict with -- as in "Her assertions contradict accepted scientific principles."
	4	top 500
spontaneoussudden and unplanned Her spontaneous decision to take a road trip led to one of the best weekends of her life.more Show sample from book They teach us to abide by our spontaneous impression with good-humored inflexibility then most when[153] the whole cry of voices is on the other side.†3 more behaving in an instinctive, uninhibited manner OR happening naturally (without planning or external force) Show general definition happening naturally, suddenly, or without outside planning or action
	4	top 1000
doctrineprinciple She argues that the action is protected under the separation-of-powers doctrine that is fundamental to the US Constitution.more Show sample from book The doctrine of hatred must be preached as the counteraction of the doctrine of love when that pules and whines.†3 more a belief (or system of beliefs or principles) accepted as authoritative by some … Show general definition a belief (or system of beliefs or principles) accepted as authoritative by some group
	3	top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book If I can be firm enough to-day to do right, and scorn eyes,[196] I must have done so much right before as to defend me now.†2 more disrespect or reject as not good enough Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
	3	top 500
reveredeeply respect and admire Many fans revere Michael Jordan as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.more Show sample from book Let a Stoic[226] open the resources of man, and tell men they are not leaning willows, but can and must detach themselves; that with the exercise of self-trust, new powers shall appear; that a man is the word made flesh,[227] born to shed healing to the nations,[228] that he should be ashamed of our compassion, and that the moment he acts from himself, tossing the laws, the books, idolatries and customs out of the window, we pity him no more, but thank and revere him,—and that teacher shall restore the life of man to splendor, and make his name dear to all history.2 more respect or admire Show general definition regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration -- sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
	3	top 500
cultivatedevelop or grow We encourage our representatives to cultivate a close relationship with their clients.more Show sample from book It is easy enough for a firm man who knows the world to brook the rage of the cultivated classes.†2 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
	2	top 200
eminentrespected and well-known She studied under an eminent scientist who had won multiple international awards.more Show sample from book [147] I read the other day some verses written by an eminent painter which were original and not conventional†1 more respected and famous or important Show general definition famous, respected, or important within a particular field or profession
	3	top 1000
eloquenteloquent → eloquence:powerful use of language Her eloquence is unquestioned even amongst those who disagree with her.more Show sample from book Commerce, husbandry, hunting, whaling, war eloquence, personal weight, are somewhat, and engage my respect as examples of its presence and impure action.†2 more Show general definition powerful use of language
	2	top 500
intuitionintuition → intuitive:able to understand things from feeling or instinct rather than conscious reasoning They were perfect partners--one highly intuitive and the other highly analytical.more Show sample from book We denote this primary wisdom as Intuition, whilst all later teachings are tuitions.†1 more the ability to known instinctively rather than through reasoning; or the thing that is known in such a way Show general definition something known based on feeling or instinct rather than conscious reasoning; or the ability to know things in such a manner
	3	top 1000
discernnotice or see (something that is not obvious) The second picture has more pixels, but the human eye can't discern the difference.more Show sample from book When we discern justice, when we discern truth, we do nothing of ourselves, but allow a passage to its beams.†2 more notice or understand something Show general definition to notice or understand something -- often something that is not obvious
	3	top 1000
stoicunemotional She suffered quietly, courageously, with a stoic acceptance of her illness.more Show sample from book For every Stoic was a Stoic; but in Christendom where is the Christian?†2 more seeming unaffected by pleasure, pain, or emotions Show general definition seeming unaffected by pleasure, pain, or emotions
	2	top 500
venerablerespected They looked to the venerable old woman for advice.more Show sample from book Honor is venerable to us because it is no ephemeris.†1 more respected (worthy of respect) -- typically because of age or position Show general definition respected (worthy of respect) -- typically because of age or position
	2	top 1000
cleavecleave → cleaves:holds firmly The New Testament quotes the Old Testament twice in saying, "Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to this wife, and they become one flesh."more Show sample from book Christ is born, and millions of minds so grow and cleave to his genius, that he is confounded with virtue and the possible of man.1 more hold firmly Show general definition for cleave (as in: cleave to) to hold firmly to something -- such as an object, a person or idea Show editor's word notes Ironically, this word can mean to split in two or to hold together. Note that you may see cleaved, clove, or clave as the past tense of this sense of cleave.
	2	top 2000
hinderhinder → hindered:delayed or made difficult Her efforts to turn the department around were further hindered by budgetary cuts.more Show sample from book [165] He who would gather immortal palms must not be hindered by the name of goodness, but must explore if it be goodness†1 more hinder → hindered:slowed down or caused problems for Show general definition for hinder (as in: hindered by) slow down or cause problems for
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chastea virgin Despite the societal pressure to engage in premarital relations, Bella remained chaste until her wedding night.more Show sample from book How far off, how cool, how chaste the persons look, begirt each one with a precinct or sanctuary!†1 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>
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cumulativeincrease through a series of additions over time The benefits are cumulative.more Show sample from book The force of character is cumulative.†1 more increased by a series of additions Show general definition increased by a series of additions over time
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interlopersomeone who intrudes or encroaches (inserts himself without invitation) All the new settlers made him feel like an interloper in the country of his fathers.more Show sample from book The soul is no traveler; the wise man stays at home, and when his necessities, his duties, on any occasion call him from his house, or into foreign lands, he is at home still; and shall make men sensible by the expression of his countenance, that he goes the missionary of wisdom and virtue, and visits cities and men like a sovereign, and not like an interloper or a valet.†1 more someone or something that, without invitation, inserts itself Show general definition someone or something that, without invitation, inserts itself -- such as an uninvited guest at a party or a species that invades non-native territory