Parrot in the Oven — Vocabulary
Victor Martinez
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	9	top 2000
foremansupervisor She complained to the shop foreman.more Show sample from book The foreman ... refused at first to hire us, saying I was too young, that it was too late in the day—most field workers got up at the first wink of dawn.8 more a person who is in charge of other workers Show general definition a person chosen to lead and speak for a group, especially at work or in a courtroom Show editor's word notes At work, a foreman is the worker who supervises and directs other workers, often in factories, workshops, or on construction sites. In a court case, the foreman is the juror selected to lead the jury and announce its decision.
	5	top 1000
immigrateimmigrate → immigrated:came to live (from another country) About 1 of each 8 people in the United States immigrated from somewhere else.more Show sample from book He poured himself some water and glared over at the Immigration officers as they packed in the people and roared off in a boiling cloud of dust.†4 more immigrate → immigration:the act of coming to live in a new country; or indication that something is related to that act Show general definition come to live in a new country
	4	top 500
initiateinitiate → initiated:accepted into the group in a special ceremony The photo is from the ceremony when she was initiated into the sorority.more Show sample from book The initiation was to test a guy's courage.3 more initiate → initiation:the process of accepting someone as a member of a group--perhaps including a period of instruction, a test, and/or a ceremony Show general definition for initiate (as in: initiate into the fraternity) to accept someone's membership into an organization -- typically in a ceremony -- sometimes including a period of instruction and/or test
	3	top 1000
commotiondisturbance I looked up to see what caused the commotion.more Show sample from book His wife had come over when she heard the commotion.2 more noisy disturbance Show general definition a disturbance -- typically noisy
	2	top 1000
prescribeprescribe → prescribed:gave medical instructions instructing that the patient should take The doctor prescribed an antibiotic for the infection.more Show sample from book Nardo was busy sorting out prescriptions in a cardboard box.1 more prescribe → prescriptions:medicines with a doctor's instructions Show general definition to recommend or require what should be done or more specifically: of a medical doctor: to give medical instructions -- such as writing that a patient should take antibiotics
	2	top 1000
sullenunhappy and withdrawn She changed from a happy, outgoing child to sullen teenager.more Show sample from book "I'll get a job," he said, sullenly, "don't worry about it, I'll get job."1 more sullen → sullenly:showing a gloomy or bad mood Show general definition for sullen (as in: a sullen mood) being unhappy (and often withdrawn)
	2	top 1000
coaxgently persuade Although she has retired from public life, we are going to try to coax her to accept the award.more Show sample from book "Hey, now, check this out," I coaxed.†1 more coax → coaxed:tried to obtain a result through gentle and careful effort -- often gently persuaded Show general definition for coax (as in: coax her to join us) try to obtain a result through gentle and careful effort -- often gentle persuasion
	1	top 200
mocknot real Law students compete in a pretend court in a mock trial competition.more Show sample from book "You ever stole a car?" he asked, choking a little. "No, sorry," I said, regretting again my mousy admission. "Never?" Mondo asked, in mock surprise. He turned sideways and raised an eyebrow at the guys.more pretend (not real)
	1	top 200
indignantindignant → indignantly:with anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong "I am not a fool," she said indignantly.more Show sample from book ...he added, "Besides, I have never done anything in my whole life that would make me beg." "Would you rather let the kids starve?" Mom asked, indignant and, as usual, making a ton of sense. angered or annoyed at something that is wrong Show general definition angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
	1	top 500
agitateagitate → agitating:stirring up emotions to increase unrest We are agitating public unrest, so there will be a cry for change.more Show sample from book Eddie was so white, when he got agitated, little rosebuds bloomed on his face, then closed again like tiny fists. agitate → agitated:emotionally upset (stirred up) Show general definition to stir up or shake -- emotionally (as when people are angered or upset) or physically (as when a washing machine cleans clothes)
	1	top 500
confideconfide → confided:placed trust (in someone) by talking about private things She confided in me. I won't repeat what was said.more Show sample from book Linda always showed wrinkles of concern over Magda, but when alone she confided to me that Magda had to learn how things worked at the laundry.† Show general definition to place trust (in someone) by talking about private things or telling secrets
	1	top 500
nonchalantcalm and unconcerned I could tell she was nervous, but she was trying to look nonchalant.more Show sample from book Mom asked about Dad, and Rico, tapping his finger on the counter, said he'd gone home. It was the way he said it, too nonchalant, too nervously offhand, too guilty, actually, that made Mom suspicious right away. trying to appear calm and unconcerned Show general definition calm in manner -- appearing unconcerned
	1	top 500
exasperatedgreatly annoyed She was exasperated by his teasing.more Show sample from book "Okay . . . okay. I give up!" Dorothy said, gritting her teeth and dropping her arms, exasperated. Show general definition greatly annoyed
	1	top 1000
nucleusthe center (in this case, key central members) They have the nucleus of a good team.†more Show sample from book There were a lot of ornery vatos around, but they just hung around and smoked and ditched class and acted like the school was some kind of contaminated nuclear zone.† nucleus → nuclear:relating to the central or most important part of something Show general definition the center (or most important part) of something such as: in physics: the center of an atom where protons & neutrons are found in biology: the center of a cell where DNA is found in sociology: the closest family (mother/father/children in contrast to the extended family)
	2	top 2000
ornerycranky (easily annoyed and quick to complain and argue) I avoid contact when he's in an ornery mood.more Show sample from book Then Little Tommy, looking ornery and offended, huffed over and planted his bony chest against mine.1 more easily annoyed and quick to complain and argue Show general definition for ornery (as in: is ornery when she first wakes up) quick to get annoyed, complain, argue, and be uncooperative
	2
feuda bitter, long-standing fight Perhaps the most famous American family feud was between the Hatfields and McCoys.more Show sample from book There was also a feud going on between Lencho and Coach Rogers.1 more a bitter, long-standing quarrel Show general definition bitter hostile argument between two parties -- typically long-standing between families or tribes with occasional incidents of violence Show editor's word notes Sometimes the term blood feud is used to reference a feud between families.
	1	top 500
monopolycomplete control of a product The company was accused of trying to create a monopoly by buying out all its competitors.more Show sample from book Shaped like box hotels in a Monopoly set, the houses weren't pretty or stylish, but in spring the grass flowed to every porch like green water lapping against the hulls of houseboats, and that was beautiful.† complete control over a product, service, or resource Show general definition complete control over a product, service, or resource -- usually by a single person, company, or group
	1	top 1000
listlesslacking energy and normal enthusiasm She was listless and bored.more Show sample from book Magda just stared at me like she didn't believe what I'd said. She went back inside, listlessly waving her hand in the air. "Just don't get burned, that's all I gotta say. Don't get burned." listless → listlessly:with a lack of energy and normal enthusiasm
	1	top 1000
deliriumdelirium → delirious:in a state of having been taken over by excitement or emotion The basketball fans were delirious with joy.more Show sample from book The way her hair was soft around her ears made my stomach landslide with a strange, delirious emotion. delirium → delirious:extremely happy and excited (perhaps uncontrollably so) Show general definition for delirium (as in: delirious with joy) a state of having been taken over by excitement or emotion
	1
slotha type of mammal that seldom moves and is very slow when it does move A sloth moves faster than she does.more Show sample from book He moved like a ground sloth, and kept gulping water from the garden hose. a type of mammal that seldom moves and is typically very slow when it does move