A Thousand Acres — Vocabulary
Jane Smiley
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
15 top 500
monopolycomplete control of a product
The company was accused of trying to create a monopoly by buying out all its competitors.more
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THE MONOPOLY GAME ENDED with the news that Caroline and Frank had gotten married in a civil ceremony in Des Moines.†p.138.114 more
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
3 top 100
yieldproduce (lead to)
The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.more
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A little insurance for the yield, and the pleasure of driving that shiny red piece of machinery along the fencerow next to Cabot Street Road.p.231.75 more
production
Show general definition for yield (as in: will yield valuable data) to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
3 top 100
yield#2give in
The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.more
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I paused at the kitchen door and watched the unyielding back of his head for a few seconds.†p.67.15 more
yieldunyielding:strict, firm, or hard (not giving in, not giving way, or not giving up)
Show context notes The prefix "un-" in unyielding means not and reverses the meaning of yielding. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.
Show general definition for yield (as in: yield to pressure) to give in, give way, or give up
10 top 500
cultivatedevelop or grow
We encourage our representatives to cultivate a close relationship with their clients.more
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It's very old, I'm used to it, and most of the time, I'm better at cultivating inner peace.p.56.49 more
cultivatecultivating:developing
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
11 top 1000
simultaneousat the same time
On Super Tuesday a large number of states have simultaneous primary elections.more
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Simultaneously, we both realized that talking about my getting pregnant again was a dangerous enterprise.†p.259.710 more
Show general definition at the same time
11 top 1000
remorseregret for doing something wrong
There was no sign of remorse until the police caught her.more
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If you really think he's going to come around and have remorse, then give him some time to think about it.†p.238.210 more
deep regret for doing something that was wrong
Show general definition a feeling of deep regret for doing something that was wrong
Show editor's word notes Synonym comparison (if you're into word choice):

Many consider the word remorse stronger than the word regret. Also, it is more personal. One might regret that their team lost the game, but feel remorse that they missed the bus and weren't there to help the team.
8 top 1000
demeanormanner of behavior
His calm demeanor reassured everyone during the crisis.more
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The impenetrable face of a hopeful girl, dressed in the unrevealing uniform of the time; her demeanor was sturdily virtuous.†p.226.97 more
the manner in which a person behaves
Show general definition the manner in which a person behaves
6 top 500
confideconfideconfided:placed trust (in someone) by talking about private things
She confided in me. I won't repeat what was said.more
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After you've confided long enough in someone, he or she assumes the antagonism you might have just been trying out.†p.119.55 more
Show general definition to place trust (in someone) by talking about private things or telling secrets
7 top 2000
goadgoadgoaded:provoked (angered or annoyed)
She goaded him into an argument.more
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The feeling of shame that was still animating my flesh with goading particularity and self-consciousness—it would be enough for that to dissipate.†p.210.16 more
goadgoading:provoking or prodding
Show general definition to provoke or annoy someone into doing something—often something unwise

or:

to prod an animal to move, or the stick used to do so
7 top 2000
mortgageproperty loan
We are the proud owners of a new home and a $100,000 mortgage.more
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There'd been no fiddling with that, which went to Ty's uncle, and amounted to about four hundred acres, no mortgage.†p.12.46 more
a real estate loan; or pledging something for a loan
Show general definition a real estate loan; or to offer real estate as collateral for a loan

(collateral is something that has to be given to the lender if the loan isn't paid as agreed)
6 top 2000
inquisitiveinterested in learning about things
She is an inquisitive child who always asks questions.more
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As hogs are far more inquisitive and destructive than dairy cattle, the plan was to install concrete partitions to about five feet, then wood frame walls above that.†p.253.95 more
interested in learning about things -- often asking many questions
Show general definition interested in learning about things -- often asking many questions
6 top 2000
habitualdone regularly
The counseling is to break the cycle of habitual drug abuse.more
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Her habitual manner was one of amazement—that some right-minded Zebulon County person would actually let such a piece get away from the family, or else that some city person would actually pay what Dinah asked for it.†p.268.95 more
Show general definition done regularly
4 top 500
contemplatethink deeply about
After the meeting, she needed some time alone to contemplate her next move.more
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We looked at each other, both contemplating the absurdity of this question in the circumstances, and smiled.†p.165.33 more
contemplatecontemplating:consider or ponder
Show general definition consider or ponder
4 top 1000
perplexperplexperplexed:confused
She was perplexed by the rules of the game.more
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We were a little perplexed, but the affair of the kitchen cabinets seemed mostly funny until two days later, when we got up and saw that it was going to rain soon, certainly before noon.†p.80.83 more
perplexperplexed:confused or puzzled
Show general definition to confuse
6 top 2000
conciliatoryintended to end bad feelings or build trust
Their statements are conciliatory, but their actions are uncompromising.more
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In Pete's worst years, it never seemed to occur to her to scale back her behavior, to seek fewer disagreements, or to be more conciliatory.†p.141.25 more
6
bushellarge amount
After the event, we had a bushel of leftover food that we donated to a local shelter.more
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Most magically, tile produced prosperity—more bushels per acre of a better crop, year after year, wet or dry.†p.15.55 more
bushelbushels:a large amount; OR a unit of measure used for dry goods
Show general definition a large amount

or:

a unit of measure used for dry goods (filling an 8 gallon container)
3 top 1000
avertprevent
We're hoping that today's negotiations will help us to avert a strike.more
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Now the car was under control again, and unimaginable disaster was averted.p.59.22 more
avertaverted:prevented
Show general definition for avert (as in: avert a strike) prevent from happening
4
revokerevokerevoked:cancelled (took back)
The college revoked her admission when she was caught cheating in high school.more
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They stated that my father had chosen to avail himself of the revocation clause in the preincorporation agreement, which stated that Rose's and my shares in the farm were revocable under certain conditions of "mismanagement or abuse."†p.243.73 more
revokerevocation:to void, cancel, or take back -- especially to do so in an official manner
Show general definition for revoke (as in: revoked his privileges) to void, cancel, or take back -- especially to do so in an official manner
3
senile(into) mental weakness caused by old age
Her memory is getting worse and she's afraid of going senile.more
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I wanted him to feel remorse and know what he did and what he is, but when you see him around town and they talk about him, he's just senile.†p.303.32 more
mental weakness caused by old age; or describing a medical condition as caused by old age
Show general definition weakness from old age (especially mental weakness); or describing a medical condition as caused by old age
3
consolidateconsolidateconsolidated:brought together into one (in this case brought different loans into one)
We have a consolidated loan.†more
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The Depression, for our family, was a time of careful consolidation of holdings through hard work, good luck, smart farming.p.23.32 more
consolidateconsolidation:strengthening and securing
Show general definition for consolidate (as in: a consolidated loan) combine or bring together into one