Killing Kennedy — Vocabulary
Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	63	top 2000
communisman economic system that abolishes private ownership of property with the goal of a classless society A challenge with communism is that it is harder to know how to allocate capital when prices are subjective rather than the product of individual valuations.†more Show sample from book Fear about the global spread of communism is rampant in the United States.†p.45.362 more Show general definition an economic system that abolishes private ownership of property with the goal of a classless society
	30	top 1000
nucleusthe center (in this case, key central members) They have the nucleus of a good team.†more Show sample from book The Russian dictator sees that the American president is willing to conduct a nuclear war if pushed to the limit.†p.129.829 more 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)
	8	top 500
scrutinyscrutiny → scrutinized:looked very carefully at She scrutinized her reflection in the mirror.more Show context notes The suffix "-ize" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize. Show sample from book This morning, he rose after just four hours of sleep and, pencil in hand, scrutinized his speech again and again and again.†p.12.57 more scrutiny → scrutinized:looked at very carefully Show context notes The suffix "-ize" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize. Show general definition careful examination of something
	10	top 2000
exileeviction from one's home country She fled Tibet and is living in exile in India.more Show sample from book Kennedy has authorized a covert invasion of the island nation, sending fourteen hundred anti-Castro exiles to do a job that the U.S. military, by rule of international law, cannot do itself.†p.43.29 more exile → exiles:to force someone to live outside of their homeland… Show general definition to force someone to live outside of their homeland; or living in such a condition or more rarely: voluntary absence from a place someone would rather be
	9	top 2000
republicrepublic → republics:governmental systems in which a majority of citizens elect representatives to make laws The United States and each of its states are republics.more Show sample from book Chris Dumphy, a Florida Republican, connects Lawford with Bing Crosby, solving Law-ford's first problem.p.80.28 more republic → republican:of a system of government in which a majority of citizens elect representatives … Show general definition for republic (as in: the country is a republic) of a system of government in which a majority of citizens elect representatives to make laws; or someone in favor of such a form of government
	9	top 2000
conspiracysecret plot She discovered a conspiracy to overthrow the government.more Show sample from book Some came to this belief thanks to Oswald's comments and J. Edgar Hoover's insistence that there was a conspiracy.†p.288.58 more a secret agreement or plot Show general definition a secret agreement or plot -- especially to do something illegal or harmful
	9	top 2000
monka male member of a religious order typically living under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience The Tibetan monk wore an orange robe.more Show sample from book When a fire truck tries to get close enough to drench the monk with water, other monks throw their bodies beneath its wheels to stop it.†p.171.28 more monk → monks:male members of a religious order living together typically under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience
	6	top 500
crucialvery important Doing well on the ACT is crucial to getting into the college I want to attend.more Show sample from book And here at home, the power of the Mafia crime syndicates and the divisiveness of the civil rights movement are two crucial situations requiring immediate attention.†p.13.15 more Show general definition very important or necessary -- often because it determines how something else will turn out
	8	top 2000
segregationkeeping people of different races separated Martin Luther King, Jr. helped to end institutionalized segregation in the United States.more Show sample from book Words that will heal a nation divided by McCarthyism, terrified of the cold war, and still struggling with racial segregation and discrimination.†p.12.37 more the act of keeping people or things separate Show general definition the act of keeping people or things separate -- especially people due to discrimination based on race, gender, ethnicity, or religion
	5	top 500
adversaryopponent She is his greatest adversary.more Show sample from book He does not see a worthy adversary in Kennedy.†p.89.64 more Show general definition an opponent
	5	top 500
approximateapproximate → approximately:about The state has approximately as many Republicans as Democrats.more Show sample from book A Note to Readers NOVEMBER 22, 1963 MINEOLA, NEW YORK APPROXIMATELY 2:00 P.M. The students in Brother Carmine Diodati's freshman Religion class were startled.†p.1.14 more approximate → approximately:about (but not exactly) Show general definition almost, but not exact; or similar
	7	top 2000
testifytestify → testified:provided oral evidence in court She testified against the robber.more Show sample from book "He didn't feel like he was of any importance to them," Fain will later testify.†p.102.96 more provide 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 200
disdainlack of respect She tries to be polite, but she cannot hide her disdain for authority.more Show sample from book That privilege, along with their mutual disdain, is all the two men have in common.†p.53.63 more a lack of respect Show general definition to disrespect or reject as unworthy
	5	top 1000
ominousthreatening I'm beginning to hear ominous rumblings of discontent.more Show sample from book More ominously, the president suspects that Monroe has visions of moving into the White House sometime soon.†p.83.44 more ominous → ominously:threatening (suggestive of, or foreshadowing bad things to come) Show general definition threatening (suggestive of, or foreshadowing bad things to come)
	15
civil rights movementpopular effort to establish political and social equality for African Americans in the USA (1954-1968) Aretha Franklin is remembered as the Queen of Soul, but she was also an integral part of the civil rights movement.more Show sample from book And here at home, the power of the Mafia crime syndicates and the divisiveness of the civil rights movement are two crucial situations requiring immediate attention.†p.13.114 more popular effort to establish political and social equality for African Americans …
	5
blockadeaction to keep people and goods from reaching a location They could not get weapons past the naval blockade.†more Show sample from book In it the Communist leader states calmly and unequivocally that the president's proposed naval blockade is "a pirate act."†p.124.64 more Show general definition action to keep people and goods from reaching a location
	3	top 500
opulentmagnificent and luxurious We were impressed by her opulent home.more Show sample from book He also understands that his wife is drawn to the Christina's opulence and to the vast wealth of Aristotle Onassis.†p.223.12 more opulent → opulence:magnificence or luxury Show general definition magnificent and luxurious -- usually expensive
	2	top 500
reciprocatereturn the feeling She was attracted to him, and he seemed to reciprocate.more Show sample from book He states unequivocally that any missile launched by the Cubans or Soviets will he considered an act of war and that the United States will reciprocate with missiles of its own.†p.118.61 more give in return Show general definition to give in return -- such as invitations, gifts, actions, or feelings
	2	top 500
omnipotentall powerful When I was young, I believed in the myth of omnipotent science, technology and logic.more Show sample from book Newspapers and magazines are gushing about the young president, calling Kennedy "omniscient" and "omnipotent."†p.45.51 more Show general definition all powerful Show editor's word notes note: "omni" means "all". It is often said that God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent (all powerful, all knowing, and all present; i.e., present everywhere)
	2	top 1000
reclusesomeone withdrawn from society (living alone and avoiding contact with others) He became a recluse after his wife passed away.more Show sample from book There is a dinner party in Camelot tonight, and the famously reclusive Swedish actress is the guest of honor.†p.236.21 more recluse → reclusive:withdrawn from society (avoiding contact with others) Show general definition someone withdrawn from society (living alone and avoiding contact)