Rhinoceros — Vocabulary
Eugene Ionesco
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	52	top 2000
proprietorowner The proprietor of the bookstore greeted each customer warmly and offered personalized recommendations based on their interests.more Show sample from book PROPRIETOR: [to the WAITRESS from his window] You're seeing things.†p.9.851 more the owner of a business Show general definition the owner of a business
	4	top 100
contradictdisagree with Does the sentence contradict the main claim of the essay?more Show sample from book BERENGER: [aside, whilst the others continue to discuss the horns of the rhinoceros] Daisy was right, I should never have contradicted him.†p.33.13 more contradict → contradicted:disagreed 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 100
phenomenonsomething that is of special interest It is a growing social phenomenon on high school campuses.more Show sample from book And in order to understand a phenomenon and its effects you need to work back to the initial causes, by honest intellectual effort.†p.83.63 more something that exists or happened -- often of special interest Show general definition something that exists or happened -- especially something of special interest -- sometimes someone or something that is extraordinary Show editor's word notes "Phenomenons" and "phenomena" are both appropriate plural forms of this noun. "Phenomena" is generally used in scientific or philosophical contexts.
	4	top 500
lamentlament → lamented:expressed grief about She lamented the loss.more Show sample from book HOUSEWIFE: [lamenting] My little cat, my poor little cat.†p.27.93 more lament → lamenting:expressing grief or regret Show general definition to express grief or regret
	3	top 100
sufficientadequate (enough) We have sufficient supplies.more Show sample from book That's quite sufficient, with a little method.†p.22.82 more adequate (enough -- often without being more than is needed) Show general definition adequate (enough -- often without being more than is needed)
	4	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 I feel it instinctively—no, that's not what I mean, it's the rhinoceros which has instinct—I feel it intuitively, yes, that's the word, intuitively.†p.85.53 more intuition → intuitively:known instinctively rather than through reasoning Show general definition something known based on feeling or instinct rather than conscious reasoning; or the ability to know things in such a manner
	4	top 500
indifferentwithout interest About a third are in favor of the change, a third are opposed, and a third are indifferent.more Show sample from book JEAN: ...because there's been no zoo in our town since the animals were destroyed in the plague ...ages ago ... BERENGER: [with the same indifference] Then perhaps it came from a circus.†p.14.53 more Show general definition without interest in various senses, including: unconcerned -- as in "She is indifferent to what is served to eat." unsympathetic -- as in "She is indifferent to his needs." not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context) -- as in "an indifferent performance" impartial -- as in "We need a judge who is indifferent."
	3	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 PAPILLON: [indignant] Oh!†p.41.82 more angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong Show general definition angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
	4	top 1000
colleaguefellow worker -- especially in a respected profession such as teaching, medicine, or law My colleague suggested a different approach.more Show sample from book An office colleague, qualified in law, with a big future in the firm—and in Daisy's affections.†p.20.33 more fellow worker
	3	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 You're all nervous and agitated.†p.73.62 more agitate → agitated:not calm; or stirred up (often emotionally) 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)
	5	top 2000
propagandaone-sided information spread to influence opinions There is no free press in that country -- just government-approved propaganda.more Show sample from book You've been making all this propaganda to get these rumours started!†p.46.54 more one-sided information that is purposefully spread to influence opinions Show general definition one-sided information that is purposefully spread to influence opinions -- often misleading information of a political nature
	5	top 2000
wretchedmiserable The children were taken into protective custody due to their wretched living conditions.more Show sample from book Why go on at me just because some wretched perissodactyle happens to pass by.†p.16.64 more miserable or very bad Show general definition very bad in various senses, including: unfortunate or miserable -- as in "wretched prisoners sleeping on the cold floor" of poor quality -- as in "wretched roads" morally bad -- as in "The wretched woman stole his wallet."
	2	top 100
yieldgive in The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.more Show sample from book It must yield to reason.†p.10.91 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 2000
obstinatestubbornly not doing what others want She is an obstinate child who will not follow the family rules.more Show sample from book BERENGER: You really can be obstinate, sometimes.†p.15.73 more
	3	top 2000
docileeasily led or managed It is a gentle old horse, docile and obedient.more Show sample from book DAISY takes BERENGER'S arm; he allows himself to be led docilely.†p.92.92 more docile → docilely:in an easily managed manner Show general definition easily led or managed -- perhaps submissive or well-behaved
	3
proprietaryowned and controlled The company protects its proprietary software with strict security measures.more Show sample from book BERENGER: [reading and correcting whilst BOTARD checks the manuscript with a pencil] Laws relating to the control of proprietary wine produce ...[He corrects.]†p.46.12 more relating to ownership, or something that is owned and controlled by a specific p… Show general definition relating to ownership, or something that is owned and controlled by a specific person or company
	2	top 1000
apathylack of interest and enthusiasm Seeing too much senior apathy, the high school began having juniors declare a major for their senior year.more Show sample from book JEAN and the WAITRESS, standing, and BERENGER, still apathetically seated, together form another group.†p.9.31 more apathy → apathetically:without interest or enthusiasm
	2	top 2000
anarchythe complete absence of political authority It's not the government I want, but it's better than anarchy.more Show sample from book No, it seems to me that with him it was a case of community spirit triumphing over his anarchic impulses.†p.89.91 more anarchy → anarchic:the complete absence of political authority… Show general definition the complete absence of political authority; or more generally, complete absence of order
	2
debaucheryunrestrained or immoral indulgence The novel portrayed the city’s nightlife as a scene of constant debauchery.more Show sample from book BERENGER: Oh yes, his duty as an employee ... JEAN: Where did your debauch take place last night?†p.7.61 more debauchery → debauch:to corrupt or seduce from virtue, duty, or allegiance OR excessive drinking, casual sex, and/or drug abuse while partying Show general definition extreme indulgence in pleasures -- especially those considered immoral or harmful, such as drinking, partying, or other reckless behavior
	2
conclusivedefinite (leaving no doubt) The fingerprints are conclusive evidence that she had touched the doorknob.more Show sample from book LOGICIAN: That wouldn't be conclusive either.†p.35.81 more putting an end to doubt or question Show general definition putting an end to doubt or question