Spare Parts — Vocabulary
Joshua Davis
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	88	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 didn't fit into white American culture and couldn't find his place in the immigrant community.†p.14.687 more immigrate → immigrant:a person who came to live in a new country Show general definition come to live in a new country
	26	top 100
focusconcentrate I find that studying in the library helps me to focus.more Show sample from book When ABC's Nightline aired their segment on the Carl Hayden kids, Arizona State Representative Russell Pearce explained to viewers that it was inappropriate to focus on a small group of students: "You can't paint this picture of this sweet child over here that we all probably know."p.190.926 more concentrate, or look Show general definition for focus (as in: Turn your focus to question #2.) to direct attention or effort toward a single thing; or the ability to do so without getting distracted
	1	top 100
focus#2area where attention is concentrated Since we're running out of time, let's narrow our focus to just what needs to be done tomorrow.more Show sample from book For this broader team, Kamen's event was the main focus.p.126.226 more where attention is concentrated or directed Show general definition for focus (as in: The focus of our study is...) where attention is concentrated or directed
	16	top 2000
tethertether → tethered:tied The horses were tethered to a post.more Show sample from book So we decided to extend our tether to thirty-three meters.†p.5.815 more to tie so as to limit the boundaries of movement… Show general definition to tie so as to limit the boundaries of movement; or the rope or other material used to do the tying
	14
migrantmoving from one place to another -- often seasonally for work Her parents were migrant farm workers.more Show sample from book In 2000, a rancher named Roger Barnett declared open season on migrants.†p.34.113 more migrant → migrants:those who moves from one place to another Show general definition a person (or animal) that moves from one place to another -- sometimes seasonally -- sometimes for work
	1	top 100
positivepositive → positively:in a good or beneficial manner Lower interest rates positively affected home sales.†more Show sample from book To some, these are positive developments.†p.221.31 more good Show general definition for positive (as in: had a positive effect) good or beneficial
	1
positive#2optimistic With a positive attitude and some effort, I'm sure we can make this work.more Show sample from book She described Oscar's success in Santa Barbara, noting that his team triumphed due to their "ingenuity, positive outlook, and willingness to work hard."p.199.51 more Show general definition for positive (as in: a positive attitude) optimistic (expecting or focusing on good things); or agreeable
	5	top 200
innovateinnovate → innovative:introducing things that are new and different Apple is considered one of the most innovative companies.more Show sample from book His energy caught the attention of the Phoenix Jaycees, a charitable organization of businessmen, who named Fredi the city's Most Innovative Teacher in 1988.†p.59.74 more innovate → innovative:new and different Show general definition bring something new to an environment
	6	top 1000
nonethelessin spite of that (used to connect contrasting ideas) Sometimes she gets angry and loses her temper, but I love her nonetheless.more Show sample from book Nonetheless, as Christmas neared, the teacher handed him a uniform and hat and told him to get ready for the annual holiday parade.†p.12.45 more Show general definition in spite of that (Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nevertheless, all the same, still, and however.)
	6	top 2000
intermittentstopping and starting at irregular intervals The rain was intermittent throughout the afternoon.more Show sample from book Laura got intermittent work as a hotel maid, and Pablo worked landscaping jobs throughout the scorching Arizona summer.†p.10.45 more Show general definition stopping and starting at irregular intervals
	4	top 500
approximateapproximate → approximately:about The state has approximately as many Republicans as Democrats.more Show sample from book At approximately 11:00 p.m. that night, officers banged on the door of a sleeping family.†p.32.73 more approximate → approximately:about (but not exactly) Show general definition almost, but not exact; or similar
	3	top 200
novelnew and original We're looking for novel marketing ideas.more Show sample from book He decided to offer Lorenzo a novel solution: "Next time somebody wants to fight you, pretend you're having a seizure."p.117.12 more Show general definition for novel (as in: a novel situation) new and original -- typically something considered good
	5	top 1000
tauntintentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone She used Twitter to taunt the opposing candidate.more Show sample from book Kids felt bolder on the bus because the bus driver was driving and couldn't do anything to stop the taunting.†p.23.14 more taunt → taunting:intentionally angering, challenging, or upsetting Show general definition to intentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone -- especially by mocking them or hurling insults or (as a noun): an insult or other action intended to anger, challenge, or upset someone
	3	top 200
contendcontend → contends:struggles She contends with headaches.more Show sample from book Despite its diminutive size, the bot still had to contend with a problem endemic to ROVs: its tether.p.106.43 more struggle Show general definition for contend (as in: She contended with it) to struggle or argue
	1	top 200
contend#2contend → contending:competing Militant groups are contending for control of the countrymore Show sample from book They were now in contention for a top spot.p.172.23 more contend → contention:competition Show general definition for contend (as in: She contended for the gold medal) to compete
	7
consulatean official government office in another country After her passport was stolen, she went to the U.S. consulate to get emergency travel papers.more Show sample from book On the far side of the bridge, they got into a taxi and drove to a medical clinic a block from the U.S. consulate.†p.201.86 more a diplomat appointed by a government to live in a foreign country and help its citizens visiting that country; or the offices of that person and assistants Show general definition the offices where a consul works; or a consul (a diplomat appointed by a government to live in a foreign country, help its citizens visiting that country, and protect its commercial interests there)
	3	top 200
feasiblepossible or practical Her plan sounds feasible.more Show sample from book While Oscar and Cristian debated the feasibility of a surgical demolition, Lorenzo held his breath and examined the pipes around the briefcase.p.138.12 more feasible → feasibility:the degree to which something is practical
	5
refractrefract → refracted:to change the velocity of a beam of light or other wave-form as it passes from o… When light passes through a prism, it is refracted, causing the light to split into a spectrum of colors.more Show sample from book "We captured its readout with a CCD camera and manually corrected by thirty percent to account for the index of refraction," Cristian explained to the judges.†p.4.14 more Show general definition to change the velocity of a beam of light or other wave-form as it passes from one medium into another (apparently bending it when passing at an angle)
	5
ingenuitythe ability to solve problems in smart creative ways It will take more than ingenuity to clean this up. We're going to have to admit our mistake.more Show sample from book He had little money, a small set of hand tools, and his ingenuity.†p.14.34 more ability to solve problems in smart creative ways
	2	top 500
allocateallocate → allocated:rationed (distributed according to a plan) During the drought, the council allocated water strictly to ensure it lasted all summer.more Show sample from book As the city developed, tax revenue was largely allocated to infrastructure for the neighborhoods settled by Anglos.p.16.61 more allocate → allocated:distributed (according to a plan) Show general definition distribute according to a plan or: set apart for a special purpose