Ellen Foster — Vocabulary
Kaye Gibbons
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	2	top 100
genuinegenuine → genuinely:sincerely I am genuinely sorry for what I did.more Show sample from book You go in that church and act genuine.†p.56.71 more real Show general definition real (as when a person is sincere or an object is not a replica or fake)
	3	top 1000
accumulategradually increase Greenhouse gas continues to accumulate in the atmosphere.more Show sample from book When I accumulate enough money I plan to get some colored glass things that you dangle from the window glass.†p.5.52 more collect or gradually increase Show general definition to collect or gradually increase
	3	top 2000
hygienepractices promoting sanitary conditions Many illnesses, especially diarrhea, can be prevented by good hygiene.more Show sample from book Then there is personal hygiene.†p.40.32 more practices promoting the prevention of illness and maintenance of health Show general definition practices promoting the prevention of illness and maintenance of health -- such as cleanliness or promoting sanitary conditions
	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 But this is a public place and it agitates people when she starts in on him.†p.21.3 agitate → agitates:stirs up (emotionally or physically) 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 1000
sereneserene → serenely:calmly and peacefully While I lie awake worrying, she sleeps serenely.more Show sample from book Our minds were so polluted by city life that we needed all this space and serenity to find ourselves.†p.48.5 serene → serenity:untroubled calm Show general definition calm and untroubled
	1	top 1000
principalmost important The principal idea is that decisions should be made by the people who are most knowledgeable about specific circumstances that impact the decision.more Show sample from book She got the teacher and the principal by the sleeve and said to have a word or two in the hall.†p.45.6 most important; or person that is most important Show general definition most important; or person who is most important The exact meaning of principal can depend upon its context. For example: "the principal idea" or "the principal performer" -- the most important "the principal of the school" -- the person in charge "a principal of a company" -- an owner or person with controlling authority "the principal in a transaction" (as contrasted to the agent) -- the person on whose behalf an agent acts
	1	top 2000
disposethrow away (get rid of) How will they dispose of the waste?more Show sample from book My job was to pick the piles up and dispose of them.p.49.2 throw away Show general definition for dispose (as in: dispose of the waste) to throw away
	1	top 2000
hoardgather and collect (something thought valuable) She decided to hoard her favorite snacks in the back of the pantry, keeping them hidden from her siblings.more Show sample from book Nadine wants to know like I might be hoarding wanted criminals in my closet.†p.113.5 hoard → hoarding:gathering something valuable and storing it Show general definition to gather something valuable and store it; or a collection of such things
	1	top 2000
specimenspecimen → specimens:examples representative of their type The museum holds over a million insect specimens.more Show sample from book I could stay excited looking at live specimens day in and day out.†p.104.4 specimen → specimens:examples regarded as typical of their class Show general definition an example thought to represent its type; or a bit of tissue, blood, or urine that is taken for diagnostic purposes
	1	top 2000
tormenttorment → tormenting:causing great mental or physical suffering She enjoys tormenting others.†more Show sample from book The preacher says that today yes even on this very day his word will free us from the torments and distractions of the mind.†p.56.9 torment → torments:causes great mental or physical suffering Show general definition to cause or to experience great mental or physical suffering
	1	top 2000
despisedespise → despises:dislikes strongly and looks down upon She despises the people he works for.more Show sample from book I despise that dress and get your hands off me is what she needs to be told.†p.11.1 dislike strongly and look down upon Show general definition to dislike strongly and to look down upon with disrespect
	1	top 2000
vengeancerevenge Most Americans wanted vengeance after the 9-11 attacks.more Show sample from book And oh how I have my rage and desire for the lightning to come and strike a vengeance on him.p.7.8 Show general definition for vengeance (as in: vengeance is mine) the act of taking revenge (Revenge means to harm someone to get them back for something harmful that they have done.)
	1	top 2000
influenzainfluenza → the flu:a highly contagious respiratory disease commonly called the flu Influenza is caused by RNA viruses that mutate and spread around the world in seasonal epidemics -- which is why the flu vaccine is changed each year.more Show sample from book When she got sick with the flu all she wanted to do was talk.†p.72.2 influenza → the flu:influenza -- a highly contagious respiratory disease Show general definition highly contagious respiratory disease commonly called the flu
	1	top 2000
reciterecite → recited:said aloud She recited a poem.more Show sample from book While I worked I mainly counted in my head or recited the poems I knew good to myself.†p.64.6 recite → recited:to say or read something aloud Show general definition to say or read something aloud -- especially something previously memorized such as a poem or: to say in detail -- especially a list of things
	1	top 100
conformconform → conformist:someone who thinks and acts like others in a group Most teenagers are surprisingly conformist within their subgroup.more Show sample from book Conformity she said.†p.55.6 conform → conformity:compliance, fitting in, or being similar to what is normal Show general definition to comply, fit in, or be similar to what is normal
	1	top 1000
mishapminor accident We tripped while roller skating, but we survived to laugh at the mishap.more Show sample from book All varieties of accidents and unfortunate mishaps.†p.69.5 mishap → mishaps:unfortunate accidents Show general definition an unfortunate accident -- usually minor
	1
hypocritesomeone who violates claimed moral standards She calls him a hypocrite for suggesting a green lifestyle except when it is personally inconvenient.more Show sample from book It is hard to be a hypocrite.†p.56.9
	1
infernalvery annoying Please stop making that infernal noise!more Show sample from book She even fired the colored household help because she swore they were an infernal conspiracy and were stealing out from her nose.†p.71.9 very bad; OR very annoying; OR characteristic of hell or the underworld Show general definition very bad; or very annoying; or characteristic of hell or the underworld
	1
preludesomething that comes before and warns of what is to come The sudden drop in temperatures was only a prelude to the massive snowstorm that hit the city the next day.more Show sample from book We always get in here and to our places before the organ prelude.†p.57.3 something that comes before and prepares for what follows; in music, a short pie… Show general definition something that comes before and prepares for what follows; in music, a short piece that introduces a larger work or stands alone as a brief, expressive piece (often for piano) Show editor's word notes In everyday use, a prelude is an event or action that leads up to something more important, like a small disagreement being a prelude to a larger conflict. In music, the word can mean a short opening piece (for example, before an opera scene) or a short, self-contained work, often written for piano or organ, that sets a mood.
	1
highlighthighlight → highlights:best parts Did you watch the video highlights?more Show sample from book Then she comes on in my room, sits on my bed and tells me the highlights of all the Christmases she can remember and she looks up to the corner of the room and I know she was watching all her past presents of dolls and playhouses and mittens dancing on the wall.†p.106.8 highlight → highlights:things that stand out Show general definition for highlight (as in: highlights of the year) something that stands out