Orange Is the New Black — Vocabulary
Piper Kerman
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
10 top 1000
stoicunemotional
She suffered quietly, courageously, with a stoic acceptance of her illness.more
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My deep contempt for Levy was not only because I didn't like the way she put herself above others but also because she was the opposite of stoic.†p.228.49 more
seeming unaffected by pleasure, pain, or emotions
Show general definition seeming unaffected by pleasure, pain, or emotions
10 top 2000
incarcerateincarcerateincarcerated:in prison or jail
About 7 out each 1,000 Americans is incarcerated.more
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I didn't think they were going to understand my adolescent fascination with the underbelly of society, my involvement in international drug trafficking, or my impending incarceration.†p.27.39 more
incarcerateincarceration:imprisonment
Show general definition put in prison, or otherwise confine
9 top 2000
conspiracysecret plot
She discovered a conspiracy to overthrow the government.more
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My indictment in federal court for criminal conspiracy had been triggered by the collapse of my ex-lover's drugsmuggling operation.†p.22.38 more
a secret agreement or plot
Show general definition a secret agreement or plot -- especially to do something illegal or harmful
8 top 2000
mandatoryrequired by law
In our state, the mandatory minimum sentence for a gun crime is ten years.more
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I was in a whole new world, one where "conspiracy charges" and "mandatory minimum sentencing" would determine my fate.†p.22.77 more
required by rule or law
Show general definition for mandatory (as in: it is mandatory) required by rule or law
8 top 1000
frauddeception to get something illegally
She was arrested for committing credit card fraud after using someone else’s account to buy expensive electronics.more
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For Internet auction fraud.†p.50.67 more
the act of deceiving someone for personal gain…
Show general definition the act of deceiving someone for personal gain; or a person or thing that is not what it pretends or appears to be
5 top 100
factorthing (that influenced a result)
Cost was an important factor in our decision.more
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Housing, employment, health, family—these are the factors that determine whether a person returning home from prison will succeed or fail as a law-abiding citizen.†p.250.64 more
factorfactors:things that affect a result or outcome
Show general definition for factor (as in: It was the deciding factor.) something that affects a result or outcome
Show editor's word notes You also may encounter x-factor or x factor--meaning "the most important thing that influences a result or outcome."
5 top 200
novelnew and original
We're looking for novel marketing ideas.more
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This was an irresistible novelty, and soon we were laughing at each other, although Boo had refrained from being really mean at anyone's expense.†p.148.74 more
novelnovelty:the quality of being new and original
Show general definition for novel (as in: a novel situation) new and original -- typically something considered good
8 top 2000
hygienepractices promoting sanitary conditions
Many illnesses, especially diarrhea, can be prevented by good hygiene.more
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It was necessary to schlep all your hygiene products to the bathroom—shampoo, soap, razor, washcloth, and whatever else you might need.†p.82.57 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
7 top 2000
ecstaticecstaticecstatically:with feelings of intense happiness
They are ecstatically in love.more
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My family was ecstatic.†p.26.96 more
feeling intense happiness and excitement
Show general definition feeling intense happiness and excitement (as when in a state of ecstasy)
2 top 2000
ironywhen what happens is very different than what might be expected
She didn't see the irony in acting like the mother she detested.more
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The beautiful irony of Larry's family was that when something minor was amiss, it was as if the Titanic were going down, but when a real disaster struck, they were the people you wanted in your life raft.p.28.13 more
Show general definition for irony (as in: situational irony) when what happens is very different than what might be expected; or when things are together that seem like they don't belong together -- especially when amusing or an entertaining coincidence
Show editor's word notes This is sometimes referred to as "situational irony."  The term is especially appropriate when actions have consequences opposite to those intended.

The expression ironic smile, generally references someone smiling at situational irony.

All forms of irony involve the perception that things are not what they might seem.
2 top 2000
irony#2ironyironic:saying one thing, while meaning the opposite
She was being ironic when she said she couldn't wait to see you again.more
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No, I didn't think any of this was the least bit funny; nor was I interested in jailhouse irony anymore.p.239.73 more
saying one thing while meaning something else
Show general definition for irony (as in: verbal irony) saying one thing, while meaning the opposite or something else -- usually as humor or sarcasm
Show editor's word notes This is sometimes referred to as "verbal irony." Typically, the speaker says one thing but means the opposite, and the tone of voice or the context of the situation makes the true, contradictory meaning clear.

All forms of irony involve the perception that things are not what they might seem.
6 top 1000
perplexperplexperplexed:confused
She was perplexed by the rules of the game.more
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I looked at him, disgusted and perplexed.†p.12.35 more
perplexperplexed:confused or puzzled
Show general definition to confuse
6 top 1000
accumulategradually increase
Greenhouse gas continues to accumulate in the atmosphere.more
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Most of the accumulated varnish of the five unhappy years spent on pretrial was gone.†p.192.85 more
accumulateaccumulated:collected or gradually increased
Show general definition to collect or gradually increase
1 top 100
correspondcorrespondcorresponds:is equivalent
The girls are using a simple code where "1" corresponds to "A", "2" to "B" and so on for each of the 26 letters of the alphabet.more
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There was a system for checking out those tools: each prisoner had an assigned number and a bunch of corresponding metal chits that looked like dog tags.p.92.91 more
correspondcorresponding:matching
Show general definition for correspond (as in: corresponding time period) connect or fit together by being equivalent, proportionate, or matched

(Two things are equivalent if they have the same or very similar value, purpose, or result.)
1
correspondencedone from afar via written communication
She took a correspondence course while she was in prison.more
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It didn't mean much in terms of getting one closer to a college degree (for that you needed to pay for correspondence courses), but it did count toward "program" credit with an inmate's case manager.p.157.21 more
done from afar
Show general definition for correspondence (as in: a correspondence course) done from afar
Show editor's word notes For example, a corresponding member or a correspondence course.

This sense of corresponding arose because people who lived in distant cities and could not be present for meetings, could communicate by sending written communications.
9
furloughfurloughfurloughed:ordered not do come to work
If a budget is not approved, non-essential Federal employees will be furloughed.more
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When I said no, she told me there was no point in giving me the form—I would never be granted a furlough for a grandparent.†p.226.28 more
a temporary leave from work, duty, or confinement, usually granted by an employe…
Show general definition a temporary leave from work, duty, or confinement, usually granted by an employer, the military, or an institution
Show editor's word notes Furloughs are often without pay in private companies, but government workers are sometimes furloughed with pay, especially during shutdowns. A prison furlough is a temporary release from prison, usually for a specific reason, like visiting family or attending a funeral.
2 top 500
camaraderieclose friendship amongst a group of people
Basketball encourages teamwork and camaraderie.more
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The five of us had a camaraderie that made those few hours among the most enjoyable of the week.†p.153.31 more
2 top 500
proficiencyskill
After months of practice, her proficiency in Spanish let her hold real conversations.more
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Yvette was by far the most competent of my coworkers, and she and I would often work together on any electrical job requiring proficiency with tools.†p.98.11 more
Show general definition skillfulness in something
3 top 2000
penitentsorry for having done wrong
When her anger passed, she was penitent.more
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This was the penitence that sometimes happens in the penitentiary.†p.186.12 more
penitentpenitence:feeling or expressing sorrow for having done wrong; OR  a person who does such
Show general definition feeling or expressing sorrow for having done wrong; or a person who does such
2 top 1000
adversedifficult
She did an impressive job given the adverse circumstances.more
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I learned from her example how to operate in such adverse conditions with grace and charm, with patience and kindness.†p.209.81 more
working against one's interests
Show general definition working against one's interests