Running in the Family — Vocabulary
Michael Ondaatje
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
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focusconcentrate I find that studying in the library helps me to focus.more Show sample from book I can only clarify this range in him by focussing on this metamorphosis.p.198.85 more focus → focussing:concentrating Show context notes Most English-speaking regions prefer to spell this focusing. 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
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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 Both widows became the focus of the attention of numerous bored husbands.p.115.45 more where attention is concentrated Show general definition for focus (as in: The focus of our study is...) where attention is concentrated or directed
	3	top 1000
anonymousby someone whose name is not known The police arrested her after an anonymous tip told them where to find the stolen diamonds.more Show sample from book The artist is anonymous.p.85.34 more of unknown identity Show general definition for anonymous (as in: an anonymous author) an unknown person, or of an unknown person -- such as an unknown author, or donation of an unknown person
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anonymous#2lacking individuality or interesting features Mine is the third house on a block of anonymous brick houses.more Show sample from book The anonymous poets returned again and again to the same metaphors.p.84.54 more Show general definition for anonymous (as in: an anonymous, uninteresting house) lacking individuality or interesting features
	10
insurgentinsurgent → insurgents:irregular armed forces that fight a stronger force by sabotage and harassment Hundreds of European Muslims journeyed to join the insurgents in Iraq.David Frum's Diary on National Review Online — <span class="__nowrap">http://frum.nationalreview.com/print/</span> <span class="__nowrap">(retrieved Thu Jun 29 2006 00:00:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time)</span>)more Show sample from book 1971 was the year of the Insurgence.†p.99.99 more insurgent → insurgence:a member of an irregular armed force that fights a stronger force by sabotage an… Show general definition a member of an irregular armed force that fights a stronger force by sabotage and harassment
	7	top 500
notoriouswell known for something bad He was a notorious drug dealer.more Show sample from book Later the three of us moved to the dining room while my Aunt plucked notorious incidents from her brain.†p.25.66 more
	5	top 500
motivereason (for doing something) She believes the profit motive encourages people to satisfy other people's needs.more Show sample from book 'The golden skins have caught my mind' who came here out of the bleached land climbed this fortress to adore the rock and with the solitude of the air behind them carved an alphabet whose motive was perfect desire wanting these portraits of women to speak and caress.†p.93.34 more Show general definition for motive (as in: What is her motive?) a reason for doing something
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sereneserene → serenely:calmly and peacefully While I lie awake worrying, she sleeps serenely.more Show sample from book The men leaned their chins against the serene necks of the women, danced a waltz or two, slid oysters into their partner's mouths.†p.51.94 more calm and untroubled Show general definition calm and untroubled
	3	top 200
coincidecoincide → coincided:happened at the same time The two events coincidedmore Show sample from book As this coincided with the RoyalThomian cricket match, we would collect them and throw them into the stands full of Royal students.†p.74.82 more coincide → coincided:happen at the same time Show general definition to be similar -- especially to happen at the same time or place
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demuremodest and quiet She gave a demure smile and lowered her eyes when the teacher praised her.more Show sample from book Why did she not tell me the story—this demure woman in a sari who was once "bath prefect" at Bishop's College Girl's School, who officiated over the cleansing of my lean five-year-old nakedness?†p.139.43 more modest, quiet, and shy; OR pretending such in a playful way Show general definition modest, quiet, and shy; or pretending such in a playful way
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intricatecomplicated -- having many complexly arranged elements She came up with an intricate plan.more Show sample from book In half an hour the others will waken from their sleep and intricate conversations will begin again.†p.26.42 more
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appallingshockingly terrible or horrible The live in appalling conditions.more Show sample from book Lalla's son Noel was most appalled by her.†p.124.73 more appalling → appalled:shocked by how terrible or horrible something is
	2	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 Gambling was so crucial to the economy of certain households that semi-respectable women slept with jockeys to get closer to "the horse's mouth."†p.50.91 more Show general definition very important or necessary -- often because it determines how something else will turn out
	2	top 500
lethargiclacking energy I'm hoping a cold iced tea will help me get past this lethargic feeling.more Show sample from book The fan hangs on a long stem, revolves lethargic, its arms in a tilt to catch the air which it folds across the room.†p.24.61 more Show general definition lacking energy
	1
succulentfull of juice Juice spilled down my cheeks as I ate the succulent melon.more Show sample from book He kept journals about every one of the four hundred varieties of cactus and succulents—some of which he had never seen, others of which he had smuggled into the country via a friend.p.200.85 more succulent → succulents:plants adapted to dry conditions and having thick, leaves or stems that store water Show general definition for succulent (as in: succulent roast beef) full of juice; or highly enjoyable
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unrequitedunreturned It's a sad song about the heartbreak of unrequited love.more Show sample from book There are stories of elopements, unrequited love, family feuds, and exhausting vendettas, which everyone was drawn into, had to be involved with.†p.53.93 more not returned or repaid Show general definition not returned (typically of feelings -- as in unrequited love)
	2
gullibleeasily tricked because of being too trusting She looks for gullible tourists who are easily separated from their money.more Show sample from book He loved our gullibility, our innocence, and his tricks on us would last for years.†p.193.61 more gullible → gullibility:the trait of being easily tricked because of being too trusting
	2
pariahoutcast The scandal made her a political pariah.more Show sample from book I had this image that the Ondaatjes were absolute pariahs.†p.177.31 more pariah → pariahs:a social outcast Show general definition a social outcast
	2
parodya humorous, exaggerated imitation of somebody's style Did you see Saturday Night Live's parody of people in a fitness class?more Show sample from book A parody of the ruling language.†p.64.81 more a humorous, exaggerated imitation of somebody's style… Show general definition a humorous, exaggerated imitation of somebody's style or: a very poor imitation of somebody's style
	2
compulsivedone too much because of an uncontrollable desire She is a compulsive gambler.more Show sample from book In India only the aristocracy gambled; in Ceylon the bankers and lime-burners and fishmongers and the leisured class would spend their afternoons, shoulder to shoulder, betting compulsively.†p.48.41 more compulsive → compulsively:excessively due to an uncontrollable desire Show general definition describing something someone does, as done too much because of an uncontrollable desire -- such as excessive gambling or eating