Orphan Train — Vocabulary
Christina Baker Kline
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	5	top 200
ornatehaving lots of decorative detail The hotel is decorated with ornate furniture, lots of carved designs, and gold leaf gilding.more Show sample from book On the mantelpiece an ornate gold clock with a domed glass front ticks loudly.†p.78.74 more Show general definition highly decorative or elaborate in style — whether in appearance (with lots of detail) or in language that sounds flowery and overly complicated
	4	top 200
skepticaldoubtful I am skeptical about her plan.more Show sample from book But I am skeptical.†p.31.13 more doubtful (that something is true or worthwhile); OR more rarely:… Show general definition doubtful (that something is true or worthwhile) or more rarely: generally tending to doubt what others believe
	2	top 2000
abidetolerate I can't abide her continual complaints.more Show sample from book Many of the stories, she finds, follow a similar trajectory: This bad thing happened, and this—and I found myself on a train—and this bad thing happened, and this—but I grew up to become a respectable, law-abiding citizen; I fell in love, I had children and grandchildren; in short, I've had a happy life, a life that could only have been possible because I was orphaned or abandoned and sent to Kansas or Minnesota or Oklahoma on a train.†p.265.22 more abide → law-abiding:law-obeying Show general definition for abide (as in: abide by her decision) to tolerate or put up with something
	5	top 2000
fidgetfidget → fidgeting:making small restless movements The child is always fidgeting in his seatmore Show sample from book You will not fidget or touch your face.†p.59.14 more make small restless movements Show general definition to make small restless movements
	3	top 500
empathythe understanding and sharing of others' feelings She lacks empathy and is very selfish.more Show sample from book So I am learning to pretend, to smile and nod, to display empathy I do not feel.†p.112.92 more the ability or tendency to understand or share in others' feelings Show general definition the ability, tendency, or act of understanding and sharing another's emotional state
	4	top 1000
metaphormetaphor → metaphorically:with a figure of speech in which a similarity between two things is highlighted by using a word to refer to something that it does not literally denote He was speaking metaphorically when he referred to being mugged by reality.more Show sample from book Mr. Reed tells students they have to interview someone—a mother or father or grandparent—about their own portages, the moments in their lives when they've had to take a journey, literal or metaphorical.p.131.73 more metaphor → metaphorical:as a figure of speech Show general definition a figure of speech in which a similarity between two things is implied by using a word to refer to something it does not literally mean—as in, "All the world’s a stage." Show editor's word notes When Shakespeare wrote, "All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players." he was not saying the world is really a stage and all people are actors. But he was pointing to the similarities he wants us to recognize. While metaphors and similes are both techniques of figurative language. The distinction is that a simile explicitly shows that a comparison is being made, by using words such as "like" or "as". A metaphor simply substitutes words assuming the reader will understand the meaning should not be take literally. "She is like a diamond in the rough" is a simile; while "She is a diamond in the rough" is a metaphor.
	4	top 1000
rationration → rationed:restricted in the amount each person could have Gasoline was rationed during the 1970s oil embargo.more Show sample from book Stripped of family and identity, fed meager rations, consigned to hard wooden seats until we are to be, as Slobbery Jack suggested, sold into slavery our mere existence is punishment enough.†p.44.23 more ration → rations:a fixed share of something, especially scarce goods like food or fuel… Show general definition a fixed share of something, especially scarce goods like food or fuel; or to limit and distribute something in fixed shares
	2	top 200
apprehensiveworried She is apprehensive about her new job.more Show sample from book When Molly opens the bedroom door to Dina's and Ralph's tense and apprehensive faces, she smiles.†p.10.41 more nervous or worried Show general definition worried over possible misfortune
	3	top 1000
tediousboring I'll have to endure one of her tedious lectures.more Show sample from book Though if the next forty-nine hours and forty-five minutes are this tedious, she doesn't know if she'll be able to stand it.†p.52.82 more boring or monotonous Show general definition boring -- especially because something goes on too long or without variation
	2	top 500
devisecome up with (invent or create) She plans to devise something to launch water balloons.more Show sample from book Thank you, sir, but Mr. Curran and I will devise a sufficient punishment.†p.43.91 more Show general definition for devise (as in: devise a plan) to come up with a way of doing something -- typically a creative idea or plan
	2	top 500
evokeevoke → evoked:aroused Her story evoked sympathy.more Show sample from book The sewing kit wrapped in cheesecloth evokes the Byrnes' grim home.†p.170.11 more evoke → evokes:calls forth or causes Show general definition to call forth or cause -- typically to arouse an emotion or bring a memory to mind
	2	top 500
nonchalantcalm and unconcerned I could tell she was nervous, but she was trying to look nonchalant.more Show sample from book "Well, thanks," she says nonchalantly.†p.85.41 more nonchalant → nonchalantly:calmly (appearing unconcerned) Show general definition calm in manner -- appearing unconcerned
	4	top 2000
tingedtinged → tinge:slight amount I could hear a tinge of regret in his voice.more Show sample from book Vivian spreads a hand across her chest, her pink-tinged fingernails as delicate seeming as a baby's.†p.85.13 more with a slight amount (often of color) Show general definition with a slight amount (If an amount of what is not clear from context, it is typically of color.)
	2	top 500
ferventintense She has a fervent desire to change society.more Show sample from book It is our fervent hope that each of you will find a path out of the depravity of your early lives, and with firm guidance and hard work transform into respectable citizens who can pull your weight in society.†p.36.31 more characterized by intense emotion or passionate belief Show general definition characterized by intense emotion or passionate belief
	7
palleta simple, austere bed The exhausted medieval peasant flopped down onto her straw pallet.more Show sample from book I unroll a horsehair pallet and place a thin yellowed pillow at the top.p.82.26 more Show general definition for pallet (as in: a sleeping pallet) a simple, austere bed (such as a straw-filled mattress or temporary bed made on the floor for a child)
	3	top 1000
chronologicalfrom oldest to newest Events are listed in chronological order.more Show sample from book I think we should go through them in chronological order.p.54.22 more Show general definition arranged according to time
	3
destituteextremely poor The article is entitled Destitute and Desperate in the Land of Plenty.more Show sample from book You have the chance to save a child from destitution, poverty, and I believe Mrs. Scatcherd would agree that it is not too great an exaggeration to add sin and depravity.†p.64.42 more destitute → destitution:extreme poverty Show general definition extremely poor; or lacking the necessities of life such as food and shelter The expression "destitute of" means: lacking
	3
obituarya notice of someone's death with a short biography Her eldest daughter wrote an obituary that was published in the local paper and online.more Show sample from book An obituary notice from the Poughkeepsie journal pops up.†p.178.82 more published notice of death with a short biography Show general definition a published notice of someone's death -- usually printed in a newspaper with a short biography Show editor's word notes The section of the newspaper that reports deaths is called the "Obituaries".
	2	top 2000
bravadoboldness and courage The fighter's bravado amused the crowd, even though everyone knew he was outmatched.more Show sample from book And in that moment, with bravado borrowed from Jack, it is okay.†p.10.71 more a bold manner or show of bravery -- often hiding fear or insecurity Show general definition a bold manner or show of bravery -- often hiding fear or insecurity
	2
incarnatein the form of a human body She described him as the devil incarnate.more Show sample from book I can determine my own next incarnation.†p.204.81 more incarnate → incarnation:embodiment Show general definition embody (made real in a material sense) -- especially in the form of a human body, but sometimes figuratively