Outlander — Vocabulary
Diana Gabaldon
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	18	top 200
tactthe ability and tendency to say or handle things in such a way that others feel good about them She has the tact of a politician or diplomat.more Show sample from book Well, I phrased it a little more tactfully than that, but only because the Gaelic language hasn't got a specific word for drawers.†p.3.917 more tact → tactfully:in a manner that makes others feel good Show general definition the ability or act of saying or handling things in such a way that others feel good about them
	2	top 100
yieldproduce (lead to) The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.more Show sample from book They're a root crop that will keep for a long time, and the yield is better than wheat.p.496.68 more production Show general definition for yield (as in: will yield valuable data) to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
	7	top 100
yield#2give in The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.more Show sample from book I yielded my horse and my bags with good grace, having little other choice.p.149.18 more yield → yielded:gave in, gave way, or gave up Show general definition for yield (as in: yield to pressure) to give in, give way, or give up
	26	top 2000
monka male member of a religious order typically living under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience The Tibetan monk wore an orange robe.more Show sample from book "I said I was a virgin, not a monk," he said, kissing me again.†p.205.825 more a male member of a religious order typically living under vows of poverty, chast…
	16	top 200
dubiousquestionable or unreliable The theory is based on dubious evidence that hasn’t been verified.more Show sample from book Mr. Crook's seamed face seemed to be admitting a dubious possibility to this suggestion.†p.8.815 more doubtful; or suspicious; or full of uncertainty -- sometimes to indicate that something described as good is actually bad Show general definition doubtful, questionable, or suspicious -- especially in a way that makes something seem unreliable, improper, or uncertain doubtful in various senses, including: questionable or doubtful that something should be relied upon -- as in "The argument relies on a dubious assumption." suspicious or doubtful that something is morally proper -- as in "The company is accused of using dubious sales practices to influence minors." bad or of questionable value -- as in "The state has the dubious distinction of the highest taxes." uncertain or doubtful -- as in "She is dubious about making the change."
	24	top 2000
inhabitantinhabitant → inhabitants:people (who live in a particular place) What will traffic be like if the city has twice as many inhabitants?more Show sample from book You mean, since the houses are fairly new, nothing was buried under them, and the inhabitants are now remedying the omission.†p.7.123 more Show general definition a person who lives in a particular place
	20	top 1000
precariousunsure (in danger of falling) Her footing on the ladder looked precarious.more Show sample from book Our precarious balance, heretofore contained in a staid wobble, suddenly became much more erratic.†p.53.719 more unsafe or unsure Show general definition unsafe or in danger of getting worse -- especially in danger of falling
	17	top 1000
cynicalsomeone who expects the worst The experience made her overly cynical.more Show sample from book I said, a little cynically.†p.203.416 more cynical → cynically:someone who expects the worst -- especially of people Show general definition someone who expects the worst -- especially of people (such as expecting them to be selfish and lie)
	18
breechrear (in this case indicating that the baby came out of the birth canal butt-first) It was a difficult breech birth.†more Show sample from book I was quite sure I was still hallucinating when the sound of shots was followed by the appearance of five or six men dressed in red coats and knee breeches, waving muskets.†p.36.217 more breech → breeches:pants Show general definition rear Most commonly used today in the phrase breech birth in reference to a baby who comes out of the birth canal butt-first rather than head-first. More-archaic senses seen in classic literature include: breechcloth -- a form of loincloth consisting in a strip of material passed between the thighs and held up in front and behind by a belt or string breeches -- pants a cannon's breech -- the rear of a gun
	17
abbeya building where monks or nuns live The monks at the abbey followed a strict schedule of prayer, work, and study.more Show sample from book For the second, he thought from the look of me I was going to die in any case, so he sent me to the abbey.†p.203.516 more a building where monks or nuns live or lived… Show general definition a building where monks or nuns live or lived; or a church associated with such a building
	12	top 1000
protrudestick out Metal spikes protrude from the dog's collar.more Show sample from book This time I had time to see the dagger hilt protruding from the beast's side, perhaps the work of the man on the ground before me.†p.140.811 more protrude → protruding:sticking out Show general definition to stick out from
	15
manora large house that belongs to a wealthy person Bletchley Manor was converted into a home for code breakers during World War II.more Show sample from book There was a, levy put on the manors near Fort William—food for the garrison, horses for transport, and suchlike.†p.62.314 more manor → manors:a large house of a wealthy person; OR historically:… Show general definition a large house of a wealthy person or historically: the main house of a lord and the land around it that was worked by tenant farmers
	74	top 1000
abruptsudden and unexpected The bus came to an abrupt stop.more Show sample from book The Hoovering in the hall stopped abruptly.p.2.374 more abrupt → abruptly:suddenly Show general definition for abrupt (as in: an abrupt change) sudden and unexpected or (less commonly): characterized by sudden changes or at a steep angle
	1	top 2000
abrupt#2rude or unfriendly because of using too few words or moving too quickly She has an abrupt personality.more Show sample from book I got up and relit the candles, making mild remarks about his abrupt methods of entering rooms.p.12.374 more rude because of using too few words and moving too quickly
	8
dourstern and unfriendly The teacher’s dour expression made the class fall silent as soon as she entered the room.more Show sample from book Our guide, despite his dour appearance, was knowledgeable and talkative, pointing out the islands, castles, and ruins that rimmed the long, narrow loch.†p.27.87 more very serious, stern, and unfriendly -- often in a gloomy or harsh way Show general definition very serious, stern, and unfriendly -- often in a gloomy or harsh way
	8
genealogythe study of family ancestry (parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, etc.) The world wide web is making genealogy easier than ever.more Show sample from book Frank's passion for genealogy was yet another reason for choosing the Highlands.†p.2.57 more family ancestry or its study Show general definition family ancestry or its study
	7
foalyoung horse I've trained her to ride since she was a foal.†more Show sample from book Finally, he invited me to come to the stable next day and see a newborn foal.†p.113.16 more a young horse; OR giving birth to a young horse Show general definition a young horse; or giving birth to a young horse
	6	top 2000
reprovereprove → reproves:criticizes She's the kind of boss who reproves in private and praises in public.more Show sample from book He shook his head reprovingly at the boy.†p.127.75 more reprove → reprovingly:in a critical manner Show general definition express disapproval or criticism -- typically in a mild manner & sometimes even in a friendly manner
	1
impotentpowerless to change things King Lear was enraged but impotent.more Show sample from book The hand bunched into a fist and struck the bedframe with an impotent rage that made the whole bed tremble.p.585.42 more Show general definition for impotent (as in: impotent fury) lacking power or ability
	2
impotent#2unable to have an erection for sexual intercourse Convicted of being gay in 1952, Alan Turing selected hormonal treatment rather than prison, and it rendered him impotent prior to his committing suicide.more Show sample from book Because of the poor circulation and the degeneration of connective tissue, victims were invariably sterile, and often impotent as well.p.104.12 more Show general definition for impotent (as in: impotent, so no children) of a male: unable to have an erection for sexual intercourse, or unable to conceive a child