Chains — Vocabulary
Laurie Halse Anderson
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	15	top 1000
ponderthink about The question the audience is left to ponder is...more Show sample from book I curtsied and left the room, pondering how I could pass this news along to Curzon.†p.92.814 more ponder → pondering:thinking deeply or carefully about Show general definition to think deeply or carefully about something
	12	top 2000
sentryperson standing guard She successfully bluffed her way past the sentry.more Show sample from book As I neared the gate, a sentry stepped out and blocked my way.†p.100.311 more someone who stands guard Show general definition someone who stands guard
	9	top 1000
commotiondisturbance I looked up to see what caused the commotion.more Show sample from book Could we slip away to sanctuary in the commotion?†p.119.88 more noisy disturbance Show general definition a disturbance -- typically noisy
	10	top 2000
insolentrudely disrespectful Even though the officer remained calm, the driver continued to be insolent and uncooperative.more Show sample from book Insolence will not be tolerated, not one bit.†p.21.69 more insolent → insolence:rude, disrespectful behavior or action Show general definition rudely disrespectful -- especially toward someone in authority
	10	top 2000
parliamentparliament → parliaments:legislative assemblies (that pass laws) National European parliaments help insure that the European Union's decisions reflect the democratic principles and interests of its member states.more Show sample from book Have you written to Parliament?†p.59.19 more legislative assembly that passes laws (existing in some countries) Show general definition for parliament (with a lowercase "p") a legislative assembly in certain countries (that can pass laws)
	7	top 500
scarcityshortage There is a scarcity of work in the region.more Show sample from book When the tray was loaded so heavily I could scarce lift it, Madam preceded me down the hall and waited by the closed door to the library.†p.86.76 more scarcity → scarce:in short supply OR barely or hardly (by a small margin) Show general definition shortage (having an amount that is less than desired)
	9
beseechbeseech → beseeches:begs She beseeches her students to think about their future.more Show sample from book The reverend had so much beseeching to do for the royal family, I thought we'd be stuck in church for a week.†p.117.68 more beseech → beseeching:asking or begging Show general definition to ask strongly or beg for something Show editor's word notes Beseech is common in classic literature. Though its usage has doubled in recent decades, it remains a rare word in modern writing. Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice): Beseech is similar to beg or entreat. Beg implies the request for a personal favor, while entreat implies an attempt to overcome resistance.
	9
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 He wore a red silk waistcoat under a snuff-colored coat with silver buttons, a starched linen shirt, and black breeches.†p.19.18 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
	5	top 1000
melancholyvery sad She's been in a melancholy mood since her dog died.more Show sample from book MELANCHOLY HELD ME HOSTAGE, and the bees built a hive of sadness in my soul.†p.157.34 more a sad feeling or manner Show general definition a sad feeling or manner -- sometimes thoughtfully sad
	3	top 500
perishbe destroyed or cease to exist ...government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.Abraham Lincoln — Gettysburg Addressmore Show sample from book THE FIRE RAGED WITH INCONCEIVABLE VIOLENCE AND IN ITS DESTRUCTIVE PROGRESS SWEPT AWAY ALL THE BUILDINGS BETWEEN BROAD STREET AND THE NORTH RIVER ... SEVERAL WOMEN AND CHILDREN PERISHED IN THE FIRE; THEIR SHRIEKS JOINED TO THE ROARING OF THE FLAMES, THE CRASH OF FALLING HOUSES, AND THE WIDESPREAD RUIN WHICH EVERYWHERE APPEARED, FORMED A SCENE OF HORROR GREAT BEYOND DESCRIPTION, AND WHICH WAS STILL HEIGHTENED BY THE DARKNESS OF THE NIGHT.†p.191.22 more perish → perished:died, was destroyed, or ceased to exist Show general definition to die -- especially in an unnatural way or: to be destroyed or cease to exist Show editor's word notes You may encounter an informal expression, "Perish the thought." It means that the speaker hopes the thought will cease to exist and the thing it represents will never happen.
	5	top 2000
treasonbetraying one's own country He was executed for treason in a time of war.more Show sample from book All of the American leaders have committed treason against the King.†p.90.44 more an act of betrayal Show general definition betraying someone or something -- typically betraying one's own country (in this context, to betray is to not be loyal--often by helping enemies)
	3	top 1000
tyrannya form of government where some people control others in a harsh, unfair manner The U.S. constitution was designed with checks and balances and limited government to protect Americans from tyranny.more Show sample from book AND CAN I THEN BUT PRAY OTHERS MAY NEVER FEEL TYRANNIC SWAY?†p.8.22 more tyranny → tyrannic:harsh and unjust rule Show general definition harsh and unjust rule
	4
salvea cream or liquid put onto skin to make it feel better or heal She smeared some salve on the wound and then wrapped it in a bandage.more Show sample from book The healer woman put a comfrey salve on it to draw out the pestilence.†p.151.63 more a cream or liquid put onto skin to make it feel better or heal… Show general definition a cream or liquid put onto skin to make it feel better or heal or: anything that eases pain or anxiety; or the act of doing such
	4	top 2000
paroleconditional early release from imprisonment Being home by 10 pm is one of the conditions of my parole.more Show sample from book I thought he was on a parole, that he had to stay in New York.†p.82.83 more conditional early release from imprisonment in which a person is required to com… Show general definition for parole (as in: released on parole) conditional early release from imprisonment in which a person is required to comply with special conditions
	4
pestilencewidespread disease The Black Death was a pestilence that killed an estimated 30% of the European population in the 14th century.more Show sample from book The healer woman put a comfrey salve on it to draw out the pestilence.†p.151.63 more widespread disease (usually severe)… Show general definition widespread disease (usually severe); or any severely harmful or evil influence that is hard to get rid of
	2	top 2000
impudentimproperly bold or disrespectful She is an impudent girl given to insulting strangers.†more Show sample from book "Such impudence is disturbing," Lockton said.†p.23.31 more Show general definition improperly bold or disrespectful -- especially toward someone who is older or considered to be of higher status
	2
conspiratorconspirator → conspirators:participants involved in a secret plot The secret meeting in the dimly lit room was filled with hushed whispers among the conspirators, plotting their next move.more Show sample from book Conspirators who plotted against the American cause had been arrested all over the city and in several close-by villages.†p.110.31 more Show general definition a member of a conspiracy (a secret plot)
	1	top 500
resolutiona formal statement of opinion The United Nations passed a resolution condemning the country's use of chemical weapons.more Show sample from book Friday, June 7, 1776 BY VIRTUE OF THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN US BY CERTAIN RESOLUTIONS OF THE CONGRESS OF THE COLONY OF NEW-YORK OF THE 7th DAY OF JUNE, ….p.75.1 resolution → resolutions:a decision made by formal vote Show general definition for resolution (as in: a United Nations resolution) a formal statement of decision or opinion voted on by a group Show editor's word notes While a resolution typically expresses an opinion and has no legal force, when used in early U.S. history or in the expressions joint resolution of Congress or continuing resolution, it becomes a synonym for legislation (meaning that it carries the force of law).
	1	top 1000
prevailingmost common In the afternoon, the meadow enjoys prevailing winds from the west.more Show sample from book A REPORT PREVAILS HERE THAT A MOST VILE DEEP LAID PLOT WAS YESTERDAY DISCOVER'D AT NEW YORK, I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO ASSERTAIN THE PERTICULAR FACTS ….p.97.1 prevailing → prevails:is common Show general definition for prevailing (as in: prevailing attitude) most common, powerful, or influential
	1	top 1000
repugnantdisgusting Her behavior is shocking and repugnant.more Show sample from book I find the buying and selling of children most repugnant.†p.152.2 Show general definition disgusting