The Bad Beginning — Vocabulary
Lemony Snicket
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	6	top 500
adoptadopt → adopted:took on as its own The country adopted the metric system.more Show sample from book "Perhaps if we explained our situation to her, she would agree to adopt us," Klaus said hopefully, but when Violet looked at him she saw that he knew it was of no use.†p.50.35 more take on as one's own Show general definition to take on as one's own The exact meaning of adopt depends upon its context. For example: "adopt a child" -- to legally take on parental responsibilities for another person's child "adopt a plan" -- to accept or begin to use something "adopt a pet" -- to take in a pet -- especially one from an animal shelter "Congress adopted the resolution." -- had a formal vote and passed "adopted a confident attitude" -- took on or displayed
	5	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 "Your parents," Mr. Poe said, "have perished in a terrible fire."†p.8.94 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.
	3	top 500
thereforefor that reason Kim is taller than Ashley. Ashley is taller than Anna. Therefore, Kim is taller than Anna.more Show sample from book Therefore, to make you feel a little more at home here, I would like to have you participate in my next play.†p.64.52 more Show general definition for that reason (what follows is so because of what was just said)
	2	top 500
notoriouswell known for something bad He was a notorious drug dealer.more Show sample from book Books about the law are notorious for being very long, very dull, and very difficult to read.†p.70.61 more
	3	top 2000
assortmentvariety (of something) She bought an assortment of candies to fill the party bags—chocolates, gummies, and lollipops.more Show sample from book The bricks had been cleaned very well, and through the wide and open windows one could see an assortment of well-groomed plants.†p.17.62 more a collection containing a variety of a sort of a thing Show general definition a collection containing a variety of a sort of a thing
	1	top 100
accompanyaccompany → accompanying:provided together The trend is easily seen in the accompanying graph.more Show sample from book "I'm sure they will," said a voice suddenly, and the children turned to see Mr. Poe, dressed very formally and accompanied by his wife.p.121.4 accompany → accompanied:joined Show general definition for accompany (as in: the accompanying chart) to be present with at the same time and/or location -- sometimes provided to make something more complete or better
	1	top 100
neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas) The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more Show sample from book What was good news to Violet and her siblings, of course, was bad news to Count Olaf. Nevertheless, he gave everyone a grim smile.p.134.9 Show general definition despite that Show editor's word notes Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 was just stated, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrast and but.
	2	top 2000
despisedespise → despises:dislikes strongly and looks down upon She despises the people he works for.more Show sample from book The theater troupe laughed, and a few of them applauded as if Count Olaf had done something very brave instead of something despicable.†p.46.91 more despise → despicable:terrible (vile; disgusting) -- worthy of being strongly disliked and looked down upon Show context notes The suffix "-able" means able to be. This is the same pattern you see in words like breakable, understandable, and comfortable. Show general definition to dislike strongly and to look down upon with disrespect
	2	top 2000
on the other handfrom another point of view Change can be hard to deal with. On the other hand, it often brings opportunity.more Show sample from book On the other hand, they had never heard of Count Olaf and didn't know what he would be like.†p.14.11 more from another point of view; OR in a way that is different Show general definition from another point of view; or in a way that is different (a phrase used to introduce a different perspective or idea)
	1	top 200
indignantindignant → indignantly:with anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong "I am not a fool," she said indignantly.more Show sample from book "But there is something illegal about dangling an infant out of a tower window," Justice Strauss said indignantly.p.136.2 Show general definition angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
	1	top 500
lamentlament → lamented:expressed grief about She lamented the loss.more Show sample from book All in all, the Baudelaire orphans had encountered catastrophe after catastrophe, and Violet found their situation lamentably deplorable, a phrase which here means "it was not at all enjoyable."†p.109.1 lament → lamentably:to express grief or regret Show general definition to express grief or regret
	1	top 500
dilemmahard choice It is an ethical dilemma.more Show sample from book He wasn't sure the book would help them out of their dilemma.†p.81.3 a situation in which a difficult choice must be made between imperfect alternatives Show general definition a situation in which a difficult choice must be made between imperfect alternatives
	2	top 1000
durationtime (during which something continues) I take zinc tablets to help shorten the duration of a cold.more Show sample from book You and I will stand here for the duration of the act.†p.122.81 more the time during which something continues Show general definition the time during which something continues
	2	top 2000
accomplicesomeone who helped to carry out a plan Was she acting alone, or did she have an accomplice?more Show sample from book Her heart pounding, Violet stood stock-still, wondering if Count Olaf or one of his accomplices would come and investigate.†p.102.61 more accomplice → accomplices:people who assisted each other in a task Show general definition a person who joins with another in carrying out a plan -- especially an unethical or illegal plan
	2	top 2000
treacherybetrayal Benedict Arnold remains the U.S.'s symbol of ultimate treachery.more Show sample from book Ahead of them were the darkened streets, where Count Olaf had escaped to plan more treachery.†p.141.71 more Show general definition the behavior of someone who pretends to be a friend and then tricks, cheats, or betrays
	2
unsavoryunpleasant She has an unsavory reputation.more Show sample from book He wasn't merely an unsavory drunken brute, but an unsavory, clever drunken brute.†p.93.4 unpleasant or distasteful -- as from offensive morality or bad taste Show general definition unpleasant or distasteful -- as from offensive morality or bad taste
	2
pandemoniuma state of noisy confusion and disorder Pandemonium broke out after the announcement.more Show sample from book Instantly, pandemonium ensued as everyone ran this way and that, shouting at one another.p.137.81 more Show general definition a state of noisy confusion and disorder
	1	top 500
relinquishgive up Mary Queen of Scots refused to relinquish her throne, so Queen Elizabeth had her executed.more Show sample from book Klaus sighed, and relinquished—a word which here means "gave to Count Olaf even though he didn't want to"—the book on nuptial law.†p.95.8 relinquish → relinquished:gave up or let go Show general definition to give something up, or to let go of something -- typically an idea, position or possession
	2	top 500
elaboratecomplicated It's part of her elaborate plan for getting accepted at Harvard.more Show sample from book They passed the Fickle Fountain, an elaborately carved monument that occasionally spat out water in which young children played.p.17.13 more elaborate → elaborately:with much detail or complexity Show general definition for elaborate (as in: an elaborate design) having details and complexity -- sometimes fancy or ornate Show editor's word notes Depending upon it's context, this sense of elaborate can additionally imply that details make something either:<ul><li>more special than others of its kind in a good way</li></ul>or:<ul><li>more complicated than necessary in a bad way</li></ul>
	2
elaborate#2exaggerated He gave her a slow elaborate wink.more Show sample from book Count Olaf had a great number of very long speeches, which he performed with elaborate gestures and facial expressions.p.123.93 more Show general definition for elaborate (as in: an elaborate wink) to exaggerate an action Show editor's word notes At times, this sense of elaborate can further imply that an action was exaggerated by prolonging it (performing it more slowly than normal).