Passing — Vocabulary
Nella Larsen
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	7	top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book She glanced quickly about the bare room, taking everyone in, even the two policemen, in a sharp look of flashing scorn.†p.10.96 more disrespect or reject as not good enough Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
	5	top 100
neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas) The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more Show sample from book If, at the time of choosing, Clare hadn't precisely reckoned the cost, she had, nevertheless, no right to expect others to help make up the reckoning.†p.51.94 more 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.
	5	top 200
comprehendcomprehend → comprehends:fully understands I don't think she comprehends how dangerous this has become.more Show sample from book She was wholly unable to comprehend such an attitude towards danger as she was sure the letter's contents would reveal; and she disliked the idea of opening and reading it.†p.9.54 more understand -- especially to understand it completely Show general definition to understand something -- especially to understand it completely
	4	top 200
disdainlack of respect She tries to be polite, but she cannot hide her disdain for authority.more Show sample from book While doing so, she saw again the vision of Clare Kendry staring disdainfully down at the face of her father, and thought that it would be like that that she would look at her husband if he lay dead before her.†p.68.43 more disdain → disdainfully:with a lack of respect; or with a sense of superiority Show general definition to disrespect or reject as unworthy
	6	top 2000
inquireask about or look into Students should contact our office to inquire about scholarship opportunities.more Show sample from book The mechanical professions that attend an introduction over, she inquired: "Did you hear what Jack called me?"†p.40.75 more inquire → inquired:asked about or looked into Show general definition to ask about or look into something
	3	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 Having always had complete confidence in her own good judgment and tact, Irene couldn't bear to have anyone seem to question them.†p.63.62 more the ability or act of saying or handling things in such a way that others feel good about them Show general definition the ability or act of saying or handling things in such a way that others feel good about them
	4	top 1000
furtivedone in a way that attempts to avoid notice Despite her attempt to look interested, her teacher did not miss her furtive glances at the clock.more Show sample from book She wanted to be free of her, and of her furtive comings and goings.†p.101.13 more taking pains to avoid being observed; OR in a manner indicating nervousness Show general definition taking pains to avoid being observed or: in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
	4	top 1000
languidslow, unhurried No urging could increase his languid pace.more Show sample from book The languid breeze was still hot.†p.31.33 more lacking energy or relaxed or moving slowly Show general definition lacking energy or relaxed or moving slowly
	5	top 2000
deridederide → derides:criticizes with strong disrespect She relentlessly mocks and derides the younger students.more Show sample from book Irene passed over that touch of derision, for the poignant rebellion of the other's words had brought the tears to her own eyes, though she didn't allow them to fall.†p.68.84 more deride → derision:critical disrespect -- typically while laughing at or making fun of Show general definition to criticize with strong disrespect -- often with humor
	5	top 1000
humiliatehumiliate → humiliated:extremely embarrassed (feeling decreased dignity) She felt humiliated by his public insults.more Show sample from book Was it, perhaps, that she had endured all that a woman could endure of tormenting humiliation and fear?†p.112.34 more humiliate → humiliation:extremely embarrass (decrease dignity, self-respect, or pride Show general definition extremely embarrass (decrease dignity, self-respect, or pride -- especially in front of others)
	2	top 100
contextcontext → out of context:in a misleading manner (because the quote left out additional words that changed the meaning of what was quoted) She said she was quoted out of context and that anyone who read her full speech would know it.more Show context notes When someone is quoted "out of context" it means that selected words were quoted that misrepresent the meaning of all their words. For example, if you said "I admire their effort, but they are dead wrong if they think this will work," and someone implied that you supported their plan by quoting you as only saying, "I admire their effort," they would be quoting you out of context. Show sample from book There had been others whose context Irene could no longer recollect, but all pointing in the same glamorous direction.†p.20.61 more the setting or situation in which something occurs Show general definition the setting or situation in which something occurs
	2	top 100
sufficientadequate (enough) We have sufficient supplies.more Show sample from book She looked up with a pointed and appealing effect, and, evidently finding the sympathetic expression on Irene's face sufficient answer, went on.†p.28.11 more adequate (enough -- often without being more than is needed) Show general definition adequate (enough -- often without being more than is needed)
	3	top 500
indifferentwithout interest About a third are in favor of the change, a third are opposed, and a third are indifferent.more Show sample from book She said, taking care to speak indifferently: "Well, maybe in some ways you will be surprised, more, probably, than you anticipate."†p.76.32 more indifferent → indifferently:in a manner that is without interest Show general definition without interest in various senses, including: unconcerned -- as in "She is indifferent to what is served to eat." unsympathetic -- as in "She is indifferent to his needs." not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context) -- as in "an indifferent performance" impartial -- as in "We need a judge who is indifferent."
	3	top 1000
sequenceordered set The sequence of events leading to the accident was carefully reviewed by the investigators.more Show sample from book At that, Clare laughed for a long time, little musical trills following one another in sequence after sequence.†p.71.62 more arranged in a specific order Show general definition a set of things arranged or happening in a specific order -- often chronological order
	3	top 100
omitomit → omitted:left out She recounted the whole story except that she omitted names.more Show sample from book Horribly clear, she could now see the reason for her instinct to withhold—omit, rather—her news of the encounter with Bellew.†p.113.52 more to exclude or neglect something Show general definition to exclude or neglect something
	3	top 2000
aversiondislike that leads to avoidance Of the two, she has a greater aversion to risk.more Show sample from book Why, in the face of Bellew's ignorant hate and aversion, had she concealed her own origin?†p.52.42 more Show general definition dislike that leads to avoidance
	2	top 2000
ardententhusiastic (feeling intense emotion) I am her most ardent fan.more Show sample from book Was she never to be free of it, that fear which crouched, always, deep down within her, stealing away the sense of security, the feeling of permanence, from the life which she had so admirably arranged for them all, and desired so ardently to have remain as it was?†p.57.61 more ardent → ardently:with intense enthusiasm (or another emotion) Show general definition showing or feeling intense emotion -- typically strong positive feelings such as enthusiasm or love
	2	top 2000
contritesorry She apologized, but she didn't seem genuinely contrite.more Show sample from book What, she wondered contritely, was she to do next?†p.60.81 more contrite → contritely:with a feeling of sorrow or regret for a fault or offense Show general definition feeling sorrow or regret for a fault or offense
	2
chagrinbad feeling such as embarrassment or disappointment I bragged about how good our team was and then, much to my chagrin, we lost.more Show sample from book Irene was conscious of a sharp intake of breath, but whether it was relief or chagrin that she felt, she herself could not have told.†p.24.41 more bad feeling such as embarrassment, disappointment, or annoyance Show general definition a bad feeling such as embarrassment, disappointment, or annoyance -- especially due to a disconcerting event, mistake or other blow to the ego
	2
premonitiona feeling, not based on reason, that something will happen She had a premonition that her child would be hurt.more Show sample from book Nights filled with questionings and premonitions.†p.89.11 more premonition → premonitions:feelings, not based on reason, that things will happen Show general definition a feeling, not based on reason, that something will happen -- especially something bad