The Story of Edgar Sawtelle — Vocabulary
David Wroblewski
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	28	top 2000
approachapproach → approaching:getting nearer Winter is approaching.more Show sample from book Henry took a swallow of beer and watched them approach.†p.393.928 more get near Show general definition for approach (as in: approached the city) to get closer to (near in space, time, quantity, or quality)
	1	top 2000
approach#2approach → approached:began communication with They approached her about becoming a member of the committee.more Show sample from book He knew instinctively how to approach, how to touch, how to confuse and distract, so that, fearful or not, the dog found itself acquiescing.†p.214.928 more begin communication with someone about something Show general definition for approach (as in: approached her with the proposal) to begin communication with someone about something -- often a proposal or a delicate topic
	11	top 200
preciseaccurate Is it precise enough if I measure to the closest inch?more Show sample from book And when they walked into the side yard, their gaits were identical, as if their bodies were hinged in precisely the same way.p.58.713 more precise → precisely:exactly Show general definition for precise (as in: about noon; 12:03 to be precise) exact (accurate) Show editor's word notes In the fields of science, engineering, and statistics, precise and accurate are not properly used as synonyms the way they are in general usage. If you throw darts at a dartboard and keep missing the bullseye, but hit in the same place on the dartboard each time, you would be described as precise, but not accurate. If you seldom hit the bullseye, but tended to get close each time, you would be described as accurate, but not precise. Finally, if you hit the bullseye each time, you would be considered both accurate and precise.
	3	top 200
precise#2meticulous (careful about details) She has the kind of precise personality that never has a cluttered desk or an out-of-fashion item in her closet.more Show sample from book I confess, our rigor and precision wearies me at times.p.192.613 more precise → precision:meticulousness (careful attention to detail) Show general definition for precise (as in: a precise personality) meticulous (careful about details) -- especially to do things properly
	10	top 100
focusconcentrate I find that studying in the library helps me to focus.more Show sample from book She turned and looked at him, really focused on him, for the first time since they'd left the house.p.151.411 more focus → focused:looked closely or concentrated Show general definition for focus (as in: Turn your focus to question #2.) to direct attention or effort toward a single thing; or the ability to do so without getting distracted
	2	top 2000
focus#2into view (as an area of attention) The bridge collapse brought aging infrastructure into focus as a political issue.more Show sample from book But the fresh night air was bringing him back from the ether and he could keep his eyes focused.p.519.811 more focus → focused:adjusted (to see clearly) Show general definition for focus (as in: bring into focus; or out of focus) a state where something has come into view or can be seen clearly; or an adjustment made to permit a clear view
	18	top 1000
coaxgently persuade Although she has retired from public life, we are going to try to coax her to accept the award.more Show sample from book They coaxed the stray up the path each day by refilling the bowl and moving it closer to the yard, just a few feet at first and then, as the days wore on, much farther.p.79.117 more coax → coaxed:gently persuaded Show general definition for coax (as in: coax her to join us) try to obtain a result through gentle and careful effort -- often gentle persuasion
	3	top 1000
objectivegoal It is our primary objective.more Show sample from book This whole question of choice between objectives has been a cause for idle speculation on my part the last few nights, and I have even gone as far as discussing it with my colleagues.p.171.75 more objective → objectives:goals Show general definition for objective (as in: our objective is to...) a goal (some end desired to be achieved)
	3	top 200
objective#2fact-based (not influenced by personal feelings or preferences) By any objective analysis, you would have to agree that...more Show sample from book He knew what he wanted the moment his mother posed her question, and he knew what she wanted him to want, despite her attempt at objectivity.p.167.55 more objective → objectivity:ignoring personal preferences Show general definition for objective (as in: an objective viewpoint) fact-based without the influence of personal feelings or preferences Show editor's word notes Objective is often contrasted with subjective--which means "influenced by personal belief, feelings, or preferences (rather than being based purely upon fact)."
	9	top 100
alternativealternative → alternatives:possibilities Let's think of at least three alternatives before we decide what to do.more Show sample from book You need to understand that there are alternatives.p.164.98 more alternative → alternatives:other possibilities Show general definition for alternative (as in: an alternative plan) a different choice or possibility, or describing something that offers a different choice or possibility
	3	top 100
adaptadapt → adapted:changed (to fit this situation) Ideas contained in passages for this test, some of which are excerpted or adapted from published material, do not necessarily represent the opinions of the College Board.more Show sample from book Spears and creases of white shot between the trees, but Edgar would not turn his dark-adapted eyes back to look.p.327.64 more adapt → adapted:adjusted Show general definition for adapt (as in: adapted to the new rules) changed to fit a different situation; or made suitable
	2	top 100
adaptedadapted → well adapted:well suited Penguins are especially well adapted for cold weather.more Show sample from book A large family (Fringillidae) of small song-birds, including the bunting, sparrow, and goldfinch, having a small conical beak adapted to cracking seeds.p.106.34 more well-suited Show general definition for adapted (as in: the species is well adapted for) to be especially well suited or appropriate for something
	4	top 1000
transparentcapable of being seen through with clarity The transparent shower door shows water spots.more Show sample from book Just above his head, the raindrop paused, wobbling in midair like a transparent pearl, and began to fall again.p.234.84 more capable of being seen through Show general definition for transparent (as in: transparent shower door) able to be seen through with clarity
	1	top 1000
transparent#2easily observable They promised a transparent budgetary process.more Show sample from book She'd imagined he would stay transparent to her, more part of her, for so much longer.p.295.44 more easily understood Show general definition for transparent (as in: transparent decision making) easily observable or understood
	1	top 500
resolutiona firm decision to do something Her New Year's resolution is to read deeply at least one hour a day.more Show sample from book My New Year's resolution.p.144.31 more firm decision to do something
	1	top 500
resolution#2determination She ran each mile of the marathon with increasing resolution.more Show sample from book If he looked into the strobed rain too long, he ended up curled and oblivious, for if there was no figure to be seen in the falling drops of water, he felt abandoned, and if he saw anything—a shape, a movement, a form—he screamed, silently, despite all resolution to the contrary.p.353.91 more determination (firmness of purpose) Show general definition for resolution (as in: Her resolution weakened.) determination (firmness of purpose)
	2
opaqueunable to be seen through They are engineering a window that can convert from transparent to opaque with the push of a button.more Show sample from book The once-narrow ribbon of smoke had become an opaque mass that belched from the top half of the barn's entryway.p.544.13 more Show general definition for opaque (as in: opaque shower door) not able to see through
	2
opaque#2difficult or impossible to understand We made a game of guessing at the meaning of her opaque lyrics.more Show sample from book But when it came to knowing his thoughts, Edgar could be as opaque as a rock.p.295.53 more difficult to understand (see into) Show general definition for opaque (as in: opaque explanation) difficult or impossible to understand -- especially due to complexity or obscurity
	7
pedigreerecorded ancestry The dog’s pedigree showed generations of championship winners.more Show sample from book He retreated across photographs and pedigrees scattered over the floor like a lunatic's history of the kennel.†p.545.36 more pedigree → pedigrees:the line of ancestors of an animal… Show general definition the line of ancestors of an animal; or any background or history of a person or idea, showing origins and development
	7
exhalationthe act of breathing air out of the lungs She cleared her snorkel with a sharp exhalation.more Show sample from book Her exhalations sounded ever so slightly easier than they had that afternoon.†p.200.76 more exhalation → exhalations:the act of breathing air out of the lungs; OR the air breathed out Show general definition the act of breathing air out of the lungs; or the air breathed out