Memoirs of a Geisha — Vocabulary
Arthur Golden
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	99	top 2000
apprenticelearner on the job After high school, Bella began work as an apprentice at a local bakery, waking up before dawn to help make bread and learn the craft.more Show sample from book While her popular older sister might drop in on as many as twenty parties during an evening, an apprentice probably attends no more than five.p.190.898 more someone who works for an expert to learn a trade Show general definition person who learns a trade or skill through hands-on experience under a skilled worker; or (as a verb) performance of that kind of work
	9	top 100
focusconcentrate I find that studying in the library helps me to focus.more Show sample from book The few times I did manage to focus my mind clearly on Nobu, I grew so numbed I seemed to feel nothing at all.p.390.910 more 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 Somewhere between the various thoughts about my mother—somewhere past the discomfort in my lip—there nestled a pleasant thought I tried again and again to bring into focus.p.16.610 more view (a state where something can be seen 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
	29	top 2000
elegantrefined and tasteful She was an elegant bride.more Show sample from book Afterward she gave me a robe, which was nothing more than coarsely woven cotton in the simplest pattern of dark blue, but it was certainly more elegant than anything I'd ever worn before.p.40.128 more Show general definition for elegant (as in: an elegant gown) refined and tasteful in appearance, behavior or style
	22	top 1000
accustomaccustom → accustomed to:used to (have adapted to and have an expectation of) In the United States we're accustomed to forming our own opinion about the promises of advertisements and politicians.more Show sample from book The Admiral seemed to me the sort of man who really was accustomed to winning.p.324.121 more accustom → accustomed to:used to (adapted to something, so it seems normal) Show general definition to make someone used to something (used to is an expression that means someone has adapted to something, so it does not seem unusual) Show editor's word notes In professional environments, you may make a better impression by saying one is accustomed to something rather than one is used to something.
	23	top 2000
fidgetfidget → fidgeting:making small restless movements The child is always fidgeting in his seatmore Show sample from book She was old and cranky-looking, and I don't think you could ever meet anyone who fidgeted more.p.24.422 more fidget → fidgeted:made small restless movements Show general definition to make small restless movements
	3	top 1000
interprettranslate Can she interpret Spanish to English for us?more Show sample from book The actor Basil Rathbone had admired it so much that with the help of an interpreter the two of them had developed something of a friendship.p.329.35 more interpret → interpreter:someone who translates language Show general definition for interpret (as in: interpret Spanish to English) to translate someone’s words into spoken words of another language while they are speaking
	3	top 10
interpret#2understand (In this case: Why did she smile? What does it mean?) I don't know how to interpret her smile.more Show sample from book [of a particular kind of smile] Its advantage is that men can interpret it however they want; you can imagine how often I've relied on it.p.8.35 more understand the meaning of Show general definition for interpret (as in: her interpretation of the data) to understand or explain something in a particular way -- often the meaning or significance of something
	16	top 1000
peasantpeasant → peasants:an historical term describing people of low income, education, and social standing Most people in the Middle Ages were peasants.more Show sample from book "I am a peasant," I said to myself, "and not a geisha at all any longer."p.350.115 more a person of low income, education, and social standing Show general definition used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country: a person of low income, education, and social standing -- especially one who raises crops or livestock
	13	top 1000
protrudestick out Metal spikes protrude from the dog's collar.more Show sample from book He'd had holes in both of his socks, I remembered; through one a slender big toe had protruded, with the nail neatly groomed.p.409.312 more protrude → protruded:stuck out Show general definition to stick out from
	3	top 10
contrastpoint to differences between Contrast winter in Panama with winter in Alaska.more Show sample from book In contrast with the exciting life Pumpkin was now leading, I had only my lessons and my chores, as well as the fifteen or twenty minutes Mameha spent with me during the afternoons several times a week.p.157.73 more contrast → in contrast:in a comparison (that shows differences) Show general definition for contrast (as in: contrast their writing styles) point to differences between; or compare to show differences
	1	top 10
contrast#2notable difference The contrast in their leadership styles is striking. Olivia motivated people with fear. Isabella motivated them with praise.more Show sample from book And the contrast with her friend Korin was like comparing a rock along the roadside with a jewel.p.74.93 more Show general definition for contrast (as in: there is a contrast) a difference -- especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
	10	top 2000
directwithout intervention from anything (in this case, not sun that is partially blocked or reflected) This flower does best in direct sunlight.more Show sample from book I thought she looked more mean than hot, but I went directly to the window and opened it.p.46.644 more direct → directly:immediately Show general definition for direct (as in: directly above; or buy direct) without anything in between -- whether in time, space, or involvement
	7	top 100
direct#2straightforward I left them with direct instructions.more Show sample from book Nor could I stare directly back at him without seeming too forward.p.201.344 more direct → directly:in a straightforward manner (open and honest even if it makes someone uncomfortable) Show general definition for direct (as in: gave a direct answer) straightforward -- often clear, open, or blunt in speech or behavior
	20
debutdebut → debuts:introduces (or presents for the first time) The band debuts a new song or two every month.†more Show sample from book I've heard it said that the week in which a young girl prepares for her debut as an apprentice geisha is like when a caterpillar turns into a butterfly.p.162.119 more first presentation Show general definition a first presentation in various senses, including: the first performance of a new play the introduction of a new product the introduction of a young woman to society at a social event held in her honor (a debutante ball) Show editor's word notes In the United States a small percentage of young woman are debuted at a debutante ball. The custom is most common in the South. In the Hispanic culture, a similar custom is called Quinceañera. There are many varying debutante customs around the world.
	1
annexannex → annexed:took territory to make it part of a larger territory The county annexed the rural community where we live.more Show sample from book I may as well tell you, if you don't know it already, that as a young lieutenant in the Japanese marines, Nobu had been severely injured in a bombing outside Seoul in 1910, at the time Korea was being annexed to Japan.p.199.55 more annex → annexed:taken and attached Show general definition for annex (as in: annexed the community) to take territory and make it part of a larger territory -- such as a city making land outside of it a part of the city
	5
annex#2an addition that extends a main building The YMCA added an annex where younger children can play.more Show sample from book I knew nothing about kimono except how to wear them, so I was given the task of spending my days in the basement of the workshop annex, tending to the vats of dye as they boiled.p.350.35 more Show general definition for annex (as in: annex of the main building) an addition that extends a main building or: to attach something -- especially to something larger or more important
	7
disarraya state of disorder When she lost her job, it threw their lives into disarray.more Show sample from book But when I went up to my room, I found my jewelry box in disarray, and rushed back down just in time to see Chiyo handing something over to the man.p.90.76 more with things out-of-place Show general definition a state of disorder, confusion, or untidiness
	5	top 1000
auspiciousfavorable With good weather and no traffic, we had an auspicious start on our journey.more Show sample from book Mameha took up my almanac again and this time selected several dates over the following weeks that would be auspicious for significant change.p.127.74 more Show general definition favorable; or suggestive of good things to come
	6
ensemblegroup performing together The jazz ensemble performed a lively set that got the audience clapping along.more Show sample from book Already by this time, I'd been wearing the complete ensemble of an apprentice geisha for several hours.†p.169.85 more a group of parts considered as a whole Show general definition a group of people or things working or appearing together in a coordinated way -- especially a group of performers or a matching outfit Show editor's word notes The pronunciation is derived from French. The first syllable sounds like "on". The second syllable sounds like "sahm".