An Inspector Calls — Vocabulary
J. B. Priestley
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	12	top 2000
alcoverecessed (pushing outward from the main room) It is a beautiful room with an alcove window.more Show sample from book ERIC passes alcove entrance.†p.60.211 more a recessed or secluded space -- such as in a room or garden Show general definition a recessed or secluded space -- such as in a room or garden Show editor's word notes The alcove of a room is a smaller room attached to a larger room and separated by an arch or other architectural feature other than a door.
	7	top 500
inquiryinvestigation The school launched an official inquiry into the allegations of cheating.more Show sample from book I realize that you may have to conduct some sort of inquiry, but I must say that so far you seem to be conducting it in a rather peculiar and offensive manner.†p.31.96 more questioning or investigating Show general definition a question or investigation -- especially one meant to gather information or find out the truth
	9	top 2000
infirmarysmall facility where patients receive treatment She felt ill and went to the infirmary.more Show sample from book This afternoon a young woman drank some disinfectant, and died, after several hours of agony, tonight in the Infirmary.†p.19.48 more a small facility where patients receive treatment Show general definition a small facility where patients receive treatment -- such as a room or two at a school as contrasted to a busy hospital or medical clinic
	6	top 500
agitateagitate → agitating:stirring up emotions to increase unrest We are agitating public unrest, so there will be a cry for change.more Show sample from book Crossing D. R. Agitated now.†p.44.55 more agitate → agitated:not calm; or stirred up (often emotionally) Show general definition to stir up or shake -- emotionally (as when people are angered or upset) or physically (as when a washing machine cleans clothes)
	6	top 2000
hysteriastate of excessive, uncontrolled emotion We need to get past the hysteria and decide what to do.more Show sample from book With hysterical laugh, to GERALD.†p.28.25 more hysteria → hysterical:exceedingly funny (resulting in uncontrollable laughter); or exhibiting excessive, uncontrollable emotion Show general definition a state of excessive, uncontrollable emotion Show editor's word notes In addition to being the adjective form of hysteria, the form hysterical can also indicate that something is exceedingly funny (leading to uncontrollable laughter)
	2	top 200
inevitablecertain to happen It is as inevitable as death and taxes.more Show sample from book Just because the Kaiser makes a speech or two, or a few German ofBeers have too much to drink and begin talking nonsense, you'll hear some people say that war's inevitable.†p.10.11 more Show general definition certain to happen (even if one tried to prevent it)
	2	top 200
dubiousquestionable or unreliable The theory is based on dubious evidence that hasn’t been verified.more Show sample from book (Dubiously, crossing R. C.) Yes—well†p.57.71 more dubious → dubiously:doubtfully or suspiciously Show general definition doubtful, questionable, or suspicious -- especially in a way that makes something seem unreliable, improper, or uncertain doubtful in various senses, including: questionable or doubtful that something should be relied upon -- as in "The argument relies on a dubious assumption." suspicious or doubtful that something is morally proper -- as in "The company is accused of using dubious sales practices to influence minors." bad or of questionable value -- as in "The state has the dubious distinction of the highest taxes." uncertain or doubtful -- as in "She is dubious about making the change."
	4	top 2000
agonyintense suffering She was in agony from a toothache.more Show sample from book This afternoon a young woman drank some disinfectant, and died, after several hours of agony, tonight in the Infirmary.†p.19.33 more Show general definition intense feelings of suffering -- can be from mental or physical pain
	3	top 1000
prejudiceunreasonable and unfair belief or feeling The group works to eliminate racial prejudice.more Show sample from book I think it was simply a piece of gross impertinence—quite deliberate—and naturally that was one of the things that prejudiced me against her case.†p.42.72 more prejudice → prejudiced:bias that prevents objective consideration Show general definition bias that prevents objective consideration -- especially an unreasonable belief that is unfair to members of a race, religion, or other group
	3	top 2000
sulkto overly indulge in being unhappy and unsociable She was disappointed and retreated to her room to sulk.more Show sample from book Sulkily.†p.18.62 more sulk → sulkily:in an excessively unhappy and unsociable manner Show general definition to be overly unhappy and unsociable -- often due to disappointment or a sense of not getting what was deserved
	2	top 1000
bewilderconfuse Some of their customs can bewilder travelers.more Show sample from book Other four exchange bewildered and perturbed glances†p.20.21 more bewilder → bewildered:confused Show general definition to confuse someone
	2	top 2000
pretensepretending Nobody is fooled by her pretense.more Show sample from book Gerald, I'm going to tell you frankly, without any pretenses, that your engagement to Sheila means a tremendous lot to me.†p.8.21 more pretense → pretenses:appearances or actions to help one pretend Show general definition a false appearance or action to help one pretend Show editor's word notes This is sometimes seen in the expression "false pretense" or "false pretenses" which is just emphasizing that behavior or actions do not reflect the true situation.
	2	top 2000
inquireask about or look into Students should contact our office to inquire about scholarship opportunities.more Show sample from book Ile meets their inquiring stares.†p.47.91 more inquire → inquiring:asking about or looking into Show general definition to ask about or look into something
	2	top 2000
wretchedmiserable The children were taken into protective custody due to their wretched living conditions.more Show sample from book It's a perfectly straightforward case, and as it happened more than eighteen months ago—nearly two years ago—obviously it has nothing whatever to do with the wretched girl's suicide.†p.16.21 more miserable or very bad Show general definition very bad in various senses, including: unfortunate or miserable -- as in "wretched prisoners sleeping on the cold floor" of poor quality -- as in "wretched roads" morally bad -- as in "The wretched woman stole his wallet."
	2	top 2000
magistratejudge The local magistrate insisted on a cash payment for the speeding ticket.more Show sample from book You know, of course, that my husband was Lord Mayor only two years ago and that he's still a magistrate?†p.31.91 more judicial official Show general definition a judge or judicial official The exact meaning of magistrate varies widely depending upon the context. For example: in the U.S. federal court: assists district court judges by handling minor offenses or administrative tasks such as preliminary hearings (often referred to as a magistrate judge rather than just a magistrate) in some U.S. states: a judge in the state court in France, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, and other civil law countries: a sitting magistrate is a judge and a standing magistrate is a prosecutor in England: may be a volunteer without formal legal training who performs a judicial role with regard to minor matters in ancient Rome: a powerful officer with both judicial and executive power
	1	top 200
complacentunworried and satisfied She had become complacent after years of success.more Show sample from book Laughs complacently.†p.11.8 complacent → complacently:with satisfaction or contentment (unworried and satisfied) Show general definition contented (unworried and satisfied) -- often to a fault
	1	top 1000
dissentdisagreement The Alien and Sedition Acts were attempts to silence early political dissent in America.more Show sample from book I have an idea that your mother—Lady Croft—while she doesn't object to my girl—feels you might have done better for yourself socially — (GERALD, rather embarrassed, begins to murmur some dissent, but BIRLING checks him.)†p.11.5 to disagree; or disagreement Show general definition to disagree; or disagreement or conflict -- typically between people who cooperate, and often with official or majority beliefs Show editor's word notes A Supreme Court dissenting opinion is a written opinion that represents the beliefs of one or more justices who disagreed with the majority.
	1	top 1000
vindictiveinclined to seek revenge or desirous of hurting others Not being vindictive by nature, Grant did what he could to see that the Confederate prisoners were treated well.more Show sample from book And now you've made up your mind I must obviously be a selfish vindictive creature.†p.29.4 desirous of seeking revenge or wanting to hurt someone Show general definition desirous of seeking revenge or wanting to hurt someone
	1	top 1000
pessimisticexpecting that things will turn out badly; Despite the team's losing streak, the coach tried to remain optimistic, while the players grew increasingly pessimistic.more Show sample from book There's a good deal of silly talk about these days—but—and I speak as a hard-headed business man, who has to take risks and know what he's about—I say, you can ignore all this silly pessimistic talk.†p.9.9 expecting that things will turn out badly… Show general definition expecting that things will turn out badly; or focusing on the bad part of things
	1	top 2000
disconcertingdisturbing It was disconcerting to realize the experts don't really understand what is going on either.more Show sample from book He speaks carefully, weightily, and has a disconcerting habit of looking hard at the person be addresses before actually speaking.†p.13.8 disturbing or unsettling Show general definition disrupt composure -- such as to confuse or worry