A Gentleman in Moscow — Vocabulary
Amor Towles
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	39	top 500
presumepresume → presumed:assumed I presumed she was an expert since she spoke so confidently.more Show sample from book The Count was presumably right to be concerned for Nina, though we will never know for certain—for she did not return to the Metropol within the month, within the year, or ever again.p.271.141 more presume → presumably:probably Show context notes The suffix "-ably" is a combination of the suffixes "-able" and "-ly". It means in a manner that is capable of being. This is the same pattern you see in words like agreeably, favorably, and comfortably. Show general definition for presume (as in: presumption of innocence) to think of something as true or likely, even though it is not known with certainty Show editor's word notes Something can be presumed because it seems reasonable or because there is a rule or law demanding such an assumption. For example, in the United States someone charged with a crime is presumed by law to be innocent unless they are proven guilty at a trial.
	3	top 1000
presumptuousexercising privileges to which one is not entitled She is pushy and presumptuous. I can't stand to be around her.more Show sample from book And God forbid you should presume to serve with a dangling button—for next thing you knew, it would be floating in a customer's vichyssoise.p.187.741 more presumptuous → presume:be so bold as Show general definition for presumptuous (as in: she is presumptuous) exercising privileges to which one is not entitled -- such as being too familiar or too bossy
	24	top 200
preciseaccurate Is it precise enough if I measure to the closest inch?more Show sample from book Be as precise as you can.p.307.427 more 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.
	4	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 She was simply bringing to the Komsomol the same unwavering enthusiasm and precise attention to detail that she had brought to the mathematics of Professor Lisitsky.p.186.527 more meticulous Show general definition for precise (as in: a precise personality) meticulous (careful about details) -- especially to do things properly
	9	top 100
elaborateexplain in detail Please elaborate on the reasons you think this is the best plan.more Show sample from book As Katerina still looked confused, the Count elaborated.p.368.917 more elaborate → elaborated:explained in more detail Show general definition for elaborate (as in: elaborate on your plan) add details or explain in detail
	9	top 500
elaborate#2complicated It's part of her elaborate plan for getting accepted at Harvard.more Show sample from book So, let us not get bogged down with elaborate designs or bow to aesthetic vanities.p.330.717 more complex 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>
	15	top 100
establishestablish → established:created Which word choice best maintains the tone established in the first paragraph?more Show sample from book In the old and well-established code of dueling, it is understood that the number of paces the offender and offended take before shooting should be in inverse proportion to the magnitude of the insult.p.46.915 more establish → established:accepted Show general definition for establish (as in: establish a positive tone) create, start, or set in [a] place
	1	top 100
establish#2establish → establishing:showing or demonstrating The passage is primarily about establishing the relationship between the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and global temperature.more Show sample from book At any rate, having firmly established that either approach might be the right one, the author proceeded to his second meditation: "Of Sadness."p.31.115 more establish → established:demonstrated Show general definition for establish (as in: establish that there is a need) show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
	5	top 10
illustratemake clear Pictures of flooding help to illustrate the problem of global warming.more Show sample from book For some time, he said, he had been experiencing a tremor of the hands consistent with the onset of palsy. ... By way of illustration, he held his right hand over the table where it trembled like a leaf.p.408.45 more illustrate → illustration:something that helps demonstrate Show general definition for illustrate (as in: as illustrated by this example) to help make clear -- typically by example
	2	top 1000
somberserious and cheerless Before she said anything, I knew it was bad news from her somber face.more Show sample from book The Count suddenly grew somber.p.387.52 more serious (without cheer or lightheartedness) Show general definition for somber (as in: a somber mood) serious (without cheer or lightheartedness); or sad
	1	top 1000
somber#2lacking brightness or color She wore a somber black dress to the funeral.more Show sample from book With its archways of brick and its cool, dark climate, the Metropol's wine cellar recalled the somber beauty of a catacomb.p.142.52 more dark Show general definition for somber (as in: somber colors) lacking brightness or color -- perhaps gloomy
	8
adieugoodbye She whispered a quiet adieu as she turned to leave.more Show sample from book It was with this troupe that he had come to Moscow in 1913 where, having fallen in love with a bookseller in the Arbat, he had bid the circus adieu.†p.222.97 more Show general definition a farewell remark (an alternative to goodbye) Show editor's word notes Adieu is typically more formal than bye. It comes from the French, à Dieu which literally means "to God" — as in I entrust you to God's care.
	5
premierperson in charge In 2013 he became the Premier of the State Council of China.more Show sample from book The Count shifted his aim from the Bishop to the portrait of Stalin and shot the former Premier between the eyes.p.432.64 more head of a government Show general definition for premier (as in: premier of Ontario) title for the head of a government body in some countries
	4	top 2000
ecclesiasticalassociated with a church Many consider The Bishop of Rome to be a first among equals in this ecclesiastical fraternity.†more Show sample from book "Of course," the Bishop replied with an ecclesiastical smile.†p.39.33 more Show general definition of or associated with a church -- especially a Christian Church
	1	top 2000
adventarrival or beginning The advent of the internet changed how people communicate around the world.more Show sample from book In our time, we may witness the end of ignorance, the end of oppression, and the advent of the brotherhood of man.p.86.12 more arrival Show general definition for advent (as in: the advent of) an arrival or beginning -- especially of something important or significant
	2	top 2000
Advent#2season before Christmas (in Christianity) Many families use an Advent calendar to count down the days until Christmas.more Show sample from book It is commonly said that the English know how to celebrate Advent best.p.158.22 more Christianity: the period that includes the four Sundays preceding Christmas (in remembrance of the birth of Jesus) Show general definition for Advent (as in: the first Sunday of Advent) a Christian season that includes the four Sundays preceding Christmas (to celebrate the birth of Jesus)
	1
perennialrecurring again and again She is a perennial candidate every four years.more Show sample from book I have heard some very distressing things about you, my boy....For Princess Poliakova, a perennial victim of her own heart, it had been Oh, as in Oh, Alexander.p.49.11 more Show general definition for perennial (as in: perennial candidate every 4 years) recurring again and again
	1
perennial#2perennial → perennials:flowers or plants that live more than 2 years The perennials will bloom again next year.more Show sample from book Through a narrow door at the back of her shop was that niche with a light green counter where stems had been snipped and roses dethorned, where even now one could find scattered across the floor the dried petals of ten perennials essential to the making of potions.p.56.81 more perennial → perennials:flowers or plans that lives more than 2 years Show general definition for perennial (as in: perennial flower) a flower or other plant that lives more than two years Show editor's word notes Perennials are contrasted to annuals (which must be replaced each year and typically only flower for a single season).
	9	top 100
accompanyaccompany → accompanies:travels with The nurse accompanies the old woman everywhere.more Show sample from book The handsome captain made a similar gesture, presumably offering to accompany her, but Nina shook his hand just as soberly as she had shaken the Count's and then walked across the square in the general direction of historical necessity.p.187.115 more travel with Show general definition for accompany (as in: accompany on the journey) to travel along with
	7	top 100
accompany#2accompany → accompanying:provided together The trend is easily seen in the accompanying graph.more Show sample from book But then a memory presented itself—a memory of a Christmas past when the Count had leaned from his chair to correct a certain waiter's recommendation of a Rioja to accompany a Latvian stew.p.143.415 more complement (go with to make better) 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