Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil — Vocabulary
John Berendt
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	25	top 2000
testifytestify → testified:provided oral evidence in court She testified against the robber.more Show sample from book So I thought a minute and I said, 'How about if your mother is not in the courtroom when you testify?†p.268.524 more provide evidence of something -- especially oral evidence in court Show general definition provide evidence of something -- especially to say something under oath in a court of law
	6	top 1000
warrantdocument giving the right to do the thing just mentioned Do you have a search warrant?more Show sample from book It dawned on him that the sheriff would soon be arriving with a warrant for his arrest, so he pulled on a shirt and a pair of pants, climbed out a rear window, jumped into his van, and headed south on 1-95.p.376.76 more document authorizing arrest Show general definition for warrant (as in: has a warrant to...) a document (granting the right to do something) for example: a document signed by a judge giving police the right to search a home a document signed by a judge giving police the right to arrest someone a document giving someone the right to buy stock shares at a given price by a given date a voucher documenting the right to receive payment
	1	top 1000
warrant#2warrant → warranted:justified (reasonable) The company's reputation for high-quality products is no longer warranted.more Show sample from book The effort of getting dressed warranted nothing less than a Grand Tour, she felt.p.73.16 more warrant → warranted:justified or deserved Show general definition for warrant (as in: serious enough to warrant surgery) to justify (make an action reasonable or necessary)
	16	top 2000
testimonythe statement of a witness at a trial Her emotional testimony moved the jury.more Show sample from book In addition to the gunshot-residue problem, Seiler was becoming concerned about Williams's testimony.†p.345.915 more something that serves as evidence -- especially a statement at a trial or hearing Show general definition something that serves as evidence -- especially a statement at a trial or hearing
	6	top 2000
resumebegin again After a brief break, the meeting will resume at 2 p.m.more Show sample from book She plucked a cigarette from the pack in Joe's shirt pocket, kissed him on the forehead, whispered, "Draw up the damn divorce papers!" and then skipped back into the kitchen, where Jerry resumed cutting her hair.p.79.36 more resume → resumed:began again Show general definition for resume (as in: resume the meeting) begin or take again Show editor's word notes This sense of resume generally means to begin again or continue after a pause. In usage like, "resumed her seat", it scan also mean to take again.
	1	top 2000
résumésummary of qualifications She submitted her résumé along with a cover letter to apply for the job.more Show sample from book I guess he didn't put the bank job on his résumé.p.91.96 more résumé → resume:a written, brief summary of a person's qualifications to do something Show general definition for résumé (as in: submitted her résumé) a brief summary of a person's qualifications to do something -- typically submitted with an employment application Show editor's word notes In practice, résumé is often written without the accented e's.
	12
cross-examinationthe re-questioning of a witness who has already been questioned by the other side in court Prosecutors expect to wrap up their cross-examination tomorrow.more Show sample from book After a brief and faltering cross-examination by a shaken Spencer Lawton, Marilyn Case stepped down from the stand.†p.357.211 more careful, detailed questioning Show general definition careful, detailed questioning—especially in court, where the opposing side questions a witness after the other side has questioned them
	1	top 100
hypothesisa seemingly reasonable, but unproven, idea The study will test the hypothesis that a good marriage is more important than a higher income when measuring happiness.more Show sample from book "Oh, that's right," said Joe, "we were speaking hypothetically, weren't we?"p.350.81 more hypothesis → hypothetically:based on an imagined situation (not a real situation) Show general definition for hypothesis (as in: a study to test her hypothesis) a seemingly reasonable, but unproven idea or explanation based upon known facts Show editor's word notes In casual conversation, theory is a synonym for hypothesis, but a scientist would say that a hypothesis needs to pass rigorous tests before it could be accepted as a theory.
	1
hypothesis#2something that may or may not be true, but is temporarily treated as true to advance a discussion or to further investigation For the purpose of discussion, let's accept that the hypothesis that she is guilty as true. What would we have expected her to do after the incident?more Show sample from book "This is a purely hypothetical question," I said.p.350.51 more hypothesis → hypothetical:imagined (not a real situation) Show general definition for hypothesis (as in: assume as a working hypothesis) something that may or may not be true, but is temporarily treated as true to advance a discussion or to further investigation Show editor's word notes This sense of hypothesis is typically seen in the form, hypothetical, or hypothetically.
	2	top 1000
prevailwin (prove to be superior) Neither side has the strength to prevail over the other.more Show sample from book Tensions rose, but peace prevailed, largely because of the tireless efforts of a forward-thinking mayor, Malcolm Maclean, and a nonviolent strategy adopted by black leaders, notably W. W. Law, the head of the local branch of the NAACP.p.42.83 more prevail → prevailed:won (was accepted) Show general definition for prevail (as in: reason will prevail) prove superior or win
	2	top 1000
prevailingmost common In the afternoon, the meadow enjoys prevailing winds from the west.more Show sample from book The prevailing opinion in the corridors of the courthouse was that Bobby Lee Cook had raised just enough doubt about the state's case to enable jurors to vote "not guilty" in good conscience.p.220.53 more Show general definition for prevailing (as in: prevailing attitude) most common, powerful, or influential
	1
Renaissancethe period of European history known for a revival of intellectual and artistic achievement (14th through mid-17th centuries) We're visiting the museum to see the exhibit of Renaissance art.more Show sample from book One of them was Armstrong House, a monumental Italian Renaissance palazzo directly across Bull Street from the staid Oglethorpe Club.p.6.54 more a period of European history known for a revival of intellectual and artistic achievement (14th through mid-17th centuries) Show general definition for Renaissance (as in: The Renaissance) the period of European history known for a revival of intellectual and artistic achievement (14th through mid-17th centuries) Show editor's word notes Named as an indication of a rebirth of certain classical ideas that had long been lost to Europe. It has been argued that the movement was strongly influenced by the rediscovery of ancient texts that had been forgotten by Western civilization, but were preserved in some monastic libraries and in the Islamic world, and the translations of Greek and Arabic texts into Latin. Some historians have suggested that the term Renaissance is loaded and are suggesting the term Early Modern to replace it -- as Middle Ages has largely replaced Dark Ages for the period that preceded the Renaissance.
	8
bailiffcourt officer responsible for keeping order in the court The bailiff escorted them from the courtroom.more Show sample from book Seiler had learned from the bailiffs, who were notorious for prying and telling tales, that the jurors were evenly split.†p.359.97 more bailiff → bailiffs:court officers responsible for keeping order in the court including custody of the jury, and custody of prisoners while in court Show general definition court officer responsible for keeping order in the court including custody of the jury, and custody of prisoners while in court
	7	top 2000
defendanta person (or institution) legally accused or sued in court The defendant is confident she will be found innocent.more Show sample from book The foreman hands a piece of paper to the clerk, who reads the verdict aloud: "We find the defendant guilty of murder."†p.290.76 more a person or institution legally accused or sued in court
	6
forgerya fake (a copy meant to look like the original) The painting is a forgery.more Show sample from book He concluded by saying that if he had really intended to commit forgery, he would have taken more than $1,193.42.†p.377.25 more something that is represented as real even though it is a fake… Show general definition something that is represented as real even though it is a fake; or the making of such a fake item
	6
manslaughterunintentional killing of a person The girl who sent texts to her boyfriend encouraging him to kill himself was charged with involuntary manslaughter.more Show sample from book And in Georgia, a conviction for manslaughter usually carries a sentence of five to ten years with two years to serve.†p.352.15 more Show general definition unintentional killing of a person Show editor's word notes Manslaughter can be involuntary (as when a drunk driver accidentally kills someone), or voluntary (as when there was no plan to kill someone, but then the person kills in the heat of passion).
	2	top 500
disparagedisparage → disparaging:criticizing or making seem less important She has a reputation for disparaging the efforts of her co-workers.more Show sample from book Danny was agitated that time because his best friend had made a disparaging remark about his car, and his girlfriend had refused to marry him.†p.20.61 more Show general definition to criticize or make seem less important -- especially in a disrespectful or contemptuous manner
	4
medleymix of songs For her audition, she performed a medley that blended three Broadway hits.more Show sample from book But the dog's bark was only one sour note in a whole medley of bitterness that existed between the two households.†p.143.13 more a mixture of things Show general definition a mixture of different things or elements -- especially a musical composition made from parts of other songs
	4
grand jurya group of citizens who decide whether or not there is enough evidence to formally accuse someone of a crime During his testimony before the grand jury, she repeatedly said she had no memory of such a conversation.more Show sample from book Five days before the hearing was to take place, Lawton went before the Chatham County grand jury and presented his evidence in secret session.†p.181.23 more a group of citizens who decide whether there is enough evidence to formally accuse someone of a crime Show general definition a group of citizens who decide if there is enough evidence to formally accuse someone of a crime
	3
rebuttalargument against (something) She immediately wrote a rebuttal and sent it to the New York Times.more Show sample from book Williams's choice of words may not have been what Seiler had hoped for, but his frankness has made it unnecessary for Lawton to call Hansford's two friends in rebuttal.†p.283.42 more Show general definition a statement arguing against something