The Nickel Boys — Vocabulary
Colson Whitehead
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
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interpretunderstand (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 The wildcat strike of '68: an introduction to the city so wretched that he had to interpret it as a hazing.†p.136.11 more to understand or explain something in a particular way 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
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reviseimprove (change) How can you revise that paragraph to improve the expression of ideas?more Show sample from book His father had been dead for years and was thus unable to revise his assessment of his firstborn son's character, but that night Wilson slept without nightmares for the first time in years.†p.109.31 more change Show general definition to change (and hopefully improve) -- most frequently to improve a written document, but it can be any intentional change such as a change in an estimated amount, a plan, or a series of procedures
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optimisticexpecting the best I'm optimistic that I'll get into a good college.more Show sample from book Mr. Andrews, the nice, polite white lawyer who'd been so optimistic about Elwood's appeal, had picked up stakes to Atlanta without a word.†p.157.72 more expecting the best; OR focusing on the good part of things Show general definition expecting the best; or focusing on the good part of things
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segregationkeeping people of different races separated Martin Luther King, Jr. helped to end institutionalized segregation in the United States.more Show sample from book He had relatives who opened businesses downtown and thrived, but a white man savvy to the economics of segregation could turn a real buck.†p.20.14 more the act of keeping people or things separate Show general definition the act of keeping people or things separate -- especially people due to discrimination based on race, gender, ethnicity, or religion
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varybe different Your mileage may vary.more Show sample from book September was a tutorial in the latest epithets of Tallahassee's white youth, which, like hemlines and haircuts, varied year to year.†p.29.31 more vary → varied:differed; or changed Show general definition to be different, or to change Show editor's word notes Vary is often used to describe small differences or changes--especially about things of the same type. It would be more common to say "The weight of full-grown elephants varies depending upon diet and other factors," than to say "The weight of elephants varies from that of mice."
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meticuloustreating details with great care She is a meticulous researcher who takes pride in a thorough job.more Show sample from book The campus was kept up meticulously, a bounty of lush green dotted with two —and three-story buildings of red brick.†p.47.62 more meticulous → meticulously:in a manner treating details with great care
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disdainlack of respect She tries to be polite, but she cannot hide her disdain for authority.more Show sample from book Elwood frowned in disdain at the whole performance, which made Turner smile.†p.112.51 more a lack of respect Show general definition to disrespect or reject as unworthy
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furtivedone in a way that attempts to avoid notice Despite her attempt to look interested, her teacher did not miss her furtive glances at the clock.more Show sample from book If Peter didn't have practice, they wandered the record stores and furtively checked out the covers of LPs they were forbidden to buy.†p.38.32 more furtive → furtively:while taking pains to avoid being observed; or in a nervous manner (as though hoping not to be seen) Show general definition taking pains to avoid being observed or: in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
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emancipatedreleased from social restraints (used as a metaphor for the literal sense of being released from slavery) She was an emancipated 20th century woman pursuing her career.†more Show sample from book He had been the natural choice at the end of his freshman year when they needed a new lead for the annual Emancipation Day play.†p.31.63 more emancipated → emancipation:the act of being released from slavery or servitude; or (metaphorically) from social restraints Show general definition released from slavery or servitude; or (metaphorically) from social restraints
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tauntintentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone She used Twitter to taunt the opposing candidate.more Show sample from book A group of whites jeered and taunted behind the policemen, and more white men trotted down the street to join them.†p.35.33 more taunt → taunted:intentionally angered, challenged, or upset Show general definition to intentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone -- especially by mocking them or hurling insults or (as a noun): an insult or other action intended to anger, challenge, or upset someone
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afflictafflict → afflicted:made to suffer The region was afflicted by a long drought that destroyed most crops.more Show sample from book His father, Clarence, was a bit of a "rambler," not that he had to be told because he had the same affliction.†p.125.23 more afflict → affliction:something that causes ongoing suffering Show general definition to cause pain, suffering, or trouble -- especially something long-lasting or hard to endure
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sinisterevil They created a sinister plan to recruit terrorists.more Show sample from book Even the most innocent scene—a mess hall or the football field—came out sinister, no photographic trickery necessary.†p.6.11 more evil, harmful, or frightening Show general definition evil or harmful; or making an evil or frightening impression
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malicemalice → malicious:evil; or made with the intent to make others suffer I am not interested in hearing malicious gossip.more Show sample from book Hennepin maintained an expression of dull-witted malice most of the time, lumbering across the grounds, but he brightened at opportunities for cruelty, with a leer and gap-toothed grin.†p.192.41 more the desire to hurt others or see them suffer Show general definition the intention or desire to see others suffer
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dubiousquestionable or unreliable The theory is based on dubious evidence that hasn’t been verified.more Show sample from book He almost turned the channel, but Harriet wasn't here to cluck over the double meanings in the lyrics, her explanations of which always left him mystified and dubious.†p.41.81 more doubtful; or suspicious; or full of uncertainty -- sometimes to indicate that something described as good is actually bad 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."
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boycottrefusal to buy Chavez led a nationwide boycott of table grapes.more Show sample from book When the demonstrations trailed off, she continued to boycott downtown stores, although it was not clear how much of that was solidarity or her own protest against high prices.†p.33.13 more to refuse to buy things (from someone)… Show general definition to refuse to buy things (from someone); or to refuse to participate in an activity (with someone) in order to express disapproval
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notwithstandingin spite of Notwithstanding my fear, I want to try parachuting from an airplane.more Show sample from book His constant dorm reassignments notwithstanding, Jaimie kept a quiet profile and conducted himself in accordance with the Nickel handbook's rules of conduct—a miracle, since no one had ever seen the handbook despite its constant invocations by the staff.†p.118.21 more used to show that something remains true even though something else seems to go … Show general definition used to show that something remains true even though something else seems to go against it Show editor's word notes Most commonly, you can substitute "in spite of" for notwithstanding. But see the first exemplary sample sentences for other common word substitutions.
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mishapminor accident We tripped while roller skating, but we survived to laugh at the mishap.more Show sample from book Everyone had moved on to girding themselves for the next Nickel mishap, the one that was out of their hands.†p.87.11 more unfortunate accident Show general definition an unfortunate accident -- usually minor
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euphemisma word or phrase that serves as a less harsh way of saying something unpleasant Passed away is a euphemism for died.more Show sample from book He tried euphemism: It's like when a tree branch has to bend so it doesn't break.†p.102.81 more a word or phrase that serves as a less harsh or less offensive way of saying something unpleasant Show general definition a word or phrase that serves as a less harsh or less offensive way of saying something unpleasant -- such as "passed away" rather than "died"
	2
instigateinstigate → instigating:starting The group is accused of instigating the violence in the area.more Show sample from book After a week and a half, Spencer got tired of being afraid—in truth he was afraid much of the time but was unaccustomed to one of his black boys instigating that fear—and paid Elwood a visit.†p.194.21 more instigate → instigating:starting something or causing it to happen Show general definition start or set into motion -- typically some kind of conflict
	2
razecompletely destroy The developers wanted to raze the complex and replace it with a high-rise commercial building, but they were stopped when it was designated a national historic landmark.more Show sample from book All those buildings that had seen so much, and they go ahead and raze them.†p.209.91 more Show general definition completely destroy -- usually of buildings with the implication that they are flattened to the ground