The Silver Chair — Vocabulary
C. S. Lewis
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	12	top 2000
chasma large, deep, and steep-sided opening on the earth's surface You can't leap a twenty-foot chasm with two 10-foot jumps.more Show sample from book ...found herself to her horror sliding down into a dark, narrow chasm...11 more opening on the earth's surface Show general definition a large and deep and steep-sided opening on the earth's surface; or (more rarely) any large gap or: a very large difference -- often of opinion
	11	top 2000
serpentsnake There was a picture of a serpent eating its tail.more Show sample from book And soon after that, I turn into the likeness of a great serpent, hungry, fierce, and deadly.10 more Show general definition a snake
	4	top 2000
mortalhuman Don't expect perfection of a mere mortal.more Show sample from book who has suffered almost more than any mortal can bear.4 more human (especially merely human) or subject to death Show general definition for mortal (as in: mortal body) human (especially merely human); or subject to death
	1	top 2000
mortal#2extreme or intense She was in mortal fear of seeing him.more Show sample from book Those eels will take a mortal long time to cook, and either of you might faint with hunger before they're done.4 more extremely
	7	top 2000
parliamentparliament → parliaments:legislative assemblies (that pass laws) National European parliaments help insure that the European Union's decisions reflect the democratic principles and interests of its member states.more Show sample from book Let us hold a parliament of owls.6 more legislative assembly Show general definition for parliament (with a lowercase "p") a legislative assembly in certain countries (that can pass laws)
	5	top 1000
solemnvery serious He took a solemn oath.more Show sample from book His expression was solemn,4 more serious and possibly dignified Show general definition in a very serious (and often dignified) manner
	4	top 1000
loathehate I make New Year's resolutions every year and then loathe myself for breaking them.more Show sample from book had flung two or three coils of its loathsome body round the Prince's legs.3 more loathe → loathsome:disgusting Show general definition hate, detest, or intensely dislike Show editor's word notes Word Confusion: Do not confuse loathe with loath which sounds very similar or the same. Loathe is a verb while loath is an adjective describing "reluctance or unwillingness to do something." Note that loathing and loathsome are forms of the verb loathe even though both word forms lack the "e". Occasionally, you will see loath spelled as loathe even in a published book, but it is rare enough that it is generally considered an error rather than a non-standard spelling.
	2	top 200
indignantindignant → indignantly:with anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong "I am not a fool," she said indignantly.more Show sample from book "You don't know either," said Jill indignantly.1 more indignant → indignantly:angry at being wronged Show general definition angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
	2	top 500
despaira feeling of hopelessness Don't give in to despair.more Show sample from book "It's my fault," she said in despairing tones.1 more despair → despairing:hopeless Show general definition for despair (as in: she felt despair) hopelessness; or distress (such as extreme worry or sadness from feeling powerless to change a bad situation)
	2	top 500
inquiryinvestigation The school launched an official inquiry into the allegations of cheating.more Show sample from book When the police arrived and found no lion, no broken wall, and no convicts, and the Head behaving like a lunatic, there was an inquiry into the whole thing.†1 more questioning or investigating Show general definition a question or investigation -- especially one meant to gather information or find out the truth
	2	top 500
ceasestop According to the treaty, all offensive military action will cease at midnight.more Show sample from book The birds had ceased singing and there was perfect silence except for one small, persistent sound, which seemed to come from a good distance away.†1 more cease → ceased:stopped or discontinued Show general definition to stop or discontinue
	3	top 1000
writhewrithe → writhed:moved in a twisting or contorted motion The patient writhed in pain.more Show sample from book His face was as pale as putty, and he writhed in his bonds.†2 more Show general definition to move in a twisting or contorted motion -- often of a person when struggling or in pain
	2	top 1000
cunningclever and deceitful She came up with a cunning scheme to cheat him.more Show sample from book He'll be cunning, I shouldn't wonder, once he gets started.†1 more good at achieving goals through cleverness and deception Show general definition for cunning (as in: a cunning thief) being good at achieving goals through cleverness -- and typically through deception as well (tricking others)
	2	top 1000
brandishbrandish → brandished:waved or exhibited aggressively She brandished her cane at him.more Show sample from book Then the Prince would brandish his sword and make a show of charging them.†1 more the act of waving something or exhibiting it aggressively Show general definition the act of waving something or exhibiting it aggressively
	18
centaura mythical being that is half man and half horse Firenze is the name of a centaur character in the Harry Potter stories.more Show sample from book two centaurs have very kindly offered to let you ride on their backs17 more centaur → centaurs:creatures that are half man, half horse
	4
precipicesteep cliff (or other dangerous situation) She approached and then pulled back from the precipice.more Show sample from book beyond these, a country of high mountains, dark precipices, stony valleys,3 more precipice → precipices:very steep cliffs Show general definition a very steep cliff or: any dangerous situation
	3
regentregent → regental:members of a governing board The California Board of Regents voted to increase student fees at all University of California schools.more Show sample from book That if the Lord Regent... hears you are going to look for the lost Prince, he won't let you start.2 more someone who rules a country temporarily Show general definition a member of a governing board -- especially at a state university or: someone who rules a country temporarily while the king or queen is too young, too sick, or away
	2
entreatentreat → entreated:asked She flattered and entreated him until he agreed to help.more Show sample from book Listen while I am master of myself. When the fit is upon me, it well may be that I shall beg and implore you, with entreaties and threatenings, to loosen my bonds.1 more entreat → entreaties:requests and persuasions Show general definition to ask -- especially while trying hard to overcome resistance
	2
conceitexcessive pride Her conceit will be her downfall.more Show sample from book And Jill was thinking, "He's the silliest, most conceited, selfish pig I've met for a long time."1 more conceit → conceited:excessively proud of himself Show general definition for conceit (as in: confident, but not conceited) excessive pride in oneself, arrogance, or vanity
	1	top 2000
witherwither → withered:weakened Her confidence withered under the constant criticism from her boss.more Show sample from book It was absolute misery to come back into the withering coldness. wither → withering:causing weakness Show general definition for wither (as in: her confidence withered) to become weaker--sometimes to get smaller and disappear