The Da Vinci Code — Vocabulary
Dan Brown
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	42	top 100
howeverdespite that (a transition word use to connect contrasting ideas) Most college application deadlines are in January and February. However, early admission deadlines are around November and some scholarships require even earlier deadlines.more Show sample from book The entrance to the Chapter House, however, was much farther away, at the far end of the long hallway.42 more a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc. Show general definition for however (as in: However, complications may...) though (or another expression that connects contrasting ideas) Show editor's word notes Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrast and but.
	1	top 2000
however#2in whatever way However we do it, someone is going to be unhappy.more Show sample from book Opus Dei is a personal prelature of Vatican City, and His Holiness can disperse monies however he sees fit.42 more Show general definition for however (as in: However you do it, get it done!) in whatever way
	52
pagannon-mainstream religious The ancient village had pagan rituals that worshipped the sun and the changing seasons.more Show sample from book And it all fits perfectly with their fascination for goddess iconology, paganism, feminine deities, and contempt for the Church.†51 more pagan → paganism:an offensive term for a person who follows a non-mainstream religion Show general definition an offensive term for a person who follows a non-mainstream religion
	45	top 2000
monka male member of a religious order typically living under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience The Tibetan monk wore an orange robe.more Show sample from book Dear God, I offer up to you this work I do today.... Crouching in the shadows of the choir balcony high above the altar, Sister Sandrine peered silently through the balustrade at the cloaked monk kneeling alone.†44 more a male member of a religious order typically living under vows of poverty, chast…
	8	top 100
establishestablish → established:created Which word choice best maintains the tone established in the first paragraph?more Show sample from book I suggest you cite your differences of opinion with the Holy See and establish yourself as your own Christian organization.9 more set in place Show general definition for establish (as in: establish a positive tone) create, start, or set in [a] place
	2	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 Nonetheless, establishing Christ's divinity was critical to the further unification of the Roman empire and to the new Vatican power base.9 more establish → establishing:demonstrating Show general definition for establish (as in: establish that there is a need) show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
	9	top 100
criticalhighly important It is of critical importance.more Show sample from book The circle had been the missing critical element.9 more important Show general definition for critical (as in: a critical problem) important, serious, or dangerous
	1	top 100
critical#2tends to find fault She is critical of everything he does.more Show sample from book Recently the Board of Ministers and the media had become more openly critical of Fache's aggressive tactics, his clashes with powerful foreign embassies, and his gross overbudgeting on new technologies.9 more disapproving Show general definition for critical (as in: don't be so critical) finding fault and telling others; or tending to have unfavorable opinions
	31	top 2000
postscriptpostscript → PS:an abbreviation for "postscript" that is placed at the end of a letter (after the signature) to indicate that an additional note follows PS: Bob just walked through and says hello.more Show sample from book She apparently believed the curator had left her a cryptic postscript telling her to find Langdon.30 more a note added to the end of a letter after the signature -- usually preceded with "PS:" or "P.S." Show general definition a note added to the end of a letter after the signature -- usually preceded with "PS:" or "P.S." or: any written or spoken addition added after the end of something
	30
abbeya building where monks or nuns live The monks at the abbey followed a strict schedule of prayer, work, and study.more Show sample from book More than three thousand people are entombed or enshrined within Westminster Abbey.29 more church Show general definition a building where monks or nuns live or lived; or a church associated with such a building
	18	top 1000
sequenceordered set The sequence of events leading to the accident was carefully reviewed by the investigators.more Show sample from book "Captain," Sophie said, her tone dangerously defiant, "the sequence of numbers you have in your hand happens to be one of the most famous mathematical progressions in history."†17 more arranged in a specific order Show general definition a set of things arranged or happening in a specific order -- often chronological order
	1	top 100
elaborateexplain in detail Please elaborate on the reasons you think this is the best plan.more Show sample from book Vernet didn't elaborate, but he sounds like he's willing to do anything to get it back.7 more explain in more detail Show general definition for elaborate (as in: elaborate on your plan) add details or explain in detail
	7	top 500
elaborate#2complicated It's part of her elaborate plan for getting accepted at Harvard.more Show sample from book My grandfather loved creating elaborate treasure hunts around our house, a string of clues that eventually led to my real gift.7 more detailed and complicated 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>
	171
keystonemost important part Trust is the keystone of any strong relationship.more Show sample from book According to lore, the brotherhood had created a map of a stone ... or keystone—an engraved tablet that revealed the final resting place of the brotherhood's greatest secret...170 more something of importance upon which other things depend Show general definition for keystone (as in: keystone of our philosophy) the most important part of something, on which everything else depends
	84
opusa major work -- especially one's greatest or most important achievement Many critics consider To Kill a Mockingbird to be Harper Lee's opus, as it remains her most celebrated and influential work.more Show sample from book Opus Dei has just completed construction of a $47 million World Headquarters at 243 Lexington Avenue in New York City.†83 more an major artistic work -- especially a numbered work of a musical composition Show general definition an major artistic work -- especially a numbered work of a musical composition Show editor's word notes In Latin, opus means "work." When you see Op. 11 (as in Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 11), it suggests this was the composer's eleventh published work. Composers sometimes published multiple works under one opus number—like Beethoven's Opus 27, No. 2, the second of two sonatas in Opus 27. However, opus numbering is often inconsistent, as composers and publishers didn't always assign numbers in order of composition.
	22
anagrama word or phrase spelled by rearranging the letters of another word or phrase An example of an anagram is the word listen, which can be rearranged to spell silent.more Show sample from book Few people realized that anagrams, despite being a trite modern amusement, had a rich history of sacred symbolism.21 more Show general definition a word or phrase spelled by rearranging the letters of another word or phrase
	12
conveyor belta moving band or belt that transports objects A conveyor belt is used to transport luggage at the airport.more Show sample from book He walked them to the far wall where a wide conveyor belt entered the room in a graceful curve, vaguely resembling a baggage claim carousel.†11 more a moving band or belt that transports objects -- such as goods in a factory Show general definition a moving band or belt that transports objects -- such as goods in a factory
	8
euroEuropean Union currency Compared to the U.S. dollar, the euro was worth $1.18 when it was introduced in 1999.more Show sample from book Twenty million euro, the bishop thought, now gazing out the plane's window.7 more Show general definition for euro (as in: 10 euro) the currency and basic monetary unit of most members of the European Union Show editor's word notes Euro coins have one side that is unique for each issuing country and one side that is common to all countries. Paper currency looks identical for all countries.
	4	top 1000
sublimeimpressively wonderful I love good movies, from the silly to the sublime.more Show sample from book What Robert is fumbling with is the fact that the blossoming flower resembles the female genitalia, the sublime blossom from which all mankind enters the world.4 more wonderful Show general definition for sublime (as in: she is sublime) impressively wonderful -- often beautiful or morally admirable
	1	top 1000
sublime#2pure or extreme With a sublime ignorance of human nature, she set out to save the world.more Show sample from book "Atbash is sublimely appropriate," Teabing said.4 more sublime → sublimely:extremely