Angels & Demons
Vocabulary

3 uses

In the end she had won, and her father had acquiesced against his better judgment.

acquiesced = reluctantly complied (agreed)

55 uses

Vittoria Vetra stood trembling at the foot of the basilica's sweeping stairs.

basilica = an important Roman Catholic church given certain privileges (typically architecturally similar to earlier Roman public buildings of the same name)

1 use

Fusing science and God is the ultimate scientific blasphemy.

blasphemy = disrespect of something considered sacred (in this case, disrespect of science)

2 uses

A new compulsion had ignited within him.

compulsion = a strong (possibly uncontrollable) urge to do something

69 uses

Conclaves are held by candlelight.

conclaves = confidential or secret meeting (in this case, meeting to select a pope)

2 uses

"It was my fault," Rocher said, stepping forward, sounding contrite.

contrite = feeling regret for a fault or offense

3 uses

There is still a chance to preserve protocol and decorum.

decorum = manners and conduct considered to be proper

3 uses

part of the depravity of the plot

depravity = immorality or evilness

1 use

But when it became evident that their son was crippled, they became despondent.

despondent = depressed

1 use

English seemed a random deviation from their natural tongue .... and the Illuminati did nothing randomly.

deviation = change or difference

1 use

...so the process was more of a three- or four-hour ritual than an actual election. Of course, last-minute dissension in the ranks could prolong the ceremony through dawn...

dissension = disagreement

1 use

wanting to emulate the Illuminati

emulate = imitate (copy)

1 use

the Hassassin cast a long, guileless glance at the table

guileless = sincere — without cunning (shrewdness, cleverness) or deceit

1 use

There are far better ways to relax ... An appetite for hedonistic pleasure was something bred into him by his ancestors.

hedonistic = motivated by pleasure

2 uses

So the church tried Galileo as a heretic,

heretic = person with unacceptable religious views

1 use

Unable to find anything more suitable, the four of them were transporting the wounded camerlegno on a narrow table, balancing the inert body between them as though on a stretcher.

inert = unmoving or unable to move

2 uses

Vittoria's innate intellect and curiosity...

innate = inseparable

1 use

"But the demons of the past," he continued, "were demons of fire and abomination . . . they were enemies we could fight-enemies who inspired fear. Yet Satan is shrewd. As time passed, he cast off his diabolical countenance for a new face . . . the face of pure reason. Transparent and insidious..."

insidious = not appearing dangerous, but actually very harmful over time

3 uses

As lucid as he seemed, the priest was talking nonsense.

lucid = capable of thinking clearly

2 uses

Of course the honor was tainted somewhat by the presence of the Swiss Guards hovering outside his door.

tainted = spoiled (so it is not as desirable)