Dune — Vocabulary
Frank Herbert
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	4	top 200
subtlesubtle → subtly:working in a way that is hard to see She is working subtly against us.more Show sample from book A poison--so subtle, so insidious . . . so irreversible. It won't even kill you unless you stop taking it.52 more working in a hidden way Show general definition for subtle (as in: a subtle poison) working in an indirect or hidden way
	49	top 200
subtle#2making use of slight distinctions She used subtle reasoning to expose the absurdity of his argument.more Show sample from book ...hawk features, blue-ink eyes that suggested he was a native of Arrakis, but subtleties of movement and stance told her he was not.52 more subtle → subtleties:things that are slightly noticeable Show general definition for subtle (as in: a subtle difference or thinker) not obvious, but noticeable with enough insight and knowledge or: able to notice or understand things that require insight and sensitivity
	10	top 1000
interprettranslate Can she interpret Spanish to English for us?more Show sample from book Some interpreted this as a sign from God, an omen of unity.†14 more interpret → interpreted:translated Show general definition for interpret (as in: interpret Spanish to English) to translate someone’s words into spoken words of another language while they are speaking
	1	top 1000
profounddeep or far-reaching in intellect or consequence She shared a profound way of thinking about the problem.more Show sample from book This is profound thinking if you understand how unstable "the truth" can be.21 more deep or far-reaching in intellect or insight
	21	top 500
profound#2intense (of great emotional depth) Her apology was heartfelt--expressing profound sorrow and regret.more Show sample from book I am profoundly stirred!21 more profound → profoundly:intensely Show general definition for profound (as in: profound sadness) of greatest intensity or emotional depth
	33
jihada holy war waged by Muslims against infidels They urged jihad against the Americans in Afghanistan.more Show sample from book Through it all, the wild jihad still loomed ahead of him, the violence and the slaughter.32 more a relentless battle for a belief Show general definition a holy war waged by Muslims against infidels; or any relentless battle for a belief or more rarely: a holy struggle or striving by a Muslim for a moral, spiritual, or political goal
	26	top 2000
poisecomposure (calm confidence -- even when under pressure) She has great charm and great poise.more Show sample from book But the young body carried a sense of command, a poised assurance,25 more poise → poised:coolness and composure Show general definition calm, confident, and in control—especially in movement, behavior, or when ready to act
	7	top 2000
positivecertain I'm positive I've seen her before.more Show sample from book He could not be certain what he would do, but of one thing he was positive: he did not want the water distilled out of Jamis' flesh.7 more Show general definition for positive (as in: I'm absolutely positive!) certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
	1	top 100
positive#2positive → positively:in a good or beneficial manner Lower interest rates positively affected home sales.†more Show sample from book The measure of Count Fenring's friendship may be seen first in a positive thing: he allayed the Landsraad's suspicions after the Arrakis Affair.7 more good Show general definition for positive (as in: had a positive effect) good or beneficial
	23	top 2000
treacherybetrayal Benedict Arnold remains the U.S.'s symbol of ultimate treachery.more Show sample from book I suspect her of treachery22 more Show general definition the behavior of someone who pretends to be a friend and then tricks, cheats, or betrays
	22	top 2000
prophecyprediction of the future The prophecy came true.more Show sample from book Yet the boy fitted the ancient prophecy so precisely.21 more prediction Show general definition a prediction of the future (usually said to be obtained in a supernatural way)
	18	top 1000
perilperil → perils:dangers The mountaineers faced many perils on their ascent to the summit, including treacherous icefalls and avalanches.more Show sample from book But when you look inward and confront the raw force of your own life unshielded, you see your peril.†17 more danger Show general definition danger
	19	top 100
conventionconvention → conventional:normal It was once conventional wisdom that the earth is flat.more Show sample from book even that convention isn't required.19 more thing that is regarded as normal Show general definition for convention (as in: conventional behavior) something regarded as normal or typical
	1
convention#2written international agreement The European Convention on Human Rights binds about 50 European countries.more Show sample from book Each rule of the Great convention begins: "The forms must be obeyed . . . "19 more an international agreement Show general definition for convention (as in: The Geneva Convention) a written international agreement
	10	top 100
adaptadapt → adapted:changed (to fit this situation) Ideas contained in passages for this test, some of which are excerpted or adapted from published material, do not necessarily represent the opinions of the College Board.more Show sample from book Now came the crucial test: date palms, cotton, melons, coffee, medicinals — more than 200 selected food plant types to test and adapt.10 more change to fit Show general definition for adapt (as in: adapted to the new rules) changed to fit a different situation; or made suitable
	1	top 100
adaptedadapted → well adapted:well suited Penguins are especially well adapted for cold weather.more Show sample from book This latitude's life-zone has mostly what we call minor water stealers—adapted to raiding each other for moisture, gobbling up the trace-dew.10 more well-suited Show general definition for adapted (as in: the species is well adapted for) to be especially well suited or appropriate for something
	8	top 200
inhibitinhibit → inhibits:slows or prevents The drug inhibits the spread of cancer.more Show sample from book Slowly, feeling the compulsions and unable to inhibit them, Paul put his hand into the box.10 more prevent Show general definition for inhibit (as in: inhibited the growth of...) to limit the activity of someone or something
	3	top 500
inhibitedunable to act naturally due to being overly self-conscious She's personable and funny with her friends, but she tends to be inhibited with strangers.more Show sample from book It was like a child's game that had lost all inhibition in adult hands.10 more inhibited → inhibition:limitation or restraint
	2
graftgraft → grafted:joined (moved from one part of the body and joining to another part of the body) Skin from the leg was grafted to the face of the burn victim.more Show sample from book Full of well-trained feelings and abilities and all of them grafted onto me — all bearing for someone else to pick.3 more graft → grafted:joined Show general definition for graft (as in: skin graft) to artificially join two things; or the smaller of the items joined; or the location of the joining Show editor's word notes Common examples are the grafting of a plant shoot to another plant stem or the grafting of skin tissue to replace skin lost due to fire or other accident. This sense of graft can also be used metaphorically as in "graft the provision onto the legislative bill."
	2
graft#2political corruption such as bribery The government of that country is known for graft at all levels.more Show sample from book Hawat here estimates that graft and extra fighting men heretofore required in their operations have been costing them four times that amount.3 more dishonest conduct (such as bribery) for personal gain Show general definition for graft (as in: graft and corruption) corruption in which one uses their position to gain personal advantage -- especially political corruption