Ender's Game — Vocabulary
Orson Scott Card
(Edited)

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Book sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	51	top 500
simulateimitate We have programmed the computer to simulate the kinds of situations we might expect in encounters with the enemy.p.220.150 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) A computer model is used to simulate the effects of wind.more imitate or represent Show general definition make an imitation or representation of
	7	top 200
mockmock → mocked:ridiculed (made fun of) Instead, they mocked and shouted and ridiculed as the Launchies tried to master difficult skills with untrained muscles.p.106.310 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) She was upset when he mocked her.more mock → mocked:made fun of Show general definition for mock (as in: don't mock me) make fun of (ridicule--sometimes by imitating in an exaggerated manner) or (more rarely): just to make fun or to be ridiculous without targeting anyone as a victim Show editor's word notes These senses of mockery come together when a comedian pokes fun at a politician by pretending to be the politician and saying ridiculous things.
	4	top 200
mock#2pretend (not real) He staged mock wars after the first week, savage affairs in the practice room that left everybody exhausted.p.149.910 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) Law students compete in a pretend court in a mock trial competition.more not real Show general definition for mock (as in: a mock trial) not real
	2	top 2000
attributecharacteristic Fairness is a wonderful attribute, Major Anderson.p.95.12 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) The spreadsheet has a column to describe the breed of dog and then ten additional columns to indicate attributes of the breeds. For example, the second column has the average full-grown weight.more attribute → attributes:characteristics Show general definition for attribute (as in: It is an attribute of...) a characteristic or feature (of something or someone)
	1	top 100
attribute#2credit (point to as the cause of) To what, commander, do you attribute your remarkable success?p.160.12 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) She attributed this quotation to Shakespeare.more attribute → attributed:credited (pointed to as the source of) Show general definition for attribute (as in: I attribute it to...) to credit (a source for something) in two typical senses: "I attribute it to her work." -- to say who or what made something happen "Remember to attribute any quotations in your paper." -- indicate the source of a quotation or idea
	2	top 100
composecompose → composing:writing They began composing debates for their characters.p.121.42 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) The assignment is to compose a poem.more write Show general definition for compose (as in: compose a poem) to write or create something with care
	1	top 100
compose#2compose → composed:made up The little village that had grown up between the Giant's ribs was composed of buggers now, and they saluted him gravely, like gladiators greeting Caesar before they died for his entertainment.p.224.42 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) The United States is composed of 50 states.more Show general definition for compose (as in: composed of many parts) to create something by arranging parts
	1	top 10
contrastcontrast → contrasting:pointing to differences between At school, she once nearly got them in trouble, when her history teacher assigned the class to write a paper contrasting the views of Demosthenes and Locke as expressed in two of their early columns.p.188.41 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) Contrast winter in Panama with winter in Alaska.more point to differences between Show general definition for contrast (as in: contrast their writing styles) point to differences between; or compare to show differences
	1	top 10
contrast#2contrast → contrasting:differing A few days later Locke got picked up for a column in a New England newsnet, specifically to provide a contrasting view for their popular column from Demosthenes.p.123.81 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) The contrast in their leadership styles is striking. Olivia motivated people with fear. Isabella motivated them with praise.more notable difference Show general definition for contrast (as in: there is a contrast) a difference -- especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
	8	top 1000
contemptstrong dislike and disapproval Mazer would go over the game with a look of contempt on his face.p.225.57 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) Familiarity breeds contempt.more lack of respect Show general definition for contempt (as in: feels contempt towards her) lack of respect for someone or something thought inferior -- often accompanied by a feeling of dislike or disgust Show editor's word notes A famous saying, "familiarity breeds contempt" comes from Aesop's fable, "The Fox and the Lion". (6th century BC) When first the Fox saw the Lion he was terribly frightened, and ran away and hid himself in the wood. Next time however he came near the King of Beasts he stopped at a safe distance and watched him pass by. The third time they came near one another the Fox went straight up to the Lion and passed the time of day with him, asking him how his family were, and when he should have the pleasure of seeing him again; then turning his tail, he parted from the Lion without much ceremony. The moral is traditionally, "Familiarity breeds contempt"; though an alternative moral is "Acquaintance softens prejudices."
	6	top 1000
compassionsympathy for another's suffering But somebody with that much compassion could never be the killer we needed.p.235.45 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) If I see one hungry child, I feel compassion, but when I hear of a million hungry children, I'm overwhelmed and turn my mind to other things.more sympathy for another's suffering and wanting to help Show general definition sympathy for another's suffering and wanting to help
	5	top 500
empathyunderstanding and sharing other's feelings We had to have a commander with so much empathy that he would think like the buggers, understand them and anticipate them. So much compassion that he could win the love of his underlings...p.235.34 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) She lacks empathy and is very selfish.more the understanding and sharing of others' feelings Show general definition the ability, tendency, or act of understanding and sharing another's emotional state
	7	top 100
assumeassume → assumed:believed Val assumed that he was pretending, but then she wondered.p.119.68 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) I assume she was at school today, but I don't remember actually seeing her.more believe (without knowing for sure) Show general definition for assume (as in: I assume it's true) to accept something as true without proof
	1	top 100
assume#2take (power or responsibility) Either he will unmask himself in order to assume leadership of the forces of stupidity he has marshaled, or his enemies will unmask him in order to better understand the disease that has produced such a warped and twisted mind.p.126.58 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) The dictator assumed control of the country at midnight this morning.more assume → assumed:took (power) Show general definition for assume (as in: She assumed power) beginning to take power or responsibility
	1	top 100
assume#3assume → assumed:took on (an appearance) Shen closed his eyes and assumed a look of blissful meditation.p.105.48 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) She assumed the identify of her victim until the body was found.more assume → assumed:took on (or adopted) Show general definition for assume (as in: She assumed a false identity) to take on (adopt, wear, strike a pose or appearance of) -- often while pretending or disguising
	1	top 2000
obliviona state of complete destruction They weren't just points of light in the air, they were real ships that he had fought with and real ships he had destroyed. And a real world that he had blasted into oblivion.p.234.7 Show exemplary sample (not from book) She stopped performing and her music faded into oblivion.more the state of being completely forgotten Show general definition state of complete loss—being totally forgotten, wiped out, or lost to awareness of what is going on
	7
perspectiveview Since the others could only see their own battle perspective, he would sometimes give them orders that made no sense to them; but they, too, learned to trust Ender.p.219.46 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) The penthouse window gives a perspective on half the city.more Show general definition for perspective (as in: a perspective of the entire block) a view -- often stressing that the view is different from a view from another location
	5
requisitionrequisition → requisitioned:officially requested We asked your parents to choose a daughter next ... hoping that Valentine would be Peter, but milder. She was too mild. And so we requisitioned you.p.42.34 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) The surveillance recordings were requisitioned by police to identify the thief.more requisition → requisitioned:officially demanded Show general definition to officially request, demand, or take something; or the form used to make such a request
	2	top 500
adeptskilled By the time he had been at Command School for a year, he was adept at running the simulator at any of fifteen levels, from controlling an individual fighter to commanding a fleet.p.208.51 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) She is adept with numbers.more skillful Show general definition having skill in a particular area
	3
feintmake a deceptive move -- as though attacking Feint, withdraw, skim the globe to another point, withdraw again...p.222.32 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) The attack from the south was just a feint to distract us from the real attack.Mark Twain — The Innocents Abroadmore deceptive maneuver Show general definition any distracting or deceptive maneuver; or the act of making the maneuver Show editor's word notes Feint is most typically used for physical maneuvers as when boxing, fencing, or moving troops where a mock attack diverts attention from the real attack. But it can also be used much more generally as when Charlotte Bronte wrote of "a mere feint of politeness."