Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets — Vocabulary
J. K. Rowling
(Edited)

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Book sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	15	top 2000
serpentserpent → serpents:snakes Harry wanted to shout, "Don't leave me!" but what chance did a phoenix have against the king of serpents?p.318.114 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) There was a picture of a serpent eating its tail.more snake Show general definition a snake
	1	top 1000
resignationquitting from his position at work Mr. Lucius Malfoy, a governor of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where the enchanted car crashed earlier this year, called today for Mr. Weasley's resignation.p.222.12 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) I know you're unhappy there, but don't submit your resignation until you find a better job.more a document expressing that someone is quitting a job Show general definition for resignation (as in: submitted her resignation) to quit -- especially a job or position; or a document expressing such an act
	2	top 1000
resignation#2resignation → resigned:having accepted something undesired as unavoidable Ron sighed as though resigned to the worst, "I'm ready. Let's go."p.272.42 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) It wasn't her first choice, but she accepted it with resignation.more (accepted) something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils Show general definition for resignation (as in: accepted it with resignation) acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
	1	top 500
relativecompared to other things In the relative calm that followed, Lockhart straightened up, caught sight of Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who were almost at the door, and said, "Well, I'll ask you three to just nip the rest of them back into their cage."p.102.81 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) I am comparing the relative benefits of both proposals.more compared to each other Show general definition for relative (as in: the relative importance) compared with something else (not an absolute value or not complete)
	1	top 2000
relative#2relative → relatives:people related by blood or marriage The Dursleys had always forbidden questions about his wizarding relatives.p.197.21 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) Police are searching for friends or relatives who might know something about her plans that night.more relative → relatives:family members (related by blood or marriage) Show general definition for relative (as in: they are relatives) connected in various senses, including: a person related by blood or marriage -- as in "The hospital won't let me visit her because I'm not a relative." a plant or animal related by origin or grouping -- "The closest relative of the dog is the gray wolf."
	5	top 1000
cowercower → cowered:showed fear All three of Mrs. Weasley's sons were taller than she was, but they cowered as her rage broke over them.p.33.44 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) She cowered in fear.more cower → cowered:showed fear by positioning the body as though afraid of being hit Show general definition show fear by positioning the body as though afraid of being hit
	3	top 1000
retortretort → retorted:quickly replied in a defiant way "Dumbledore's been driven out of this castle by the mere memory of me!" he hissed. "He's not as gone as you might think!" Harry retorted.p.315.12 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) She wanted to retort that he that he sounded foolish, but she made herself count to ten and thought better of it.more quickly reply Show general definition for retort (as in: quick retort) a quick reply to a question or remark -- especially a witty or critical one
	3	top 1000
suppresssuppress → suppressed:held back (controlled) "But I know why you couldn't kill me. Because my mother died to save me. My common Muggle-born mother," he added, shaking with suppressed rage.p.316.92 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) She claimed that Facebook suppressed and promoted news that met a political agenda.more suppress → suppressed:kept from spreading Show general definition trying to keep under control The exact meaning of suppress can depend upon its context. For example: "suppressed the revolution" -- to stop others from doing something by force "suppressed a smile" -- kept something from happening "suppressed the story" -- kept news from spreading "suppressed her fear" -- controlled an emotion "suppressed the memory" -- avoided thinking about (perhaps even removed from conscious memory) Show editor's word notes Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice): Suppress and repress can be interchanged; though in psychology something that is repressed is done unconsciously while something that is suppressed is done voluntarily.
	3	top 1000
taunttaunt → tauntingly:in a manner that intentionally angers, challenges, or upsets someone "Hand it over, Malfoy," said Percy sternly. "When I've had a look," said Malfoy, waving the diary tauntingly at Harry.p.239.22 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) She used Twitter to taunt the opposing candidate.more intentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone Show general definition to intentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone -- especially by mocking them or hurling insults or (as a noun): an insult or other action intended to anger, challenge, or upset someone
	2	top 1000
writhewrithe → writhing:moving in a twisting or contorted motion Riddle was writhing and twisting, screaming and flailing and then-- He had gone.p.322.61 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) The patient writhed in pain.more writhe → writhed:moved in a twisting or contorted motion Show general definition to move in a twisting or contorted motion -- often of a person when struggling or in pain
	1	top 100
passagepassage → passages:short parts of longer written works Since the disastrous episode of the pixies, Professor Lockhart had not brought live creatures to class. Instead, he read passages from his books to them, and sometimes reenacted some of the more dramatic bits.p.161.2 Show exemplary sample (not from book) Each passage below is followed by a number of questions.more a short part of a longer written work Show general definition for passage (as in: In lines 1-9 of the passage...) a short part of a longer written work Show editor's word notes This meaning of passage is commonly seen on standardized tests like the SAT and ACT.
	1	top 500
dwellfocus (let attention stay) But he had no time to dwell on this; Professor McGonagall was moving along the Gryffindor table, handing out course schedules.p.89.22 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) Don't dwell on the past.more think or talk about something longer than seems appropriate Show general definition for dwell (as in: Don't dwell on it.) to think, communicate, or let attention stay on (or return to) something for a prolonged period
	1	top 500
dwell#2dwell → dwells:lives They believed that I was the monster that dwells in what they call the Chamber of Secrets.p.277.72 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) The creature dwells in the forest.more dwell → dwells:lives in Show general definition for dwell (as in: It dwells in the forest.) make one's home in; or to live in; or to stay (in a place)
	5	top 2000
venomvenom → venomous:capable of injecting poison with a bite Its methods of killing are most wondrous, for aside from its deadly and venomous fangs, the Basilisk has a murderous stare, and all who are fixed with the beam of its eye shall suffer instant death.p.290.56 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) The rattlesnake's venom is deadly.more poison Show general definition for venom (as in: snake venom) poison created by some insects and animals such as snakes
	2
venom#2intense feelings of hatred or anger Snape shot a look of pure venom at Harry and Ron as he allowed himself to be swept out of his office, leaving them alone with Professor McGonagall, who was still eyeing them like a wrathful eagle.p.82.26 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) It was a terrible fight. Both were spewing venom and said things they wish they had not said.more
	6
culpritperson responsible for wrongdoing The culprit must have known it was only a matter of time before I caught him.p.235.65 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) We will find and punish the culprit.more person responsible for a wrongdoing Show general definition someone responsible for a wrongdoing -- especially a criminal; or something that caused a problem
	2	top 2000
disgruntledupset or unhappy Defense Against the Dark Arts classes were canceled ("but we've had plenty of practice at that anyway," Ron told a disgruntled Hermione)p.340.41 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) We have a line of disgruntled customers who have been waiting too long.more dissatisfied Show general definition dissatisfied - typically unhappy and annoyed
	2	top 2000
morosemorose → morosely:unhappily Harry lay facedown on the stone-cold floor, listening to Myrtle gurgling morosely in the end toilet.p.217.21 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) She drank alone in the corner, looking morose.more unhappy Show general definition unhappy -- often with a withdrawn personality
	1
floutflout → flouted:openly disregarding He cleared his throat and said, "Professor Dumbledore, these boys have flouted the Decree for the Restriction of Underage Wizardry, caused serious damage to an old and valuable tree —"p.81.9 Show exemplary sample (not from book) The current enforcement policy encourages people to flout the law.more openly disregard Show general definition to openly disregard -- typically a law, rule, or custom
	4	top 200
uttercomplete or total But to Harry's and Ron's utter amazement, stage one of the operation went just as smoothly as Hermione had said.p.214.43 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) She suffered utter devastation when her child died in the accident.more complete Show general definition for utter (as in: utter stupidity) complete or total (used as an intensifier--typically when stressing how bad something is)