Blood Brothers — Vocabulary
Nora Roberts
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	45
pagannon-mainstream religious The ancient village had pagan rituals that worshipped the sun and the changing seasons.more Show sample from book Or that he was hiking his way through Hawkins Wood to camp out at the expressly forbidden Pagan Stone.†p.15.844 more 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
	6	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 I will, however, insist on a demo later.†p.120.87 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.
	2	top 2000
however#2no matter how (how much/how hard/how long…) However hard she tried, she couldn't do it.more Show sample from book However much it tore inside her, Quinn knew it.p.279.67 more regardless of how Show general definition for however (as in: However much she tried...) to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount)
	13	top 1000
musemuse → mused:reflected (thought) deeply He mused aloud about the afternoon's developments.more Show sample from book He was obviously morning irritable, and none of that, she mused, made him any less attractive.p.268.912 more muse → mused:thought (reflected) Show general definition for muse (as in: her musings) reflect (think) deeply on a subject -- perhaps aloud
	4	top 100
factorthing (that influenced a result) Cost was an important factor in our decision.more Show sample from book It's twenty-two degrees with a windchill factor of fifteen.†p.35.23 more thing that affects a result or outcome Show general definition for factor (as in: It was the deciding factor.) something that affects a result or outcome Show editor's word notes You also may encounter x-factor or x factor--meaning "the most important thing that influences a result or outcome."
	4	top 200
objectivefact-based (not influenced by personal feelings or preferences) By any objective analysis, you would have to agree that...more Show sample from book You'll need to have the objectivity, and the sensitivity of a counselor to write the book that should be written on Hawkins Hollow…p.86.53 more objective → objectivity:understanding based on facts without the influence of personal feelings or preferences Show general definition for objective (as in: an objective viewpoint) fact-based without the influence of personal feelings or preferences Show editor's word notes Objective is often contrasted with subjective--which means "influenced by personal belief, feelings, or preferences (rather than being based purely upon fact)."
	4	top 500
entityperson or organization The law applies to any legal entity that can enter into a contract.more Show sample from book We're not going to suddenly jump sides and put on the uniform of some dark entity who tries to kill a dog to get his rocks off.†p.280.73 more person, organization, or anything with a separate existence Show general definition a person, organization, lifeform, or anything with a separate existence
	3	top 100
primarilymainly Did the author mention multiple companies primarily to demonstrate diversity of solutions or to show that interest in the industry is widespread?more Show sample from book England primarily, some Irish tossed in.†p.112.92 more Show general definition mainly (most importantly)
	3	top 500
gendermale/female/trans Gender roles were more defined when my grandmother was growing up.more Show sample from book Gage being drafted to make breakfast today is an example of the basics in non-gender-specific teamwork.†p.275.42 more male, female, or any of many trans categories Show general definition for gender (as in: gender discrimination) male or female or (especially regarding self-identification): the state of being male, female, or in any of many trans categories Show editor's word notes While the word sex can almost always be substituted for this meaning of gender, gender is typically used in reference to cultural or social differences, while sex is typically used for biological differences.
	3	top 500
indulgeindulge → indulges:allows them to get their way She indulges her children more than is good for them.more Show sample from book But since that would be breaking her vow to eat fast food no more than once a month, she wasn't going to indulge.†p.39.52 more enjoy to excess Show general definition to give in to a desire or allow someone to enjoy or experience something -- especially something pleasurable
	5	top 2000
coincidencea situation where things happened at the same time by chance even though it was unlikely It was a pure coincidence that both got sick the same weekend.more Show sample from book It's hard to believe that it's a coincidence this anomaly happens every seven years, with its start on your birthday.†p.51.24 more Show general definition a situation where two things happened at the same time or in the same way by chance even though it was unlikely
	2	top 100
phenomenonsomething that is of special interest It is a growing social phenomenon on high school campuses.more Show sample from book Following any whiff of information about devils, demons, unexplained phenomenon.†p.235.81 more something that exists or happened -- often of special interest Show general definition something that exists or happened -- especially something of special interest -- sometimes someone or something that is extraordinary Show editor's word notes "Phenomenons" and "phenomena" are both appropriate plural forms of this noun. "Phenomena" is generally used in scientific or philosophical contexts.
	4	top 1000
wistfulwistful → wistfully:showing longing or unfulfilled desire Sitting in her wheelchair, the old woman looked wistfully at the young dancers.more Show sample from book Cal heard the wistfulness.†p.92.73 more wistful → wistfulness:full of longing or unfulfilled desire
	2	top 500
underminegradually weaken She has taken every opportunity to undermine my influence with the team.more Show sample from book It'll undermine its confidence.†p.312.51 more weaken gradually Show general definition weaken gradually
	2	top 100
hypothesisa seemingly reasonable, but unproven, idea The study will test the hypothesis that a good marriage is more important than a higher income when measuring happiness.more Show sample from book So do their counterparts, so we can hypothesize that those are weapons or countermeasures against him.p.293.31 more hypothesis → hypothesize:propose a seemingly reasonable, but unproven, idea based upon known facts Show context notes The suffix "-ize" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize. Show general definition for hypothesis (as in: a study to test her hypothesis) a seemingly reasonable, but unproven idea or explanation based upon known facts Show editor's word notes In casual conversation, theory is a synonym for hypothesis, but a scientist would say that a hypothesis needs to pass rigorous tests before it could be accepted as a theory.
	2	top 200
anomalysomething outside of the range of what is normally expected They rate a nuclear event from 1 (an anomaly) to 7 (a major accident).more Show sample from book There's a writer coming into the Hollow to do research on the history, the legend, and what they're calling the anomalies.†p.35.11 more anomaly → anomalies:things falling outside of what is normally expected
	3
genealogythe study of family ancestry (parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, etc.) The world wide web is making genealogy easier than ever.more Show sample from book Have you ever had a genealogy done?†p.112.72 more family ancestry or its study Show general definition family ancestry or its study
	3
antidotecure The doctor gave her an antidote to counteract the snake venom.more Show sample from book Intrepid writer balks at first possible phenom, she thought, turns around, and drives her adorable red car to the nearest Mickey D's for a fat-filled antidote to nerves.†p.42.42 more Show general definition a cure for something bad -- especially for poison
	2	top 2000
qualmsfeelings of uneasiness She has no qualms about doing whatever it takes to win.more Show sample from book Without a qualm, he opened his father's wallet and helped himself to three singles and a five.†p.12.21 more qualms → qualm:feeling of uneasiness Show context notes Qualm is much more commonly used in the plural form, qualms. Show general definition feelings of uneasiness -- especially about whether it is right to do something
	1	top 500
censurecensure → censured:formally criticized They censured him for bringing dishonor upon the Senate.more Show sample from book She defied convention for him, risked shunning and censure.†p.197.9 harsh or formal criticism Show general definition harsh criticism; or formal criticism from an organization -- such as the U.S. Senate