Glory in Death — Vocabulary
J. D. Robb
(Auto-generated)

Word Set

Samples

Sort By

Further limit words

by chapter of first use

to Show all

by difficulty

to (9 is most difficult)

by interest

underline any show only

Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	17	top 500
motivereason (for doing something) She believes the profit motive encourages people to satisfy other people's needs.more Show sample from book Not only had she been unable to discover a single viable motive, she'd found no one who hadn't adored the victim.†16 more Show general definition for motive (as in: What is her motive?) a reason for doing something
	21	top 1000
musemuse → mused:reflected (thought) deeply He mused aloud about the afternoon's developments.more Show sample from book "He's better than I'd thought," Roarke mused.20 more muse → mused:thought Show general definition for muse (as in: her musings) reflect (think) deeply on a subject -- perhaps aloud
	2	top 100
elaborateexplain in detail Please elaborate on the reasons you think this is the best plan.more Show sample from book "Just answer the question. Don't elaborate."4 more add details Show general definition for elaborate (as in: elaborate on your plan) add details or explain in detail
	3	top 500
elaborate#2complicated It's part of her elaborate plan for getting accepted at Harvard.more Show sample from book One of the loftier buildings on Broadcast Avenue, it towered up from a wide, flat hilt, housed several thousand employees, five elaborate studios, including the most lavish new set on the East Coast, and enough power to beam transmissions to every pocket of the planet and its orbiting stations.4 more fancy (with many special details and features) Show general definition for elaborate (as in: an elaborate design) having details and complexity -- sometimes fancy or ornate Show editor's word notes Depending upon it's context, this sense of elaborate can additionally imply that details make something either:<ul><li>more special than others of its kind in a good way</li></ul>or:<ul><li>more complicated than necessary in a bad way</li></ul>
	11	top 1000
prominentwell-known and respected She is a prominent member of our community.more Show sample from book a prominent U.S. senator10 more well-known Show general definition for prominent (as in: a prominent politician) well-known or important -- especially of a person who is respected
	4	top 200
inclinedhave a tendency; or an attitude or mood that favors something I'm inclined to believe him.more Show sample from book There's always that possibility, Eve, but I'm more inclined to see the killer as an active participant rather than a hireling.4 more with a tendency (an attitude favoring) Show general definition for inclined (as in: I'm inclined to) a tendency, mood, desire, or attitude that favors something; or making someone favor something
	1	top 200
inclinesomething sloping upward (such as a hill) It is a steep incline.more Show sample from book He understood, and inclined his head.4 more incline → inclined:bowed (or bent or angled) Show general definition for incline (as in: on an incline or incline his head) to be at an angle or to bend
	7	top 100
evaluateevaluate → evaluating:thinking carefully and making a judgment about I'm evaluating colleges and deciding which I want to apply to.more Show sample from book She took a breath for control, reevaluated the eerily beautiful face.†6 more evaluate → reevaluated:to think carefully and make a judgment about something Show context notes The prefix "re-" in reevaluated means again. This is the same pattern you see in words like reconsider, rearrange, and regenerate. Show general definition to think carefully and make a judgment about something
	6	top 100
factorthing (that influenced a result) Cost was an important factor in our decision.more Show sample from book Unless his lawyers try to block it, Doctor Mira will test him, determine his emotional and mental state, the probability factor of his aptitude toward violence.†5 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."
	7	top 500
enhanceimprove This sauce will enhance the flavor of the meat.more Show sample from book On-air talents were often known to leverage their first three years' salaries against cosmetic enhancement.6 more enhance → enhancement:improvement Show general definition increase quantity or improve quality
	5	top 100
reviseimprove (change) How can you revise that paragraph to improve the expression of ideas?more Show sample from book Why have you decided to revise your previous statement?†4 more change Show general definition to change (and hopefully improve) -- most frequently to improve a written document, but it can be any intentional change such as a change in an estimated amount, a plan, or a series of procedures
	6	top 500
contracta written agreement that is enforceable by law She signed the contract.more Show sample from book I might have a shot at a recording contract.5 more a formal legal agreement Show general definition for contract (as in: legal contract) an agreement - typically written and enforceable by law
	7	top 1000
confiscateconfiscate → confiscated:took away The teacher confiscated her phone after she kept texting during class.more Show sample from book They'll confiscate any communication or recording devices he's got on him.6 more take away regardless of consent -- especially by public authority Show general definition to take something regardless of consent -- often as a punishment or by authority
	1	top 100
citecite → cited:quoted She cited census statistics to prove her point.more Show sample from book Morse quit, citing he refused to work with a nonprofessional.1 more cite → citing:saying Show general definition for cite (as in: cited from the President's speech) to mention something or quote someone (to make a point)
	1	top 2000
cite#2cite → cited:charged (with breaking the law) She was cited for speeding.more Show sample from book A traffic hovercraft dipped low, blasted out the standard order to proceed or be cited.1 more cite → cited:charged with violating the law Show general definition for cite (as in: cited for speeding) to officially mention someone in a legal matter - especially to charge someone with breaking the law or to demand they appear in court
	2	top 500
amicablefriendly The two countries have a productive and amicable relationship.more Show sample from book The termination of their marriage, apparently, was as amicable as such things can be.†1 more friendly or showing goodwill Show general definition friendly or showing goodwill
	3
deducededuce → deduced:concluded by reasoning From the muddy footprints and the open window, she deduced that someone had snuck into the house.more Show sample from book The subway,she deduced.†2 more Show general definition conclude by reasoning -- especially reasoning from the general to the particular
	2	top 1000
corroboratesupport The detectives looked for evidence to corroborate her story.more Show sample from book With a sigh, Eve reached over and opened the elegant and expensive bag to corroborate her visual ID.†1 more to support an opinion -- typically with additional evidence or testimony Show general definition to support an opinion -- typically with additional evidence or testimony
	2	top 2000
rectifycorrect, fix, or make right I am doing what I can to rectify the error.more Show sample from book My mistake for allowing it, but that can be rectified.1 more rectify → rectified:fixed
	2
scapegoatsomeone to blame for the errors of others She is a convenient scapegoat because she was chosen by the last administration.more Show sample from book You need a scapegoat.†1 more someone blamed or punished for the errors of others Show general definition someone blamed or punished for the errors of others Show editor's word notes (editor's note: This expression comes from an ancient Jewish ritual in which the sins of the people were ritually transferred to a goat which was then driven into the desert away from the community.)