The Demolished Man — Vocabulary
Alfred Bester
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	30	top 500
apprehensionconcern about what will happen She looked around the examination room with apprehension.more Show sample from book Tension, apprehension, and dissension have begun.29 more worry or concern about what will happen Show general definition for apprehension (as in: apprehension about finals) worry about what is to come
	23	top 1000
dissentdisagreement The Alien and Sedition Acts were attempts to silence early political dissent in America.more Show sample from book Tension, apprehension, And dissension have begun.†22 more dissent → dissension:disagreement or conflict Show general definition to disagree; or disagreement or conflict -- typically between people who cooperate, and often with official or majority beliefs Show editor's word notes A Supreme Court dissenting opinion is a written opinion that represents the beliefs of one or more justices who disagreed with the majority.
	17	top 500
latentpotentially existing but not presently active She is unschooled, but I think she has latent talent as an engineer.more Show sample from book Latent Espers turned up infrequently.†16 more potentially existing but not presently evident or active Show general definition potentially existing but not presently evident or active
	13
telepathycommunication from one mind to another without using the known senses My dog is so good at knowing what I'm thinking, you'd think she had canine telepathy.more Show sample from book The fact that Reich's secretary had sent an advance telepathic announcement of the visit made no difference to him.†12 more Show general definition communication from one mind to another without using the known senses (often used in fiction but not scientifically supported as real)
	10	top 2000
daisraised platform She was seated on the inaugural dais near the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.more Show sample from book Flushed and shining with perspiration, standing in the glare of a pink light on the dais between the two fountains, Maria clapped her hands for silence.†9 more Show general definition a platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to people on it
	8	top 2000
alcoverecessed (pushing outward from the main room) It is a beautiful room with an alcove window.more Show sample from book Powell loped down a hall toward the v-phone alcove.†7 more a recessed or secluded space -- such as in a room or garden Show general definition a recessed or secluded space -- such as in a room or garden Show editor's word notes The alcove of a room is a smaller room attached to a larger room and separated by an arch or other architectural feature other than a door.
	8	top 2000
psychoticsomeone who suffers from a psychosis (any severe mental disorder in which contact with reality is lost or highly distorted) She is borderline psychotic.more Show sample from book Lincoln Powell, the Prefect of the Police Psychotic Division, is deadly.†7 more related to psychosis or someone who suffers from a psychosis (any severe mental disorder in which contact with reality is lost or highly distorted) Show general definition related to psychosis or someone who suffers from a psychosis (any severe mental disorder in which contact with reality is lost or highly distorted)
	8
solar systeman area that includes a star and everything that revolves around it Our solar system includes the Sun, eight planets, their moons, and many smaller objects like asteroids.more Show sample from book He put on a gown and glanced at the clock, unaware that he was noting the time panorama of the solar system with an unconscious skill that would have baffled his ancestors.†7 more the area that includes the sun (or any star) and everything that revolves around… Show general definition the area that includes the sun (or any star) and everything that revolves around it
	7	top 2000
abolishabolish → abolishing:eliminating (doing away with) She is in favor of abolishing the death penalty.more Show sample from book Their faces were sagging, their vision destroyed, their time sense abolished.†6 more abolish → abolished:eliminated Show general definition eliminate (end, or do away with)
	5	top 1000
distortalter in an unnatural or untrue way These sunglasses distort my vision.more Show sample from book He shaped his distorted face into a frozen smile and rejoined his hostess on a couch alongside one of the tables.†4 more distort → distorted:altered in an unnatural or untrue way Show general definition to alter something in an unnatural or untrue way
	5	top 1000
audaciousbold and daring It was an audacious act of piracy.more Show sample from book He planned all through Monday, audaciously, bravely, with confidence.†4 more audacious → audaciously:with boldness and daring Show general definition bold and daring (inclined to take risks) -- especially in violating social convention in a manner that could offend others
	5	top 1000
emitemit → emitted:sent out The ozone layer blocks some harmful rays emitted by the sun.more Show sample from book Tate emitted a hysterical sob.†4 more Show general definition to produce and send out -- such as sound or light
	3	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 "Esper evidence isn't admitted in court." "True, but once an Esper discovers guilt he can always uncover objective evidence to support his peeping."2 more fact-based and not influenced by 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)."
	5	top 2000
plaintivesad She asked in a plaintive voice.more Show sample from book He was in the kitchen, checking over the refreshment-dials in preparation for the party, whistling a plaintive, crooked tune.†4 more Show general definition expressing sadness -- sometimes with a plea for help
	9
swindlefraud (or deception) to steal money She stole over a million dollars in her biggest swindle.†more Show sample from book There's a song-writer down on Melody Lane I can swindle into helping me.†8 more tricking or cheating someone -- usually to get money Show general definition tricking or cheating someone -- usually to get money
	8
anterooma room leading to a larger or more important room He was searched again in the anteroom before entering her office.more Show sample from book Up a flight of steps to an anteroom.†7 more Show general definition a room (such as a waiting room) leading to a larger or more important room
	7
bastiondefensive fortification The universities were the last bastion of freedom, but they were purged of anyone who questioned official propaganda shortly after the coup.more Show sample from book —— 9 Bastion West Side, famous last bulwark in the Siege of New York, was dedicated as a war memorial.†6 more a strong defender or reliable example of something Show general definition a strong defender or reliable example of something -- like a fortress or a person upholding a principle
	6
pawn shopa shop that offers loans to people who use their personal property as collateral She put up her wedding ring at the pawn shop to get a 1-week loan so she could fix her car.more Show sample from book After too long a time, the image of Jerry Church appeared against a background of pawnshop debris.†5 more pawn shop → pawnshop:a shop that offers loans to individuals who use their personal property as collateral Show general definition a shop that either offers loans to individuals who use their personal property as collateral, or that purchases the personal property outright Show editor's word notes At a pawn shop, collateral refers to personal property of the borrower that that is left at the pawn shop. If the loan isn't repaid with interest, the pawn shop keeps (the property an sells it to someone else. Otherwise, the property is returned to the borrower.
	4
pneumaticair-powered She sent the documents through a pneumatic tube system that carried them across the building.more Show sample from book She embraced him with pneumatic intensity, contriving to press his hand into her cleavage.†3 more of or relating to or using air (or gas) under pressure Show general definition of or relating to or using air (or gas) under pressure
	3
caricaturea drawing that exaggerates physical traits for comedic effect The artist drew a caricature of the politician, exaggerating his features for comedic effect.more Show sample from book The image of Barbara D'Courtney appeared, now a caricature of the sexual siren.†2 more a representation that exaggerates or highlights certain aspects Show general definition a representation that exaggerates or highlights certain aspects -- especially of a person for comic effect; or creating a drawing with such exaggeration