Starship Troopers — Vocabulary
Robert A. Heinlein
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	17	top 500
simulateimitate or represent A computer model is used to simulate the effects of wind.more Show sample from book everything was simulated -- but you are required to behave as if it is all real.16 more simulate → simulated:imitating a real situation Show general definition make an imitation or representation of
	12	top 1000
doctrineprinciple She argues that the action is protected under the separation-of-powers doctrine that is fundamental to the US Constitution.more Show sample from book Anyone who clings to the historically untrue -- and thoroughly immoral -- doctrine that 'violence never settles anything' I would advise to conjure up the ghosts of Napoleon Bonaparte and of the Duke of Wellington and let them debate it.11 more a belief accepted as authoritative by some group Show general definition a belief (or system of beliefs or principles) accepted as authoritative by some group
	10	top 1000
mustermuster → mustered:gathered She mustered the courage to introduce herself.more Show sample from book after we had mustered in the drop room of the Rodger Young, our platoon leader inspected us.9 more Show general definition for muster (as in: muster strength or the crew) to gather The exact meaning of this sense of muster is often subject to its context. For example: "mustered her courage/strength/a smile" -- to gather from within "muster the soldiers/crew" -- to gather -- typically for inspection "muster volunteers/votes" -- to gather enough to do something
	11	top 2000
rendezvousmeet at an agreed time and place We're going to rendezvous at Starbucks.more Show sample from book We had landed in a V formation, with Jelly at the bottom of the V and Red and myself at the ends of the two arms; now we had to close it into a circle around the retrieval rendezvous .10 more to meet at a certain time and place Show general definition to meet at a specific time and place; or the meeting itself
	7	top 500
deriveget She likes to win, but she doesn't derive pleasure from watching others lose.more Show sample from book But a neodog is not a talking dog; he is not a dog at all, he is an artificially mutated symbiote derived from dog stock.†6 more derive → derived:got Show general definition to get something from something else (If the context doesn't otherwise indicate where something came from, it is generally from reasoning--especially deductive reasoning.)
	9
radiationparticles emitted by radioactive atoms Scientists use Geiger counters to measure radiation emitted by radioactive materials.more Show sample from book You see, it's short on mutations; it does not enjoy Earth's high level of natural radiation.8 more particles emitted by nuclear decay (which can cause illness and in very rare cases, desired mutations) Show general definition for radiation (as in: nuclear radiation) particles emitted by unstable atomic nuclei Show editor's word notes Generally, radiation is discussed in terms of harmful levels of radiation that cause sickness. However, there is a normal level of radiation that is not harmful and sometimes radiation is carefully used for beneficial purposes such as medical treatments that use it to kill cancer cells.
	6	top 500
competentsufficiently capable She is a competent student and I have no doubt she will be a competent lawyer one day.more Show sample from book A purely nominal political privilege that pays not one centavo and that most of them aren't competent to use wisely anyhow.†5 more Show general definition capable (able to do something in a generally satisfactory manner) -- sometimes specifically to have legal capability
	5	top 100
factorthing (that influenced a result) Cost was an important factor in our decision.more Show sample from book This very personal relationship, 'value,' has two factors for a human being: first, what he can do with a thing, its use to him ...and second, what he must do to get it, its cost to him.†4 more factor → factors:things that affect 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."
	5	top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book "The exact words of the book," he said scornfully.†4 more scorn → scornfully:in a disrespectful or rejecting manner Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
	5	top 500
scarcityshortage There is a scarcity of work in the region.more Show sample from book It is a potential utopia, and, with desirable real estate so scarce in this end of the Galaxy, it will not be left in the possession of primitive life forms that failed to make the grade.†4 more scarcity → scarce:in short supply OR barely or hardly (by a small margin) Show general definition shortage (having an amount that is less than desired)
	7	top 2000
hypnotizehypnotize → hypnotized:put into a trance-like state of focused concentration and heightened suggestibility (a state of hypnosis) I want to be hypnotized and given the suggestion that I don't like to snack on fattening foods.more Show sample from book But some of you ain't got any minds to hypnotize so I'll sketch it out.6 more to put someone into a trance-like state of focused concentration and heightened suggestibility Show general definition for hypnotize (as in: hypnotized to try to remember) to put someone into a state of hypnosis (a trance-like state of focused concentration and heightened suggestibility) Show editor's word notes Hypnosis is a special, trance-like state of focused attention. A hypnotized person is often very relaxed and more willing than usual to accept and act on the hypnotist’s suggestions. Despite popular myths, hypnotized people don't lose control and won't do things against their core values.
	3	top 10
illustratemake clear Pictures of flooding help to illustrate the problem of global warming.more Show sample from book These kitchen illustrations demolish the Marxian theory of value — the fallacy from which the entire magnificent fraud of communism derives — and to illustrate the truth of the common-sense definition as measured in terms of use.2 more help make clear Show general definition for illustrate (as in: as illustrated by this example) to help make clear -- typically by example
	3	top 100
reviseimprove (change) How can you revise that paragraph to improve the expression of ideas?more Show sample from book Here's the revised plan.†2 more revise → revised:changed 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 2000
preposterouscompletely unreasonable They can't be seriously considering such a preposterous idea.more Show sample from book The whole incident was so preposterously unlikely that I was never even tempted to mention it to anyone else.†5 more preposterous → preposterously:absurd, outrageous, silly, or completely unreasonable Show general definition absurd, outrageous, silly, or completely unreasonable
	6	top 200
obsoleteno longer in general use because it was replaced by something better My mother still has a twenty-year-old obsolete computer in storage.more Show sample from book But we learned a lot of "obsolete" weapons, too.5 more Show general definition no longer in general use because it was replaced by something better
	4
mutationchange in the genes The gene (which greatly increases the carrier's chance of getting colon cancer by age 80) is believed to have been tracked to a mutation in the Fry family in 1630.more Show sample from book You see, it's short on mutations; it does not enjoy Earth's high level of natural radiation.†3 more mutation → mutations:a change in the genes that determine biological traits… Show general definition a change in the genes that determine biological traits; or the result of the change
	2	top 1000
jargonwords or expressions commonly used in a particular field but not elsewhere The medical jargon used by the doctors was difficult for the patient to understand.more Show sample from book If he kept out of major trouble while confined, he could usually evade most of even that mild punishment, be given probation — 'paroled' in the jargon of the times.†1 more specialized vocabulary Show general definition words or expressions commonly used in a particular field but not understood by most people
	2	top 1000
utopiautopia → utopian:of an imaginary place considered to be perfect or ideal They were the impractical utopian dreams of youth.more Show sample from book It is a potential utopia, and, with desirable real estate so scarce in this end of the Galaxy, it will not be left in the possession of primitive life forms that failed to make the grade.†1 more an imaginary place considered to be perfect or ideal Show general definition an imaginary place considered to be perfect or ideal
	3
receptiveopen to suggestions She was receptive to feedback and made changes to improve her project.more Show sample from book The inside of the suit is a mass of pressure receptors, hundreds of them.†2 more receptive → receptors:open to arguments, ideas, or change Show general definition open to arguments, ideas, or change
	2	top 2000
belligerenthostile or combative She spoke to her teacher in a belligerent tone and was sent to the office.more Show sample from book From our co-belligerents the Skinnies we knew that many missing troopers were alive as prisoners1 more belligerent → belligerents:fighters Show general definition hostile (the attitude of one eager to fight); or one already engaged in a fight or war