Glory Road — Vocabulary
Robert A. Heinlein
(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
	11
heraldofficial who announces important news The herald loudly proclaimed, "The King is dead. Long live the King."more Show sample from book your fame needs no heralds milord10 more herald → heralds:a person who announces important news Show general definition for herald (as in: announced by herald & trumpet) a person who announces important news -- especially a king's representative
	8
parryparry → parried:blocked or deflected an attack The fencer quickly parried her opponent’s strike and countered with her own.more Show sample from book There is a go-for-broke tactic, "the target," taught by the best swordmasters, which consists in headlong advance with arm, wrist, and blade in full extension--all attack and no attempt to parry.7 more use one's blade to turn aside the blade of an opponent Show general definition to block or deflect an attack; or to avoid answering something by responding cleverly or indirectly
	5	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 There was a dropped-elevator sensation at transition, and suddenly reduced gravitation could have been bothersome had we time to indulge it.†4 more enjoy to excess Show general definition to give in to a desire or allow someone to enjoy or experience something -- especially something pleasurable
	2	top 1000
literallyusing the most basic meaning of the words She wasn't literally advocating physical violence.more Show sample from book I'm allergic to dragons—literally, not just scared silly.2 more actually (not just figuratively) Show general definition for literally (as in: literally--not figuratively) actually true using the basic meaning of the words (not an exaggeration, metaphor, or other type of figurative speech)
	1	top 2000
literalliteral → literally:word for word When translating English to another language, if you translate an expression like "What's up?" literally, it will completely confuse people learning the language.more Show sample from book A literal translation is reminiscent of Yellowstone Park: "Warning—the varmints in these woods are not tame."2 more Show general definition for literal (as in: a literal translation) word for word
	6	top 1000
democracya system of government in which citizens have power with equal votes The United States has a representative democracy.more Show sample from book Mathematicians, peasants, and animals, that's all there is—so democracy, a theory based on the assumption that mathematicians and peasants are equal, can never work.†5 more
	6	top 2000
soberingmakes one serious about an issue It's sobering to think that more Americans die from opioid abuse than in car accidents.more Show sample from book I was trying to jolly her but Star doesn't jolly. She answered in sober earnest.5 more sobering → sober:serious Show general definition for sobering (as in: a sobering thought) serious or calm (not silly or excited); or making one serious or less excited
	6
manora large house that belongs to a wealthy person Bletchley Manor was converted into a home for code breakers during World War II.more Show sample from book Just at sundown we could see outbuildings and the lights in the manor where Star said that we would spend the night.5 more a large house of a lord or wealthy person Show general definition a large house of a wealthy person or historically: the main house of a lord and the land around it that was worked by tenant farmers
	2	top 100
reviseimprove (change) How can you revise that paragraph to improve the expression of ideas?more Show sample from book My (revised) plan was obvious.†1 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
	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 Worse yet, another time when we were climbing "up" stairs—at a piece level by the sketch—a gravitational anomaly caught us with a lull turn and we were suddenly sliding down the ceiling.†1 more Show general definition something outside of the range of what is normally expected
	3	top 1000
tediousboring I'll have to endure one of her tedious lectures.more Show sample from book We left almost at once, going out the "front" way and had no trouble, no illusions, no traps, nothing but the fact that the "true path" was long and tedious.2 more boring or monotonous Show general definition boring -- especially because something goes on too long or without variation
	2	top 200
pragmaticpractical She is a pragmatic problem solver.more Show sample from book She can find ways, not lie to you in words--and hurt Her conscience not at all because She hasn't any. Just Wisdom, utterly pragmatic.1 more concerned with practical matters Show general definition concerned with practical matters -- especially where quick results and/or practical experience triumph over theory
	2	top 500
replenishreplace what was used up The recent storms helped replenish the city's water supply.more Show sample from book Star replenished her medic's pouch, then I helped Rufo fold up the luggage.†1 more replenish → replenished:replaced what was used up; or restored to a previous condition Show general definition replace what was used up; or restore to a previous condition
	7
natural lawrules of conduct said to be universally desired by all peoples Documents like the United Nations' Declaration of Human Rights and the United States' Declaration of Independence are based on the importance of natural law.more Show sample from book But it is certain that natural laws vary from universe to universe—and believe this you must, milord, else neither of us will live long!†6 more Show general definition rules of conduct said to be universally desired by all peoples
	5
idioman expression whose meaning cannot be inferred from the meanings of the words that make it up Having just arrived from Egypt, I did not understand what she meant by the idiom, "Don't cut corners."more Show sample from book Try translating certain French idioms literally into English and you'll see what I mean.†4 more idiom → idioms:a way of putting things that is characteristic of a specific group of people Show general definition a way of putting things that is characteristic of a specific group of people Show editor's word notes An idiom typically refers to an expression whose meaning cannot be inferred from the meanings of the words that make it up (as in "feeling under the weather"). It can also refer to a particular artistic style.
	5
metaphysicalabout things beyond the physical world, like the soul or God Many people are comforted by metaphysical beliefs about the soul continuing to exist after death.more Show sample from book But it will not be easy; you have not studied metaphysical geometry—nor many other things.†4 more about things beyond the physical world, such as existence, reality, or the soul Show general definition relating to things beyond the physical world—such as existence, reality, God, or the soul—and sometimes to ideas that are very abstract or overly theoretical Show editor's word notes People often use metaphysical for beliefs or questions that go beyond what can be directly tested by science—for example, beliefs about the soul, God, or what ultimately makes something real. These are usually things without material form that you cannot touch or measure. In philosophy, metaphysical specifically refers to metaphysics, the branch of philosophy that studies being and knowing—questions like "What is real?", "Do we have free will?", or "What does it mean for something to exist?" In everyday language, someone might call a discussion metaphysical if it feels very abstract or "off in the clouds," as in "They got lost in a metaphysical argument about whether anything is truly knowable."
	2	top 500
refuterefute → refuted:argued against The speaker refuted his opponent's arguments.more Show sample from book "Shall we argue, rebut and refute "In enthymeme clear as your eye?†1 more disprove or argue against Show general definition to disprove or argue against
	2	top 500
inhibitedunable to act naturally due to being overly self-conscious She's personable and funny with her friends, but she tends to be inhibited with strangers.more Show sample from book She didn't have to guess what would please a man; she knew more about it than I did, from "experience"—and was explosively uninhibited about sharing her unique knowledge.†1 more inhibited → uninhibited:acting naturally without being overly self-conscious Show context notes The prefix "un-" in uninhibited means not and reverses the meaning of inhibited. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.
	6
consortconsort → consorts:associates with She consorts with criminals.more Show sample from book A prince consort is not a prostitute.7 more royal spouse Show general definition for consort (as in: consort together) associate with (spend time with) -- often spending leisure time with people considered undesirable; or one of the people with whom time is spent
	2
consort#2the spouse of a reigning monarch Most queens in history were queens consort.more Show sample from book It isn't easy for the Empress's consort to have friends.7 more a husband, wife, or companion -- especially of a reigning monarch Show general definition for consort (as in: consort to the queen) a husband, wife, or sexual companion -- especially of a reigning monarch