Nine Princes in Amber — Vocabulary
Roger Zelazny
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	15
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 I parried and cut a few times.†14 more parry → parried:avoided Show general definition to block or deflect an attack; or to avoid answering something by responding cleverly or indirectly
	6	top 2000
inquireask about or look into Students should contact our office to inquire about scholarship opportunities.more Show sample from book May I inquire why you are here, rather than there?†5 more ask about or look into something Show general definition to ask about or look into something
	6	top 2000
immortalto live forever Zeus and the other gods were supposed to be immortal.more Show sample from book If we made it, they would be feted forever in the halls of the immortals.†5 more immortal → immortals:people who live forever OR people famous throughout history Show general definition living or existing forever or: someone famous throughout history or: someone who will never die -- such as a mythological god
	4	top 500
acquireobtain (get) Children acquire language at an amazing rate.more Show sample from book The car was quite tall now, and we had somewhere acquired a hood ornament in the shape of a flamingo.†3 more acquire → acquired:obtained (came into possession of) Show general definition obtain (come into the possession of something)
	2	top 10
implyimply → implied:hinted or suggested She wouldn't make a direct statement, but she implied that she supported our position.more Show sample from book I didn't want to sound like a dunce or a withholder of crucial information, but I had to tell him, for my sake as well as his own, when I realized what her statements implied.†1 more imply → implied:suggested (said indirectly) Show general definition to suggest or say indirectly -- possibly as a logical consequence
	3	top 500
recollectremember I think I recollect that she was away at college that year.more Show sample from book It is to restore his remembrance that we have come here, to bring back his recollection of the old days, that he might oppose Eric in Amber.†2 more recollect → recollection:memory Show general definition to remember -- especially experiences from long ago Show editor's word notes Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice): Relative to its synonyms, recollect brings to mind a leisurely piecing together of distant memories. It may be used in a less formal manner than remember and is almost always less formal than recall.
	2	top 100
neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas) The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more Show sample from book Nevertheless.†1 more Show general definition despite that 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 was just stated, 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 100
yieldproduce (lead to) The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.more Show sample from book "Not even were you to yield—" and he bit it off and cursed.†1 more produce or give Show general definition for yield (as in: will yield valuable data) to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
	3	top 500
relinquishgive up Mary Queen of Scots refused to relinquish her throne, so Queen Elizabeth had her executed.more Show sample from book The cards were so very cold on my fingertips that I put them down again, though with a certain sense of reluctance at having to relinquish their touch.†2 more gave up or let go Show general definition to give something up, or to let go of something -- typically an idea, position or possession
	2	top 200
subsequentfollowing Her guess was proven right by subsequent developments.more Show sample from book This had been subsequent to an auto accident some fifteen or so days past, in which I had suffered broken bones which no longer troubled me.†1 more following something else Show general definition following something else
	3	top 1000
ponderthink about The question the audience is left to ponder is...more Show sample from book I've still so recently recovered that I have much pondering to do.†2 more ponder → pondering:thinking deeply or carefully about Show general definition to think deeply or carefully about something
	2	top 200
coherentsensible and clear She presented a compelling and coherent plan.more Show sample from book She led me to her rooms, but discovered there that I had no money and was incoherent.†1 more coherent → incoherent:not sensible or clear; or describing parts as not fitting together in a consistent or pleasing manner Show context notes The prefix "in-" in incoherent means not and reverses the meaning of coherent. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure. Show general definition sensible and clear; or describing parts as fitting together in a consistent or pleasing manner
	2	top 500
nostalgianostalgia → nostalgic:with a longing for something past The music makes me feel nostalgic.more Show sample from book The word was charged with a mighty longing and a massive nostalgia.†1 more longing for something past Show general definition happiness that come with the memory of good times combined with a hint of sadness that those times are over
	2	top 500
perishbe destroyed or cease to exist ...government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.Abraham Lincoln — Gettysburg Addressmore Show sample from book Then mine, should he perish.†1 more die, be destroyed, or cease to exist Show general definition to die -- especially in an unnatural way or: to be destroyed or cease to exist Show editor's word notes You may encounter an informal expression, "Perish the thought." It means that the speaker hopes the thought will cease to exist and the thing it represents will never happen.
	6
balladslow, emotional song that tells a story The singer ended the concert with a heartfelt ballad about lost love.more Show sample from book "I doubt it," she said, "for the ballads of Corwin do touch upon the strings of the heart."†5 more ballad → ballads:a song (or poem) that tells a story or expresses strong feelings Show general definition a song (or poem) that tells a story or expresses strong feelings -- typically slow in tempo
	2	top 1000
loathreluctant or unwilling She is loath to admit a mistake.more Show sample from book We were loath to step out into the open until we had located the precise spot, Faiella-bionin, the Stairway to Rebma, and could cross quickly to it.†1 more reluctant or unwilling to do something Show general definition reluctant or unwilling to do something Show editor's word notes Word Confusion: Do not confuse loath with loathe which sounds very similar or the same. Loath is typically used as an adjective while loathe is a verb that means "to dislike greatly".
	2	top 2000
guilecunning (shrewdness and cleverness) and deceit Her intelligence was exceeded only by her guile.more Show sample from book But as a tactician, I had always thought him brilliant; and when he laid out the maps of Amber and the outlying Country which he himself had drawn, and when he had explained the tactics to be employed therein, I knew that he was a prince of Amber, almost matchless in his guile.†1 more cunning (shrewdness and cleverness) and deceitful Show general definition cunning (shrewdness and cleverness) and deceitful
	2	top 2000
compulsionurge, desire, or need She has a deep compulsion to make herself the center of attention.more Show sample from book It lay like a compulsion upon me.†1 more an urge, force, or requirement to do something Show general definition a strong (possibly uncontrollable) urge to do something; or a force or a requirement that forces an action
	2
assailassail → assailed:attacked Critics assailed the author’s latest work, questioning its originality and depth.more Show sample from book The thought came to assail me: Maybe not.†1 more to attack or cause trouble Show general definition to attack or cause trouble
	2
forswearforswear → forsworn:renounced or disavowed The group has forsworn terrorism in favor of negotiating an end to the conflict.more Show sample from book "Any man would be forsworn to gain a kingdom," said Eric.†1 more forswear → forsworn:to decide to stop doing something; OR to renounce or disavow something Show general definition for forswear (as in: forswear my country of birth) to decide to stop doing something; or to renounce or disavow something