Snow Crash — Vocabulary
Neal Stephenson
(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
	24	top 1000
protagonistmain character in a work of fiction Harry Potter was the protagonist and Voldemort was the antagonist.more Show sample from book It says Hiro Protagonist Last of the Freelance Hackers Greatest swordfighter in the world Stringer, Central Intelligence Corporation.†23 more the main character in a work of fiction; OR more rarely:… Show general definition the main character in a work of fiction or more rarely: an important supporter or main figure of someone or something
	20	top 1000
nucleusthe center (in this case, key central members) They have the nucleus of a good team.†more Show sample from book The crew of the Kowloon has already sized up the situation and placed their bets on the nuclear submarine.†19 more nucleus → nuclear:relating to the central or most important part of something Show general definition the center (or most important part) of something such as: in physics: the center of an atom where protons & neutrons are found in biology: the center of a cell where DNA is found in sociology: the closest family (mother/father/children in contrast to the extended family)
	12	top 200
enableenable → enables:makes possible The test enables earlier identification of autism.more Show sample from book I don't know how my face conveyed that information, or what kind of internal wiring in my grandmother's mind enabled her to accomplish this incredible feat.†11 more enable → enabled:made possible Show general definition to make possible in various senses, including: to give someone the ability, knowledge, or authority to do something -- as in "The study will enable an informed discussion." to activate a computer system for use -- as in "You can enable the feature in the Settings Page." to permit someone to repeat bad behavior, so they reinforce the bad pattern -- as in "I don't want to enable her drug addiction."
	9	top 100
phenomenonsomething that is of special interest It is a growing social phenomenon on high school campuses.more Show sample from book Y.T. does a double take at this new phenomenon: Ng using the street name for a controlled substance.†8 more something that exists or happened -- often of special interest Show general definition something that exists or happened -- especially something of special interest -- sometimes someone or something that is extraordinary Show editor's word notes "Phenomenons" and "phenomena" are both appropriate plural forms of this noun. "Phenomena" is generally used in scientific or philosophical contexts.
	9	top 200
analogycomparison of different things to point to a shared characteristic Her analogy is flawed.more Show sample from book The Ports serve a function analogous to airports: This is where you drop into the Metaverse from somewhere else.†8 more analogy → analogous:similar in some respect Show general definition a comparison of different things to point to a shared characteristic Show editor's word notes Analogies are typically used to explain something unfamiliar by comparing it to something that is simpler or more familiar. They are also used in argument to suggest that what is true for one situation is also true in the other.
	6	top 100
conveycommunicate or express She dresses to convey a sense of a successful, no-nonsense woman.more Show sample from book I don't know how my face conveyed that information, or what kind of internal wiring in my grandmother's mind enabled her to accomplish this incredible feat.†5 more convey → conveyed:communicated or expressed
	7	top 500
entityperson or organization The law applies to any legal entity that can enter into a contract.more Show sample from book Half a dozen of them are kneeling on the pavement with their hands clenched tightly together, mumbling to unseen entities.†6 more entity → entities:people, organizations, lifeforms, or things that exist separately Show general definition a person, organization, lifeform, or anything with a separate existence
	7	top 500
irrationalunreasonable I have an irrational fear of spiders.more Show sample from book Said it was irrational mysticism.†6 more Show general definition not reasonable
	7	top 500
monopolycomplete control of a product The company was accused of trying to create a monopoly by buying out all its competitors.more Show sample from book The only one he recognizes immediately is an American: L. Bob Rife, the cabletelevision monopolist.†6 more monopoly → monopolist:complete control over a product, service, or resource Show general definition complete control over a product, service, or resource -- usually by a single person, company, or group
	9	top 1000
metaphormetaphor → metaphorically:with a figure of speech in which a similarity between two things is highlighted by using a word to refer to something that it does not literally denote He was speaking metaphorically when he referred to being mugged by reality.more Show sample from book That story has to be a metaphor for something else.†8 more a figure of speech in which a similarity between two things is highlighted by using a word to refer to something that it does not literally mean Show general definition a figure of speech in which a similarity between two things is implied by using a word to refer to something it does not literally mean—as in, "All the world’s a stage." Show editor's word notes When Shakespeare wrote, "All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players." he was not saying the world is really a stage and all people are actors. But he was pointing to the similarities he wants us to recognize. While metaphors and similes are both techniques of figurative language. The distinction is that a simile explicitly shows that a comparison is being made, by using words such as "like" or "as". A metaphor simply substitutes words assuming the reader will understand the meaning should not be take literally. "She is like a diamond in the rough" is a simile; while "She is a diamond in the rough" is a metaphor.
	8	top 1000
recoilrecoil → recoiled:suddenly moved back (away from) She recoiled in horror.more Show sample from book The recoil was immense, as though the weapon had blown up in his hand.†7 more to move backward suddenly Show general definition to move backward suddenly (sometimes figuratively) especially: the backward jerk of a gun or cannon when it is fired when a person flinches (suddenly draws back) from someone or something, as with fear, disgust, or pain when a person is emotionally repulsed, as by disgust when something intended to go in one direction figuratively falls back in the opposite direction; for example, a story told to hurt someone that comes back to hurt the teller
	8	top 2000
hygienepractices promoting sanitary conditions Many illnesses, especially diarrhea, can be prevented by good hygiene.more Show sample from book It's easy, it's hygienic, and it's legal.†7 more hygiene → hygienic:practices promoting the prevention of illness and maintenance of health Show general definition practices promoting the prevention of illness and maintenance of health -- such as cleanliness or promoting sanitary conditions
	163
rifeexcessively filled The internet is rife with misinformation, making it hard to know what to believe.more Show sample from book The only one he recognizes immediately is an American: L. Bob Rife, the cabletelevision monopolist.†162 more excessively abundant -- especially something unpleasant Show general definition excessively abundant -- especially something unpleasant
	112
avatara digital representation of a computer-user in a multi-user virtual reality site Her avatar in the online forum is a mysterious figure cloaked in shadows, reflecting her love for mystery novels.more Show sample from book Your avatar can look any way you want it to, up to the limitations of your equipment.111 more digital representation of a computer-user
	84	top 2000
virusa tiny organism that causes disease The common cold is caused by a virus.more Show sample from book I wonder if viruses have always been with us, or not. There's sort of an implicit assumption that they have been around forever.89 more virus → viruses:tiny germs that cause disease by taking over cells Show general definition for virus (as in: Covid 19 virus) a tiny infectious agent that causes disease by invading living cells and using them to make more copies of itself Show editor's word notes Although viruses contain genetic material, they can only reproduce by hijacking the reproductive machinery of a cell they invade.
	5	top 2000
virus#2a type of software that spreads without invitation between computers and causes damage to data and software WannaCry was a ransomware computer virus that took over computer data unless a ransom was paid.more Show sample from book Kind of in the same way that a virus moves from one computer to another, damaging each computer in the same way.89 more Show general definition for virus (as in: computer virus) a type of software that spreads without invitation between computers and causes damage to data and software Show editor's word notes Computer viruses are so-named because like a biological virus, they contain instructions on how to reproduce, but require the infected computer to actually execute the instructions.
	1
viralspread rapidly online The video of the baby goat went viral overnight and was shared by millions.more Show sample from book Does every viral idea have a biological virus counterpart?89 more spreading rapidly and widely from person to person -- especially through the internet or social media Show general definition for viral (as in: it went viral) spreading rapidly and widely -- especially through the internet or social media
	8
i.e.in other words Most of the items the store sells are private-label, i.e., not national brands you'd recognize.more Show sample from book ...provision must be made within the confines of the individual office for temporary stationing of bathroom tissue distribution units (i.e., rolls).7 more Show general definition that is to say; or in other words
	6	top 2000
linguisticlanguage She fears the country will split along linguistic lines.more Show sample from book Then Enki must have had some kind of linguistic power that goes beyond our concept of normal.†5 more related to language Show general definition related to language
	4	top 500
materialistictoo concerned with wealth and possessions She thinks Americans are too materialistic.more Show sample from book The Sadducees were materialists.†3 more materialistic → materialists:overly concerned with wealth and possessions at the expense of other interests Show general definition overly concerned with wealth and possessions at the expense of other interests