Hyperion — Vocabulary
Dan Simmons
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	40
pilgrimagea journey to a special place for religious reasons A pilgrimage to Mecca is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.more Show sample from book "You have been chosen to return to Hyperion as a member of the Shrike Pilgrimage," continued the voice.†39 more a journey to a special place -- especially a sacred place for religious purposes Show general definition a journey to a special place -- especially a sacred place for religious purposes
	21	top 2000
musethe source of an artist's inspiration She was his muse. He hasn't written anything of quality since she left.more Show sample from book It says something about the type of writing I had been doing that my muse could flee without my noticing.20 more source of inspiration Show general definition for muse (as in: She was his muse) the source of an artist's inspiration - especially a person or mythological goddess Show editor's word notes The 9 muses were the daughters of the Greek gods Zeus & Mnemosyne. Each of the muses was thought to inspire and preside over one of the arts.
	21
plateauhigh land that is reasonably flat The plateau is about half a mile above sea level.more Show sample from book The plateau here is almost three thousand meters above sea level and the view was impressive.20 more Show general definition for plateau (as in: found on the plateau) high land that is reasonably flat
	13	top 500
simulateimitate or represent A computer model is used to simulate the effects of wind.more Show sample from book By then Kassad had learned that the exercises were something more than mere simulations.†12 more simulate → simulations:things that are not real, bur are made to imitate or behave like other things Show general definition make an imitation or representation of
	3	top 100
hypothesisa seemingly reasonable, but unproven, idea The study will test the hypothesis that a good marriage is more important than a higher income when measuring happiness.more Show sample from book Spedling's brief notes hypothesized that the humans were survivors of a missing seedship colony from three centuries earlier and clearly described a group suffering all of the classic retrograde cultural effects of extreme isolation, inbreeding, and overadaptation.3 more hypothesis → hypothesized:proposed a seemingly reasonable, but unproven, idea based Show context notes The suffix "-ize" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize. Show general definition for hypothesis (as in: a study to test her hypothesis) a seemingly reasonable, but unproven idea or explanation based upon known facts Show editor's word notes In casual conversation, theory is a synonym for hypothesis, but a scientist would say that a hypothesis needs to pass rigorous tests before it could be accepted as a theory.
	1
hypothesis#2something that may or may not be true, but is temporarily treated as true to advance a discussion or to further investigation For the purpose of discussion, let's accept that the hypothesis that she is guilty as true. What would we have expected her to do after the incident?more Show sample from book Hypothetical questions almost always had as much luck as my time-based queries.†3 more hypothesis → hypothetical:of something temporarily treated as true to advance a discussion or to further investigation Show general definition for hypothesis (as in: assume as a working hypothesis) something that may or may not be true, but is temporarily treated as true to advance a discussion or to further investigation Show editor's word notes This sense of hypothesis is typically seen in the form, hypothetical, or hypothetically.
	11	top 1000
migratemove from one place to another The birds migrate in the Winter.more Show sample from book An Ouster migration cluster of at least four thousand...units...has been detected approaching the Hyperion system.†10 more migrate → migration:movement from one place to another Show general definition move from one place to another -- sometimes seasonally
	13
consulatean official government office in another country After her passport was stolen, she went to the U.S. consulate to get emergency travel papers.more Show sample from book The consulate and Home Rule Council fatlined us three standard weeks ago with the news that the Time Tombs showed signs of opening.†12 more a diplomat appointed by a government to live in a foreign country and help its citizens visiting that country; or the offices of that person and assistants Show general definition the offices where a consul works; or a consul (a diplomat appointed by a government to live in a foreign country, help its citizens visiting that country, and protect its commercial interests there)
	13
meteormeteor → meteors:a streak of light in the night sky that results from a space rock burning in the earth's atmosphere Most meteors come from rocks that are about the size of a pebble.more Show sample from book Tonight the heavens are especially fertile and when we move onto wide sections of the river we can see a tracery of brilliant meteor trails weaving the stars together.†12 more a streak of light in the sky caused by a small space rock burning up in Earth’s atmosphere Show general definition a streak of light in the sky caused by a small space rock (a meteoroid) burning up in Earth’s atmosphere
	7	top 100
primarilymainly Did the author mention multiple companies primarily to demonstrate diversity of solutions or to show that interest in the industry is widespread?more Show sample from book There were hundreds of plantations out there with no radios or cornlines, primarily because they were harvesting bootleg drugs as well as fiberplastic.†6 more Show general definition mainly (most importantly)
	10	top 2000
rendezvousmeet at an agreed time and place We're going to rendezvous at Starbucks.more Show sample from book With a three-week time-debt, you can rendezvous with the Yggdrasill before it goes quantum from the Parvati system.†9 more to meet at a specific time and place; OR the meeting itself Show general definition to meet at a specific time and place; or the meeting itself
	6	top 100
phenomenonsomething that is of special interest It is a growing social phenomenon on high school campuses.more Show sample from book We've been in touch with our senators...even talked to the Science Council directors;...but no one can explain to me why the Hegemony hasn't spent more time and money investigating the phenomena on Hyperion.†5 more phenomenon → phenomena:things 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.
	1	top 100
correspondcorrespond → corresponds:is equivalent The girls are using a simple code where "1" corresponds to "A", "2" to "B" and so on for each of the 26 letters of the alphabet.more Show sample from book The cybrid was controlled by an AI nexus which corresponds to a security force.†1 more correspond → corresponds:connects or fits together by being equivalent, proportionate, or matched Show general definition for correspond (as in: corresponding time period) connect or fit together by being equivalent, proportionate, or matched (Two things are equivalent if they have the same or very similar value, purpose, or result.)
	155	top 2000
hegemonydominance They are the most powerful, but they don't have complete hegemony.more Show sample from book It is in the interest of the Hegemony that you accept.†154 more the dominance or leadership of one social group or nation over all others Show general definition the dominance or leadership of one social group or nation over all others
	11
quantumtiny, indivisible packet of energy or matter An atom can only absorb or release energy in fixed quantum jumps, not in smooth amounts.more Show sample from book With a three-week time-debt, you can rendezvous with the Yggdrasill before it goes quantum from the Parvati system.†10 more Show general definition smallest “packet” or chunk of energy or matter that something can have in modern physics Show editor's word notes In quantum physics, energy and matter don't flow smoothly like water but come in tiny, indivisible chunks called quanta. An object can only gain or lose energy in specific amounts—just enough to jump from one allowed energy level to another. During a "quantum jump," the object doesn't gradually move between levels; it simply vanishes from one level and appears at another, as if teleporting. Science has revealed that the universe behaves very differently at extreme scales than it does in our everyday lives. At incredibly small scales (atoms and smaller), quantum physics rules. At incredibly large scales (planets, stars, and galaxies) or extreme speeds, Einstein's theories of special and general relativity take over.
	8
alloymixture of metals Brass is an alloy of zinc and copper.more Show sample from book That and the eight whiskered-alloy rods that stand between us and eternity.†7 more a metal that consists of more than one element Show general definition a metal that consists of more than one element
	7
gossamerdelicate or light The painting has a fairy with gossamer wings.more Show sample from book A second ago an insect or bird the size and color of a hummingbird but with gossamer wings a meter across paused five meters out to inspect me before diving toward the sea with folded wings.†6 more extremely light, delicate, airy, or thin Show general definition extremely light, delicate, airy, or thin
	1	top 2000
abidetolerate I can't abide her continual complaints.more Show sample from book We will abide by the will of the majority.2 more accept (comply with) Show general definition for abide (as in: abide by her decision) to tolerate or put up with something
	2
abide#2abide → abiding:long-lasting I have an abiding interest in the subject.more Show sample from book Surely you know that the Church of the Final Atonement has a deep and abiding interest in the world of Hyperion.2 more abide → abiding:enduring (long-lasting) Show general definition for abide (as in: an abiding desire to) to remain or endure or lasting a long time
	5
sensuouspleasing to the physical senses (sexy) She claims the tango as the most sensuous of dance forms.more Show sample from book Lamia's mouth was wide and expressive to the point of being sensuous, curled slightly at the coruers in a slight smile which might be cruel or merely playful.†4 more relating to pleasure from the body's senses rather than from the intellect Show general definition relating to pleasure from the body's senses rather than from the intellect