The Lightning Thief — Vocabulary
Rick Riordan
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	40	top 2000
mortalhuman Don't expect perfection of a mere mortal.more Show sample from book Few mortals have ever done this and survived:39 more mortal → mortals:humans (especially merely humans) Show general definition for mortal (as in: mortal body) human (especially merely human); or subject to death
	34	top 2000
bronzea brownish metal that is made of copper and (usually) tin The sculpture of a bull on Wall Street is made of bronze.more Show sample from book Annabeth drew her bronze knife.33 more made of a brownish metal Show general definition for bronze (as in: bronze won't corrode in salt water) a brownish-colored metal with red or yellow hues that is made of copper and (usually) tin Show editor's word notes Bronze metals in the Olympics and many other contests are awarded for third place. With the discovery of bronze (about 3,000 BC), people could make tools and weapons that were harder and more durable than those made of copper and stone that preceded bronze.
	12	top 2000
pavilionfreestanding structure without walls We're meeting for a picnic under the pavilion at the park.more Show sample from book Chiron pointed to an outdoor pavilion framed in white Grecian columns on a hill overlooking the sea.†11 more a large structure separate from a main structure or temporary Show general definition a large building or section of a building that stands apart in function or design -- often used for gatherings, exhibitions, or specialized purposes
	12	top 2000
prophecyprediction of the future The prophecy came true.more Show sample from book He'd had a prophecy from the Oracle.†11 more Show general definition a prediction of the future (usually said to be obtained in a supernatural way)
	10	top 2000
talontalon → talons:sharp hooked claws Bald eagle talons can measure as long as two inches.more Show sample from book Her fingers stretched, turning into talons.†9 more Show general definition a sharp hooked claw -- especially on a bird of prey
	9	top 2000
chasma large, deep, and steep-sided opening on the earth's surface You can't leap a twenty-foot chasm with two 10-foot jumps.more Show sample from book They tugged at my clothes, trying to pull me back, but I felt compelled to walk forward to the very edge of the chasm.†8 more a large gap or divide Show general definition a large and deep and steep-sided opening on the earth's surface; or (more rarely) any large gap or: a very large difference -- often of opinion
	9	top 2000
immortalto live forever Zeus and the other gods were supposed to be immortal.more Show sample from book Ah, gods, plural, as in, great beings that control the forces of nature and human endeavors: the immortal gods of Olympus.†8 more living or existing forever; OR someone 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 100
neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas) The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more Show sample from book Nevertheless, you made it here alive, and that's always the first test.†3 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.
	5	top 1000
cleavesplit Large molecules cleave at their weakest points and produce smaller fragments.more Show sample from book There were cloven hooves.4 more cleave → cloven:split (or divided in two) Show general definition for cleave (as in: cleave through) to split or cut through something Show editor's word notes Ironically, this word can mean to split in two or to hold together. Note that you may see cleaved, cleft, clove, or cloven as the past tense of this sense of cleave.
	5	top 2000
deflectturn aside She used humor to deflect the awkward question about her personal life.more Show sample from book Luke deflected it easily, but I saw a change in his face.†4 more deflect → deflected:turned aside from a fixed direction or line of interest Show general definition turn aside from a fixed direction or line of interest
	3	top 200
skepticaldoubtful I am skeptical about her plan.more Show sample from book "It wasn't my fault." She looked at me skeptically, and I realized it was my fault2 more skeptical → skeptically:in a doubtful manner (like she didn't believe me) Show general definition doubtful (that something is true or worthwhile) or more rarely: generally tending to doubt what others believe
	3	top 200
indignantindignant → indignantly:with anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong "I am not a fool," she said indignantly.more Show sample from book We exploded on the surface, in the middle of the Santa Monica Bay, knocking a surfer off his board with an indignant, "Dude!"2 more anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong Show general definition angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
	5	top 2000
serpentsnake There was a picture of a serpent eating its tail.more Show sample from book Her hair was moving, writhing like serpents.†4 more serpent → serpents:snakes Show general definition a snake
	2	top 100
factorthing (that influenced a result) Cost was an important factor in our decision.more Show sample from book There were just too many unknown factors.†1 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."
	11
centaura mythical being that is half man and half horse Firenze is the name of a centaur character in the Harry Potter stories.more Show sample from book "What a relief," the centaur said.†10 more Show general definition a mythical being that is half man and half horse
	2
concertoconcerto → concertos:music written for orchestra and one (or more) solo instruments Concertos have been written for all instruments, but most are written for violin, cello, or piano because those instruments provide such a wide, dynamic and expressive range.more Show sample from book In his pocket was a set of reed pipes his daddy goat had carved for him, even though he only knew two songs: Mozart's Piano Concerto no.†1 more
	2
temperedmade stronger or more flexible by heat treatment The sword is made of tempered steel.more Show sample from book The other is tempered steel.1 more made stronger Show general definition for tempered (as in: tempered steel) made stronger or more flexible by heat treatment -- often of steel or glass
	2
feintdeceptive maneuver The attack from the south was just a feint to distract us from the real attack.Mark Twain — The Innocents Abroadmore Show sample from book I landed behind him with a splash and feinted toward his head, as I'd done before.†1 more feint → feinted:any distracting or deceptive maneuver; OR the act of making the maneuver Show general definition any distracting or deceptive maneuver; or the act of making the maneuver Show editor's word notes Feint is most typically used for physical maneuvers as when boxing, fencing, or moving troops where a mock attack diverts attention from the real attack. But it can also be used much more generally as when Charlotte Bronte wrote of "a mere feint of politeness."
	2
bartertrade things of value She doesn't have money, but she is willing to barter.more Show sample from book Percy, you can't barter with Hades.†1 more trade Show general definition to trade things of value without involving money
	1	top 500
paraphraseexpress in different words I can't remember her exact words, but I can paraphrase what she said.more Show sample from book "And why, Mr. Jackson," Brunner said, "to paraphrase Miss Bobofit's excellent question, does this matter in real life?"† express the same message in different (or slightly different) words Show general definition express the same message in different (or slightly different) words