Black: The Birth of Evil — Vocabulary
Ted Dekker
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	168	top 2000
virusa tiny organism that causes disease The common cold is caused by a virus.more Show sample from book A highly infectious airborne virus on the wind was virtually indefensible in open cities.167 more tiny germ that causes 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.
	19	top 500
deceptiondeceiving or misleading The law is intended to defeat denial and deception strategies.more Show sample from book —and opened the door to the Deception.†18 more the act of lying to or misleading someone; or something that misleads Show general definition the act of lying to or misleading someone; or something that misleads
	5	top 100
howeverdespite that (a transition word use to connect contrasting ideas) Most college application deadlines are in January and February. However, early admission deadlines are around November and some scholarships require even earlier deadlines.more Show sample from book By midday, however, he felt as though he must go somewhere by himself to consider the events continuing to nag his mind.†7 more a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc. Show general definition for however (as in: However, complications may...) though (or another expression that connects contrasting ideas) 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 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrast and but.
	3	top 2000
however#2no matter how (how much/how hard/how long…) However hard she tried, she couldn't do it.more Show sample from book Let's just say the incident in Bangkok has exposed the possibility, however slight, that the vaccine may not be stable.7 more regardless of how Show general definition for however (as in: However much she tried...) to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount)
	18	top 2000
genea DNA sequence or unit of heredity that influences biological traits The gene determines hair color.more Show sample from book The company, which specialized in vaccines and genetic research, had plants in several countries but was headquartered in Bangkok, where it had operated without the restrictions often hampering domestic pharmaceutical companies.†17 more gene → genetic:related to DNA sequences or units of heredity that influence biological traits
	14	top 2000
talontalon → talons:sharp hooked claws Bald eagle talons can measure as long as two inches.more Show sample from book Tom could hear the scraping of its talons along aged planks, the whisper of its huge wings, as it slowly ascended the bridge.†13 more Show general definition a sharp hooked claw -- especially on a bird of prey
	11	top 1000
nucleusthe center (in this case, key central members) They have the nucleus of a good team.†more Show sample from book The primary nuclear powers were the greatest prize-each had been softened and judged in ways they could not begin to imagine.†10 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)
	11	top 1000
deceivemislead The plan was to deceive the Germans into believing the main attack would take place further north.more Show sample from book You must surely know that the myths you speak of are designed to deceive the people of the colored forest-to control their allegiance.†10 more lie or mislead Show general definition to lie to or mislead someone -- occasionally to lie to oneself by denying reality
	8	top 500
simulateimitate or represent A computer model is used to simulate the effects of wind.more Show sample from book We're basing the conclusions on a simulation.†7 more simulate → simulation:something that is not real, but is made to imitate or behave like something that is Show general definition make an imitation or representation of
	8	top 2000
preposterouscompletely unreasonable They can't be seriously considering such a preposterous idea.more Show sample from book To Kara such realities would sound preposterous without having lived them firsthand.†7 more absurd, outrageous, silly, or completely unreasonable Show general definition absurd, outrageous, silly, or completely unreasonable
	7	top 2000
disorientedconfused (without situational awareness) She felt disoriented after waking up in the unfamiliar hospital room.more Show sample from book He stood and began to pace, ignoring a sudden whirl of disorientation.†6 more disoriented → disorientation:confused or unsure about location, circumstances, or how to respond Show general definition confused or unsure about location, circumstances, or how to respond
	6	top 1000
complykeep (follow or obey) You must comply with school rules if you want to stay on the team.more Show sample from book She complied and stepped into the hall beyond.†5 more comply → complied:to act in agreement with a rule, request, or demand Show general definition to act in agreement with a rule, request, or demand
	6	top 2000
surrealseeming unreal It was as irrational and surreal as a dream.more Show sample from book The whole sequence struck him as surreal.†5 more characterized by fantastic imagery, or combinations of things and events that do… Show general definition characterized by fantastic imagery, or combinations of things and events that don't go together
	4	top 500
estimateroughly calculate or guess What do you estimate this will cost?more Show sample from book "In my estimation," Michal said.†3 more estimate → estimation:a judgment, rough calculation or guess of qualities or a value Show general definition rough calculation or judgment
	21
mutationchange in the genes The gene (which greatly increases the carrier's chance of getting colon cancer by age 80) is believed to have been tracked to a mutation in the Fry family in 1630.more Show sample from book You do remember a report three months ago about unsustainable mutations of the vaccine.†20 more mutation → mutations:a change in the genes that determine biological traits… Show general definition a change in the genes that determine biological traits; or the result of the change
	7	top 100
correlatecorrelate → correlation:a relationship between two things so that one can be predicted from the other My opponent is confusing correlation with causation. Just because kids who play violent video games are also more likely to behave violently, doesn't mean the video games cause the violence.more Show context notes Just because you can guess 'A' from 'B' doesn’t mean 'A' changes 'B.' Something else, like 'C,' might affect both, and that’s why 'A' can be guessed from 'B.' For example, children with larger shoe sizes are likely to know more math. It's not that shoe size helps with math, it's that older children tend to have larger feet and know more math. Show sample from book And there's no direct time correlation.†6 more correlate → correlation:relationship such that a change in one thing helps predict a change in another Show context notes Just because you can guess 'A' from 'B' doesn’t mean 'A' changes 'B.' Something else, like 'C,' might affect both, and that’s why 'A' can be guessed from 'B.' For example, children with larger shoe sizes are likely to know more math. It's not that shoe size helps with math, it's that older children tend to have larger feet and know more math. Show general definition to find or have a connection or relationship between two things, such that a change in one helps predict a change in the other Show editor's word notes Just because you can guess 'A' from 'B' doesn’t mean 'A' changes 'B.' Something else, like 'C,' might affect both, and that’s why 'A' can be guessed from 'B.' For example, children with larger shoe sizes are likely to know more math. It's not that shoe size helps with math, it's that older children tend to have larger feet and know more math.
	9
amnesialoss of memory The movie is about a woman who suffers amnesia and doesn't even remember her husband.more Show sample from book Maybe the knock to his head had given him amnesia.†8 more Show general definition loss of memory (partial or total)
	5
contingencysomething that might happen I was prepared for that contingency.more Show sample from book To plan for whatever contingencies might disrupt his primary course of action.†4 more contingency → contingencies:things that might happen; or things available in case events happen Show general definition a possible event, especially one people hope will not happen, or the extra plan or resources kept ready in case that event does happen
	2	top 200
feasiblepossible or practical Her plan sounds feasible.more Show sample from book Nothing is feasible, Mr. Raison.†1 more Show general definition possible or practical
	3	top 1000
adversedifficult She did an impressive job given the adverse circumstances.more Show sample from book At any rate, they are hardy enough, but they do die under adverse conditions.†2 more working against one's interests Show general definition working against one's interests