The Crystal Shard — Vocabulary
R. A. Salvatore
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	14	top 100
focusconcentrate I find that studying in the library helps me to focus.more Show sample from book Taking a deep breath to steady himself and focus his thoughts on the task at hand, he took hold of Aegis-fang and waded into Evermelt.†15 more Show general definition for focus (as in: Turn your focus to question #2.) to direct attention or effort toward a single thing; or the ability to do so without getting distracted
	2	top 2000
focus#2into view (as an area of attention) The bridge collapse brought aging infrastructure into focus as a political issue.more Show sample from book Drizzt paused to consider the presence for a few moments, trying to bring the familiarity he felt into better focus.†15 more a state where something has come into view or can be seen clearly; or an adjustment made to permit a clear view Show general definition for focus (as in: bring into focus; or out of focus) a state where something has come into view or can be seen clearly; or an adjustment made to permit a clear view
	23	top 500
principlebelief I accept as a basic principle that all people are precious and should be treated with equal dignity.more Show sample from book Bryn Shander remains the key, but the principle city will only be spurred to action if the major fishing towns, Targos in particular, join in.†22 more basic rule or belief Show general definition a basic rule or belief The exact meaning of principle can depend upon its context. For example: "our guiding principles" -- basic moral beliefs that guide decisions and behavior "electromagnetic principles" -- rules describing how the world works "She lacks principles." -- lacks moral guidelines "We agree in principle." -- about important basic beliefs
	20	top 1000
retortquickly reply She wanted to retort that he that he sounded foolish, but she made herself count to ten and thought better of it.more Show sample from book "Who indeed?" retorted Jensin Brent, now a bit of fluster showing through his calm facade.†19 more retort → retorted:quickly replied Show general definition for retort (as in: quick retort) a quick reply to a question or remark -- especially a witty or critical one
	20	top 2000
apprenticelearner on the job After high school, Bella began work as an apprentice at a local bakery, waking up before dawn to help make bread and learn the craft.more Show sample from book Never again would he be taunted by the other apprentices, boys much younger than he who climbed through the ranks in the guild step by tedious step.†19 more apprentice → apprentices:person who learns a trade or skill through hands-on experience under a skilled w… Show general definition person who learns a trade or skill through hands-on experience under a skilled worker; or (as a verb) performance of that kind of work
	15	top 1000
vulnerablevulnerable → vulnerable to:easily hurt by The computers are vulnerable to cyberattacks.more Show sample from book He felt as vulnerable in the sunlight as a human would in the dark of night.†14 more easily hurt or in need of help; OR easily influenced or subject to temptation Show general definition easily hurt or in need of help; or easily influenced or subject to temptation
	15	top 1000
ponderthink about The question the audience is left to ponder is...more Show sample from book But now he pondered the quality of his life.†14 more ponder → pondered:thought deeply or carefully about Show general definition to think deeply or carefully about something
	17	top 2000
refugeerefugee → refugees:people who fled their homeland to getaway from a dangerous or difficult situation We're asking for humanitarian aid to assist and resettle the refugees.more Show sample from book They were a poor remnant of what had once been a thriving dwarven society, a band of refugees beaten and broken by the loss of their homeland and heritage.†16 more refugee → refugees:people who fled their homeland Show general definition someone who has fled their homeland to getaway from a dangerous or difficult situation; or related to such people
	13	top 1000
heedheed → heedlessness:pay close attention to Heed the advice of those who have been there before.more Show context notes The suffix "-lessness" in heedlessness means in a state without. This is the same pattern you see in words like fearlessness, powerlessness, and harmlessness. Show sample from book He came to accept his penance with stoicism, heeding Bruenor's commands without question or complaint.†12 more heed → heeding:paying close attention to; or doing what is suggested Show general definition pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested -- especially with regard to a warning or other advice
	10	top 500
deceptiondeceiving or misleading The law is intended to defeat denial and deception strategies.more Show sample from book The barbarian could use his unrivaled strength more effectively than deceptive feints and twists.†9 more deception → deceptive:misleading Show general definition the act of lying to or misleading someone; or something that misleads
	13	top 1000
tauntintentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone She used Twitter to taunt the opposing candidate.more Show sample from book Never again would he be taunted by the other apprentices, boys much younger than he who climbed through the ranks in the guild step by tedious step.†12 more taunt → taunted:intentionally angered, challenged, or upset Show general definition to intentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone -- especially by mocking them or hurling insults or (as a noun): an insult or other action intended to anger, challenge, or upset someone
	14	top 2000
allianceassociation formed to support common interests The Islamic governments formed an alliance to defeat Israel.more Show sample from book "Unless we form an alliance," Regis continued in the same urgent tones, "the horde will overrun our communities one by one, slaughtering any who dare to oppose them!"†13 more Show general definition an association formed to support common interests
	9	top 500
reveredeeply respect and admire Many fans revere Michael Jordan as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.more Show sample from book Bruenor reverently removed the small silver mallet and chisel from the coffer and approached the warhammer.†8 more revere → reverently:with feelings of deep respect and admiration -- sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear Show general definition regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration -- sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
	13	top 2000
hordevery large number A horde of reporters descended on the small town.more Show sample from book But Kemp of Targos surely believes that his walled city is powerful enough to stand alone, whereas its rival, Teralaine, would be hardpressed to hold back the horde.†12 more a large number Show general definition a very large number -- typically of people, animals, or insects on the move
	46
ogrefrightening giant In the story, the ogre lived in a dark cave and captured anyone who came near.more Show sample from book The dwarf openly professed no love for battle, but he swung his notched axe with deadly accuracy and shrugged off blows that would fell an ogre.†45 more a frightening giant from fairy tales, especially one who eats people… Show general definition a frightening giant from fairy tales, especially one who eats people; or a cruel or terrifying person
	8	top 2000
visageface The visage of the old woman was weathered and wrinkled, but her eyes sparkled with a youthful energy.more Show sample from book Bruenor curiously considered the engaging stare and calm visage as he closed in on the youth.†7 more someone's face or facial expression Show general definition someone's face or facial expression
	7
semblanceoutward appearance Embarrassed as she was, she tried to maintain some semblance of dignity.more Show sample from book Dendybar rarely spoke at all and never displayed any semblance of passion when he did.†6 more the outward appearance of something Show general definition the outward appearance of something -- especially when the reality is different or incomplete
	6
nomadicmoving from place to place The nomadic tribe traveled from place to place, following the herds of animals that provided their sustenance.more Show sample from book The huge, one-eyed king himself led the procession, his great, swinging strides indicative of the nomads of the tundra.†5 more nomadic → nomads:tending to make a home in different places rather than staying in one place Show general definition tending to make a home in different places rather than staying in one place
	6
stealthof something hard to see or to detect The stealth bomber cannot be seen with standard radar.more Show sample from book They longed to announce their glorious charge with a song of war, but they understood that a certain degree of stealth was vital to the ultimate success of deBernezan's battle plan.†5 more hard to see or detect; OR done in a manner to avoid detection Show general definition hard to see or detect; or done in a manner to avoid detection
	4	top 1000
inciteprovoke -- (arouse feelings that will cause) They want to incite a riot.more Show sample from book Incited by the aura of suspicion that Kemp had infused, Schermont, the new spokesman from Caer-Konig, pointed an accusing finger at Jensin Brent of Caer-Dineval.†3 more incite → incited:provoked Show general definition provoke -- (arouse feelings, often leading to action)