The Looking Glass Wars — Vocabulary
Frank Beddor
(Edited)

Book sample Uses ACT/SAT
30 top 2000
conjuresummon into action or bring into existence
To conjure several doubles of herself was one thing, but an entire army?p.325.229 more
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She fears his black magic will conjure up evil spirits.more
Show general definition summon into action or bring into existence -- often as if by magic
4 top 100
appropriatefitting or suitable
As was perhaps appropriate for any shop specializing in the sale of puzzles and games, this one was itself built in the shape of a puzzle.p.297.94 more
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These clothes aren't appropriate for work.more
suitable (fitting) for a particular situation
Show general definition for appropriate (as in: it is appropriate) suitable (fitting) for a particular situation
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appropriate#2appropriate → appropriated:took
Whenever one of them made a move she had never seen before, she quickly appropriated it--imagined it as part of her own repertoire.p.311.44 more
Show context notes In this context, repertoire means "set of skills she can perform when desired".
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The invading army appropriated the home to use as a local headquarters.more
appropriate → appropriated:took without asking
Show general definition for appropriate (as in: appropriate from their culture) to take without asking -- often without right
2 top 10
interpretunderstand
Mrs. Liddell, not hearing this exchange, flashed her daughter a look, which Alice was at a loss to interpret.p.166.91 more
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I don't know how to interpret her smile.more
understand (In this case: Why did she smile? What does it mean?)
Show general definition for interpret (as in: her interpretation of the data) to understand or explain something in a particular way -- often the meaning or significance of something
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adaptadapt → adapted:changed to fit
--but so well had she adapted to the customs and beliefs of the time, so well had she adopted the inclinations of other girls her age, that she'd befriended those who used to tease her mercilessly.p.162.61 more
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Ideas contained in passages for this test, some of which are excerpted or adapted from published material, do not necessarily represent the opinions of the College Board.more
adapt → adapted:changed (to fit this situation)
Show general definition for adapt (as in: adapted to the new rules) changed to fit a different situation; or made suitable
10 top 100
engageinvolve
To lessen his fears, Jack tried to engage the Milliner in a little chitchat.p.217.417 more
Show context notes Chitchat means pleasant conversation about nothing important.
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She engaged in conduct that is a violation of the honor code.more
engage → engaged:was involved
Show general definition for engage (as in: engage in conversation) to interact in various ways -- such as to participate, involve, interest, or attract
The exact meaning of this sense of engage depends upon its context. For example:
  • "They engaged in debate." -- participated
  • "She engaged him in conversation." -- involved
  • "She is an engaging conversationalist." -- interesting
  • "She has an engaging smile." -- attractive (attracting interest and interaction)
  • "The proposal engages the interest of many young voters." -- attracts and involves
  • "She engages with her constituents." -- interacts in a meaningful way
  • "She engaged in foolish behavior." -- entered into
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engage#2begin fighting
If he crosses paths with Redd, he'll try to engage with her.p.331.717 more
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She engaged the enemy with devastating effect.more
engage → engaged:began fighting
3 top 1000
tyrannytyranny → tyrannical:harsh and unjust
In time, a new Heart Palace would stand in place of the old, its garden featuring the grave of Sir Justice Anders as well as memorials to Queen Genevieve, King Nolan, and the numerous brave Alyssians who lost their lives during Redd's tyrannical rule.p.355.52 more
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The U.S. constitution was designed with checks and balances and limited government to protect Americans from tyranny.more
a form of government where some people control others in a harsh, unfair manner
Show general definition harsh and unjust rule
1 top 100
directdirect → indirect:not straightforward (complex or devious)
His methods were indirect and labyrinthine, but they brought him twice the profit of simpler business arrangements.p.181.911 more
Show context notes The prefix "in-" in indirect means not and reverses the meaning of direct. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure. Labyrinthine means "complicated and confusing". You might be more familiar with the base word labyrinth, that refers to a maze or network of passages in which it is easy to get lost.
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I left them with direct instructions.more
straightforward
Show general definition for direct (as in: gave a direct answer) straightforward -- often clear, open, or blunt in speech or behavior
1 top 100
direct#2direct → directed:aimed, or intended for
Dodge glared at the advancing card soldiers, his words directed at Alyss: "We'll keep them busy."p.297.511 more
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On the SAT test, some questions direct you to look at an underlined or numbered portion of a passage.more
instruct
Show general definition for direct (as in: direct a question; or direct a film) to guide, aim, or manage -- such as actions, attention, speech, a project or company
3 top 2000
allianceassociation (of nations) formed to support common interests
A last-minute negotiation with King Arch of Boarderland to establish an alliance between their two nations against Redd.p.17.12 more
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The Islamic governments formed an alliance to defeat Israel.more
association formed to support common interests
Show general definition an association formed to support common interests
1 top 100
reflectthink
After the temper subsides and one has a moment to calmly reflect, it isn't uncommon for declarations shouted in a fit of rage to strike one as untrue, and because they may have been hurtful to family, friends, lovers, husbands, or wives, one wishes them unsaid.p.148.121 more
Show context notes The Looking Glass Wars commonly uses the word reflect to refer to shining back an image--as seen in a mirror. But note that it is also used in two other fairly common ways in the book. In this context, subsides is a synonym for calms, and declarations is a synonym for statements.
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At the beginning of this passage, the author reflects on her life as a waitress.more
reflect → reflects:thinks carefully
Show general definition for reflect (as in: I want to reflect on it.) think carefully -- possibly aloud or in writing
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composurecalm state of mind
Regaining his usual composure, he took a seat next to the princess.p.269.31 more
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After I regained my composure, I thanked her for telling me about the problem.more
1 top 100
compositionmusical work
Piped in from who knew where played the background music of Wondertropolis' free fall into decay. ... a composition on infinite repeat, featuring lyrics Redd had written herself, which sang her praises as Wonderland's savior.p.141.8
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
Her latest composition blends classical melodies with modern electronic beats.more
original musical creation
Show general definition for composition (as in: an original composition) a creative work, the way the creative work is put together, or the act of creating it
Show editor's word notes Context will sometimes make clear that the creative work is the writing of music or an essay, but it can anything -- such as the way the components of a picture are arranged.
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dissentdisagreement with government-approved opinions
Silence breeds independent thought, which in turn breeds dissent.p.142.11 more
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The Alien and Sedition Acts were attempts to silence early political dissent in America.more
disagreement
Show general definition to disagree; or disagreement or conflict -- typically between people who cooperate, and often with official or majority beliefs
Show editor's word notes A Supreme Court dissenting opinion is a written opinion that represents the beliefs of one or more justices who disagreed with the majority.
1
coalitionpolitical group (made of different groups working together)
The coalition of Diamond, Club, and Spade dynasties that made up Parliament was falling apart.p.10.4
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They formed a coalition government.more
made up of different political groups working together
Show general definition a political group made up of different groups working together
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approachgo near
It was best not to approach, to not draw attention to themselves.p.141.228 more
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Winter is approaching.more
approach → approaching:getting nearer
Show general definition for approach (as in: approached the city) to get closer to (near in space, time, quantity, or quality)
4 top 1000
determinedfirm in purpose
They may have been few in number, but they were strong and determined.p.281.18 more
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I'm determined to become a lawyer.more
firmly planning
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determinedetermine → determined:discovered
But the portal was connected to the Continuum by such an unlikely arrangement of crystal byways (courtesy of strategically placed looking glasses) that no traveler who wasn't Alyssian had ever determined its location or even learned of its existence.p.254.58 more
Show context notes Looking glass is a synonym for mirror. In this book, characters can step into a mirror in one location and out of a mirror in another location.
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They are working to determine the cause of the accident.more
learn or discover
Show general definition for determine (as in: determined she is guilty) to learn, discover, or decide
3 top 100
accompanytravel with
"Knight, Hatter, and Dodge will also accompany you," said General Doppel, which was when they noticed that Dodge was no longer among them.p.331.52 more
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The nurse accompanies the old woman everywhere.more
accompany → accompanies:travels with
Show general definition for accompany (as in: accompany on the journey) to travel along with