Inkheart — Vocabulary
Cornelia Funke
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	18	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 Farid, however, looked much the same as the boys who lounged around on the beach nudging one another when girls passed by.†28 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.
	11	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 A dog barked somewhere in the darkness, and however often she tossed and turned Meggie couldn't get to sleep.28 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)
	17	top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book Dustfinger's voice was full of scorn.16 more disrespect Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
	23	top 2000
inquireask about or look into Students should contact our office to inquire about scholarship opportunities.more Show sample from book She cast Mo an inquiring glance.22 more inquire → inquiring:questioning Show general definition to ask about or look into something
	12	top 500
scrutinyscrutiny → scrutinized:looked very carefully at She scrutinized her reflection in the mirror.more 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 sample from book Meggie scrutinized her father's face.11 more scrutiny → scrutinized:looked at very carefully 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 careful examination of something
	9	top 200
sinisterevil They created a sinister plan to recruit terrorists.more Show sample from book And hard as Meggie tried to see something sinister about him, she couldn't, not in the pale morning light.8 more evil, harmful, or frightening Show general definition evil or harmful; or making an evil or frightening impression
	13	top 1000
beckonbeckon → beckoned:called With a nod of her head, she beckoned me to join them.more Show sample from book She beckoned to a waitress and asked for more coffee.12 more beckon → beckoned:called (to come by using a hand gesture or a nod) Show general definition to call -- typically to ask or tell someone to come nearer by using a hand gesture or a nod of the head
	14	top 2000
wretchedmiserable The children were taken into protective custody due to their wretched living conditions.more Show sample from book Does this mean we have to go the whole wretched way on foot again?13 more Show general definition very bad in various senses, including: unfortunate or miserable -- as in "wretched prisoners sleeping on the cold floor" of poor quality -- as in "wretched roads" morally bad -- as in "The wretched woman stole his wallet."
	10	top 1000
incredulousdifficult to believe I find it incredulous that you believe she is sincere.more Show sample from book Mo was staring incredulously at the book in Capricorn's hand as if he expected it to dissolve into thin air at any moment.9 more incredulous → incredulously:with disbelief; or with difficulty accepting something so unexpected Show general definition unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected
	10	top 2000
consciencemoral judgment of personal behavior I have a guilty conscience and want to make it right.more Show sample from book "I had to put them up here," said Fenoglio defensively, signs of a guilty conscience lurking among his wrinkles.†9 more feeling or appraisal of having personally behaved in a morally right or wrong manner Show general definition feeling or judgment of morally right or wrong personal behavior
	7	top 500
indifferentwithout interest About a third are in favor of the change, a third are opposed, and a third are indifferent.more Show sample from book ...even if he was taking great pains to hide his concern under a mask of indifference.6 more indifferent → indifference:lacking concern Show general definition without interest in various senses, including: unconcerned -- as in "She is indifferent to what is served to eat." unsympathetic -- as in "She is indifferent to his needs." not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context) -- as in "an indifferent performance" impartial -- as in "We need a judge who is indifferent."
	8	top 2000
conjuresummon into action or bring into existence She fears his black magic will conjure up evil spirits.more Show sample from book Let us use our magic and enchantments to conjure up a woman out of flowers.7 more summon into existence by magic Show general definition summon into action or bring into existence -- often as if by magic
	5	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 He's planning to feed you to his friend like a fly to a frog, so how about a little indignation?4 more indignant → indignation:anger at something unjust or wrong Show general definition angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
	6	top 1000
contemptlack of respect Familiarity breeds contempt.more Show sample from book Elinor inspected her again, this time with unconcealed contempt.5 more lack of respect (as though she was not good enough) Show general definition for contempt (as in: feels contempt towards her) lack of respect for someone or something thought inferior -- often accompanied by a feeling of dislike or disgust Show editor's word notes A famous saying, "familiarity breeds contempt" comes from Aesop's fable, "The Fox and the Lion". (6th century BC) When first the Fox saw the Lion he was terribly frightened, and ran away and hid himself in the wood. Next time however he came near the King of Beasts he stopped at a safe distance and watched him pass by. The third time they came near one another the Fox went straight up to the Lion and passed the time of day with him, asking him how his family were, and when he should have the pleasure of seeing him again; then turning his tail, he parted from the Lion without much ceremony. The moral is traditionally, "Familiarity breeds contempt"; though an alternative moral is "Acquaintance softens prejudices."
	4
monasterymonastery → monasteries:residences of religious communities Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries was the largest legally enforced transfer of property in English history since the Norman Conquest.more Show sample from book As far as she knew, the monks had worked at desks with sloping tops in the scriptoria of their monasteries, but she kept this information to herself.†3 more monastery → monasteries:the residences of religious communities Show general definition the residence of a religious community
	2
diabolicalevil and clever As part of her diabolical plan, she spent the first year gaining their trust.more Show sample from book Diabolical celebrations.†1 more evil; very bad; OR cruel and clever (like something of the devil) Show general definition evil; very bad; or cruel and clever (like something of the devil)
	2
malignantharmful or evil The malignant influence of the corrupt politician spread throughout the city, damaging trust and services.more Show sample from book Farid saw other ghosts and spirits, too, whole armies of them: malignant, all-powerful beings who tore the hearts out of poor mortal boys and ate them.†1 more harmful or evil; OR in medicine: harmful growth as with a cancerous tumor Show general definition harmful or evil in medicine: harmful growth as with a cancerous tumor
	2
nocturnalactive during the night The mice are nocturnal, so we never see them, but we see their droppings.more Show sample from book They slipped beneath his feet as he clambered over them, and when he listened to the nocturnal sounds again, afraid the noise might have attracted someone's attention, he saw a guard appear among the ruined houses.†1 more active during the night; OR relating to night Show general definition active during the night; or relating to night
	2
invulnerableunable to be wounded or harmed In the myth, the warrior was invulnerable, untouched by arrows or blades.more Show sample from book But everyone knew one thing: The Shadow was immortal and invulnerable and as pitiless as his master.†1 more impossible to harm Show general definition impossible to harm Show editor's word notes Standard prefix: "-in" at the beginning of a word often means "not" as in "insufficient" or "impossible" or "incapable".
	2
inconspicuousnot attracting attention She chose an inconspicuous spot in the corner so she could observe without being noticed.more Show sample from book I could just follow you, inconspicuously.†1 more inconspicuous → inconspicuously:in a manner that is not easily noticed Show general definition not easily seen, noticed, or attracting attention