Here, There be Dragons — Vocabulary
James A. Owen
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	38	top 2000
parliamentparliament → parliaments:legislative assemblies (that pass laws) National European parliaments help insure that the European Union's decisions reflect the democratic principles and interests of its member states.more Show sample from book The Winter King is human and is still subject to the ruling of the Parliament.†37 more legislative assembly that passes laws (existing in some countries) Show general definition for parliament (with a lowercase "p") a legislative assembly in certain countries (that can pass laws)
	8	top 100
neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas) The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more Show sample from book John thought this was a lie, but he appreciated the gesture nevertheless.†7 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.
	8	top 1000
incredulousdifficult to believe I find it incredulous that you believe she is sincere.more Show sample from book John said, incredulous.†7 more unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected Show general definition unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected
	2	top 500
disputedisagreement The area has long been a source of dispute between India and Pakistan.more Show sample from book "I doubt he called on the dragons for every little dispute," said John, "but the possibility would certainly have been an effective deterrent."2 more disagreement or fight Show general definition for dispute (as in: their border dispute) disagreement, argument, or conflict
	1	top 200
dispute#2dispute → disputes:challenges She disputes her landlord's claim that the music was that loud.more Show sample from book "The claim," he said, "has been made by one of Arthur's own kinsmen, and as such ought not to be disputed."2 more dispute → disputed:challenged (argued about) Show general definition for dispute (as in: She disputes his claim.) challenge, argue about, or fight over
	8	top 1000
diversitythe condition of variety Diversity has strengthened our Board of Directors.more Show sample from book The Curious Diversity passed through an immense stone gate, bracketed by two equally massive statues.†7 more Show general definition the condition of variety -- especially in reference to members of a population group who are of different races or cultures
	5	top 500
motivereason (for doing something) She believes the profit motive encourages people to satisfy other people's needs.more Show sample from book The ship, intuitive as ever, called upon her unique motive power and made full speed away from the fray.†4 more Show general definition for motive (as in: What is her motive?) a reason for doing something
	6	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 Aven began to retort something about not being servile to men, but the dragon's tone and manner was so respectful that she could not refuse.†5 more Show general definition for retort (as in: quick retort) a quick reply to a question or remark -- especially a witty or critical one
	4	top 500
mentorsomeone who guides and advises another who is less experienced Each new employee is matched with a mentor.more Show sample from book John cabled a reply to his mentor, requested a temporary leave, dispatched a note to his wife of less than a year at their home in Oxford, explaining that he would be absent for perhaps several days, and immediately arranged passage to London.†3 more someone who guides and advises another who is less experienced… Show general definition someone who guides and advises another who is less experienced; or the act of providing such guidance
	3	top 100
varybe different Your mileage may vary.more Show sample from book They still appeared to be on open ocean, with no land in sight, but the gray morning light revealed a number of varying depths in the water below.†2 more vary → varying:differing; or changing Show general definition to be different, or to change Show editor's word notes Vary is often used to describe small differences or changes--especially about things of the same type. It would be more common to say "The weight of full-grown elephants varies depending upon diet and other factors," than to say "The weight of elephants varies from that of mice."
	6	top 2000
allegianceloyalty At the citizenship ceremony, she pledged allegiance to her new country.more Show sample from book It says, basically, 'Declare allegiance, and be welcomed.'†5 more Show general definition loyalty to a person, group, or cause
	5	top 1000
compelforce Does our DNA compel us to act as we do?more Show sample from book "I'll not argue with you, old friend," said the knight, nodding back at Bert, "but one might say I was as compelled as all the rest."†4 more compel → compelled:forced; or (more rarely) convinced Show general definition to force someone to do something or more rarely: to convince someone to do something Show editor's word notes Most typically, compel describes an external influence forcing someone to do something, but it can also describe being driven by an internal desire.
	3	top 500
adversaryopponent She is his greatest adversary.more Show sample from book A hail of arrows and spears showered the deck as they sped past the Black Dragon, and Aven climbed onto the rigging to get a better look at their adversary.†2 more Show general definition an opponent
	3	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 It was a tradition common throughout cultures of the world to revere the elders of a society, and since the days of Methuselah, it had simply been assumed that the older a person was, the more life experience they'd had: Therefore, they were probably wiser than anyone else.2 more respect or admire Show general definition regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration -- sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
	20
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 Useless as a buck centaur in a dairy, that one.†19 more Show general definition a mythical being that is half man and half horse
	5
suppositionsomething supposed (rather than something known to be so) She paints a vivid picture, but we must remember it is all mere supposition.more Show sample from book Author's Note History is comprised less of certainty than of supposition.†4 more Show general definition something supposed (rather than something known to be so) -- such as a disputed belief or assumption
	4
stealthof something hard to see or to detect The stealth bomber cannot be seen with standard radar.more Show sample from book "I guess we're the stealth force," he said, looking down at the exuberant badger.†3 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
	2	top 500
camaraderieclose friendship amongst a group of people Basketball encourages teamwork and camaraderie.more Show sample from book The Winter King moved on to Bert, smiling in what was almost an expression of old camaraderie.†1 more
	2	top 1000
chronologicalfrom oldest to newest Events are listed in chronological order.more Show sample from book There are a great deal of annotations in modern English, but there's no hierarchy to it, no order, other than a rough chronological one.†1 more arranged according to time Show general definition arranged according to time
	3
continuityconsistency Despite maintaining continuity in an alternate world, each episode can stand alone as a complete story.more Show sample from book Only the continuity of human rule kept the other races in check.†2 more Show general definition consistency or lacking interruption