Airborn — Vocabulary
Kenneth Oppel
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	11	top 2000
directwithout intervention from anything (in this case, not sun that is partially blocked or reflected) This flower does best in direct sunlight.more Show sample from book We stayed buried in the trees off her starboard side and worked our way back until we were directly across from her fins.†17 more direct → directly:close, or in a straight line Show general definition for direct (as in: directly above; or buy direct) without anything in between -- whether in time, space, or involvement
	7	top 100
direct#2straightforward I left them with direct instructions.more Show sample from book You wouldn't be disobeying a direct order.†17 more clear, straightforward, or to the point Show general definition for direct (as in: gave a direct answer) straightforward -- often clear, open, or blunt in speech or behavior
	12	top 2000
foliageplant leaves It's difficult to spot the birds in the foliage.more Show sample from book I felt absurd hiking through the ferns and foliage hefting a carpetbag with a rose pattern on the outside.11 more Show general definition plant leaves
	10	top 2000
infirmarysmall facility where patients receive treatment She felt ill and went to the infirmary.more Show sample from book Anyway, we got him inside and took him to the infirmary, and the doctor tended to him.9 more a small facility where patients receive treatment Show general definition a small facility where patients receive treatment -- such as a room or two at a school as contrasted to a busy hospital or medical clinic
	7	top 1000
tauttight The string is pulled taut.more Show sample from book I saw the line quickly swing up and become taut.†6 more pulled or drawn tight; OR subjected to great tension Show general definition pulled or drawn tight; or: subjected to great tension
	8	top 2000
tethertether → tethered:tied The horses were tethered to a post.more Show sample from book The sixth line went, and now there were but two lines tethering the balloon to the gondola, attached to opposite corners.†7 more tether → tethering:tying to something so as to limit the boundaries of movement Show general definition to tie so as to limit the boundaries of movement; or the rope or other material used to do the tying
	7	top 1000
collidecollide → collided:crashed together with violent impact The cars collided and burst into flame.more Show sample from book As we turned and climbed, she turned and climbed with us, keeping herself on a collision course.6 more collide → collision:to crash together with violent impact Show general definition crash together with violent impact; or come into conflict
	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 “I've heard there's one group already writing a paper claiming the whole thing's a hoax.” “How could they?” I asked indignantly.4 more indignant → indignantly:anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong Show general definition angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
	7	top 2000
nimblequick and agile She watched her daughter's nimble fingers type instructions into the iPhone.more Show sample from book Tall gleaming black boots stepped nimbly down the rungs.6 more nimble → nimbly:moving quickly with coordination and balance Show general definition quick and agile -- typically physically, but can also reference quick, agile thinking (someone who is agile does things easily)
	3	top 100
varybe different Your mileage may vary.more Show sample from book Well, it varies quite a lot, actually.†2 more vary → varies:differs; or changes 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."
	2	top 10
implyimply → implied:hinted or suggested She wouldn't make a direct statement, but she implied that she supported our position.more Show sample from book I guess technically it's not really a desert island. That would imply very little flora or fauna, which is obviously not the case here.1 more suggest (say indirectly) Show general definition to suggest or say indirectly -- possibly as a logical consequence
	2	top 100
contradictdisagree with Does the sentence contradict the main claim of the essay?more Show sample from book She looked at me defiantly, challenging me to contradict her.†1 more disagree Show general definition disagree in various senses, including: to say something is not true -- as in "She contradicted his testimony." to say something else is true when both can't be true -- as in "I don't believe her. She contradicted herself as she told us what happened." to be in conflict with -- as in "Her assertions contradict accepted scientific principles."
	5
vertebraebony segments of the spinal column The human spine is composed of 33 individual vertebrae that run from the base of the skull to the tailbone.more Show sample from book I could make out the long, knobbly chain of vertebrae clear enough, and the rib cage, though some of the bones there were cracked or flattened.†4 more
	2	top 1000
deviatedeviate → deviated:strayed (changed) She never deviated from her goal of getting a good education and becoming a teacher.†more Show sample from book Our projected route was a dotted line, with a few little zigzag markings where we'd deviated because of wind and weather.†1 more deviate → deviated:differed or changed Show general definition for deviate (as in: deviate from the course) differ or change
	2	top 1000
mishapminor accident We tripped while roller skating, but we survived to laugh at the mishap.more Show sample from book We've circled the globe a thousand times without mishap.†1 more unfortunate accident Show general definition an unfortunate accident -- usually minor
	3
gossamerdelicate or light The painting has a fairy with gossamer wings.more Show sample from book As the last pirate began his climb, I ran down the catwalk and hurried up the ladder to the aft crow's nest, past the shimmering gossamer skin of the gas cells.†2 more extremely light, delicate, airy, or thin Show general definition extremely light, delicate, airy, or thin
	3
infernalvery annoying Please stop making that infernal noise!more Show sample from book Four more lines needed casting off, and then we'd no longer be tethered to that infernal little pirate ship.†2 more very bad; OR very annoying; OR characteristic of hell or the underworld Show general definition very bad; or very annoying; or characteristic of hell or the underworld
	2
carnivorousmeat-eating Lions and other large carnivorous animals are popular at the zoo.more Show sample from book The dangerous, carnivorous man-eating Mr. Cruse!†1 more Show general definition of an animal that primarily eats meat Show editor's word notes Carnivorous animals (carnivores) are often contrasted to herbivores (plant-eating animals) and omnivores (animals that eat both meat and plants).
	1
trifletrifle → trifling:unimportant We all agree with the goal, but how to achieve it is not a trifling matter.more Show sample from book What are they but things, baubles, trifles, bits of stuff?†1 more trifle → trifles:things of small importance Show general definition for trifle (as in: a trifling matter) something of small importance; or a small quantity
	1
trifle withtreat thoughtlessly or without respect She is not a woman to trifle with or ignore.more Show sample from book I will not be trifled with.†1 more trifle with → trifled with:treated thoughtlessly or without respect Show general definition for trifle with (as in: trifle with her affections) to treat somebody or something thoughtlessly or without respect