The Lost Symbol — Vocabulary
Dan Brown
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	75	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 Tonight, however, he was apparently in a hurry to get inside and return Warren Bellamy's phone call.75 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.
	1	top 2000
however#2in whatever way However we do it, someone is going to be unhappy.more Show sample from book Katherine interceded now, quickly explaining that despite Bellamy's warnings and her brother's request that Langdon not unwrap the package, she had done so, feeling her first priority was to help her brother however she could.75 more Show general definition for however (as in: However you do it, get it done!) in whatever way
	26	top 2000
approachapproach → approaching:getting nearer Winter is approaching.more Show sample from book Langdon looked up to see a middle-aged woman with a badge and clipboard hurrying toward him, waving happily as he approached.27 more approach → approached:moved nearer Show general definition for approach (as in: approached the city) to get closer to (near in space, time, quantity, or quality)
	2	top 500
approach#2method (way of doing something) Perhaps I just need to work harder, but I may need an entirely different approach to the problem.more Show sample from book He was about to retool and try a different approach when his phone rang.27 more technique (way of doing something) Show general definition for approach (as in: use the best approach) a way of doing something; or a route that leads to a particular place
	18	top 2000
bronzea brownish metal that is made of copper and (usually) tin The sculpture of a bull on Wall Street is made of bronze.more Show sample from book Outside the main entrance, two seventeen-ton sphinxes guarded the bronze doors.18 more made of a type of high-quality metal Show general definition for bronze (as in: bronze won't corrode in salt water) a brownish-colored metal with red or yellow hues that is made of copper and (usually) tin Show editor's word notes Bronze metals in the Olympics and many other contests are awarded for third place. With the discovery of bronze (about 3,000 BC), people could make tools and weapons that were harder and more durable than those made of copper and stone that preceded bronze.
	1
bronze#2reddish-brown or yellowish-brown He was attracted by her shining bronze hair.more Show sample from book The man's tattoos had obviously been concealed beneath bronzing makeup.18 more bronze → bronzing:tan-colored (reddish brown) Show general definition for bronze (as in: a bronze tan) a reddish-brown or yellowish-brown color like that of one of the metals with the same name -- often used to refer to a suntan or a dark glowing complexion
	1	top 1000
interprettranslate Can she interpret Spanish to English for us?more Show sample from book At the top of the image, we have the word Heredom—the 'Holy House'—which I interpret as the House of God …. or heaven.8 more Show general definition for interpret (as in: interpret Spanish to English) to translate someone’s words into spoken words of another language while they are speaking
	8	top 10
interpret#2understand (In this case: Why did she smile? What does it mean?) I don't know how to interpret her smile.more Show sample from book Every esoteric tradition interprets 'the stone' in its own way, but invariably the occultum lapidem is a source of power and enlightenment.8 more interpret → interprets:understands (something in a particular way) 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
	24	top 2000
ascendmove upward We saw the rocket ascend.more Show sample from book Then he glanced over at a cramped stairwell that ascended from this level …. climbing higher still.23 more ascend → ascended:climbed upward Show general definition for ascend (as in: ascend the mountain) to move or slope upward -- sometimes figuratively as when climbing the corporate ladder
	21
talismana small object or piece of jewelry thought to have magical power The ancient talisman was said to have magical powers that could protect its wearer from harm.more Show sample from book Traditionally, talismans were used for bringing luck, warding off evil spirits, or aiding in ancient rituals.†20 more Show general definition a small object or piece of jewelry thought to have magical power -- especially to protect against evil
	18	top 1000
adornadorn → adorned:decorated The women adorned themselves with shell necklaces.more Show sample from book The assembly of brothers encircling him all were adorned in their full regalia of lambskin aprons, sashes, and white gloves.†17 more Show general definition to decorate -- especially a person
	18	top 1000
metaphormetaphor → metaphorically:with a figure of speech in which a similarity between two things is highlighted by using a word to refer to something that it does not literally denote He was speaking metaphorically when he referred to being mugged by reality.more Show sample from book So you believe this portal is a metaphor.†17 more a figure of speech in which a similarity between two things is highlighted by using a word to refer to something that it does not literally mean Show general definition a figure of speech in which a similarity between two things is implied by using a word to refer to something it does not literally mean—as in, "All the world’s a stage." Show editor's word notes When Shakespeare wrote, "All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players." he was not saying the world is really a stage and all people are actors. But he was pointing to the similarities he wants us to recognize. While metaphors and similes are both techniques of figurative language. The distinction is that a simile explicitly shows that a comparison is being made, by using words such as "like" or "as". A metaphor simply substitutes words assuming the reader will understand the meaning should not be take literally. "She is like a diamond in the rough" is a simile; while "She is a diamond in the rough" is a metaphor.
	17	top 2000
specimenspecimen → specimens:examples representative of their type The museum holds over a million insect specimens.more Show sample from book Director Inoue Sato was a fearsome specimen—a bristly tempest of a woman who stood a mere four feet ten inches.†16 more an example regarded as typical of its class Show general definition an example thought to represent its type; or a bit of tissue, blood, or urine that is taken for diagnostic purposes
	6	top 100
perspectiveway of seeing or thinking about things A child who was abused with have a different perspective of family life than one raised in a nurturing home.more Show sample from book Sometimes all it takes is a tiny shift of perspective to see something familiar in a totally new light.6 more way of seeing and thinking about things Show general definition for perspective (as in: Look at it from her perspective) a particular way of seeing or thinking about things
	1
perspective#2view The penthouse window gives a perspective on half the city.more Show sample from book Langdon had never seen the Capitol from this perspective—hovering 555 feet in the air atop America's great Egyptian obelisk.6 more Show general definition for perspective (as in: a perspective of the entire block) a view -- often stressing that the view is different from a view from another location
	7
quantumtiny, indivisible packet of energy or matter An atom can only absorb or release energy in fixed quantum jumps, not in smooth amounts.more Show sample from book In 2001, in the hours following the horrifying events of September 11, the field of Noetic Science made a quantum leap forward.†6 more Show general definition smallest “packet” or chunk of energy or matter that something can have in modern physics Show editor's word notes In quantum physics, energy and matter don't flow smoothly like water but come in tiny, indivisible chunks called quanta. An object can only gain or lose energy in specific amounts—just enough to jump from one allowed energy level to another. During a "quantum jump," the object doesn't gradually move between levels; it simply vanishes from one level and appears at another, as if teleporting. Science has revealed that the universe behaves very differently at extreme scales than it does in our everyday lives. At incredibly small scales (atoms and smaller), quantum physics rules. At incredibly large scales (planets, stars, and galaxies) or extreme speeds, Einstein's theories of special and general relativity take over.
	6
pseudonymfictitious name She wrote the book under a pseudonym.more Show sample from book I mentioned his name twice and also the word pseudonym.†5 more Show general definition a fictitious name
	6
conveyor belta moving band or belt that transports objects A conveyor belt is used to transport luggage at the airport.more Show sample from book Resembling a small airport baggage distribution center, the circulation room had numerous conveyor belts that angled off in different directions.†5 more conveyor belt → conveyor belts:a moving band or belt that transports objects -- such as goods in a factory Show general definition a moving band or belt that transports objects -- such as goods in a factory
	5
disparatevery different We discussed disparate ideas.†more Show sample from book The Agency was currently running a new piece of "collaborative integration" software designed to provide real-time alerts to disparate CIA departments when they happened to be processing related data fields.†4 more Show general definition very different -- often referring to a collection of very different elements such as a group of very different people
	5
primevalancient She found the fossilized remains of a primeval palm tree.more Show sample from book This moment had been predicted long ago, prophesied by the ancient texts, by the primeval calendars, and even by the stars themselves.†4 more Show general definition ancient (of or from a long time ago); or having existed from ancient times