The Thief — Vocabulary
Megan Whalen Turner
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	13	top 2000
apprenticelearner on the job After high school, Bella began work as an apprentice at a local bakery, waking up before dawn to help make bread and learn the craft.more Show sample from book They weren't related to each other, but they were both apprentices of the magus.†12 more apprentice → apprentices:person who learns a trade or skill through hands-on experience under a skilled w… Show general definition person who learns a trade or skill through hands-on experience under a skilled worker; or (as a verb) performance of that kind of work
	10	top 1000
contemptlack of respect Familiarity breeds contempt.more Show sample from book In the dark he hadn't been able to see the contempt on my face, but he could hear it in my voice.9 more disrespect and dislike 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."
	9	top 2000
immortalto live forever Zeus and the other gods were supposed to be immortal.more Show sample from book The reign of Eddis supposedly arose out of one of the stories in which Hephestia rewarded a king named Hamiathes with a stone dipped in the water of immortality.†8 more immortal → immortality:eternal life (to live forever) Show general definition living or existing forever or: someone famous throughout history or: someone who will never die -- such as a mythological god
	4	top 200
optimisticexpecting the best I'm optimistic that I'll get into a good college.more Show sample from book By that time I was too tired to be optimistic.†3 more expecting the best; OR focusing on the good part of things Show general definition expecting the best; or focusing on the good part of things
	4	top 500
condescendingacting superior She gave me that condescending look as though I wasn't worthy to ask her a question.more Show sample from book His voice dripped condescension.3 more condescending → condescension:a manner that treats others as inferiors Show general definition treating others as inferior; or doing something considered beneath one's position or dignity
	3	top 500
earnestearnest → in earnest:in a serious manner I began training in earnest the summer before high school.more Show sample from book In front of me the mountains began in earnest.†2 more earnest → in earnest:serious; or in a serious manner Show general definition characterized by sincere belief or: intensely or excessively serious or determined
	5
salvea cream or liquid put onto skin to make it feel better or heal She smeared some salve on the wound and then wrapped it in a bandage.more Show sample from book The magus looked over his shoulder and then sent the elder Useless up to his room to get a relief kit with bandages and little pots of salve in it.†4 more a cream or liquid put onto skin to make it feel better or heal… Show general definition a cream or liquid put onto skin to make it feel better or heal or: anything that eases pain or anxiety; or the act of doing such
	5	top 2000
sulkto overly indulge in being unhappy and unsociable She was disappointed and retreated to her room to sulk.more Show sample from book Ambiades sulked for most of the morning, and Sophos rode with his shoulders hunched, trying to ignore the tension in the air.†4 more sulk → sulked:was overly unhappy and unsociable Show general definition to be overly unhappy and unsociable -- often due to disappointment or a sense of not getting what was deserved
	4	top 1000
persistpersist → persisted:continued The child persisted in asking questions despite my obvious desire to be left alone.more Show sample from book I wondered what he thought I was going to wear if he persisted in shredding my clothes.†3 more Show general definition to continue -- often despite difficulty or to repeat a question
	3	top 1000
perplexperplex → perplexed:confused She was perplexed by the rules of the game.more Show sample from book I looked at the comb in my hand as if perplexed.†2 more perplex → perplexed:confused or puzzled Show general definition to confuse
	3	top 1000
tediousboring I'll have to endure one of her tedious lectures.more Show sample from book Donkeys would not have been so tedious.†2 more boring or monotonous Show general definition boring -- especially because something goes on too long or without variation
	4	top 2000
chasma large, deep, and steep-sided opening on the earth's surface You can't leap a twenty-foot chasm with two 10-foot jumps.more Show sample from book Sometimes we walked along the edge of a chasm in which the water flowed; sometimes the chasm grew wider and shallower and we walked on the sand beside the river itself.†3 more a large gap or divide Show general definition a large and deep and steep-sided opening on the earth's surface; or (more rarely) any large gap or: a very large difference -- often of opinion
	2	top 500
inquiryinvestigation The school launched an official inquiry into the allegations of cheating.more Show sample from book The magus answered with another question, which Ambiades answered patiently, obviously used to this response to his inquiries.†1 more inquiry → inquiries:questions or investigations Show general definition a question or investigation -- especially one meant to gather information or find out the truth
	2	top 500
exasperatedgreatly annoyed She was exasperated by his teasing.more Show sample from book I asked, exasperated.†1 more Show general definition greatly annoyed
	2	top 1000
concuragree We concur on the action to be taken; though we disagree on the reasons.more Show sample from book The sores were already much better, and I concurred when he decided to leave them exposed to the air for the day, although I could see that it didn't matter if I concurred or not.† concur → concurred:agreed Show general definition for concur (as in: I concur) to agree
	3
guisedeceptive outward appearance The spy entered the building under the guise of a maintenance worker.Nathaniel Hawthorne — The Scarlet Lettermore Show sample from book The Earth sometimes came in the guise of an old woman and brought him presents.†2 more an outward appearance -- often one that hides the true nature of something Show general definition an outward appearance -- often one that hides the true nature of something
	2	top 2000
disgruntleddissatisfied We have a line of disgruntled customers who have been waiting too long.more Show sample from book The magus was disgruntled that we hadn't made better time.†1 more dissatisfied - typically unhappy and annoyed Show general definition dissatisfied - typically unhappy and annoyed
	2	top 2000
perfunctorydone without much interest or effort She gave us menus and a perfunctory smile.more Show sample from book As I pushed, I muttered a perfunctory prayer to the god of thieves.†1 more Show general definition done without much interest or effort -- especially as when dispensing with a formality
	2
chagrinbad feeling such as embarrassment or disappointment I bragged about how good our team was and then, much to my chagrin, we lost.more Show sample from book I retired chagrined from the field of contest.†1 more chagrin → chagrined:made to feel embarrassed, disappointed, or annoyed Show general definition a bad feeling such as embarrassment, disappointment, or annoyance -- especially due to a disconcerting event, mistake or other blow to the ego
	2
flauntflaunt → flaunts:shows it off She is wealthier than her neighbors, but she never flaunts it.more Show sample from book How much smarter than a hammer can you be if you flaunt the proof of your crimes in a wineshop?†1 more show off Show general definition the act of showing off (displaying something in an obvious way for others to admire or envy) or: openly defiant of rules or expectations