Queen of Attolia — Vocabulary
Megan Whalen Turner
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	11	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 Dressed as an apprentice, he walked behind the magus, keeping his wooden hand close to his side, and none of the guards looked twice at either of them.†10 more 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
	8	top 2000
sentryperson standing guard She successfully bluffed her way past the sentry.more Show sample from book The sentry offered to send a message to the Thief.†7 more someone who stands guard Show general definition someone who stands guard
	7	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 All traffic between Attolia and Sounis climbed the mountain pass, crossing several bridges in the process, the most important being the Main Bridge, which spanned the chasm of the Seperchia near the top of the pass.†6 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
	7	top 2000
daisraised platform She was seated on the inaugural dais near the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.more Show sample from book Her ministers collected around her, following as she led down the three shallow steps through the doorway and across the painted floor to the dais.†6 more Show general definition a platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to people on it
	7	top 2000
peninsulaa large mass of land projecting into a body of water We decided to spend our summer vacation exploring the beautiful peninsula, with its quaint coastal towns and stunning beaches.more Show sample from book "I thought I might go to one of the universities on the Peninsula," he said at last.†6 more Show general definition a large mass of land projecting into a body of water -- especially if connected to the larger land mass by an isthmus
	4	top 500
competentsufficiently capable She is a competent student and I have no doubt she will be a competent lawyer one day.more Show sample from book He didn't take part in the fighting itself, but who could doubt that he would be as competent at killing men as he was at everything else he undertook?†3 more Show general definition capable (able to do something in a generally satisfactory manner) -- sometimes specifically to have legal capability
	6	top 2000
allianceassociation formed to support common interests The Islamic governments formed an alliance to defeat Israel.more Show sample from book A strong alliance between Sounis and Attolia is not to their advantage.†5 more Show general definition an association formed to support common interests
	5	top 1000
glowerglower → glowering:staring angrily Shake hands and stop glowering at each other.more Show sample from book "If it's prison glower," the physician explained, "he'll lose the sight in that eye, and if the infection spreads, he'll be blind in both."†4 more stare angrily Show general definition to stare angrily
	3	top 200
plausiblesounding reasonable She offered a plausible excuse.more Show sample from book With plausible seriousness, the queen asked, "What could you steal for me, Thief?"†2 more apparently reasonable, but unproven Show general definition apparently reasonable, but unproven
	3	top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book His grandfather would heap scorn on him like coals.†2 more disrespect or reject as not good enough Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
	5	top 2000
treacherybetrayal Benedict Arnold remains the U.S.'s symbol of ultimate treachery.more Show sample from book By the time she discovered his treachery, she had very little real power and not many options.†4 more Show general definition the behavior of someone who pretends to be a friend and then tricks, cheats, or betrays
	3	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 I beg Your Majesty will condescend to forgive me.2 more condescending → condescend:do something considered beneath one's position or dignity Show general definition treating others as inferior; or doing something considered beneath one's position or dignity
	3	top 500
persistentcontinuing over time She has a persistent cough.more Show sample from book Their reports were unreliable, but they were all her secretary had to answer his queen's persistent questions.†2 more continuing -- especially despite difficulties or opposition Show general definition continuing -- especially despite difficulties or opposition
	2	top 200
tactthe ability and tendency to say or handle things in such a way that others feel good about them She has the tact of a politician or diplomat.more Show sample from book He had pointed out to his sovereign, with glibness taking the place of tact, that the Thief had never so far as he knew been in the command of anyone.†1 more the ability or act of saying or handling things in such a way that others feel good about them Show general definition the ability or act of saying or handling things in such a way that others feel good about them
	6
anterooma room leading to a larger or more important room He was searched again in the anteroom before entering her office.more Show sample from book She left the cell and made her way up the many stairs of the palace to her private anteroom.†5 more Show general definition a room (such as a waiting room) leading to a larger or more important room
	6
blockadeaction to keep people and goods from reaching a location They could not get weapons past the naval blockade.†more Show sample from book Our army would have to break the blockade at the bottom of the pass and cross the river and those hills to reach her.†5 more Show general definition action to keep people and goods from reaching a location
	4
retinuegroup (of people following and attending to an important person) The celebrity was accompanied by a large retinue of assistants and bodyguards.more Show sample from book She ordered the Attolian ambassador and his retinue confined to their rooms and opened the main gates of the Hamiathes Reservoir.†3 more a group of people following and attending to an important person Show general definition a group of people following and attending to an important person
	3
grovelshow complete submission She wasn't content just to win. She wanted to see me grovel.more Show sample from book There wasn't much opportunity for groveling last...time.†2 more grovel → groveling:showing submission or fear Show general definition to show submission or fear -- sometimes by crawling or lying face down
	2	top 2000
defersubmit I defer to her expertise.more Show sample from book “I defer to you,” Attolia said, subdued.1 more submit or yield Show general definition for defer (as in: deferred to her wishes) submit or yield (typically to another person's opinion because of respect for that person or their knowledge)
	2
drollunusual I appreciate her droll sense of humor.†more Show sample from book Droll was the word he used, I think.†1 more comical in an unusual way Show general definition comical in an unusual way -- often clever and understated