The Hunt for Red October — Vocabulary
Tom Clancy
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
68 top 2000
invincibleimpossible to defeat
They believe their army is invincible.more
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On the other hand, HMS Invincible was just over here for the NATO exercise, sailed from Norfolk Monday night.†67 more
impossible to defeat or overcome
Show general definition impossible to defeat or overcome
17 top 100
evaluateevaluateevaluating:thinking carefully and making a judgment about
I'm evaluating colleges and deciding which I want to apply to.more
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The captain studied the chart as his navigator gave the necessary orders, evaluating the tactical situation.†16 more
Show general definition to think carefully and make a judgment about something
1 top 1000
consoleconsoleconsoled:comforted
She consoled him after his mother died.more
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"Death is virtually instantaneous—but also it is quite painless," the doctor added consolingly.12 more
consoleconsolingly:in a manner meant to be emotionally comforting
Show general definition for console (as in: console her grief) to comfort (emotionally)
12 top 1000
console#2controls for electronic equipment
She pushed a button on the console.more
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Chief Franklin's console received data from a string of sensors planted off the coast of Iceland.12 more
computer monitor
Show general definition for console (as in: plug it into the console) controls or video monitor(s) for electrical equipment; or a cabinet made to hold electronic equipment
28 top 2000
sentryperson standing guard
She successfully bluffed her way past the sentry.more
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For example, Painter requested some E-3 Sentries to support you out here.†27 more
sentrysentries:people standing guard
Show general definition someone who stands guard
8 top 2000
positivecertain
I'm positive I've seen her before.more
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It was positively from Red October.†8 more
positivepositively:absolutely (used for emphasis)
Show general definition for positive (as in: I'm absolutely positive!) certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
1 top 100
positive#2positivepositively:in a good or beneficial manner
Lower interest rates positively affected home sales.†more
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It's a positive sign.†8 more
good
Show general definition for positive (as in: had a positive effect) good or beneficial
10 top 200
enableenableenables:makes possible
The test enables earlier identification of autism.more
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A lifetime of self-control had enabled him to conceal it, and a lifetime of naval training had enabled him to choose a purpose worthy of it.†9 more
enableenabled:made possible
Show general definition to make possible
in various senses, including:
  • to give someone the ability, knowledge, or authority to do something -- as in "The study will enable an informed discussion."
  • to activate a computer system for use -- as in "You can enable the feature in the Settings Page."
  • to permit someone to repeat bad behavior, so they reinforce the bad pattern -- as in "I don't want to enable her drug addiction."
14 top 2000
deployplace
They will probably deploy troops along the eastern border.more
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We don't, and we deploy our boomers a lot further forward than they do.†13 more
place or activate
Show general definition to place or activate a resource
3 top 100
correspondcorrespondcorresponds:is equivalent
The girls are using a simple code where "1" corresponds to "A", "2" to "B" and so on for each of the 26 letters of the alphabet.more
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Moreover, there is no corresponding activity whatever in their other armed services.†3 more
correspondcorresponding:connected or fitting together by being equivalent, proportionate, or matched
Show general definition for correspond (as in: corresponding time period) connect or fit together by being equivalent, proportionate, or matched

(Two things are equivalent if they have the same or very similar value, purpose, or result.)
1 top 2000
correspond#2write to each other
We correspond regularly via email.more
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He had access to all of the correspondence from the former, while that from the latter had been carefully vetted since the Soviet armed services share as little information as possible.†3 more
correspondcorrespondence:communication by written letters or messages
Show general definition for correspond (as in: corresponding by email) communicate -- typically by writing letters or email
Show editor's word notes A corresponding secretary is an officer of an organization who is responsible for managing the organization's correspondence and keeping a record of it.
13 top 2000
stallionstallionstallions:a male horse that has not been castrated
Breeders carefully select stallions with excellent lineage to improve the bloodline of their horses.more
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THE FOURTEENTH DAY THURSDAY, 16 DECEMBER A Super Stallion They were traveling at one hundred fifty knots, two thousand feet over the darkened sea.†12 more
a male horse that has not been castrated (gelded)
Show general definition a male horse that has not been castrated (gelded) -- especially one used for breeding purposes
10 top 1000
continuousconstant (uninterrupted)
The national power grid is under almost continuous attack.more
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The noise in the engine spaces rose noticeably as the systems began to put out more power, and the technicians kept track of this by continuously monitoring the banks of instruments under their hands.†9 more
continuouscontinuously:continuing in time or space without interruption or irregularity
Show general definition continuing in time or space without interruption or irregularity
3 top 100
factorthing (that influenced a result)
Cost was an important factor in our decision.more
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This was theoretically possible, but the captain quickly realized that the inertial navigation system had a built-in error factor of several hundred yards; this was aggravated by gravitational disturbances, which affected the "local vertical," which in turn affected the inertial fix.†3 more
thing that affects a result or outcome
Show general definition for factor (as in: It was the deciding factor.) something that affects a result or outcome
Show editor's word notes You also may encounter x-factor or x factor--meaning "the most important thing that influences a result or outcome."
1
factor#2include consideration of
Did you factor maintenance costs into your budget?more
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For us this would be a technical operation, but they factor politics into everything they do.3 more
include consideration of (for the affect on a result or outcome)
8 top 500
pettypettypetty officer:non-commissioned officer
She's a petty officer second class.more
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The petty officer saw it first.7 more
Show general definition for petty (as in: petty officer) a non-commissioned officer
Show editor's word notes Petty officer typically refers to a Navy or Coast Guard officer who is subordinate to commissioned officers and chief petty officers.
7
maritimerelated to the sea
She specializes in maritime law, which deals with disputes on oceans and waterways.more
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Their army and air force—except for maritime surveillance aircraft—and their Pacific Fleet are engaged in routine training operations.†6 more
related to the sea or ships
Show general definition related to the sea or ships
7
blockadeaction to keep people and goods from reaching a location
They could not get weapons past the naval blockade.†more
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Somebody did that back in World War II, to put the grab on a German blockade runner right before we got into it.†6 more
Show general definition action to keep people and goods from reaching a location
7
atollatollatolls:islands (that are made of coral reefs)
Darwin explained the creation of coral atolls in the South Pacific.more
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But he was carrying a pair of Atoll heat-seeking missiles which he would be sure to show the imperialists.†6 more
island (that is made of a coral reef)
Show general definition an island made of a coral reef -- often in the shape of a circle
3 top 100
redundantmore than is needed or desired
What is clarifying for one reader can be a redundant distraction for another.more
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They love redundancies.†2 more
redundantredundancies:more than is needed
Show general definition more than is needed -- often something that is unnecessarily repeated

or in technical usage:  describing a secondary component designed to work if the primary component fails