BoneMan's Daughters — Vocabulary
Ted Dekker
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	15	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 If he'd misjudged BoneMan, however, he would wait at the Crow's Nest in vain without having the luxury of leaving, just in case BoneMan did finally show.†18 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.
	4	top 2000
however#2no matter how (how much/how hard/how long…) However hard she tried, she couldn't do it.more Show sample from book It was one of those sayings that impressed average humans because, however much they hoped they believed it, they simply couldn't.18 more regardless of how Show general definition for however (as in: However much she tried...) to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount)
	6	top 100
evaluateevaluate → evaluating:thinking carefully and making a judgment about I'm evaluating colleges and deciding which I want to apply to.more Show sample from book He had to pass this debriefing and psych evaluation, and shaking hands not withstanding, he would demonstrate that he was just fine.†5 more evaluate → evaluation:the process of thinking carefully and making a judgment about something Show general definition to think carefully and make a judgment about something
	10	top 2000
interrogateinterrogate → interrogation:the process of aggressively asking questions The CIA's controversial interrogation program lasted from 2002 to 2007.more Show sample from book The man paced back and forth now, hands still behind his back, like an interrogator from an old World War II movie.†9 more interrogate → interrogator:someone who asks a series of questions of someone else Show general definition ask a series of questions of someone -- typically asked by law enforcement officials or by someone in an aggressive manner
	6	top 500
meticuloustreating details with great care She is a meticulous researcher who takes pride in a thorough job.more Show sample from book Kracker put a large hand on a sheet of paper and slid it next to a neatly stacked pile on his meticulously arranged desk.†5 more meticulous → meticulously:in a manner treating details with great care
	16	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 The dust directly in front of them cleared enough to reveal a plume of black smoke boiling to the sky ahead.25 more direct → directly:close Show general definition for direct (as in: directly above; or buy direct) without anything in between -- whether in time, space, or involvement
	6	top 100
direct#2straightforward I left them with direct instructions.more Show sample from book I took the DA only because I was under direct orders to take him, return him to the quarry, and break his bones by daybreak.†25 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
	4	top 100
direct#3instruct On the SAT test, some questions direct you to look at an underlined or numbered portion of a passage.more Show sample from book He didn't yell anything specifically, just a roar of outrage directed at the BoneMan and whatever demonic entity had possessed him to visit such pain upon him.25 more direct → directed:aimed, or intended for Show general definition for direct (as in: direct a question; or direct a film) to guide, aim, or manage -- such as actions, attention, speech, a project or company
	7	top 1000
remorseregret for doing something wrong There was no sign of remorse until the police caught her.more Show sample from book An overwhelming sense of remorse flooded his mind.†6 more deep regret for doing something that was wrong Show general definition a feeling of deep regret for doing something that was wrong Show editor's word notes Synonym comparison (if you're into word choice): Many consider the word remorse stronger than the word regret. Also, it is more personal. One might regret that their team lost the game, but feel remorse that they missed the bus and weren't there to help the team.
	6	top 1000
loathehate I make New Year's resolutions every year and then loathe myself for breaking them.more Show sample from book And despite her loathing of little girls who jumped up and down with their fists clenched, she did just that.†5 more loathe → loathing:disgust or intense dislike Show general definition hate, detest, or intensely dislike Show editor's word notes Word Confusion: Do not confuse loathe with loath which sounds very similar or the same. Loathe is a verb while loath is an adjective describing "reluctance or unwillingness to do something." Note that loathing and loathsome are forms of the verb loathe even though both word forms lack the "e". Occasionally, you will see loath spelled as loathe even in a published book, but it is rare enough that it is generally considered an error rather than a non-standard spelling.
	5	top 500
motivereason (for doing something) She believes the profit motive encourages people to satisfy other people's needs.more Show sample from book It was a murder of detailed planning, and there was nothing on the Web to profile this level of intensity with an unclear motive.†4 more Show general definition for motive (as in: What is her motive?) a reason for doing something
	4	top 200
superficialshallow She has only superficial knowledge on the subject.more Show sample from book Most had physical wounds far worse than Ryan's superficial cuts, and he felt guilty for having taken up one of the forty-eight beds in this ward.†3 more relating to a surface rather than to anything deep or penetrating Show general definition relating to a surface rather than to anything deep or penetrating (often of injuries or thinking)
	4	top 500
scrutinyscrutiny → scrutinized:looked very carefully at She scrutinized her reflection in the mirror.more Show context notes The suffix "-ize" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize. Show sample from book There would be more than enough scrutiny to go around if the folder on the chief's desk contained the truth.†3 more careful look or inspection Show general definition careful examination of something
	4	top 500
intuitionintuition → intuitive:able to understand things from feeling or instinct rather than conscious reasoning They were perfect partners--one highly intuitive and the other highly analytical.more Show sample from book —— FEW PEOPLE UNDERSTOOD how much of the best investigative work depended on intuition.†3 more the ability to known instinctively rather than through reasoning; or the thing that is known in such a way Show general definition something known based on feeling or instinct rather than conscious reasoning; or the ability to know things in such a manner
	3
conclusivedefinite (leaving no doubt) The fingerprints are conclusive evidence that she had touched the doorknob.more Show sample from book Not conclusive in our way of thinking.†2 more putting an end to doubt or question Show general definition putting an end to doubt or question
	2	top 2000
compulsionurge, desire, or need She has a deep compulsion to make herself the center of attention.more Show sample from book How a human mind could desire anything with such compulsion mystified him.†1 more an urge, force, or requirement to do something Show general definition a strong (possibly uncontrollable) urge to do something; or a force or a requirement that forces an action
	2
congregategather together The planned demonstration never materialized because a heavy presence of police and soldiers made it impossible for protesters to congregate.more Show sample from book Where the crows fly ...Where black birds called crows congregate.†1 more come together as a group Show general definition come together as a group
	2
thoroughfaremain road It's the city's main north-south thoroughfare.more Show sample from book They would be all over Bee Cave Road and Southwest Parkway, the two primary roads that fed the vicinity, and Southwest Parkway was a wide-open thoroughfare with little traffic—not the best road to blend in on.†1 more Show general definition a road -- typically a main road, but potentially any road, path, or means of getting from one place to another
	1	top 200
inconsistentnot the same at different times Her play is inconsistent. Sometimes she's unbeatable and other times she beats herself.more Show sample from book You can appreciate the inconsistency.† inconsistent → inconsistency:not the same in different parts or at different times… Show general definition not the same in different parts or at different times or: not in agreement [with something else]
	1	top 200
anomalysomething outside of the range of what is normally expected They rate a nuclear event from 1 (an anomaly) to 7 (a major accident).more Show sample from book Another anomaly in Christ's death—† Show general definition something outside of the range of what is normally expected