A Great and Terrible Beauty — Vocabulary
Libba Bray
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	12	top 2000
hideousextremely ugly, offensive, and/or frightening The beast had hideous fangs.more Show sample from book No. This is all some hideous dream.†11 more
	12	top 2000
ravinedeep, narrow, steep-sided valley The car plunged into a 15-foot ravine.more Show sample from book It's a solid hike through the trees, beyond the boathouse and the lake, and along a deep ravine.†11 more Show general definition a deep, narrow, steep-sided gorge or valley -- especially one formed by running water
	2	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 She's looking directly into the camera with her wise, penetrating eyes—eyes I've known my whole life.†2 more direct → directly:straight (exactly where stated; used for emphasis) Show general definition for direct (as in: directly above; or buy direct) without anything in between -- whether in time, space, or involvement
	1	top 100
direct#2straightforward I left them with direct instructions.more Show sample from book It's simple and direct, with none of the nonsense about God calling home an angel too young and who are we to question his mysterious ways.†2 more straightforward (clear and uncomplicated) Show general definition for direct (as in: gave a direct answer) straightforward -- often clear, open, or blunt in speech or behavior
	2	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 Pippa is having none of it, however.†2 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#2no matter how (how much/how hard/how long…) However hard she tried, she couldn't do it.more Show sample from book However did you manage it?†2 more to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount) Show general definition for however (as in: However much she tried...) to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount)
	9	top 1000
tauntintentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone She used Twitter to taunt the opposing candidate.more Show sample from book Felicity stops, turns to me, that pale face taunting.†8 more taunt → taunting:intentionally angering, challenging, or upsetting Show general definition to intentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone -- especially by mocking them or hurling insults or (as a noun): an insult or other action intended to anger, challenge, or upset someone
	8	top 2000
chidechide → chides:corrects or criticizes She constantly chides me for my grammar.more Show sample from book "Come now," Felicity chides.†7 more chide → chides:scolds or criticizes Show general definition to tell someone they have done wrong -- sometimes in a gentle way to encourage better behavior
	3	top 10
implyimply → implied:hinted or suggested She wouldn't make a direct statement, but she implied that she supported our position.more Show sample from book What are you implying?†2 more imply → implying:suggesting (saying indirectly) Show general definition to suggest or say indirectly -- possibly as a logical consequence
	5	top 1000
banishbanish → banished:forced to leave He was banished from his own country.more Show sample from book And then I'm off to sleep, banishing it from my mind.†4 more banish → banishing:expelling or getting rid of Show general definition to expel or get rid of in various senses, including: to force someone to leave a country as punishment to push an idea from the mind
	4	top 500
initiateinitiate → initiated:accepted into the group in a special ceremony The photo is from the ceremony when she was initiated into the sorority.more Show sample from book So, what is this secret initiation?3 more initiate → initiation:process or ceremony (to accept new members) Show general definition for initiate (as in: initiate into the fraternity) to accept someone's membership into an organization -- typically in a ceremony -- sometimes including a period of instruction and/or test
	4	top 500
indulgeindulge → indulges:allows them to get their way She indulges her children more than is good for them.more Show sample from book Mustn't let them think we British ladies are so petty as to indulge in arguments on the streets.†3 more enjoy to excess Show general definition to give in to a desire or allow someone to enjoy or experience something -- especially something pleasurable
	6	top 2000
hysteriastate of excessive, uncontrolled emotion We need to get past the hysteria and decide what to do.more Show sample from book "Avert your eyes!" she says in near hysteria, trying desperately to cover herself with the bit of lace and cloth.†5 more a state of excessive, uncontrollable emotion Show general definition a state of excessive, uncontrollable emotion Show editor's word notes In addition to being the adjective form of hysteria, the form hysterical can also indicate that something is exceedingly funny (leading to uncontrollable laughter)
	4	top 1000
furtivedone in a way that attempts to avoid notice Despite her attempt to look interested, her teacher did not miss her furtive glances at the clock.more Show sample from book "I'm afraid we cannot divulge any of the secrets of our Order," Felicity says, giving me a furtive glance.†3 more taking pains to avoid being observed; OR in a manner indicating nervousness Show general definition taking pains to avoid being observed or: in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
	4	top 1000
petulantunreasonably annoyed or upset She stomped her foot like a petulant child.more Show sample from book Why did I act like such a petulant brat?†3 more unreasonably annoyed or upset; OR easily annoyed or upset Show general definition unreasonably annoyed or upset or: easily annoyed or upset
	2	top 2000
gistmain point(s) Just tell me the gist of the matter.more Show sample from book I can just make out the gist of it, something about the "scandalous secrets of girls' boarding schools!"†1 more the main point(s) of a more detailed matter Show general definition the main point(s) of a more detailed matter
	2	top 2000
odiousworthy of hate Though they think the country's government is odious, they're unwilling to help topple it for fear of the consequences.more Show sample from book If she weren't doing this, Sally Carny would be on the streets, having to pay her way through far more odious, soul-crushing means.†1 more extremely unpleasant, disgusting, dislikable, or worthy of hate Show general definition extremely unpleasant, disgusting, dislikable, or worthy of hate
	2
depravityimmorality or evilness It is a terrible story of an innocent who trusted a man who treated her with ruthless depravity.more Show sample from book Or a sexually depraved fiend who preys on young girls.†1 more depravity → depraved:completely immoral or evil; or made immoral or evil Show general definition complete immorality or evilness
	2
dourstern and unfriendly The teacher’s dour expression made the class fall silent as soon as she entered the room.more Show sample from book Try not to look so dour, Gemma.†1 more very serious, stern, and unfriendly -- often in a gloomy or harsh way Show general definition very serious, stern, and unfriendly -- often in a gloomy or harsh way
	2
exonerateexonerate → exonerated:freed (of blame) The jury exonerated her of all charges.more Show sample from book Mrs. Nightwing has already taken the idea and shaped it into exoneration for us, for Spence, and for herself.†1 more exonerate → exoneration:to free someone from blame; OR more rarely:… Show general definition to free someone from blame or more rarely: to free someone from an obligation