Red Prophet — Vocabulary
Orson Scott Card
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	33	top 2000
vigorenergy and strength After a good night’s sleep, she woke up full of vigor and ready to tackle the day’s challenges.more Show sample from book Your enemy is up north of here, in the town of Vigor Church.†32 more strength, energy, or good health Show general definition strength, energy, or good health
	6	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 Frederic, however, knew his station in life, and knew Bonaparte's as well, and Bonaparte would have to come to him.†6 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 All that matters is what you do with however many years you have.6 more whatever number of Show general definition for however (as in: However much she tried...) to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount)
	12	top 2000
massacrecrushing defeat Her team lost 12–0 in what can only be described as a complete massacre on the field.more Show sample from book It wasn't war today, it was massacre,11 more the savage and excessive killing of many people Show general definition crushing defeat or brutal, overwhelming attack — used figuratively in competition and literally for violent killings
	10	top 2000
baptismbaptism → baptized:"spiritually renewed" in a Christian ceremony She was baptized at the same church as her grandmother.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 I hope your baptism sets you on the right road—it's plain you've been a long time on the wrong one.9 more a Christian ceremony signifying spiritual cleansing and rebirth Show general definition a Christian ceremony signifying spiritual cleansing and rebirth or: a challenging experience that initiates or purifies Show editor's word notes Most churches baptize infants, but some require an adult to request baptism, and a few (such as the Quakers) require no baptism at all. Typically, water is used as part of the ceremony, such as sprinkling a little water on a baby's head; though some churches use complete submersion in water.
	9
heathenheathen → heathens:people who do not believe in Christianity The crusaders called them heathens and they called the crusaders infidels.more Show sample from book You mean that fat hideous red-skinned heathen woman?†8 more someone who is not civilized or not moral OR an offensive term for a person who does not believe in a preferred religion Show general definition an often offensive (sometimes humorous) word for someone seen as uncivilized or immoral, especially because she does not share the speaker’s religion or comes from a culture unfamiliar with it Show editor's word notes This word is usually judgmental or insulting, so today it is used mostly in joking contexts or when describing older attitudes.
	8	top 2000
treasonbetraying one's own country He was executed for treason in a time of war.more Show sample from book He has the arrogance of youth; there is no treason in his heart, I know it.7 more betrayal Show general definition betraying someone or something -- typically betraying one's own country (in this context, to betray is to not be loyal--often by helping enemies)
	1	top 2000
approachapproach → approaching:getting nearer Winter is approaching.more Show sample from book Taleswapper supported Alvin as they walked to the one place that let them approach; they climbed the gentle grassy rise between Mounds and crested the hill.†1 more get near Show general definition for approach (as in: approached the city) to get closer to (near in space, time, quantity, or quality)
	1	top 500
approach#2method (way of doing something) Perhaps I just need to work harder, but I may need an entirely different approach to the problem.more Show sample from book So many times he had searched the crystal tower, trying to find some way to approach this day, some path that would lead to something good.1 more do (in a particular way) Show general definition for approach (as in: use the best approach) a way of doing something; or a route that leads to a particular place
	7	top 2000
prophecyprediction of the future The prophecy came true.more Show sample from book All his prophecies come true.6 more prophecy → prophecies:supernaturally obtained predictions of the future Show general definition a prediction of the future (usually said to be obtained in a supernatural way)
	3	top 100
yieldgive in The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.more Show sample from book The earth yielded to his feet as it did to other Red men, as it hadn't done for him in so many years; the grass rose up stronger where he stepped; the bushes parted for him, the leaves softened and yielded as he ran among the trees; and now he did cry out, shouted, sang, caring not at all who heard him.†2 more yield → yielded:gave in, gave way, or gave up Show general definition for yield (as in: yield to pressure) to give in, give way, or give up
	3	top 200
malicemalice → malicious:evil; or made with the intent to make others suffer I am not interested in hearing malicious gossip.more Show sample from book and Loila-Wossiky knew that there was malice and ridicule in the voices that said it and the voices that laughed.2 more desire to see others suffer Show general definition the intention or desire to see others suffer
	3	top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book "South of France!" said Frederic scornfully.†2 more scorn → scornfully:in a disrespectful or rejecting manner Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
	4	top 1000
heedheed → heedlessness:pay close attention to Heed the advice of those who have been there before.more Show context notes The suffix "-lessness" in heedlessness means in a state without. This is the same pattern you see in words like fearlessness, powerlessness, and harmlessness. Show sample from book So when his ma went on and on about the Reds and how dangerous it was and how they might get killed, he didn't give no heed.†3 more pay close attention to; or do what is suggested Show general definition pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested -- especially with regard to a warning or other advice
	2	top 1000
audaciousbold and daring It was an audacious act of piracy.more Show sample from book "Audacious! Offensive! To address me in this manner!"1 more offensively bold Show general definition bold and daring (inclined to take risks) -- especially in violating social convention in a manner that could offend others
	2	top 1000
subjugatesubjugate → subjugation:forced submission to another's dominance The essay discusses that era's subjugation of women in a male-dominated world.more Show sample from book Ta-Kumsaw will thus avenge the blood of the slaughter at Tippy-Canoe, while we destroy the American army and subjugate the land from the Hio to Huron Lake.†1 more force into submission Show general definition to force into submission in various senses, including: when a people are defeated in battle and oppressed -- as in "The Romans subjugated most of Europe." when something is treated as less important than something else -- as in "subjugate the desires of the individual to the desires of the state," or "subjugate instinct to reason"
	2	top 2000
besiegebesiege → besieged:surrounded with armed forces, cut-off from supplies, and attacked The Turks besieged Viennamore Show sample from book Appalachee troops also raided Cornwallis's supply lines so often that after less than a month it became quite clear that Cornwallis was the besieged, not the besieger.†1 more besiege → besieged:surrounded and cut-off supplies; or overwhelmed Show general definition to surround a place with armed forces and cut off supplies or attack; or more generally, to overwhelm someone with many requests, complaints, or attention, as if surrounding them and not letting up
	2	top 2000
fawnfawn → fawns:shows excessive flattery or affection She fawns all over her children.more Show sample from book La Fayette was fawning, of course.†1 more fawn → fawning:showing excessive flattery or affection Show general definition for fawn (as in: fawned all over her) showing excessive flattery or affection
	2
antidotecure The doctor gave her an antidote to counteract the snake venom.more Show sample from book The antidote to Bonaparte's charm.†1 more Show general definition a cure for something bad -- especially for poison
	2
inquisitionharsh questioning What was expected to be a quick confirmation hearing turned into an inquisition.more Show sample from book And always with him is a White boy who urges the Reds to be ever more brutal, who teaches them the secret methods of torture that used to be practiced by the Papist Inquisitions in Spain and Italy.1 more inquisition → inquisitions:harsh and unfair historical religious investigations Show general definition intense or harsh questioning or investigation; more specifically, a church court (especially in Roman Catholic history) set up to find and punish heresy