October Sky — Vocabulary
Homer Hickam
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	10	top 2000
approachapproach → approaching:getting nearer Winter is approaching.more Show sample from book As he neared the track, a long line of loaded coal cars trundled out of his way as if in recognition of his approach.10 more getting 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 The best approach was to throw myself immediately on her mercy.†10 more way of doing something 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
	19	top 2000
foremansupervisor She complained to the shop foreman.more Show sample from book His father had been crushed by a slate fall about a dozen years back on a section where Dad was the foreman.18 more a person who is in charge of other workers Show general definition a person chosen to lead and speak for a group, especially at work or in a courtroom Show editor's word notes At work, a foreman is the worker who supervises and directs other workers, often in factories, workshops, or on construction sites. In a court case, the foreman is the juror selected to lead the jury and announce its decision.
	13	top 1000
continuousconstant (uninterrupted) The national power grid is under almost continuous attack.more Show sample from book Later, the Captain stopped all the hand digging and brought in giant machines, called continuous miners, to tear the coal from its seams.†12 more continuing in time or space without interruption or irregularity Show general definition continuing in time or space without interruption or irregularity
	8	top 500
contemplatethink deeply about After the meeting, she needed some time alone to contemplate her next move.more Show sample from book She followed him, leaving us boys to contemplate what had been, after all, our scorched, stinking failures.†7 more consider or ponder Show general definition consider or ponder
	9	top 2000
prodigiousenormous As a child, Mozart had a prodigious talent.more Show sample from book That is the most prodigious girl in this school!8 more fabulous (beyond what is usual) Show general definition enormous; or far beyond what is usual in magnitude or degree
	7	top 500
divergemove apart The two paths diverge here.more Show sample from book the converging/diverging angles could be seen from the outside.6 more diverge → diverging:moving apart Show general definition to move apart; or be or become different
	9	top 2000
physicsthe science of matter and energy In physics class, we learned how gravity affects falling objects.more Show sample from book "A physics book, I suppose," he said stiffly.†8 more Show general definition the science of matter and energy and their interactions
	1	top 100
positivepositive → positively:in a good or beneficial manner Lower interest rates positively affected home sales.†more Show sample from book Mr. Turner has spoken of it, and not in positive terms.1 more good Show general definition for positive (as in: had a positive effect) good or beneficial
	1
positive#2optimistic With a positive attitude and some effort, I'm sure we can make this work.more Show sample from book Seeing Miss Riley so positive and hopeful made me ashamed and disgusted with my symptoms.1 more Show general definition for positive (as in: a positive attitude) optimistic (expecting or focusing on good things); or agreeable
	6	top 1000
prescribeprescribe → prescribed:gave medical instructions instructing that the patient should take The doctor prescribed an antibiotic for the infection.more Show sample from book Although nobody noticed it until it was too late, having Mr. Dubonnet and my dad on opposite sides was a prescription for conflict.†5 more prescribe → prescription:a recommendation or requirement OR (from a medical doctor) an instruction -- such as writing that a patient should take antibiotics Show general definition to recommend or require what should be done or more specifically: of a medical doctor: to give medical instructions -- such as writing that a patient should take antibiotics
	5	top 1000
ratiorelative lengths The ratio of width to height of typical computer displays is 4:3.more Show sample from book "I fear the ratio of the mass of propellant added compared to the mass of the empty rocket will be too small," he said.†4 more relative quantities Show general definition the relative magnitudes of two quantities -- often expressed as a:b (which could also be expressed as the fraction a/b) Show editor's word notes For example, if a freshman class at a college is comprised of 400 men and 600 women, the ratio of men to women can be expressed as 400:600 or 4:6 or as the fraction 4/6 = ~67%
	4	top 500
congregationpeople who worship together in the same building It's a casual congregation where many people wander into services late.more Show sample from book A moment before, he seemed to be lifted high above the congregation, carried aloft by his own rhetoric.†3 more Show general definition for congregation (as in: the congregation voted) people who worship together in the same building
	17	top 2000
accordaccord → accordance:keeping She will get a fair trial in accordance with the law.more Show sample from book Like everybody else in Coalwood, I lived according to the rhythms set by the shifts.17 more accord → according to:in keeping with (or in harmony or agreement with) Show general definition for accord (as in: according to, or in accord with) in keeping with; or in agreement/harmony/unity with This meaning of accord is often seen in the form according to or accordingly where it can take on more specific meanings. For example: "According to Kim, ..." -- as stated by "To each according to her ability." -- based upon "Points are scored according to how well they perform." -- depending upon "The dose is calculated according to body weight." -- in proportion to "We got a flat tire. Accordingly, I pulled to the side of the road." -- because of what was just said; or as a result
	1
accord#2accord → accorded:given special treatment They expect to be accorded the same respect as any other nuclear armed nation.more Show sample from book At the time, a player as good as Jim was accorded nearly the same celebrity status across Big Creek district as...17 more Show general definition for accord (as in: accord her the respect deserved) to give someone special treatment -- especially respect
	2	top 1000
discorddiscord → discordant:unpleasant sounding She described the loud discordant music as a form of torture.more Show sample from book To keep our morale up, we sang with discordant enthusiasm.1 more discord → discordant:voices that didn't go well together (unpleasant sounding) Show general definition for discord (as in: discordant music) unpleasant sound -- especially a combination of sounds that sound wrong together (though sometimes done intentionally in music)
	2	top 1000
raptfascinated She watched with rapt attention.more Show sample from book I stared at it with no less rapt attention than if it had been God Himself in a golden chariot riding overhead.1 more deep interest and focus Show general definition for rapt (as in: rapt attention) deeply interested and focused (on something) -- often while admiring
	3
roteby repetition She memorized the speech by rote, repeating it over and over until she could recite it perfectly.more Show sample from book In my nightly prayers, I always included by rote Mom and Dad, Jim, my uncles and aunts and grandparents (whether they were already in heaven or not), all the soldiers, sailors, and marines, Daisy Mae, Lucifer, Dandy, Poteet, and Chipper too.†2 more memorization by repetition… Show general definition memorization by repetition; or repeated behavior done automatically without thought
	2	top 2000
mollifycalm She managed to mollify the angry customer.more Show sample from book "That's the way I'll mix it and grind it for our next rocket," I told him, and he was mollified.†1 more mollify → mollified:calmed Show general definition calm someone who is or may become angry or upset
	2	top 2000
nefariousevil or criminal in nature The detective uncovered a nefarious plot to embezzle millions from the company's pension fund.more Show sample from book Are you two boys plotting something nefarious?†1 more evil, malicious, or criminal in nature Show general definition evil, malicious, or criminal in nature