The Once and Future King — Vocabulary
T. H. White
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
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yieldproduce (lead to)
The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.more
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Financial terms of peace would be agreed on—which would yield an excellent profit in ransoms—and all would be more or less as it had been before—except that the fiction of feudal overlordship would be abolished, which was a fiction in any case.†34 more
produce or give
Show general definition for yield (as in: will yield valuable data) to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
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yield#2give in
The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.more
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Arthur would say: "You are welcome to Carlion, Sir Belleus, and may I ask which of my knights you have yielded to?"†34 more
yieldyielded: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
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jousta contest in which mounted knights attempt to knock each other off horses with blunted lances
In the medieval festival, the highlight was the joust, where knights on horseback charged at each other with lances.more
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Sir Grummore Grummursum is on the way to challenge you to a joust.45 more
a contest in which knights attempt to knock each other off horses with blunted lances
Show general definition a contest in which knights attempt to knock each other off horses with blunted lances

or:

any kind of contest
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inclinedhave a tendency; or an attitude or mood that favors something
I'm inclined to believe him.more
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An ordinary fellow, who did not spend half his life torturing himself by trying to discover what was right so as to conquer his inclination towards what was wrong...14 more
inclinedinclination:tendency
Show general definition for inclined (as in: I'm inclined to) a tendency, mood, desire, or attitude that favors something; or making someone favor something
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inclinesomething sloping upward (such as a hill)
It is a steep incline.more
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The Wart found that he could keep more or less level by altering the inclination of his arm fins and the ones on his stomach.14 more
inclineinclination:angle
Show general definition for incline (as in: on an incline or incline his head) to be at an angle or to bend
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accordaccordaccordance:keeping
She will get a fair trial in accordance with the law.more
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At a hurried council of war behind the line, At a hurried council of war behind the line, it was arranged that... The army split accordingly.20 more
accordaccordingly:in keeping with what was just stated
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
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accord#2accordown accord:own mind -- voluntarily (without anyone asking)
She was not forced. She did it of her own accord.more
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They decided with one accord, without even a whisper, to...20 more
accordone accord:one mind
Show general definition for accord (as in: done of her own accord) mind
Show editor's word notes This sense of accord is typically seen in the form own accord or one accord.
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factionfactionfactions:sub-groups
It was a fight between the moderate and progressive factions of the Democratic Party.more
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She knew that the Cornwall and Orkney faction had always been the menace to her husband's hopes...26 more
sub-group
Show general definition a sub-group with some interests not shared by the entire group
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pavilionfreestanding structure without walls
We're meeting for a picnic under the pavilion at the park.more
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It was a green meadow, kept short, with a broad grassy bank raised round it on which pavilions could be erected.†30 more
pavilionpavilions:a large building or section of a building that stands apart in function or desig…
Show general definition a large building or section of a building that stands apart in function or design -- often used for gatherings, exhibitions, or specialized purposes
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feuda bitter, long-standing fight
Perhaps the most famous American family feud was between the Hatfields and McCoys.more
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Life is too bitter already, without territories and wars and noble feuds.22 more
feudfeuds:bitter, long-standing fights
Show general definition bitter hostile argument between two parties -- typically long-standing between families or tribes with occasional incidents of violence
Show editor's word notes Sometimes the term blood feud is used to reference a feud between families.
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attributeattributeattributes:characteristics
The spreadsheet has a column to describe the breed of dog and then ten additional columns to indicate attributes of the breeds. For example, the second column has the average full-grown weight.more
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So we must imagine the Queen as a woman who had been robbed of her central attribute.†6 more
characteristic (of something or someone)
Show general definition for attribute (as in: It is an attribute of...) a characteristic or feature (of something or someone)
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attribute#2attributeattributed:credited (pointed to as the source of)
She attributed this quotation to Shakespeare.more
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He attributed to this weakness the fact that he could never get beyond the Future Simple of Utor.†6 more
attributeattributed:credited (pointed to as the cause of something)
Show general definition for attribute (as in: I attribute it to...) to credit (a source for something)
in two typical senses:
  • "I attribute it to her work." -- to say who or what made something happen
  • "Remember to attribute any quotations in your paper." -- indicate the source of a quotation or idea
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cunningclever and deceitful
She came up with a cunning scheme to cheat him.more
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He moved his own fins anti-clockwise, gave the tip of his tail a cunning flick, and was lying alongside the tench.†15 more
good at achieving goals through cleverness and deception
Show general definition for cunning (as in: a cunning thief) being good at achieving goals through cleverness -- and typically through deception as well (tricking others)
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chivalrythe medieval principles governing knighthood and knightly conduct such as honor, kindness, bravery, and protection of the weak
Ideas of chivalry were popularized in medieval literature.more
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If it was so easy to lead one's country in various directions, as if she was a pig on a string, why had he failed to lead her into chivalry, into justice and into peace?44 more
kindness, honor, bravery, and protection of the weak
Show general definition the medieval principles governing knightly conduct such as honor, kindness, bravery, and protection of the weak

or:

courtesy -- especially of men towards women
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embryoembryoembryos:a human in the first eight weeks of development (prior to the fetal stage and then birth)
The doctor implanted multiple embryos to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy.more
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This embryo was Man.†13 more
an organism in the early stages of growth prior to birth, hatching, or sprouting…
Show general definition an organism in the early stages of growth prior to birth, hatching, or sprouting; in humans the first eight weeks of development (prior to the fetal stage)
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sumptuousmagnificent
The guests were treated to a sumptuous feast, with an array of delicious dishes and desserts.more
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Kay's sumptuous bath had to be set up in the box-room, between two towel-horses and an old box of selected games which contained a worn-out straw dart-board—it was called flechette in those days—because all the other rooms were full of packing.†7 more
magnificent (impressively wonderful) -- often indicating something expensive
Show general definition magnificent (impressively wonderful) -- often indicating something expensive
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menageriecollection of animals
The traveling circus included a menagerie of lions, tigers, and exotic birds.more
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The citizens of London sent fifty million pounds, to keep the menagerie up, and the Ladies of Britain constructed a pair of black velvet carpet slippers with the Wart's initials embroidered in gold.†7 more
a collection of wild or unusual animals kept for exhibition…
Show general definition a collection of wild or unusual animals kept for exhibition; or more generally, a diverse or strange mixture of people or things
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felonsomeone convicted of a serious crime
Each state determines how long a felon is denied the right to vote.more
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To his mind Lamorak deserved death, like a felon, because he and his father had injured the Orkney clan.†4 more
someone legally convicted of a felony (serious crime)
Show general definition someone legally convicted of a felony (serious crime)
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partisanpartisanpartisans:people who strongly support someone or something
Partisans were out in force at the senator's rally.more
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The partisans usually posted a sentry to take the tree messages, and slept during the afternoon, partly because so much of their hunting had to be done in the times when most workmen sleep, and partly because the wild beasts take a nap in the afternoon and so should their hunters.3 more
partisanpartisans:members of an armed resistance group
Show general definition for partisan (as in: a partisan of the political party) someone who strongly supports someone or something
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partisan#2partisanpartisans:members of an armed resistance group
The partisans fought bravely against the occupying army.more
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While, if you did invite him to the meet, what would the King's huntsman and the neighbours say at havin' a partisan for a fellow guest?3 more
ember of an armed resistance group
Show general definition for partisan (as in: a partisan of the armed resistance) a member of an armed resistance group; or related to such a group