The Maelstrom — Vocabulary
Henry H. Neff
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	83
boonsomething that is of great benefit The new community center is a boon to the neighborhood, offering free classes and a safe place for kids to play.more Show sample from book She added this last reflection in an undertone before her attention snapped back to Max and Miss Boon.†82 more Show general definition something that is of great benefit
	41	top 2000
mysticperson with supernatural insights The mystic gazed into the crystal ball, seeking answers to the universe's deepest secrets.more Show sample from book "Mystics are in high demand these days," said Max.40 more mystic → mystics:people said to comprehend reality using supernatural means Show general definition a person who seeks or claims to have direct spiritual insight beyond ordinary understanding; or describing an experience that feels deeply spiritual, mysterious, or otherworldly Show editor's word notes In common usage, mystic is more likely to be used in reference to a practitioner of a less mainstream religion than a more mainstream religion -- possibly because the former is more mysterious to the writer.
	8	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 main avenue through the city led directly east toward where Yuga filled the sky like a spreading pool of ink.†130 more direct → directly:straight (in a straight line) Show general definition for direct (as in: directly above; or buy direct) without anything in between -- whether in time, space, or involvement
	8	top 100
direct#2straightforward I left them with direct instructions.more Show sample from book He rarely relied on direct confrontation or brute force; his were more subtle schemes of leverage and manipulation.†130 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
	115	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 The Director had personally dictated the simulation's parameters, and Max had no idea what they would be.†130 more direct → director:to guide, aim, or manage Show context notes The suffix "-or" often converts a verb to a noun that means "a person who." This is the pattern you see in words like actor, editor, and visitor. 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
	14	top 500
simulateimitate or represent A computer model is used to simulate the effects of wind.more Show sample from book I've fought a million hyperbattles in the simulations and I've never lost.†13 more simulate → simulations:things that are not real, bur are made to imitate or behave like other things Show general definition make an imitation or representation of
	18
citadelfortified place She walked along the ancient walls of the citadel that once protected the entire city.more Show sample from book The citadel walls and fortifications protecting Old College loomed behind them, white and gleaming beneath the moon.†17 more a stronghold or fortress Show general definition a stronghold or fortress
	16	top 2000
perimeterouter edges Don't go beyond the perimeter of the campgrounds.more Show sample from book For one, they'd obviously had little training, as evidenced by their sloppy perimeter and the fact that most were out of breath.†15 more the outer edge Show general definition the outer edge The exact meaning of perimeter can depend upon its context. For example: "Stay inside the defensive perimeter." -- the outer edges of the area that is defended "It is common on the city's perimeter." -- the outer edges of the city "What is the perimeter of the square?" -- the sum of the length of the sides of a geometric shape
	1	top 100
yieldproduce (lead to) The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.more Show sample from book We're not there yet, but we're hopeful that some of Sir Alistair's intelligence will yield another prize.†4 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
	4	top 100
yield#2give in The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.more Show sample from book Max studied the girl's hard, unyielding face before speaking.†4 more yield → unyielding:strict, firm, or hard (not giving in, not giving way, or not giving up) Show context notes The prefix "un-" in unyielding means not and reverses the meaning of yielding. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky. Show general definition for yield (as in: yield to pressure) to give in, give way, or give up
	14	top 1000
appallingshockingly terrible or horrible The live in appalling conditions.more Show sample from book But as we both know, David Menlo has no further need of formal education, while you persevere in a state of appalling ignorance.†13 more Show general definition shockingly terrible or horrible
	10	top 500
acquireobtain (get) Children acquire language at an amazing rate.more Show sample from book He knew that if the Director ordered Ben Polk to acquire the gae bolga, the Agent would instantly do his utmost.†9 more obtain (come into the possession of something) Show general definition obtain (come into the possession of something)
	12	top 1000
retortquickly reply She wanted to retort that he that he sounded foolish, but she made herself count to ten and thought better of it.more Show sample from book I'd imagine she must be the same Julie who is now dating one Thomas Polk, a steady young man who bores her to tears and yet she still finds him infinitely preferable to you.... Turning fire red, Max opened his mouth for a furious retort.†11 more Show general definition for retort (as in: quick retort) a quick reply to a question or remark -- especially a witty or critical one
	8	top 200
indignantindignant → indignantly:with anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong "I am not a fool," she said indignantly.more Show sample from book Max was about to press David further when he caught the indignant eye of a Highland hare glaring at them from the librarian's desk.†7 more angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong Show general definition angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
	16
cloneclone → clones:genetically identical copies (like identical twins created with technology) To understand differences that could be expected in human clones, it is useful to look at identical twins.more Show sample from book "Clones," said Max quietly.15 more clone → clones:copies Show general definition for clone (as in: It is a clone.) a copy of something -- especially an organism with identical genetics created through technology
	7
luxuriantrich, attractive, and healthy She unpinned her long, luxuriant hair.more Show sample from book And with that, Skeedle ushered David and Toby into the back of the larger wagon where the pair stretched luxuriantly amid the fleeces and blankets.†6 more luxuriant → luxuriantly:characterized by growing well or being richly thick or abundant Show general definition characterized by growing well or being richly thick or abundant -- as of vegetation or hair or (more rarely): characterized by luxury (very comfortable or extravagant)
	5
augurpredict or indicate The early snowfall did not augur well for the rest of the winter.more Show sample from book Having rescued Max from Marley Augur's crypt, Varga had earned his way back into Rowan's good graces, but it had come at a terrible price.†4 more to indicate or predict that something will happen Show general definition to indicate or predict that something will happen --especially as a sign of what’s to come; or in ancient Rome, a religious official who interpreted signs and omens to guide public decisions
	2	top 200
pragmaticpractical She is a pragmatic problem solver.more Show sample from book "He's cunning, brutal, and greedy, but he's also pragmatic. ... A tyrant like Prusias doesn't really care why you obey him; he only cares that you obey. But Astaroth is a fanatic. He wants true believers who share his ideals."1 more concerned with practical matters Show general definition concerned with practical matters -- especially where quick results and/or practical experience triumph over theory
	4
dossiera collection of papers containing detailed information about a particular person The detective meticulously compiled a comprehensive dossier on the suspect, detailing every aspect of his life.more Show sample from book Sir Alistair has already prepared a dossier for you.†3 more a collection of papers containing detailed information about a particular person… Show general definition a collection of papers containing detailed information about a particular person or subject -- often a person's record
	4
obeliskstone pillar with a pyramidal top The Washington Monument, a towering obelisk in the National Mall, is a tribute to the first President of the United States.more Show sample from book That distinction belonged to the thousands of small white obelisks spaced in perfect rows.†3 more obelisk → obelisks:a stone pillar with a pyramidal top erected as a monument to remember a person o… Show general definition a stone pillar with a pyramidal top erected as a monument to remember a person or event