The Titan's Curse — Vocabulary
Rick Riordan
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
33 top 2000
prophecyprediction of the future
The prophecy came true.more
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Watch out for those prophecies, Percy.†32 more
prophecyprophecies:predictions of the future
Show general definition a prediction of the future (usually said to be obtained in a supernatural way)
27 top 2000
bronzea brownish metal that is made of copper and (usually) tin
The sculpture of a bull on Wall Street is made of bronze.more
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His blue-feathered bronze helmet was falling in his eyes, and his breastplate was about six sizes too big.26 more
made of a type of high-quality metal
Show general definition for bronze (as in: bronze won't corrode in salt water) a brownish-colored metal with red or yellow hues that is made of copper and (usually) tin
Show editor's word notes Bronze metals in the Olympics and many other contests are awarded for third place.

With the discovery of bronze (about 3,000 BC), people could make tools and weapons that were harder and more durable than those made of copper and stone that preceded bronze.
21 top 2000
serpentsnake
There was a picture of a serpent eating its tail.more
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Then, as we were watching, the mist swirled and retreated like a great green serpent into the mummy's mouth.†20 more
Show general definition a snake
20 top 2000
immortalto live forever
Zeus and the other gods were supposed to be immortal.more
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"To begin with," Zoe said, "immortality."†19 more
immortalimmortality:eternal life (to live forever)
Show general definition living or existing forever

or:

someone famous throughout history

or:

someone who will never die -- such as a mythological god
10 top 2000
pavilionfreestanding structure without walls
We're meeting for a picnic under the pavilion at the park.more
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The torches and braziers kept the outdoor pavilion warm,9 more
a large structure separate from other structures
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
5 top 500
perishbe destroyed or cease to exist
...government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.Abraham Lincoln  —  Gettysburg Addressmore
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One shall perish by a parent's hand.†4 more
die, be destroyed, or cease to exist
Show general definition to die -- especially in an unnatural way

or:

to be destroyed or cease to exist
Show editor's word notes You may encounter an informal expression, "Perish the thought."  It means that the speaker hopes the thought will cease to exist and the thing it represents will never happen.
7 top 2000
auburnreddish-brown
Her long auburn hair shimmered in the afternoon sun.more
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The auburn-haired girl turned toward me.6 more
colored a moderate reddish-brown
Show general definition for auburn (as in: auburn hair) colored a moderate reddish-brown -- especially of hair
6 top 1000
musemusemused:reflected (thought) deeply
He mused aloud about the afternoon's developments.more
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"Perhaps it is for the best," Chiron mused.5 more
musemused:reflected (thought)
Show general definition for muse (as in: her musings) reflect (think) deeply on a subject -- perhaps aloud
3 top 100
yieldgive in
The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.more
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"Yield!" the monster roared.2 more
surrender (give up)
Show general definition for yield (as in: yield to pressure) to give in, give way, or give up
1 top 2000
positivecertain
I'm positive I've seen her before.more
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He suspects. I don't think he's positive yet, but this is the last day of term. I'm sure he won't let them leave campus without finding out.1 more
Show general definition for positive (as in: I'm absolutely positive!) certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
1
positive#2optimistic
With a positive attitude and some effort, I'm sure we can make this work.more
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Zoe started the meeting off on a positive note.1 more
optimistic (focusing on good things)
Show general definition for positive (as in: a positive attitude) optimistic (expecting or focusing on good things); or agreeable
3 top 500
empathythe understanding and sharing of others' feelings
She lacks empathy and is very selfish.more
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Last summer, Grover had created an empathy link between us.2 more
the ability or tendency to understand or share in others' feelings
Show general definition the ability, tendency, or act of understanding and sharing another's emotional state
3 top 500
exasperatedgreatly annoyed
She was exasperated by his teasing.more
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Zoe threw up her hands in exasperation.2 more
exasperatedexasperation:great annoyance
4 top 1000
cowercowercowered:showed fear by positioning the body as though afraid of being hit
She cowered in fear.more
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It took all my willpower not to cower.†3 more
show fear by positioning the body as though afraid of being hit
Show general definition show fear by positioning the body as though afraid of being hit
5
volleybarrage or concentrated outpouring
The soldiers advanced under a volley of gunfire from the enemy line.more
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...his first volley of missiles zipped harmlessly over our heads.4 more
a rapid or simultaneous discharge of projectiles
Show general definition for volley (as in: a volley of...) a rapid burst of bullets, objects, or words -- often happening all at once or in quick succession
4
centaura mythical being that is half man and half horse
Firenze is the name of a centaur character in the Harry Potter stories.more
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You're ...you're a centaur!†3 more
Show general definition a mythical being that is half man and half horse
2
infernalvery annoying
Please stop making that infernal noise!more
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I shall go back to her when I am done with this infernal century of punishment at your ridiculous camp.†1 more
very bad; OR  very annoying; OR  characteristic of hell or the underworld
Show general definition very bad; or very annoying; or characteristic of hell or the underworld
2
indecisiona general tendency to leave decisions unmade
Don't mistake her thoughtfulness as weak indecision.more
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Indecision.†1 more
leaving a decision unmade due to uncertainty…
Show general definition leaving a decision unmade due to uncertainty; or a general tendency to leave decisions unmade
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replenishreplace what was used up
The recent storms helped replenish the city's water supply.more
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I figured an animal rights activist would've had a heart attack looking at all those rare skins, but maybe since Artemis was the-goddess of the hunt, she could replenish whatever she shot.†
replace what was used up; or restore to a previous condition
Show general definition replace what was used up; or restore to a previous condition
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impetuousimpulsive (made suddenly without much thought)
She regretted her impetuous promise.†more
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She's too impetuous.
impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought)
Show general definition for impetuous (as in: an impetuous decision) impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought) -- often with an unfortunate consequence