The Red Pyramid — Vocabulary
Rick Riordan
(Auto-generated)
| Exemplary sample | Uses | Broad Use |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | top 2000 | |
Show sample from bookIt lunged at the fiery man, who effortlessly grabbed the serpent by its neck.†
Show general definitiona snake |
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| 8 | top 1000 | |
Show sample from bookFor the last two thousand years or so, we magicians have spent much of our time binding and banishing them whenever they appear.† Show general definitionto expel or get rid of
in various senses, including:
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| 8 | top 2000 | |
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abyss
At the end of the story, Gandalf falls with the demon into the abyss.more
Show sample from bookThe dagger should've impaled me in the chest, but somehow I deflected it with my blade and sent it sailing into the abyss.† Show general definitiona hole or dropoff so deep the bottom cannot be seen -- often used figuratively to imply a frightening bottomless pit |
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| 8 | top 2000 | |
Show sample from bookThe dagger should've impaled me in the chest, but somehow I deflected it with my blade and sent it sailing into the abyss.† Show general definitionturn aside from a fixed direction or line of interest |
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| 8 | top 2000 | |
Show sample from book"An old trick, Julius," the fiery man chided.† Show general definitionto tell someone they have done wrong -- sometimes in a gentle way to encourage better behavior |
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| 8 | top 2000 | |
Show sample from bookThe residual life aura can interfere with spells?† Show general definitionA distinctive quality, mood, or feeling that seems to surround a person, place, or thing; or, more literally, a glowing light shown around someone's head or body in spiritual or artistic images |
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| 8 | top 2000 | |
Show sample from bookHe was exiled, I suppose you would say.† Show general definitionto force someone to live outside of their homeland; or living in such a conditionor more rarely: voluntary absence from a place someone would rather be |
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| 7 | top 2000 | |
Show sample from bookI thought about the myths I knew—how Horus, the son of Osiris, had to avenge his father by defeating Set.† Show general definitiontake revenge for a perceived wrong |
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| 7 | top 2000 | |
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chasm
You can't leap a twenty-foot chasm with two 10-foot jumps.more
Show general definitiona large and deep and steep-sided opening on the earth's surface; or (more rarely) any large gapor: a very large difference -- often of opinion |
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| 7 | top 2000 | |
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insistent
We questioned her repeatedly and she remained insistent that she knew nothing of the event.more
Show sample from bookMuffin said, more insistently.† Show general definitionpersistent or continuing or firm -- especially in maintaining a view or demanding something |
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| 7 | top 2000 | |
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bronze
The sculpture of a bull on Wall Street is made of bronze.more
Show sample from bookOn the right was a massive set of bronze doors with fires blazing on either side; on the left, a twenty-foot-tall sphinx carved into the wall. 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) tinShow editor's word notesBronze 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. |
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| 6 | top 2000 | |
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dissipate
Airborne radiation dissipates over time and distance.more
Show sample from bookThe black haze was no longer dissipating.† Show general definitionto gradually disappear; or to gradually waste |
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| 6 | top 1000 | |
Show sample from bookZia twisted her staff, and Serget fell sideways, writhing and smoking.† Show general definitionto move in a twisting or contorted motion -- often of a person when struggling or in pain |
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| 43 | ||
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obelisk
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 bookIn case you've never seen it: the Needle is an obelisk, not a needle, and it doesn't have anything to do with Cleopatra.† Show general definitiona stone pillar with a pyramidal top erected as a monument to remember a person or event |
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| 7 | top 1000 | |
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crux
I see the crux as whether you trust people to make those kinds of decisions for themselves.more
Show sample from bookI will arrange to be in Las Cruces, New Mexico, tonight.† Show general definitionthe most important or difficult part of a problem, argument, or situation |
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| 8 | ||
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initiate
Initiates will be formally accepted and presented at the ceremony on Friday.more
Show sample from book"Our initiates," Zia said, "learning to scry." Show general definition for initiate (as in: She is a new initiate.)someone who has formally started in an organization, or been introduced to or attained some expertise in a particular field |
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| 3 | top 100 | |
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narrator
The narrator in the play, Our Town talks to characters in the play as well as to the audience.more
Show sample from bookIt seems impossible that the two young narrators are telling the truth, but you, the reader, must decide for yourself.† Show general definitionsomeone who tells a story--especially the main voice in a documentary, or a character who talks directly to the audience in a movie, play or other performance |
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| 4 | top 1000 | |
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auspicious
With good weather and no traffic, we had an auspicious start on our journey.more
Show sample from booksunrise is the most auspicious moment for magic.
Show general definitionfavorable; or suggestive of good things to come |
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| 1 | ||
Show sample from bookESPN was on the television, and Khufu was watching highlights from the games the night before.
Show general definition for highlight (as in: highlights of the year)something that stands out |
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| 1 | ||
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highlight#2
The salon added highlights to her hair.more
Show sample from bookMy sister, with her ratty red-highlighted hair and her linen pajamas and her combat boots—how could she possibly worry about being possessed by a goddess? Show general definition for highlight (as in: highlights in hair)noun: a strip of hair that is lighterverb: making strips of hair lighter |
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