The Throne of Fire — Vocabulary
Rick Riordan
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	37	top 2000
serpentsnake There was a picture of a serpent eating its tail.more Show sample from book On his head was a Frisbee-shaped crown—a sun disk, braided with serpents.†36 more serpent → serpents:snakes Show general definition a snake
	12
initiateinitiate → initiates:new members Initiates will be formally accepted and presented at the ceremony on Friday.more Show sample from book I'd spent three months teaching and turning our initiates into a team.11 more initiate → initiates:potential new members 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
	11	top 2000
daisraised platform She was seated on the inaugural dais near the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.more Show sample from book I floated to the end of the room, just above the dais with the pharaoh's throne.†10 more Show general definition a platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to people on it
	10	top 2000
infirmarysmall facility where patients receive treatment She felt ill and went to the infirmary.more Show sample from book Amos had told me she was still in the infirmary, no change.†9 more a small facility where patients receive treatment Show general definition a small facility where patients receive treatment -- such as a room or two at a school as contrasted to a busy hospital or medical clinic
	10	top 2000
pavilionfreestanding structure without walls We're meeting for a picnic under the pavilion at the park.more Show sample from book In the middle, a tattered pavilion covered an empty dais where a throne might once have sat.†9 more a large structure separate from a main structure or temporary 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
	6	top 200
invokeinvoke → invokes:calls upon Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God. Each invokes God's aid against the other.Abraham Lincoln (Second Inaugural Address)more Show sample from book I'd used that simple connection to invoke a spell and break the chains.5 more bring forth Show general definition to call upon The exact meaning of invoke can depend upon its context. For example: "invoking God's help"; or "invoking the spirit of the dead" -- to call upon a great or magical power "I invoke the First Amendment"; or "I invoke the words of Thomas Jefferson" -- to cite or call upon for validation "She invoked his sympathy and family memories." -- to call upon someone's feelings or memories "She invoked his assistance." -- to call earnestly for "The program invokes the subroutine" -- to call up a computer program
	9	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 Show sample from book At the far end of the hall, the huge bronze doors opened.8 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.
	5	top 200
malicemalice → malicious:evil; or made with the intent to make others suffer I am not interested in hearing malicious gossip.more Show sample from book Her image changed back to the black-feathered hag, her horrible melted face grinning maliciously.†4 more malice → maliciously:with a desire to see others suffer; or in a threatening manner Show general definition the intention or desire to see others suffer
	6	top 1000
debrispieces of something that has been destroyed; or trash that is lying around She swept up the debris.more Show sample from book Others were stuck under piles of debris.†5 more Show general definition pieces of something that has been destroyed; or trash that is lying around
	6	top 1000
abyssseemingly bottomless pit At the end of the story, Gandalf falls with the demon into the abyss.more Show sample from book Oh, I know it won't destroy you completely, but with your secret name I can send you into the abyss for eons, and it will be very, very painful.†5 more a hole or dropoff so deep the bottom cannot be seen -- often used figuratively to imply a frightening bottomless pit Show general definition a hole or dropoff so deep the bottom cannot be seen -- often used figuratively to imply a frightening bottomless pit
	6	top 1000
writhewrithe → writhed:moved in a twisting or contorted motion The patient writhed in pain.more Show sample from book I shivered, remembering the apparition that had appeared in the sky over Washington, D.C.—a writhing giant snake.†5 more writhe → writhing:moving in a twisting or contorted motion Show general definition to move in a twisting or contorted motion -- often of a person when struggling or in pain
	5	top 1000
banishbanish → banished:forced to leave He was banished from his own country.more Show sample from book During our last adventure I'd read a scroll to banish Set, and it had worked much the same way.†4 more expel or get rid of Show general definition to expel or get rid of in various senses, including: to force someone to leave a country as punishment to push an idea from the mind
	6	top 2000
breachfailure There was a security breach at the school when someone got into the building without a visitor pass.more Show sample from book It would've been quite weak after breaching our defenses.†5 more breach → breaching:breaking or penetrating Show general definition break or failure
	6	top 2000
patronpatron → patrons:customers The café was filled with patrons enjoying coffee and studying for exams.more Show sample from book In one corner stood a fountain with a life-size statue of the lion goddess Sekhmet, patron of healers.†5 more a regular customer… Show general definition for patron (as in: a patron of the arts) a regular customer; or someone who gives money or support to an organization, cause, or person
	9
senile(into) mental weakness caused by old age Her memory is getting worse and she's afraid of going senile.more Show sample from book Thousands of years ago, Ra got senile and retreated into the heavens, leaving Osiris in charge.†8 more mental weakness caused by old age; or describing a medical condition as caused by old age Show general definition weakness from old age (especially mental weakness); or describing a medical condition as caused by old age
	3
talismana small object or piece of jewelry thought to have magical power The ancient talisman was said to have magical powers that could protect its wearer from harm.more Show sample from book Sadie stared the talisman glittering in her palm.†2 more Show general definition a small object or piece of jewelry thought to have magical power -- especially to protect against evil
	2	top 2000
narratenarrate → narrates:writes or tells (a story) She narrates the story with the wisdom of an older woman looking back on life.more Show sample from book Have me narrate the most painful part.†1 more tell (a story) Show general definition to tell a story-possibly as the main voice in a documentary; or a character who speaks to the audience in a performance The specific meaning of narrate depends on context. For example: "She narrated her story with tears in her eyes." -- told a story "Her diary chillingly narrates her descent into madness." -- tells a story in writing "Morgan Freeman narrated the documentary which features historic news reports and interviews." -- was the voice that tells a story while tying the scenes of a documentary together "The character who plays the Stage Director in Our Town* also narrates for the audience."* -- when an actor in a play, movie, or other performance helps to tell the story by talking directly to the audience (breaking the imaginary barrier between the performers and the audience)
	2
combustionburning Increasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is produced by combustion of fossil fuels, coal, and natural gas.more Show sample from book Fun with Spontaneous Combustion.†1 more the act of burning Show general definition the act of burning or metaphorically: a state of violent disturbance and excitement
	2
gossamerdelicate or light The painting has a fairy with gossamer wings.more Show sample from book She had long, dark hair cut Cleopatra-style and a white gossamer dress that complemented her graceful figure.†1 more extremely light, delicate, airy, or thin Show general definition extremely light, delicate, airy, or thin
	2
primordialhaving existed in the earliest days The primordial soup of the early Earth was a teeming cauldron of organic molecules that gave rise to life.more Show sample from book I recalled his light shining on the primordial land of Egypt, bringing life to the Nile Valley.†1 more having existed from the beginning or from ancient times… Show general definition having existed from the beginning or from ancient times or: a primary or fundamental aspect of something