abyss
6 uses
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.†
abyss = a hole or dropoff so deep the bottom cannot be seen — often used figuratively to imply a frightening bottomless pit
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
adapt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
adapted to the new rules
Even before I discovered magic, it took a strong constitution and a fair amount of adaptability to be my friend.†
adaptability = the degree to which something can change to fit a different situation
Definition
Generally this sense of adapt means:changed to fit a different situation; or made suitable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
agitate
3 uses
There'd been a nasty custody battle involving lawyers and spatula attacks, and Dad had wanted to keep Carter and me apart so we didn't agitate each other's magic before we could handle the power.†
agitate = to stir up or shake — emotionally (as when people are angered or upset) or physically (as when a washing machine cleans clothes)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
amnesia
1 use
Maybe he'll get amnesia and forget it.†
amnesia = loss of memory
Definition
Generally amnesia means:loss of memory (partial or total)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
bronze
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
bronze won't corrode in salt water
At the far end of the hall, the huge bronze doors opened.†
bronze = made of a type of high-quality metal
Definition
Generally this sense of bronze means:a brownish-colored metal with red or yellow hues that is made of copper and (usually) tin
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
dais
11 uses
I floated to the end of the room, just above the dais with the pharaoh's throne.†
dais = a platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to people on it
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
disdain
2 uses
"Combat magic," Desjardins said with disdain.†
disdain = a lack of respect
Definition
Generally disdain means:a lack of respect — often suggesting distaste and an undeserved sense of superiority
or:
to reject as not good enough
or:
to reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
infirmary
10 uses
Amos had told me she was still in the infirmary, no change.†
infirmary = a small facility where patients receive treatment
Definition
Generally infirmary means: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
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
kiosk
3 uses
Liz, Emma, and I pressed against the side of the Paperchase kiosk to avoid getting trampled by a group of tourists yelling in Italian.†
kiosk = a very small area used as a store or to dispense information; or an interactive computer-driven self-service machine
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
malicious
5 uses
Her image changed back to the black-feathered hag, her horrible melted face grinning maliciously.†
maliciously = with a desire to see others suffer; or in a threatening manner
Definition
Generally malicious means:wanting to see others suffer; or threatening evil
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
mortal
17 uses
1 —17 uses as in:
mortal body
Not to mention that the mansion shimmers with magic and is invisible to regular mortals.†
mortals = humans (especially merely humans) or people subject to death
Definition
Generally this sense of mortal means:human (especially merely human); or subject to death
Word Statistics
| Book | 17 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
narrate
2 uses
Have me narrate the most painful part.†
narrate = tell (a story)
Definition
Generally narrate means: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)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
nevertheless
1 use
Nevertheless, I got the tjesu heru's attention.†
nevertheless = in spite of that (used to connect contrasting ideas)
Definition
Generally nevertheless means:in spite of that (Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nonetheless, all the same, still, and however.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
optimistic
3 uses
Given all the trouble we'd had last Christmas, Amos's speech seemed a tad optimistic, but the trainees looked relieved.†
optimistic = expecting the best; or focusing on the good part of things
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
regal
6 uses
He was dressed in robes rather than armor, sitting calmly and regally on his throne, as if he were happy to watch others do the fighting.†
regally = so fine, magnificent, or dignified as to be suitable for royalty; or belonging to a king or queen
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
rout
1 use
It was a complete rout.
rout = an overwhelming defeat
Definition
Generally this sense of rout means:an overwhelming defeat; or a disorderly retreat
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 23 |
senile
9 uses
Thousands of years ago, Ra got senile and retreated into the heavens, leaving Osiris in charge.†
senile = mental weakness caused by old age; or describing a medical condition as caused by old age
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
vary
1 use
Many different accounts survive of Ra's nightly journey through the Duat, and while the stories vary greatly, Carter and Sadie's account closely fits what we know from Egyptian mythology.†
vary = differ; or change
Definition
Generally vary means:to be different, or to change
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | NOTE |
wither
7 uses
I thought Ra would whisper his name in her ear, but instead he grasped her hand and placed it against his withered brow.†
withered = shriveled (wrinkled) or weakened
Definition
Generally wither means:to shrivel (wrinkle and contract — usually from lack of water)
or:
to become weaker; or feel humiliated
or:
to become weaker; or feel humiliated
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 22 |
writhe
6 uses
I shivered, remembering the apparition that had appeared in the sky over Washington, D.C.—a writhing giant snake.†
writhing = moving in a twisting or contorted motion
Definition
Generally writhe means:to move in a twisting or contorted motion — often of a person when struggling or in pain
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |