City of Lost Souls — Vocabulary
Cassandra Clare
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	20	top 1000
incredulousdifficult to believe I find it incredulous that you believe she is sincere.more Show sample from book As friends— Simon laughed incredulously.†19 more incredulous → incredulously:with disbelief; or with difficulty accepting something so unexpected Show general definition unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected
	3	top 100
howeverdespite that (a transition word use to connect contrasting ideas) Most college application deadlines are in January and February. However, early admission deadlines are around November and some scholarships require even earlier deadlines.more Show sample from book Sebastian, however, had disappeared.†5 more a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc. Show general definition for however (as in: However, complications may...) though (or another expression that connects contrasting ideas) Show editor's word notes Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrast and but.
	3	top 2000
however#2no matter how (how much/how hard/how long…) However hard she tried, she couldn't do it.more Show sample from book That reminded her that however much of his blood was poison, just as much was the same blood that ran in her own veins.5 more regardless of how Show general definition for however (as in: However much she tried...) to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount)
	8	top 500
mundaneordinary -- possibly boring I'm going to have to spend all of Saturday running errands and doing mundane chores.†more Show sample from book Alec could detect the presence of a glamour: any mundane looking up would see a concrete wall, but he saw an open doorway.†7 more ordinary or lacking interest or excitement Show general definition ordinary or lacking interest or excitement -- possibly to the point of being boring or more rarely: belonging to this earth or world; not ideal or heavenly
	10	top 2000
immortalto live forever Zeus and the other gods were supposed to be immortal.more Show sample from book Maybe because immortality is rapidly becoming the third person in our relationship, Alec.†9 more immortal → immortality: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
	9	top 2000
severend She plans to sever the relationship.more Show sample from book There was no click, as when you hung up a phone; Clary just sensed a severing of their connection, as if a cord had been cut inside her head.†8 more sever → severing:to end or cut off completely -- either physically or in relationships Show general definition to end or cut off completely -- either physically or in relationships
	7	top 1000
adamantdetermined not to change a decision Despite her friends’ attempts to persuade her, Jane remained adamant in her decision to pursue a career in the arts.more Show sample from book Only female Shadowhunters can enter the Adamant Citadel.†6 more determined not to change a decision or belief Show general definition determined not to change a decision or belief
	8	top 2000
infirmarysmall facility where patients receive treatment She felt ill and went to the infirmary.more Show sample from book In the infirmary he had been taking rattling breaths while his third in command, Bat, had unpacked the healing kit.†7 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
	8	top 2000
tingedtinged → tinge:slight amount I could hear a tinge of regret in his voice.more Show sample from book The warmth came from a fire leaping in the grated fireplace—though there were no chimneys in the building, and the fire had the blue-green tinge of enchanted flame.†7 more tinged → tinge:a slight amount; or to contain a slight amount Show general definition with a slight amount (If an amount of what is not clear from context, it is typically of color.)
	6	top 500
waverwaver → wavered:faltered (stopped being strong) Through good times and bad her love for him has never wavered.more Show sample from book Her mouth was set, her gaze unwavering on the road before her.†5 more waver → unwavering:steady Show context notes The prefix "un-" in unwavering means not and reverses the meaning of wavering. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky. Show general definition to move back and forth (shake or quiver) or: to change, be unsure, or weak
	7
citadelfortified place She walked along the ancient walls of the citadel that once protected the entire city.more Show sample from book Only female Shadowhunters can enter the Adamant Citadel.†6 more a stronghold or fortress Show general definition a stronghold or fortress
	7	top 2000
alcoverecessed (pushing outward from the main room) It is a beautiful room with an alcove window.more Show sample from book It was dark in the alcove, so dark that Jace was only an outline of shadows and gold.†6 more a recessed or secluded space -- such as in a room or garden Show general definition a recessed or secluded space -- such as in a room or garden Show editor's word notes The alcove of a room is a smaller room attached to a larger room and separated by an arch or other architectural feature other than a door.
	8
infernalvery annoying Please stop making that infernal noise!more Show sample from book If it is infernal assistance you require, why not summon your father?†7 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
	3	top 2000
twilightthe light from the sky in the time of day between daylight and darkness (just after sunset or just before sunrise) It is a beautiful picture taken in twilight.more Show sample from book She woke twisted in her sheets, her hair a mass of tangles and the light outside the window dimmed to a twilight darkness.3 more the light from the time of day between daylight and darkness Show general definition for twilight (as in: pink clouds in a twilight sky) the time of day between daylight and darkness (just after sunset or just before sunrise); or the light from the sky at that time
	1
twilight#2a condition of decline following successes He ruled in the twilight of the empire.more Show sample from book But what I desire to know is this: When the twilight of the Nephilim comes, will the Courts stand with or against me?3 more decline or fall
	7
archangelangel of high rank In the movie, John Travolta played a seemingly irreverent archangel.†more Show sample from book The sword of the Archangel Michael, that Joshua fought with at Jericho, for it is infused with heavenly fire.†6 more Show general definition an angel of high rank
	2	top 2000
animateanimate → animating:inspiring people to action The right to pursue happiness is an animating principle of American government.more Show sample from book Really looked like, alive and moving and animated.2 more animate → animated:lively Show general definition for animate (as in: animated by her strong belief) inspire, make more lively, or bring to life
	1
animate#2alive Is it animate or not?more Show sample from book As far as I know, inanimate objects can accidentally kill you.2 more animate → inanimate:not living Show context notes The prefix "in-" in inanimate means not and reverses the meaning of animate. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure. Show general definition for animate (as in: animate v. inanimate) alive; or (more rarely) an animal--not a plant; or (more rarely still) the degree to which as an animal feels and thinks Show editor's word notes This sense of animate is typically contrasted with inanimate. The adjective animate describes something as being alive--such as a dog. The adjective inanimate describes something as not being alive--such as a rock. Note that this sense of animate is pronounced differently than other senses. Most senses whether used as a noun or an adjective) rhyme with mate, but this sense rhymes more closely with mutt".
	2	top 2000
covertsecret The spy was involved in a covert operation to gather intelligence on the enemy’s plans.more Show sample from book She had watched him as he'd talked—covertly, she'd thought, but she knew now that Jace noticed everything—watching the light glint off his pale hair, the quick movements of his graceful hands, the flex of the muscles in his arms as he'd gestured.†1 more covert → covertly:done in a secret or hidden way Show general definition for covert (as in: a covert plan) done in a secret or hidden way
	2	top 2000
gistmain point(s) Just tell me the gist of the matter.more Show sample from book A little modern, but the gist of the idea comes across.†1 more the main point(s) of a more detailed matter Show general definition the main point(s) of a more detailed matter