Alas, Babylon — Vocabulary
Pat Frank
(Auto-generated)

Word Set

Samples

Sort By

Further limit words

by chapter of first use

to Show all

by difficulty

to (9 is most difficult)

by interest

underline any show only

Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	30
radiationparticles emitted by radioactive atoms Scientists use Geiger counters to measure radiation emitted by radioactive materials.more Show sample from book You're absorbing radiation from the jewelry Porky traded for the whiskey.29 more particles emitted by nuclear decay Show general definition for radiation (as in: nuclear radiation) particles emitted by unstable atomic nuclei Show editor's word notes Generally, radiation is discussed in terms of harmful levels of radiation that cause sickness. However, there is a normal level of radiation that is not harmful and sometimes radiation is carefully used for beneficial purposes such as medical treatments that use it to kill cancer cells.
	15	top 1000
nucleusthe center (in this case, key central members) They have the nucleus of a good team.†more Show sample from book Randy guessed that these prisoners were being transported, by truck, to their work area, when the nuclear attack came.†14 more nucleus → nuclear:relating to the central or most important part of something Show general definition the center (or most important part) of something such as: in physics: the center of an atom where protons & neutrons are found in biology: the center of a cell where DNA is found in sociology: the closest family (mother/father/children in contrast to the extended family)
	13	top 1000
rationration → rationed:restricted in the amount each person could have Gasoline was rationed during the 1970s oil embargo.more Show sample from book Randy had carefully rationed salt since he was shocked, in July, to discover how few pounds were left.12 more ration → rationed:restricted the amount used of something Show general definition a fixed share of something, especially scarce goods like food or fuel; or to limit and distribute something in fixed shares
	9	top 2000
hypnotizehypnotize → hypnotized:put into a trance-like state of focused concentration and heightened suggestibility (a state of hypnosis) I want to be hypnotized and given the suggestion that I don't like to snack on fattening foods.more Show sample from book "If you can learn hypnotism," she suggested, "you might use it as anesthesia."8 more hypnotize → hypnotism:a trance-like state of focused concentration and heightened suggestibility Show general definition for hypnotize (as in: hypnotized to try to remember) to put someone into a state of hypnosis (a trance-like state of focused concentration and heightened suggestibility) Show editor's word notes Hypnosis is a special, trance-like state of focused attention. A hypnotized person is often very relaxed and more willing than usual to accept and act on the hypnotist’s suggestions. Despite popular myths, hypnotized people don't lose control and won't do things against their core values.
	8	top 1000
dwindlegradually decrease As the night wore on, the crowd at the concert began to dwindle.more Show sample from book But on this morning, it seemed to Randy that she had dwindled a bit.†7 more dwindle → dwindled:decreased Show general definition to gradually become smaller, fewer, or weaker
	5	top 500
scarcityshortage There is a scarcity of work in the region.more Show sample from book He had forgotten the implacable law of scarcity.†4 more shortage (having an amount that is less than desired) Show general definition shortage (having an amount that is less than desired)
	4	top 200
apprehensiveworried She is apprehensive about her new job.more Show sample from book She glanced up, apprehensively, through the kitchen window.†3 more apprehensive → apprehensively:worried over possible misfortune Show general definition worried over possible misfortune
	5	top 1000
tauttight The string is pulled taut.more Show sample from book Her mouth, usually agile and humorous, was drawn into a taut, colorless line.†4 more pulled or drawn tight; OR subjected to great tension Show general definition pulled or drawn tight; or: subjected to great tension
	3	top 200
tactthe ability and tendency to say or handle things in such a way that others feel good about them She has the tact of a politician or diplomat.more Show sample from book Randy tried to be at once tactful and truthful.†2 more tact → tactful:to say or handle things in a way that makes others feel good about them Show general definition the ability or act of saying or handling things in such a way that others feel good about them
	3	top 200
prudentsensible and careful She was promoted to manager because she is so prudent.more Show sample from book A few optimistic storekeepers had prudently boarded windows, split by blast on The Day or broken by looters afterwards, against water and wind.2 more prudent → prudently:with good sense and caution
	2	top 100
reviseimprove (change) How can you revise that paragraph to improve the expression of ideas?more Show sample from book He telephoned Golden Dew Dairy and revised his delivery order drastically upward.†1 more revise → revised:changed Show general definition to change (and hopefully improve) -- most frequently to improve a written document, but it can be any intentional change such as a change in an estimated amount, a plan, or a series of procedures
	3	top 200
coherentsensible and clear She presented a compelling and coherent plan.more Show sample from book All he heard was a distant and incoherent babble.†2 more coherent → incoherent:not sensible or clear; or describing parts as not fitting together in a consistent or pleasing manner Show context notes The prefix "in-" in incoherent means not and reverses the meaning of coherent. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure. Show general definition sensible and clear; or describing parts as fitting together in a consistent or pleasing manner
	4	top 1000
ebbebb → ebbed:gradually declined The patient's strength ebbed away.more Show sample from book The sound slowly ebbed, then boomed to a fiercer climax, closer.†3 more ebb → ebbed:declined -- typically gradually as with the height of the tide Show general definition decline -- typically gradually as with the height of the tide
	9	top 2000
accordaccord → accordance:keeping She will get a fair trial in accordance with the law.more Show sample from book These officers will act in accordance with their best judgment, under the proclamation of martial law.9 more accord → accordance:in keeping with or in agreement with Show general definition for accord (as in: according to, or in accord with) in keeping with; or in agreement/harmony/unity with This meaning of accord is often seen in the form according to or accordingly where it can take on more specific meanings. For example: "According to Kim, ..." -- as stated by "To each according to her ability." -- based upon "Points are scored according to how well they perform." -- depending upon "The dose is calculated according to body weight." -- in proportion to "We got a flat tire. Accordingly, I pulled to the side of the road." -- because of what was just said; or as a result
	1
accord#2accord → accorded:given special treatment They expect to be accorded the same respect as any other nuclear armed nation.more Show sample from book But now that he was married, he thought it only right that he and Lib have a room to themselves and the privacy accorded a married couple.9 more accord → accorded:given (special treatment) Show general definition for accord (as in: accord her the respect deserved) to give someone special treatment -- especially respect
	3	top 200
obsoleteno longer in general use because it was replaced by something better My mother still has a twenty-year-old obsolete computer in storage.more Show sample from book The rules of Clausewitz, Mahan, all of them were obsolete as the Code Duello.†2 more Show general definition no longer in general use because it was replaced by something better
	5
reconnaissancegathering information The scouts conducted a reconnaissance of the area before the main troops moved in.more Show sample from book I think we lost some time ago, because the last five Sputniks have been reconnaissance satellites.†4 more the act of exploring or information produced by such exploration Show general definition the act of exploring or information produced by such exploration -- especially for military purposes
	3	top 1000
jargonwords or expressions commonly used in a particular field but not elsewhere The medical jargon used by the doctors was difficult for the patient to understand.more Show sample from book I'm not up on Air Force codes and jargon.†2 more specialized vocabulary Show general definition words or expressions commonly used in a particular field but not understood by most people
	3
anesthesialoss of bodily sensation The operation requires general anesthesia.more Show sample from book No anesthesia.†2 more loss of bodily sensation -- especially created intentionally to control pain Show general definition loss of bodily sensation -- especially created intentionally to control pain Show editor's word notes There are two broad categories of anesthetics given to cause anesthesia: A general anesthetic causes loss of consciousness. A local anesthetic blocks sensation in a limited region of the body while maintaining consciousness.
	3
provisionaltemporary or not final Some states issue a provisional driver's license and require no moving violations under it prior to issuing a full license.more Show sample from book I'm going to try to form a provisional company.†2 more temporary; OR in effect while awaiting approval or a more permanent solution Show general definition temporary; or in effect while awaiting approval or a more permanent solution