Oryx and Crake — Vocabulary
Margaret Atwood
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	3	top 100
hypothesisa seemingly reasonable, but unproven, idea The study will test the hypothesis that a good marriage is more important than a higher income when measuring happiness.more Show sample from book Hypothesis, demonstration, conclusion, if A then not B.p.218.77 more an idea to be tested Show general definition for hypothesis (as in: a study to test her hypothesis) a seemingly reasonable, but unproven idea or explanation based upon known facts Show editor's word notes In casual conversation, theory is a synonym for hypothesis, but a scientist would say that a hypothesis needs to pass rigorous tests before it could be accepted as a theory.
	5
hypothesis#2something that may or may not be true, but is temporarily treated as true to advance a discussion or to further investigation For the purpose of discussion, let's accept that the hypothesis that she is guilty as true. What would we have expected her to do after the incident?more Show sample from book Hypothetical scenarios were a favourite thing of Crake's.p.210.27 more hypothesis → hypothetical:temporarily treating something as true to advance discussion Show general definition for hypothesis (as in: assume as a working hypothesis) something that may or may not be true, but is temporarily treated as true to advance a discussion or to further investigation Show editor's word notes This sense of hypothesis is typically seen in the form, hypothetical, or hypothetically.
	10	top 100
reviseimprove (change) How can you revise that paragraph to improve the expression of ideas?more Show sample from book Crake was his best friend. Revision: his only friend.p.310.89 more revise → revision:changed version 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
	18
rampartrampart → ramparts:defensive wall The invaders were unable to penetrate the outer ramparts.more Show sample from book There's a watchtower on either side of the main gate, and other towers all the way around the rampart wall.p.270.117 more a wall built for defensive purposes Show general definition a defensive wall or barrier -- built for military defense
	2	top 100
elaborateexplain in detail Please elaborate on the reasons you think this is the best plan.more Show sample from book Already he was rehearsing his exit lines: I'm not what you need, you deserve better, I'll ruin your life, and so forth. But it was best to work up to these things, so he elaborated on his new job.p.246.95 more elaborate → elaborated:explained in more detail Show general definition for elaborate (as in: elaborate on your plan) add details or explain in detail
	4	top 500
elaborate#2complicated It's part of her elaborate plan for getting accepted at Harvard.more Show sample from book It might be an elaborate setup, an invention of Crake's, a practical joke to frighten him.p.217.15 more having much detail and complexity Show general definition for elaborate (as in: an elaborate design) having details and complexity -- sometimes fancy or ornate Show editor's word notes Depending upon it's context, this sense of elaborate can additionally imply that details make something either:<ul><li>more special than others of its kind in a good way</li></ul>or:<ul><li>more complicated than necessary in a bad way</li></ul>
	15
microbemicrobe → microbes:living organisms such as a bacterium, or virus that are so small, they can be seen only with a microscope There are trillions of beneficial microbes in the human body.more Show sample from book He rubs some antibiotic gel into the cut, but without much faith: the microbes infecting him have doubtless already mounted their resistance and are simmering away in there, turning his flesh to porridge.p.358.714 more microbe → microbes:germs Show general definition a living organism such as a bacterium, or virus that is so small, it can be seen only with a microscope
	2	top 100
alternativealternative → alternatives:possibilities Let's think of at least three alternatives before we decide what to do.more Show sample from book The alternative for Jimmy was turkey with the parental-unit turkeys, joke, haha, said Jimmy, and he wasn't up for that; so it would be his pleasure to accept.p.194.52 more other possibility Show general definition for alternative (as in: an alternative plan) a different choice or possibility, or describing something that offers a different choice or possibility
	1	top 200
alternative#2non-standard I'm taking the pills the doctor prescribed, but I'm also looking into alternative medicine such as acupuncture.more Show sample from book It wasn't these instructionals as such that generated the cash surplus, they explained: it was the equipment and the alternative medicines you needed in order to get the optimum effect.p.245.92 more non-traditional or non-standard Show general definition for alternative (as in: alternative medicine) non-traditional or non-standard
	6	top 500
enhanceimprove This sauce will enhance the flavor of the meat.more Show sample from book Toast was a ritual item devoured by fetishists in the belief that it would enhance their kinetic and sexual powers.†p.98.95 more increase or improve Show general definition increase quantity or improve quality
	6	top 500
componentcomponent → components:parts It has only three major components.†more Show sample from book Already the children are destroying the image they made of him, reducing it to its component parts, which they plan to return to the beach.†p.363.55 more a self-contained part of something that when combined with other parts makes som… Show general definition a self-contained part of something that when combined with other parts makes something that is larger or more complex
	5	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 Then he'd stay up too late, and once in bed he'd stare at the ceiling, telling over his lists of obsolete words for the comfort that was in them.†p.261.14 more Show general definition no longer in general use because it was replaced by something better
	4	top 2000
ironyirony → ironic:saying one thing, while meaning the opposite She was being ironic when she said she couldn't wait to see you again.more Show sample from book "So, you got a girlfriend?" ... "I mean, there's quite an array of babes to choose from." He meant this to be ironic. He couldn't picture ... Crake with one of them....p.207.23 more irony → ironic:saying one thing while meaning the opposite Show general definition for irony (as in: verbal irony) saying one thing, while meaning the opposite or something else -- usually as humor or sarcasm Show editor's word notes This is sometimes referred to as "verbal irony." Typically, the speaker says one thing but means the opposite, and the tone of voice or the context of the situation makes the true, contradictory meaning clear. All forms of irony involve the perception that things are not what they might seem.
	1	top 200
complementcombine well with The coach is not looking for the best players. She's looking for players who will best complement each other.more Show sample from book First they went to Decor Botanicals, where a team of five seniors was developing Smart Wallpaper that would change colour on the walls of your room to complement your mood.p.201.71 more Show general definition for complement (as in: the color complements her eyes) to combine something with something else to make it better
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complement#2a quantity of something that is considered complete We'll sail with a full complement of crew.more Show sample from book He gathered together some supplies — not too much, not too heavy, he'd have to carry it all — and loaded up his spraygun with the full complement of virtual bullets.p.350.81 more Show general definition for complement (as in: a full complement of crew) a quantity of something that is considered complete
	1	top 1000
contingentdependent I was offered the job contingent upon my résumé being checked out and found accurate.more Show sample from book Kids came and went, desks filled and emptied, friendship was always contingent.p.71.42 more determined by conditions or circumstances not yet established Show general definition for contingent (as in: contingent upon) to be determined by conditions or circumstances not yet established
	2	top 1000
contingent#2group Each nation sent a contingent of athletes to the Olympics.more Show sample from book But the rest of the team, he said — the MaddAddamite contingent — was confined to base for the duration.p.304.22 more Show general definition for contingent (as in: the Canadian contingent) a sub-group united by something in common in various senses, including: a squad of soldiers sent to do a job members of an association at a convention of many associations all the women at a meeting with women and men
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superfluousmore than is needed, desired, or required Eliminate superfluous words.more Show sample from book Words of comfort would be superfluous.†p.212.91 more
	3
dissertationlengthy academic paper She wrote her dissertation on T.S. Eliot.more Show sample from book What had impressed them, said the interviewers — there were two of them, a woman and a man — was his senior dissertation on self-help books of the twentieth century.p.245.82 more a scholarly paper required for an academic degree Show general definition a lengthy academic paper -- especially a scholarly work required for an advanced academic degree
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indigenousoriginally from there Los Angeles replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day.†more Show sample from book If she were here she'd need a whole new take on indigenous.†p.97.91 more of local origin Show general definition of local origin