The Mark of Athena — Vocabulary
Rick Riordan
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	124	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 Percy wore pajama pants and a bronze breastplate, which was an interesting fashion statement.p.319.5123 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.
	37	top 2000
prophecyprediction of the future The prophecy came true.more Show sample from book The idea of a chicken lady issuing prophecies was apparently just as ridiculous to Romans as it was to Greeks.†p.30.336 more prophecy → prophecies:predictions of the future Show general definition a prediction of the future (usually said to be obtained in a supernatural way)
	12	top 2000
chasma large, deep, and steep-sided opening on the earth's surface You can't leap a twenty-foot chasm with two 10-foot jumps.more Show sample from book Unfortunately, between Annabeth and that exit, the floor was bisected by a chasm fifty feet across.†p.429.111 more a large gap or divide Show general definition a large and deep and steep-sided opening on the earth's surface; or (more rarely) any large gap or: a very large difference -- often of opinion
	12
tempestviolent storm The ship struggled to navigate through the raging tempest.more Show sample from book Piper knew what he was doing, but he'd succeeded in summoning Tempest only three times since they'd met the storm spirit at the Wolf House last winter.†p.120.311 more a violent commotion or disturbance Show general definition a violent commotion or disturbance -- especially a violent storm or emotional outburst Show editor's word notes The expression tempest in a teapot describes people as being upset over an unimportant matter.
	6	top 500
agitateagitate → agitating:stirring up emotions to increase unrest We are agitating public unrest, so there will be a cry for change.more Show sample from book The horses paced in agitation.†p.128.95 more agitate → agitation:the act of stirring up (emotionally or physically); or a state of emotional unrest Show general definition to stir up or shake -- emotionally (as when people are angered or upset) or physically (as when a washing machine cleans clothes)
	5	top 100
neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas) The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more Show sample from book Nevertheless, she accepted Jason's hand and climbed on.†p.122.24 more Show general definition despite that 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 was just stated, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrast and but.
	6	top 500
exasperatedgreatly annoyed She was exasperated by his teasing.more Show sample from book Hazel sighed in exasperation.†p.90.35 more exasperated → exasperation:great annoyance
	8	top 2000
labyrinthcomplex system of paths Because London evolved to include many different villages, its roads are a labyrinth of twists and turns.more Show sample from book He remembered how many times he'd almost died in the labyrinth a few years ago.p.506.17 more a complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost Show general definition a maze (a complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost) or (figuratively): anything so complicated that it is extremely confusing Show editor's word notes The word "labyrinth" comes from the name of the maze of passages where, in Greek mythology, Theseus had to escape from the Minotaur.
	7	top 2000
avengetake revenge for In the story, she wants to avenge the murder of her brother.more Show sample from book One thing might bring unity to Olympus again—an old wrong finally avenged.†p.75.46 more avenge → avenged:took revenge Show general definition take revenge for a perceived wrong
	7	top 2000
immortalto live forever Zeus and the other gods were supposed to be immortal.more Show sample from book He was only immortal in the territory where he was reborn—Alaska.†p.111.46 more living or existing forever; OR someone famous throughout history… Show general definition living or existing forever or: someone famous throughout history or: someone who will never die -- such as a mythological god
	4	top 500
perishbe destroyed or cease to exist ...government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.Abraham Lincoln — Gettysburg Addressmore Show sample from book Anyone who helps Rome must perish.†p.220.43 more die, be destroyed, or cease to exist Show general definition to die -- especially in an unnatural way or: to be destroyed or cease to exist Show editor's word notes You may encounter an informal expression, "Perish the thought." It means that the speaker hopes the thought will cease to exist and the thing it represents will never happen.
	6	top 2000
chidechide → chides:corrects or criticizes She constantly chides me for my grammar.more Show sample from book Do the math, he chided himself.†p.79.95 more chide → chided:scolded or criticized Show general definition to tell someone they have done wrong -- sometimes in a gentle way to encourage better behavior
	6	top 2000
hobbledwalked with difficulty After injuring her ankle, she hobbled between classes.more Show sample from book "Charleston," Percy said, hobbling around the deck like an old man.†p.207.65 more hobbled → hobbling:walked with difficulty (due to injury or physical impediment); OR hindered Show general definition for hobbled (as in: she hobbled up the hill) walked with difficulty (due to injury or physical impediment) or: hindered (made the action or progress of something difficult)
	19
centaura mythical being that is half man and half horse Firenze is the name of a centaur character in the Harry Potter stories.more Show sample from book He's so ugly, when he was born his mama thought he was a backward centaur—with a horse butt for a face.†p.93.718 more Show general definition a mythical being that is half man and half horse
	2	top 1000
subsidebecome less severe I'm hoping aspirin will make the pain subside.more Show sample from book She lay as still as possible until the pain subsided from absolute torture to just horrible throbbing.p.420.82 more subside → subsided:became less severe Show general definition for subside (as in: her anger subsided) become less intense, less severe, or less active -- perhaps going away entirely
	1
subside#2settle to a lower level We can't return to the home until the flood waters subside.more Show sample from book When the wall of seawater subsided, the three Romans were in the bay, spluttering and frantically trying to stay afloat in their armor.p.241.22 more subside → subsided:settled to a lower level Show general definition for subside (as in: the ground subsided) sink or settle to a lower level
	6
pimathematics: an important constant representing the circumference of any circle divided by its diameter (about 3.14) Many schools celebrate Pi Day on March 14th.more Show sample from book He ignored the zodiac signs and letters, lining up the correct numbers so they made the value of pi.†p.452.65 more Show general definition mathematics: an important constant representing the circumference of any circle divided by its diameter (about 3.14) Show editor's word notes Pi is about 3.14, but is an irrational number; i.e., with infinite decimals providing a closer approximation.
	4
conveyor belta moving band or belt that transports objects A conveyor belt is used to transport luggage at the airport.more Show sample from book It clicked and whirred along a conveyor belt, got hooked on a rope, and ascended through a slot in the roof.†p.505.23 more a moving band or belt that transports objects -- such as goods in a factory Show general definition a moving band or belt that transports objects -- such as goods in a factory
	3
decoysomething used to lure or distract The thieves used a fake emergency call as a decoy to draw the security guard away from the vault.more Show sample from book Instead, we could send out a decoy to trick the eagles.†p.214.42 more someone or something used for trickery -- especially to lure Show general definition someone or something used for trickery -- especially to lure
	3
longitudea measure of east/west (relative to the Prime Meridian) on the earth Just put the latitude and longitude into the navigation system and it will tell us how to get there.more Show sample from book Can you input latitude and longitude in this thing?†p.256.62 more Show general definition a measure of east/west (relative to the Prime Meridian) on the earth Show editor's word notes Lines of longitude are the imaginary lines that run from the North Pole to the South Pole. They are sometimes called meridians. Unlike latitude, which measures north–south, longitude measures how far east or west a place is on Earth. By international agreement, the zero line of longitude (0°) is the prime meridian, which passes through Greenwich, England. Longitudes go up to 180° east and 180° west. Used together with latitude, longitude lets you give an exact position for any point on Earth.