The Hot Zone — Vocabulary
Richard Preston
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	28	top 1000
speciesa group of similar animals or plants It is an endangered species.more Show sample from book The passengers looked out the windows at the place where the human species was born.†p.17.127 more a similar group of animals or plants Show general definition a group of animals or plants that are similar -- typically identified as belonging to the same group when they are of a kind that can reproduce new members of the group together
	11	top 500
spontaneoussudden and unplanned Her spontaneous decision to take a road trip led to one of the best weekends of her life.more Show sample from book The woman then aborted spontaneously, and the nun who assisted at this grotesque delivery came away from the experience with blood on her hands.†p.104.210 more spontaneous → spontaneously:happening in a natural manner without planning or external force Show general definition happening naturally, suddenly, or without outside planning or action
	9	top 100
factorthing (that influenced a result) Cost was an important factor in our decision.more Show sample from book The blood has been stripped of its clotting factors.†p.107.18 more factor → factors:things that affect a result or outcome Show general definition for factor (as in: It was the deciding factor.) something that affects a result or outcome Show editor's word notes You also may encounter x-factor or x factor--meaning "the most important thing that influences a result or outcome."
	9	top 1000
immunenot in danger (from something) People are immune if they've had the virus previously or been vaccinated.more Show sample from book Her immune system reacted badly to all the shots: they made her sick.†p.61.78 more not in danger of suffering from something OR relating to disease resistance Show general definition not in danger of being affected by something -- especially a disease or: relating to disease resistance
	10	top 2000
diagnoseidentify Did the doctor diagnose the problem?more Show sample from book Unable to diagnose himself, in severe pain, and unable to continue with his work, he presented himself to Dr. Antonia Bagshawe, a physician at Nairobi Hospital.†p.30.49 more determine or identify the nature of a problem or an illness Show general definition determine or identify the nature of a problem or an illness
	9	top 2000
bacteriamicroorganisms (living creatures so small it takes a microscope to see them) The infection is caused by a bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics.more Show sample from book Even fungi and bacteria are inhabited by viruses and are occasionally destroyed by them.p.84.58 more Show general definition microorganisms (living creatures so small it takes a microscope to see them) that can both cause disease and be beneficial. (Bacteria are different and larger than viruses.) Show editor's word notes A single bacteria is called a bacterium and consists of a single cell that reproduces by splitting. (This is unlike a virus that uses cells in the body to reproduce.) Bacteria are found virtually everywhere. For example, there are typically 40 million bacterial cells in a gram of soil and a million bacterial cells in a milliliter of fresh water. Many bacteria reside on our skin and in our bodies. For example, bacteria in the stomach help animals digest food.
	8	top 2000
influenzainfluenza → the flu:a highly contagious respiratory disease commonly called the flu Influenza is caused by RNA viruses that mutate and spread around the world in seasonal epidemics -- which is why the flu vaccine is changed each year.more Show sample from book We didn't know if the virus could be spread by droplets in the air, somewhat like influenza.†p.121.27 more highly contagious respiratory disease commonly called the flu Show general definition highly contagious respiratory disease commonly called the flu
	4	top 100
adaptadapt → adapted:changed (to fit this situation) Ideas contained in passages for this test, some of which are excerpted or adapted from published material, do not necessarily represent the opinions of the College Board.more Show sample from book He waited for a minute to give his eyes time to adapt to the dark, and the little sparkles of light in his eyes as they adjusted to the darkness eventually faded away, while cool, dry air roared around his face and whiffled the hair on his forehead.†p.216.73 more change to fit a different situation; or make suitable Show general definition for adapt (as in: adapted to the new rules) changed to fit a different situation; or made suitable
	4	top 100
precedeprecede → preceded:were before in time Stone tools preceded bronze tools.more Show sample from book They put her in a private room at the hospital, where she began to die with the same signs and symptoms that had preceded Sister M. E.'s death.†p.110.43 more precede → preceded:went or was before Show general definition to go or do before
	3	top 10
implyimply → implied:hinted or suggested She wouldn't make a direct statement, but she implied that she supported our position.more Show sample from book He said, "I can have anybody I want in my group"—implying that he didn't want her because she wasn't good enough—and he mentioned the great Thoroughbred stallion Secretariat.†p.61.12 more imply → implying:suggesting (saying indirectly) Show general definition to suggest or say indirectly -- possibly as a logical consequence
	6	top 2000
deterioratebecome worse The situation could quickly deteriorate.more Show sample from book He deteriorated rapidly after the surgery, and his kidneys began to fail.†p.31.85 more deteriorate → deteriorated:became worse
	5	top 1000
nucleusthe center (in this case, key central members) They have the nucleus of a good team.†more Show sample from book These cabinets were similar in design to the safety cabinets that are used for handling nuclear-bomb parts.†p.133.34 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)
	6	top 2000
notifynotify → notified:told On Friday, the governor notified the legislature of her decision.more Show sample from book General Russell also decided to call an assistant secretary of defense, just to get the Pentagon notified.†p.232.45 more notify → notified:told someone about something Show general definition to tell someone about something -- typically in an official manner
	46
rainforestdense, rainy forest with many species We visited the rainforest in Costa Rica.more Show sample from book They were trunks of rain-forest trees turned to stone—teaks, podo trees, evergreens.†p.12.345 more Show general definition a dense forest with heavy rainfall and high biodiversity -- usually found in warm tropical regions Show editor's word notes Rainforests have layered growth (forest floor, understory, canopy, and emergent trees) and support an enormous variety of plants, insects, birds, and mammals. They help regulate climate by storing carbon and cycling water through evaporation and rainfall.
	7
cadaverdead human body A cadaver is assigned to each medical student.more Show sample from book It was yellow, and parts of it had liquefied—it looked like the liver of a cadaver.†p.28.56 more the dead body of a human being -- especially one used for medical study Show general definition the dead body of a human being -- especially one used for medical study Show editor's word notes Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice): Typically cadaver references a body used for medical reasons such as medical education or research. Otherwise a dead body is more likely to be referenced by the word corpse or body.
	1	top 2000
designatedesignate → designated:assigned (for a particular purpose) I'll be the designated driver.more Show sample from book He's the designated team leader.p.229.81 more designate → designated:assigned Show general definition for designate (as in: designated driver) assign someone or something for a particular purpose
	1
designate#2designate → designated:signified (indicated in a particular way) State capital cities are designated on the map by stars.more Show sample from book There were twelve monkey rooms in the monkey house, and they were designated by the letters A through L. Two of the monkeys that arrived on October 4 were dead in their crates.p.163.61 more Show general definition for designate (as in: designated by a star on the map) indicate or signify (show something in a particular way)
	4
biopsyremoval and examination of tissues or liquids from the living body to determine the existence or cause of a disease The doctor told me it was cancerous even before the biopsy came back.more Show sample from book They cut a wedge out of his liver —a liver biopsy—and dropped the wedge into a bottle of pickling fluid and closed up Musoke as quickly as they could.†p.31.73 more Show general definition removal and examination of tissues or liquids from the living body to determine the existence or cause of a disease
	2	top 500
lethargiclacking energy I'm hoping a cold iced tea will help me get past this lethargic feeling.more Show sample from book They put her in a private room, and there she falls into lethargy, and her face freezes into a mask.†p.112.61 more lethargic → lethargy:lack of energy; or (often in historic literature) a state of sleep
	3
sedativea drug that calms or puts to sleep She gave him a sedative to help him sleep.more Show sample from book Once a monkey was down, Jerry gave it a shot of a sedative called Rompun, which put it into a deep sleep.†p.300.22 more a drug that calms or puts to sleep; or describing something as calming Show general definition a drug that calms or puts to sleep; or describing something as calming