A Clash of Kings — Vocabulary
George R. R. Martin
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	26	top 100
yieldproduce (lead to) The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.more Show sample from book So now I counsel you to yield.p.917.170 more give in, give way, or give up Show general definition for yield (as in: will yield valuable data) to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
	45	top 100
yield#2give in The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.more Show sample from book Behind the eyeholes of his yellowed skull Rattleshirt's stare was malignant, but he yielded grudgingly.p.954.870 more yield → yielded:gave in, gave way, or gave up Show general definition for yield (as in: yield to pressure) to give in, give way, or give up
	29	top 1000
usurpusurp → usurping:taking without authority The lawsuit claims that the Federal Government is usurping rights reserved by the Constitution for state governments.more Show sample from book Any man with a thimble of sense will see it for a clumsy attempt to justify usurping the crown.†p.230.228 more usurp → usurping:seizing or taking control without authority Show general definition seize or take control without authority
	26	top 1000
heedheed → heedlessness:pay close attention to Heed the advice of those who have been there before.more Show context notes The suffix "-lessness" in heedlessness means in a state without. This is the same pattern you see in words like fearlessness, powerlessness, and harmlessness. Show sample from book The youngest of Lord Steffon's three sons had grown into a man bold but heedless, who acted from impulse rather than calculation.†p.15.725 more heed → heedless:ignorant or ignoring; or not following advice Show context notes The suffix "-less" in heedless means without. This is the same pattern you see in words like fearless, homeless, and endless. Show general definition pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested -- especially with regard to a warning or other advice
	33	top 2000
treasonbetraying one's own country He was executed for treason in a time of war.more Show sample from book I am not interested in treasonous table talk, Lord Varys.†p.134.432 more treason → treasonous:involving betrayal Show context notes The suffix "-ous" in treasonous means full of. This is the same pattern you see in words like dangerous, poisonous, and humorous. Show general definition betraying someone or something -- typically betraying one's own country (in this context, to betray is to not be loyal--often by helping enemies)
	31
breechrear (in this case indicating that the baby came out of the birth canal butt-first) It was a difficult breech birth.†more Show sample from book Seated in the chair was a man in a tight-laced leather jerkin and breeches of roughspun brown wool.†p.13.430 more breech → breeches:pants Show general definition rear Most commonly used today in the phrase breech birth in reference to a baby who comes out of the birth canal butt-first rather than head-first. More-archaic senses seen in classic literature include: breechcloth -- a form of loincloth consisting in a strip of material passed between the thighs and held up in front and behind by a belt or string breeches -- pants a cannon's breech -- the rear of a gun
	27	top 2000
pavilionfreestanding structure without walls We're meeting for a picnic under the pavilion at the park.more Show sample from book The night of the tourney at King's Landing, all the knights had hung their shields outside their pavilions.†p.305.226 more pavilion → pavilions:a large building or section of a building that stands apart in function or desig… Show general definition a large building or section of a building that stands apart in function or design -- often used for gatherings, exhibitions, or specialized purposes
	26	top 2000
siegethe surrounding and prolonged attack The Siege of Leningrad lasted 872 days.more Show sample from book Maester Cressen remembered the day Davos had been knighted, after the siege of Storm's End.†p.11.825 more a military tactic in which a fortified place is surrounded and isolated while it… Show general definition a military tactic in which a fortified place is surrounded and isolated while it is attacked over time or: any prolonged attack, effort, or period of trouble
	23
citadelfortified place She walked along the ancient walls of the citadel that once protected the entire city.more Show sample from book He was a maester, trained and chained in the great Citadel of Oldtown.†p.2.222 more a stronghold or fortress Show general definition a stronghold or fortress
	15	top 500
scarcityshortage There is a scarcity of work in the region.more Show sample from book This is early to come calling, scarce past dawn.†p.4.614 more scarcity → scarce:in short supply OR barely or hardly (by a small margin) Show general definition shortage (having an amount that is less than desired)
	21	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 Finally a great pair of bronze doors appeared to her left, grander than the rest.p.701.120 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.
	13	top 200
ornatehaving lots of decorative detail The hotel is decorated with ornate furniture, lots of carved designs, and gold leaf gilding.more Show sample from book A pair of squires buckled the prince into his ornate silver-and-crimson armor.†p.47.912 more Show general definition highly decorative or elaborate in style — whether in appearance (with lots of detail) or in language that sounds flowery and overly complicated
	16	top 1000
nonethelessin spite of that (used to connect contrasting ideas) Sometimes she gets angry and loses her temper, but I love her nonetheless.more Show sample from book King of a smoking rock in the great salt sea, yet a king nonetheless.†p.2.615 more Show general definition in spite of that (Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nevertheless, all the same, still, and however.)
	18
regentregent → regental:members of a governing board The California Board of Regents voted to increase student fees at all University of California schools.more Show sample from book I am Joffrey's regent, and I sent him a royal command!†p.57.617 more a member of a governing board Show general definition a member of a governing board -- especially at a state university or: someone who rules a country temporarily while the king or queen is too young, too sick, or away
	16
envoyrepresentative sent on a mission The State Department's new envoy to North Korea has a good understanding of the region.more Show sample from book He would have made you a poor envoy then.†p.14.415 more Show general definition a representative sent on a mission -- often representing a government
	4	top 1000
cleavesplit Large molecules cleave at their weakest points and produce smaller fragments.more Show sample from book "That's a long cruel climb by night," Ebben said as he eyed the distant spark through a cleft in the rocks that sheltered them.p.737.24 more cleave → cleft:opening (split in the rock) Show context notes Cleft is the past tense of cleave like left is past tense of leave. Today, cleft is most seen in the form cleft palate or cleft lip to refer to medical conditions at birth. Show general definition for cleave (as in: cleave through) to split or cut through something Show editor's word notes Ironically, this word can mean to split in two or to hold together. Note that you may see cleaved, cleft, clove, or cloven as the past tense of this sense of cleave.
	1	top 1000
cleave#2cleave → cleaves:holds firmly The New Testament quotes the Old Testament twice in saying, "Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to this wife, and they become one flesh."more Show sample from book If there are more, the Bold Wind will cleave to the Seaswift to protect her while the rest of the fleet does battle.p.588.64 more hold (stay with) Show general definition for cleave (as in: cleave to) to hold firmly to something -- such as an object, a person or idea Show editor's word notes Ironically, this word can mean to split in two or to hold together. Note that you may see cleaved, clove, or clave as the past tense of this sense of cleave.
	8	top 1000
loathreluctant or unwilling She is loath to admit a mistake.more Show sample from book Pylos spoke softly, as if loath to disturb Cressen's solemn meditations.†p.2.47 more reluctant or unwilling to do something Show general definition reluctant or unwilling to do something Show editor's word notes Word Confusion: Do not confuse loath with loathe which sounds very similar or the same. Loath is typically used as an adjective while loathe is a verb that means "to dislike greatly".
	10
jousta contest in which mounted knights attempt to knock each other off horses with blunted lances In the medieval festival, the highlight was the joust, where knights on horseback charged at each other with lances.more Show sample from book "Will you joust today, my lord?" she asked him.†p.42.99 more a contest in which knights attempt to knock each other off horses with blunted l… Show general definition a contest in which knights attempt to knock each other off horses with blunted lances or: any kind of contest
	10
pyrepyre → pyres:piles of wood or other burnable materials While cremation is not uncommon in the western world, open air funeral pyres are typically illegal.more Show sample from book The gods in the pyre were scarcely recognizable anymore.†p.149.99 more a pile of wood or other burnable material Show general definition a pile of wood or other burnable material -- especially to burn a dead body as in a funeral rite