A Storm of Swords — Vocabulary
George R. R. Martin
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	41	top 100
howeverdespite that (a transition word use to connect contrasting ideas) Most college application deadlines are in January and February. However, early admission deadlines are around November and some scholarships require even earlier deadlines.more Show sample from book No one had thought to bring a stool, however, and Tyrion stood a foot and a half shorter than his bride.†p.386.746 more a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc. Show general definition for however (as in: However, complications may...) though (or another expression that connects contrasting ideas) 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 exists, 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 2000
however#2no matter how (how much/how hard/how long…) However hard she tried, she couldn't do it.more Show sample from book Mace Tyrell had been Joffrey's good-father, however briefly, and the Red Viper was …. well, a snake.p.894.546 more regardless of how Show general definition for however (as in: However much she tried...) to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount)
	16	top 100
yieldproduce (lead to) The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.more Show sample from book Spare all those who yield and hold them captive.†p.159.734 more produce or give Show general definition for yield (as in: will yield valuable data) to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
	19	top 100
yield#2give in The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.more Show sample from book Catelyn could tell that her son was furious, but he yielded with as much courtesy as he could summon.†p.697.134 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
	61	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 As Ser Addam marched him through the towering bronze doors and down the long carpet, he felt the eyes upon him.p.900.560 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.
	45
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 Beneath her roughspun brown breeches were calves like cords of wood, and the long muscles of her arms stretched and tightened with each stroke of the oars.†p.18.744 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
	36	top 2000
treasonbetraying one's own country He was executed for treason in a time of war.more Show sample from book I understood what I was doing and knew it was treasonous.†p.34.135 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)
	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 The Usurper took them down and hid them away.†p.109.928 more usurp → usurper:one who seizes or takes control without authority Show general definition seize or take control without authority
	30	top 2000
daisraised platform She was seated on the inaugural dais near the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.more Show sample from book You saw them walk the center aisle with every eye upon them and take their seats at the table just below the dais where the king and queen were seated.†p.104.829 more Show general definition a platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to people on it
	6
heraldbe a sign of Her appointment would herald a new emphasis on the environment.more Show sample from book They heralded the approach of old Ser Tristimun's sea watch, and the sea watch was death to smugglers when Aerys Targaryen sat the Iron Throne.p.134.813 more herald → heralded:signaled (that something would happen) Show general definition for herald (as in: heralds the coming of...) a sign that something will happen -- especially something important and good or: to announce or welcome -- especially with enthusiasm
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herald#2official who announces important news The herald loudly proclaimed, "The King is dead. Long live the King."more Show sample from book Sansa ate no more than a bite of hers, as the heralds were summoning the first of the seven singers.p.819.913 more herald → heralds:people who announce important news -- especially a king's representatives Show general definition for herald (as in: announced by herald & trumpet) a person who announces important news -- especially a king's representative
	15	top 2000
vengeancerevenge Most Americans wanted vengeance after the 9-11 attacks.more Show sample from book You promised him vengeance as well.†p.64.415 more the act of taking revenge Show general definition for vengeance (as in: vengeance is mine) the act of taking revenge (Revenge means to harm someone to get them back for something harmful that they have done.)
	1
with a vengeancewith intensity I thought I was getting over my cold and went to work, but it came back with a vengeance.more Show sample from book Winter is coming, warned the Stark words, and truly it had come for them with a vengeance.†p.794.415 more Show general definition for with a vengeance (as in: with a vengeance) with intensity
	17
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 Some years later, when Lord Farman of Faircastle grew truculent, Lord Tywin sent an envoy bearing a lute instead of a letter.†p.272.416 more Show general definition a representative sent on a mission -- often representing a government
	13
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 "Five days of jousting were planned," she said.†p.341.412 more joust → jousting:competing in a contest to knock each other off horses with blunted lances OR competing in any kind of contest Show general definition a contest in which knights attempt to knock each other off horses with blunted lances or: any kind of contest
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mêléedisorganized mass of people The riot police were able to contain the mêlée.more Show sample from book I won a tourney melee at thirteen, when I was yet a squire.†p.158.39 more Show general definition a disorganized mass of people -- especially engaged in hand-to-hand combat, or rioting, or all going different directions and bumping into each other
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farceridiculous situation What started as a serious debate quickly turned into a farce, with people shouting over each other and making jokes.more Show sample from book "A few more hours and this farce is done, Mother," he said in a low voice, as the Greatjon sang of the maid with honey in her hair.†p.697.85 more a ridiculous, exaggerated situation too absurd to be taken seriously… Show general definition a ridiculous, exaggerated situation too absurd to be taken seriously; or a type of comedy that relies on absurd humor, using physical slapstick, unlikely situations, and deliberate misunderstandings
	6
shambleshamble → shambled:walked in an awkward, shuffling way She shambled about the house in over-sized slippers.more Show sample from book Then he heard a faint ringing of bells, and a child's giggle, and suddenly the fool Patchface popped from the bushes, shambling along as fast as he could go with the Princess Shireen hot on his heels.†p.143.75 more shamble → shambling:walking in an awkward, shuffling way Show general definition for shamble (as in: she shambled along) to walk in an awkward, shuffling way
	20	top 1000
sullenunhappy and withdrawn She changed from a happy, outgoing child to sullen teenager.more Show sample from book Tyrion tried to speak of other things, but he met a wall of sullen courtesy as icy and unyielding as the Wall he'd once walked in the north.p.171.121 more Show general definition for sullen (as in: a sullen mood) being unhappy (and often withdrawn)
	2	top 2000
sullen#2unpleasant She slept poorly in the sullen heat.more Show sample from book Was it Mormont she was angry with, or this city with its sullen heat, its stinks and sweats and crumbling bricks?p.326.521 more Show general definition for sullen (as in: sullen heat) unpleasant