The Martian — Vocabulary
Andy Weir
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	81	top 2000
probeinvestigation There was a congressional probe into the scandal.more Show sample from book It takes eight months to get a probe to Mars in the best of times.p.86.580 more an unmanned spacecraft used for exploration Show general definition to investigate closely; or a tool or device used to explore, examine, or gather information
	1	top 200
functionjob or purpose The function of the lens of the eye is to focus light on the retina.more Show sample from book All onboard computers could control all ships' functions.p.208.825 more function → functions:operations (jobs) Show general definition for function (as in: Its main function is to...) purpose, job, or natural activity
	25	top 200
function#2work or operate I don't function well on less than six hours of sleep a night; and I do best on nine.more Show sample from book I was really hoping I'd wake up to a functional lander, but no such luck.p.111.425 more function → functional:working Show general definition for function (as in: can't function well without sleep) work or operate -- sometimes to work or operate normally or in a particular way
	33	top 2000
breachfailure There was a security breach at the school when someone got into the building without a visitor pass.more Show sample from book Naturally, they didn't send us to Mars until they'd confirmed that all the supplies had made it to the surface and their containers weren't breached.†p.3.432 more breach → breached:broke or penetrated Show general definition break or failure
	27	top 2000
tethertether → tethered:tied The horses were tethered to a post.more Show sample from book She says it'll keep me tethered to humanity.†p.192.226 more tether → tethered:tied so as to limit the boundaries of movement Show general definition to tie so as to limit the boundaries of movement; or the rope or other material used to do the tying
	26	top 2000
caloriecalorie → calories:food energy Consuming about 3,500 more calories than the body uses for energy will result in gaining an additional pound of fat.more Show sample from book With a nearly infinite supply of vitamins, all I need are calories of any kind to survive.†p.14.825 more calorie → calories:a unit of energy most commonly known as a measure of potential weight gain the b… Show general definition a unit of energy most commonly known as a measure of potential weight gain the body gets from food
	19	top 500
componentcomponent → components:parts It has only three major components.†more Show sample from book The critical components are designed to survive a vacuum.p.264.918 more Show general definition a self-contained part of something that when combined with other parts makes something that is larger or more complex
	24
botanythe branch of biology that studies plants She is studying botany.†more Show sample from book I'm a botanist and mechanical engineer; basically, the mission's fix-it man who played with plants.†p.10.823 more botany → botanist:the branch of biology that studies plants… Show general definition the branch of biology that studies plants; or all the plant life in a particular region or period
	23	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 Bacterial activity, certain nutrients provided by animal life, etc. None of that is happening on Mars.p.12.522 more bacteria → bacterial:related to microorganisms (living creatures so small it takes a microscope to see them) 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.
	22	top 2000
detachdetach → detached:emotionally uninvolved (separated from emotions) She spoke in a cold, detached manner as though she didn't care about him anymore.more Show sample from book So after autodeploying, they detached themselves from the rovers and lined up next to each other twenty meters away?†p.55.121 more detach → detached:separated OR emotionally uninvolved (separated from emotions) Show general definition to separate something from something else (physically or emotionally)
	4	top 100
focusconcentrate I find that studying in the library helps me to focus.more Show sample from book Focus on the task at hand.p.134.86 more Show general definition for focus (as in: Turn your focus to question #2.) to direct attention or effort toward a single thing; or the ability to do so without getting distracted
	3	top 100
focus#2area where attention is concentrated Since we're running out of time, let's narrow our focus to just what needs to be done tomorrow.more Show sample from book I can't promise we'll succeed in rescuing him, but I can promise this: The entire focus of NASA will be to bring Mark Watney home.p.62.56 more place where attention is directed Show general definition for focus (as in: The focus of our study is...) where attention is concentrated or directed
	19	top 1000
rationration → rationed:restricted in the amount each person could have Gasoline was rationed during the 1970s oil embargo.more Show sample from book I'm going to start rationing food right now.†p.10.418 more ration → rationing:restricting the amount of something each person can have -- such as food or gasoline when there is a shortage Show general definition a fixed share of something, especially scarce goods like food or fuel; or to limit and distribute something in fixed shares
	5	top 100
yieldproduce (lead to) The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.more Show sample from book Normally, it takes at least 90 days to yield full-sized potatoes.p.21.75 more produce Show general definition for yield (as in: will yield valuable data) to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
	7	top 100
redundantmore than is needed or desired What is clarifying for one reader can be a redundant distraction for another.more Show sample from book For redundancy, the supply probes had enough food to last the whole crew fifty-six days.†p.8.36 more redundant → redundancy:more than is needed Show general definition more than is needed -- often something that is unnecessarily repeated or in technical usage: describing a secondary component designed to work if the primary component fails
	10
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 As she entered the latitude and longitude of the image, she recognized the numbers.†p.53.19 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.
	9
ionion → ions:atoms with an electrical charge caused by the loss or gain of an electron When lithium-ion batteries are recharged, the lithium ions are moved back to the negative electrode.more Show sample from book Hermes is powered by ion engines.†p.2.78 more an atom that has acquired an electrical charge by the loss or gain of an electron Show general definition an atom that has acquired an electrical charge by the loss or gain of an electron
	6	top 2000
flammableeasily set on fire Gasoline is highly flammable.more Show sample from book We have flammables and pure oxygen.p.355.65 more flammable → flammables:things easily set on fire
	3	top 1000
incrementincrement → increments:increases Bidding starts at $100 with minimum increments of $10.more Show sample from book Another incremental test, we think.p.81.22 more increment → incremental:relating to progressive steps Show general definition one of a series of increases; or the amount of an increase -- especially in small, consistent amounts
	2	top 500
copiousa lot of She took copious notes.†more Show sample from book Then, the copious blood from my wound trickled down toward the hole.†p.5.11 more abundant (large in quantity or number) Show general definition abundant (large in quantity or number)