An Ember in the Ashes — Vocabulary
Sabaa Tahir
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	52	top 2000
martialrelating to fighting skills She signed up for martial arts classes to learn self-defense and discipline.more Show sample from book Against the Serric steel of a Martial blade, the knife will only shatter.†p.6.351 more relating to war, the military, or fighting Show general definition relating to war, the military, or fighting
	12	top 100
focusconcentrate I find that studying in the library helps me to focus.more Show sample from book When I arrive back at Blackcliff, I attack my tasks with a single-minded focus, losing myself in the polishing of floors and scrubbing of baths so that I might escape the cyclone of thoughts in my head.p.176.212 more concentration 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
	1	top 2000
focus#2into view (as an area of attention) The bridge collapse brought aging infrastructure into focus as a political issue.more Show sample from book My next is of blunt, consuming rage as Keenan's face swims into focus.p.407.312 more view (a state where something can be seen clearly) Show general definition for focus (as in: bring into focus; or out of focus) a state where something has come into view or can be seen clearly; or an adjustment made to permit a clear view
	20	top 2000
infirmarysmall facility where patients receive treatment She felt ill and went to the infirmary.more Show sample from book I want her to say she's assigned to the kitchens or the infirmary, where slaves aren't scarred or missing body parts.†p.128.719 more a small facility where patients receive treatment Show general definition a small facility where patients receive treatment -- such as a room or two at a school as contrasted to a busy hospital or medical clinic
	19	top 2000
daisraised platform She was seated on the inaugural dais near the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.more Show sample from book She delivers a terse speech from a raised dais, and when it comes time to take our oaths to the Empire, I only know to stand because everyone around me does.†p.81.318 more Show general definition a platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to people on it
	18	top 2000
interrogateinterrogate → interrogation:the process of aggressively asking questions The CIA's controversial interrogation program lasted from 2002 to 2007.more Show sample from book He'll spend weeks in interrogation, and after that they'll either sell him as a slave or kill him.†p.17.417 more interrogate → interrogation:the process of asking a series of questions of someone Show general definition ask a series of questions of someone -- typically asked by law enforcement officials or by someone in an aggressive manner
	13	top 1000
factionfaction → factions:sub-groups It was a fight between the moderate and progressive factions of the Democratic Party.more Show sample from book Fighters from both factions eye their leader warily.†p.72.812 more Show general definition a sub-group with some interests not shared by the entire group
	12	top 1000
cunningclever and deceitful She came up with a cunning scheme to cheat him.more Show sample from book The men in his legions worshipped him not only for his courage and cunning but for his uncanny ability —to evade death even when facing appalling odds.†p.125.511 more good at achieving goals through cleverness and deception Show general definition for cunning (as in: a cunning thief) being good at achieving goals through cleverness -- and typically through deception as well (tricking others)
	4	top 1000
sheercomplete She had a look of sheer joy.more Show sample from book Helene says this without a trace of irony, and I wince at the sheer idiocy of the idea.p.46.66 more complete and without restriction OR pure -- without other reasons Show general definition for sheer (as in: sheer fun) complete or pure -- without restriction, qualification, or other elements (used for emphasis)
	3	top 1000
sheer#2so steep it is almost vertical Be careful on that road. There is a sheer drop-off on the right.more Show sample from book The rope is thirty feet long, and this close to the base of the watchtower, the cliffs aren't as sheer.p.210.26 more Show general definition for sheer (as in: a sheer cliff) so steep it is almost vertical
	215
augurpredict or indicate The early snowfall did not augur well for the rest of the winter.more Show sample from book The Augurs have never explained why they only choose one girl per generation for Blackcliff.†p.45.4214 more augur → augurs:to indicate or predict that something will happen Show general definition to indicate or predict that something will happen --especially as a sign of what’s to come; or in ancient Rome, a religious official who interpreted signs and omens to guide public decisions
	8
palleta simple, austere bed The exhausted medieval peasant flopped down onto her straw pallet.more Show sample from book My mind is like tar, my body racked with dull pain, but I'm aware enough to know that if I don't rise from this pallet, I really am dead.p.324.27 more Show general definition for pallet (as in: a sleeping pallet) a simple, austere bed (such as a straw-filled mattress or temporary bed made on the floor for a child)
	1	top 2000
deferdelay The weather forced us to defer our departure another day.more Show sample from book But you faltered when faced with Vcturius, deferring to his wishes.p.390.71 more defer → deferring:postponing Show general definition for defer (as in: deferred the decision) delay or postpone (hold off until a later time)
	1	top 2000
defer#2submit I defer to her expertise.more Show sample from book There are only fourteen of the red-eyed bastards, but on the rare occasions that they appear, everyone defers to them.p.46.91 more defer → defers:submits or yields Show general definition for defer (as in: deferred to her wishes) submit or yield (typically to another person's opinion because of respect for that person or their knowledge)
	2	top 200
pragmaticpractical She is a pragmatic problem solver.more Show sample from book Seventeen years of Scholar pragmatism protest the existence of creatures that are supposed to he nothing but legend.†p.175.71 more pragmatic → pragmatism:concern with practical matters Show general definition concerned with practical matters -- especially where quick results and/or practical experience triumph over theory
	3
tantalizetantalize → tantalizing:making someone excited about getting something -- especially something they can't get I have to walk past the bakery with its tantalizing aromas.more Show sample from book There's a Mercator girl in a tantalizingly flimsy dress eyeing me from the door leading to the crowded garden.†p.103.62 more tantalize → tantalizingly:in a manner that makes someone excited about getting something Show general definition to make someone excited about getting something -- often something they cannot get Show editor's word notes The word, tantalize, comes from a Greek mythological story about the eternal punishment of someone named Tantulus. He was made to stand in a pool of water beneath a fruit tree. But when he reached up for the fruit, it withdrew just out of his reach. And when he bent down to drink, the water receded before his lips could reach it.
	5	top 200
tentativetentative → tentatively:in a careful way (indicating a lack of confidence) The puppy approached us tentatively until it knew we wouldn't harm it.more Show sample from book Hel pokes at the mash and takes a tentative sniff.p.49.15 more careful or unsure Show general definition for tentative (as in: said it tentatively) done in a careful or unsure way (indicating a lack of confidence in exactly what will happen)
	1	top 200
tentative#2subject to change (likely or possibly going to change) My plans are still tentative.more Show sample from book A plan forms in my head, tentative, outlandish, and mad enough that it just might work.p.412.35 more Show general definition for tentative (as in: a tentative plan) subject to change (likely or possibly going to change)
	1	top 2000
delicacysensitivity and tact She is admired for her delicacy in negotiations.more Show sample from book I look past her, into the distance as I've been trained to, and her cold glare bores into me with the delicacy of a blunt knife.p.78.81 more Show general definition for delicacy (as in: discuss with delicacy) care and gentleness -- especially speaking or acting with sensitivity and tact
	1	top 2000
delicacy#2pleasant subtlety or fineness The lacework was done with great delicacy.more Show sample from book I cut open her shirt with my dagger, jolted for a moment by the delicacy of her skin.p.162.91 more Show general definition for delicacy (as in: delicacy of the brushwork) pleasant subtlety or fineness