All the Light We Cannot See — Vocabulary
Anthony Doerr
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	44
rampartrampart → ramparts:defensive wall The invaders were unable to penetrate the outer ramparts.more Show sample from book They blow across the ramparts, turn cartwheels over rooftops, flutter into the ravines between houses.†p.3.143 more rampart → ramparts:a defensive wall or barrier -- built for military defense Show general definition a defensive wall or barrier -- built for military defense
	11	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 At von Rumpel's request, Dupont is furnished with forged food-ration tickets.†p.235.510 more a fixed share of something, especially scarce goods like food or fuel… Show general definition a fixed share of something, especially scarce goods like food or fuel; or to limit and distribute something in fixed shares
	12	top 2000
queueline People have already begun to form a queue outside the theatre.more Show sample from book In the alleys, fifteen-year-old boys are making their way toward mine elevators, queuing up with their helmets and lamps outside the gates.p.68.511 more queue → queuing:lining up Show general definition for queue (as in: in the queue) a line of people waiting for something; or anything (such as computer tasks) that are lined up to be handled in order Show editor's word notes Queue, in the sense of a line of people is more often used in Great Britain than in the United States.
	7	top 500
teemare full (with many) The tide pools teem with tiny, fascinating creatures.more Show sample from book Each hour the dance hall seems to grow progressively warmer, so by the eighth day, the air, walls, and floor are saturated with the hot, teeming odor of boys.†p.115.16 more teem → teeming:filled (has many) Show general definition have a large number of things -- especially things that are moving
	8	top 2000
siegethe surrounding and prolonged attack The Siege of Leningrad lasted 872 days.more Show sample from book For three thousand years, this little promontory has known sieges.†p.11.47 more siege → sieges: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
	7	top 1000
confiscateconfiscate → confiscated:took away The teacher confiscated her phone after she kept texting during class.more Show sample from book Behind him, confiscated treasures are crammed to the ceiling: rolled tapestries, grandfather clocks, armoires, and giant landscape paintings crazed with cracks.†p.14.66 more confiscate → confiscated:to take something regardless of consent -- often as a punishment or by authority Show general definition to take something regardless of consent -- often as a punishment or by authority
	7
citadelfortified place She walked along the ancient walls of the citadel that once protected the entire city.more Show sample from book Not this last citadel at the edge of the continent, this final German strongpoint on the Breton coast.†p.10.56 more a stronghold or fortress Show general definition a stronghold or fortress
	1	top 2000
accordaccord → accordance:keeping She will get a fair trial in accordance with the law.more Show sample from book For not organizing her things according to protocol.p.449.92 more accord → according to:as stated by; or in agreement with Show general definition for accord (as in: according to, or in accord with) in keeping with; or in agreement/harmony/unity with This meaning of accord is often seen in the form according to or accordingly where it can take on more specific meanings. For example: "According to Kim, ..." -- as stated by "To each according to her ability." -- based upon "Points are scored according to how well they perform." -- depending upon "The dose is calculated according to body weight." -- in proportion to "We got a flat tire. Accordingly, I pulled to the side of the road." -- because of what was just said; or as a result
	2
accord#2agreement They're hoping to have a stronger climate-change accord by the end of the year.more Show sample from book Some level of accord is reached, and soon enough she and Madame Manec are back in the kitchen at Number 4 rue Vauborel.p.265.92 more Show general definition for accord (as in: reached an accord) an agreement Show editor's word notes In this sense, accord can refer to a formal agreement (such as one written between two countries) or an informal agreement (such as an unvoiced consensus about what should be done).
	6	top 2000
frayedshowing wear with threads beginning to separate or hang loose The cuffs were frayed from so many washings.more Show sample from book Three frayed electrical leads sprout from the top.p.32.16 more Show general definition for frayed (as in: frayed cloth) showing wear with threads beginning to separate or hang loose
	1
frayed#2emotionally strained The constant pressure has frayed her nerves.more Show sample from book Every morning it's the same: the Americans ever closer, the Germans fraying at the seams.p.414.36 more frayed → fraying:becoming emotionally strained Show general definition for frayed (as in: frayed nerves) emotionally strained (worn thin)
	3	top 500
assessevaluate Your job is to assess the situation and make recommendations.more Show sample from book To assess his hair color, the man snips a lock of hair from Werner's head and compares it to thirty or so other locks clipped to a board, arrayed darkest to lightest.p.114.13 more determine Show general definition for assess (as in: assess the situation) to evaluate (consider something and make one or more judgements)
	1	top 500
assess#2assess → assessed:a monetary value is determined for it The property is assessed and then a tax is charged based on that value.more Show sample from book In three months, Sergeant Major von Rumpel has traveled to Berlin and Stuttgart; he has assessed the value of a hundred confiscated rings, a dozen diamond bracelets, a Latvian cigarette case in which a lozenge of blue topaz twinkled; now, back in Paris, he has slept at the Grand Hotel for a week and sent forth his queries like birds.p.234.13 more assess → assessed:determined Show general definition for assess (as in: assess the monetary value) determine a numeric value of something -- such as a property's value or a truck's weight
	1	top 1000
somberserious and cheerless Before she said anything, I knew it was bad news from her somber face.more Show sample from book To hear so many of them in a room together confuses and excites Marie-Laure: they are giddy when they should be serious, somber after jokes;p.248.71 more without humour or fun Show general definition for somber (as in: a somber mood) serious (without cheer or lightheartedness); or sad
	1	top 1000
somber#2lacking brightness or color She wore a somber black dress to the funeral.more Show sample from book The Hotel-Dieu dining room is big and somber and full of people talking about U-boats off Gibraltar and the inequities of currency exchange and four-stroke marine diesel engines.p.265.11 more gloomy (in color, and/or mood) Show general definition for somber (as in: somber colors) lacking brightness or color -- perhaps gloomy
	6
bastiondefensive fortification The universities were the last bastion of freedom, but they were purged of anyone who questioned official propaganda shortly after the coup.more Show sample from book The Austrians at the Hotel of Bees use a crane to lower an 88-millimeter cannon onto a bastion in the ramparts.p.408.75 more Show general definition a strong defender or reliable example of something -- like a fortress or a person upholding a principle
	1	top 2000
forgodo without You will have to forgo alcohol.more Show sample from book You will forgo comforts; you will live by duty alone.p.137.72 more Show general definition for forgo (as in: forgo the benefit) do without
	2
foregoneforegone → foregone conclusion:a conclusion that is certain to be reached It is a foregone conclusion.more Show sample from book The castle with its towers and battlements looms below them like some misty vision of foregone glory.p.185.82 more former (in the past) Show general definition for foregone (as in: a foregone conclusion) done in the past
	1
inductionformal admission The induction ceremony welcomed the new members into the honor society.more Show sample from book This is Werner's induction into the Wehrmacht.p.317.51 more Show general definition for induction (as in: induction into the club) the formal process of being admitted into a group, organization, or position
	1
induction#2causing something to begin The doctor explained that labor would be started through medical induction.more Show sample from book Fields and circuits, conduction and induction.p.57.91 more generation of electric current by a changing magnetic field Show general definition for induction (as in: electromagnetic induction) the process of causing something to begin, or of arriving at a general idea or effect from specific information or conditions