The Impossible Knife of Memory — Vocabulary
Laurie Halse Anderson
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	6	top 500
assessevaluate Your job is to assess the situation and make recommendations.more Show sample from book I knew he was assessing the space: no visible threat, clear line of sight, and quick access to all exits.p.296.95 more assess → assessing:considering and judging Show general definition for assess (as in: assess the situation) to evaluate (consider something and make one or more judgements)
	8	top 2000
epican outstanding literary work that is long and heroic I think Game of Thrones is the most epic fantasy written since The Rings Trilogy.more Show sample from book "Epic is a stupid word," I said.†p.201.47 more an outstanding work of literature or film Show general definition something that is outstanding -- especially a literary work that is long and heroic
	7	top 2000
hordevery large number A horde of reporters descended on the small town.more Show sample from book Every few minutes a new horde of girls would buzz over and bug him about tickets or T-shirts or swim practice.†p.70.96 more a large number Show general definition a very large number -- typically of people, animals, or insects on the move
	6	top 1000
prescribeprescribe → prescribed:gave medical instructions instructing that the patient should take The doctor prescribed an antibiotic for the infection.more Show sample from book One of my mom's prescriptions.†p.129.85 more prescribe → prescriptions:recommendations or requirements OR (from a medical doctor) instructions -- such as writing that a patient should take antibiotics Show general definition to recommend or require what should be done or more specifically: of a medical doctor: to give medical instructions -- such as writing that a patient should take antibiotics
	4	top 200
enableenable → enables:makes possible The test enables earlier identification of autism.more Show sample from book Your mom's enabling your sister and screwing you over.†p.263.83 more enable → enabling:making possible Show general definition to make possible in various senses, including: to give someone the ability, knowledge, or authority to do something -- as in "The study will enable an informed discussion." to activate a computer system for use -- as in "You can enable the feature in the Settings Page." to permit someone to repeat bad behavior, so they reinforce the bad pattern -- as in "I don't want to enable her drug addiction."
	6	top 2000
physicsthe science of matter and energy In physics class, we learned how gravity affects falling objects.more Show sample from book Thought you had physics.†p.34.55 more Show general definition the science of matter and energy and their interactions
	5	top 1000
bizarreexceedingly unusual The paparazzi love her bizarre outfits and behavior.more Show sample from book I'm still talking and I am looking for something to talk about but it's tough because this is a bizarre situation.†p.96.54 more exceedingly odd or unusual Show general definition for bizarre (as in: is bizarre) exceedingly odd or unusual
	5
insurgentinsurgent → insurgents:irregular armed forces that fight a stronger force by sabotage and harassment Hundreds of European Muslims journeyed to join the insurgents in Iraq.David Frum's Diary on National Review Online — <span class="__nowrap">http://frum.nationalreview.com/print/</span> <span class="__nowrap">(retrieved Thu Jun 29 2006 00:00:00 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time)</span>)more Show sample from book We killed four insurgents and captured four more.†p.116.14 more insurgent → insurgents:members of an irregular armed force that fight a stronger force by sabotage and harassment Show general definition a member of an irregular armed force that fights a stronger force by sabotage and harassment
	5	top 2000
rehabilitaterestore to good condition She has been working to rehabilitate her reputation.more Show sample from book Chelsea wants to go to rehab, but there isn't any money.†p.262.94 more rehabilitate → rehab:restore someone (or more rarely, something) to a state of good condition; or a program or facility or where that is done Show general definition to restore someone (or more rarely, something) to a state of good condition -- such as recovery from addiction, illness, prison, or poor reputation Show editor's word notes Rehab is sometimes used as an abbreviation for rehabilitation or a rehabilitation facility such as might be used to help someone recover from a drug addiction. Although rehabilitate can be used generally, it is typically replaced with refurbish when talking about buildings or machines, and with recuperate when talking about recovery from an illness.
	3	top 1000
loathehate I make New Year's resolutions every year and then loathe myself for breaking them.more Show sample from book Do you know how much women loathe it when guys think every show of negative emotion is tied to our menstrual cycle, like we're sheep or something?†p.119.12 more Show general definition hate, detest, or intensely dislike Show editor's word notes Word Confusion: Do not confuse loathe with loath which sounds very similar or the same. Loathe is a verb while loath is an adjective describing "reluctance or unwillingness to do something." Note that loathing and loathsome are forms of the verb loathe even though both word forms lack the "e". Occasionally, you will see loath spelled as loathe even in a published book, but it is rare enough that it is generally considered an error rather than a non-standard spelling.
	4	top 2000
influenzainfluenza → the flu:a highly contagious respiratory disease commonly called the flu Influenza is caused by RNA viruses that mutate and spread around the world in seasonal epidemics -- which is why the flu vaccine is changed each year.more Show sample from book Finn's mother had taken an unplanned trip to Boston because his dad had the flu.†p.220.33 more influenza → the flu:influenza -- a highly contagious respiratory disease Show general definition highly contagious respiratory disease commonly called the flu
	4	top 2000
adrenalineadrenaline → adrenaline junkie:“fight or flight” stimulating hormone She's an adrenaline junkie. She loves the rush that comes from roller coasters, skydiving, and big waves.more Show sample from book My adrenaline turned up a notch.†p.31.13 more Show general definition “fight or flight” stimulating hormone secreted by the adrenal gland in response to stress (making the body feel excited and ready for action) Show editor's word notes Doctors are more likely to use the term epinephrine (possibly shortened to epi or EP). Adrenalin as a proper noun without the ending "e" is a trademark name for the same chemical.
	2	top 500
assimilateassimilate → assimilation:fitting into a prevailing culture There is a delicate balance between assimilation and loss of cultural identity.more Show sample from book Fully assimilated zombies.†p.19.61 more assimilate → assimilated:took in, transformed, or fit in Show general definition take in, transform, or fit in The exact meaning of assimilate can depend upon its context. For example: "assimilate to a new country" -- fitting into a prevailing culture "assimilate the information" -- transform information within the mind into understanding "assimilate the food" -- transform nutrients within the body for its use
	3	top 1000
interprettranslate Can she interpret Spanish to English for us?more Show sample from book My interpreter claims he can.†p.115.72 more interpret → interpreter:someone who translates language Show general definition for interpret (as in: interpret Spanish to English) to translate someone’s words into spoken words of another language while they are speaking
	3	top 500
acclaimacclaim → acclaimed:popularly and enthusiastically praised It's a critically acclaimed movie.more Show sample from book At one point in the distant past, it had been a Plymouth Acclaim, but there wasn't much left to shout about.†p.65.22 more enthusiastic public praise Show general definition to praise enthusiastically and publicly -- sometimes choosing without opposition or a formal vote
	2	top 100
narratoran actor who helps to tell a story by talking directly to the audience (breaking the imaginary barrier between the performers and the audience) The narrator in the play, Our Town talks to characters in the play as well as to the audience.more Show sample from book "What's an unreliable narrator?" asked Topher.†p.17.81 more storyteller Show general definition someone who tells a story--especially the main voice in a documentary, or a character who talks directly to the audience in a movie, play or other performance
	3	top 2000
pedanticoverly concerned with book learning Her lectures were too pedantic for my taste.more Show sample from book Mr. Diaz, who really needs to work on his anger management issues, yelled at me for disrupting his class with what he called my 'pedantic quibbles.'p.151.92 more excessive concern for details Show general definition too concerned with formal rules, details, or book learning
	3
flauntflaunt → flaunts:shows it off She is wealthier than her neighbors, but she never flaunts it.more Show sample from book The flaunts, the taunts, the poses, they were all part of the lie.†p.20.12 more flaunt → flaunts:shows off (displays something ostentatiously) Show general definition the act of showing off (displaying something in an obvious way for others to admire or envy) or: openly defiant of rules or expectations
	2	top 2000
quibbleargue about unimportant things Let's not quibble over pennies.more Show sample from book Mr. Diaz, who really needs to work on his anger management issues, yelled at me for disrupting his class with what he called my 'pedantic quibbles.'†p.151.91 more quibble → quibbles:to argue about unimportant things… Show general definition to argue about unimportant things; or an argument or complaint about something unimportant
	2
hallowedtreated as sacred She was buried in hallowed ground.more Show sample from book They say the grounds are seriously hallowed.†p.203.61 more treated as sacred or greatly respected Show general definition treated as sacred or greatly respected