Hollow City — Vocabulary
Ransom Riggs
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	4	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 On this map, however, India was called Malabar, and the island, which I knew to be Sri Lanka, was overlaid with slinky script that read Land of Serendip.†p.366.14 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.
	1	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 Emma could never resist a touch of glitter, however small.p.301.84 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)
	7	top 1000
debrispieces of something that has been destroyed; or trash that is lying around She swept up the debris.more Show sample from book The altar was buried under a midden of debris.†p.230.86 more Show general definition pieces of something that has been destroyed; or trash that is lying around
	7	top 2000
refugeerefugee → refugees:people who fled their homeland to getaway from a dangerous or difficult situation We're asking for humanitarian aid to assist and resettle the refugees.more Show sample from book And then he ran off and left us to hide in that house like refugees while he galavanted around America, playing hero!†p.40.36 more refugee → refugees:people who fled their homeland Show general definition someone who has fled their homeland to getaway from a dangerous or difficult situation; or related to such people
	5	top 1000
tauttight The string is pulled taut.more Show sample from book A strand of taut brown rope extended up from the water and disappeared into the fog.†p.25.24 more pulled or drawn tight; OR subjected to great tension Show general definition pulled or drawn tight; or: subjected to great tension
	6	top 2000
twingea sudden, short-lived feeling of pain I often feel a twinge at that tooth when I drink something cold.more Show sample from book I felt a twinge of jealousy, then guilt for being jealous of a sick friend.†p.56.35 more a sudden, short-lived feeling of pain or emotion Show general definition a sudden, short-lived feeling of pain or emotion
	6	top 2000
hobbledwalked with difficulty After injuring her ankle, she hobbled between classes.more Show sample from book "I'll make you another offer," said Bekhir, pulling himself to his feet using the window bars, his hobbled silhouette outlined against the dark glass.†p.179.85 more walked with difficulty (due to injury or physical impediment); OR hindered Show general definition for hobbled (as in: she hobbled up the hill) walked with difficulty (due to injury or physical impediment) or: hindered (made the action or progress of something difficult)
	6	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 If not for the adrenaline flooding my system, the pain would've been totally debilitating.†p.68.85 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.
	4	top 500
exasperatedgreatly annoyed She was exasperated by his teasing.more Show sample from book I sighed, exasperated.†p.46.13 more Show general definition greatly annoyed
	2	top 10
implyimply → implied:hinted or suggested She wouldn't make a direct statement, but she implied that she supported our position.more Show sample from book "Look here, boy," she said, "if you imply that my sister's life is worthless again, I will clobber you."†p.285.51 more suggest (say indirectly) Show general definition to suggest or say indirectly -- possibly as a logical consequence
	5	top 1000
recedediminish (decrease) Interest in the story is beginning to recede.more Show sample from book I should've been overjoyed, but I hardly felt anything, just a spreading numbness as the trembling pain of the Feeling receded.†p.75.54 more recede → receded:move away or diminished (became less) Show general definition to move away or diminish (become less) The exact meaning of recede depends upon its context. For example: "We can't move back in until the floodwaters recede." -- diminish and move away "Her fear receded." -- diminished "The waves first advance and then recede." -- move away "The news story receded into the background as it was replaced by new stories." -- received diminished attention "a receding hairline" -- diminished hair (each year the line where hair stops growing is higher on the forehead) "She has a receding chin." -- sloping back (as contrasted to sticking out)
	5	top 1000
writhewrithe → writhed:moved in a twisting or contorted motion The patient writhed in pain.more Show sample from book One of the women stared blankly at the ceiling, while the other writhed under her sheets, moaning softly, in the grip of some nightmare.†p.346.74 more Show general definition to move in a twisting or contorted motion -- often of a person when struggling or in pain
	3	top 200
optimisticexpecting the best I'm optimistic that I'll get into a good college.more Show sample from book Even Olive, eternally optimistic Olive, shook her head at that.†p.219.82 more expecting the best; OR focusing on the good part of things Show general definition expecting the best; or focusing on the good part of things
	17
menageriecollection of animals The traveling circus included a menagerie of lions, tigers, and exotic birds.more Show sample from book On the back of the photo a message was printed: ONLY ACCESS TO MENAGERIE: CLIMB INSIDE!†p.69.816 more a collection of wild or unusual animals kept for exhibition… Show general definition a collection of wild or unusual animals kept for exhibition; or more generally, a diverse or strange mixture of people or things
	2	top 1000
obstructobstruct → obstructed:blocked (passage) A fallen tree obstructed the road, forcing drivers to find another way around.more Show sample from book Bronwyn used her strength to pull open the door, and it came straight off, hinges flying— but the hallway it let onto was completely obstructed by ice.†p.320.31 more obstruct → obstructed:blocked or interfered Show general definition to block, slow down, or interfere with movement, progress, or action The exact meaning of obstruct can depend upon its context. For example: "obstruct the path" -- block passage through "obstruct justice" -- hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of "obstruct her view" -- get in the way so as to hide from sight
	2	top 2000
docileeasily led or managed It is a gentle old horse, docile and obedient.more Show sample from book The wights are convinced we peculiar children are docile and weak.†p.109.31 more easily led or managed -- perhaps submissive or well-behaved Show general definition easily led or managed -- perhaps submissive or well-behaved
	2
extricatefree She was caught in the wreckage and could not extricate herself without help.more Show sample from book Coming to earth in a knotted pile, we extricated ourselves from its tangles in what could've been a lost Three Stooges bit; several times I thought I was free, only to try standing and fall flat on my face again with a cartoonish whump!†p.118.11 more extricate → extricated:freed or removed from constraint or difficulty Show general definition free or remove from constraint or difficulty
	2
pacifycalm She was upset and I could not pacify her.more Show sample from book Then Miss Peregrine, apparently impatient to pacify Claire, took one edge of the book's cover in her beak and opened it to a seemingly random chapter.†p.53.11 more calm someone who is angry; OR establish peace Show general definition calm someone who is angry; or establish peace Show editor's word notes Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice): "Pacify" is often chosen to imply success in creating a peaceful state. "Placate" can imply that concessions were made and/or that anger was successfully replaced with goodwill. "Mollify" is a more neutral selection.
	1
interinter → interment:burial She requested interment in a crypt rather than beneath the ground.more Show sample from book She lingered on for only a few weeks after she arrived, then was interred here.p.95.51 more inter → interred:buried Show general definition for inter (as in: inter at the cemetery) burying a dead body
	1
inter#2between The inter-city train service in Europe is efficient and punctual, making it a popular choice for travelers.more Show sample from book Your medium of inter-loop travel is when-1940?p.112.81 more Show general definition for inter (as in: inter-city) a hyphenated prefix indicating a relationship between different things