The Hidden Oracle — Vocabulary
Rick Riordan
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	48	top 2000
prophecyprediction of the future The prophecy came true.more Show sample from book Even when she was not channeling prophecies, Rachel was a wise young lady.†p.90.447 more prophecy → prophecies:predictions of the future Show general definition a prediction of the future (usually said to be obtained in a supernatural way)
	37	top 2000
bronzea brownish metal that is made of copper and (usually) tin The sculpture of a bull on Wall Street is made of bronze.more Show sample from book Out of the shadows dropped a furry black monster dog—a hellhound—and astride his back was a young man with a glowing bronze sword.p.330.836 more made of a type of high-quality metal Show general definition for bronze (as in: bronze won't corrode in salt water) a brownish-colored metal with red or yellow hues that is made of copper and (usually) tin Show editor's word notes Bronze metals in the Olympics and many other contests are awarded for third place. With the discovery of bronze (about 3,000 BC), people could make tools and weapons that were harder and more durable than those made of copper and stone that preceded bronze.
	31	top 2000
labyrinthcomplex system of paths Because London evolved to include many different villages, its roads are a labyrinth of twists and turns.more Show sample from book "The teams will be almost impossible to track," he murmured, his face buried in a Labyrinth schematic.p.151.130 more a maze (a system of paths so complex it is virtually impossible to exit once inside) Show general definition a maze (a complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost) or (figuratively): anything so complicated that it is extremely confusing Show editor's word notes The word "labyrinth" comes from the name of the maze of passages where, in Greek mythology, Theseus had to escape from the Minotaur.
	19	top 2000
immortalto live forever Zeus and the other gods were supposed to be immortal.more Show sample from book I knew my immortality had been stripped away, but I still considered myself the mighty Apollo!†p.7.118 more immortal → immortality:eternal life (to live forever) Show general definition living or existing forever or: someone famous throughout history or: someone who will never die -- such as a mythological god
	18	top 2000
pavilionfreestanding structure without walls We're meeting for a picnic under the pavilion at the park.more Show sample from book The dining pavilion was pleasant enough.†p.109.217 more a large structure separate from a main structure or temporary Show general definition a large building or section of a building that stands apart in function or design -- often used for gatherings, exhibitions, or specialized purposes
	18
centaura mythical being that is half man and half horse Firenze is the name of a centaur character in the Harry Potter stories.more Show sample from book Perhaps I could find my old friend Chiron the centaur.†p.16.917 more Show general definition a mythical being that is half man and half horse
	9	top 2000
solacecomfort She offered some words of solace and he felt better.more Show sample from book The calmness of his eyes, the smile resting easily on his lips, the way his hair curled around his ears ...I had a vague memory of a woman, an alt-country singer named Naomi Solace, whom I'd met in Austin.†p.83.68 more comfort felt or given during a time of disappointment or misery Show general definition comfort felt or given during a time of disappointment or misery
	1	top 100
composewrite The assignment is to compose a poem.more Show sample from book After any major battle, I liked to get a group photo—along with exclusive rights to compose epic ballads about their exploits.p.112.91 more Show general definition for compose (as in: compose a poem) to write or create something with care
	1	top 100
compose#2compose → composed:made up The United States is composed of 50 states.more Show sample from book Groves are typically composed of trees, rather than, say, Fudgsicles.p.202.91 more Show general definition for compose (as in: composed of many parts) to create something by arranging parts
	6	top 1000
wrathextreme anger She could hardly contain her wrath when she learned he had betrayed her.more Show sample from book I visited my wrath upon Britney Spears at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards.†p.3.35 more Show general definition extreme anger or angry punishment
	6	top 2000
aurasurrounding feeling or atmosphere The place has an aura of romance.more Show sample from book Meg now had an elfish springtime aura that reminded me very much of a dryad.†p.38.65 more A distinctive quality, mood, or feeling that seems to surround a person, place, … Show general definition A distinctive quality, mood, or feeling that seems to surround a person, place, or thing; or, more literally, a glowing light shown around someone's head or body in spiritual or artistic images
	5	top 1000
dispersedisperse → dispersed:scattered (moved away from one another) The crowd dispersed.more Show sample from book And, uh, see if you can disperse the crowd outside, okay?†p.87.14 more to scatter or cause to spread Show general definition for disperse (as in: the crowd dispersed) to scatter or cause to spread
	5	top 1000
glowerglower → glowering:staring angrily Shake hands and stop glowering at each other.more Show sample from book Damien and Chiara sat together at the canoe dock, glowering in my direction.†p.209.94 more Show general definition to stare angrily
	5	top 1000
metaphormetaphor → metaphorically:with a figure of speech in which a similarity between two things is highlighted by using a word to refer to something that it does not literally denote He was speaking metaphorically when he referred to being mugged by reality.more Show sample from book I found it strange that Meg, a street urchin and Dumpster warrior, would relate so well to garden metaphors, but Chiron was an excellent teacher.†p.101.14 more metaphor → metaphors:figures of speech in which a similarity between two things is highlighted by using a word to refer to something that it does not literally mean Show general definition a figure of speech in which a similarity between two things is implied by using a word to refer to something it does not literally mean—as in, "All the world’s a stage." Show editor's word notes When Shakespeare wrote, "All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players." he was not saying the world is really a stage and all people are actors. But he was pointing to the similarities he wants us to recognize. While metaphors and similes are both techniques of figurative language. The distinction is that a simile explicitly shows that a comparison is being made, by using words such as "like" or "as". A metaphor simply substitutes words assuming the reader will understand the meaning should not be take literally. "She is like a diamond in the rough" is a simile; while "She is a diamond in the rough" is a metaphor.
	5
limericka 5-line poem with a rhyme scheme of aabba Bella offered to pick up the tab for each of us who was willing to compose and share a limerick.more Show sample from book But only the deadliest prophecies are couched in the form of a limerick.p.304.74 more Show general definition a humorous poem consisting of 5 lines with a rhyme scheme aabba Show editor's word notes Limericks often have a 9-9-6-6-9 or 8-8-5-5-8 cadence and are ridiculous. Often they are slightly indecent. Here is an example of a tame limerick: There once was a man from Nantucket Who kept all his cash in a bucket. But his daughter, named Nan, Ran away with a man And as for the bucket, Nantucket.
	2	top 500
impetuousimpulsive (made suddenly without much thought) She regretted her impetuous promise.†more Show sample from book Ellis was an impetuous young man.†p.103.11 more impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought) Show general definition for impetuous (as in: an impetuous decision) impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought) -- often with an unfortunate consequence
	3
neuroticexcessively concern She has a neurotic obsession with cleanliness.more Show sample from book The Colossus Neurotic?†p.311.12 more mildly mentally disturbed Show general definition mildly mentally disturbed -- usually worrying too much about something; or someone with such symptoms Show editor's word notes More formally, a neurotic might be described as someone with a mild personality disorder -- a neurosis not attributable to any known neurological or organic problem.
	2	top 2000
flammableeasily set on fire Gasoline is highly flammable.more Show sample from book Despite the fact that they'd been recently bound, doused in flammable substances, and staked like human tiki torches, they closed ranks and faced me with determination in their eyes.†p.312.61 more Show general definition easily set on fire
	2
corrosivedamaging (in this case through chemical reaction) Titanium is resistant to the corrosive effect.more Show sample from book I imagined she would have already hosed us down with acid if she weren't worried about the long-term effects of corrosives on her larvae.†p.264.31 more corrosive → corrosives:things (typically chemicals) that cause damage or harm Show general definition damaging or harmful -- such as when describing a strong acid or bad behavior or (more rarely): something causing damage or harm -- such as a strong acid
	2
primordialhaving existed in the earliest days The primordial soup of the early Earth was a teeming cauldron of organic molecules that gave rise to life.more Show sample from book My dizziness made me feel as if I were flying too close to the fumes of primordial Chaos, but I refused to be humbled.†p.11.91 more having existed from the beginning or from ancient times… Show general definition having existed from the beginning or from ancient times or: a primary or fundamental aspect of something