Ready Player One — Vocabulary
Ernest Cline
(Edited)

Book sample Uses ACT/SAT
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virtualvirtual → virtually:almost completely
I couldn't bear the idea that the girl with whom I was virtually smitten might actually be some middle-aged dude named Chuck, with back hair and male-pattern baldness.p.35.861 more
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She was virtually broke.more
Show general definition for virtual (as in: virtual organization) to almost be something; or to effectively be something without entirely being it in a traditional sense
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virtual#2computer-simulated
These three words were always the last thing an OASIS user saw before leaving the real world and entering the virtual one: READY PLAYER ONEp.26.961 more
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The flight simulator permits learning to fly in a safe, virtual reality.more
virtual → virtual reality:simulated by a computer
Show general definition for virtual (as in: computer's virtual world) something simulated by a computer
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simulatesimulate → simulated:computer-generated representations of
It contained thousands of simulated worlds where the keys might be hidden, and it could take a gunter years to conduct a thorough search of any one of them.p.8.491 more
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A computer model is used to simulate the effects of wind.more
imitate or represent
Show general definition make an imitation or representation of
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consolea small, specialized computer system with ports to connect video, etc.
Then I grabbed my OASIS console, a flat black rectangle about the size of a paperback book.p.26.135 more
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She pushed a button on the console.more
controls for electronic equipment
Show general definition for console (as in: plug it into the console) controls or video monitor(s) for electrical equipment; or a cabinet made to hold electronic equipment
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immerseimmerse → immersed:completely involved
But after playing for a few minutes, I quickly became immersed in the reality created by the words on the screen.p.226.926 more
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The artist immersed herself in her work, losing track of time as she experimented with new techniques.more
Show general definition for immerse (as in: immersed in her book) to get very interested or completely involved
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obscureobscure → obscured:made less visible
His face was obscured by a mop of dirty blond hair,p.274.89 more
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The stars are obscured by the clouds.more
obscure → obscured:hidden or made less visible
Show general definition for obscure (as in: it obscured my view) to block from view or make less visible or understandable
Show editor's word notes Although this meaning of obscure typically refers to seeing or understanding, it can also refer to situation where something makes something else harder to detect or as when a noise makes another noise difficult to hear. Similarly it can reference something overshadowing something else, as in "Her memory of her dog's death was obscured by her brother's death the next day."
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obscure#2not known to many people
Anorak's Invitation was crammed with obscure '80s pop culture references, nearly all of which were lost on me the first time I viewed it.p.2.59 more
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The obscure battle is hardly mentioned in history books.more
Show general definition for obscure (as in: the famous and the obscure) not known to many people; or unimportant or undistinguished
Show editor's word notes More rarely, this meaning of obscure can be used for:<ul><li>seemingly unimportant -- as in "I want her on the team. She always seems to ask obscure questions that reveal problems in a different light."</li><li>humble (typically only found in classic literature) -- as in "Nobody at the table would have guessed of her obscure family background."</li></ul>
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composecompose → composed:written
I opened another window, displaying the brief e-mail I'd composed just before logging into the Basement.p.309.95 more
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The assignment is to compose a poem.more
write
Show general definition for compose (as in: compose a poem) to write or create something with care
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compose#2compose → composed:made up
A new subculture was born, composed of the millions of people who now devoted every free moment of their lives to searching for Halliday's egg.p.8.15 more
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The United States is composed of 50 states.more
Show general definition for compose (as in: composed of many parts) to create something by arranging parts
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immortalnot subject to death
"I'm entrusting the care of the OASIS to you now, Parzival," Halliday said. "Your avatar is immortal and all-powerful."p.363.83 more
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Zeus and the other gods were supposed to be immortal.more
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
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revelrevel → reveling:taking delight
We sat there awhile, holding hands, reveling in the strange new sensation of actually touching one another.p.372.61 more
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The team reveled in their victory.more
revel → reveled:took delight in
Show general definition to take delight in; or to party or celebrate -- especially in a noisy way
485
avatardigital representation of a computer-user
...his famous OASIS avatar, Anorak—a tall, robed wizard with a slightly more handsome version of the adult Halliday's face (minus the eyeglasses).p.5.8484 more
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Her avatar in the online forum is a mysterious figure cloaked in shadows, reflecting her love for mystery novels.more
a digital representation of a computer-user in a multi-user virtual reality site
Show general definition for avatar (as in: her avatar in cyberspace) a digital representation of a computer-user in a multi-user virtual reality site
6
defaultautomatic result unless something else is chosen
When I reached the elevator, I punched in the default security code on the code pad and crossed my fingers.  I got lucky. The elevator doors hissed open. Whoever had created this section of the Axrenox cityscape hadn't bothered to reset the security codes in the template.p.252.26 more
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I always override the default options.more
automatic result if no action is taken
Show general definition for default (as in: the default options) an automatic result that happens (or already happened) unless it is changed by intentional action
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protagonistmain character
Well, that, and also because it was completely awesome, with an old-school teenage computer hacker as the protagonist.p.109.23 more
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Harry Potter was the protagonist and  Voldemort was the antagonist.more
main character in a work of fiction
Show general definition the main character in a work of fiction

or more rarely:

an important supporter or main figure of someone or something
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utopiaimaginary place considered to be perfect or ideal
Every day, more and more people had reason to seek solace inside Halliday and Morrow's virtual utopia.p.59.53 more
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They were the impractical utopian dreams of youth.more
utopia → utopian:of an imaginary place considered to be perfect or ideal
Show general definition an imaginary place considered to be perfect or ideal
5
triviaunimportant facts
Star Wars trivia was one of my specialties.p.40.34 more
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The game show places a premium on remembering trivia.†more
facts or details that are generally considered unimportant
Show general definition facts or details that are generally considered unimportant
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perspectiveway of seeing and thinking about things
It changed my whole perspective on the Hunt for Halliday's Easter egg.p.66.85 more
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A child who was abused with have a different perspective of family life than one raised in a nurturing home.more
way of seeing or thinking about things
Show general definition for perspective (as in: Look at it from her perspective) a particular way of seeing or thinking about things
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perspective#2with understanding of the big picture
Whenever I saw the sun, I reminded myself that I was looking at a star. One of over a hundred billion in our galaxy. A galaxy that was just one of billions of other galaxies in the observable universe. This helped me keep things in perspective.p.22.45 more
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She loses perspective and continually wants to change the plan in a manner that depends on the most recent complaint.more
a sensible view of a situation
Show general definition for perspective (as in: Keep it in perspective) a sensible view of a situation that considers its different parts in a balanced way
4
perspective#3view
When your avatar gets killed, your screen doesn't fade to black right away. Instead, your point of view automatically shifts to a third-person perspective, treating you to a brief out-of-body replay of your avatar's final fate.p.343.15 more
Show context notes Prior to being killed in this virtual reality, you experience scenes through your avatar's eyes as though you were there. When your avatar dies, the perspective changes to be similar to one of watching television.

These perspectives are called "First-person" and "third-person." In literature, "first-person" uses  pronouns like "I" and "me"; whereas "third-person" uses pronouns like "he" and "she."

There is also a "second-person" perspective that uses pronouns like "you" and "yours." It is not featured in this novel.
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The penthouse window gives a perspective on half the city.more
Show general definition for perspective (as in: a perspective of the entire block) a view -- often stressing that the view is different from a view from another location
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indicatesuggest
No one had ever heard of these avatars before, but their names seemed to indicate they were working together, either as a duo or as part of a clan.p.129.314 more
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These maps are drawn with north to the top unless otherwise indicated.more
indicate → indicated:pointed out (shown)
Show general definition to show (point out, demonstrate, express, or suggest)
Show editor's word notes The form, indicator can refer to many different kinds of things including intentional signals (such as a turn indicator), gauges (such as one that indicates pressure), or a measurement (such as an economic or chemical indicator).