The Three-Body Problem — Vocabulary
Cixin Liu
translated by Ken Liu
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	22	top 100
focusconcentrate I find that studying in the library helps me to focus.more Show sample from book She did not look over the sea of clouds as the others were doing, but focused her gaze in one direction.p.390.526 more focus → focused:concentrated Show general definition for focus (as in: Turn your focus to question #2.) to direct attention or effort toward a single thing; or the ability to do so without getting distracted
	5	top 100
focus#2area where attention is concentrated Since we're running out of time, let's narrow our focus to just what needs to be done tomorrow.more Show sample from book Students with children of their own appeared on college campuses; bookstores sold out of famous literary works; technological innovation became the focus in factories; and scientific research now enjoyed a sacred halo.p.296.826 more where attention is concentrated Show general definition for focus (as in: The focus of our study is...) where attention is concentrated or directed
	49	top 2000
pendulumshifting weight (of opinion) Now the pendulum has swung the other direction and voters are demanding change.more Show sample from book The pendulum had long stopped, and the weight hung still like a solid rock between the tall pillars.†p.362.648 more something that swings or shifts back and forth between two positions Show general definition something that swings or shifts back and forth between two positions -- often seen in a swinging weight or in changing opinions
	38	top 2000
physicsthe science of matter and energy In physics class, we learned how gravity affects falling objects.more Show sample from book We've discovered a great principle of nature: The laws of physics are invariant across space and time.†p.69.937 more Show general definition the science of matter and energy and their interactions
	26	top 500
componentcomponent → components:parts It has only three major components.†more Show sample from book A broken component flew out of the hole and fell into the water, causing a large column of water to shoot up.†p.344.125 more a self-contained part of something that when combined with other parts makes som… Show general definition a self-contained part of something that when combined with other parts makes something that is larger or more complex
	29	top 2000
dehydrateddried out (didn't have enough water in the body) I didn't drink enough water while hiking and became dehydrated.more Show sample from book Even plants had instinctively dehydrated and turned into lifeless bundles of dry fiber lying against the ground.†p.348.128 more suffering from excessive loss of water from the body… Show general definition suffering from excessive loss of water from the body or: dried and/or preserved by removing natural moisture
	20	top 1000
nucleusthe center (in this case, key central members) They have the nucleus of a good team.†more Show sample from book These two hydrogen nuclei, or protons, arrived at the solar system two years ago, then reached the Earth.p.326.819 more nucleus → nuclei:centers of atoms Show general definition the center (or most important part) of something such as: in physics: the center of an atom where protons & neutrons are found in biology: the center of a cell where DNA is found in sociology: the closest family (mother/father/children in contrast to the extended family)
	23	top 1000
speciesa group of similar animals or plants It is an endangered species.more Show sample from book Indeed, Pan-Species Communism is a natural continuation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.†p.307.922 more a similar group of animals or plants Show general definition a group of animals or plants that are similar -- typically identified as belonging to the same group when they are of a kind that can reproduce new members of the group together
	14	top 100
omitomit → omitted:left out She recounted the whole story except that she omitted names.more Show sample from book Because a test transmission omitted many operational steps, only Ye and five others were present.p.265.213 more omit → omitted:excluded Show general definition to exclude or neglect something
	14	top 200
fluctuatealternately increase and decrease in quantity "I'm not overweight. I fluctuate between chubby and curvy."more Show sample from book Sometimes, during one of the sudden fluctuations in solar radiation, the surface of the sun was calm.†p.259.313 more fluctuate → fluctuations:to alternately increase and decrease in quantity Show general definition to alternately increase and decrease in quantity
	16	top 1000
factionfaction → factions:sub-groups It was a fight between the moderate and progressive factions of the Democratic Party.more Show sample from book These were the enemies of every faction, and they had no choice but to endure cruel attacks from every side.†p.12.115 more sub-group Show general definition a sub-group with some interests not shared by the entire group
	8	top 100
phenomenonsomething that is of special interest It is a growing social phenomenon on high school campuses.more Show sample from book I have one last question: Do you know of any physical phenomenon that can operate from a distance and make people see visions?†p.88.17 more something that exists or happened -- often of special interest Show general definition something that exists or happened -- especially something of special interest -- sometimes someone or something that is extraordinary Show editor's word notes "Phenomenons" and "phenomena" are both appropriate plural forms of this noun. "Phenomena" is generally used in scientific or philosophical contexts.
	7	top 100
hypothesisa seemingly reasonable, but unproven, idea The study will test the hypothesis that a good marriage is more important than a higher income when measuring happiness.more Show sample from book But there was a more direct way to prove the hypothesis: Red Coast itself could transmit radio waves directly at the sun at a power level exceeding the threshold value.p.263.66 more a seemingly reasonable, but unproven, idea or explanation Show general definition for hypothesis (as in: a study to test her hypothesis) a seemingly reasonable, but unproven idea or explanation based upon known facts Show editor's word notes In casual conversation, theory is a synonym for hypothesis, but a scientist would say that a hypothesis needs to pass rigorous tests before it could be accepted as a theory.
	15
speed of lightabout 186,000 miles per second Light does not travel at the speed of light unless it is in a vacuum. It travels more slowly through air, water, or fiber optic cables.more Show sample from book Outside this context, even backward human beings are capable of accelerating certain objects to close to the speed of light.†p.326.514 more about 186,000 miles per second (or 300,000,000 meters per second) in a vacuum Show general definition about 186,000 miles per second (or 300,000,000 meters per second) in a vacuum
	2	top 200
functionwork or operate I don't function well on less than six hours of sleep a night; and I do best on nine.more Show sample from book After careful examination of both eyes, the doctor told him they were functioning normally with no signs of any disease.p.86.83 more function → functioning:working Show general definition for function (as in: can't function well without sleep) work or operate -- sometimes to work or operate normally or in a particular way
	2
function#2formula (a mathematical expression that describe a relationship between variables) What is the function to calculate how much carpet is required to cover a rectangular room of a given length and width?more Show sample from book This explanation posits that external observation leads to the collapse of the quantum wave function.p.17.63 more mathematical expression that describe a relationship between variables Show general definition for function (as in: a mathematical function) a formula or mathematical expression that describes a relationship between variables
	11
quantumtiny, indivisible packet of energy or matter An atom can only absorb or release energy in fixed quantum jumps, not in smooth amounts.more Show sample from book This explanation posits that external observation leads to the collapse of the quantum wave function.†p.17.510 more Show general definition smallest “packet” or chunk of energy or matter that something can have in modern physics Show editor's word notes In quantum physics, energy and matter don't flow smoothly like water but come in tiny, indivisible chunks called quanta. An object can only gain or lose energy in specific amounts—just enough to jump from one allowed energy level to another. During a "quantum jump," the object doesn't gradually move between levels; it simply vanishes from one level and appears at another, as if teleporting. Science has revealed that the universe behaves very differently at extreme scales than it does in our everyday lives. At incredibly small scales (atoms and smaller), quantum physics rules. At incredibly large scales (planets, stars, and galaxies) or extreme speeds, Einstein's theories of special and general relativity take over.
	8
algorithmprecise instructions specifying how to solve some problem We wrote a computer algorithm to find words that would interest you.more Show sample from book The distinguishing feature of this algorithm is that it requires ultralarge amounts of computing power.†p.195.67 more Show general definition precise instructions specifying how to solve some problem
	5	top 2000
apexthe highest point It was written during the apex of Roman power, wealth, and stability.more Show sample from book But next to it, there was now a staircase carved into the pyramid leading all the way to the apex.p.140.14 more highest point Show general definition the highest point or most important level of something
	5
reconnaissancegathering information The scouts conducted a reconnaissance of the area before the main troops moved in.more Show sample from book More than thirty years ago, my reconnaissance squad managed to sneak dozens of kilometers behind Vietnamese lines and capture a hydroelectric station under heavy guard.†p.334.94 more the act of exploring or information produced by such exploration Show general definition the act of exploring or information produced by such exploration -- especially for military purposes