Ender's Game reading comprehension vocabulary set.
utterly hopeless, miserable, despicable or wretched. Example: He lives in abject poverty.
agreement without protest
excessive praise or admiration
percent of solar radiation reflected by a surface
use of the same consonant at the beginning of each stressed syllable in a line of verse. Example: Around the rock the ragged rascal ran.
total destruction. Example: Bomb tests resulted in the annihilation of the city.
an absence of emotion or enthusiasm
requiring secret or mysterious knowledge. Example: The arcane science of dowsing.
antiquated, from an earlier time; outdated
practicing great self-denial. Example: "Be systematically ascetic...do...something for no other reason than that you would rather not do it"- William James; "a desert nomad's austere life"; "a spartan diet"; "a spartan existence"
To navigate in outer space.
a wearing down to weaken or destroy. Example: "a war of attrition".
self-government, political control
to feel or express sympathy or compassion
the humane quality of understanding the suffering of others and wanting to do something about it
lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike. Example: "he was held in contempt"; "the despite in which outsiders were held is legendary"
establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts. Example: "his story confirmed my doubts"; "The evidence supports the defendant or the evidence corroborates the defendant."
a trial that is conducted by a military court
A leader who exploits popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power
expression of strong disapproval made openly or publicly.
abusing vocally. Example: expressing contempt or ridicule; "derisive laughter"; "a jeering crowd"; "her mocking smile"; "taunting shouts of 'coward' and 'sissy'"
dried up, dehydrated
a steerable self-propelled airship
Lacking in candor, giving false appearance of simple frankness. Not genuine.
understanding and entering into another's feelings
straying from the right course or from accepted standards. Example: "errant youngsters"
causing great pain or anguish; agonizing; unbearably painful
made joyful. Example: "the sun and the wind on his back made him feel exhilarated--happy to be alive"
urgent situations, pressing needs
partially excusing or justifying. Example: "extenuating circumstances"
coming from the outside. Example: "extraneous light in the camera spoiled the photograph"; "relying upon an extraneous income"; "disdaining outside pressure groups"
(v.) to free from entanglements or difficulties; to remove with effort. Example: "I cannot extricate myself from this task"
giving and careful attention to detail. Example: hard to please; excessively concerned with cleanliness; "a fastidious and incisive intellect"; "fastidious about personal cleanliness"
any distracting or deceptive maneuver (as a mock attack)
an official order
a fleet of small craft
the domination of one state over its allies
(Middle Ages) a person who is bound to the land and owned by the feudal lord
remaining in place
having or revealing little emotion or sensibility. Example: "deadpan humor"; "his face remained expressionless as the verdict was read"
perform without preparation. Example: do with whatever is at hand; "after the hurricane destroyed our house, we had to improvise for weeks"
(adj., adv.) in a disguised state, under an assumed name or identity; (n.) the state of being disguised; a person in disguise.
not disposed or willing to believe. Example: unbelieving
unskillfulness resulting from a lack of training
incapable of being understood; impossible to see through physically
not submissive to authority. Example: "a history of insubordinate behavior"; "insubordinate boys"
an educated and intellectual elite
abusive or venomous language used to express blame or censure or bitter deep-seated ill will
an itinerant laborer who works for a short time in various places
the region of the shore of a lake or sea or ocean
not adroit. Example: "a maladroit movement of his hand caused the car to swerve"; "a maladroit translation"; "maladroit propaganda"
wishing or appearing to wish evil to others. Example: arising from intense ill will or hatred; "a gossipy malevolent old woman"; "failure made him malevolent toward those who were successful"
a person who dies for a cause
(n.) a delusion marked by a feeling of power, wealth, talent, etc., far in excess of reality
act of making fun of someone or something
the trait of neglecting responsibilities and lacking concern
indifference; lack of concern; composure
total forgetfulness. Example: "he sought the great oblivion of sleep"
best; most favorable; ideal
intended to attract notice and impress others. Example: "an ostentatious sable coat"
remove and replace. Example: "The word processor has ousted the typewriter"
to cause (a liquid) to pass through a porous body; filter
on or near an edge or constituting an outer boundary. Example: the outer area; "Russia's peripheral provinces"; "peripheral suburbs"
peevish, annoyed by trifles, easily irritated and upset
done before others can act
render helpless or defenseless. Example: "They prostrated the enemy"
a secret agent who incites suspected persons to commit illegal acts
a fictitious name used by an author; a pen name
an insect in the inactive stage of development (when it is not feeding) intermediate between larva and adult
a retaliatory action against an enemy in wartime
seizing property that belongs to someone else and holding it until profits pay the demand for which it was seized
a gaping grin or grimace
Get pleasure from inflicting pain
a minor short-term fight
a situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible. Example: "reached an impasse on the negotiations"
Subordinate in capacity or role; submissively obedient; serving to promote some end
a person who is skilled at planning tactics
unscrupulous; shockingly unfair or unjust
not holding back
a reeling sensation. Example: feeling about to fall