"Simon's Saga," Vocabulary from Episode 32

Philip Geer's "Simon's Saga" includes 820 SAT-level words and gives students an entertaining glimpse into college life.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5, Episode 6, Episode 7, Episode 8, Episode 9, Episode 10, Episode 11, Episode 12, Episode 13, Episode 14, Episode 15, Episode 16, Episode 17, Episode 18, Episode 19, Episode 20, Episode 21, Episode 22, Episode 23, Episode 24, Episode 25, Episode 26, Episode 27, Episode 28, Episode 29, Episode 30, Episode 31, Episode 32, Episode 33, Episode 34, Episode 35, Episode 36, Episode 37
30 words 300 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. implication
    something that is inferred
    That means the laws of the universe are not immutable, but changing over time. The implications are quite astounding, really.
  2. terminology
    a system of words used to name things in a discipline
    Listen, if you want this in “dude” terminology I can’t go into higher mathematics and the more recondite ramifications of the discovery. The best way to put it is to say that at a deeper level it’s all the same.
  3. distinctive
    of a feature that helps to identify a person or thing
    “So, now imagine there are other places that are vibrating at a different sort of rate. These places—let’s call them planes—each would probably have its own distinctive appearance and so forth, right?”
  4. protruding
    extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary
    Angels and other spirits, ghosts, even UFOs, could be things on other planes that are kind of protruding from their own plane, poking a bit into ours.
  5. entity
    that which is perceived to have its own distinct existence
    I told you before about the evidence that some extraterrestrial entity has been contacting people using telepathy.
  6. causality
    the relation between reasons and effects
    I know the evidence is that telepathy transcends the laws of causality, as well as our ideas of space and time.
  7. presumption
    a premise that is taken for granted
    But I’ve been working on the presumption that these guys are in our universe, not some hypothetical other plane.
  8. conceivable
    capable of being imagined
    “But if ESP is independent of space and time, it’s conceivable that this communication could be from one of these planes,” Simon said.
  9. conclusive
    forming a decisive end or resolution
    On the other hand, the evidence for telepathy is conclusive.
  10. posit
    take as a given; assume as a postulate or axiom
    So why posit the existence of these planes when you’re trying to explain telepathy?
  11. insuperable
    incapable of being surpassed or excelled
    I mean, if different laws control each plane, you would think that a traveler would face some pretty insuperable difficulties.
  12. linear
    involving a single dimension
    Maybe it flows in a different direction on each plane. Or, maybe instead of being linear, it’s circular.
  13. viable
    capable of being done with means at hand
    “It just doesn’t seem to be a viable way to travel.”
  14. fabricate
    put together out of artificial or natural components
    “But is it at least conceivable that some sort of way to protect a traveler could be fabricated?”
  15. mitigate
    lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
    “there would have to be some way to counteract the disparities between his world and the one he’s visiting. Or some way to at least mitigate the effects.”
  16. feasible
    capable of being done with means at hand
    “Let’s say that it’s possible. But even if it’s feasible, how could he interact with the environment around this capsule?”
  17. impermeable
    preventing especially liquids to pass or diffuse through
    Sort of like a plastic bubble around him that’s impermeable to things that would harm him but would allow in certain things. He could see and perceive—maybe not perfectly, but well enough—and he would be protected.
  18. psychiatrist
    a specialist in the treatment of mental disorders
    The famous psychiatrist Carl Jung thought that UFOs might be creations of the human psyche, something we create because we live in this extremely rational world to fulfill our need for the magical, the nonrational.
  19. psyche
    that which is responsible for one's thoughts and feelings
    The famous psychiatrist Carl Jung thought that UFOs might be creations of the human psyche, something we create because we live in this extremely rational world to fulfill our need for the magical, the nonrational.
  20. exude
    make apparent by one's mood or behavior
    He exuded absolute confidence and control.
  21. enrapture
    hold spellbound
    And Xela was gazing back at Axel, completely enraptured.
  22. indelible
    not able to be forgotten, removed, or erased
    Simon had seen Xela smile quite a few times, and each one was etched indelibly in his memory.
  23. cherub
    an angel portrayed as a winged child
    It was the smile of a cherub before the Almighty.
  24. detachment
    lack of emotion or interest
    And Axel seemed huge, a towering figure surveying his kingdom with godlike detachment.
  25. timorous
    shy and fearful by nature
    What had happened to Axel, the timorous little boy?
  26. impervious
    not admitting of passage or capable of being affected
    It was as though some virtually impervious protective layer had been removed from him and she was seeing him for the first time as he really was.
  27. emanate
    proceed or issue forth, as from a source
    Rays of joy seemed to be emanating from her, like some powerful cosmic phenomenon.
  28. cosmic
    pertaining to or characteristic of the universe
    Rays of joy seemed to be emanating from her, like some powerful cosmic phenomenon.
  29. ineffable
    defying expression or description
    Ineffable joy.
  30. sagacious
    acutely insightful and wise
    It was a voice that sounded almost infinitely old and sagacious.
Created on Tue Aug 19 09:03:00 EDT 2014 (updated Tue Aug 19 17:10:42 EDT 2014)

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