The Time Machine — Vocabulary
H. G. Wells
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	19	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 It was, as I think I have said, of bronze.18 more a brownish 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.
	9	top 100
conveycommunicate or express She dresses to convey a sense of a successful, no-nonsense woman.more Show sample from book I had some considerable difficulty in conveying my meaning.8 more convey → conveying:expressing
	9	top 500
abundantpresent in great quantity Farmers in the region enjoy good soil, moderate temperatures, and an abundant supply of water.more Show sample from book I hesitated, and then, as I looked round me, I saw that the dust was less abundant and its surface less even.8 more Show general definition present in great quantity
	7	top 500
profoundintense (of great emotional depth) Her apology was heartfelt--expressing profound sorrow and regret.more Show sample from book a profound sense of desertion and despair6 more intense Show general definition for profound (as in: profound sadness) of greatest intensity or emotional depth
	5	top 100
neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas) The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more Show sample from book Nevertheless, the general effect was extremely rich and picturesque.†4 more Show general definition despite that Show editor's word notes Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 was just stated, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrast and but.
	5	top 200
plausiblesounding reasonable She offered a plausible excuse.more Show sample from book The notion was so plausible that I at once accepted it, and went on to assume the how of this splitting of the human species.†4 more apparently reasonable, but unproven Show general definition apparently reasonable, but unproven
	5	top 500
resolveresolve → resolved:decided This year I resolved to lose a pound a week for 5 weeks.more Show sample from book Weena I had resolved to bring with me to our own time.4 more resolve → resolved:definitely decided Show general definition for resolve (as in: I resolved to stop drinking.) to decide -- typically a firm or formal decision Show editor's word notes In modern writing resolve is typically used to emphasize a firm or formal decision. In classic literature, it is used more frequently and often simply replaces decide or determine.
	5	top 500
paradoxsomething that seems contradictory but is true It’s a paradox that the more we learn, the more we realize how little we know.more Show sample from book the 'ingenious paradox and trick' we had witnessed that day week4 more a situation that is surprising or seems impossible because parts of it seem to contradict each other Show general definition a situation or statement that seems to contradict itself but may still be true
	6	top 1000
speciesa group of similar animals or plants It is an endangered species.more Show sample from book Plainly, this second species of Man was subterranean.†5 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
	5	top 1000
speculatespeculate → speculated:thought and guessed without certainty Philosophers have speculated on the question for thousands of years.more Show sample from book There was some speculation at the dinner-table about the Time Traveller's absence, and I suggested time travelling, in a half-jocular spirit.4 more speculate → speculation:thought or theorizing Show general definition for speculate (as in: don't know, but I'll speculate) to think about, wonder, guess or theorize with much uncertainty
	4	top 500
attaingain or reach something with effort She was the first woman to attain the rank of general.more Show sample from book The ideal of preventive medicine was attained.†3 more attain → attained:gained or reached something with effort Show general definition to gain or reach something with effort
	4	top 500
scarcityshortage There is a scarcity of work in the region.more Show sample from book At first I scarce thought of stopping, scarce thought of anything but these new sensations.†3 more scarcity → scarce:in short supply OR barely or hardly (by a small margin) Show general definition shortage (having an amount that is less than desired)
	2	top 1000
discordconflict There is too much discord in the team.more Show sample from book I, for my own part, cannot think that these latter days of weak experiment, fragmentary theory, and mutual discord are indeed man's culminating time!2 more disagreement Show general definition for discord (as in: discord amongst the group) conflict or disagreement -- especially among those expected to cooperate or (especially in the form discordant): seeming different or wrong in context
	1	top 1000
discord#2discord → discordant:unpleasant sounding She described the loud discordant music as a form of torture.more Show sample from book I shivered violently, and shouted again--rather discordantly.2 more discord → discordantly:unpleasantly (with a harsh sound) Show general definition for discord (as in: discordant music) unpleasant sound -- especially a combination of sounds that sound wrong together (though sometimes done intentionally in music)
	2	top 10
inferfigure out or guess by reasoning Which of the following facts can you infer from the first paragraph?more Show sample from book It took no very great mental effort to infer that my Time Machine was inside that pedestal.†1 more conclude or guess by reasoning Show general definition to figure out or guess by reasoning
	3	top 200
fluctuatealternately increase and decrease in quantity "I'm not overweight. I fluctuate between chubby and curvy."more Show sample from book What strange developments of humanity, what wonderful advances upon our rudimentary civilization, I thought, might not appear when I came to look nearly into the dim elusive world that raced and fluctuated before my eyes!†2 more fluctuate → fluctuated:alternately increased and decreased in quantity Show general definition to alternately increase and decrease in quantity
	2	top 500
anecdoteanecdote → anecdotes:short true stories Her autobiography is sprinkled with amusing anecdotes.more Show sample from book The Journalist tried to relieve the tension by telling anecdotes of Hettie Potter.†1 more anecdote → anecdotes:short, true stories Show general definition a short story that is true -- often told for amusement or to make a point
	2	top 1000
utopiautopia → utopian:of an imaginary place considered to be perfect or ideal They were the impractical utopian dreams of youth.more Show sample from book I had no convenient cicerone in the pattern of the Utopian books.†1 more utopia → utopian:related to an imaginary place thought to be perfect or ideal Show general definition an imaginary place considered to be perfect or ideal
	1	top 500
obscureobscure → obscured:hidden or made less visible The stars are obscured by the clouds.more Show sample from book At last, more than thirty million years hence, the huge red-hot dome of the sun had come to obscure nearly a tenth part of the darkling heavens.3 more block from view 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."
	3
obscure#2dark or dingy The once shiny silver was now tarnished and obscure.more Show sample from book In another moment the pale stars alone were visible. All else was rayless obscurity. The sky was absolutely black.3 more obscure → obscurity:darkness Show general definition for obscure (as in: was obscure, but now bright) dark or dingy; or inconspicuous (not very noticeable) Show editor's word notes This meaning of obscure is more commonly seen in classic literature than in modern writing.