Treasure Island — Vocabulary
Robert Louis Stevenson
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	13	top 500
scarcityshortage There is a scarcity of work in the region.more Show sample from book He did not know, to be sure, that I had overheard his council from the apple barrel, and yet I had by this time taken such a horror of his cruelty, duplicity, and power that I could scarce conceal a shudder when he laid his hand upon my arm.†12 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)
	1	top 10
contrastpoint to differences between Contrast winter in Panama with winter in Alaska.more Show sample from book Silver himself appeared less terrible in contrast with this creature of the woods, and I turned on my heel, and looking sharply behind me over my shoulder, began to retrace my steps in the direction of the boats.4 more contrast → in contrast:in a comparison that shows differences Show general definition for contrast (as in: contrast their writing styles) point to differences between; or compare to show differences
	4	top 10
contrast#2notable difference The contrast in their leadership styles is striking. Olivia motivated people with fear. Isabella motivated them with praise.more Show sample from book On the other side of the house an immense fire had burned itself into clear embers and shed a steady, red reverberation, contrasted strongly with the mellow paleness of the moon.†4 more contrast → contrasted:differed Show general definition for contrast (as in: there is a contrast) a difference -- especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
	10	top 1000
ebbebb → ebbed:gradually declined The patient's strength ebbed away.more Show sample from book By this time the tide was beginning to ebb, and the ship was swinging round to her anchor.9 more gradually fall Show general definition decline -- typically gradually as with the height of the tide
	8	top 2000
blanddull (lacking flavor) While adequate nutritiously, her diet is bland.more Show sample from book I got her through my old friend, Blandly, who has proved himself throughout the most surprising trump.†7 more bland → blandly:in a manner that is dull or uninteresting Show general definition dull or lacking stimulating characteristics -- especially in the flavor of food
	4	top 100
varybe different Your mileage may vary.more Show sample from book There was a date at one end of the line and at the other a sum of money, as in common account-books, but instead of explanatory writing, only a varying number of crosses between the two.†3 more vary → varying:differing; or changing Show general definition to be different, or to change Show editor's word notes Vary is often used to describe small differences or changes--especially about things of the same type. It would be more common to say "The weight of full-grown elephants varies depending upon diet and other factors," than to say "The weight of elephants varies from that of mice."
	5	top 1000
pioushighly religious The cartoon with a drawing of Muhammad outraged many pious Muslims.more Show sample from book I've thought it all out in this here lonely island, and I'm back on piety. ... I'm bound I'll be good, and I see the way to.4 more pious → piety:highly moral behavior Show general definition for pious (as in: a good, pious woman) religious or highly moral
	4	top 500
perishbe destroyed or cease to exist ...government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.Abraham Lincoln — Gettysburg Addressmore Show sample from book But good did come of the apple barrel, as you shall hear, for if it had not been for that, we should have had no note of warning and might all have perished by the hand of treachery.†3 more perish → perished:died, was destroyed, or ceased to exist Show general definition to die -- especially in an unnatural way or: to be destroyed or cease to exist Show editor's word notes You may encounter an informal expression, "Perish the thought." It means that the speaker hopes the thought will cease to exist and the thing it represents will never happen.
	5	top 1000
narrativeStory He titled his autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.more Show sample from book 17 Narrative Continued by the Doctor: The Jolly-boat's Last Trip THIS fifth trip was quite different from any of the others.†4 more story Show general definition for narrative (as in: Narrative of the Life of...) a story; or related to a story
	5	top 1000
perilperil → perils:dangers The mountaineers faced many perils on their ascent to the summit, including treacherous icefalls and avalanches.more Show sample from book He himself slept peacefully and snored aloud, yet my heart was sore for him, wicked as he was, to think on the dark perils that environed and the shameful gibbet that awaited him.†4 more Show general definition danger
	4	top 1000
tauttight The string is pulled taut.more Show sample from book The hawser was as taut as a bowstring, and the current so strong she pulled upon her anchor.†3 more pulled or drawn tight; OR subjected to great tension Show general definition pulled or drawn tight; or: subjected to great tension
	5	top 2000
sentryperson standing guard She successfully bluffed her way past the sentry.more Show sample from book We'll have to do sentry-go and ease off a point or so on the rum.†4 more someone who stands guard Show general definition someone who stands guard
	4	top 2000
abominableexceptionally bad She described the abominable treatment of prisoners.more Show sample from book And altogether I paid pretty dear for my monthly fourpenny piece, in the shape of these abominable fancies.†3 more exceptionally bad or detestable Show general definition exceptionally bad or intensely disliked
	6
mutinyrebellion against authority The tank battalion's mutiny was put down.more Show sample from book In other words, you fear a mutiny.†5 more open rebellion against authority Show general definition open rebellion against authority -- especially by seamen or soldiers against their officers
	1	top 2000
vengeancerevenge Most Americans wanted vengeance after the 9-11 attacks.more Show sample from book Soon after, with a drink all round, we lay down to sleep, and the outside of Silver's vengeance was to put George Merry up for sentinel and threaten him with death if he should prove unfaithful.†1 more the act of taking revenge Show general definition for vengeance (as in: vengeance is mine) the act of taking revenge (Revenge means to harm someone to get them back for something harmful that they have done.)
	1
with a vengeancewith intensity I thought I was getting over my cold and went to work, but it came back with a vengeance.more Show sample from book "Drink and the devil had done for the rest," with a vengeance, although, to be sure, we were not quite in so bad a case as that other ship they sang about: With one man of her crew alive, What put to sea with seventy-five.†1 more Show general definition for with a vengeance (as in: with a vengeance) with intensity
	3
scoundrelsomeone without moral principles He's a scoundrel. Don't trust him.more Show sample from book The sums are the scoundrel's share, and where he feared an ambiguity, you see he added something clearer.†2 more Show general definition someone without moral principles
	3
longitudea measure of east/west (relative to the Prime Meridian) on the earth Just put the latitude and longitude into the navigation system and it will tell us how to get there.more Show sample from book In a few cases, to be sure, the name of a place would be added, as "Offe Caraccas," or a mere entry of latitude and longitude, as "62o 17' 20", 19o 2' 40"."†2 more Show general definition a measure of east/west (relative to the Prime Meridian) on the earth Show editor's word notes Lines of longitude are the imaginary lines that run from the North Pole to the South Pole. They are sometimes called meridians. Unlike latitude, which measures north–south, longitude measures how far east or west a place is on Earth. By international agreement, the zero line of longitude (0°) is the prime meridian, which passes through Greenwich, England. Longitudes go up to 180° east and 180° west. Used together with latitude, longitude lets you give an exact position for any point on Earth.
	1	top 200
feasiblepossible or practical Her plan sounds feasible.more Show sample from book Should the scheme he had now sketched prove feasible, Silver, already doubly a traitor, would not hesitate to adopt it.† Show general definition possible or practical
	1	top 500
anecdoteanecdote → anecdotes:short true stories Her autobiography is sprinkled with amusing anecdotes.more Show sample from book On our little walk along the quays, he made himself the most interesting companion, telling me about the different ships that we passed by, their rig, tonnage, and nationality, explaining the work that was going forward—how one was discharging, another taking in cargo, and a third making ready for sea—and every now and then telling me some little anecdote of ships or seamen or repeating a nautical phrase till I had learned it perfectly.† a short story that is true -- often told for amusement or to make a point Show general definition a short story that is true -- often told for amusement or to make a point