The Martian Chronicles — Vocabulary
Ray Bradbury
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	9	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 The Leader stood before Sam and Elma, his mask beaten of polished bronze,10 more made of a type of high-quality 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.
	2
bronze#2reddish-brown or yellowish-brown He was attracted by her shining bronze hair.more Show sample from book The little town was full of people drifting in and out of doors, saying hello to one another, wearing golden masks and blue masks and crimson masks for pleasant variety, masks with silver lips and bronze eyebrows, masks that smiled or masks that frowned, according to the owners' dispositions.10 more a brownish color (like the metal of the same name) Show general definition for bronze (as in: a bronze tan) a reddish-brown or yellowish-brown color like that of one of the metals with the same name -- often used to refer to a suntan or a dark glowing complexion
	1	top 100
evolveevolve → evolved:gradually developed Large brick-size phones that could only send and receive calls, evolved into today's smartphones.more Show sample from book Do you think that the civilizations of two planets can progress at the same rate and evolve in the same way, Hinkston?1 more develop Show general definition for evolve (as in: the policy evolved) to develop (gradually come to exist or change)
	1	top 2000
evolve#2evolve → evolved:changed through evolution Different mutations had occurred in the isolated populations that evolved on different islands.more Show sample from book Think of the thousands of years it takes to evolve plants.1 more gradually develop a new species through evolution Show general definition for evolve (as in: evolved through natural selection) genetic change of a species over a long period of time through evolution
	8	top 2000
proprietorowner The proprietor of the bookstore greeted each customer warmly and offered personalized recommendations based on their interests.more Show sample from book November 2005: THE LUGGAGE STORE It was a very remote thing, when the luggage-store proprietor heard the news on the night radio, received all the way from Earth on a light-sound beam.†7 more the owner of a business Show general definition the owner of a business
	4	top 100
neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas) The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more Show sample from book But it's chicken pox, nevertheless.†3 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.
	6	top 2000
inquireask about or look into Students should contact our office to inquire about scholarship opportunities.more Show sample from book "And these Martians are a found people?" inquired the captain.5 more inquire → inquired:asked about or looked into Show general definition to ask about or look into something
	6	top 2000
psychoticsomeone who suffers from a psychosis (any severe mental disorder in which contact with reality is lost or highly distorted) She is borderline psychotic.more Show sample from book First a mild neurosis about it, then a full-fledged psychosis.†5 more psychotic → psychosis:any severe mental disorder in which contact with reality is lost or highly distorted Show general definition related to psychosis or someone who suffers from a psychosis (any severe mental disorder in which contact with reality is lost or highly distorted)
	4	top 1000
incredulousdifficult to believe I find it incredulous that you believe she is sincere.more Show sample from book a modern, incredulous world3 more unbelieving Show general definition unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected
	5	top 1000
dwindlegradually decrease As the night wore on, the crowd at the concert began to dwindle.more Show sample from book They dwindled down to a couple in the last few years.4 more dwindle → dwindled:decreased Show general definition to gradually become smaller, fewer, or weaker
	3	top 200
eminentrespected and well-known She studied under an eminent scientist who had won multiple international awards.more Show sample from book What eminent sociologists!2 more respected and famous or important Show general definition famous, respected, or important within a particular field or profession
	4	top 1000
sereneserene → serenely:calmly and peacefully While I lie awake worrying, she sleeps serenely.more Show sample from book ...musicians made a serene music flow up like blossom scent on the still air.3 more calm and untroubled Show general definition calm and untroubled
	4	top 1000
bewilderconfuse Some of their customs can bewilder travelers.more Show sample from book The man was still there, trying to smile, looking bewildered.3 more bewilder → bewildered:confused Show general definition to confuse someone
	3	top 1000
continuousconstant (uninterrupted) The national power grid is under almost continuous attack.more Show sample from book A robin sat on a blossoming apple tree and sang continuously.†2 more continuous → continuously:continuing in time or space without interruption or irregularity Show general definition continuing in time or space without interruption or irregularity
	11
telepathycommunication from one mind to another without using the known senses My dog is so good at knowing what I'm thinking, you'd think she had canine telepathy.more Show sample from book Telepathy, I suppose.†10 more Show general definition communication from one mind to another without using the known senses (often used in fiction but not scientifically supported as real)
	4
sensualrelating to pleasing the body's senses The novel described the scene with sensual detail, focusing on textures and scents.more Show sample from book This is the most incredible example of sensual hallucination and hypnotic suggestion I've ever encountered.†3 more Show general definition relating to pleasing the body's senses (in contrast to the intellect)
	3
meteormeteor → meteors:a streak of light in the night sky that results from a space rock burning in the earth's atmosphere Most meteors come from rocks that are about the size of a pebble.more Show sample from book Tonight we should be glad we got across all that space without getting a meteor in our bulkhead or having one man of us die.†2 more a streak of light in the sky caused by a small space rock burning up in Earth’s atmosphere Show general definition a streak of light in the sky caused by a small space rock (a meteoroid) burning up in Earth’s atmosphere
	2	top 2000
blasphemydisrespect of something considered sacred The government of the Muslim nation monitors major websites for blasphemy.more Show sample from book It verges on--blasphemy.1 more disrespectful of something considered sacred Show general definition something said or done that is disrespectful of something considered sacred -- especially God or religion
	2
censusan official count of a population The U.S. Constitution requires a census every ten years to determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives.more Show sample from book Are you census takers?†1 more Show general definition an official count of a population (often accompanied by collection of other data)
	2
persistencecontinuing effort despite difficulties She hasn't succeeded yet, but I admire her persistence.more Show sample from book Hallucinations with time and spatial persistence!†1 more continuing or repeating behavior Show general definition continuing or repeating behavior -- especially in spite of difficulties or: continuing or prolonged existence of something