Something Wicked This Way Comes — Vocabulary
Ray Bradbury
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	79	top 2000
illustratedraw pictures to accompany I write and illustrate children's books.more Show sample from book There lay dragons slaughtered, towers ruined, monsters from dim ages toppled into rusted coinages pterodactyls smashed like biplanes from old and always meaningless wars, crustacea the color of emeralds abandoned on a white sand shore where the tide of life was going out, all, all the illustrations changing now, shifting, shriveling as the small flesh cooled.78 more illustrate → illustrations:drawings or photographs Show general definition for illustrate (as in: an illustrated children's book) to draw pictures (or provide photographs) to accompany a book or other writing
	9	top 1000
sereneserene → serenely:calmly and peacefully While I lie awake worrying, she sleeps serenely.more Show sample from book Serene, his father said, "Now." And fired the rifle.8 more calm and untroubled Show general definition calm and untroubled
	8	top 1000
writhewrithe → writhed:moved in a twisting or contorted motion The patient writhed in pain.more Show sample from book Will's father noted the muscles cord along the arms, roping and unroping themselves with a writhe like the puff adders and sidewinders doubtless inked and venomous there.7 more twisting or contorted motion Show general definition to move in a twisting or contorted motion -- often of a person when struggling or in pain
	5	top 1000
tumultconfusion or disorder There was tumult in Tijuana as drug cartels fought for control.more Show sample from book ...a juggernaut of thunder wheeled over the stony heavens in a spark-throwing tumult.4 more a situation of noisy confusion & disorder
	6	top 2000
poisecomposure (calm confidence -- even when under pressure) She has great charm and great poise.more Show sample from book There, on the biggest stage, a tattoo needle poised like a blowgun dart in his rose-crusted hand, stood Mr Dark, the Illustrated Man.5 more poise → poised:relaxed and ready for action Show general definition calm, confident, and in control—especially in movement, behavior, or when ready to act
	6	top 2000
savortake pleasure from Savor the soup.more Show sample from book The Witch, mouth wide, savoring doom,5 more savor → savoring:taking great pleasure from Show general definition to take great pleasure from; or the quality enjoyed
	6	top 2000
probeinvestigation There was a congressional probe into the scandal.more Show sample from book Dad probed one with his fingers.5 more probe → probed:investigated Show general definition to investigate closely; or a tool or device used to explore, examine, or gather information
	5	top 2000
grotesquedistorted or ugly She was wearing a grotesque mask that was quite disturbing.more Show sample from book And between the tents, ahead, in transit, they saw a grotesque parade.4 more distorted and unnatural Show general definition distorted and unnatural in shape or size -- especially in a disturbing way or: ugly, gross, or very wrong
	5	top 2000
twilightthe light from the sky in the time of day between daylight and darkness (just after sunset or just before sunrise) It is a beautiful picture taken in twilight.more Show sample from book ...and the sky's orange and ash grey at twilight,4 more the time of day between daylight and darkness Show general definition for twilight (as in: pink clouds in a twilight sky) the time of day between daylight and darkness (just after sunset or just before sunrise); or the light from the sky at that time
	5	top 2000
stallionstallion → stallions:a male horse that has not been castrated Breeders carefully select stallions with excellent lineage to improve the bloodline of their horses.more Show sample from book He swung astride a plum-dusk stallion.†4 more a male horse that has not been castrated (gelded) Show general definition a male horse that has not been castrated (gelded) -- especially one used for breeding purposes
	3	top 500
teemare full (with many) The tide pools teem with tiny, fascinating creatures.more Show sample from book The dust was antique spice, burnt maple leaves, a prickling blue that teemed and sifted to earth.†2 more teem → teemed:was filled (had many) Show general definition have a large number of things -- especially things that are moving
	4	top 1000
clamorloud noise and/or persistent demands She ignored the clamor of the crowd.more Show sample from book Will fell after and they both stood, clamorous with alarms, shaken by concussions of silent pantomime, blasted by events all the more numbing because they ran off into the night unknown.†3 more clamor → clamorous:loud noise and/or persistent demands -- especially from human voice Show general definition loud noise and/or persistent demands -- especially from human voice
	4	top 2000
tremulousquivering (shaky) She spoke timidly in a tremulous voice.more Show sample from book Now, tremulously, experimentally, daring to test, the Witch inhaled.3 more tremulous → tremulously:with quivering (shakiness) Show general definition quivering (unsteady or shaky) -- usually from weakness or fear -- especially of the voice
	4	top 1000
revelationsomething surprising and previously unknown It was a revelation to me. Until they gave us those tests, I had no idea that I was better than most people at clerical accuracy.more Show sample from book It was the possible bitterness of revelation.3 more something previously unknown; or making such a thing known Show general definition something that was previously unknown (and typically surprising); or making such a thing known
	8
guillotinea device used to behead people During the French Revolution, the guillotine was used as a method of execution for those who were condemned to death.more Show sample from book THE DEMON GUILLOTINE!†7 more a device used to behead people (most associated with the French Revolution)… Show general definition a device used to behead people (most associated with the French Revolution); or executing someone in such a manner Show editor's word notes A guillotine consists of a weighted blade that falls downward between two vertical poles.
	5	top 2000
gesticulategesticulate → gesticulations:gestures (hand or body movements) made while speaking or to express something The moderator turned her microphone off, leaving us to see her gesticulations, but not hear her words.more Show sample from book The plump fingers of the child gesticulated through the grille.4 more gesticulate → gesticulated:moved to express something Show general definition to make gestures (hand or body movements) while speaking or to express something
	3
menageriecollection of animals The traveling circus included a menagerie of lions, tigers, and exotic birds.more Show sample from book A menagerie!†2 more a collection of wild or unusual animals kept for exhibition… Show general definition a collection of wild or unusual animals kept for exhibition; or more generally, a diverse or strange mixture of people or things
	3
whetincreased The appetizer whet our appetite for what was to come.†more Show sample from book When their faces turned, Mr Cooger inside the nephew went silently blinkclick, blink-click, listening through the toy ears, watching through the toy-charm eyes, whetting the doll's mouth with a Pekingese tongue.†2 more whet → whetting:to increase a sense or desire; OR to sharpen a knife or other cutting edge Show general definition to increase a sense or desire or: to sharpen a knife or other cutting edge
	1	top 500
rancorfeelings of deep and bitter anger or hatred She made the suggestion to reduce the partisan rancor.†more Show sample from book the vital stuffs of their mortal greed, rancor, and poisonous guilt, deep and bitter anger or hatred Show general definition deep and bitter anger or hatred -- especially when long-standing
	1	top 500
copiousa lot of She took copious notes.†more Show sample from book Calmly, Jim put a fist into his copious and richly treasured pockets, rummaged, and held out his hand. large Show general definition abundant (large in quantity or number)