The Gunslinger — Vocabulary
Stephen King
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	7	top 2000
prophecyprediction of the future The prophecy came true.more Show sample from book How well you fulfill the prophecies of old!†6 more prophecy → prophecies:predictions of the future Show general definition a prediction of the future (usually said to be obtained in a supernatural way)
	4	top 200
coherentsensible and clear She presented a compelling and coherent plan.more Show sample from book The gunslinger felt no urge to think coherently, or to plan.†3 more coherent → coherently:in a sensible and clear manner; or in a manner where parts fit together consistently or pleasingly Show general definition sensible and clear; or describing parts as fitting together in a consistent or pleasing manner
	4	top 1000
distortalter in an unnatural or untrue way These sunglasses distort my vision.more Show sample from book Her voice, warped and distorted, cut through the babble like a dull ax through a calf's brain.†3 more distort → distorted:altered in an unnatural or untrue way Show general definition to alter something in an unnatural or untrue way
	5	top 1000
writhewrithe → writhed:moved in a twisting or contorted motion The patient writhed in pain.more Show sample from book The Interloper who came to Eve as a snake on its belly, grinning and writhing.†4 more writhe → writhing:moving in a twisting or contorted motion Show general definition to move in a twisting or contorted motion -- often of a person when struggling or in pain
	4	top 1000
loathehate I make New Year's resolutions every year and then loathe myself for breaking them.more Show sample from book She felt a trembling loathing spring up in her, but the warmth still radiated from her belly.†3 more loathe → loathing:disgust or intense dislike Show general definition hate, detest, or intensely dislike Show editor's word notes Word Confusion: Do not confuse loathe with loath which sounds very similar or the same. Loathe is a verb while loath is an adjective describing "reluctance or unwillingness to do something." Note that loathing and loathsome are forms of the verb loathe even though both word forms lack the "e". Occasionally, you will see loath spelled as loathe even in a published book, but it is rare enough that it is generally considered an error rather than a non-standard spelling.
	2	top 100
adaptadapt → adapted:changed (to fit this situation) Ideas contained in passages for this test, some of which are excerpted or adapted from published material, do not necessarily represent the opinions of the College Board.more Show sample from book The light grew stronger, hurting their eyes a little, but growing slowly enough to allow them to adapt.†1 more change to fit a different situation; or make suitable Show general definition for adapt (as in: adapted to the new rules) changed to fit a different situation; or made suitable
	3	top 500
perpetualcontinuing forever A perpetual flame burns beside the grave of John F. Kennedy.more Show sample from book Far away, through the gash that led the way into the mountains, he heard the thick mouth of the perpetual thunder.†2 more continuing forever without change; OR occurring so frequently it seems constant Show general definition continuing forever without change; or occurring so frequently it seems constant
	5	top 2000
blanddull (lacking flavor) While adequate nutritiously, her diet is bland.more Show sample from book Their faces were zealously blank, their eyes filled with bland fire.†4 more dull or lacking stimulating characteristics -- especially in the flavor of food Show general definition dull or lacking stimulating characteristics -- especially in the flavor of food
	5
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 A full-grown one, blonde, dirty, sensual, watched with a speculative curiosity as she drew water from the groaning pump beside the building.†4 more Show general definition relating to pleasing the body's senses (in contrast to the intellect)
	3	top 500
congregationpeople who worship together in the same building It's a casual congregation where many people wander into services late.more Show sample from book "Yesss—" Rocking and sobbing, the congregation became a sea; the woman seemed to point at all of them, none of them.†2 more Show general definition for congregation (as in: the congregation voted) people who worship together in the same building
	2	top 100
factorthing (that influenced a result) Cost was an important factor in our decision.more Show sample from book Those two factors, the challenge of that blank green paper, and the utter silence (except for the trickle of the melting snow as it ran downhill and into the Stillwater), were more responsible than anything else for the opening lay of The Dark Tower.†1 more factor → factors:things that affect a result or outcome Show general definition for factor (as in: It was the deciding factor.) something that affects a result or outcome Show editor's word notes You also may encounter x-factor or x factor--meaning "the most important thing that influences a result or outcome."
	4	top 1000
recoilrecoil → recoiled:suddenly moved back (away from) She recoiled in horror.more Show sample from book She recoiled, hurt and amazed, her first thought being that he had lied about his holiness to test her.†3 more recoil → recoiled:moved back suddenly Show general definition to move backward suddenly (sometimes figuratively) especially: the backward jerk of a gun or cannon when it is fired when a person flinches (suddenly draws back) from someone or something, as with fear, disgust, or pain when a person is emotionally repulsed, as by disgust when something intended to go in one direction figuratively falls back in the opposite direction; for example, a story told to hurt someone that comes back to hurt the teller
	2	top 200
pragmaticpractical She is a pragmatic problem solver.more Show sample from book He was not an imaginative boy, and if Cort had intended to imply a moral, it was lost on him; he was pragmatic enough to believe that it might have been one of the few foolish statements he had ever heard Cort make.†1 more concerned with practical matters Show general definition concerned with practical matters -- especially where quick results and/or practical experience triumph over theory
	2	top 500
nostalgianostalgia → nostalgic:with a longing for something past The music makes me feel nostalgic.more Show sample from book For a moment the gunslinger felt mixed feelings of nostalgia and fear, stitched in with an eerie feeling of deja vu-he thought: I dreamed this.†1 more longing for something past Show general definition happiness that come with the memory of good times combined with a hint of sadness that those times are over
	15
interlopersomeone who intrudes or encroaches (inserts himself without invitation) All the new settlers made him feel like an interloper in the country of his fathers.more Show sample from book The subject of our meditation tonight is The Interloper.†14 more someone or something that, without invitation, inserts itself Show general definition someone or something that, without invitation, inserts itself -- such as an uninvited guest at a party or a species that invades non-native territory
	6
inarticulateunable to express herself clearly She becomes inarticulate when she's nervous.more Show sample from book "Ahhhhhh..."An inarticulate sound of pleasure.†5 more unable to express oneself clearly; or not expressed clearly Show general definition unable to communicate clearly (or to use words) or (more rarely): a feeling or idea that is not expressed The exact meaning of inarticulate depends upon its context. For example: unable to find good words to express oneself -- as in "She gets inarticulate when she's nervous." verbally expressing a feeling without words -- as in "She uttered an inarticulate cry of despair." unable to make oneself heard and understood -- as in "She mumbled inarticulately." unable to speak -- as in "She was inarticulate with rage." a feeling or idea that is not expressed -- as in "We shared an inarticulate fear." inability to express or understand feelings or ideas -- as in "She is emotionally inarticulate, " or "Her symphony is inarticulate."
	4
pallidabnormally pale (lacking healthy skin color) She looked weak and her face was pallid.more Show sample from book Their faces seemed to swim above their all-but-invisible bodies like huge, pallid baseballs with eyes.†3 more abnormally pale (lacking healthy skin color)… Show general definition abnormally pale (lacking healthy skin color); or anything that lacks energy or liveliness
	3
infinitesimalvery tiny; OR immeasurably small The pause was infinitesimal, but before he could go on Fraulein Hedwig said:Maugham, W. Somerset — Of Human Bondagemore Show sample from book Infinitesimal.†2 more Show general definition very tiny; or immeasurably small
	2	top 1000
apathylack of interest and enthusiasm Seeing too much senior apathy, the high school began having juniors declare a major for their senior year.more Show sample from book There were perhaps six townies in the back of the room, juicing and playing Watch Me apathetically.†1 more apathy → apathetically:without interest or enthusiasm
	2	top 2000
stolidemotionless She listened to both arguments thoughtfully, but with a face as stolid as a cow's.more Show sample from book The gunslinger walked stolidly, not hurrying, not loafing.†1 more stolid → stolidly:unemotionally Show general definition having or revealing little emotion -- sometimes indicating qualities of not changing or being dependable or (much more rarely): of an object: not interesting -- often large and unmoving