To Build a Fire — Vocabulary
Jack London
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
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agitateagitate → agitating:stirring up emotions to increase unrest
We are agitating public unrest, so there will be a cry for change.more
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Each time he had pulled a twig he had communicated a slight agitation to the tree—an imperceptible ----------, so far as he was concerned, but an ---------- sufficient to bring about the disaster.2 more
agitate → agitation:shaking
Show general definition to stir up or shake -- emotionally (as when people are angered or upset) or physically (as when a washing machine cleans clothes)
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apprehensionconcern about what will happen
She looked around the examination room with apprehension.more
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So the dog made no effort to communicate its apprehension to the man.2 more
worry or concern about what will happen
Show general definition for apprehension (as in: apprehension about finals) worry about what is to come
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yearnstrongly desire or wish
I yearn for her return.more
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It was not concerned in the welfare of the man; it was for its own sake that it yearned back toward the fire.†3 more
yearn → yearned:strongly desired
Show general definition have a strong desire -- often for something difficult or impossible to have
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devisecome up with (invent or create)
She plans to devise something to launch water balloons.more
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Then he devised a way.1 more
devise → devised:came up with (invented or created)
Show general definition for devise (as in: devise a plan) to come up with a way of doing something -- typically a creative idea or plan
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wistfulwistful → wistfully:showing longing or unfulfilled desire
Sitting in her wheelchair, the old woman looked wistfully at the young dancers.more
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And all the while the dog sat and watched him, a certain yearning wistfulness in its eyes, for it looked upon him as the fire-provider, and the fire was slow in coming.1 more
wistful → wistfulness:full of longing or unfulfilled desire
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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
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The brief day drew to a close in a long, slow twilight.1 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
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assertassert → asserts:says
The defense also asserts that the defendant has no previous record of crime.more
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But the thought asserted itself, and persisted, until it produced a vision of his body totally frozen.
assert → asserted:presented itself forcefully (as though to say it was true)
Show general definition for assert (as in: asserted her opinion that...) to say that something is true -- especially something disputed
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subtlemaking use of slight distinctions
She used subtle reasoning to expose the absurdity of his argument.more
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a subtle gloom
slightly noticeable
Show general definition for subtle (as in: a subtle difference or thinker) not obvious, but noticeable with enough insight and knowledge

or:

able to notice or understand things that require insight and sensitivity
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enableenable → enables:makes possible
The test enables earlier identification of autism.more
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His arm-muscles not being frozen enabled him to press the hand-heels tightly against the matches.†
enable → enabled:made possible
Show general definition to make possible
in various senses, including:
  • to give someone the ability, knowledge, or authority to do something -- as in "The study will enable an informed discussion."
  • to activate a computer system for use -- as in "You can enable the feature in the Settings Page."
  • to permit someone to repeat bad behavior, so they reinforce the bad pattern -- as in "I don't want to enable her drug addiction."
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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
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It meant life, and it must not perish.†
die, be destroyed, or cease 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.
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ebbebb → ebbed:gradually declined
The patient's strength ebbed away.more
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So long as he walked four miles an hour, he pumped that blood, willy-nilly, to the surface; but now it ebbed away and sank down into the recesses of his body.
Show general definition decline -- typically gradually as with the height of the tide
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monotonouslacking variety and boring
We hope to replace people with robots for the most monotonous work.more
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So he continued monotonously to chew tobacco and to increase the length of his amber beard.
monotonous → monotonously:with a lack of variety
Show general definition lacking in variety -- typically boring
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protrudestick out
Metal spikes protrude from the dog's collar.more
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As for lunch, he pressed his hand against the protruding bundle under his jacket.
protrude → protruding:sticking out
Show general definition to stick out from
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nucleusthe center (in this case, key central members)
They have the nucleus of a good team.†more
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He tried to poke it out with his fingers, but his shivering frame made him poke too far, and he disrupted the nucleus of the little fire, the burning grasses and tiny twigs separating and scattering.
the center (or most important part) of something
Show general definition the center (or most important part) of something
such as:
  • in physics: the center of an atom where protons & neutrons are found
  • in biology: the center of a cell where DNA is found
  • in sociology: the closest family (mother/father/children in contrast to the extended family)
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flounderflounder → floundering:having difficulty
She is floundering in collegemore
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Slowly, as he ploughed and floundered through the snow,2 more
flounder → floundered:moved awkwardly on unsure footing
Show general definition for flounder (as in: she floundered) to have difficulty -- such as to not know what to do or to move awkwardly on unsure footing
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rendergive
We're waiting for the jury to render a verdict.more
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...the dog rendered its customary allegiance and came to him.
render → rendered:gave
Show general definition for render (as in: rendered service or a verdict) to give or supply something
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poignantarousing deep emotion
It is a poignant story about a girl who is paralyzed in a car accident.more
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This fear quickly became poignant as he realized that it was no longer a mere matter of freezing his fingers and toes, or of losing his hands and feet, but that it was a matter of life and death with the chances against him.
sharp or intense
Show general definition sharp or intense -- typically arousing deep emotion such as sadness, but possibly having or creating a sharp smell, taste, or insight
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apathylack of interest and enthusiasm
Seeing too much senior apathy, the high school began having juniors declare a major for their senior year.more
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As he looked apathetically about him, his eyes chanced on the dog, sitting across the ruins of the fire from him,
apathy → apathetically:without interest or enthusiasm
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appeasesatisfy or pacify (bring peace and calm among)
The President is thought to have made the statement to appease the party faithful.more
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The warmth and security of the animal angered him, and he cursed it till it flattened down its ears appeasingly.†
appease → appeasingly:in a manner that is satisfying or pacifying
Show general definition satisfy or pacify (make less angry or upset) -- typically by giving something wanted
Show editor's word notes For example, a salesperson might give a discount coupon to appease an angry customer; or you might grab a quick snack to appease your hunger.
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imperativeessential and urgent
The candidate said it is imperative that we take action to address climate change.more
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This was imperative at that low temperature—he knew that much; and he turned aside to the bank, which he climbed.†