Tunnel In the Sky — Vocabulary
Robert A. Heinlein
(Auto-generated)

Word Set

Samples

Sort By

Further limit words

by chapter of first use

to Show all

by difficulty

to (9 is most difficult)

by interest

underline any show only

Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	18	top 100
neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas) The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more Show sample from book Nevertheless, while watching this mob being herded like brutes into a slaughterhouse, Rod felt that the old canard was true even though its mathematics was faulty.†17 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.
	5	top 200
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book Jacqueline looked scornfully at the figure on the ground.†4 more scorn → scornfully:in a disrespectful or rejecting manner Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
	7	top 1000
rationration → rationed:restricted in the amount each person could have Gasoline was rationed during the 1970s oil embargo.more Show sample from book Okay, besides your parka I would make it four kilos of rations, five of water, two kilos of sundries like pills and matches, all in a vest pack ...and a knife.†6 more ration → rations:a fixed share of something, especially scarce goods like food or fuel… Show general definition a fixed share of something, especially scarce goods like food or fuel; or to limit and distribute something in fixed shares
	5	top 1000
migratemove from one place to another The birds migrate in the Winter.more Show sample from book Three days later the migration of animals started.†4 more migrate → migration:movement from one place to another Show general definition move from one place to another -- sometimes seasonally
	4	top 500
devisecome up with (invent or create) She plans to devise something to launch water balloons.more Show sample from book I'm sure you can devise a water filter with your bare hands and know which side of the tree the moss grows on.†3 more 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
	5	top 1000
curtbrief (using few words) Her response was so curt it was almost rude.more Show sample from book Agnes and Curt had drawn into the circle, listening.†4 more brief to the point of rudeness Show general definition brief to the point of rudeness
	2	top 100
irrelevantnot relevant The sentence should be deleted because it introduces information that is irrelevant to the passage.more Show sample from book He felt that he knew what "Deacon" Matson would say ....something about the irrelevancy of fairness to survival.†1 more irrelevant → irrelevancy:the state of not being relevant (not related to the subject being considered, or not important enough to want to consider) Show general definition not relevant (not related to the subject being considered, or not important enough to want to consider)
	3	top 1000
distortalter in an unnatural or untrue way These sunglasses distort my vision.more Show sample from book Space-time distortion, but I'm no mathematician.†2 more distort → distortion:to alter something in an unnatural or untrue way Show general definition to alter something in an unnatural or untrue way
	4	top 1000
futilepointless because it cannot produce anything useful Resistance is futile.more Show sample from book Futile.†3 more effort that is pointless because it is unproductive or unsuccessful Show general definition effort that is pointless because it is unproductive or unsuccessful
	2	top 200
anomalysomething outside of the range of what is normally expected They rate a nuclear event from 1 (an anomaly) to 7 (a major accident).more Show sample from book He made a larger model and tried to arrange a dilation, or anomaly (he did not call it a "Gate") which would let him get in and out of the field himself.†1 more Show general definition something outside of the range of what is normally expected
	3	top 1000
strenuousdifficult (requiring much effort) The doctor recommended strenuous exercise three times a week.more Show sample from book The fighting that Rod was trained in was not simply strenuous athletics.†2 more Show general definition energetic; or physically or mentally difficult or requiring endurance
	3	top 1000
rationalrational → rationally:in a reasonable manner It's hard to think rationally when I'm this upset.more Show sample from book Man is not a rational animal; he is a rationalizing animal.†2 more reasonable Show general definition for rational (as in: rational behavior) reasonable, able to think clearly, or based on logic rather than emotion
	4	top 2000
rouserouse → roused:awakened A persistent knocking at the door finally roused her from her dreams.more Show sample from book The sound that pulled him out of warm drowsiness came from far away; involuntarily he roused himself to hear it.†3 more rouse → roused:to awaken, make more active, or excite Show general definition to awaken, make more active, or excite
	3	top 1000
torrentan overwhelming amount She screamed a torrent of abuse.more Show sample from book He tried to hold his place in the torrent and recover his possessions, but the guard prodded him again and he was forced to move on barehanded.†2 more an overwhelming amount -- especially of quickly moving water Show general definition an overwhelming amount -- especially of quickly moving water
	14
carnivorousmeat-eating Lions and other large carnivorous animals are popular at the zoo.more Show sample from book So far as he knew there were no carnivorous tree-climbers large enough to tackle a man, but he could not be certain; he slept with one eye open.†13 more Show general definition of an animal that primarily eats meat Show editor's word notes Carnivorous animals (carnivores) are often contrasted to herbivores (plant-eating animals) and omnivores (animals that eat both meat and plants).
	2	top 500
criteriareference points against which things can be evaluated We're considering five primary criteria as we compare job applicants.†more Show sample from book That is what the engineers call a self-defeating criterion.†1 more criteria → criterion:a reference point against which things can be evaluated Show general definition reference points against which things can be evaluated Show editor's word notes Note that "criterion" is the singular form. Though not seen as often as "criteria", it is reasonably common. Today, "criterions" is acceptable in place of "criteria", though seldom used.
	3
minuteswritten record of what happens at a meeting The secretary keeps the minutes of the meeting.more Show sample from book When I 'read the minutes' I just reach back in my mind and recall what the gabble was the night before-I've got an awfully good memory.2 more formal notes (from a meeting) Show general definition for minutes (as in: keep the minutes) a written record of what happened at a meeting
	2	top 1000
posterityfuture generations We must secure the benefits of freedom for ourselves and our posterity.more Show sample from book These colonists have paid a premium of sixteen thousand four hundred per person-not counting exempt or co-opted members-for the privilege of seeking their fortunes and protecting their posterity by moving to New Canaan.†1 more all future generations Show general definition all future generations
	1	top 100
analyticallogical and systematic in seeking understanding She has an analytical mind.more Show sample from book My analytics instructor says that all logic is mere tautology.† analytical → analytics:a system of logical examination of something to better understand it Show general definition relating to logical and systematic examination of something to better understand it -- often implying some kind of quantitative analysis
	2
denizendenizen → denizens:animals that inhabit a particular place The book has photographs of deep sea creatures. It is called "Denizens of the Deep."more Show sample from book The branches interfered and it was darker under the trees than it had been out in the open; nevertheless he could see, prowling around the tree, the denizen that had favored him with attention.†1 more a person or animal that inhabits or frequently visits a particular place Show general definition a person or animal that inhabits or frequently visits a particular place