Walkabout — Vocabulary
James Vance Marshall
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Exemplary sample Uses Broad Use
6 top 2000
foliageplant leaves
It's difficult to spot the birds in the foliage.more
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Beneath the thick, closely-woven foliage the shade was deep: a striking contrast to the glare of the bush.†5 more
Show general definition plant leaves
4 top 1000
appallingshockingly terrible or horrible
The live in appalling conditions.more
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The idea of being manhandled by a naked black boy appalled her: struck at the root of one of the basic principles of her civilized code.†3 more
appallingappalled:shocked by how terrible or horrible something is
3 top 1000
ebbebbebbed:gradually declined
The patient's strength ebbed away.more
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She felt the tension ebb slowly out of him, the trembling die gradually away.†2 more
decline -- typically gradually as with the height of the tide
Show general definition decline -- typically gradually as with the height of the tide
2 top 200
scornscornscorned:rejected
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more
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He looked at the children critically; but there was in his appraisal no suggestion of scorn.†1 more
disrespect or reject as not good enough
Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
2 top 500
replenishreplace what was used up
The recent storms helped replenish the city's water supply.more
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Peter and Mary tidied up the camp, replenished the fire, cooked the last of the yarrawa and offered the bush boy a share —but he wouldn't eat.†1 more
replenishreplenished:replaced what was used up; or restored to a previous condition
Show general definition replace what was used up; or restore to a previous condition
2 top 500
lethargiclacking energy
I'm hoping a cold iced tea will help me get past this lethargic feeling.more
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But a little before noon he came — if only for a moment — out of his lethargy.†1 more
lethargiclethargy:lack of energy; or (often in historic literature) a state of sleep
3 top 2000
inquisitiveinterested in learning about things
She is an inquisitive child who always asks questions.more
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The boy was young — certainly no older than she was; he was unarmed, and his attitude was more inquisitive than threatening: more puzzled than hostile.†2 more
interested in learning about things -- often asking many questions
Show general definition interested in learning about things -- often asking many questions
3 top 1000
bizarreexceedingly unusual
The paparazzi love her bizarre outfits and behavior.more
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He had been too tired the night before to take notice of their camp site — it had been simply a place to go to sleep in; but now, the scenery's bizarre grandeur caught his imagination.†2 more
exceedingly odd or unusual
Show general definition for bizarre (as in: is bizarre) exceedingly odd or unusual
2 top 1000
sequenceordered set
The sequence of events leading to the accident was carefully reviewed by the investigators.more
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Soon their column too was broken into a sequence of irregular puffs.†1 more
arranged in a specific order
Show general definition a set of things arranged or happening in a specific order -- often chronological order
2 top 1000
clarityclearness (the quality of being clearly expressed)
The speaker presented her argument with such clarity that even those unfamiliar with the topic could easily understand her main points.more
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Looking down she could see her underwater-self with startling clarity; could even see the bruise on her hip — where she'd crashed against the side of the plane — standing out darkly against the white of her skin.†1 more
seen, expressed, or understood clearly…
Show general definition seen, expressed, or understood clearly; or a degree of transparency such as the quality of clear water
2 top 1000
monotonouslacking variety and boring
We hope to replace people with robots for the most monotonous work.more
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Half-way through the afternoon, as they were crossing a monotonous belt of scrub, there came a diversion: as welcome as it was unexpected.†1 more
lacking in variety and/or boring
Show general definition lacking in variety -- typically boring
2 top 1000
continuousconstant (uninterrupted)
The national power grid is under almost continuous attack.more
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It opened wide its beak, and a continuous flow of grating, unmelodious notes shattered the calm of the gully.†1 more
continuing in time or space without interruption or irregularity
Show general definition continuing in time or space without interruption or irregularity
2 top 1000
grandeurimpressive magnificence
Tourists gazed in awe at the grandeur of the snow-capped mountains.more
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He had been too tired the night before to take notice of their camp site — it had been simply a place to go to sleep in; but now, the scenery's bizarre grandeur caught his imagination.†1 more
Show general definition impressive magnificence -- usually on a grand (large) scale
2 top 1000
jutjutjutted out:stuck out
As the hikers climbed higher, they noticed a sharp, jagged rock that jutted out from the side of the mountain like a giant's chin.more
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They rose in a low escarpment, an outcrop of granite and quartz, jutting abruptly out of the level plain.†1 more
jutjutting:to stick out; OR  a part that sticks out
Show general definition to stick out; or a part that sticks out
4 top 2000
stratalayers
The Grand Canyon has many exposed rock strata ranging from 200 million to 2 billion years old.more
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Brother and sister were products of the highest strata of humanity's evolution.†3 more
layers…
Show general definition layers

or:

levels, classes, or groups into which people or other things are divided
3 top 2000
vanquishvanquishvanquished:completely defeated
The team vanquished all competition.more
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It was a symbolic combat he danced; a combat in which he was both victor and vanquished; a combat between life and death.†2 more
Show general definition to defeat completely
3
primevalancient
She found the fossilized remains of a primeval palm tree.more
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As it was the sun was setting as they clambered on to the rim of the hills, and saw the country to southward stretching away in front of them, bathed in golden light: a magnificent panorama: a scene of primeval desolation: mile after hundred mile of desert, sand and scrub.†2 more
Show general definition ancient (of or from a long time ago); or having existed from ancient times
3
luxuriantrich, attractive, and healthy
She unpinned her long, luxuriant hair.more
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In the middle of the valley the undergrowth was thick; luxuriant.†2 more
characterized by growing well or being richly thick or abundant
Show general definition characterized by growing well or being richly thick or abundant -- as of vegetation or hair

or (more rarely):

characterized by luxury (very comfortable or extravagant)
2 top 2000
ebullientfilled with energy and joy
Her family was jumping for joy, but she was less ebullient.more
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His feet he pulled proudly up in a high-kicking march of victory — an ebullient, primitive goose-step.†1 more
happy and energetic
Show general definition happy and energetic
2 top 2000
gistmain point(s)
Just tell me the gist of the matter.more
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Quite suddenly Mary got the gist of what she was saying.†1 more
the main point(s) of a more detailed matter
Show general definition the main point(s) of a more detailed matter