Walkabout — Vocabulary
James Vance Marshall
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	6	top 2000
foliageplant leaves It's difficult to spot the birds in the foliage.more Show sample from book 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 Show sample from book 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 appalling → appalled:shocked by how terrible or horrible something is
	3	top 1000
ebbebb → ebbed:gradually declined The patient's strength ebbed away.more Show sample from book 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
scornscorn → scorned:rejected Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more Show sample from book 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 Show sample from book 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 replenish → replenished: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 Show sample from book But a little before noon he came — if only for a moment — out of his lethargy.†1 more lethargic → lethargy: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 Show sample from book 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
	2	top 1000
sequenceordered set The sequence of events leading to the accident was carefully reviewed by the investigators.more Show sample from book 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 Show sample from book 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 Show sample from book 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 Show sample from book 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 The hotel is well past the days of its grandeur.†more Show sample from book 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
	3
subconsciousmental activity of which we are not aware, but which can influence feelings and behavior In the experiment, the image flashed too quickly to be seen consciously, but it impacted the subconscious.more Show sample from book Subconscious twinges of jealousy had been tormenting her.†2 more Show general definition mental activity of which one is not aware, but which can influence feelings and behavior; or the part of the mind that engages in such activity Show editor's word notes Though commonly used in daily conversation, the word subconscious is not used clinically. Where the layperson says subconscious, psychologists are likely to say unconscious mind.
	3	top 2000
fidgetfidget → fidgeting:making small restless movements The child is always fidgeting in his seatmore Show sample from book Then the boy started to fidget, moving restlessly from one foot to another.†2 more make small restless movements Show general definition to make small restless movements
	4	top 2000
stratalayers The Grand Canyon has many exposed rock strata ranging from 200 million to 2 billion years old.more Show sample from book 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
vanquishvanquish → vanquished:completely defeated The team vanquished all competition.more Show sample from book 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 Show sample from book 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 Show sample from book 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 Show sample from book 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 Show sample from book 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