MS. Found in a Bottle — Vocabulary
Edgar Allan Poe
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	5
tempestviolent storm The ship struggled to navigate through the raging tempest.more Show sample from book Although completely water-logged, yet, as her masts had gone by the board, she rose, after a minute, heavily from the sea, and, staggering awhile beneath the immense pressure of the tempest, finally righted.†4 more a violent commotion or disturbance Show general definition a violent commotion or disturbance -- especially a violent storm or emotional outburst Show editor's word notes The expression tempest in a teapot describes people as being upset over an unimportant matter.
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novelnew and original We're looking for novel marketing ideas.more Show sample from book Yet it is not wonderful that these conceptions are indefinite, since they have their origin in sources so utterly novel.1 more Show general definition for novel (as in: a novel situation) new and original -- typically something considered good
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enableenable → enables:makes possible The test enables earlier identification of autism.more Show sample from book Hereditary wealth afforded me an education of no common order, and a contemplative turn of mind enabled me to methodize the stores which early study very diligently garnered up.†1 more 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 Show sample from book All on deck, with the exception of ourselves, had been swept overboard;—the captain and mates must have perished as they slept, for the cabins were deluged with water.†1 more perish → perished:died, was destroyed, or ceased 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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reveredeeply respect and admire Many fans revere Michael Jordan as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.more Show sample from book Although in his appearance there is, to a casual observer, nothing which might bespeak him more or less than man-still a feeling of irrepressible reverence and awe mingled with the sensation of wonder with which I regarded him.†1 more revere → reverence:feelings of deep respect and admiration -- sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear Show general definition regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration -- sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
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recollectremember I think I recollect that she was away at college that year.more Show sample from book In reading the above sentence a curious apothegm of an old weather-beaten Dutch navigator comes full upon my recollection.†1 more recollect → recollection:memory Show general definition to remember -- especially experiences from long ago Show editor's word notes Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice): Relative to its synonyms, recollect brings to mind a leisurely piecing together of distant memories. It may be used in a less formal manner than remember and is almost always less formal than recall.
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appallingshockingly terrible or horrible The live in appalling conditions.more Show sample from book I had found the spell of the picture in an absolute life-likeliness of expression, which, at first startling, finally confounded, subdued, and appalled me.†2 more appalling → appalled:shocked by how terrible or horrible something is
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tremulousquivering (shaky) She spoke timidly in a tremulous voice.more Show sample from book * * * * * The crew pace the deck with unquiet and tremulous step; but there is upon their countenances an expression more of the eagerness of hope than of the apathy of despair.†2 more Show general definition quivering (unsteady or shaky) -- usually from weakness or fear -- especially of the voice
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abyssseemingly bottomless pit At the end of the story, Gandalf falls with the demon into the abyss.more Show sample from book We were at the bottom of one of these abysses, when a quick scream from my companion broke fearfully upon the night.†1 more abyss → abysses:holes or dropoffs so deep the bottom cannot be seen -- often used figuratively to imply frightening bottomless pits Show general definition a hole or dropoff so deep the bottom cannot be seen -- often used figuratively to imply a frightening bottomless pit
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ensueensue → ensuing:happening after Ensuing events confirmed the prediction.more Show sample from book As I fell, the ship hove in stays, and went about; and to the confusion ensuing I attributed my escape from the notice of the crew.†1 more ensue → ensuing:subsequent (happening later) Show general definition to happen after or as a result
	2
aghastshocked with feelings of surprise or dismay She stepped back aghast at the behavior.more Show sample from book If I trembled at the blast which has hitherto attended us, shall I not stand aghast at a warring of wind and ocean, to convey any idea of which the words tornado and simoom are trivial and ineffective?†1 more shocked with feelings of surprise and dismay Show general definition shocked with feelings of surprise and dismay (sadness, disappointment, or worry)
	2
infirmweak from old age or disease She is too infirm to walk unassisted.more Show sample from book There was about it an evidence of great age and infirmity.†1 more infirm → infirmity:weakness from old age or disease
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entityperson or organization The law applies to any legal entity that can enter into a contract.more Show sample from book A new sense—a new entity is added to my soul.† person, organization, or anything with a separate existence Show general definition a person, organization, lifeform, or anything with a separate existence
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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 Show sample from book The cause of my deep agitation being thus shut from view, I sought eagerly the volume which discussed the paintings and their histories.† agitate → agitation:the act of stirring up (emotionally or physically); or a state of emotional unrest 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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obsoleteno longer in general use because it was replaced by something better My mother still has a twenty-year-old obsolete computer in storage.more Show sample from book Around them, on every part of the deck, lay scattered mathematical instruments of the most quaint and obsolete construction.†1 more Show general definition no longer in general use because it was replaced by something better
	2
peevisheasily annoyed The peevish child refused to eat his vegetables and threw a tantrum at the dinner table.more Show sample from book His manner was a wild mixture of the peevishness of second childhood, and the solemn dignity of a God.†1 more peevish → peevishness:annoyed or easily annoyed -- especially by unimportant things Show general definition annoyed or easily annoyed -- especially by unimportant things
	2
suppositionsomething supposed (rather than something known to be so) She paints a vivid picture, but we must remember it is all mere supposition.more Show sample from book Her rigging, build, and general equipment, all negative a supposition of this kind.†1 more Show general definition something supposed (rather than something known to be so) -- such as a disputed belief or assumption
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impetuousimpulsive (made suddenly without much thought) She regretted her impetuous promise.†more Show sample from book —I must suppose the ship to be within the influence of some strong current, or impetuous under-tow.† impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought) Show general definition for impetuous (as in: an impetuous decision) impulsive (acting suddenly without much thought) -- often with an unfortunate consequence
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sumptuousmagnificent The guests were treated to a sumptuous feast, with an array of delicious dishes and desserts.more Show sample from book We established ourselves in one of the smallest and least sumptuously furnished apartments.† sumptuous → sumptuously:magnificent (impressively wonderful) -- often indicating something expensive Show general definition magnificent (impressively wonderful) -- often indicating something expensive
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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 Show sample from book * * * * * The crew pace the deck with unquiet and tremulous step; but there is upon their countenances an expression more of the eagerness of hope than of the apathy of despair.†