The Pit and the Pendulum — Vocabulary
Edgar Allan Poe
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	7	top 1000
endeavorendeavor → endeavored:tried or attempted I endeavored to get both sides to agree to a compromise.more Show sample from book ...endeavoured to appreciate or understand what was taking place.6 more endeavor → endeavoured:tried or attempted Show context notes This is a British spelling. Americans use endeavored. Show general definition to attempt; or a project or activity attempted
	8	top 2000
agonyintense suffering She was in agony from a toothache.more Show sample from book I had but escaped death in one form of agony, to be delivered unto worse than death in some other.7 more Show general definition intense feelings of suffering -- can be from mental or physical pain
	4	top 500
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 Shaking in every limb, I groped my way back to the wall; resolving there to perish rather than risk the terrors of the wells,3 more die 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.
	3	top 100
sufficientadequate (enough) We have sufficient supplies.more Show sample from book I have observed that, although the outlines of the figures upon the walls were sufficiently distinct, yet the colors seemed blurred and indefinite.2 more sufficient → sufficiently:adequately (in a manner that provides enough -- often without being more than is needed) Show general definition adequate (enough -- often without being more than is needed)
	3	top 500
earnestearnest → in earnest:in a serious manner I began training in earnest the summer before high school.more Show sample from book ... and much earnestness of endeavor have enabled me vaguely to recall.2 more earnest → earnestness:sincerity or seriousness Show general definition characterized by sincere belief or: intensely or excessively serious or determined
	4	top 1000
abyssseemingly bottomless pit At the end of the story, Gandalf falls with the demon into the abyss.more Show sample from book Groping about the masonry just below the margin, I succeeded in dislodging a small fragment, and let it fall into the abyss.†3 more a hole or dropoff so deep the bottom cannot be seen -- often used figuratively to imply a frightening bottomless pit Show general definition a hole or dropoff so deep the bottom cannot be seen -- often used figuratively to imply a frightening bottomless pit
	2	top 200
comprehendcomprehend → comprehends:fully understands I don't think she comprehends how dangerous this has become.more Show sample from book Yet, for a wild moment, did my spirit refuse to comprehend the meaning of what I saw.1 more understand Show general definition to understand something -- especially to understand it completely
	2	top 200
moreoverin addition to what has just been said The company has too much debt. Moreover, it is responsible for a long-term lease on expensive office space.more Show sample from book Moreover, my dungeon, as well as all the condemned cells at Toledo, had stone floors, and light was not altogether excluded.†1 more
	3	top 1000
ponderthink about The question the audience is left to ponder is...more Show sample from book I forced myself to ponder upon the sound of the crescent as it should pass across the garment...2 more think deeply or carefully Show general definition to think deeply or carefully about something
	2	top 200
enableenable → enables:makes possible The test enables earlier identification of autism.more Show sample from book Then entire forgetfulness of all that followed; of all that a later day and much earnestness of endeavor have enabled me vaguely to recall.†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."
	2	top 500
pervasiveexisting throughout something We were losing 35 to 0 at halftime and there was a pervasive sense of gloom in the locker room.more Show sample from book A suffocating odour pervaded the prison!1 more pervasive → pervaded:filled Show general definition existing throughout something; or generally widespread
	2	top 500
resolveresolve → resolved:decided This year I resolved to lose a pound a week for 5 weeks.more Show sample from book Shaking in every limb, I groped my way back to the wall; resolving there to perish rather than risk the terrors of the wells,1 more resolve → resolving:deciding Show general definition for resolve (as in: I resolved to stop drinking.) to decide -- typically a firm or formal decision Show editor's word notes In modern writing resolve is typically used to emphasize a firm or formal decision. In classic literature, it is used more frequently and often simply replaces decide or determine.
	4	top 2000
hideousextremely ugly, offensive, and/or frightening The beast had hideous fangs.more Show sample from book It seemed evident that mine was not, at least, the most hideous of fates.†3 more
	3	top 1000
condemncondemn → condemned:legally sentenced (to punishment) The murderer was condemned to death by injection.more Show sample from book The condemned to death, I knew, perished usually at...2 more condemn → condemned:legally sentenced (given legal punishment) Show general definition for condemn (as in: was condemned to life in prison) to declare someone guilty of a crime and often sentence them to punishment; or more broadly, to cause someone to be judged guilty or doomed to an unwanted fate (as when evidence condemns a suspect)
	9	top 2000
pendulumshifting weight (of opinion) Now the pendulum has swung the other direction and voters are demanding change.more Show sample from book The measured movement of the pendulum disturbed them not at all.8 more a weight hanging from a fixed location so that the weight swings freely back and forth under the influence of gravity -- such as is seen in some mechanical clocks Show general definition something that swings or shifts back and forth between two positions -- often seen in a swinging weight or in changing opinions
	2	top 500
notwithstandingin spite of Notwithstanding my fear, I want to try parachuting from an airplane.more Show sample from book Notwithstanding terrifically wide sweep (some thirty feet or more) and the its hissing vigor of its descent, sufficient to sunder these very walls of iron, still the fraying of my robe would be all that, for several minutes, it would accomplish.1 more despite Show general definition used to show that something remains true even though something else seems to go against it Show editor's word notes Most commonly, you can substitute "in spite of" for notwithstanding. But see the first exemplary sample sentences for other common word substitutions.
	2	top 1000
tumultloud disorderly noise The announcement was greeted with such a tumult that the speaker couldn't be heard.more Show sample from book At a wave of my hand my deliverers hurried tumultuously away.1 more tumult → tumultuously:in a noisy disorderly manner Show general definition for tumult (as in: couldn't hear over the tumult) loud noise -- usually created by an unrestrained crowd or some kind of confusion
	2	top 2000
prostratelying face downward on the ground It is their custom to worship five times a day, prostrate and facing toward Mecca.more Show sample from book My excessive fatigue induced me to remain prostrate; and sleep soon overtook me as I lay.†1 more lying down - typically face downward on the ground as in submission Show general definition lying down - typically face downward on the ground as in submission
	2
deducededuce → deduced:concluded by reasoning From the muddy footprints and the open window, she deduced that someone had snuck into the house.more Show sample from book I brought to mind the inquisitorial proceedings, and attempted from that point to deduce my real condition.†1 more conclude by reasoning Show general definition conclude by reasoning -- especially reasoning from the general to the particular
	2
perceptiblecapable of being noticed The car makes a barely perceptible clicking sound at high speeds.more Show sample from book But what mainly disturbed me was the idea that had perceptibly descended.†1 more perceptible → perceptibly:in a manner that is capable of being noticed Show general definition capable of being noticed -- typically because it is different enough or large enough