The Rainbow Trail — Vocabulary
Zane Grey
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	36	top 1000
somberserious and cheerless Before she said anything, I knew it was bad news from her somber face.more Show sample from book Withers rode off, with a parting word to Shefford, and finally Joe somberly mounted his bay and trotted down the valley.35 more somber → somberly:solemnly (in a manner that is serious--not cheerful or lighthearted) Show general definition for somber (as in: a somber mood) serious (without cheer or lightheartedness); or sad
	13	top 2000
approachapproach → approaching:getting nearer Winter is approaching.more Show sample from book The mule showed his cunning and always appeared to present his heels to Withers, who tried to approach him with a pack-saddle.13 more get near Show general definition for approach (as in: approached the city) to get closer to (near in space, time, quantity, or quality)
	1	top 2000
approach#2approach → approached:began communication with They approached her about becoming a member of the committee.more Show sample from book Remembering Withers's revelation about the Navajo, Shefford scarcely knew how to approach him now.13 more begin communication with Show general definition for approach (as in: approached her with the proposal) to begin communication with someone about something -- often a proposal or a delicate topic
	22	top 1000
fugitivefugitive → fugitives:people hiding from law enforcement officers She is one of the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives.more Show sample from book Would they be there, those lost fugitives whose story had thrilled him?†21 more Show general definition for fugitive (as in: she is a fugitive) someone who is running away or hiding to avoid arrest or an unpleasant situation
	14	top 500
earnestearnest → in earnest:in a serious manner I began training in earnest the summer before high school.more Show sample from book "Except to Indians, it seems to be a secret so far," replied the trader, earnestly.†13 more earnest → earnestly:sincerely or seriously Show general definition characterized by sincere belief or: intensely or excessively serious or determined
	13	top 1000
perilperil → perils:dangers The mountaineers faced many perils on their ascent to the summit, including treacherous icefalls and avalanches.more Show sample from book Danger, steep walls, perilous heights, night, and black canyon the same—these he never thought of.†12 more peril → perilous:dangerous Show general definition danger
	9	top 100
neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas) The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more Show sample from book Nevertheless, it made his blood run cold.†8 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.
	12	top 1000
deceivemislead The plan was to deceive the Germans into believing the main attack would take place further north.more Show sample from book Had he embarked yet on the river—did that blue line, so faint, so deceiving, hold him and the boat?†11 more deceive → deceiving:lying or misleading Show general definition to lie to or mislead someone -- occasionally to lie to oneself by denying reality
	14	top 2000
inquireask about or look into Students should contact our office to inquire about scholarship opportunities.more Show sample from book "How so?" inquired the other.†13 more inquire → inquired:asked about or looked into Show general definition to ask about or look into something
	9	top 500
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 Then a strange, slow-coming cold agitation possessed Shefford.†8 more 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)
	11	top 1000
revelationsomething surprising and previously unknown It was a revelation to me. Until they gave us those tests, I had no idea that I was better than most people at clerical accuracy.more Show sample from book Remembering Withers's revelation about the Navajo, Shefford scarcely knew how to approach him now.10 more something previously unknown; or making such a thing known Show general definition something that was previously unknown (and typically surprising); or making such a thing known
	12	top 2000
manelong coarse hair growing around the head It was a healthy male lion with a golden mane.more Show sample from book They were wild, shaggy, with long manes and tails.†11 more mane → manes:long coarse hair… Show general definition long coarse hair such as that which grows around a lion's head or on the back of a horse's neck
	9	top 1000
aloofsocially distant or uninterested People who don't know her, think she is aloof from the rest of the team, but she is just focused on the game.more Show sample from book Withers suddenly showed a semblance of the aloofness Shefford had observed in Whisner.†8 more aloof → aloofness:the quality or degree of being socially distant or uninterested Show general definition socially distant or uninterested in something that interests others -- often thinking oneself superior to others
	10	top 1000
wistfulwistful → wistfully:showing longing or unfulfilled desire Sitting in her wheelchair, the old woman looked wistfully at the young dancers.more Show sample from book And the wistfulness of her silence touched him.†9 more wistful → wistfulness:full of longing or unfulfilled desire
	12	top 2000
creedset of beliefs Freedom of religion allows people to follow any creed they choose without fear of persecution.more Show sample from book So far as he knew, Whisner was the first man of that creed he had ever met, and he could scarcely hide his eagerness.†11 more any system of principles or beliefs Show general definition any system of principles or beliefs
	8	top 1000
poignantarousing deep emotion It is a poignant story about a girl who is paralyzed in a car accident.more Show sample from book Memory was too poignant; the past was too close; he wanted to forget until he had toiled into the heart of this forbidding wilderness—until time had gone by and he dared to face his unquiet soul.†7 more sharp or intense Show general definition sharp or intense -- typically arousing deep emotion such as sadness, but possibly having or creating a sharp smell, taste, or insight
	6	top 500
austerelacking luxury (and stern) He took a vow of silence and leads an austere life at the monastery.more Show sample from book Why was the very mention of Mormons attended by something austere and secret?†5 more a notable absence of luxury, comfort, or decoration; or stern in manner Show general definition a notable absence of luxury, comfort, or decoration or: of a person: stern in manner; or practicing great self-denial
	5	top 2000
intangibleexisting but not able to be touched Happiness is an intangible feeling that can’t be measured or weighed.more Show sample from book He admitted the improbability of her existence, but lost nothing of the persistent intangible hope that drove him.†4 more unable to be physically touched (existing but not material or concrete)… Show general definition unable to be physically touched (existing but not material or concrete); or something that is hard to identify
	4	top 1000
mishapminor accident We tripped while roller skating, but we survived to laugh at the mishap.more Show sample from book Thus many mishaps were Shefford's fortune.†3 more mishap → mishaps:unfortunate accidents Show general definition an unfortunate accident -- usually minor
	3	top 500
venerablerespected They looked to the venerable old woman for advice.more Show sample from book One of them appeared to be very old and venerable, and walked with a stick.†2 more respected (worthy of respect) -- typically because of age or position Show general definition respected (worthy of respect) -- typically because of age or position