Sea Wolf — Vocabulary
Jack London
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	27	top 1000
compelforce Does our DNA compel us to act as we do?more Show sample from book The cabin was small, to begin with, and to move around, as I was compelled to, was not made easier by the schooner's violent pitching and wallowing.†26 more compel → compelled:forced; or (more rarely) convinced Show general definition to force someone to do something or more rarely: to convince someone to do something Show editor's word notes Most typically, compel describes an external influence forcing someone to do something, but it can also describe being driven by an internal desire.
	23	top 2000
immortalto live forever Zeus and the other gods were supposed to be immortal.more Show sample from book "I read immortality in your eyes," I answered, dropping the "sir,"—an experiment, for I thought the intimacy of the conversation warranted it.†22 more immortal → immortality:eternal life (to live forever) Show general definition living or existing forever or: someone famous throughout history or: someone who will never die -- such as a mythological god
	12	top 1000
endeavorendeavor → endeavored:tried or attempted I endeavored to get both sides to agree to a compromise.more Show sample from book Thus we landed on Endeavour Island, as we came to it, land-sick from long custom of the sea.†11 more endeavor → endeavour:to attempt; OR a project or activity attempted Show context notes This is a British spelling. Americans use endeavor. Show general definition to attempt; or a project or activity attempted
	10	top 1000
retortquickly reply She wanted to retort that he that he sounded foolish, but she made herself count to ten and thought better of it.more Show sample from book "I am not afraid," the sailor retorted, a slight angry flush rising through his sunburn.†9 more retort → retorted:quickly replied Show general definition for retort (as in: quick retort) a quick reply to a question or remark -- especially a witty or critical one
	10	top 1000
wrathextreme anger She could hardly contain her wrath when she learned he had betrayed her.more Show sample from book The dark sun-bronze of his face went black with wrath, his eyes were ablaze.†9 more Show general definition extreme anger or angry punishment
	8	top 1000
melancholyvery sad She's been in a melancholy mood since her dog died.more Show sample from book This loneliness is bad enough in itself, but, to make it worse, he is oppressed by the primal melancholy of the race.†7 more a sad feeling or manner Show general definition a sad feeling or manner -- sometimes thoughtfully sad
	9	top 1000
writhewrithe → writhed:moved in a twisting or contorted motion The patient writhed in pain.more Show sample from book He wrenched and writhed about convulsively.†8 more Show general definition to move in a twisting or contorted motion -- often of a person when struggling or in pain
	8	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 She finished the concluding stanza without faltering and then slowly guided the conversation into less perilous channels.†7 more peril → perilous:dangerous Show general definition danger
	7	top 1000
tauttight The string is pulled taut.more Show sample from book The halyards became instantly taut.†6 more pulled or drawn tight; OR subjected to great tension Show general definition pulled or drawn tight; or: subjected to great tension
	5	top 200
apprehensiveworried She is apprehensive about her new job.more Show sample from book From time to time they stole glances at Wolf Larsen, and I could see that they were apprehensive of the man.†4 more nervous or worried Show general definition worried over possible misfortune
	7	top 1000
clamorloud noise and/or persistent demands She ignored the clamor of the crowd.more Show sample from book Why, we'll be clamorous for something to do.†6 more clamor → clamorous:loud noise and/or persistent demands -- especially from human voice Show general definition loud noise and/or persistent demands -- especially from human voice
	5	top 500
attaingain or reach something with effort She was the first woman to attain the rank of general.more Show sample from book For he has what they have not—purpose, something to do and be done, an all-absorbing end to strive to attain, the desire to kill me, the hope that he may kill me.†4 more Show general definition to gain or reach something with effort
	6	top 1000
feignedpretended to She feigned sleep.more Show sample from book But he was consumed with indignation, real or feigned.†5 more pretended (made a pretense of) Show general definition pretended -- usually pretending to feel something
	20
whetincreased The appetizer whet our appetite for what was to come.†more Show sample from book Every odd moment he could find he had the knife and stone out and was whetting away.†19 more whet → whetting:to increase a sense or desire; OR to sharpen a knife or other cutting edge Show general definition to increase a sense or desire or: to sharpen a knife or other cutting edge
	12	top 500
materialistictoo concerned with wealth and possessions She thinks Americans are too materialistic.more Show sample from book Unlike other materialists I had met and with whom I had something in common to start on, I had nothing in common with him.†11 more materialistic → materialists:overly concerned with wealth and possessions at the expense of other interests Show general definition overly concerned with wealth and possessions at the expense of other interests
	10
impelimpel → impelled:drove The desire to make a difference in the world impelled her to pursue a career in medicine.more Show sample from book I could scarcely catch my breath, so fiercely was I impelled through the heavens.†9 more impel → impelled:to make someone feel they must do something Show general definition to make someone feel they must do something
	2	top 2000
vengeancerevenge Most Americans wanted vengeance after the 9-11 attacks.more Show sample from book Leach could have killed him, but, having evidently filled the measure of his vengeance, he drew away from his prostrate foe, who was whimpering and wailing in a puppyish sort of way, and walked forward.†2 more the act of taking revenge Show general definition for vengeance (as in: vengeance is mine) the act of taking revenge (Revenge means to harm someone to get them back for something harmful that they have done.)
	1
with a vengeancewith intensity I thought I was getting over my cold and went to work, but it came back with a vengeance.more Show sample from book You've found your legs with a vengeance.†2 more Show general definition for with a vengeance (as in: with a vengeance) with intensity
	6
altruismselflessness (putting others first) Even as a child, she was known for her altruism—always putting her classmates’ needs before her own.more Show sample from book An altruistic act is an act performed for the welfare of others.†5 more altruism → altruistic:unselfish concern for the welfare of others Show general definition unselfish concern for the welfare of others
	5
tundraa treeless plain where the subsoil is always frozen Tundra reindeer travel as much as 3,000 miles a year.more Show sample from book Tundra grass was impracticable.†4 more a vast treeless plain in the northern arctic regions where the subsoil is always… Show general definition a vast treeless plain in the northern arctic regions where the subsoil is always frozen (between the ice cap and the tree line) Show editor's word notes More rarely, tundra can refer to alpine tundra (similar areas found elsewhere at high elevation).