The Island of Dr. Moreau — Vocabulary
H. G. Wells
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	20	top 2000
ravinedeep, narrow, steep-sided valley The car plunged into a 15-foot ravine.more Show sample from book The path coiled down abruptly into a narrow ravine between two tumbled and knotty masses of blackish scoriae.†19 more Show general definition a deep, narrow, steep-sided gorge or valley -- especially one formed by running water
	16	top 2000
grotesquedistorted or ugly She was wearing a grotesque mask that was quite disturbing.more Show sample from book I had paused half way through the hatchway, looking back, still astonished beyond measure at the grotesque ugliness of this black-faced creature.†15 more distorted and unnatural in shape or size Show general definition distorted and unnatural in shape or size -- especially in a disturbing way or: ugly, gross, or very wrong
	10	top 1000
furtivedone in a way that attempts to avoid notice Despite her attempt to look interested, her teacher did not miss her furtive glances at the clock.more Show sample from book As I stared at them, they met my gaze; and then first one and then another turned away from my direct stare, and looked at me in an odd, furtive manner.†9 more taking pains to avoid being observed; OR in a manner indicating nervousness Show general definition taking pains to avoid being observed or: in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
	9	top 1000
luminousshining The sky was luminous with stars.more Show sample from book I did not know then that a reddish luminosity, at least, is not uncommon in human eyes.†8 more luminous → luminosity:glowing or shining… Show general definition glowing or shining (also used metaphorically to describe beauty or intelligence)
	7	top 1000
distortalter in an unnatural or untrue way These sunglasses distort my vision.more Show sample from book He distorted his lower lip, and nodded his head hopelessly at the grey-haired man beside him, to indicate his powerlessness to help me.†6 more distort → distorted:altered in an unnatural or untrue way Show general definition to alter something in an unnatural or untrue way
	7	top 1000
infiniteunlimited There are infinite possibilities.more Show sample from book Then I took a gorilla I had; and upon that, working with infinite care and mastering difficulty after difficulty, I made my first man.†6 more unlimited; without boundaries; OR too numerous to count Show general definition unlimited; without boundaries; or too numerous to count
	6	top 1000
heedheed → heedlessness:pay close attention to Heed the advice of those who have been there before.more Show context notes The suffix "-lessness" in heedlessness means in a state without. This is the same pattern you see in words like fearlessness, powerlessness, and harmlessness. Show sample from book They were talking, or at least one of the men was talking to the other two, and all three had been too closely interested to heed the rustling of my approach.†5 more pay close attention to; or do what is suggested Show general definition pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested -- especially with regard to a warning or other advice
	7	top 2000
tainttaint → tainted:spoiled or contaminated Three people died from eating the tainted ice cream.more Show sample from book It was a complex trophy of Moreau's horrible skill,—a bear, tainted with dog and ox, and one of the most elaborately made of all his creatures.†6 more Show general definition to spoil something so it is not desirable -- as when bacteria contaminates a food; or as when a rumor makes people distrust a person
	7	top 2000
wretchedmiserable The children were taken into protective custody due to their wretched living conditions.more Show sample from book On the day of its publication a wretched dog, flayed and otherwise mutilated, escaped from Moreau's house.†6 more miserable or very bad Show general definition very bad in various senses, including: unfortunate or miserable -- as in "wretched prisoners sleeping on the cold floor" of poor quality -- as in "wretched roads" morally bad -- as in "The wretched woman stole his wallet."
	2	top 100
adaptadapt → adapted:changed (to fit this situation) Ideas contained in passages for this test, some of which are excerpted or adapted from published material, do not necessarily represent the opinions of the College Board.more Show sample from book He was quick to learn, very imitative and adaptive, and built himself a hovel rather better, it seemed to me, than their own shanties.†1 more adapt → adaptive:having the ability to change for different situations Show general definition for adapt (as in: adapted to the new rules) changed to fit a different situation; or made suitable
	3	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 It has hitherto been supposed that the four men who were in the dingey perished, but this is incorrect.†2 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.
	2	top 100
contradictdisagree with Does the sentence contradict the main claim of the essay?more Show sample from book I had never beheld such a repulsive and extraordinary face before, and yet—if the contradiction is credible—I experienced at the same time an odd feeling that in some way I had already encountered exactly the features and gestures that now amazed me.†1 more contradict → contradiction:something (typically a statement) that disagrees with itself; or (more rarely) the act of disagreeing Show general definition disagree in various senses, including: to say something is not true -- as in "She contradicted his testimony." to say something else is true when both can't be true -- as in "I don't believe her. She contradicted herself as she told us what happened." to be in conflict with -- as in "Her assertions contradict accepted scientific principles."
	3	top 500
recollectremember I think I recollect that she was away at college that year.more Show sample from book I fancy I recollect some stuff being poured in between my teeth; and that is all.†2 more 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.
	5	top 2000
repulsivedisgusting (very unpleasant) The tribe elders find American culture as shown in Hollywood films to be immoral and repulsive.†more Show sample from book I had never beheld such a repulsive and extraordinary face before, and yet—if the contradiction is credible—I experienced at the same time an odd feeling that in some way I had already encountered exactly the features and gestures that now amazed me.†4 more very unpleasant or causing disgust Show general definition for repulsive (as in: she found him repulsive) very unpleasant or causing disgust
	11
forthwithimmediately The judge ordered her release "forthwith."more Show sample from book I heard the unseen dogs growl furiously, and forthwith he ducked back,—coming into contact with the hand I put out to fend him off from myself.†10 more Show general definition immediately -- (most typically seen in legal documents, formal use, or classic literature)
	6	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 The chanting died down, giving place to a clamour; then it began again, and suddenly broke into a tumult.5 more loud, confusing noise from an unrestrained crowd 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
	4	top 2000
askewnot straight (not in proper alignment) She came out of the water with her glasses askew but still on her head.more Show sample from book He had long since lost speech and active movement, and the lank hair of the little brute grew thicker every day and his stumpy claws more askew.†3 more not straight; or not right Show general definition not straight (not in proper alignment) or: (when used figuratively) not right, or not as planned
	4	top 2000
gesticulategesticulate → gesticulations:gestures (hand or body movements) made while speaking or to express something The moderator turned her microphone off, leaving us to see her gesticulations, but not hear her words.more Show sample from book They were gesticulating excitedly.†3 more gesticulate → gesticulating:making gestures (hand or body movements) while speaking or to express something Show general definition to make gestures (hand or body movements) while speaking or to express something
	2	top 500
materialistictoo concerned with wealth and possessions She thinks Americans are too materialistic.more Show sample from book You are a materialist.†1 more materialistic → materialist: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
	4
carnivorousmeat-eating Lions and other large carnivorous animals are popular at the zoo.more Show sample from book In another moment he had beaten off the Hyena-swine with the handle of his whip, and he and Montgomery were keeping away the excited carnivorous Beast People, and particularly M'ling, from the still quivering body.†3 more Show general definition of an animal that primarily eats meat Show editor's word notes Carnivorous animals (carnivores) are often contrasted to herbivores (plant-eating animals) and omnivores (animals that eat both meat and plants).