Harrison Bergeron — Vocabulary
Kurt Vonnegut
(Auto-generated)

Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
2 top 1000
cowercower → cowered:showed fear by positioning the body as though afraid of being hit
She cowered in fear.more
Show sample from book
Ballerinas, technicians, musicians, and announcers cowered on their knees before him, expecting to die.†1 more
Show general definition show fear by positioning the body as though afraid of being hit
1 top 1000
luminousshining
The sky was luminous with stars.more
Show sample from book
Her voice was a warm, luminous, timeless melody.†
glowing or shining…
Show general definition glowing or shining

(also used metaphorically to describe beauty or intelligence)
1 top 2000
consternationdismay (unhappiness and worry)
Much to the consternation of Congress, raising the tax decreased tax collections as manufacturers moved to other countries.more
Show sample from book
Screams and barking cries of consternation came from the television set.†
dismay (unhappiness, worry, and often confusion)
Show general definition dismay (unhappiness, worry, and often confusion) -- typically over something unexpected
1 top 1000
collidecollide → collided:crashed together with violent impact
The cars collided and burst into flame.more
Show sample from book
The realization was blasted from his mind instantly by the sound of an automobile collision in his head.†
collide → collision:the crashing of things with violent impact; or coming together into conflict
Show general definition crash together with violent impact; or come into conflict
1 top 2000
hideousextremely ugly, offensive, and/or frightening
The beast had hideous fangs.more
Show sample from book
She must have been extraordinarily beautiful, because the mask she wore was hideous.†
1 top 1000
calibratecalibrate → calibrated:made fine adjustments
She calibrated the oscilloscope for better measurement.more
Show sample from book
The picture showed the full length of Harrison against a background calibrated in feet and inches.
calibrate → calibrated:divided into marked intervals to measure
Show general definition make fine adjustments or measurements; or divide into marked intervals for optimal measuring;
1
gambolgambol → gamboling:frolicking
The puppies were gamboling in the back yard.more
Show sample from book
They reeled, whirled, swiveled, flounced, capered, gamboled, and spun.†
gambol → gamboled:frolicked (skipped, jumped, and/or ran around in a happy, playful manner)
Show general definition to frolic (skip, leap, and/or run around in a happy, playful manner)
1 top 500
gravegrave → gravity:seriousness or importance (weightiness)
Her smile disappeared as she suddenly realized the gravity of her situation.more
Show sample from book
Harrison and his Empress merely listened to the music for a while — listened gravely, as though synchronizing their heartbeats with it.†
grave → gravely:in a serious and solemn manner
Show general definition for grave (as in: Her manner was grave.) serious and/or solemn
The exact meaning of this sense of grave can depend upon its context. For example:
  • "This is a grave problem," or "a situation of the utmost gravity." -- important, dangerous, or causing worry
  • "She was in a grave mood upon returning from the funeral." -- sad or solemn
  • "She looked me in the eye and gravely promised." -- in a sincere and serious manner
1 top 500
ceasestop
According to the treaty, all offensive military action will cease at midnight.more
Show sample from book
All this equality was due to the 211th, 212th, and 213th Amendments to the Constitution, and to the unceasing vigilance of agents of the United States Handicapper General.†
cease → unceasing:not stopping or discontinuing
Show context notes The prefix "un-" in unceasing means not and reverses the meaning of ceasing. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.
Show general definition to stop or discontinue