A Sound of Thunder — Vocabulary
Ray Bradbury
(Auto-generated)

Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
1 top 100
correlatecorrelate → correlation:a relationship between two things so that one can be predicted from the other
My opponent is confusing correlation with causation. Just because kids who play violent video games are also more likely to behave violently, doesn't mean the video games cause the violence.more
Show context notes Just because you can guess 'A' from 'B' doesn’t mean 'A' changes 'B.' Something else, like 'C,' might affect both, and that’s why 'A' can be guessed from 'B.'

For example, children with larger shoe sizes are likely to know more math. It's not that shoe size helps with math, it's that older children tend to have larger feet and know more math.
Show sample from book
Then I correlate our arrival in the Past so that we meet the Monster not more than two minutes before he would have died anyway.†
to find or have a connection or relationship between two things, such that a cha…
Show context notes Just because you can guess 'A' from 'B' doesn’t mean 'A' changes 'B.' Something else, like 'C,' might affect both, and that’s why 'A' can be guessed from 'B.'

For example, children with larger shoe sizes are likely to know more math. It's not that shoe size helps with math, it's that older children tend to have larger feet and know more math.
Show general definition to find or have a connection or relationship between two things, such that a change in one helps predict a change in the other
Show editor's word notes Just because you can guess 'A' from 'B' doesn’t mean 'A' changes 'B.' Something else, like 'C,' might affect both, and that’s why 'A' can be guessed from 'B.'

For example, children with larger shoe sizes are likely to know more math. It's not that shoe size helps with math, it's that older children tend to have larger feet and know more math.
2 top 2000
bacteriamicroorganisms (living creatures so small it takes a microscope to see them)
The infection is caused by a bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics.more
Show sample from book
We wear these oxygen helmets so we can't introduce our bacteria into an ancient atmosphere.†1 more
Show general definition microorganisms (living creatures so small it takes a microscope to see them) that can both cause disease and be beneficial.

(Bacteria are different and larger than viruses.)
Show editor's word notes A single bacteria is called a bacterium and consists of a single cell that  reproduces by splitting. (This is unlike a virus that uses cells in the body to reproduce.)

Bacteria are found virtually everywhere. For example, there are typically 40 million bacterial cells in a gram of soil and a million bacterial cells in a milliliter of fresh water. Many bacteria reside on our skin and in our bodies. For example, bacteria in the stomach help animals digest food.
1 top 500
annihilatecompletely defeat and destroy
She reported that "ISIS needs to understand the Joint Force is on orders to annihilate them."more
Show sample from book
With a stamp of your foot, you annihilate first one, then a dozen, then a thousand, a million, a billion possible mice!†
to completely destroy or defeat
Show general definition to completely destroy or defeat
1 top 500
teemare full (with many)
The tide pools teem with tiny, fascinating creatures.more
Show sample from book
Perhaps Europe is forever a dark forest, and only Asia waxes healthy and teeming.
teem → teeming:filled with busy people
Show general definition have a large number of things -- especially things that are moving
1 top 1000
resilientable to withstand strain and/or quickly recover from it
Times have been tough, but she is resilient.more
Show sample from book
It came on great oiled, resilient, striding legs.†
Show general definition able to withstand strain and/or quickly recover from it -- such as a person retaining a positive attitude, or a material returning to its shape after being bent, stretched, or pressed
1 top 2000
forfeitlose
We had to forfeit the deposit.more
Show sample from book
We'll forfeit!†
to lose or surrender something -- often as a penalty
Show general definition to lose or surrender something -- often as a penalty
1 top 1000
infiniteunlimited
There are infinite possibilities.more
Show sample from book
For want of a lion, all manner of insects, vultures, infinite billions of life forms are thrown into chaos and destruction.†
unlimited; without boundaries; OR  too numerous to count
Show general definition unlimited; without boundaries; or too numerous to count
1 top 1000
speciesa group of similar animals or plants
It is an endangered species.more
Show sample from book
Not knowing it, we might kill an important animal, a small bird, a roach, a flower even, thus destroying an important link in a growing species.†
a similar group of animals or plants
Show general definition a group of animals or plants that are similar -- typically identified as belonging to the same group when they are of a kind that can reproduce new members of the group together
1 top 2000
temperamentcharacter resulting in mood and tendencies
She has the experience, temperament, and judgment for the job.more
Show sample from book
A dead mouse here makes an insect imbalance there, a population disproportion later, a bad harvest further on, a depression, mass starvation, and finally, a change in social temperament in far-flung countries.
usual mood and tendencies
Show general definition for temperament (as in: it is her temperament) usual mood and tendencies
1 top 2000
tainttaint → tainted:spoiled or contaminated
Three people died from eating the tainted ice cream.more
Show sample from book
Eckels stood smelling of the air, and there was a thing to the air, a chemical taint so subtle, so slight, that only a faint cry of his subliminal senses warned him it was there.
contamination spoiling the air
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
1 top 2000
talontalon → talons:sharp hooked claws
Bald eagle talons can measure as long as two inches.more
Show sample from book
It ran, its pelvic bones crushing aside trees and bushes, its taloned feet clawing damp earth, leaving prints six inches deep wherever it settled its weight.†
talon → taloned:a sharp hooked claw -- especially on a bird of prey
Show general definition a sharp hooked claw -- especially on a bird of prey
1 top 2000
poisecomposure (calm confidence -- even when under pressure)
She has great charm and great poise.more
Show sample from book
It ran with a gliding ballet step, far too poised and balanced for its ten tons.†
poise → poised:calm, confident, and in control
Show general definition calm, confident, and in control—especially in movement, behavior, or when ready to act
1 top 2000
embeddedfirmly stuck into or enclosed within
The archaeologists found an ancient coin embedded in the clay.more
Show sample from book
Embedded in the mud, glistening green and gold and black, was a butterfly, very beautiful and very dead.†
firmly within; or placed firmly within
Show general definition firmly within; or placed within
in various senses, including:
  • firmly stuck into -- as a thorn into a finger
  • enclosed within -- as a fossil within a rock
  • implanted as a part -- sometimes specifically of a reporter
  • integrated in hardware -- as of a computer chip
  • firmly set within -- as of a character trait
1 top 2000
HitlerGerman Nazi dictator during World War II who murdered millions of Jews and others who were not of the Aryan race
Hitler killed disabled children as his first action of  "racial hygiene." He pretended to end the program when the public protested.more
Show sample from book
Alexander, Caesar, Napoleon, Hitler-none of them exists.†
Show general definition for Hitler (as in: Adolf Hitler) German Nazi dictator during World War II; murdered millions of Jews and others who were not of the Aryan race (1889-1945)
1
infinitesimalvery tiny; OR  immeasurably small
The pause was infinitesimal, but before he could go on Fraulein Hedwig said:Maugham, W. Somerset  —  Of Human Bondagemore
Show sample from book
Crushing certain plants could add up infinitesimally.†
Show general definition very tiny; or immeasurably small
1
primevalancient
She found the fossilized remains of a primeval palm tree.more
Show sample from book
Eckels turned slowly to regard the primeval garbage dump, that hill of nightmares and terror.
Show general definition ancient (of or from a long time ago); or having existed from ancient times
1
revokerevoke → revoked:cancelled (took back)
The college revoked her admission when she was caught cheating in high school.more
Show sample from book
They might revoke our license to travel.
cancel (take back)
Show general definition for revoke (as in: revoked his privileges) to void, cancel, or take back -- especially to do so in an official manner
1
Napoleon BonaparteNapoleon Bonaparte → Napoleon:French general and emperor who ruled (through conquest) most of continental Europe for a brief time
Napoleon and Hitler were both defeated by the Russian winter.more
Show sample from book
Alexander, Caesar, Napoleon, Hitler-none of them exists.
Napoleon Bonaparte → Napoleon:French general and emperor who conquered most of continental Europe for a brief time early in the 19th century
Show general definition French general and emperor who ruled (through conquest) most of continental Europe for a brief time (1769-1821)
Show editor's word notes Napoleon rose during the French Revolution, seized power in 1799, and crowned himself emperor in 1804. He expanded French influence through wars across Europe and also passed lasting reforms, especially the Napoleonic Code, which shaped modern civil law in many countries. His failed invasion of Russia (1812) began his decline; he was forced to abdicate, briefly returned to power, and was finally defeated at Waterloo (1815). He died in exile on St. Helena.
1
stagnatestay still or not develop
We don't want the economy to stagnate.more
Show sample from book
They gazed back at the ruined Monster, the stagnating mound, where already strange reptilian birds and golden insects were busy at the steaming armor.†
stagnate → stagnating:staying still or not developing
Show general definition staying still or not developing
1
subliminalnot recognized by the conscious mind, but still of influence
It is illegal to flash commercial subliminal messages on television.†more
Show sample from book
Eckels stood smelling of the air, and there was a thing to the air, a chemical taint so subtle, so slight, that only a faint cry of his subliminal senses warned him it was there.
in a manner not recognized by the conscious mind, but still of influence