The Veldt — Vocabulary
Ray Bradbury
(Edited)

Story sample Uses ACT/SAT
3 top 100
neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas)
  "They've been acting funny ever since you forbade them to take the rocket to New York a few months ago."
  "They're not old enough to do that alone, I explained."
  "Nevertheless, I've noticed they've been decidedly cool toward us since."p.17.12 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.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.
2 top 1000
persecutionpersecution → persecuted:treated very badly and unfairly
"Now I'm feeling persecuted," said McClean.p.22.91 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
Everyone knows about the persecution of the Jews by the Nazis.more
very bad and unfair treatment
Show general definition very bad and unfair treatment of others -- often because of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or political beliefs
2 top 2000
paranoidparanoid → paranoia:excessive fear or suspicion that others want to harm you
  "Nothing ever likes to die — even a room. I wonder if it hates me for wanting to switch it off?"
  "Paranoia is thick around here today," said David McClean.p.23.51 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you.Joseph Heller  —  Catch-22more
excessively suspicious that others want to harm you
Show general definition for paranoid (used casually) excessively suspicious that others want to harm you; or excessively fearful
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conceiveconceive → conceived:originated the idea of
And again George Hadley was filled with admiration for the mechanical genius who had conceived this room.p.6.1
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
It’s difficult to conceive how vast the universe is.more
understand
Show general definition for conceive (as in: conceive the idea) to originate, understand, or imagine
1 top 500
principlebasic way it worked
He knew the principle of the room exactly.p.12.5
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
I accept as a basic principle that all people are precious and should be treated with equal dignity.more
belief
Show general definition a basic rule or belief
The exact meaning of principle can depend upon its context. For example:
  • "our guiding principles" -- basic moral beliefs that guide decisions and behavior
  • "electromagnetic principles" -- rules describing how the world works
  • "She lacks principles." -- lacks moral guidelines
  • "We agree in principle." -- about important basic beliefs
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subsidesubside → subsided:became less intense
And then another roar from the lions, which subsided quickly.p.11.3
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
I'm hoping aspirin will make the pain subside.more
become less severe
Show general definition for subside (as in: her anger subsided) become less intense, less severe, or less active -- perhaps going away entirely
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contemplatecontemplate → contemplating:thinking about
We've been contemplating our mechanical, electronic navels for too long.p.24.4
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
After the meeting, she needed some time alone to contemplate her next move.more
think deeply about
Show general definition consider or ponder
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appallingappalling → appalled:shocked by how terrible or horrible something is
Outside, in the hall, with the door slammed he was laughing and she was crying, and they both stood appalled at the other's reaction.p.7.2
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The live in appalling conditions.more
shockingly terrible or horrible
Show general definition shockingly terrible or horrible
1 top 1000
recedemove away
Now, as George and Lydia Hadley stood in the center of the room, the walls began to purr and recede into crystalline distance, it seemed, and presently an African veldt appeared, in three dimensions, on all sides, in color reproduced to the final pebble and bit of straw.p.4.6
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
Interest in the story is beginning to recede.more
diminish (decrease)
Show general definition to move away or diminish (become less)
The exact meaning of recede depends upon its context. For example:
  • "We can't move back in until the floodwaters recede." -- diminish and move away
  • "Her fear receded." -- diminished
  • "The waves first advance and then recede." -- move away
  • "The news story receded into the background as it was replaced by new stories." -- received diminished attention
  • "a receding hairline" -- diminished hair (each year the line where hair stops growing is higher on the forehead)
  • "She has a receding chin." -- sloping back (as contrasted to sticking out)
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relishenthusiastic enjoyment
With the children gone, the two men stood studying the lions clustered at a distance, eating with great relish whatever it was they had caught.p.20.6
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
She relished her fame and basked in her glorymore
relish → relished:enjoyed enthusiastically
1 top 2000
preoccupiedbusy thinking about something else
He didn't answer Lydia. Preoccupied, he let the lights glow softly on ahead of him, extinguish behind him as he padded to the nursery door.p.11.1
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
She got no help from her husband who was preoccupied with the children.more
busy (doing or thinking about other things)
Show general definition busy thinking about or doing something so that other things are not noticed or done
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boundbound → bounds:boundaries or limits
You are, within reasonable bounds.p.18.4
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The ball went out of bounds.more
bound → out of bounds:the boundaries of an area where a game is played
Show general definition for bound (as in: out of bounds) a boundary or limit
1
telepathytelepathy → telepathic:communication without using the known senses (often used in fiction, but not scientifically supported)
Remarkable how the nursery caught the telepathic emanations of the children's minds and created life to fill their every desire.p.10.4
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
My dog is so good at knowing what I'm thinking, you'd think she had canine telepathy.more
communication from one mind to another without using the known senses
Show general definition communication from one mind to another without using the known senses (often used in fiction but not scientifically supported as real)
1
interspersemix
If you intersperse this Africa with a little variety — oh, Sweden perhaps, or Denmark or China —p.18.2
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
She interspersed the lecture with jokes and stories to keep the audience engaged.more
intersperse → interspersed:inserted at irregular intervals
Show general definition to place something at irregular intervals in something else; or to mix two things irregularly
1
insufferableextremely unpleasant
They're insufferable — let's admit it.p.16.8
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
Her insufferable arrogance made it difficult for her colleagues to work with her.more
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engrossedwith all attention focused
I think we'd better get downstairs before those kids get engrossed with those damned beasts again.p.26.2
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
She was so engrossed in her conversation; she didn't realize the bell had rung.more
5
veldveld → veldt:open grassland (more commonly spelled veld)
Now, as George and Lydia Hadley stood in the center of the room, the walls began to purr and recede into crystalline distance, it seemed, and presently an African veldt appeared, in three dimensions, on all sides, in color reproduced to the final pebble and bit of straw.p.4.74 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The vast expanse of the African veld stretched out before us.more
uncultivated grassland
Show general definition uncultivated grassland -- typically in the region of southern Africa
1
emanationemanation → emanations:emissions (things sent out)
Remarkable how the nursery caught the telepathic emanations of the children's minds and created life to fill their every desire.p.10.4
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The emanation of light from the black hole was so powerful that it blinded the astronomers.more
emission
Show general definition emission or creation
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indicateindicate → indicated:shown
And it was clearly indicated that the children had been spending a little too much time on Africa.p.10.2
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
These maps are drawn with north to the top unless otherwise indicated.more
indicate → indicated:pointed out (shown)
Show general definition to show (point out, demonstrate, express, or suggest)
Show editor's word notes The form, indicator can refer to many different kinds of things including intentional signals (such as a turn indicator), gauges (such as one that indicates pressure), or a measurement (such as an economic or chemical indicator).
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abruptabrupt → abruptly:suddenly and unexpectedly
But won't the shock be too much for the children, shutting the room up abruptly, for good?p.22.81 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The bus came to an abrupt stop.more
sudden and unexpected
Show general definition for abrupt (as in: an abrupt change) sudden and unexpected

or (less commonly): characterized by sudden changes or at a steep angle