The Veldt — Vocabulary
Ray Bradbury
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Exemplary sample Uses Broad Use
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neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas)
The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more
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  "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 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
persecutionvery bad and unfair treatment
Everyone knows about the persecution of the Jews by the Nazis.more
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"Now I'm feeling persecuted," said McClean.p.22.91 more
persecution → persecuted:treated very badly and unfairly
Show general definition very bad and unfair treatment of others -- often because of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or political beliefs
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paranoidexcessively suspicious that others want to harm you
Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you.Joseph Heller  —  Catch-22more
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  "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
paranoid → paranoia:excessive fear or suspicion 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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conceiveunderstand
It’s difficult to conceive how vast the universe is.more
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And again George Hadley was filled with admiration for the mechanical genius who had conceived this room.p.6.1
conceive → conceived:originated the idea of
Show general definition for conceive (as in: conceive the idea) to originate, understand, or imagine
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principlebelief
I accept as a basic principle that all people are precious and should be treated with equal dignity.more
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He knew the principle of the room exactly.p.12.5
basic way it worked
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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subsidebecome less severe
I'm hoping aspirin will make the pain subside.more
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And then another roar from the lions, which subsided quickly.p.11.3
subside → subsided:became less intense
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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contemplatethink deeply about
After the meeting, she needed some time alone to contemplate her next move.more
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We've been contemplating our mechanical, electronic navels for too long.p.24.4
contemplate → contemplating:thinking about
Show general definition consider or ponder
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appallingshockingly terrible or horrible
The live in appalling conditions.more
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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
appalling → appalled:shocked by how terrible or horrible something is
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recedediminish (decrease)
Interest in the story is beginning to recede.more
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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
move away
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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relishrelish → relished:enjoyed enthusiastically
She relished her fame and basked in her glorymore
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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
enthusiastic enjoyment
Show general definition for relish (as in: relished the experience) enthusiastic enjoyment
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preoccupiedbusy (doing or thinking about other things)
She got no help from her husband who was preoccupied with the children.more
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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
busy thinking about something else
Show general definition busy thinking about or doing something so that other things are not noticed or done
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boundbound → out of bounds:the boundaries of an area where a game is played
The ball went out of bounds.more
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You are, within reasonable bounds.p.18.4
bound → bounds:boundaries or limits
Show general definition for bound (as in: out of bounds) a boundary or limit
1
telepathycommunication from one mind to another without using the known senses
My dog is so good at knowing what I'm thinking, you'd think she had canine telepathy.more
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Remarkable how the nursery caught the telepathic emanations of the children's minds and created life to fill their every desire.p.10.4
telepathy → telepathic:communication without using the known senses (often used in fiction, but not scientifically supported)
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
intersperseintersperse → interspersed:inserted at irregular intervals
She interspersed the lecture with jokes and stories to keep the audience engaged.more
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If you intersperse this Africa with a little variety — oh, Sweden perhaps, or Denmark or China —p.18.2
mix
Show general definition to place something at irregular intervals in something else; or to mix two things irregularly
1
insufferableextremely unpleasant
Her insufferable arrogance made it difficult for her colleagues to work with her.more
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They're insufferable — let's admit it.p.16.8
Show general definition extremely unpleasant
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engrossedwith all attention focused
She was so engrossed in her conversation; she didn't realize the bell had rung.more
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I think we'd better get downstairs before those kids get engrossed with those damned beasts again.p.26.2
Show general definition for engrossed (as in: engrossed in the book) with all attention focused
5
velduncultivated grassland
The vast expanse of the African veld stretched out before us.more
Show sample from book
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
veld → veldt:open grassland (more commonly spelled veld)
Show general definition uncultivated grassland -- typically in the region of southern Africa
1
emanationemission
The emanation of light from the black hole was so powerful that it blinded the astronomers.more
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Remarkable how the nursery caught the telepathic emanations of the children's minds and created life to fill their every desire.p.10.4
emanation → emanations:emissions (things sent out)
Show general definition emission or creation
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indicateindicate → indicated:pointed out (shown)
These maps are drawn with north to the top unless otherwise indicated.more
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And it was clearly indicated that the children had been spending a little too much time on Africa.p.10.2
indicate → indicated: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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abruptsudden and unexpected
The bus came to an abrupt stop.more
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But won't the shock be too much for the children, shutting the room up abruptly, for good?p.22.81 more
abrupt → abruptly:suddenly and unexpectedly
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