Through the Tunnel — Vocabulary
Doris Lessing
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
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poisecomposure (calm confidence -- even when under pressure)
She has great charm and great poise.more
Show sample from book
He saw them nose toward each other, poise motionless, make a dart forward, swerve off, and come around again.†1 more
calm, confident, and in control
Show general definition calm, confident, and in control—especially in movement, behavior, or when ready to act
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comprehendcomprehend → comprehends:fully understands
I don't think she comprehends how dangerous this has become.more
Show sample from book
They shouted cheerful greetings at him; and then, as he preserved his nervous, uncomprehending smile, they understood that he was a foreigner strayed from his own beach, and they proceeded to forget him.†
comprehend → uncomprehending:not understanding
Show context notes The prefix "un-" in uncomprehending means not and reverses the meaning of comprehending. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.
Show general definition to understand something -- especially to understand it completely
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waverwaver → wavered:faltered (stopped being strong)
Through good times and bad her love for him has never wavered.more
Show sample from book
It was as if he had eyes of a different kind—fish eyes that showed everything clear and delicate and wavering in the bright water.†
waver → wavering:moving back and forth; or being unsure or weak
Show general definition to move back and forth (shake or quiver)

or:

to change, be unsure, or weak
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incredulousdifficult to believe
I find it incredulous that you believe she is sincere.more
Show sample from book
He was incredulous and then proud to find he could hold his breath without strain for two minutes.†
unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected
Show general definition unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected
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luminousshining
The sky was luminous with stars.more
Show sample from book
Finally, as he ran sliding and scraping down the last few yards, he saw an edge of white surf and the shallow, luminous movement of water over white sand, and, beyond that, a solid, heavy blue.†
glowing or shining…
Show general definition glowing or shining

(also used metaphorically to describe beauty or intelligence)
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inquisitiveinterested in learning about things
She is an inquisitive child who always asks questions.more
Show sample from book
She gave him a patient, inquisitive look as she said casually, "Well, of course, darling."†
interested in learning about things -- often asking many questions
Show general definition interested in learning about things -- often asking many questions
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tormenttorment → tormenting:causing great mental or physical suffering
She enjoys tormenting others.†more
Show sample from book
It was a torment to him to waste a day of his careful self-training, but he stayed with her on that other beach, which now seemed a place for small children, a place where his mother might lie safe in the sun.†
to cause or to experience great mental or physical suffering
Show general definition to cause or to experience great mental or physical suffering
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contritesorry
She apologized, but she didn't seem genuinely contrite.more
Show sample from book
Contrition sent him running after her.†1 more
contrite → contrition:sorrow or regret for a fault or offense
Show general definition feeling sorrow or regret for a fault or offense
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beseechbeseech → beseeches:begs
She beseeches her students to think about their future.more
Show sample from book
"I want some swimming goggles," he panted, defiant and beseeching.†
beseech → beseeching:asking or begging
Show general definition to ask strongly or beg for something
Show editor's word notes Beseech is common in classic literature. Though its usage has doubled in recent decades, it remains a rare word in modern writing.

Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice):

Beseech is similar to beg or entreat. Beg implies the request for a personal favor, while entreat implies an attempt to overcome resistance.
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innumerabletoo numerous to be counted
She has been the target of innumerable investigations.more
Show sample from book
Fish again—myriads of minute fish, the length of his fingernail, were drifting through the water, and in a moment he could feel the innumerable tiny touches of them against his limbs.†
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persistencecontinuing effort despite difficulties
She hasn't succeeded yet, but I admire her persistence.more
Show sample from book
A curious, most unchildlike persistence, a controlled impatience, made him wait.†
continuing or repeating behavior
Show general definition continuing or repeating behavior -- especially in spite of difficulties

or:

continuing or prolonged existence of something
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gravegrave → gravity:seriousness or importance (weightiness)
Her smile disappeared as she suddenly realized the gravity of her situation.more
Show sample from book
They looked down gravely, frowning.†
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
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glimpsequick look
I caught a glimpse of them at the game.more
Show sample from book
He pushed himself out backward and caught a glimpse, as he retreated, of a harmless tentacle of seaweed drifting in the mouth of the tunnel.†
a quick look or partial understanding
Show general definition a quick look or partial understanding
The exact meaning of glimpse can depend upon its context. For example:
  • "I caught a glimpse of her when I was walking to class." -- a very quick look
  • "I glimpsed at the headlines." -- looked quickly
  • "Reading the book gave me a glimpse of the life of a devout Muslim immigrant in America." -- a quick, incomplete view