A Wrinkle in Time — Vocabulary
Madeleine L'Engle
(Edited)

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Book sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	9	top 1000
tangibleclearly felt She? he? it? smiled at them, and the radiance of the smile was as tangible as a soft breeze, as directly warming as the rays of the sun.p.74.58 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) They set tangible goals.more clear (easily understood and measured) Show general definition capable of being touched, or easily understood so there is no question of its value or reality
	8	top 1000
transparentcapable of being seen through The wall flickered, quivered, grew transparent.p.154.47 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) The transparent shower door shows water spots.more capable of being seen through with clarity Show general definition for transparent (as in: transparent shower door) able to be seen through with clarity
	1	top 500
despairdistress Despair settled like a stone in the pit of Meg's stomach.p.171.81 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) Don't give in to despair.more a feeling of hopelessness Show general definition for despair (as in: she felt despair) hopelessness; or distress (such as extreme worry or sadness from feeling powerless to change a bad situation)
	1	top 500
despair#2give up hope My child, do not despair.p.84.71 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) Don't despair. Next year will be better.more lose hope Show general definition for despair (as in: do not despair) lose hope or feel distress
	3	top 2000
accordaccord → according to:in keeping with That is according to your calendar, of course, which even you know isn't very accurate.p.95.43 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) She will get a fair trial in accordance with the law.more accord → accordance:keeping Show general definition for accord (as in: according to, or in accord with) in keeping with; or in agreement/harmony/unity with This meaning of accord is often seen in the form according to or accordingly where it can take on more specific meanings. For example: "According to Kim, ..." -- as stated by "To each according to her ability." -- based upon "Points are scored according to how well they perform." -- depending upon "The dose is calculated according to body weight." -- in proportion to "We got a flat tire. Accordingly, I pulled to the side of the road." -- because of what was just said; or as a result
	1	top 2000
accord#2accord → one accord:mind With one accord all the beasts rose to their feet, turned toward one of the arched openings, and bowed their heads and tentacles in greeting.p.212.13 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) She was not forced. She did it of her own accord.more accord → own accord:own mind -- voluntarily (without anyone asking) Show general definition for accord (as in: done of her own accord) mind Show editor's word notes This sense of accord is typically seen in the form own accord or one accord.
	6	top 1000
cleavecleave → cloven:split Isn't Father imprisoned in a cloven pine even more than Charles?p.163.95 more Show context notes Meg is referring to a quotation from Shakespeare's The Tempest about a character imprisoned by magic in a cloven pine, but who is later released by a magician. Calvin previously used the quote while trying to free Charles. Show exemplary sample (not from book) Large molecules cleave at their weakest points and produce smaller fragments.more Show general definition for cleave (as in: cleave through) to split or cut through something Show editor's word notes Ironically, this word can mean to split in two or to hold together. Note that you may see cleaved, cleft, clove, or cloven as the past tense of this sense of cleave.
	7	top 2000
intoneintone → intoned:said How small is the earth to him who looks from heaven: Mrs Who intoned musically.p.97.76 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) "Fair is foul and foul is fair" intone the witches in Macbeth.more say in a chanting voice Show general definition to speak; or (less commonly) to sing or play music The exact meaning of intone can depend upon its context. It can mean: to say something somberly (slowly and seriously without much change in pitch) to speak or sing in a careful manner as with rising and falling pitch to say in a particular tone or pitch
	6	top 2000
probeprobe → probing:investigating For a brief, illuminating second Meg's face had the listening, probing expression that was so often seen on Charles's.p.88.85 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) There was a congressional probe into the scandal.more investigation Show general definition to investigate closely; or a tool or device used to explore, examine, or gather information
	3	top 200
sinisterevil or frightening Then Charles Wallace giggled, a giggle that was the most sinister sound Meg had ever heard.p.156.42 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) They created a sinister plan to recruit terrorists.more evil Show general definition evil or harmful; or making an evil or frightening impression
	4	top 1000
sereneserene → serenely:in a manner that is calm and untroubled Charles Wallace nodded serenely.p.15.43 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) While I lie awake worrying, she sleeps serenely.more serene → serenely:calmly and peacefully Show general definition calm and untroubled
	2	top 100
alternativeother possibility The beast turned toward Calvin and Mr. Murry. "This child is in danger. You must trust us." "We have no alternative," Mr. Murry said. "Can you save her?"p.196.81 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) Let's think of at least three alternatives before we decide what to do.more alternative → alternatives:possibilities Show general definition for alternative (as in: an alternative plan) a different choice or possibility, or describing something that offers a different choice or possibility
	2	top 200
functionwork She thought she was trying to think, but her flattened-out mind was as unable to function as her lungs; her thoughts were squashed along with the rest of her.p.90.71 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) I don't function well on less than six hours of sleep a night; and I do best on nine.more work or operate Show general definition for function (as in: can't function well without sleep) work or operate -- sometimes to work or operate normally or in a particular way
	4	top 2000
compulsiona strong urge to do something And I told you it was because I had a compulsion, a feeling I just had to come to that particular place at that particular moment?p.126.63 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) She has a deep compulsion to make herself the center of attention.more urge, desire, or need Show general definition a strong (possibly uncontrollable) urge to do something; or a force or a requirement that forces an action
	2	top 200
tentativetentative → tentatively:in a careful or unsure way She stepped forward tentatively.p.174.41 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) The puppy approached us tentatively until it knew we wouldn't harm it.more tentative → tentatively:in a careful way (indicating a lack of confidence) Show general definition for tentative (as in: said it tentatively) done in a careful or unsure way (indicating a lack of confidence in exactly what will happen)
	2	top 500
devourdevour → devouring:swallowing (completely surrounding and covering) Immediately Meg was swept into darkness, into nothingness, and then into the icy devouring cold of the Black Thing.p.223.41 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) The entire block was devoured in the fire.more devour → devoured:completely consumed or destroyed Show general definition for devour (as in: devoured by flames) to completely consume, destroy, or engulf (surround or cover)
	2	top 500
apprehensionnervousness Calvin touched Meg in a quick gesture, and whether it was of thanks or apprehension she was not sure.p.106.51 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) She looked around the examination room with apprehension.more concern about what will happen Show general definition for apprehension (as in: apprehension about finals) worry about what is to come
	1	top 100
contradictcontradict → contradicted:disagreed with Now she was waiting to be contradicted.p.61.3 Show exemplary sample (not from book) Does the sentence contradict the main claim of the essay?more disagree with Show general definition disagree in various senses, including: to say something is not true -- as in "She contradicted his testimony." to say something else is true when both can't be true -- as in "I don't believe her. She contradicted herself as she told us what happened." to be in conflict with -- as in "Her assertions contradict accepted scientific principles."
	3	top 100
appropriateproper "But that's not appropriate at all," Charles said crossly.p.42.72 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) These clothes aren't appropriate for work.more suitable (fitting) for a particular situation Show general definition for appropriate (as in: it is appropriate) suitable (fitting) for a particular situation
	4	top 1000
abruptabrupt → abruptly:suddenly Did a shadow fall across the moon or did the moon simply go out, extinguished as abruptly and completely as a candle?p.64.33 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