The Reptile Room — Vocabulary
Lemony Snicket
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	13	top 2000
venompoison The rattlesnake's venom is deadly.more Show sample from book I think Stephano took the venom and injected it into Uncle Monty.p.118.912 more poison (from the snake) Show general definition for venom (as in: snake venom) poison created by some insects and animals such as snakes
	6	top 2000
specimenspecimen → specimens:examples representative of their type The museum holds over a million insect specimens.more Show sample from book Is there someone who will come and take care of the children while you are out collecting specimens?†p.13.95 more specimen → specimens:examples regarded as typical of their class Show general definition an example thought to represent its type; or a bit of tissue, blood, or urine that is taken for diagnostic purposes
	2	top 500
devisecome up with (invent or create) She plans to devise something to launch water balloons.more Show sample from book You and I know, of course, that Mr. Poe was panicking over Sunny and the Incredibly Deadly Viper, but all Violet knew was that whatever ruse her siblings had devised was still working.†p.141.31 more devise → devised:came up with (invented or created) Show general definition for devise (as in: devise a plan) to come up with a way of doing something -- typically a creative idea or plan
	2	top 500
perishbe destroyed or cease to exist ...government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.Abraham Lincoln — Gettysburg Addressmore Show sample from book The snakes, and indeed everything in the Reptile Room, were the last reminders the Baudelaires had of the few happy days they'd spent there at the house—the few happy days they'd had since their parents had perished.†p.166.11 more perish → perished:died, was destroyed, or ceased to exist Show general definition to die -- especially in an unnatural way or: to be destroyed or cease to exist Show editor's word notes You may encounter an informal expression, "Perish the thought." It means that the speaker hopes the thought will cease to exist and the thing it represents will never happen.
	4	top 2000
alcoverecessed (pushing outward from the main room) It is a beautiful room with an alcove window.more Show sample from book Klaus had chosen a room with a cozy alcove in it—the word "alcove" here means "a very, very small nook just perfect for sitting and reading."†p.29.93 more a recessed or secluded space -- such as in a room or garden Show general definition a recessed or secluded space -- such as in a room or garden Show editor's word notes The alcove of a room is a smaller room attached to a larger room and separated by an arch or other architectural feature other than a door.
	3	top 2000
ridiculemock (make fun of) It's easier to ridicule her ideas than to seriously refute her findings.more Show sample from book "Yes, and I'm sure he's very sensitive about that, so don't ridicule him," Mr. Poe said, coughing again into his handkerchief.†p.8.12 more mock (make fun of); OR the language or behavior that does so Show general definition mock (make fun of); or the language or behavior that does so
	3	top 1000
speciesa group of similar animals or plants It is an endangered species.more Show sample from book Because it is a new species, there's no way I can prove I discovered it.†p.62.12 more 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
	2	top 1000
solemnvery serious He took a solemn oath.more Show sample from book "Tojoo," Sunny said solemnly, and the siblings looked at one another glumly.†p.49.41 more solemn → solemnly:with seriousness and dignity Show general definition in a very serious (and often dignified) manner
	3	top 2000
assortmentvariety (of something) She bought an assortment of candies to fill the party bags—chocolates, gummies, and lollipops.more Show sample from book There were also assorted toys for the Incredibly Deadly Viper so the two of them could play together whenever they wanted, within reason.†p.30.42 more assortment → assorted:a collection containing a variety of a sort of a thing Show general definition a collection containing a variety of a sort of a thing
	2	top 1000
obliviousunaware of She is oblivious to the dangers.more Show sample from book All afternoon, the three children had sat and worried in the Reptile Room, under the mocking stare of Stephano and the oblivious—the word "oblivious" here means "not aware that Stephano was really Count Olaf and thus being in a great deal of danger"—chatter of Uncle Monty.†p.70.4 Show general definition unaware of
	2	top 1000
collidecollide → collided:crashed together with violent impact The cars collided and burst into flame.more Show sample from book Her shoulder still aching from the car collision, Violet turned the brass handle of the door and walked inside.†p.115.51 more collide → collision:the crashing of things with violent impact; or coming together into conflict Show general definition crash together with violent impact; or come into conflict
	2	top 1000
intimidateintimidate → intimidated:made afraid (of being inadequate) I was intimidated on my first day at the job, but I'm comfortable now.more Show sample from book "He doesn't seem intimidating at all," Klaus interrupted.†p.16.61 more intimidate → intimidating:making fearful Show general definition to cause fear, nervousness, or a sense of inadequacy
	1	top 100
neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas) The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more Show sample from book They had no way of knowing, of course, that very soon there would be more misfortune within their unlucky family, but they nevertheless felt uneasy.†p.10.2 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.
	1	top 100
genuinegenuine → genuinely:sincerely I am genuinely sorry for what I did.more Show sample from book She was trying to appear to be very frightened, and if you didn't know Sunny it would have seemed genuine.†p.127.6 real Show general definition real (as when a person is sincere or an object is not a replica or fake)
	3	top 2000
entwinedinterconnected or twisted together Our lives are entwined.more Show sample from book They saw a large oil painting of two snakes entwined together that hung on the wall.†p.10.72 more interconnected (not easily separated) or twisted together Show general definition interconnected (not easily separated) or twisted together
	2	top 2000
inquisitiveinterested in learning about things She is an inquisitive child who always asks questions.more Show sample from book Questions show an inquisitive mind.†p.12.81 more interested in learning about things -- often asking many questions Show general definition interested in learning about things -- often asking many questions
	2
preemptivepreventive The government launched a preemptive strike against the enemy to prevent an imminent attack.more Show sample from book Do you three know what the word 'preempt' means?†p.61.91 more preemptive → preempt:done before something undesired happens to prevent it from happening Show general definition done before something undesired happens to prevent it from happening
	2
genericnon-branded version The pharmacist offered me a generic version of the medicine that cost much less than the name brand.more Show sample from book Sunny shrieked, in a generic cry of frustration, and pounded her little fist on the floor.†p.74.31 more applicable to an entire class or group rather than to a specific thing… Show general definition applicable to an entire class or group rather than to a specific thing; or a non-branded version of something such as a medication or grocery
	1	top 2000
deviousdeceitful and clever It is a devious plan.more Show sample from book The Baudelaire parents had left behind an enormous fortune, which would go to the children when Violet came of age, and Count Olaf was so obsessed with getting his filthy hands on the money that he hatched a devious plan that gives me nightmares to this day.†p.2.7 deceitful (not honest and straightforward) Show general definition for devious (as in: a devious plan) deceitful (not honest and straightforward) -- often in a complicated, clever manner
	1	top 2000
pendulumshifting weight (of opinion) Now the pendulum has swung the other direction and voters are demanding change.more Show sample from book And they could see his knife, which Stephano was moving slowly like the pendulum of a grandfather clock.†p.56.9 something that swings or shifts back and forth between two positions Show general definition something that swings or shifts back and forth between two positions -- often seen in a swinging weight or in changing opinions