- palpable
capable of being perceived
"Can't see it," remarked Rainsford, trying to peer through the dank tropical night that was palpable as it pressed its thick warm blackness in upon the yacht.
- amended
modified for the better
"For the hunter," amended Whitney.
- forsake
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
Even cannibals wouldn't live in such a God- forsaken place.
- tangible
perceptible by the senses, especially the sense of touch
Sometimes I think evil is a tangible thing--with wave lengths, just as sound and light have.
- sensuous
providing perceptible pleasure or gratification
The sensuous drowsiness of the night was on him."
- abrupt
exceedingly sudden and unexpected
An abrupt sound startled him.
- mystify
be puzzling or bewildering to
Rainsford sprang up and moved quickly to the rail, mystified.
- recede
pull back or move away or backward
Desperately he struck out with strong strokes after the receding lights of the yacht, but he stopped before he had swum fifty feet.
- doggedly
with obstinate determination
They had come from the right, and doggedly he swam in that direction, swimming with slow, deliberate strokes, conserving his strength.
- deliberate
carefully thought out in advance
They had come from the right, and doggedly he swam in that direction, swimming with slow, deliberate strokes, conserving his strength.
- conserve
keep in safety and protect from harm, loss, or destruction
They had come from the right, and doggedly he swam in that direction, swimming with slow, deliberate strokes, conserving his strength.
- anguish
extreme distress of body or mind
It came out of the darkness, a high screaming sound, the sound of an animal in an extremity of anguish and terror.
- vitality
the property of being able to survive and grow
He did not recognize the animal that made the sound; he did not try to; with fresh vitality he swam toward the sound.
- mutter
talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
"Pistol shot," muttered Rainsford, swimming on.
- dense
having high compaction or concentration
Dense jungle came down to the very edge of the cliffs.
- peril
a state of danger involving risk
What perils that tangle of trees and underbrush might hold for him did not concern Rainsford just then.
- headlong
with the upper or anterior part of the body foremost
He flung himself down at the jungle edge and tumbled headlong into the deepest sleep of his life.
- forbid
command against
But what kind of men, he wondered, in so forbidding a place?
- snarl
utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
An unbroken front of snarled and ragged jungle fringed the shore.
- fringe
an ornamental border of short lengths of hanging threads
An unbroken front of snarled and ragged jungle fringed the shore.
- flounder
move clumsily or struggle to move, as in mud or water
He saw no sign of a trail through the closely knit web of weeds and trees; it was easier to go along the shore, and Rainsford floundered along by the water.
- lacerate
cut or tear irregularly
Some wounded thing--by the evidence, a large animal--had thrashed about in the underbrush; the jungle weeds were crushed down and the moss was lacerated; one patch of weeds was stained crimson.
- quarry
animal hunted or caught for food
I suppose the first three shots I heard was when the hunter flushed his quarry and wounded it.
- bleak
unpleasantly cold and damp
Bleak darkness was blacking out the sea and jungle when Rainsford sighted the lights.
- lofty
of imposing height; especially standing out above others
But as he forged along he saw to his great astonishment that all the lights were in one enormous building--a lofty structure with pointed towers plunging upward into the gloom.
- palatial
relating to or being a large and stately residence
His eyes made out the shadowy outlines of a palatial chateau; it was set on a high bluff, and on three sides of it cliffs dived down to where the sea licked greedy lips in the shadows.
- bluff
a high steep bank
His eyes made out the shadowy outlines of a palatial chateau; it was set on a high bluff, and on three sides of it cliffs dived down to where the sea licked greedy lips in the shadows.
- mirage
optical illusion in which hot air distorts distant objects
" Mirage," thought Rainsford.
- discern
perceive, recognize, or detect
The first thing Rainsford's eyes discerned was the largest man Rainsford had ever seen--a gigantic creature, solidly made and black bearded to the waist.
- cultivated
developed by human care and for human use
In a cultivated voice marked by a slight accent that gave it added precision and deliberateness, he said, "It is a very great pleasure and honor to welcome Mr. Sanger Rainsford, the celebrated hunter, to my home."
- vivid
having striking color
He was a tall man past middle age, for his hair was a vivid white; but his thick eyebrows and pointed military mustache were as black as the night from which Rainsford had come.
- feudal
relating to a system where vassals are protected by lords
There was a medieval magnificence about it; it suggested a baronial hall of feudal times with its oaken panels, its high ceiling, its vast refectory tables where twoscore men could sit down to eat.
- vast
unusually great in size or amount or extent or scope
There was a medieval magnificence about it; it suggested a baronial hall of feudal times with its oaken panels, its high ceiling, its vast refectory tables where twoscore men could sit down to eat.
- refectory
a communal dining-hall, usually in a monastery
There was a medieval magnificence about it; it suggested a baronial hall of feudal times with its oaken panels, its high ceiling, its vast refectory tables where twoscore men could sit down to eat.
- amenities
things that make you comfortable and at ease
Half apologetically General Zaroff said, "We do our best to preserve the amenities of civilization here.
- lapse
drop to a lower level, as in one's morals or standards
Please forgive any lapses.
- affable
diffusing warmth and friendliness
He was finding the general a most thoughtful and affable host, a true cosmopolite.
- appraise
consider in a comprehensive way
Whenever he looked up from his plate he found the general studying him, appraising him narrowly.
- cease
put an end to a state or an activity
"Hunting tigers ceased to interest me some years ago.
- incense
make furious
The general took from his pocket a gold cigarette case and offered his guest a long black cigarette with a silver tip; it was perfumed and gave off a smell like incense.
- modesty
formality and propriety of manner
I think I may say, in all modesty, that I have done a rare thing.
- ardent
characterized by intense emotion
He was a very rich man with a quarter of a million acres in the Crimea, and he was an ardent sportsman.
- prolonged
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
My whole life has been one prolonged hunt.
- debacle
a sudden and complete disaster
"After the debacle in Russia I left the country, for it was imprudent for an officer of the Czar to stay there.
- imprudent
not sensible, responsible, or wise
"After the debacle in Russia I left the country, for it was imprudent for an officer of the Czar to stay there.
- noble
of or belonging to hereditary aristocracy
Many noble Russians lost everything.
- cunning
showing inventiveness and skill
As soon as I recovered I started for the Amazon to hunt jaguars, for I had heard they were unusually cunning.
- wit
mental ability
"They were no match at all for a hunter with his wits about him, and a high-powered rifle.
- surmount
get on top of; deal with successfully
The general smiled the quiet smile of one who has faced an obstacle and surmounted it with success.
- bewilderment
confusion resulting from failure to understand
Rainsford's bewilderment showed in his face.
- ideal
a principle or value that one hopes to attain or conform to
"I wanted the ideal animal to hunt," explained the general.
- attribute
a quality belonging to or characteristic of an entity
"So I said, `What are the attributes of an ideal quarry?'
- grisly
shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
- condone
excuse, overlook, or make allowances for
"Did not make me condone cold-blooded murder," finished Rainsford stiffly.
- droll
comical in an odd or whimsical manner
"How extraordinarily droll you are!" he said.
- naive
marked by or showing unaffected simplicity
"One does not expect nowadays to find a young man of the educated class, even in America, with such a naive, and, if I may say so, mid-Victorian point of view.
- puritan
someone who adheres to strict religious principles
Ah, well, doubtless you had Puritan ancestors.
- notion
a general inclusive concept
I'll wager you'll forget your notions when you go hunting with me.
- scruples
motivation deriving from ethical or moral principles
But I think I can show you that your scruples are quite ill founded."
- precisely
in a sharply exact manner
" Precisely," said the general.
- flutter
flap the wings rapidly or fly with flapping movements
The general's left eyelid fluttered down in a wink.
- righteous
morally justified
A trace of anger was in the general's black eyes, but it was there for but a second; and he said, in his most pleasant manner, "Dear me, what a righteous young man you are!
- assure
inform positively and with certainty and confidence
I assure you I do not do the thing you suggest.
- barbarous
able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
- inferior
of or characteristic of low rank or importance
A very inferior lot, I regret to say.
- elude
escape, either physically or mentally
If my quarry eludes me for three whole days, he wins the game.
- invariably
without change, in every case
Invariably, Mr. Rainsford, invariably they choose the hunt."
- braggart
a very boastful and talkative person
Then he added, hastily: "I don't wish you to think me a braggart, Mr. Rainsford.
- grotesque
distorted and unnatural in shape or size
The lights from the windows sent a flickering illumination that made grotesque patterns on the courtyard below, and Rainsford could see moving about there a dozen or so huge black shapes; as they turned toward him, their eyes glittered greenly.
- sallow
unhealthy looking
The lights of the chateau were out now, and it was dark and silent; but there was a fragment of sallow moon, and by its wan light he could see, dimly, the courtyard.
- solicitous
full of anxiety and concern
He was solicitous about the state of Rainsford's health.
- venerable
profoundly honored
He filled Rainsford's glass with venerable Chablis from a dusty bottle.
- venture
an undertaking with an uncertain outcome
But may I not venture to suggest that you will find my idea of sport more diverting than Ivan's?"
- divert
turn aside; turn away from
But may I not venture to suggest that you will find my idea of sport more diverting than Ivan's?"
- scowl
frown with displeasure
He nodded toward the corner to where the giant stood, scowling, his thick arms crossed on his hogshead of chest.
- stamina
enduring strength and energy
Your strength and stamina against mine.
- deplorable
of very poor quality or condition
The deplorable part of it was that Lazarus followed him.
- sheath
a protective covering, as for a knife or sword
Under one arm he carried khaki hunting clothes, a haversack of food, a leather sheath containing a long-bladed hunting knife; his right hand rested on a cocked revolver thrust in the crimson sash about his waist.
- futile
producing no result or effect
He saw that straight flight was futile; inevitably it would bring him face to face with the sea.
- inevitably
in such a manner as could not be otherwise
He saw that straight flight was futile; inevitably it would bring him face to face with the sea.
- intricate
having many complexly arranged elements; elaborate
He executed a series of intricate loops; he doubled on his trail again and again, recalling all the lore of the fox hunt, and all the dodges of the fox.
- weary
physically and mentally fatigued
Night found him leg- weary, with hands and face lashed by the branches, on a thickly wooded ridge.
- blunder
an embarrassing mistake
He knew it would be insane to blunder on through the dark, even if he had the strength.
- zealous
marked by active interest and enthusiasm
Even so zealous a hunter as General Zaroff could not trace him there, he told himself; only the devil himself could follow that complicated trail through the jungle after dark.
- apprehensive
in fear or dread of possible evil or harm
An apprehensive night crawled slowly by like a wounded snake and sleep did not visit Rainsford, although the silence of a dead world was on the jungle.
- dingy
thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot
Toward morning when a dingy gray was varnishing the sky, the cry of some startled bird focused Rainsford's attention in that direction.
- pungent
strong and sharp to the sense of taste or smell
Then he straightened up and took from his case one of his black cigarettes; its pungent incenselike smoke floated up to Rainsford's nostrils.
- deliberately
in a careful unhurried manner
Very deliberately he blew a smoke ring into the air; then he turned his back on the tree and walked carelessly away, back along the trail he had come.
- uncanny
surpassing the ordinary or normal
The general could follow a trail through the woods at night; he could follow an extremely difficult trail; he must have uncanny powers; only by the merest chance had the Cossack failed to see his quarry.
- evident
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
Rainsford did not want to believe what his reason told him was true, but the truth was as evident as the sun that had by now pushed through the morning mists.
- precariously
in a manner affording no ease or reassurance
Three hundred yards from his hiding place he stopped where a huge dead tree leaned precariously on a smaller, living one.
- intent
an anticipated outcome that guides your planned actions
So intent was the Cossack on his stalking that he was upon the thing Rainsford had made before he saw it.
- protruding
extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary
His foot touched the protruding bough that was the trigger.
- bough
any of the larger branches of a tree
His foot touched the protruding bough that was the trigger.
- agility
the gracefulness of a quick and nimble person or animal
Even as he touched it, the general sensed his danger and leaped back with the agility of an ape.
- cower
crouch or curl up
- inevitable
incapable of being avoided or prevented
That was postponing the inevitable.
- surge
rise and move, as in waves or billows
Straining his eyes, he saw the lean figure of General Zaroff; just ahead of him Rainsford made out another figure whose wide shoulders surged through the tall jungle weeds; it was the giant Ivan, and he seemed pulled forward by some unseen force; Rainsford knew that Ivan must be holding the pack in leash.
- frantically
in an uncontrolled manner
His mind worked frantically.
- native
belonging to one by birth
He thought of a native trick he had learned in Uganda.
- abruptly
quickly and without warning
The baying of the hounds stopped abruptly, and Rainsford's heart stopped too.
- recoil
spring back; spring away from an impact
The knife, driven by the recoil of the springing tree, had not wholly failed.
- wholly
to the full or entire extent
The knife, driven by the recoil of the springing tree, had not wholly failed.
- repast
the food served and eaten at one time
One of us is to furnish a repast for the hounds.
Created on September 29, 2012 (updated September 29, 2012)