Vocabulary Pre-Reading Guide: The Most Dangerous Game
1. Quarry
An animal being hunted.
"If my quarry eludes me for three whole days, he wins the game."
2. Reconcile
To accept or come to terms with something unpleasant.
"The hunter shook his head several times, as if he were trying to reconcile what he saw with the evidence of his eyes."
3. Zealous
Showing great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or objective.
"Even so zealous a hunter as General Zaroff could not trace him there, he told himself."
4. Invariably
Always or in every case.
"Invariably, Mr. Rainsford, invariably they choose the hunt."
5. Scruple
A feeling of doubt or hesitation about the morality of a course of action.
"I think I can show you that your scruples are quite ill founded."
6. Amenities
Desirable or useful features of a place.
"We do our best to preserve the amenities of civilization here."
7. Deplorable
Deserving strong condemnation; completely unacceptable.
"The deplorable part of it was that Lazarus followed him."
8. Condone
Accept or allow (behavior that is considered morally wrong or offensive).
"Did not make me condone cold-blooded murder."
9. Ennui
A feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of excitement.
"Ennui. Boredom."
10. Imprudent
Not showing care for the consequences of an action; rash.
"It was imprudent for an officer of the Czar to stay there."
11. Apprehensive
Anxious or fearful that something bad or unpleasant will happen.
"An apprehensive night crawled slowly by like a wounded snake."
12. Treacherous
Dangerous because of hidden risks or dangers.
"The ground grew softer under his moccasins; the vegetation grew ranker, more treacherous."
13. Imperative
Of vital importance; crucial.
"His need for rest was imperative."
14. Diversion
An activity that diverts the mind from tedious or serious concerns; a pastime.
"You'll find this game worth playing. Your brain against mine. Your woodcraft against mine. Your strength and stamina against mine. Outdoor chess! And the stake is not without value, eh?"
15. Dogged
Having or showing tenacity and grim persistence.
"Doggedly he swam in that direction, swimming with slow, deliberate strokes, conserving his strength."
16. Futile
Incapable of producing any useful result; pointless.
"He saw that straight flight was futile."
17. Cunning
Having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion.
"I had heard they were unusually cunning."
18. Laden
Heavily loaded or weighed down.
"The jungle weeds were crushed down and the moss was laden; one patch of weeds was stained crimson."
19. Impulse
A sudden strong and unreflective urge or desire to act.
"Then he felt an impulse to cry aloud with joy, for he heard the sharp crackle of the breaking branches as the cover of the pit gave way."
20. Vivid
Producing powerful feelings or strong, clear images in the mind.
"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."