‘A Sound of Thunder’ by Ray Bradbury

‘A Sound of Thunder’ by Ray Bradbury

Vocabulary

to glance /ɡ lɑ ː ns /	to quickly look at someone or something glance at/up/down etc · The man glanced nervously at his watch.
to glare at /ɡ leə /	to look angrily at someone for a long time → stare glare at · She glared at him accusingly.
to vanish	to disappear suddenly, especially in a way that cannot be easily explained · My keys were here a minute ago but now they’ve vanished.
stiff	if someone or a part of their body is stiff, their muscles hurt and it is difficult for them to move stiff from doing something · Her legs were stiff from kneeling. stiff with · Her fingers were stiff with cold. stiff neck/back/joint etc · Alastair woke with a stiff neck.
to stretch luck/ rules/ patience	to allow something that would not normally be allowed by a rule or limit · This once, I’ll stretch the rules and let you leave work early.
It all boils down to this	informal if a long statement, argument etc boils down to a single statement, that statement is the main point or cause · It boils down to a question of priorities.
comparable to /ˈ kɒ mpə rə bə l/	similar to something else in size, number, quality etc, so that you can make a comparison → compare, comparison · A car of comparable size would cost far more abroad. comparable figures/data/results
infinitesimal /ˌ ɪ nfɪ nə ˈ tesə mə l/	extremely smallSYN minuscule · infinitesimal changes in temperature infinitesimally infinitesimally small
subtle /ˈ sʌ tl/	not easy to notice or understand unless you pay careful attention OPP obvious · The pictures are similar, but there are subtle differences between them.
delirium /dɪ ˈ lɪ riə m/	a state in which someone is delirious (talking continuously in an excited or anxious way), especially because they are very ill • The win brought on delirium among the fans.
resilient	able to become strong, happy, or successful again after a difficult situation or event → tough · Children are often very resilient.
to weigh the evidence	· It is the duty of the courts of States parties to the Convention to assess the facts, weigh the evidence and, in particular, to evaluate the credibility of the parties in each case.
a considered opinion	An opinion or decision that someone has reached after a lot of thought: · It is my considered opinion that he should be promoted.

to stink	to have a strong and very unpleasant smell stink-stank-stunk · It stinks in here! stink of · His breath stank of alcohol.
stench	a very strong bad smell · the stench of urine
to come through smth/ alive	to continue to live, be strong, or succeed after a difficult or dangerous time SYN survive · If he comes through the operation OK he should be back to normal within a month. · It’s been a tough time, but I’m sure you’ll come through and be all the wiser for it.
to throw up	to bring food or drink up from your stomach out through your mouth because you are ill SYN vomit · Georgia was bent over the basin, throwing up.
to revoke the license	to officially state that a law, decision, or agreement is no longer effective → revocation · Their work permits have been revoked.
to fumble	(also fumble around) to try to hold, move, or find something with your hands in an awkward way · She dressed, her cold fingers fumbling with the buttons. fumble for · I fumbled around in my bag for a cigarette.
to nudge	to push someone gently, usually with your elbow, in order to get their attention · Jill nudged him in the ribs.
There is no telling	used to say that there is no way to know what will happen in a certain situation · There’s no telling who is going to show up tonight.
taint	to spoil something or give it an unpleasant quality · His reputation was permanently tainted by the financial scandal. · He warned of toxins such as mercury tainting some fish.
exquisite	1 extremely beautiful and very delicate · the most exquisite craftsmanship 2 very sensitive and delicate in the way you behave or do things · She has exquisite taste in art.
His mind whirled	· His heart was racing, his mind whirling. · I strolled down a country road, my mind whirling with the chaotic events of the day, I periodically stopped, leaned into a bank of grass and watched the farmers drive their combines up and down the fields in perfectly controlled arcs.
to plead	to ask for something that you want very much, in a sincere and emotional way · ‘Don’t go! ’ Robert pleaded. · Civil rights groups pleaded for government help. · Moira pleaded with him to stay.