“A Sound of Thunder,” “Monkey’s Paw,” and “The Small Assassin”

visage Noun Face or facial expression

doughty Adjective brave

malign Verb To speak evil of; defame; or slander

credulity Noun Tendency to believe too readily

avaricious Adj Greedy for wealth

furtively Adv Secretively; sneakily; stealthily

apathy Noun Lack of interest or emotion

oppressive Adj Causing great discomfort

grave Adjective Very serious and worrying

fusillade Noun Rapid firing, as of gunshots

annihilate Verb To destroy; to completely wipe out

expendable Adjective Dispensable; unnecessary

Infinitesimal(ly) Adverb In steps so small as to be immeasurable or incalculable

resilient Adjective Capable of bouncing or springing back to an original shape after being stretched or bent

sheath(ed) Adjective or verb (sheathed)/ Noun (sheath) Enclosed in a protective covering

undulate Verb To move in a wave-like motion

revoke Verb To cancel or withdraw

primeval Adjective Belonging to the earliest times or ages

subliminal Adjective Below the threshold of conscious perception; subconscious

malignant Adj. Dangerous or harmful

effluvium Noun A slight or invisible exhalation or vapor

delirium Noun State of violent excitement or emotion

reproof Noun Expression of disapproval

vulnerable Adjective Capable of being wounded or hurt (emotionally or physically)

ambivalence Noun Uncertainty or the inability to make a choice

cumbersome Adjective Burdensome; troublesome; clumsy

grotesque Adjective Odd or unnatural in shape; ugly; absurd

pallid Adjective Pale; lacking in vitality (life)

crude Adjective Raw or unrefined

expenditure Noun The act of spending