course

to flow freely

• Tears were coursing down her cheeks.

no avail

no help or benefit

• All her shouting was to no avail; no one could hear her.

tremor

a trembling or shaking

• I heard a tremor in her voice.

trifling

unimportant or trivial

• a trifling sum of money

toil

to work extremely hard

• Farm workers toiled in the heat.

wrath

extreme anger

• He hid his pipe for fear of incurring his father's wrath.

beckon

to make a gesture with the hand, arm, or head to encourage someone to come nearer or follow

• Adam beckoned to Miranda.

prescribe

to lay down a rule

• School rules prescribe daily activity.

lull

to calm or send to sleep, typically with soothing sounds or movements

• The rhythm of the boat lulled her to sleep.

prod

to poke (someone) with a finger, foot, or pointed object

• He prodded her in the ribs to stop her snoring.