Ultimate Vocabulary (Class of 2026) through 4th Quarter List II

perceptive

(adj.) able to understand things clearly or quickly (Ex. - Because of their ability to rotate their ears, cats are quite __________ when it comes to pinpointing the source of a sound.)

resilient

(adj.) able to witshand stress without injury; able to bounce back and recover from difficult conditions. (Ex. - __________ cushioning inside tennis shoes) ("It came on great oiled, __________, striding legs.")

calloused

(adj) having hard or thick skin (literally or metaphorically) (Ex. - _______________ against the insults of others) (Ex. . - ______________ hands that are coarse and covered with blisters)

blunt

(adj.) having a thick edge or point; not sharp (adj.) saying or expressing something in a very direct way that may upset some people

radical

(adj.) having extreme political or social views that are not shared by most people ("Did she think there were __________ segregationists lurking under our sideboard?")

indolent indolence

(adj.) lazy (n.) laziness ("I view with regret the hours I have spent in __________, and now wish I had those hours back to spend more wisely.")

sluggardly

(adj.) lazy or inactive ("Using his foot to spin the base of the wheel, he placed dampened hands on the __________ lump, and for the hundredth time Tree-ear watched the miracle.")

jaunty

(adj.) lively, cheerful, carefree

virulent

(adj.) poisonous; deadly ("'Many people died of diphtheria before there was medicine to treat it. And this appears to be a particularly __________ strain.'")

indigent

(adj.) poor (n.) a poor person ("[T]hey followed the procession...to see what the fat lazy doctor would do about an __________ baby with a scorpion bite.")

impotent

(adj.) powerless; lacking strength ("Terror that hid in the roses is __________ — flung on the dunghill and dead!")

engrossed

(adj.) preoccupied with something to the point where you ignore everything else ("The Captain was so __________ed in the red book he had not seen Reed walk up, and was startled at the sound of Reed's voice.")

communal

(adj.) shared or used by members of a group or community ("Like most of the potters' villages, Ch'ulp'o had a __________ kiln. . . .The potters took turns using the kiln and keeping up the supply of fuel.")

aghast

(adj.) shocked and upset (Ex. - While my friends thought the fake spider was funny, the plastic creature left me __________ and in screaming like a baby.)

intent intently

(adj.) showing concentration or great attention (adv.) done with great concentration ("Jessie saw the guard look toward the fence. She listened __________ to his answer.")

flourish

(adj.) to do very well; to be healthy; to be very successful

harried

(adj.) very worried or anxious; bothered by many problems or worried (Ex. - a __________ mother of ten noisy children)

swagger

(intr. v.) to walk in a very confident way (Ex. - Chuck __________ed across the playground as if he were the coolest kid in school. )

thespian

(n.) an actor or actress ("'I'm a __________,' he'll say lustfully. This means he's an actor, but you know how it is with some words.")

plateau

(n.) an area of high, flat land

estuary

(n.) an area where a river flows into the sea

amulet / talisman

(n.) an object (such as a ring or stone) that is believed to have magic powers and to cause good things to happen to the person who has it; a good-luck charm (Ex. - carrying around a lucky rabbit's foot as a(n) __________.)

elective

(n.) an optional course or subject in a school or college curriculum ("He was handed a packet of papers and a computer card on which he listed his one __________, French.")

squall

(n.) brief, violent storm with strong winds ("Suddenly a __________ came up, turning the white pirogue sideways.")

consolation

(n.) comfort; something that makes you feel less sad (Ex. - offering __________ to someone who has lost their pet goldfish)

bravado

(n.) confident or brave talk or behavior that is intended to impress other people ("It had been easy to pretend [she was not afraid] when all she faced was little old Crooked Creek or some silly half-trained horse. That "bravery"--__________, really--had just been to impress the other Clifton children.")

demise

(n.) death; the end of something's existence (Ex. - meeting your ____________ in a traffic accident)

resolve

(n.) determination; willpower ("Jessie stepped off into a crowd....[T]hey were all pushing and shoving. Jessie almost lost the __________ she'd felt on the bus.")

impudence/insolence impudent/insolent

(n.) disrespect or rudeness (adj.) disrespectful and rude ("Even the [duck's] little tail curled up with an __________ that made Tree-ear smile.") ("Tree-ear bowed. 'I beg the honorable potter to pardon my __________,' he said.")

kindling

(n.) dry sticks of wood used to start a fire

fatigue fatigued

(n.) extreme tiredness, exhaustion (adj.) very tired; exhausted ("The men are __________ and several have boils on their skin.")

trepidation

(n.) fear or nervousness (Ex. - a young child's ______________ over going to the doctor's office) (Ex. - "Today, though, Tree-ear's __________ had returned . . . . Tree-ear would be spending this night in the forest.")

sympathy

(n.) feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else's misfortune. ("Miss Taylor nodded in __________. 'I'll excuse you this time.'")

ferocity

(n.) fierceness; ferociousness ("I think this bear's __________ is greatly exaggerated.")

folly

(n.) foolishness (Ex. - the ______________ of driving fast on steep, winding roads) (Ex. - "Tree-ear chewed on the inside of his cheek. He should have known it was ______________ to keep a secret from Crane-man, even for a few days."

barter

(n.) goods and services that are exchanged instead of money (v.) to trade goods and services instead of money (Ex. - Jack __________ed his cow in exchange for magic beans.)

avarice

(n.) greed ("And they knew the doctor. They knew his ignorance, his cruelty, his __________, his appetites, his sins.")

correspondence

(n.) letters (or e-mails) that people write to each other (Ex. - __________ between pen pals)

endearment

(n.) love or affection ("Before I could swoon over his words of __________, JT picked up my homework and put it into his book.")

camaraderie

(n.) loyalty and friendship within a group (Ex. - _______________ among friends)

restitution

(n.) payment that is made to someone for damage, trouble, etc. (Ex. - someone paying you __________ for slamming into your car)

serenity serene

(n.) peacefulness; calm; tranquility (adj.) calm, peaceful (Ex. - the ______________ of a clear, blue mountain lake) (Ex. - "Her ______________ and the rhythm of the task helps soothe Tree-Ear's raw nerves.")

exertion

(n.) physical or mental effort (Ex. - the mental __________ that comes with studying for exams)

alibi

(n.) proof that you were somewhere other than where a crime was committed

derision

(n.) ridicule or mockery ("The potter waved one hand to cut off the boy's words and spoke with __________.")

melancholy

(n.) sadness (adj.) sad; depressed ("I had seen the Captain have minor bouts of __________ along the trail, but the mood he was in now was far worse than before."

collusion

(n.) secret cooperation for an illegal or dishonest purpose ("'Do not blame me,' [the pearl buyer] said quickly. 'I am only the appraiser. Ask the others. Go to their offices and show your pearl—or better yet let them come here, so that you can see there is no ____________.'")

visor

(n.) shield for the eyes, like the brim of a cap or the sunshade in a car.

legerdemain

(n.) skill in using your hands to perform magic tricks; sleight of hand ("[The pearl buyer's] right hand practiced ____________. He rolled a coin back and forth over his knuckles and made it appear and disappear, made it spin and sparkle.")

fringe

(n.) someone or something at the edge ("Sally and I were at the __________ table in the back of the lunchroom.")

renegade

(n.) someone or something that causes trouble and cannot be controlled; one who leaves a group; a deserter, outlaw

dynamo

(n.) someone who has a lot of energy

bibliophile

(n.) someone who loves books ("A __________ is a person who loves books, but not many people know that.")

alms

(n.) something (such as money or food) given to the poor (They knew...the little brown pennies [the doctor] gave sparingly for __________.)

mirage

(n.) something that is seen and appears to be real but that is not actually there ("Although the morning was young, the hazy __________ was up. . . .and vision could not be trusted.")

vigor

(n.) strength, energy, or determination ("I snapped at the smallest of the wolves, a young female. My __________ disrupted the circle, and in that second I dashed through the opening.")

revulsion

(n.) strong dislike or disgust ("I looked around at the men, expecting them to be disgusted by this horror, but all of them just stood there grinning like a bunch of fools. At the time I thought they were hiding their __________.")

adoration

(n.) strong feelings of love or admiration ("The doctor put the baby in Juana's arms. 'He will get well now,' he said. . . . And Juana looked at him with _______________." )

gist

(n.) the basic meaning of something; the main idea ("We are skilled watchers, and watching a human's face, posture, and hands is more than enough to pick up the __________ of their meaning.")

essence

(n.) the basic nature of a thing ("The __________ of pearl mixed with the __________ of men and a curious dark residue was precipitated.")

idealism

(n.) the belief that it is possible to have a perfect world (Ex. - Jeff's unfailing __________ kept his hope in world peace alive.)

bow stern

(n.) the front part of a boat or ship (n.) the back part of a boat or ship

populace

(n.) the people living in a particular country or area (" Mr. Bueller said that if the students studied hard, at the end of the year they could go to France and be understood by the __________.")

capillary

(n.) the smallest kind of blood vessel

quorum

(n.) the smallest number of members necessary to conduct a meeting (Ex. - Seventeen students were needed for a __________ in order to discuss the topics during the student council meeting.)

bray

(n.) the sound a donkey makes (v. - no object) to make a sound like a donkey (Ex. - to __________ with laughter)

momentum

(n.) the strength or power something has when it is moving ("The boy grabbed for her elbow. She jerked away. The __________ almost toppled the boy....")

catechism

(n.) the teachings of a Christian religion ("Besides, Teresa, a girl he had liked since they were in __________ classes at Saint Theresa's, was taking French, too.")

hygiene

(n.) the things that you do to keep yourself and your surroundings clean in order to maintain good health ("Oral __________ is very important. I never skip brushing my teeth myself.")

flair

(n.) unique style ("But JT had __________. He had confidence. That and really long eyelashes.")

fiddle

(v. - no object) to tinker or fidget with something in a nervous or restless way ("'It's got to be broken,' the bread man said. He __________d with the latch. Jessie heard it clicking.")

grimace

(v. - no object) to twist your facial features into an unpleasant expression (Ex. - The patient __________d in pain when his wound was touched..)

saunter

(v. - no object) to walk in a slow, relaxed manner, without hurry or effort

trudge

(v. - no object) to walk slowly and heavily because you are tired or working very hard (Ex. - Exhausted after losing a long and brutal game, the players __________ed into the locker room.)

glare

(v. - no object; used with "at") to look directly at someone in an angry way (Ex. - The teacher __________ed angrily at the student who was talking in class.)

compensate

(v. - often used with "for") to make up for; to repay for services ("He didn't discover his mistake until we had gone four miles, and __________ed for it by leading us up an incredibly steep, tree-strewn hillside....")

gawk

(v. - used with "at") to stare stupidly--and often with an open mouth--at something ("In front of her, lined up in diagonals, were about thirty enormous yellow cars--cars so big that Pa's blacksmith shop could have fit in any of them. Jessie __________ed.")

maintain

(v. - with object) 1) to keep (something) in good condition by making repairs, correcting problems, etc. (Ex. - __________ing your lawn by mowing it every week) 2) to keep doing something (Ex. - __________ing eye contact with someone)

feign

(v. - with object) to "fake" something ("The night, for the benefit of the Shoshones, the Captain __________ed a jovial confidence he did not feel.")

cozen

(v. - with object) to cheat, deceive, or trick ("And the beauty of the pearl, winking and glimmering in the light of the little candle, _______________ed his brain with its beauty.")

bewilder bewildered

(v. - with object) to confuse someone (adj.) very confused ("I was __________. How could they not see and hear White Feather?")

retrieve

(v. - with object) to get and bring something back from a place ("The chief readily agreed to lend us thirty horses to __________ our supplies at the Jefferson River....")

preen

(v. - with object) to make (yourself) neat and tidy (Ex. - __________ing in front of the mirror before a big date)

resolve

(v. - with object) to make a definite and serious decision to do something (Ex. - __________ing to exercise every day)

coddle

(v. - with object) to pamper, spoil, or "baby" someone (Ex. - ____________ing your dog)

slake

(v. - with object) to quench or satisfy thirst or hunger ("They threw out piles of perfectly good food, entrails mostly, that were more than enough to __________ my appetite.")

pummel

(v. - with object) to repeatedly hit or punch someone or something very hard ("She __________ed me [with her wings] and bit my ears until I was nearly senseless.")

chasten

(v. - with object) to scold

depict

(v. - with object) to show someone or something in a picture, painting, photograph, etc. ("He drew a map in the dust with a stick, piling up mounds of dirt to __________ the terrible mountains.")

commence

(v. - with or without an object) to begin ("The punishment--one hundred lashes for Private Collins and fifty for Private Hall--__________ed immediately....")

disperse

(v. - with or without object) to go or move in different directions; to spread apart ("'These seeds have barbs so the animals passing by pick them up in their fur,' Captain Lewis said, as he sliced away. 'This __________s the seeds.')

exult

(v.) to feel or show great happiness (used with at, in, over) (Ex. - ______________ing over the birth of a new baby) (Ex. - "Tree-ear ______________ed silently over his master's work.")

undulate

(v.) to move in waves or with a wavelike motion

protrude

(v., intrans.) to stick out ("Not carrot-tops or chicken bones, which __________ed in odd lumps.")

peruse perusal

(v., trans.) to examine with great care. (n.) a careful examination ("Tree-ear had been trotting along the road on his early-morning __________ of the village rubbish heaps.")

glean

(v., trans.) to gather grain or other material that is left after the main crop has been gathered ("It would be many months before the rice was harvested and the poor allowed to __________ the fallen grain from the bare fields.")

yield

(v., trans.) to produce or provide (something, such as a plant or crop) (Ex. - a tree that ______________s good fruit) (Ex. - "A dozen replicas had been fired in three separate batches, and the last firing ______________ed a pair of superb vases.")

flare

(verb - no object) to curve outward ("Jessie reached out and felt the bottom where the pant leg __________d out slightly.")

acclimatize

(verb used with "to") to adjust or adapt to a new climate, place, or situation

apprehend

(v. + object) to arrest someone for a crime ("Captain Clark and I are certain that Reed has deserted. . . .We have sent Drouillard, Reubin Field, and several other men to __________ him, with orders to put him to death if he resists.")

maul

(v. + object) to attack someone and cause a bloody injury ("I proceeded back to the clearing cautiously, not knowing what I would see, and hoping it wouldn't be the grizzly feasting on their __________ed corpses.")

remit

(tr. v.) to send in payment (Ex. - __________ting $150 to pay the electricy bill for the month) ("'We'll __________ half your fee.'")

segregate segregation

(tr. v.) to separate groups of people because of their particular race, religion, etc. (n.) the separation of people because of their particular race, religion, etc. ("However, the Capital Citizens' Council, or CCC, is not a secret club. Their avowed purpose is to support __________ in Little Rock.")

brandish

(tr. v.) to shake or wave something--such as a weapon--in a menacing way (Ex. - __________ing a sword)

serenade

(tr. v.) to sing or play a love song for someone ("The past few evenings we have been __________d by nightingales.")

intimidate

(tr. v.) to threaten; to make someone afraid ("I remember feeling so __________ and shy I could barely utter a word in his presence. He was more than a man. It was almost as if some god had entered our home.")

lash

(tr. v.) to whip or strike (Ex. - waves ____________ing the shore during a hurricane)

plait

(transitive verb) to braid or twist together ("When he grew weary of gathering rice, he would sit at the edge of the field __________ing handfuls of rice straw to make mats and sandals.")

incise incision

(transitive verb) to cut or carve into a surface. (noun) a cut or carving in the surface of something ("With an __________ing awl, he inscribed the leather-hard clay--a simple chrysanthemum design, far cruder than much of the elaborate _______________ work for which the potters of Ch'ulp'o were known.")

spurn

(transitive verb) to reject someone or something because it is not good enough for you. ("The other children of Ch'ulp'o had long __________ed [Tree-ear], for orphans were considered very bad luck. Children would step aside when he drew near, and the smaller ones often ducked behind their mothers' skirts.")

shirk

(v. + object) to avoid doing something that you are supposed to do ("He was constantly __________ing his duties and saying bad things about the captains and sergeants when they were out of earshot.")

implore

(v. + object) to beg or plead (Ex. - "'We __________ you, Lord, to keep our village and family safe from any sickness abroad in the land,' Pa said.")

astonish astonished

(v. + object) To amaze or surprise (adj.) amazed; surprised ("[The firing of the rifles] got a jump out of the Otos. Next Captain Lewis fired his air rifle, which __________ed them even more. )

reprimand

(v. + object) to severely scold someone ("Some of the children mumbled yeses. Any adult in Clifton would have __________ed the children and ordered them to say, 'Yes, ma'am,' promptly and crisply.")

blockade

(v. + object) to stop people or supplies from entering or leaving (a port or country) especially during a war (n.) a barricade that shuts off access to a place (Ex. - bank robbers using furniture as a __________ to prevent the police from quietly entering the building)

intercept

(v. + object) to stop something from reaching its intended destination ("I sent Drouillard downriver with an Indian, hoping he can __________ Captain Clark and hurry him along.")

confound

(v. + object) to surprise and confuse someone or something ("[T]his pleasure in seeing the mountains is somewhat __________ed by my fear of crossing them.")

divulge

(v. + object) to tell private or secret information (Ex. - Grandma __________ing her prize-winning blueberry muffin recipe)

substantiate

(v. + object)) to prove with evidence (Ex. - to __________ an idea by backing it up with specific details.)

conjure

(v. - + object) 1) to call to mind 2) to summon, as if by magic ("Now Jessie bit her lip, wishing she hadn't __________ed up such a memory. She didn't have time to miss Pa and Nathan and the rest of her family.")

cultivate

(v. - + object) to grow and care for plants (Ex. - __________ing a rose garden)

endeavor

(v. - followed by "to") to try hard to do or achieve something (n.) a serious effort or attempt

subside

(v. - no object) 1) to become less strong or intense (Ex. - a violent storm __________ing after a while) 2) to move down to a lower level ("The liplike flesh writhed up and then __________d.")

thrive

(v. - no object) 1) to grow strong and healthy 2) to be successful and prosperous ("'The Omaha were once a __________ nation....'")

bask

(v. - no object) 1) to lie or relax happily in a bright and warm place 2) to enjoy the attention and good feelings expressed by others (Ex. - ______________ing in the glow of fame)

coo

(v. - no object) 1) to make the soft sound of a dove or pigeon 2) to talk in a soft, quiet, and loving way (Ex. - a mother __________ing over her baby)

manifest

(v. - no object) to appear; to become evident (Ex. - a ghost _______________ing in a haunted house)

coagulate

(v. - no object) to thicken; congeal (Ex. - __________ing blood) ("He felt the evil __________ing around him, and he was helpless to protect himself.")

brood

(v. - no object) to think a lot about something in an unhappy way ("In his house Kino squatted on his sleeping mat, ____________ing. . . .He had lost one world and had not gained another. And Kino was afraid.")

sector

(n.) a part or division of something

antiseptic

(adj) 1) able to kill disease-causing microorganisms (Ex. - _______________ mouthwash) 2) clean and pure to the point of being bland and characterless (Ex. - the _______________ glow of fluorescent lights)

deft deftly

(adj.) - nimble, skillful, quick (adv.) - skillfully ("Kino __________ slipped his knife into the edge of the shell.")

saturated

(adj.) 1) completely wet 2) completely filled with something (Ex. - a __________ sponge/towel) (Ex. - "The air was __________ with the scent of fear and anger.")

infinitesimal

(adj.) 1) extremely small 2) a value approaching zero (Ex. -- Although Faye's complaint about her little brother may have seemed like an __________ matter to her parents, it was extremely important to her.)

frantic

(adj.) 1) feeling or showing a lot of fear and worry 2) having a lot of wild and hurried activity ("She turned the knob every way she could, but the door didn' t give. _________ally, she tried jerking it, yanking it, pushing it.")

poised

(adj.) 1) having a graceful and elegant posture 2) ready for action (Ex. - one country __________ to attack another) ("It ran with a gliding ballet step, far too __________ and balanced for its ten tons.")

mangy

(adj.) 1) mean 2) shabby ("I think about the __________ comments that have been hurled at me this month.")

stalwart

(adj.) 1) physically strong; 2) very loyal and dedicated (""So important was this day that an old man came to see, riding on the ____________ shoulders of his nephew.")

lofty

(adj.) 1) rising to a great height ; very tall and impressive 2) showing the insulting attitude of people who think that they are better, smarter, or more important than other people

subliminal

(adj.) a word describing something that affects your mind or senses without you realizing it (Ex. - __________ messages in advertising) ("Eckels stood smelling of the air, and there was a thing to the air, a chemical taint so subtle, so slight, that only a faint cry of his __________ senses warned him it was there.")

primeval

(adj.) a word that describes a person or thing from the earliest times (Ex. - a __________ forest) ("Eckels turned slowly to regard the __________ garbage dump, that hill of nightmares and terror.")

pretentious

(adj.) a word that describes someone who acts more important than they really are or something that looks more valuable or important than it really is (Ex. - a __________ person who buys expensive clothing just so they can look like they're "high-class.")

communicable

(adj.) able to be transmitted to others; contagious (Ex. - a __________ disease)

preposterous

(adj.) absurd or ridiculous ("Radio wasn't any more __________ than the miracle lights she'd seen under Clifton, or the cars that moved without horses....")

stricken

(adj.) affected by disease, trouble, sorrow, etc. (often used with "by" or "with) (Ex. - __________ by the flu, Edgar missed an entire week of class.)

valiant

(adj.) brave and bold ("The ___________ Rikki-tikki caught [the cobra] by the head and held fast.")

dilapidated

(adj.) broken down; badly in need of repair ("At the time we met, I was living with a man named Brady on a __________ barge moored at the Pittsburgh wharf." )

stout

(adj.) bulky in shape; thick and strong (Ex. - "The dress was cut down for Hannah and then passed on to Jessie when Hannah became too __________."

placid

(adj.) calm & peaceful ("Crane-man's normally __________ expression was replaced with a frown of worry when Tree-ear stumbled into the space under the struts.")

tactful tact

(adj.) careful not to offend or upset other people ("It is not good to want a thing too much. It sometimes drives the luck away. You must want it just enough, and you must be very __________ with God or the gods.") (n.) the ability to do things without offending or upsetting people (Ex. - using __________ to let someone know they need to lose weight)

formidable

(adj.) causing fear by being impressively large or powerful. ("Captain Lewis was examining the bear's teeth and claws. 'Not as __________ as the legend,' he commented.")

wary

(adj.) cautious about possible dangers or problems ("Yet Ma had warned Jessie to be __________ of all strangers, not just Clifton's guards.")

cunning

(adj.) clever (Ex. - a fox's __________ ways of catching its prey)

clammy

(adj.) cold, sticky, and damp to the touch

brimming

(adj.) completely filled with something to the point of overflowing (Ex. - a child __________ with joy on Christmas morning)

candid

(adj.) completely honest and straightforward (Ex. - a _______________ answer to a question)

oblivious

(adj.) completely unaware of what's happening around you (often used with "to" or "of") (Ex. - being totally __________ of an approaching tornado because you're wearing headphones and listening to loud music)

intricate

(adj.) complex; having many details ("The fence was huge....Even yards away, Jessie could see the __________twists of strong metal that would take Pa years to make.")

downy

(adj.) covered or filled with small, soft feathers or something like them ("Young geese were plentiful. . . .As I was about to put my mouth on one of the __________morsels, a bold mother goose descended upon me. . . .")

ornate

(adj.) covered with decorations : covered with fancy patterns and shapes (Ex. - "Across from the door, the __________ mirror on the back wall reflected little light.")

precarious

(adj.) dangerous; not safe ("He was hanging about twenty feet below me, in a very __________ position.")

murky

(adj.) dark and gloomy

lethal

(adj.) deadly

dainty daintily

(adj.) delicate and pretty; exquisite (Ex. - A __________ lace handkerchief) (adv.) done with small and careful movements (Ex. - __________ sipping your tea)

federal

(adj.) describing a form of government in which power is shared between a central government and individual states

alien

(adj.) different; strange; not natural; belonging to another country or people ("Before, Jessie could half believe that Ma was making up the whole story. But these pants were proof, __________ compared with everything Jessie was used to in Clifton.")

furtive

(adj.) done in a quiet and secret way to avoid being noticed "Then from the corner of the house came a sound so soft that it might have been simply a thought, a little __________ movement, a touch of a foot on earth, the almost inaudible purr of controlled breathing."

brisk briskly

(adj.) done with quickness and energy (Ex. - a __________ walk through the park) (adv.) quickly and energetically (Ex. - rubbing your face __________ with a towel)

desultory

(adj.) done without serious effort

insipid

(adj.) dull; bland; boring

pliant

(adj.) easily bent; flexible (Ex. - a ______________ branch bent low with the weight of ripe fruit) (Ex. - "The clay felt good--fine, ______________, smooth--but not ready yet.")

huffy

(adj.) easily offended; touchy; angered or offended

atrocious

(adj.) evil, cruel, absolutely horrible ("'But this is __________,' Mr. Neeley said. 'Simply __________, if you're right. Are you sure it's diphtheria? Are you sure there's no medicine?'")

innate

(adj.) existing in someone or something since birth ("'Booker, I think you have the __________ ability to get lost just about anywhere.'")

lavish

(adj.) extravagant, to the point of being wasteful

immense

(adj.) extremely large in size or amount ("The snow-capped mountains were __________.")

reluctant

(adj.) feeling or showing doubt about doing something; not willing or eager to do something ("Black Buffalo put an end to the tension by calmly walking over to the warriors holding the rope and telling them to let it go. __________ly they obeyed.")

hysterical

(adj.) feeling or showing extreme and uncontrolled emotion (Ex. - After waking up to find a spider crawling on her blanket, Jerry began screaming __________ly.

displaced

(adj.) forced to leave your home or normal surroundings (Ex. - Many residents of New Orleans found themselved __________ed after Hurricane Katrina because the storm had destroyed their homes.)

fusty

(adj.) full of dust and unpleasant smells; not fresh

jovial

(adj.) full of happiness and joy ("The night, for the benefit of the Shoshones, the Captain feigned a __________ confidence he did not feel.")

prissy

(adj.) fussy and overly proper (Ex. - She was too __________ to wear jeans and preferred fancy dresses instead.)

benign

(adj.) gentle and kind ("[The pearl buyer's] face was fatherly and ____________, and his eyes twinkled with friendship.")

sincere sincerity

(adj.) genuine or real; not false, fake, or pretended (n.) honesty; genuineness ("'And if Cameahwait had any suspicion about our __________, this will certainly put an end to it.'")

profuse profusely

(adj.) given, produced, or existing in large amounts; abundant (Ex. - offering __________ apologies for hurting someone's feelings) (adv.) to a great degree ("For his birthday dinner he has requested...for dessert some of the berries growing so __________ around here.")

lucent

(adj.) glowing with or giving off light ("All of these things Kino saw in the _______________ pearl....")

subsequent

(adj.) happening or coming after something else ("The doctor had once for a short time been a part of the great world and his whole __________ life was memory and longing for France.")

premature

(adj.) happening too soon or earlier than usual ("By the end of the period, chalk dust had turned his hair (and his suit) __________ly gray.")

cumbersome

(adj.) hard to handle or manage because of size or weight ("The man had paused in the road and hoisted the wooden jiggeh higher on his back, shifting the __________ weight.")

diligent

(adj.) hard-working, careful ("Over the days Tree-ear developed a routine of work and rest. A period of __________ chopping and loading, then a break....")

noxious

(adj.) harmful or destructive to living beings; toxic (Ex. - ______________ gasoline fumes) (Ex. - "...a thousand ______________ shoots that threatened the cucumber plants so precious to Min's wife.")

luscious

(adj.) having a delicious taste or smell (Ex. - chocolate cake topped with a ______________ strawberry glaze) (Ex. - "This gokkam was even better, with each ______________ piece reminding him of Ajima's care.")

sober

(adj.) having a serious attitude

pungent

(adj.) having a strong smell or taste (Ex. - the __________ smell of raw onions)

moderate

(adj.) having or expressing political beliefs that are neither very liberal nor very conservative; having beliefs that are not extreme one way or the other (Ex. - Ken's friends know he is __________ on the issue of gun control and doesn't hold extreme views either way.)

judicious

(adj.) having or showing good judgment ("When it was made plain who Kino was, the doctor grew stern and _______________ at the same time. 'He is a client of mine,' the doctor said. 'I am treating his child for a scorpion sting.'")

symmetrical

(adj.) having sides or halves that are the same ("There was something creepy about Red's perfectly __________ face.")

bipedal

(adj.) having two feet ("'You know girls, I'm __________.' That means he has two feet, but those cheerleaders scatter like squirrels.")

muggy

(adj.) hot and humid

vast

(adj.) huge; immense ("On a __________ prairie east of the Rocky Mountains...")

wry

(adj.) humorously sarcastic or mocking ("Bird Woman had a __________ smile on her face as she spread the papers she had saved on the ground and weighted them with rocks.")

paltry

(adj.) insignificant; worthless ("Brady laughed. 'Even if he were for sale, I wouldn't part for him for such a __________ sum.'")

rote

(adj.) involving lots of repetition or practice ("'This school focuses entirely on memorization and __________ recitation,' Mrs. Spurning said. 'Pupils study and then repeat back what they have learned....'")

burly

(adj.) large and strong (Ex. - a __________ wrestler)

temporary

(adj.) lasting for only a short time; not permanent

haggard

(adj.) looking very thin and tired especially from great hunger, worry, or pain ("A few hours later the men began to straggle in, looking as grim and __________ as I had ever seen them.")

raucous

(adj.) loud or disorderly ("He turned another knob...and different music thrummed out, loud and __________.")

consecrated

(adj.) made holy through a blessing or church ceremony ("And then from a secret place Juana brought a little piece of _______________ candle and lighted it at the flame and set it upright on a fireplace stone." )

demented

(adj.) mentally ill; insane

tumultuous

(adj.) noisy and disorderly

mute

(adj.) not able or willing to speak (Ex. - a deaf person who is also __________ and can only communicate through sign language)

hypothetical

(adj.) not real; imagined as an example ("But this wasn't some random __________ Negro--this was Liz.")

expendable

(adj.) not worth keeping; not essential ("'And the caveman, please note, is not just any __________ man, no!' He is a future nation")

authoritative

(adj.) official, coming from a source that must be obeyed (Ex. - The class blog is the _______________ source of all information for English class.)

sole

(adj.) only or single (Ex. - Raising Cane's __________ focus is on selling chicken finger meals.)

avowed

(adj.) openly stated or admitted ("However, the Capital Citizens' Council, or CCC, is not a secret club. Their __________ purpose is to support segregation in Little Rock.")

impeccable

(adj.) perfect or flawless (Ex. - a straight-A student's ______________ report card) (Ex. - "'...[O]nly a customer of ______________ taste could afford such an item.'")

ideal

(adj.) perfect; exactly right (Ex. - __________ conditions for a picnic in the park) ("'I know sending you away isn't __________, Judy,' said Daddy. 'But Mother and I have talked it over.'")

ample

(adj.) quite large ("Charbonneau slapped his __________ belly.")

authentic

(adj.) real and genuine; "the real deal"; not a copy (Ex. - Experts have confirmed that the signature on the letter is __________.)

defiant

(adj.) refusing to obey something or someone (Ex. - a __________ child refusing to finish chores)

avian

(adj.) relating to birds; birdlike (Latin: avis = "bird")

nonchalant

(adj.) relaxed and calm; totally chill

strenuous

(adj.) requiring tremendous strength or energy ("They made a quick, soft-footed procession into the center of the town....and behind them Juan Tomas and Apolonia, her big stomach jiggling with the __________ pace.")

rippled

(adj.) resembling small waves ("They would sit at the pool, their __________ stomachs dark with shadow, and scowl.")

coarse

(adj.) rough in texture (Ex. - "Jessie began her daily battle with her hair. It was dark and __________ and uncontrollable.")

raspy

(adj.) rough-sounding or harsh-sounding (Ex. - Marge Simpson's __________ voice) ("Her throat was dry and __________, and she realized she hadn't had anything to drink....")

surly

(adj.) rude and unfriendly (Ex. - "The three main chiefs . . . stared with __________ indifference at the gifts they had been given.")

forlorn

(adj.) sad ("After his friends left he sat around camp looking __________ and confused.")

dejected

(adj.) sad or upset because of failure, loss, etc. ("We had seen no game and no Shoshones....That night the Captain and his men were very __________....")

emphatic

(adj.) said or done in a forceful way

curt curtly

(adj.) said or done in a quick and impolite way (adv.) quickly and impolitely ("Kino stood in the door, filling it, and hatred raged and flamed in back of his eyes. . . . 'The baby is nearly well now,' he said [to the doctor] _______________.")

rash

(adj.) said or done quickly and without thinking about what might happen as a result (Ex. - a ______________ promise that you later find you cannot fulfill.)

brute

(adj.) savage; animal-like ("He was joined by Charlie Bass, __________ ice hockey goalie, who was . . . looking at Sally like the mere sight of her hurt his eyes.")

gait

(n.) a particular way of walking (Ex. - An injured player walking with a weak __________)

speculative speculatively

(adj.) showing curiosity or uncertainty; based on guesses (adv.) done in a way that shows curiosity or uncertainty or guessing ("He looked __________ at the basket. Perhaps it would be better to open THE oyster last.")

sheepish sheepishly

(adj.) showing embarrassment from shame or a lack of self-confidence (adv.) done in an embarrassed way ("The bell sounded for fifth period, and Victor shot out of the room, avoiding the stares of the other kids, but had to return for his math book. He looked __________ly at the teacher, who was erasing the board....")

rueful ruefully

(adj.) showing or feeling regret for something done (adv.) done in a way that shows regret for something done ("A well-built man with a broad suntanned face, he pushed his straw hat back, scratched his head, and laughed __________.")

withered

(adj.) shriveled; thin and wrinkled because of illness, old age, etc.

demure demurely

(adj.) shy; humble (adv.) in a shy or humble way (Ex. - __________ accepting a compliment)

subtle

(adj.) slight; barely noticeable or detectable (Ex. - a __________ hint of spice in a dish) ("Eckels stood smelling of the air, and there was a thing to the air, a chemical taint so __________, so slight, that only a faint cry of his subliminal senses warned him it was there.")

sleek

(adj.) smooth and glossy (describing hair, fur, or skin); stylish or elegant ("Some of the men called [Reed] a weasel, but to me that was insult to the __________ beauty of the real animal.")

plaintive

(adj.) sounding sad and mournful ("In his mind a new song had come, the Song of Evil, the music of the enemy...and underneath, the Song of the Family cried __________ly.")

studious

(adj.) spending a lot of time studying or reading

intermittent

(adj.) starting, stopping, and starting again; not constant or steady (Ex. - _______________ rain showers)

portly

(adj.) stout; somewhat fat ("Mr. Lucas, a __________ man, waddled down the aisle, asking, 'What is a noun?'" )

errant

(adj.) straying from the path; wandering to different places in search of adventure

brusque

(adj.) talking or behaving in a very direct, brief, and unfriendly way (She asked for a cup of coffee and received a brusque reply: "We don't have any." )

inestimable

(adj.) too great, valuable, or excellent to be measured ("My critique partner Marsha Hayles and my agent, Ginger Knowlton, continue to give me both enthusiastic support and critical feedback--a combination of __________ worth to a writer.")

premium

(adj.) top quality ("He did a tsk, tsk. Looked her up and down with __________ disgust.")

inalienable

(adj.) unable to be taken away and given to another ("'You know those guys love hurting people. They think they've got some __________ privilege.'")

inevitable

(adj.) unavoidable

vague

(adj.) unclear, hazy, or uncertain (We had only a __________ idea of where we were; we didn't know for sure.)

subterranean

(adj.) under the earth's surface ("She doesn't know or care how the other half lives; she thinks anyone who isn't wealthy is _________.")

tolerant

(adj.) understanding and accepting of other ideas and beliefs ("'What's it going to be like when we all get older? Will we be more __________ or less because we haven't practiced it much?'")

futile

(adj.) useless; pointless

dire

(adj.) very bad; causing great fear or worry ("Our situation is __________. A number of men are sick....")

sublime

(adj.) very beautiful; causing strong feelings of admiration or wonder

conspicuous

(adj.) very easy to see or notice ("I guess that was why Liz had on the sunglasses and the bandanna. Though if she was trying not to be noticed, she probably should have picked something less __________.")

frenzied

(adj.) very excited or upset ("A period of diligent chopping and loading, then a break; this was better than several hours of __________ chopping that left him with a vast, untidy pile of wood....")

extravagant

(adj.) very fancy; more than is usual, necessary, or proper ("[O]ften, in the excitement of bidding for a fine pearl, too great a price had been paid to the fishermen. This was __________ and not to be countenanced.")

titanic

(adj.) very great in size, force, or power

famished / ravenous

(adj.) very hungry ("Drouillard had stripped the guts out of the deer and the Shoshones were at the pile like a pack of __________ wolves.")

finicky

(adj.) very picky or fussy ("With so many banks failing, Mr. Seward was getting __________ about what money he would accept at the store.")

primitive

(adj.) very simple and basic; from an early time in the very ancient past ("'You have to reserve the lookouts way in advance, because anthropologists are beginning to flock to Clifton for those spots. It' s a wonderful perspective on a __________ culture,' Mrs. Spurning said.")

crude

(adj.) very simple and basic; made or done in a way that does not show a lot of skill

meager

(adj.) very small or too small in amount; lacking fullness or richness ("[T]hey fed us from their __________ supply of food....")

tantalizing

(adj.) very tempting ("She found herself in a large room full of tables and chairs and the __________ smell of cooked chicken.")

gaunt

(adj.) very thin, usually because of illness or suffering ("The Shoshones were a handsome people, although somewhat __________ from lack of food.")

taut

(adj.) very tight from being pulled or stretched; not loose or slack ("Their faces were as __________ as their bowstrings....")

frenetic

(adj.) wild or frantic; filled with excitement, energy, or confusion (Ex. - the ______________ pace of life in the big city) (Ex. - "So ______________ally had he worked during the time surrounding the emissary's visits that he was ahead of schedule on all his tasks.")

fickle

(adj.) wishy-washy; changing often; changing opinions often (Ex. - A person's _______________ moods)

terse

(adjective) brief and curt, to the point of seeming rude or unfriendly. ("Min preferred to work with as few words as possible. The potter would bark _______________ commands, which Tree-ear struggled to satisfy by whatever means were available to him....")

lugubrious

(adjective) full of sadness or sorrow. ("The other potters seemed to slump as one into dejection, all but abandoning their work in favor of long, _______________ visits to the wine shop, where they commiserated with one another.")

unobtrusive

(adjective) not attracting any attention; not easily noticeable ("At a far corner of Min's yard, [Tree-ear] had dug a hollow just big enough to hold the bowl, and had found a large flat rock nearby to use as a cover. It looked quite _______________, and he had been pleased to find the food untouched the first time he hid it there.")

viscous

(adjective) thick and sticky; not flowing easily ("The clay was shoveled into one of the pits and water mixed in to form a thick _______________ mud.")

arduous

(adjective) very difficult to do. ("It was an _______________, backbreaking task: hours of work to gather mere handfuls of rice.")

felicitous

(adjective) very well suited for some purpose or situation; appropriate ("'Bean curd tonight,' Crane-man would say, his eyes gleaming. 'With cucumber kimchee as well. Truly a _______________ combination. Soft bean curd--crunchy cucumber. Bland bean curd--spicy cucumber. That woman is an artist.'")

methodically

(adv.) systematically; in an orderly way ("From then on, he worked slowly and __________, stacking the wood in neat rows in the cart.")

gingerly

(adv.) very carefully ("Jessie strapped her pack around her waist and stepped __________ back to the window.")

fervently

(adverb) done in a way that shows great passion or very strong feelings. ("Tree-ear turned away, feeling guilt like a shadow across his brow, and hoped _______________ that he had not offended her.")

stammer

(intr. or tr. v.) to stutter ("'Y-yes,' Jessie __________ed, clutching the note.")

calculate

(intr. or tr. v.) to use reason, common sense, or math to figure something out ("It was packed with people. Maybe 200, Jessie __________d in amazement, more than in all of Clifton.")

ebb

(intr. v) to gradually lessen (Ex. - "For the first time in her life, Jessie wanted to scream at Ma. But Ma looked so worried and sad that Jessie couldn't. Jessie felt her anger __________.")

writhe

(intr. v.) - to twist or squirm the body ("The liplike flesh __________ed up and then subsided.")

relent

(intr. v.) 1) to give in to someone or something ("I would say something like, 'goodbye, dearest sister of mine,' and Judy would burst into tears, and Daddy would be so touched, he'd __________ and take us all home.") 2) to become less severe or harsh (Ex. - winds __________ing after a hurricane passes)

wallow

(intr. v.) 1) to roll around or lie in water, snow, mud, dust, etc. ("I stared at my plate, a half-eaten pancake __________ing in a pool of maple syrup.")

malfunction

(intr. v.) to fail to work properly ("Within, you could hear the sighs and murmurs as the furthest chambers of it died, the organs __________ing, liquids running a final instant from pocket to sac to spleen, everything shutting off, closing up forever.")

eavesdrop

(intr. v.) to listen secretly to what other people are saying ("The milk bottle slipped from my hand and crashed to the floor. So much for __________ing.")

scowl

(intr. v.) to look at someone or something in a way that shows anger or disapproval (n.) an expression on someone's face that shows anger or disapproval

recede

(intr. v.) to move away gradually; to become smaller or weaker ("[H]e saw that the swelling was going out of the baby's shoulder, the poison was __________ing from its body.")

waft

(intr. v.) to move lightly through the air ("[T]he smell of hot dogs __________ed up from the snack stand.")

scuttle

(intr. v.) to run quickly, with hurried movements; to scurry ("He could fluff up his tail till it looked like a bottle brush, and his war cry as he __________d through the long grass was: 'Rikk-tikk-tikki-tikki-tchk!'")

stagnate stagnant

(intr. v.) to stop moving; to become inactive or dull (adj.) having little movement or activity (Ex. - mosquitoes breeding in __________ water) ("They gazed back at the ruined Monster, the __________ing mound, where already strange reptilian birds and golden insects were busy at the steaming armor.")

quiver

(intr. v.) to tremble or shake with a slight rapid motion (Ex. - I knew Jill was upset when her lips started to __________ and tears welled in her eyes.)

wince

(intr. v.) to twist the face out of pain or distress; to cringe (Ex. - "'Will my sister and the others be okay?' Jessie asked. Mr. Neeley __________d, and Jessie thought maybe some people still thought 'okay' was a bad word in the 1990s.")

incandescence incandescent

(n.) - a glowing of light given off by a hot object; intense brightness (Ex. - The pearl captured the light and refined it and gave it back in silver __________.") (adj.) - glowing with heat; intensely bright.

bulwark

(n.) - a wall of earth or other material built for defense; a protection against danger ("[A] man with a boat can guarantee a woman that she will eat something. It is the __________ against starvation.")

trek

(n.) A long, slow, and difficult journey

delusion

(n.) a belief that is not true; a false idea (Ex. - suffering from a __________ that you are God)

silhouette

(n.) a black outline of the shape of a person or thing ("There were two doors. Looking up, Jessie could see the word LADIES on one, with a small __________ of a woman in a bonnet and long dress....")

benediction

(n.) a blessing ("'Kino,' [the priest] said softly, 'thou art named after a great man—and a great Father of the Church.' He made it sound like a _______________.")

terminal

(n.) a building where buses or trains regularly stop so that passengers can get on and off

console

(n.) a cabinet or casing for a stereo or television; the main unit of a computer, gaming system, etc.) ("That evening we were watching our brand new 1958 RCA 21-inch mahogany television __________.")

maneuver

(n.) a clever or skillful action or movement (v. + object) to move (something or someone) in a careful and usually skillful way

surveillance

(n.) a close watch over something (Ex. - _______________ cameras on campus)

phantasmagoria

(n.) a confusing or strange scene that is like a dream because it is always changing in an odd way

reprobate

(n.) a criminal; a scoundrel ("'Probably the luckiest day of his life. How else would an old __________ like him get to meet the President of the United States?'")

gorge

(n.) a deep, narrow area between hills or mountains (v. with or without object) to eat large amounts of food (usually used with "on")

ordeal

(n.) a difficult or painful experience

semblance

(n.) a false outward appearance ("For there were not many buyers really—there was only one, and he kept these agents in separate offices to give a _______________ of competition.")

contempt

(n.) a feeling that someone or something is not worthy of any respect or approval ("The Tetons treated their dogs with great __________, throwing sticks and rocks at them....")

harangue

(n.) a forceful or angry speech ("I did not hear Charbonneau utter a single word all during this __________. The conversation was so one-sided, I thought [Sacagawea] must have killed him and was shouting at his corpse.") (v. + object) to speak to (someone) in a forceful or angry way ("He __________d the chiefs with another barrage of choice words no one translated, but the meaning was clear enough.")

bastion

(n.) a fortified place, stronghold

objective

(n.) a goal ("Captain Clark has returned with the belief that there are no navigable rivers through the mountains, so the primary __________ of our journey cannot be fulfilled.")

barrage

(n.) a great amount of something that comes quickly and continuously (used with "of") ("He harangued the chiefs with another __________ of choice words no one translated, but the meaning was clear enough.")

drone

(n.) a humming or buzzing sound ("Distantly, she heard the __________ of another car moving along the road from Clifton.")

lethargy

(n.) a lack of energy or a lack of interest in doing things ("Long after Juan Tomás had gone Kino sat brooding on his sleeping mat. A ____________ had settled on him, and a little gray hopelessness.")

dearth

(n.) a lack of something (Ex. - a __________ of healthy options at McDonald's)

horde

(n.) a large group or crowd (Ex. - a __________ of shoppers filling the mall on Black Friday)

blotch blotchy

(n.) a large, irregular spot or blot (adj.) having large, irregular spots ("Judy went to the sink and splashed water on her face. I didn't tell her it didn't help. Her face was still red and __________.)

solvent

(n.) a liquid substance that is used to dissolve another substance

mimeograph

(n.) a machine that produces copies from a stencil, now superseded by the photocopier (Ex. - The teacher used a __________ to make copies of the final exam.)

bough

(n.) a main branch of a tree

regiment

(n.) a military unit that is usually made of several large groups of soldiers (called battalions)

crevice

(n.) a narrow crack or opening (Ex. - The frightened lizard scurried into a __________ between two bricks.

sector

(n.) a part or division of an area

hypocrite hypocritical

(n.) a person who claims or pretends to have certain beliefs about what is right but who behaves in a way that disagrees with those beliefs (Ex. - a __________ who says he cares about the environment but is constantly littering) (adj.) acting like a hypocrite ("'Isn't there something __________ about being a fat environmentalist? Using up all the world's resources?'")

capitalist

(n.) a person who has a lot of money , property, etc., and who uses those things to produce more money (adj.) a word used to describe such a person ("'They'll sell you anything. It's a __________ age we live in, my dear.")

braggart

(n.) a person who is cocky and brags a lot

legislator

(n.) a person who makes laws (Ex. - the __________s in Washington, D.C.)

voyeur voyeuristic

(n.) a person who secretly watches others, especially the little details of their lives (Ex. - a __________ setting up a hidden camera in someone's living room) (adj.) relating to a voyeur ("'Isn't this concept a little, well, a little __________?' Nicole asked. 'Aren't we invading people's privacy?'")

activist

(n.) a person who uses or supports strong actions (such as public protests) to help make changes in politics or society (Ex. - An avowed animal rights __________, Rosalind protested against the cruel treatment of the dolphins at the local aquarium.)

colleague

(n.) a person who works with you; a fellow worker (Ex. - Mr. Schwarz, Mr. Soyka, and their __________s in the English department)

trinket

(n.) a piece of jewelry or an ornament that has little value (Ex. - a Mardi Gras ____________)

quarry

(n.) a place where large amounts of stone are dug out of the ground (Ex. - searching for limestone in a rock __________)

quarantine

(n.) a place where someone or something is kept separate from others because of a contagious illness. (v. + object) to keep someone away from others so that a disease won't spread (Ex. - "'__________ is a word to let people know there's a dangerous disease inside, so they should stay away,' Ma said.")

veranda

(n.) a porch along the outside of a building (Ex. - sitting on the __________ and sipping your morning coffee in the fresh air)

fate

(n.) a power some people believe controls and decides everything that happens (Ex. - After being stuck in traffic for an hour, Sharon accepted that __________ was not going to let her get to work on time.)

sedation

(n.) a relaxed, calm, or sleepy condition that results from taking a drug (called a sedative)

brigand

(n.) a robber or bandit, especially a member of an outlaw band ("'The Teton Sioux are __________s and will try to stop you from going upriver, or at the very least charge you a heavy toll to pass safely.'")

cylinder

(n.) a shape that has straight sides and two circular ends; anything shaped this way (After putting the money into the __________, the bank customer placed the tube into the chute.)

residue

(n.) a small amount of something that remains after the main part has gone or been taken or used (Ex. - The grill was covered in a greasy __________ from the hamburgers.) ("The essence of pearl mixed with the essence of men and a curious dark __________ was precipitated.")

satchel

(n.) a small bag that is carried over your shoulder and that is used for carrying clothes, books, etc. (Ex. - Tossing his __________ full of letters over his shoulder, the mailman continued down his route.)

tuft

(n.) a small bunch of feathers, hairs, grass, etc., that grow close together (Ex. - the __________ of feathers on a cockatiel's head)

blemish

(n.) a small flaw that ruins the perfection of something ("She felt smooth metal and then a knob, also smooth. What kind of blacksmith made things that even and un__________ed? Jessie's pa was good...but even his best work had some bumps and pockmarks.")

hummock

(n.) a small hill ("A little to his right a __________ of rubbly rock stuck up, covered with young oysters not ready to take.")

bungalow

(n.) a small house with a single story (Ex. - a private __________ hidden deep in the forest)

sliver

(n.) a small, thin piece that has been cut, torn, or broken from something larger ("[T]here was not a __________ of trust between our two tribes.")

poultice

(n.) a soft, moist mass of natural materials that you put on your body to reduce soreness or inflammation. (Ex. - "Dr. Fister always gave prescriptions like 'Make a __________ of chokeberries and rub it on your neck three times a day.'")

conviction

(n.) a strong belief ("On the way to his homeroom, Victor tried a scowl. He felt foolish, until out of the corner of his eye he saw a girl looking at him. Umm, he thought, maybe it does work. He scowled with greater __________. ")

whim

(n.) a sudden wish, desire, decision, etc. (Ex. - Going to the beach on a __________)

scaffold

(n.) a temporary or movable platform or structure on which a person stands or sits while working high above the floor or ground

wisp

(n.) a thin piece or strand of something, or a small bundle ("'Bonjour,' Teresa said, leaving him outside her next class. She smiled and pushed __________s of hair from her face.")

glint

(n.) a tiny, quick flash of light (v. - no object) to shine in small bright flashes ("Saw his eyes get that hard ________ they always get right before he says something mean.")

communism communist

(n.) a way of organizing a society so that government controls everything and there is no private property (n.) a supporter of the above

epidemic

(n.) a widespread outbreak of an infectious disease (Ex. - the smallpox __________)

connoisseur

(noun) a person who is an expert on something such as art, wine, food, etc. ("And, Tree-ear was sure, the emissary's eye would be equally sharp. The palace would send only an expert--a true _______________--to handle the task of commissioning work.")

commission

(noun) a request or order for someone to do something in exchange for money. (transitive verb) to order or request someone to make or do something in exchange for money ("[Min's] insistence on perfection had lost him many a well-paid _______________. Buyers grew tired of waiting for work that was finished months after the deadline, and eventually they took their custom elsewhere.")

garb

(noun) clothing. ("They examined each other, their new _______________ in sharp contrast to the other rags they wore.")

ignite

(v. + object) to set on fire

mire

(noun) thick and deep mud. ("He was learning the tricky balance of spadework--deep enough to make a clean cut, but not so deep as to bury the spade head in the _______________.")

vigilance vigilant

(noun) watchfulness (adjective) watchful; on the lookout for someone or something ("[Tree-ear] kept his eyes wide in search of Kang. His _______________ was rewarded on the fourth day. Tree-ear crouched beside Kang's rubbish heap...and watched as Kang emerged from his potting shed....")

ministrations

(pl. n.) actions done to help someone ("At night, with Crane-man's careful __________, the wound on Tree-ear's hand would begin to heal....")

rigors

(plural noun) difficult and unpleasant conditions ("'I hope Sacagawea is strong enough to endure the __________ of our journey.'")

clutch

(tr. v. ) to hold onto (someone or something) tightly with your hand ("I shook my head and __________ed the board....I wasn't ever letting go.")

obscure

(tr. v.) - to hide or conceal ("Kino moved cautiously so that the water would not be __________d with mud or sand.")

venture

(tr. v.) 1) to go somewhere that is unknown, dangerous, etc. (Ex. - __________ing into a creepy forest) 2) to do, say, or offer something (such as a guess or opinion) even though you are not sure about it ("There was a strange girl on the bench....'Liz?' I __________d.)

supersede

(tr. v.) 1) to take the place of someone or something that is old, no longer useful, etc. (Ex. - iPhones __________ing flip phones) 2) to replace someone or something in importance ("'This is an order from the federal government, which __________s any state laws.'")

lull

(tr. v.) to cause (someone) to fall asleep or become sleepy ("Usually, the lions' roaring __________ed me to sleep....")

appoint

(tr. v.) to choose someone to have a particular job; to give someone a position or duty (After the boy's parents died in a plane crash, his uncle was __________ed as his legal guardian.)

purge

(tr. v.) to cleanse or purify; to get rid of what is not wanted. (Ex. - Stacey __________ed her closet and threw out all the shoes she no longer wore.) (n.) the removal of people or things no longer wanted (Ex. - After the annual purge of the refrigerator, there was plenty of space for new groceries.)

integrate integration

(tr. v.) to combine two or more things or groups and treat them as equals (n.) the combination of two or more groups

engulf

(tr. v.) to completely cover, surround, or overwhelm ("A windstorm from the beast's mouth __________ed them in the stench of slime and old blood.")

envelop

(tr. v.) to completely cover, wrap up, conceal or hide ("The fog that had __________ed the Machine blew away and they were in an old time, a very old time indeed....")

annihilate

(tr. v.) to completely destroy ("'With a stamp of your foot, you __________ first one, then a dozen, then a thousand, a million, a billion possible mice!'")

sever

(tr. v.) to cut (something) off ("The beaver bit him on the leg, __________ing an artery, and he has lost a great deal of blood.")

bisect

(tr. v.) to cut in half (Ex. - __________ing a pear) ("'Up ahead, We'll __________ his trail in sixty seconds.'")

deter

(tr. v.) to discourage someone from doing something ("I wasn't in the mood for a bedtime story....But Daddy wasn't __________red by my lack of interest.")

propel

(tr. v.) to drive, push, or cause to move forward ("A tiny, three-beat bell __________ed students to their homerooms.")

appraise

(tr. v.) to estimate the value or worth of something ([T]he beggars...looked quickly at Juana's old blue skirt,...__________the green ribbon on her braids, read the age of Kino's blanket and the thousand washings of his clothes, and set them down as poverty people....)

compel

(tr. v.) to force someone to do something (Ex. - Chauncey's mother __________ed him to clean his room by threatening to take away his allowance.)

purse

(tr. v.) to form your lips into a tight circle or line ("Judy __________d her lips tighter and tighter as I talked, until finally they were just one straight line across her face.")

muster

(tr. v.) to gather; assemble (Ex. - ______________ing the team for a pre-game pep talk)

sock

(tr. v.) to hit forcefully (" The two friends __________ed each other in the arm and went their ways....")

stifle

(tr. v.) to hold something back, such as a laugh, cough, sneeze, gasp, etc. ("Jessie gasped out loud, then clapped her hand over her mouth to __________ the noise.")

preserve

(tr. v.) to keep something in its original condition or in good condition; to keep something safe from harm or loss ("'It's about states' rights, __________ing our way of life and respecting Southern traditions.'"))

conserve

(tr. v.) to keep something safe or from being damaged or destroyed; to avoid wasting something (Ex. - Adam tried to __________ electricity by always turning lights out when he left a room.)

slay

(tr. v.) to kill or destroy in a violent way ("'Destroy this one man, and you destroy a race, a people, an entire history of life. It is comparable to __________ing some of Adam's grandchildren.'")

renew

(tr. v.) to make something new, fresh, or strong again (Cindy spread lotion on her face to ___________ her skin and bring back her youthful appearance.)

boycott

(tr. v.) to refuse to buy something, visit someplace, or participate in something as a way of protesting (Rose __________ed the beauty salon after receiving three bad haircuts in a row.)

obstruct obstruction

(v. + object) to block the way or view of something (Ex. - a downed tree __________ing traffic) (n.) something that blocks something else and makes it difficult for things to move through ("'Children, our great chief has sent use out here to clear the road, remove every __________.'")

summon

(v. + object) to call for the presence of someone ("Could the girl tell Jessie wasn' t used to the twentieth century? Would she __________ the guards?")

oblige

(v. + object) to do something someone has asked you to do; to do a favor for someone.

herd

(v. + object) to gather and move a group of animals or people (v. - no object) to move as a group

administer

(v. + object) to give (a drug, medicine, or treatment) to someone (Ex. - a doctor __________ing a flu shot)

despise

(v. + object) to hate ("I __________d being tied up, but I always returned to the barge when Brady whistled.")

revive

(v. + object) to help someone or something become strong, healthy, or active again (v. - no object) to become strong or healthy again (Ex. - __________ing someone who has fainted)

blot out

(v. + object) to hide or block something; to make something difficult to see ("The grizzly reared up on its hind legs, __________ing the moon out with its gigantic head....")

cradle

(v. + object) to hold (something or someone) gently in your arms or hands (Ex. - A mother __________ing her child

moor

(v. + object) to hold a boat or ship in place with ropes or cables or with an anchor ("At the time we met, I was living with a man named Brady on a dilapidated barge __________ed at the Pittsburgh wharf.")

clench

(v. + object) to hold something in a tightly closed position. (Ex. - James __________ed his fists in anger and was ready to punch his slow computer.)

betray

(v. + object) to hurt someone who trusts you. (Ex. - Rachel __________ed her best friend by stealing her date to the prom.)

usher

(v. + object) to lead someone into or out of a place (Ex. - The attendant __________ed us into the theater and helped us find our seat.)

illuminate

(v. + object) to light something up (Ex. - "In a few moments, her mother's tired face appeared below, __________ed by a flickering candle.")

survey

(v. + object) to look at and examine all parts of something ("The men __________ed the village. . . .They poked around the ruins.")

scan

(v. + object) to look at something carefully usually in order to find someone or something. (Ex. - "They ate slowly, Victor __________ing the horizon for a glimpse of Teresa.")

incense

(v. + object) to make (someone) furious (Ex. - a teacher _______________d by her class' bad behavior)

slit

(v. + object) to make a long, narrow cut or opening in (something) with a sharp object

unnerve

(v. + object) to make someone lose courage or confidence (Ex. - "The strange cooped-up cold and the mirrors __________d her . . . . But she forced herself to ask the boy behind the counter about a phone.")

undermine

(v. + object) to make something weaker or less effective (Ex. - _______________ing the other team's argument in "Wheel of Vocab")

bluff

(v. + object) to mislead or deceive; to fake, to psyche someone out (Ex. - "Victor didn't know what to say. . . .He tried to __________ his way out by making noises that sounded French.)

flail

(v. + object) to move or swing your arms or legs in a wild and uncontrolled way

induct

(v. + object) to officially make (someone) a member of a group or organization

cajole

(v. + object) to persuade someone to do something (Ex. - __________ing your best friend to roll a house with you on Halloween)

forestall

(v. + object) to prevent something from happening

eject

(v. + object) to push something out

don

(v. + object) to put on a piece of clothing ("In the morning the men were up before the sun rose, __________ning their best uniforms and getting ready for the parley.")

quench

(v. + object) to put out, extinguish, end (such as a fire, thirst, etc.); to satisfy

jeopardize

(v. + object) to put someone or something in a dangerous situation ("'By his desertion Private Reed has not only __________ed this expedition and wasted valuable time, he has also betrayed his fellow soldiers.'")

rap

(v. + object) to quickly hit or knock something several or many times ("The bell rang, and Miss Taylor __________ped on her desk.")

curtail

(v. + object) to reduce or limit something ("On most days we left camp at sunup and walked until after dark. It was as if [Captain Lewis] knew the coming winter would __________ his rambling and he wanted to get in some extra walking while he still could.")

refine

(v. + object) to remove the unwanted substances in something (Ex. - __________ed sugar vs. raw sugar) (v. + object) to improve something by making small changes ("Captain Lewis worked on his notes for President Jefferson, and Captain Clark __________d the maps of where we had been.")

trundle

(v. + object) to roll something on wheels slowly and noisily (v. - no object) to move noisily on wheels (Ex. - The construction worker __________ed the wheelbarrow full of bricks from one end of the site to the other.)

rush

(v. + object) to run toward someone or something very quickly ("Something __________ed me from the dark cavern, hissing like no cat I'd ever heard before.")

probe

(v. - no object) to ask a lot of questions in order to find secret or hidden information about someone or something (v. + object) to touch or reach into (something) by using your finger, a long tool, etc., in order to see or find something

bluster

(v. - no object) to be loud and noisy, like the wind ("I __________ed out, 'They're total creeps, Sally.'")

prevail

(v. - no object) to be victorious ("I am confident we will __________ and find the Northwest Passage.")

fester

(v. - no object) to become painful and infected ("Even the prickly pear was tolerable if the Captain got the spines out of me before they __________ed.")

flush

(v. - no object) to become red in the face because of heat, emotion, etc. (Ex. - Savannah's face __________ed with embarrassment after she accidentally burped in class.)

falter

(v. - no object) to begin to fail or weaken ("Their steps __________ed, but the dance never ended.")

allege allegation

(v. - no object) to claim (without proof) that someone has done something illegal or wrong. (Ex. - to __________ that someone has cheated on a test) (n.) an UNPROVEN claim that someone has done something illegal or wrong (Ex. - an __________ of cheating on a test)

clamber

(v. - no object) to climb or crawl in an awkward way (ALWAYS followed by an adverb or a preposition) ("The neighbors peered around the doorway, and a line of little boys ____________ed on the window bars and looked through.")

emerge

(v. - no object) to come into view; to become visible (Ex. - a groundhog __________ from its hole)

wail

(v. - no object) to cry from sadness or pain (Ex. - __________ing over the death of your pet goldfish)

perish

(v. - no object) to die or be killed ("If we take the wrong river there is a good chance we will __________ this winter.")

slaver slavering

(v. - no object) to drool (adj.) drooling

flit

(v. - no object) to flutter rapidly ("__________ing eye contact.")

meander

(v. - no object) to follow a winding course ("The muddy Missouri __________ed back and forth like an endless brown snake.")

confer

(v. - no object) to have discussions and exchange opinions with others (often used with "with") (Ex. - a group of students __________ing with each other over how to tackle a project)

cavort

(v. - no object) to jump or move around in a lively manner

loll

(v. - no object) to lie or sit in a relaxed or lazy manner

thrum

(v. - no object) to make a continuous rhythmic humming sound. ("He turned another knob...and different music __________ed out, loud and raucous.")

crackle

(v. - no object) to make a series of short, sharp noises (Ex. - "The principal, Mr. Belton, spoke over the crackling loudspeaker....")

billow

(v. - no object) to move as a large cloud or mass ("[The wolves] ran at the herd, then watched carefully through the __________ing dust for a sign of weakness.")

cower

(v. - no object) to move back or bend your body down because you are afraid (Ex. - The puppy __________ed in fear as his owner threatened him with a rolled-up newspaper)

lunge

(v. - no object) to move or reach forward with a sudden, forceful motion (Ex. - a cat __________ing toward a mouse)

scrabble

(v. - no object) to move the hands or feet in an awkward and hurried way (Ex. - crabs __________ing through the sand)

regress

(v. - no object) to return to an earlier and usually worse or less developed condition or state (Ex. - a grown man _______________ing to a childlike state)

forage

(v. - no object) to search for something, such as food or supplies ("On most days I stayed on shore __________ing, unless the Captain made me ride in the boat....")

bellow

(v. - no object) to shout in a deep, loud voice; to roar ("The grizzly __________ed with a ferociousness that turned my legs to hot tallow.")

gloat

(v. - no object) to show in an improper or selfish way that you are happy with your own success or another person's failure (Ex. - "Nyaaa na na na naaaah!") ("And to Kino the secret melody of the maybe pearl broke clear and beautiful, rich and warm and lovely, glowing and __________ing and triumphant.")

beam

(v. - no object) to smile happily (Ex. - __________ing with pride after getting an "A+" on a test)

glower

(v. - no object) to stare at someone angrily ("Jessie __________ed. Primitive culture! She' d like to see Mrs. Spurning work like Ma or any other woman in Clifton.... Jessie wanted to yell at Mrs. Spurning.")

throb

(v. - no object) to start and stop quickly and repeatedly; to beat with a strong, steady rhythm (Ex. - your finger __________ing in pain after being whacked with a hammer)

linger

(v. - no object) to stay somewhere beyond the usual or expected time (Ex. - "Victor __________ed, keeping his head down and staring at his desk. He wanted to leave when she did so he could bump into her and say something clever.)

lurch

(v. - no object) to stumble around; to move unsteadily ("The vehicle __________ed forward. Jessie peeked out and saw the fence slide past.")

surge

(v. - no object) to suddenly increase to an unusually high level

haggle

(v. - no object) to talk or argue with someone especially in order to agree on a price ("The men would sit down with them in the plaza and the long process of __________ing over prices would begin.")

1) humane 2) inhumane

1) (adj) kind, tender, and compassionate 2) (adj) NOT kind, tender, or compassionate ("'It would be __________ to let anyone die of the diseases that many died of back then, when antibiotics are available now.'")

1) ethical 2) unethical

1) (adj.) upright; honest; honorable 2) (adj.) NOT upright, honest, or honorable ("Ma thought a man named Isaac Neeley could help. He had opposed the founding of Clifton, saying it was __________.")

specimen

a small amount or piece of something that can be tested or examined (Ex. - a blood __________)