The Giver
Vocabulary

Father had gone before the committee with a plea on behalf of Gabriel, who had not yet gained the weight appropriate to his days of life nor begun to sleep soundly enough at night to be placed with his family unit.

appropriate = suitable (fitting)

She left here that day, left this room, and did not go back to her dwelling. I was notified by the Speaker that she had gone directly to the Chief Elder and asked to be released.

directly = straight (without delay or interruption)

"This is the time," she began, looking directly at them, when we acknowledge differences.

directly = straight (exactly where stated)(used for emphasis)

To his surprise, his father began very carefully to direct the needle into the top of newchild's forehead, puncturing the place where the fragile skin pulsed.

direct = guide

"Put your hands on me," he directed, aware that in such anguish The Giver might need reminding.

directed = instructed

We have given you the Assignment of Assistant Director of Recreation.

director = supervisor (person in charge)

I will not dwell on the experience because it causes us all terrible discomfort.

dwell = talk longer

All of those things were in this spacious room, though each was slightly different from those in his own dwelling.

dwelling = home

Furniture was standard throughout the community: practical, sturdy, the function of each piece clearly defined.

function = purpose

And of course our community can't function smoothly if people don't use precise language.

function = operate

Now he understood about animals; and in the moment that the horse turned from the stream and nudged Jonas's shoulder affectionately with its head, he perceived the bonds between animal and human.

perceived = became aware of

Even trained for years as they all had been in precision of language, what words could you use which would give another the experience of sunshine?

precision = exactness or accuracy

After countless tries, the net yielded two flopping silvery fish.†

yielded = produced