Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone — Vocabulary
J. K. Rowling
(Edited)

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Book sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	13	top 1000
expelexpel → expelled:kicked out of school Be warned, Potter--any more nighttime wanderings and I will personally make sure you are expelled.p.269.212 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) Her records show expulsion from two schools.more expel → expulsion:the act of forcing out (in this case, kicking someone out of school) Show general definition force out especially in 2 primary senses: kicking someone out of an organization -- such as a school or country squeezing something to eliminate a liquid or gas
	1	top 500
dwellthinking too long It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that.p.214.11 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) Don't dwell on the past.more think or talk about something longer than seems appropriate Show general definition for dwell (as in: Don't dwell on it.) to think, communicate, or let attention stay on (or return to) something for a prolonged period
	1	top 500
dwell#2live (make their home) You might belong in Gryffindor, Where dwell the brave at heart,p.118.11 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) The creature dwells in the forest.more dwell → dwells:lives in Show general definition for dwell (as in: It dwells in the forest.) make one's home in; or to live in; or to stay (in a place)
	5	top 2000
on the other handfrom another point of view ...Harry felt he was pushing his luck, breaking another school rule today. On the other hand, Malfoys sneering face kept looming up out of the darkness — this was his big chance to beat Malfoy face-to-face.p.155.14 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) Change can be hard to deal with. On the other hand, it often brings opportunity.more Show general definition from another point of view; or in a way that is different (a phrase used to introduce a different perspective or idea)
	3	top 1000
bewilderbewilder → bewildered:very confused Wood? thought Harry, bewildered; was Wood a cane she was going to use on him? But Wood turned out to be a person,p.150.92 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) Some of their customs can bewilder travelers.more confuse Show general definition to confuse someone
	2	top 500
exasperatedannoyed "I have never seen any reason to be frightened of saying Voldemort's name." "I know you haven't," said Professor McGonagall, sounding half exasperated, half admiring.p.11.41 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) She was exasperated by his teasing.more greatly annoyed Show general definition greatly annoyed
	1	top 100
alternativeother possibility There was no alternative. [when Harry sacrificed Ron to win the chess game]p.283.7 Show exemplary sample (not from book) Let's think of at least three alternatives before we decide what to do.more alternative → alternatives:possibilities Show general definition for alternative (as in: an alternative plan) a different choice or possibility, or describing something that offers a different choice or possibility
	1	top 200
ornatehaving lots of decorative detail It was a magnificent mirror, as high as the ceiling, with an ornate gold frame, standing on two clawed feet.p.207.9 Show exemplary sample (not from book) The hotel is decorated with ornate furniture, lots of carved designs, and gold leaf gilding.more Show general definition highly decorative or elaborate in style — whether in appearance (with lots of detail) or in language that sounds flowery and overly complicated
	1	top 500
biasbias → biased:having a personal preference that prevents objectivity The idea of overtaking Slytherin in the house championship was wonderful, no one had done it for seven years, but would they be allowed to, with such a biased referee?p.221.4 Show exemplary sample (not from book) Everyone knows she is too biased to act as an impartial judge.more bias → biased:has a prejudice that prevents objective consideration Show general definition a tendency to favor one side -- in people, a prejudice that affects fair judgment; more generally, any built-in lean to move or behave in a particular way (like a car that pulls right)
	1	top 1000
cunningclever and deceptive Or perhaps in Slytherin You'll make your real friends, Those cunning folk use any means To achieve their ends.p.118.4 Show exemplary sample (not from book) She came up with a cunning scheme to cheat him.more clever and deceitful Show general definition for cunning (as in: a cunning thief) being good at achieving goals through cleverness -- and typically through deception as well (tricking others)
	1	top 1000
provokeprovoke → provoked:made to be angry "He was provoked, Professor Snape," said Hagrid, sticking his huge hairy face out from behind the tree. "Malfoy was insultin' his family."p.196.2 Show exemplary sample (not from book) Her remarks provoked a public outcry.more provoke → provoked:caused Show general definition to cause a reaction — often an emotional reaction like anger, and sometimes done on purpose
	1	top 1000
taunttaunt → taunting:intentionally angering, challenging, or upsetting So Malfoy, jealous and angry, had gone back to taunting Harry about having no proper family.p.195.4 Show exemplary sample (not from book) She used Twitter to taunt the opposing candidate.more intentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone Show general definition to intentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone -- especially by mocking them or hurling insults or (as a noun): an insult or other action intended to anger, challenge, or upset someone
	1	top 2000
dumfoundeddumfounded → dumbfounded:very surprised "What's your Quidditch team?" Ron asked. "Er — I don't know any," Harry confessed. "What!" Ron looked dumbfounded. "Oh, you wait, it's the best game in the world —" And he was off, explaining all about...p.107.9 Show exemplary sample (not from book) She was beyond surprised. She was dumbfounded.more dumfounded → dumbfounded:too surprised to know what to say or do Show general definition very surprised - often too surprised to know what to say or do
	12
centaura mythical being that is half man and half horse "D'you think that was a centaur we heard earlier?" said Harry.p.254.511 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) Firenze is the name of a centaur character in the Harry Potter stories.more
	2	top 2000
disgruntledannoyed Owls hooted to one another in a disgruntled sort of way over the babble and the scraping of heavy trunks.p.94.21 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) We have a line of disgruntled customers who have been waiting too long.more dissatisfied Show general definition dissatisfied - typically unhappy and annoyed
	2
meddleinterfere It was a bit late to repair the damage, but Harry swore to himself not to meddle in things that weren't his business from now on.p.245.41 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) She's always meddling in other people's business.more meddle → meddling:interfering (getting involved where not wanted) Show general definition interfere (in another's affairs or business) or: get involved with something where involvement isn't warranted
	1	top 500
resolutionfirm decision Then, about a week before the exams were due to start, Harry's new resolution not to interfere in anything that didn't concern him was put to an unexpected test.p.246.1 Show exemplary sample (not from book) Her New Year's resolution is to read deeply at least one hour a day.more a firm decision to do something Show general definition for resolution (as in: a New Year's resolution) a firm decision to do something
	2	top 2000
askew[so they were] not on straight [T]he twins forced the sweater over his head, knocking his glasses askew.p.203.31 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) She came out of the water with her glasses askew but still on her head.more not straight (not in proper alignment) Show general definition not straight (not in proper alignment) or: (when used figuratively) not right, or not as planned
	2	top 500
thereforefor that reason It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. I therefore award ten points to Mr. Neville Longbottom.p.306.41 more Show exemplary sample (not from book) Kim is taller than Ashley. Ashley is taller than Anna. Therefore, Kim is taller than Anna.more Show general definition for that reason (what follows is so because of what was just said)
	1	top 200
uttercomplete What utter rubbish! How dare you tell such lies!p.240.9 Show exemplary sample (not from book) She suffered utter devastation when her child died in the accident.more Show general definition for utter (as in: utter stupidity) complete or total (used as an intensifier--typically when stressing how bad something is)