Tuck Everlasting — Vocabulary
Natalie Babbitt
(Edited)

Book sample Uses ACT/SAT
2 top 10
demonstratedemonstrate → demonstrations:displays (of how something works)
Once Winifred drinks some of the water, she'll do just as well for my demonstrations.p.100.31 more
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The salesperson demonstrated features of both phones so I could compare them.more
demonstrate → demonstrated:showed
Show general definition for demonstrate (as in: It demonstrates my point.) to show
The exact meaning of this sense of demonstrate can depend upon its context. For example:
  • "I will demonstrate how to throw a Frisbee." -- show how to do something
  • "I will demonstrate how much quicker the new computer is than the old one." -- show how something works
  • "Her questioned demonstrated that she was listening and thinking deeply about what was said." -- showed to be true or proved
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abruptabrupt → abruptly:suddenly
Miles and Jesse grabbed at the horse's harness and he pulled up abruptly, nearly toppling Winnie off over his neck.p.33.73 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The bus came to an abrupt stop.more
sudden and unexpected
Show general definition for abrupt (as in: an abrupt change) sudden and unexpected

or (less commonly): characterized by sudden changes or at a steep angle
2 top 200
comprehendunderstand
For her part, Winnie, now that the running was over, began to comprehend what was happening,p.34.11 more
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I don't think she comprehends how dangerous this has become.more
comprehend → comprehends:fully understands
Show general definition to understand something -- especially to understand it completely
4 top 2000
twilightlight from the sky between daylight and darkness
The last stains of sunset had melted away, and the twilight died, too,p.21.63 more
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It is a beautiful picture taken in twilight.more
the light from the sky in the time of day between daylight and darkness (just after sunset or just before sunrise)
Show general definition for twilight (as in: pink clouds in a twilight sky) the time of day between daylight and darkness (just after sunset or just before sunrise); or the light from the sky at that time
2 top 500
appealappeal → appealing:desirable
Children are much more appealing, anyway.p.100.31 more
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She has an appealing smile.more
appeal → appealing:attractive
Show general definition for appeal (as in: appeals to youthful tastes) attractiveness or desirability; or to be attractive or desirable
3 top 1000
resentresent → resentful:unhappy about unfair treatment
Winnie had found some pebbles at the base of the fence and, for lack of any other way to show how she felt, had flung one at the toad. ... and since every pebble missed its final mark, the toad continued to squat and grimace without so much as a twitch. Possibly it felt resentful.p.14.32 more
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A Canadian from Toronto, she resents it when she is mistaken for an American while traveling.more
resent → resents:feels angry or unhappy (due to a sense of injustice)
Show general definition to feel anger or unhappiness about something seen as unjust or something that creates jealousy
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profoundprofound → profoundly:very
Two weeks had gone by since the night of the storm, the night of Mae Tuck's escape. And Mae had not been found. There was no trace of her at all, or of Tuck or Miles or Jesse. Winnie was profoundly grateful for that.p.128.21 more
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Her apology was heartfelt--expressing profound sorrow and regret.more
intense (of great emotional depth)
Show general definition for profound (as in: profound sadness) of greatest intensity or emotional depth
2 top 1000
melancholysad
For Tuck's head tilted to one side, his eyes went soft, and the gentlest smile in the world displaced the melancholy creases of his cheeks.p.48.81 more
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She's been in a melancholy mood since her dog died.more
very sad
Show general definition a sad feeling or manner -- sometimes thoughtfully sad
2 top 1000
solemnsolemn → solemnly:in a serious and sincere manner
"I'm one hundred and four years old," he told her solemnly.p.28.21 more
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He took a solemn oath.more
very serious
Show general definition in a very serious (and often dignified) manner
3 top 2000
poisepoise → poised:prepared (ready to do something)
He grasped the bars of the window firmly, ready to pull, and stood poised. ... Then—a flash of lightning and, soon after, a crack of thunder. In the midst of the noise, Miles gave a mighty heave.p.124.12 more
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She has great charm and great poise.more
composure (calm confidence -- even when under pressure)
Show general definition calm, confident, and in control—especially in movement, behavior, or when ready to act
2 top 1000
elatedextremely happy and excited
She was running away after all, but she was not alone. Closing the gate on her oldest fears as she had closed the gate of her own fenced yard, she discovered the wings she'd always wished she had. And all at once she was elated.p.45.11 more
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I felt elated the first day of summer break.more
happy and excited
Show general definition full of happiness and excitement
2 top 1000
persistpersist → persisted:continued asking (despite difficulty)
"How old are you, anyway?" she asked, squinting at him.
...
"I'm one hundred and four years old," he told her solemnly.
"No, I mean really," she persisted.p.28.21 more
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The child persisted in asking questions despite my obvious desire to be left alone.more
persist → persisted:continued
Show general definition to continue -- often despite difficulty or to repeat a question
1 top 100
varyvary → varying:different
The kitchen came first, with an open cabinet where dishes were stacked in perilous towers without the least regard for their varying dimensions.p.50.9
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Your mileage may vary.more
be different
Show general definition to be different, or to change
Show editor's word notes Vary is often used to describe small differences or changes--especially about things of the same type. It would be more common to say "The weight of full-grown elephants varies depending upon diet and other factors," than to say "The weight of elephants varies from that of mice."
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scornscorn → scornful:full of disrespect
She ... was scornful--most of the time--of her grandmother's elves.p.42.2
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more
scorn → scorned:rejected
Show general definition disrespect or reject as not good enough
1 top 500
earnestearnest → earnestly:sincerely
"You think on it, Winnie Foster," Jesse whispered earnestly.p.72.6
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
I began training in earnest the summer before high school.more
earnest → in earnest:in a serious manner
Show general definition characterized by sincere belief

or:

intensely or excessively serious or determined
2 top 500
parcheddried out (without adequate water)
The tension in the parched earth eased and vanished.p.126.11 more
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Nothing will grow in this parched soil.more
dried out
Show general definition dried out by heat or excessive exposure to sunlight; or very thirsty
2 top 2000
accomplicea person who joins with another in carrying out some plan
She was … an accomplice. She had helped a murderer escape.p.129.71 more
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Was she acting alone, or did she have an accomplice?more
someone who helped to carry out a plan
Show general definition a person who joins with another in carrying out a plan -- especially an unethical or illegal plan
3 top 100
emergeemerge → emerged:came out (appeared)
The counterman emerged from the kitchen at the rear and sized them up expertly.p.136.22 more
Show context notes Counterman refers to the man who worked behind the counter at the diner.
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China emerged as a world power.more
emerge → emerged:became prominent
Show general definition to come out, appear, or become prominent
2 top 200
preciseprecise → precisely:exactly
No one ever said precisely what it was that she would not be able to manage.p.23.11 more
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Is it precise enough if I measure to the closest inch?more
accurate
Show general definition for precise (as in: about noon; 12:03 to be precise) exact (accurate)
Show editor's word notes In the fields of science, engineering, and statistics, precise and accurate are not properly used as synonyms the way they are in general usage.

If you throw darts at a dartboard and keep missing the bullseye, but hit in the same place on the dartboard each time, you would be described as precise, but not accurate.

If you seldom hit the bullseye, but tended to get close each time, you would be described as accurate, but not precise.

Finally, if you hit the bullseye each time, you would be considered both accurate and precise.
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tonequality of voice that expresses a feeling or attitude
She leaned her forehead against the bars and after a short silence went on in a thoughtful tone.p.15.1
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Which of the following words best maintains the tone established in this passage.more
general feeling
Show general definition for tone (as in: the tone of the essay) the general feeling, mood, or attitude of something -- especially of something said or written