Milkweed — Vocabulary
Jerry Spinelli
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
4 top 1000
heedheed → heedlessness:pay close attention to
Heed the advice of those who have been there before.more
Show context notes The suffix "-lessness" in heedlessness means in a state without. This is the same pattern you see in words like fearlessness, powerlessness, and harmlessness.
Show sample from book
I think he would have been surprised to know that I actually heeded his warning,3 more
heed → heeded:paid attention to
Show general definition pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested -- especially with regard to a warning or other advice
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agitateagitate → agitating:stirring up emotions to increase unrest
We are agitating public unrest, so there will be a cry for change.more
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Uncle Shepsel became more and more agitated.1 more
agitate → agitated:upset
Show general definition to stir up or shake -- emotionally (as when people are angered or upset) or physically (as when a washing machine cleans clothes)
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commotiondisturbance
I looked up to see what caused the commotion.more
Show sample from book
One day Janina and I heard a commotion in the courtyard.†1 more
noisy disturbance
Show general definition a disturbance -- typically noisy
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immigrateimmigrate → immigrated:came to live (from another country)
About 1 of each 8 people in the United States immigrated from somewhere else.more
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  I talked enough and stole enough and sold enough to buy a steamship ticket, and I joined the multitudes going to America.
  The immigration officer said, “What is your name?”1 more
immigrate → immigration:(describing the officer as responsible for) movement of people who come to live in a new country
Show general definition come to live in a new country
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neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas)
The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more
Show sample from book
Nevertheless, I tried.†
Show general definition despite that
Show editor's word notes Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 was just stated, we still have idea 2.  Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrast and but.
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tormenttorment → tormenting:causing great mental or physical suffering
She enjoys tormenting others.†more
Show sample from book
From that day on I stopped tormenting Buffo,1 more
torment → tormenting:causing suffering for
Show general definition to cause or to experience great mental or physical suffering
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mockmock → mocked:made fun of
She was upset when he mocked her.more
Show sample from book
I didn't understand that he was mocking us.
mock → mocking:making fun of
Show general definition for mock (as in: don't mock me) make fun of (ridicule--sometimes by imitating in an exaggerated manner)

or (more rarely): just to make fun or to be ridiculous without targeting anyone as a victim
Show editor's word notes These senses of mockery come together when a comedian pokes fun at a politician by pretending to be the politician and saying ridiculous things.
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thereforefor that reason
Kim is taller than Ashley. Ashley is taller than Anna. Therefore, Kim is taller than Anna.more
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I knew what the smell was, but despite what the Jackboots said, there were really no pigs, and therefore no pig flop, in the courtyard.†
Show general definition for that reason (what follows is so because of what was just said)
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waverwaver → wavered:faltered (stopped being strong)
Through good times and bad her love for him has never wavered.more
Show sample from book
She wavered from side to side, sometimes her head drooped, and her shoulders were not straight at all.
waver → wavered:moving back and forth
Show general definition to move back and forth (shake or quiver)

or:

to change, be unsure, or weak
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prescribeprescribe → prescribed:gave medical instructions instructing that the patient should take
The doctor prescribed an antibiotic for the infection.more
Show sample from book
He gave me a prescription.
prescribe → prescription:medical instructions
Show general definition to recommend or require what should be done

or more specifically:

of a medical doctor:  to give medical instructions -- such as writing that a patient should take antibiotics
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writhewrithe → writhed:moved in a twisting or contorted motion
The patient writhed in pain.more
Show sample from book
A knot of children was writhing on the ground.
writhe → writhing:moving in a twisting manner
Show general definition to move in a twisting or contorted motion -- often of a person when struggling or in pain
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tauntintentionally anger, challenge, or upset someone
She used Twitter to taunt the opposing candidate.more
Show sample from book
Sure enough, there was Janina in the middle of the street, squatting on her haunches, hurling her voice, thumbing her nose at Buffo, taunting him in perfect imitation of me.
taunt → taunting:intentionally angering, challenging, or upsetting
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
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massivevery large
The entrance has massive brass doors.more
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I saw the gleam in Buffo's eyes as he came clumping after her, spewing flecks of mint, his massive belly bouncing.†
Show general definition very large in size, number, or effect
1 top 2000
spectaclespectacle → spectacles:events that attract attention
She argues that the Olympic Games have become indistinguishable from other commercialized sports spectacles.more
Show sample from book
Weren't they thrilled by the spectacle before them?
a notable or unusual event that attracts attention
Show general definition for spectacle (as in: made a spectacle of herself) a notable or unusual event that attracts attention
6
deportdeport → deported:forced to leave the country
The government deported her.more
Show sample from book
The word resettlement took the place of the word deportation.5 more
deport → deportation:the act of forcing someone to leave a country
Show general definition for deport (as in: deport from the U.S.) forced removal to another location -- typically a different country
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goadgoad → goaded:provoked (angered or annoyed)
She goaded him into an argument.more
Show sample from book
She liked to goad me into chasing her.1 more
tease or provoke (into doing something)
Show general definition to provoke or annoy someone into doing something—often something unwise

or:

to prod an animal to move, or the stick used to do so
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repentto feel regret for having done wrong and to firmly decide to be a better person in the future
Prisoners who repent are more likely to be released on parole.more
Show sample from book
He called down from the window to the courtyard: “Jews! Repent! It is not too late! Come with me! Save yourselves!”1 more
regret your errors and change
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pendulumshifting weight (of opinion)
Now the pendulum has swung the other direction and voters are demanding change.more
Show sample from book
With every blow Kuba swung back and forth like the pendulum of a grandfather clock.†
something that swings or shifts back and forth between two positions
Show general definition something that swings or shifts back and forth between two positions -- often seen in a swinging weight or in changing opinions
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morselsmall bit
I ate every tasty morsel.more
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Where there was a morsel of food on a shelf, there was someone standing in front of it, often with a club in his hand.
tiny amount
Show general definition a very small quantity -- usually of food
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manelong coarse hair growing around the head
It was a healthy male lion with a golden mane.more
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The lumbering horse wore a black shawl over its mane.
long coarse hair growing on the back of the neck of a horse
Show general definition long coarse hair such as that which grows around a lion's head or on the back of a horse's neck