Milkweed — Vocabulary
Jerry Spinelli
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Exemplary sample Uses Broad Use
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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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jutjut → jutted out:stuck out
As the hikers climbed higher, they noticed a sharp, jagged rock that jutted out from the side of the mountain like a giant's chin.more
Show sample from book
Her chin jutted into my back.†1 more
jut → jutted:to stick out; OR  a part that sticks out
Show general definition to stick out; or a part that sticks out
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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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tormentintense suffering
The torment of waiting for test results kept her awake for three long nights.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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quiverquiver → quivered:shook or trembled slightly
The puppy's lower lip quivered when it heard the thunder.more
Show sample from book
Then he pulled Janina and me to our feet, and the twins also, and he made us all hold hands and we danced in a circle while Mr. Milgrom sang and the candle flame quivered and somebody screamed in the night.†1 more
quiver → quivered:to shake or tremble slightly
Show general definition to shake or tremble slightly
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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
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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
6
deportdeport → deported:forced to leave the country
The government deported her.more
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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
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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
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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 neck hair
The lion's golden mane bristled as he stood proudly atop the rocky ridge.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