The Secret Life of Bees — Vocabulary
Sue Monk Kidd
(Edited)

Book sample Uses ACT/SAT
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tracetiny amount
There wasn't a trace of cunning in May, and you could depend on her not to overthink her answers.p.173.54 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
There was not a trace of the defendant's DNA at the crime scene.more
a tiny quantity or indication
Show general definition for trace (as in: found a trace of) a small quantity; or any indication or evidence of
The exact meaning of this sense of trace depends upon its context. For example:
  • a small indication that something was present -- as in "The plane disappeared somewhere over the Pacific Ocean without leaving a trace."
  • a very small amount of something -- as in "The blood test showed a trace of steroids."
  • any evidence of something -- as in "We did not find a trace of the gene."
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trace#2trace → traced:followed
I reached out and traced black Mary's heart with my finger.p.164.84 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
They followed a path that traces along the edges of a dark forest.more
trace → traces:follows or runs
Show general definition for trace (as in: traced a path) to follow
The exact meaning of this sense of trace depends upon its context. For example:
  • "The hunters traced the deer into the woods." -- followed or tracked
  • "With soft kisses, she gently traced the scar running down his cheek." -- followed
  • "The path traces along the edge of the forest." -- follows
  • "A single tear traced its way down her cheek." -- followed a specific path
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fugitivesomeone hiding from the police
And if she knew that Rosaleen was a true fugitive, wouldn't she have to call the police?p.101.86 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
She is one of the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives.more
fugitive → fugitives:people hiding from law enforcement officers
Show general definition for fugitive (as in: she is a fugitive) someone who is running away or hiding to avoid arrest or an unpleasant situation
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aptitudenatural ability
I think he believed it would stir up ideas of college, which he thought a waste of money for girls, even if they did, like me, score the highest number a human being can get on their verbal aptitude test.p.15.72 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
She took an online career aptitude test and then a career interest test.more
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indignantindignant → indignation:anger at something unjust or wrong
"Righteous indignation" is what Brother Gerald called it.p.87.71 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
"I am not a fool," she said indignantly.more
indignant → indignantly:with anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong
Show general definition angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
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righteousmoral
Jesus had righteous indignation when he turned over the tables in the temple and drove out the thieving moneychangers.p.87.72 more
Show context notes Indignation is a synonym for anger.
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The extremism is fed by unquestioned belief in the righteousness of their cause.more
righteous → righteousness:moral correctness
Show general definition for righteous (as in: a righteous cause) morally correct; or morally justified

or:

acting or feeling morally superior -- especially when it isn't true (this meaning is more typically seen as a compound word "self-righteous")
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implyimply → implied:said indirectly
  "You act like you don't believe I can do it."
  "I didn't say that."
  "You implied it."p.127.8
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
She wouldn't make a direct statement, but she implied that she supported our position.more
imply → implied:hinted or suggested
Show general definition to suggest or say indirectly -- possibly as a logical consequence
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forfeitforfeit → forfeited:surrendered to another
I remember thinking that he probably loved me in his own smallish way. He had forfeited me over, hadn't he? I still tell myself that when he drove away that day he wasn't saying good riddance; he was saying, Oh, Lily, you're better off there in that house of colored women.p.299.9
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
We had to forfeit the deposit.more
lose
Show general definition to lose or surrender something -- often as a penalty
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preservepreserve → preserving:protecting (keeping as is)
When we bathe Our Lady in it, I guess you'd say we're preserving her for another year, at least inside our hearts we're doing that.p.269.74 more
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They are preserving the elephant habitat.more
preserve → preserving:protecting or keeping something from changing
Show general definition for preserve (as in: preserve the records) to protect something or to keep it as it is
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preserve#2preserve → preservative:something that keeps food from spoiling
See, Lily, honey is a preservative.p.269.64 more
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Salt was used to preserve the meat.more
prepare food in a way to keep it from spoiling
Show general definition for preserve (as in: preserve the peaches) to prepare food in a way that keeps it from spoiling
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themeunifying idea
Rosaleen offered to bake the wedding cake layers, and Violet and Queenie were going to decorate it with a "rainbow theme."p.280.22 more
Show context notes Often such an idea is found in a literary or artistic work, but it could be for something as simple as a party or, in this case, a single cake.
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The party had a 1950's theme.more
an idea that is unifying or recurrent
Show general definition for theme (as in: theme of the novel) a basic idea that underlies what is being said or done -- especially in a literary or artistic work
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theme#2theme → themes:essays written by students
"I bet you like to write themes," he said, rolling his eyes.p.120.52 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
She has us write a 500-word theme every other week.more
an essay written by a student
Show general definition for theme (as in: wrote a 2-page theme on my summer) an essay written by a student

(This sense of theme is much rarer in recent decades than in the past.)
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bona fidereal
Rosaleen came home, a bona fide registered voter in the United States of America.p.283.61 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
Members pledge not to willfully disclose magic secrets to anyone who is not a bona fide student of magic.more
genuine
Show general definition real (genuine, true, or sincere)
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bolsterbolster → bolstered:supported or strengthened
I wanted you to have a chance to get yourself on solid ground, get your heart bolstered up first.p.236.4
Show context notes This is when August explains the reason she didn't say she knew who Lily was even though August recognized her from the start.
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
She visited the troops to bolster morale.more
support and strengthen
Show general definition for bolster (as in: to bolster) support or strengthen
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tonequality of voice expressing an attitude
But Rosaleen, who had less sense than I'd dreamed, said in this tone like she was explaining something real hard to a kindergarten student, "I'm going to register my name so I can vote, that's what."p.31.85 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
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
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genuinegenuine → genuinely:truly
  "When he proposed, she said no."
  "But she married him," I said, genuinely confused.p.248.94 more
Show context notes This introduces the moment when Lily learns that her mother married her father because she became pregnant with Lily.
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
I am genuinely sorry for what I did.more
genuine → genuinely:sincerely
Show general definition real (as when a person is sincere or an object is not a replica or fake)
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apparentclear
When it was apparent Mr. Hazelwurst wasn't leaving, August began to speak.p.184.13 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The effects of the drought are apparent to anyone who sees the dry fields.more
clear or obvious
Show general definition clear or obvious; or appearing as such but not necessarily so
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determinedfirm in purpose
I wanted to bend down and kiss her, for how small and determined she looked.p.131.83 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
I'm determined to become a lawyer.more
firmly planning
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consciousaware
I was conscious of Zach's breathing, his shirt pulled across his chest, one arm draped on the steering wheel.p.125.82 more
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She prides herself on being socially conscious.more
aware and concerned
Show general definition for conscious (as in: environmentally conscious) aware or concerned about something
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assaultassault → assaulted:attacked
They said she'd assaulted some men at the Esso station.p.44.42 more
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I was assaulted by someone wearing a mask.more
Show general definition to attack someone or something physically or verbally; or to threaten violence