Touching Spirit Bear — Vocabulary
Ben Mikaeslen
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
14 top 1000
banishbanish → banished:forced to leave
He was banished from his own country.more
Show sample from book
You do know that banishment is much harder than any jail cell, don't you?13 more
banish → banishment:being forced to leave a community and not return
Show general definition to expel or get rid of
in various senses, including:
  • to force someone to leave a country as punishment
  • to push an idea from the mind
7 top 100
consequenceconsequence → consequences:results
Your decision will have three major consequences.more
Show sample from book
Life is made up of consequences, and you've sure made some bad choices.6 more
consequence → consequences:results from actions
Show general definition for consequence (as in: a direct consequence of) a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
2 top 200
tracea tiny quantity or indication
There was not a trace of the defendant's DNA at the crime scene.more
Show sample from book
"Next year, every trace of your existence here will be removed from the island," Edwin said.3 more
slight indication or sign
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."
2 top 1000
trace#2draw (by following the image)
She didn't have a camera or a copier, so she used a pencil to trace an outline of the picture on thin paper.more
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He picked up a small stick and traced in the dirt.3 more
trace → traced:drew
Show general definition for trace (as in: trace a picture or outline) copy the lines of an image; or draw an outline; or carefully draw a specific pattern
This sense of trace has to do with drawing, but it's specific meaning depends on its context. For example:
copying the outline of an image
  • "She used tracing paper to make a copy." -- paper you can see through, so that when it is placed on a picture, you can use a pencil to follow the lines of the image being copied
  • "She projected the image onto the wall, hung a sheet of paper there, and traced the projected image onto the paper." -- followed the lines with her pencil
draw an outline or a specific pattern
  • "She used her toe to trace half the fish symbol in the sand." -- draw a simple outline
  • "The child used a stick to trace circles and swirls in the mud." -- draw
  • "She used her finger to trace his name in the sand." -- draw
1 top 2000
positivecertain
I'm positive I've seen her before.more
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We'll be staying until we're positive that he's safe.1 more
Show general definition for positive (as in: I'm absolutely positive!) certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
1 top 100
positive#2positive → positively:in a good or beneficial manner
Lower interest rates positively affected home sales.†more
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Even jail can be positive if you go in with a good heart.1 more
good or beneficial
Show general definition for positive (as in: had a positive effect) good or beneficial
5 top 500
contracta written agreement that is enforceable by law
She signed the contract.more
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He broke his contract with the Circle, and he violated our trust.4 more
formal agreement
Show general definition for contract (as in: legal contract) an agreement - typically written and enforceable by law
4 top 200
mockmock → mocked:made fun of
She was upset when he mocked her.more
Show sample from book
His wild laughter mocked the world and everyone he had ever known.3 more
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.
3 top 100
acknowledgeacknowledge → acknowledged:admitted
She acknowledged that she might have forgotten.more
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As the Circle sat down, the Keeper drew in a deep slow breath, looking around to acknowledge each person.2 more
express recognition of
Show general definition for acknowledge (as in: acknowledge her or the truth) express recognition or appreciation of someone or something; or to admit or express something
4 top 500
persistentcontinuing over time
She has a persistent cough.more
Show sample from book
"My mouse dance taught me that a mouse is persistent and bold," he said.3 more
(of a nature to) continue its efforts despite difficulties
Show general definition continuing -- especially despite difficulties or opposition
2 top 10
demonstratedemonstrate → demonstrated:showed
The salesperson demonstrated features of both phones so I could compare them.more
Show sample from book
Can I ask Cole to help me with a demonstration?1 more
demonstrate → demonstration:display (of a principle)
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
4 top 500
waverwaver → wavered:faltered (stopped being strong)
Through good times and bad her love for him has never wavered.more
Show sample from book
As he wavered on his weakened legs...3 more
waver → wavered:moved back and forth (from weakness or uncertainty)
Show general definition to move back and forth (shake or quiver)

or:

to change, be unsure, or weak
1 top 500
devourdevour → devoured:ate rapidly and completely
She devoured everything on her plate in less than two minutes and asked for more.more
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Cole squirted on a glob of ketchup, then devoured the hot dog.1 more
Show general definition for devour (as in: devoured three sandwiches) eat rapidly and completely -- usually due to being very hungry
1 top 500
devour#2devour → devoured:completely consumed or destroyed
The entire block was devoured in the fire.more
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Inch by inch the billowing flames devoured the supplies and the shelter.1 more
devour → devoured:destroyed (completely burned up)
Show general definition for devour (as in: devoured by flames) to completely consume, destroy, or engulf (surround or cover)
2 top 1000
stiflesuppress (prevent something or decrease its development)
These excessive rules that stifle creativity.more
Show sample from book
Panicking, Cole stifled a cough—he didn't dare cough.2 more
stifle → stifled:suppressed (held back)
Show general definition for stifle (as in: stifling the urge) to suppress (prevent something or decrease its development) -- often political freedom
1 top 2000
stifle#2stifle → stifling:making it difficult to breath
It was a hot, humid, stifling day.more
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In the summer's stifling heat, the room seemed airless and threatening.2 more
stifle → stifling:so hot and humid that breathing is more difficult
Show general definition for stifle (as in: the heat is stifling) to make breathing difficult or impossible -- often from heat or humidity
6 top 2000
paroleconditional early release from imprisonment
Being home by 10 pm is one of the conditions of my parole.more
Show sample from book
...we feel he should be released to parole and to the supervision of one of his parents.5 more
early release from prison (as long as he complies with special conditions)
Show general definition for parole (as in: released on parole) conditional early release from imprisonment in which a person is required to comply with special conditions
2 top 500
treacherousdangerous
The road through Afghanistan's Kabul gorge is even more treacherous than the Road of Death in Bolivia.more
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Walking over the frosty rocks along the streambed became too treacherous.1 more
Show general definition for treacherous (as in: the road is steep and treacherous) dangerous -- often in a non-obvious way
2 top 2000
probationperiod of being watched closely
After breaking school rules, she was put on disciplinary probation for the rest of the semester.more
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The only person who insisted on visiting regularly was Garvey, the stocky youth probation officer, who stopped by the detention center almost daily.1 more
probation → probation officer:a person who monitors a criminal who does not have to be in prison as long as they demonstrate good behavior and obey special restrictions
Show general definition a period of time when a person is being tested or watched to see if they meet certain expectations or follow rules
1 top 500
replenishreplace what was used up
The recent storms helped replenish the city's water supply.more
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The wretched insects sucked life from him faster than he could replenish it.
replace what was taken
Show general definition replace what was used up; or restore to a previous condition