Kit's Wilderness — Vocabulary
David Almond
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Exemplary sample	Uses	Broad Use
	8	top 1000
ponderthink about The question the audience is left to ponder is...more Show sample from book I lifted my pen and pondered.p.26.97 more ponder → pondered:thought deeply or carefully Show general definition to think deeply or carefully about something
	4	top 1000
meagerlacking in quantity or quality We make the most of our meager resources.more Show sample from book Only one of the candles still burned, a cold, meager light.p.13.53 more less than desired
	4	top 1000
yearnstrongly desire or wish I yearn for her return.more Show sample from book But I could feel that his grip was also a way of clinging to me, that his eyes were also filled with yearning.†p.22.73 more yearn → yearning:strongly desiring; or a strong desire Show general definition have a strong desire -- often for something difficult or impossible to have
	3	top 1000
cowercower → cowered:showed fear by positioning the body as though afraid of being hit She cowered in fear.more Show sample from book The boy cowered, covered his face.p.37.42 more Show general definition show fear by positioning the body as though afraid of being hit
	2	top 1000
distortalter in an unnatural or untrue way These sunglasses distort my vision.more Show sample from book I looked out of the window, saw Askew far out there, heading away, distorted by the water on the pane.p.21.81 more distort → distorted:altered in an unnatural way Show general definition to alter something in an unnatural or untrue way
	2	top 1000
contemplatethink deeply about After the meeting, she needed some time alone to contemplate her next move.more Show sample from book He contemplated me.†p.3.21 more contemplate → contemplated:consider or ponder Show general definition consider or ponder
	3	top 2000
descendmove downward We saw the rocket descend.more Show sample from book He descended through the dark with her.p.50.72 more descend → descended:moved downward Show general definition for descend (as in: descend the mountain) move or slope downward
	1	top 10
relevantimportant (related in a meaningful way) Shannon tells an interesting story, but it's not relevant to the decision we have to make.more Show sample from book But I simply fail to see the relevance of the subject to a person of my inclinations and ambitions.p.7.5 relevant → relevance:importance (meaningful relation to the issue in question) Show general definition relating in a meaningful way to the issue in question
	2	top 2000
avengeget revenge for He swore to avenge his father's murder no matter how long it took.more Show sample from book "We will avenge him," they whispered.p.9.81 more take revenge Show general definition take revenge for a perceived wrong
	2	top 2000
contentcontent → contented:satisfied She grew more contented with age.more Show sample from book The baby slept, contented.p.40.91 more content → contented:satisfied and unworried
	1	top 200
mocknot real Law students compete in a pretend court in a mock trial competition.more Show sample from book A gasp of mock-fright from the children, then The Snow Queen began.p.43.2 pretend (not real)
	1	top 200
tentativetentative → tentatively:in a careful way (indicating a lack of confidence) The puppy approached us tentatively until it knew we wouldn't harm it.more Show sample from book Old people walked tentatively, took careful steps, used rubber-tipped sticks to keep them safe.p.43.1 tentative → tentatively:in an unsure manner Show general definition for tentative (as in: said it tentatively) done in a careful or unsure way (indicating a lack of confidence in exactly what will happen)
	1	top 1000
flourishflourish → flourishing:growing or developing well The children are flourishing.more Show sample from book Great place for young life to flourish.p.6.31 more grow or develop well Show general definition for flourish (as in: the business is flourishing) to thrive (grow or develop well)
	1	top 1000
flourish#2showy gesture She entered with a great flourish.more Show sample from book He swung his arm out with a flourish.p.29.71 more a showy gesture Show general definition for flourish (as in: dismissed them with a flourish) a showy gesture or: the act of waving -- a hand or an item
	1	top 1000
sullenunhappy and withdrawn She changed from a happy, outgoing child to sullen teenager.more Show sample from book But I stood there sullen and silent with my eyes downcast,p.17.81 more Show general definition for sullen (as in: a sullen mood) being unhappy (and often withdrawn)
	1	top 2000
sullen#2darkened by clouds The town looked more depressing than normal under the sullen sky.more Show sample from book They were dark things, black things: silhouettes of children on a gray field; black slow river; black tilting houses; black scratches of birds in a sullen sky.p.4.11 more dark (gloomy) Show general definition for sullen (as in: a sullen sky) darkened by clouds; or the color of a gloomy sky
	2
homagea show of respect They retired jersey #23 in homage to Michael Jordan.more Show sample from book Lak bowed his head and paid homage to the spirit of the bear.†p.32.31 more homage → paid homage:showed respect or honor Show general definition a show of deep respect or admiration for someone or something -- often through a gesture, artwork, or tribute
	1	top 500
adversaryopponent She is his greatest adversary.more Show sample from book He gave thanks to the gods for the cunning and strength that had caused him to defeat such an adversary.†p.32.4 Show general definition an opponent
	1	top 2000
gistmain point(s) Just tell me the gist of the matter.more Show sample from book They tried to keep the tale of Askew's den from Grandpa, but he got the gist of it.p.19.8 the main point(s) of a more detailed matter Show general definition the main point(s) of a more detailed matter
	1	top 2000
labyrinthcomplex system of paths Because London evolved to include many different villages, its roads are a labyrinth of twists and turns.more Show sample from book "Look at the earth and you think it's solid," he said. "But look deeper and you'll see it's riddled with tunnels. A warren. A labyrinth."p.5.3 a complex system of paths or tunnels Show general definition a maze (a complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost) or (figuratively): anything so complicated that it is extremely confusing Show editor's word notes The word "labyrinth" comes from the name of the maze of passages where, in Greek mythology, Theseus had to escape from the Minotaur.