Hoot — Vocabulary
Carl Hiassen
(Edited)

Book sample Uses ACT/SAT
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composecompose → composed:written
Roy had mentally prepared himself to be blindfolded and tied up again—he'd even composed a short speech for the occasion.p.67.81 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The assignment is to compose a poem.more
write
Show general definition for compose (as in: compose a poem) to write or create something with care
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compose#2compose → composed:settled or calmed
While another line of kids boarded, Dana composed himself as if he were a model citizen.p.96.71 more
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I took a deep breath to compose myself and then began my speech.more
calm
Show general definition for compose (as in: compose myself) to calm someone or settle something
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positivecertain
In Montana, the only animals that dug holes like that were gophers and badgers, and Roy was positive there weren't many of those in Florida.p.124.21 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
I'm positive I've seen her before.more
Show general definition for positive (as in: I'm absolutely positive!) certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
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positive#2good or beneficial
Curly finally came up with something positive to contribute.p.257.11 more
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Lower interest rates positively affected home sales.†more
positive → positively:in a good or beneficial manner
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environmentenvironment → environmental:relating to the quality of human, animal, and plant life
Mr. Eberhardt explained that he had borrowed the file, xeroxed every page, and then taken the material to some lawyers who were experts on environmental matters.p.279.65 more
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She made the environment the top concern in her speech and warned against spoiling the earth.more
the natural world
Show general definition for environment (as in: the environmental movement) the natural world (life, air, water, land...) -- often used in reference to the impact of human technology
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accompanyaccompany → accompanied:traveled with
It looked like the same bike ridden by Roy's new friend, Beatrice, when she'd accompanied him home from school.p.136.11 more
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The nurse accompanies the old woman everywhere.more
accompany → accompanies:travels with
Show general definition for accompany (as in: accompany on the journey) to travel along with
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indignantindignant → indignation:anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong
"What—don't you believe me?" Beatrice's indignation sounded genuine.p.140.82 more
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"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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alternativepossible thing to do
A third alternative was for Roy to try apologizing to Dana again, this time oozing remorse and sincerity.p.100.21 more
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Let's think of at least three alternatives before we decide what to do.more
alternative → alternatives:possibilities
Show general definition for alternative (as in: an alternative plan) a different choice or possibility, or describing something that offers a different choice or possibility
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perpetratorperpetrator → perpetrators:people who violated the law
First, somebody pulling the survey stakes; then dumping the alligators in the latrines; then spray-painting his squad car while he was asleep inside—this was the work of bold and defiant perpetrators.p.77.82 more
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The perpetrator has not been captured or identified.more
someone who did something wrong or illegal
Show general definition someone who has does something wrong -- usually something illegal
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sombersomber → somberly:solemnly (in a manner that is serious--not cheerful or lighthearted)
"His mom doesn't want him?"
Roy saw something flash in her eyes. He wasn't certain if it was sorrow or anger—or both.
"She doesn't want him?" his mother repeated.
Roy nodded somberly.p.161.41 more
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Before she said anything, I knew it was bad news from her somber face.more
serious and cheerless
Show general definition for somber (as in: a somber mood) serious (without cheer or lightheartedness); or sad
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illustratehelp make clear
"We're talkin' humongous rattraps." Garrett held his hands a foot apart to illustrate.p.215.9
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
Pictures of flooding help to illustrate the problem of global warming.more
make clear
Show general definition for illustrate (as in: as illustrated by this example) to help make clear -- typically by example
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cowercower → cowering:afraid
He had no intention of spending the rest of the year cowering in the rest room or sneaking through the halls just to avoid some dumb bully.p.65.71 more
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She cowered in fear.more
cower → cowered:showed fear by positioning the body as though afraid of being hit
Show general definition show fear by positioning the body as though afraid of being hit
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speciesa similar group of animals or plants so similar they can reproduce together
It was remarkable that the same species of bird was able to thrive in two places so far apart, and so completely different. If they can do it, Roy thought, maybe I can, too.p.93.41 more
Show context notes This is in reference to Roy's surprise that the osprey species he liked in Montana, also lives in Florida. The discovery made Roy think that perhaps he can be happy in Florida too.
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It is an endangered species.more
a group of similar animals or plants
Show general definition a group of animals or plants that are similar -- typically identified as belonging to the same group when they are of a kind that can reproduce new members of the group together
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jeopardydanger
"We want to assure all our customers that Mother Paula's remains strongly committed to protecting our environment," he said, "and we deeply regret that the careless actions of a few former employees and contractors may have put these unique little birds in jeopardy."p.284.91 more
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She is in jeopardy of being kicked off the team.more
danger (of suffering a loss)
Show general definition in danger of misfortune or suffering a loss
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expelexpel → expelled:kicked out of the school
Without consulting her husband, she arranged for her son [Mullet Fingers] to be shipped off to a military prep school—the first of several failed attempts to "normalize" the boy. He seldom lasted more than two weeks before running away or being expelled.p.116.4
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
Her records show expulsion from two schools.more
expel → expulsion:the act of forcing out (in this case, kicking someone out of school)
Show general definition force out
especially in 2 primary senses:
  • kicking someone out of an organization -- such as a school or country
  • squeezing something to eliminate a liquid or gas
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demonstrateshow
That meant Dana would feel obligated to demonstrate what a tough hombre he was.p.95.84 more
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The salesperson demonstrated features of both phones so I could compare them.more
demonstrate → demonstrated:showed
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
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demonstrate#2demonstrate → demonstration:public protest
The TV cameraman announced that the demonstration was being broadcast live on the noon news, while the photographer from the paper swooped in for a close-up of Mr. Muckle, looking drained, defeated, and suddenly very old.p.272.44 more
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The students demonstrated against hate speech.more
demonstrate → demonstrated:joined with others in a public protest
Show general definition for demonstrate (as in: demonstrate to protest) a public display supporting a cause -- usually joining with others in a political protest
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malevolentmalevolent → malevolently:with the desire to hurt
Dana grinned malevolently. ... Kneeling on Roy's chest, he hauled back to hit him again.p.184.8
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
She tells vicious lies and spreads malevolent rumors.more
evil
Show general definition evil
  • of a person -- wishing or appearing to wish evil to others
  • of a thing -- exerting an evil or harmful influence
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qualmsuneasy feelings
In addition to a fear of getting caught, Roy had serious qualms about trying anything illegal—p.180.4
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She has no qualms about doing whatever it takes to win.more
feelings of uneasiness
Show general definition feelings of uneasiness -- especially about whether it is right to do something
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determinedfirm in purpose
There was something about the look on the boy's face when he went running past the school bus those days; something urgent and determined and unforgettable.p.75.16 more
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I'm determined to become a lawyer.more
firmly planning