Speak — Vocabulary
Laurie Halse Anderson
(Auto-generated)

Exemplary sample Uses Broad Use
8 top 2000
genea DNA sequence or unit of heredity that influences biological traits
The gene determines hair color.more
Show sample from book
Getting knocked around by genetic mutants?†7 more
gene → genetic:related to DNA sequences or units of heredity that influence biological traits
2 top 100
accompanyaccompany → accompanying:provided together
The trend is easily seen in the accompanying graph.more
Show sample from book
A color picture of the work-in-progress accompanied the article.1 more
accompany → accompanied:complemented (was also provided to make the whole better)
Show general definition for accompany (as in: the accompanying chart) to be present with at the same time and/or location -- sometimes provided to make something more complete or better
2 top 100
evaluateevaluate → evaluating:thinking carefully and making a judgment about
I'm evaluating colleges and deciding which I want to apply to.more
Show sample from book
Each week he evaluates our progress and makes a note on the wall.†1 more
evaluate → evaluates:thinks carefully and makes a judgment about
Show general definition to think carefully and make a judgment about something
3 top 1000
immigrateimmigrate → immigrated:came to live (from another country)
About 1 of each 8 people in the United States immigrated from somewhere else.more
Show sample from book
Anyone whose family immigrated in the last century has a story to tell about how hard their relatives have worked, the contributions they make to the country, the taxes they pay.2 more
immigrate → immigrated:came to live
Show general definition come to live in a new country
2 top 1000
discriminatetreat unfairly
Some employers still discriminate against older workers when hiring.more
Show sample from book
We can't be the Buccaneers because pirates supported violence and discrimination against women.1 more
discriminate → discrimination:unfair treatment to a group
Show general definition for discriminate (as in: suffered discrimination) to treat people of different groups differently -- especially unfair treatment due to race, religion or gender
1 top 100
themean idea that is unifying or recurrent
The party had a 1950's theme.more
Show sample from book
Jessica did hers in a desert 'n' cowdudes theme.
recurring idea
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
2 top 2000
dormantnot active, but capable of activity in the future
We hiked on a dormant volcano.more
Show sample from book
...how to come back to life after my long undersnow dormancy.1 more
dormant → dormancy:long-term inactivity
Show general definition not active or growing, but capable of doing so in the future
2 top 1000
wistfulwistful → wistfully:showing longing or unfulfilled desire
Sitting in her wheelchair, the old woman looked wistfully at the young dancers.more
Show sample from book
She looks wistful.†1 more
2 top 1000
speciesa group of similar animals or plants
It is an endangered species.more
Show sample from book
an endangered species1 more
a similar group of 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
2 top 1000
deprivedeprive → deprived:left without a basic comfort
The storm deprived the town of electricity.more
Show sample from book
Deprived of Victim, Mom and Dad holler at each other.†1 more
deprive → deprived:lacking things most people enjoy
Show general definition to take away or keep from having
1 top 100
dominatecontrol
Democrats dominate the committee.more
Show sample from book
Keen writes "Dominant/Recessive" on the board.
dominate → dominant:controlling; or most influential
Show general definition to control; or to be most influential, powerful, abundant, important, or conspicuous
2 top 2000
paralysisloss of the ability to move
She suffers paralysis of her legs.more
Show sample from book
"Your imagination is paralyzed," he declares.1 more
paralysis → paralyzed:unable to act (function)
Show general definition loss of the ability to move the body or a part of it

or:

inability to act or make a decision
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
Show sample from book
She is a freshman member on probation.1 more
a period of testing
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
2 top 2000
suburbanin an area located near the outer edge of a city where it isn't so crowded
I want a suburban home with a white picket fence and a big yard.more
Show sample from book
We get a lot of dead deer in the suburbs.†1 more
suburban → suburbs:residential areas located near the outer edge of a city where it isn't as crowded
Show general definition relating to a residential area located near the outer edge of a city where it isn't as crowded
2
incriminatemake herself look guilty
She refused to answer on the grounds that she might incriminate herself.more
Show sample from book
Maybe I don't want to incriminate myself.1 more
make appear guilty
Show general definition to make someone appear guilty
2
dementedinsane (crazy)
Some demented killer has declared open season on people in nice cars.more
Show sample from book
I went through a demented phase when I thought that roses should cover everything and pink was a great color.1 more
crazy
Show general definition for demented (as in: demented lyrics) acting crazy

or:

suffering from cognitive dementia (mental deterioration)
1 top 1000
integralessential
That was before China became an integral part of the world economy.more
Show sample from book
He is poetic about it, in an integral-number sort of way.†
an essential part or characteristic
Show general definition for integral (as in: integral part) an essential part or characteristic
1 top 1000
demuremodest and quiet
She gave a demure smile and lowered her eyes when the teacher praised her.more
Show sample from book
Connors did not win a lacrosse scholarship by being demure or hesitant.
modest, quiet, and shy
Show general definition modest, quiet, and shy; or pretending such in a playful way
1 top 1000
inciteprovoke -- (arouse feelings that will cause)
They want to incite a riot.more
Show sample from book
And they cheer on our boys, inciting them to violence and, we hope, victory.†
incite → inciting:provoking
Show general definition provoke -- (arouse feelings, often leading to action)
1 top 2000
deviousdeceitful and clever
It is a devious plan.more
Show sample from book
Some part of me has planned this, a devious internal compass pointed to the past.
deceitful (not honest and straightforward)
Show general definition for devious (as in: a devious plan) deceitful (not honest and straightforward) -- often in a complicated, clever manner