Eleanor & Park — Vocabulary
Rainbow Rowell
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	6
stationerypaper and envelopes for writing letters It was a form-letter, but it was written on the President's stationery with a White House return address.more Show sample from book There was her stationery, her colored pencils, and her Prismacolor markers (another Christmas present from her uncle).†p.20.45 more Show general definition paper and envelopes for writing letters Show editor's word notes Stationery is commonly confused with stationary; i.e., remaining still. The words are pronounced identically, so be sure to note the spelling. It might help to remember which is which, by thinking "First sit still; then write."
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implyimply → implied:hinted or suggested She wouldn't make a direct statement, but she implied that she supported our position.more Show sample from book Mrs. Dunne loved the opportunity to be good in a crisis, so all Park had to do was imply that it was a emergency.†p.161.31 more suggest (say indirectly) Show general definition to suggest or say indirectly -- possibly as a logical consequence
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disdainlack of respect She tries to be polite, but she cannot hide her disdain for authority.more Show sample from book He couldn't help but sound disdainful.†p.43.91 more disdain → disdainful:full of disrespect Show general definition to disrespect or reject as unworthy
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exasperatedgreatly annoyed She was exasperated by his teasing.more Show sample from book "Because I'm thinking about you," he said, exasperated.†p.106.31 more Show general definition greatly annoyed
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diffusespread out When the United States focused on terrorism, the movement went further underground and became more diffuse.more Show sample from book She should be diffusing and scrunching and, if possible, sleeping on a satin pillowcase.†p.214.31 more diffuse → diffusing:to spread; OR to soften or calm; OR to be spread out (not concentrated) Show general definition to spread; or to soften or calm or: to be spread out (not concentrated) -- sometimes implying a lack of organization
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interstatefreeway, or highway that runs between states There was an accident on the interstate.more Show context notes When a word begins with the prefix, "inter-", the prefix often means between. In this case, interstate means between different states. Interstate is often used as an abbreviation for interstate highway, a highway that runs between states. It has also come to mean freeway in a place like Hawaii where no major highway connects to another state. Show sample from book Then he got on the interstate heading west instead of east, and it took twenty minutes to turn around again.†p.298.42 more freeway, or highway that runs between states… Show context notes When a word begins with the prefix, "inter-", the prefix often means between. In this case, interstate means between different states. Interstate is often used as an abbreviation for interstate highway, a highway that runs between states. It has also come to mean freeway in a place like Hawaii where no major highway connects to another state. Show general definition for interstate (as in: interstate commerce) freeway, or highway that runs between states or: relating to the mutual relations between states -- especially of the United States Show editor's word notes Note that interstate is often contrasted with intrastate. An intrastate highway is used to move from one location in a state to another, rather than to move between states. Similarly, interstate commerce is business between states; whereas intrastate commerce affects a state without affecting other states. Under the U.S. Constitution, the interstate/intrastate distinction is important when determining when the federal government has authority to override state government.
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metaphormetaphor → metaphorically:with a figure of speech in which a similarity between two things is highlighted by using a word to refer to something that it does not literally denote He was speaking metaphorically when he referred to being mugged by reality.more Show sample from book They're a metaphor for acceptance; they've sworn to protect a world that hates and fears them.†p.64.41 more a figure of speech in which a similarity between two things is highlighted by using a word to refer to something that it does not literally mean Show general definition a figure of speech in which a similarity between two things is implied by using a word to refer to something it does not literally mean—as in, "All the world’s a stage." Show editor's word notes When Shakespeare wrote, "All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players." he was not saying the world is really a stage and all people are actors. But he was pointing to the similarities he wants us to recognize. While metaphors and similes are both techniques of figurative language. The distinction is that a simile explicitly shows that a comparison is being made, by using words such as "like" or "as". A metaphor simply substitutes words assuming the reader will understand the meaning should not be take literally. "She is like a diamond in the rough" is a simile; while "She is a diamond in the rough" is a metaphor.
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relentlesscontinues in an extreme manner without stopping My headache is relentless.more Show sample from book Relentlessly submissive.†p.152.41 more relentless → relentlessly:in an extreme manner that does not stop Show general definition to continue without stopping in an extreme manner -- often of something that is harsh or oppressive
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neverthelessdespite that (used to connect contrasting ideas) The class was hard. Nevertheless, it was my favorite.more Show sample from book tin-batteried, too, but nevertheless, there.†p.20.6 Show general definition despite that Show editor's word notes Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 was just stated, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrast and but.
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irrelevantnot relevant The sentence should be deleted because it introduces information that is irrelevant to the passage.more Show sample from book "Irrelevant," Eleanor answered.†p.64.9 not relevant (not related to the subject being considered, or not important enough to want to consider) Show general definition not relevant (not related to the subject being considered, or not important enough to want to consider)
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genea DNA sequence or unit of heredity that influences biological traits The gene determines hair color.more Show sample from book Maybe the Korean genes scrambled everything.†p.117.41 more gene → genes:DNA sequences or units of heredity that influence biological traits
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marathona footrace of about 26 miles She is training to run in the Boston Marathon.more Show sample from book Eleanor was this close to asking for a toothbrush, but she thought that would lead to a marathon of hugging and knee-rubbing.†p.82.51 more Show general definition for marathon (as in: ran her first marathon) a 26.2-mile footrace; or, more generally, any long and demanding activity requiring endurance
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adrenalineadrenaline → adrenaline junkie:“fight or flight” stimulating hormone She's an adrenaline junkie. She loves the rush that comes from roller coasters, skydiving, and big waves.more Show sample from book Gil took forever to answer the door, and when he did, Eleanor realized she'd used up all her adrenaline knocking.†p.146.51 more Show general definition “fight or flight” stimulating hormone secreted by the adrenal gland in response to stress (making the body feel excited and ready for action) Show editor's word notes Doctors are more likely to use the term epinephrine (possibly shortened to epi or EP). Adrenalin as a proper noun without the ending "e" is a trademark name for the same chemical.
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dubiousquestionable or unreliable The theory is based on dubious evidence that hasn’t been verified.more Show sample from book Eleanor looked dubious.†p.223.9 doubtful; or suspicious; or full of uncertainty -- sometimes to indicate that something described as good is actually bad Show general definition doubtful, questionable, or suspicious -- especially in a way that makes something seem unreliable, improper, or uncertain doubtful in various senses, including: questionable or doubtful that something should be relied upon -- as in "The argument relies on a dubious assumption." suspicious or doubtful that something is morally proper -- as in "The company is accused of using dubious sales practices to influence minors." bad or of questionable value -- as in "The state has the dubious distinction of the highest taxes." uncertain or doubtful -- as in "She is dubious about making the change."
	2
genregenre → genres:styles It was an unusual mix of art that represented both landscape and abstract genres.more Show sample from book "I'm beginning to think you shouldn't have started reading comics with a book that completely deconstructs the last fifty years of the genre," he said.†p.162.51 more style or kind Show general definition a category or style - especially in the arts
	2
scoundrelsomeone without moral principles He's a scoundrel. Don't trust him.more Show sample from book Is this where you tell me that I'm a scoundrel, and I say that I think you like me because I'm a scoundrel?†p.259.9 Show general definition someone without moral principles
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poignantarousing deep emotion It is a poignant story about a girl who is paralyzed in a car accident.more Show sample from book It's poignant and it's truth.†p.22.6 sharp or intense Show general definition sharp or intense -- typically arousing deep emotion such as sadness, but possibly having or creating a sharp smell, taste, or insight
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protagonistmain character in a work of fiction Harry Potter was the protagonist and Voldemort was the antagonist.more Show sample from book And you look like a protagonist.†p.113.7 the main character in a work of fiction; OR more rarely:… Show general definition the main character in a work of fiction or more rarely: an important supporter or main figure of someone or something
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intangibleexisting but not able to be touched Happiness is an intangible feeling that can’t be measured or weighed.more Show sample from book "She becomes intangible," Park said.†p.64.7 unable to be physically touched (existing but not material or concrete)… Show general definition unable to be physically touched (existing but not material or concrete); or something that is hard to identify
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irrevocableincapable of being undone We agreed not to take any irrevocable action until after the meeting.more Show sample from book But he'd gone too long without saying anything since the first time he cursed at her, and now it was all just irrevocably weird.†p.34.4 irrevocable → irrevocably:in a manner that cannot be undone