Bud, Not Buddy — Vocabulary
Christopher Paul Curtis
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
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accordioncharacterized by narrower parallel folds when closed and wider when open An accordion wall can be closed to divide the room.†more Show sample from book The first one was a drawing of a accordion and told about a band named "H. E. Callowski and the Wonderful Warblers of Warsaw," who were the "Masters of the Polka."†p.95.61 more Show general definition for accordion (as in: an accordion door) characterized by narrower parallel folds when closed and wider when open -- such as a door or musical instrument with that characteristic Show editor's word notes When unqualified, accordion generally refers to a musical instrument. See the related Google Images to see pictures of the musical instrument, doors, folds, and pleats that have accordion characteristics.
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asthmaa common lung disorder characterized by wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and sometimes coughing Asthma is the leading cause of hospitalization in children.more Show sample from book Not only have you struck him, you have provoked his asthma!†p.11.31 more Show general definition a common lung disorder characterized by wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and sometimes coughing
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consciencemoral judgment of personal behavior I have a guilty conscience and want to make it right.more Show sample from book At one of the foster houses where I'd stayed a woman told me she knew I was going to be a criminal because "anyone who sleeps that light has got to have a guilty conscience."†p.116.11 more feeling or appraisal of having personally behaved in a morally right or wrong manner Show general definition feeling or judgment of morally right or wrong personal behavior
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loathehate I make New Year's resolutions every year and then loathe myself for breaking them.more Show sample from book First I save you from being eaten by some vampires in Owosso, then you seem to have survived my daughter's paincakes and finally that police officer saves you from the feared and loathsome labor organizers of Detroit!†p.136.1 loathe → loathsome:disgusting or very bad Show general definition hate, detest, or intensely dislike Show editor's word notes Word Confusion: Do not confuse loathe with loath which sounds very similar or the same. Loathe is a verb while loath is an adjective describing "reluctance or unwillingness to do something." Note that loathing and loathsome are forms of the verb loathe even though both word forms lack the "e". Occasionally, you will see loath spelled as loathe even in a published book, but it is rare enough that it is generally considered an error rather than a non-standard spelling.
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nonethelessin spite of that (used to connect contrasting ideas) Sometimes she gets angry and loses her temper, but I love her nonetheless.more Show sample from book Nonetheless, they were extremely difficult jobs, often marked by eighty-hour workweeks, low salary and virtually no job security.†p.238.3 Show general definition in spite of that (Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nevertheless, all the same, still, and however.)
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provokeprovoke → provoked:caused Her remarks provoked a public outcry.more Show sample from book Not only have you struck him, you have provoked his asthma!†p.11.3 provoke → provoked:caused (a reaction) Show general definition to cause a reaction — often an emotional reaction like anger, and sometimes done on purpose
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nimblequick and agile She watched her daughter's nimble fingers type instructions into the iPhone.more Show sample from book He blew one long, low, nimbly sound and I knew right then, with that one deep, sad moan, what the most beautiful sound in the world was.†p.200.9 nimble → nimbly:quickly and easily Show general definition quick and agile -- typically physically, but can also reference quick, agile thinking (someone who is agile does things easily)
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fidgetfidget → fidgeting:making small restless movements The child is always fidgeting in his seatmore Show sample from book The one who was doing all the talking saw them fidgeting and said, "Hold steady, men."†p.83.5 Show general definition to make small restless movements
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immortalto live forever Zeus and the other gods were supposed to be immortal.more Show sample from book By keeping their stories alive you make them, and yourself, immortal.†p.243.9 living or existing forever; OR someone famous throughout history… Show general definition living or existing forever or: someone famous throughout history or: someone who will never die -- such as a mythological god
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Dutchthe people of the Netherlands (including Holland) The Dutch are famous for their tulips.more Show sample from book The Thug said to Dirty Deed, "I'd be offended, man, and I ain't trying to say that you ain't good on the eighty-eights, but you know the only reason you got this gig is 'cause you're Dutch, you're white and you don't have the strongest personality in the world."†p.205.2 the people of the Netherlands (including Holland); OR relating to them Show general definition the people of the Netherlands (including Holland); or relating to them (including the name of their language) Show editor's word notes Many people refer to the Netherlands as Holland -- which is more accurately the most populous region of the Netherlands. The Netherlands is best known for having 25% of its land below sea level.
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aliasalternative name She is thought to be living under an alias in Los Angeles.more Show sample from book It said a good criminal chooses a alias that's kind of close to their own name.†p.86.93 more Show general definition an alternative name Show editor's word notes In some contexts, an "alias" refers to a false name -- as in one used by a criminal. In other instances, it may be a common name by which someone is known, but which is not on their birth certificate. In computer software, aliases are commonly used to provide shortened names that identify files within a local scope.
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insinuateinsinuate → insinuated:implying (subtly suggesting) something unpleasant By asking who really deserved the trophy, she insinuated that he had cheated.more Show sample from book This was another strange question, but before I could answer, Miss Thomas said, "James, what are you insinuating?"p.216.1 Show general definition to imply (subtly suggest) something unpleasant
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ornerycranky (easily annoyed and quick to complain and argue) I avoid contact when he's in an ornery mood.more Show sample from book That ornery old man upstairs is very, very hurt right now and I just can't say where he's going to land after this news gets through blowing him around.p.227.3 easily annoyed and quick to complain and argue Show general definition for ornery (as in: is ornery when she first wakes up) quick to get annoyed, complain, argue, and be uncooperative
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sullysully → sullied:damaged The politician's reputation was sullied by the recent scandal.more Show sample from book Well, Bud, I don't mean to sully your reputation, but you just ran away from that man all the way across the state, I think I'd better hand-deliver you.p.141.5 spoil or cast doubt upon Show general definition for sully (as in: sully her reputation) to soil or stain -- especially to damage a reputation that was previously unblemished
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paltryinsignificant She was frustrated by the paltry raise she got after a year of growing on the job.more Show sample from book A man answered, "Well, he was walking all the way from Grand Rapids to Flint, it looks like he provided a pretty paltry meal for every mosquito on the way."†p.117.1 insignificant in amount or quality Show general definition insignificant in amount or quality
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matrimonymarriage They have moved in together, joined bank accounts, and are trying to have children, but have no interest in matrimony.†more Show sample from book Unless you had matrimonial plans concerning Miss Hill.p.56.9 Show general definition the state of being a married
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festerfester → festered:grew worse over time For over a year the memory and the desire for vengeance festered in her heart.more Show sample from book But as I was saying, beneath all that festering nastiness is a tender, kind, loving human being.†p.155.9 fester → festering:(of an injury) getting inflammation and creating pus OR (generally) getting worse -- especially through inattention Show general definition to grow worse or more intense over time, especially when ignored; or, in the case of a wound, to become inflamed and filled with pus
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althougheven though -- used to connect contrasting ideas Although she knows a lot about the business, she still has a lot to learn from her mother.more Show sample from book And although the characters in Bud, Not Buddy are fictional as well, some of them too are based on real people.†p.237.41 more Show general definition even though -- used to introduce an idea that contrasts with or makes the main statement surprising Show editor's word notes At the start of a sentence, although can play a role similar to words like however, yet, still, even so, on the other hand, or nonetheless—all of which signal contrast. In the middle of a sentence, although can sometimes be used where but or though might also work, but though or but often sound more natural. For example, "She's a great teacher, though not the most popular" is usually smoother than "She's a great teacher, although not the most popular."
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genuinegenuine → genuinely:sincerely I am genuinely sorry for what I did.more Show sample from book This knife is genuine solid twenty-four-karat silver.†p.109.2 real Show general definition real (as when a person is sincere or an object is not a replica or fake)
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thereforefor that reason Kim is taller than Ashley. Ashley is taller than Anna. Therefore, Kim is taller than Anna.more Show sample from book Therefore, if you urinate in the pool a bright red cloud will surround you and we will be able to tell who has relieved themselves.†p.181.1 Show general definition for that reason (what follows is so because of what was just said)