Maniac Magee — Vocabulary
Jerry Spinelli
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Exemplary sample Uses Broad Use
3 top 500
nonchalantcalm and unconcerned
I could tell she was nervous, but she was trying to look nonchalant.more
Show sample from book
John walked out, nonchalantly munching.†p.133.32 more
nonchalant → nonchalantly:calmly (appearing unconcerned)
Show general definition calm in manner -- appearing unconcerned
4 top 2000
swaggerswagger → swaggered:walked and behaved in a highly confident manner
The team swaggered onto the court--full of confidence.more
Show sample from book
McNab the father swaggers bare-armed out the front door, bellowing back, "Do yer homework!"p.133.43 more
swagger → swaggers:walks in a highly confident manner
Show general definition walk or behave in a highly confident or proud manner -- often arrogant and sometimes to impress or intimidate others
Show editor's word notes Swagger is often used to imply that someone moves or behaves as though they are so strong and capable as to be above physical fear. Such people are often portrayed on television as gang members or cowboys.
2 top 1000
jutjut → jutted out:stuck out
As the hikers climbed higher, they noticed a sharp, jagged rock that jutted out from the side of the mountain like a giant's chin.more
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From the way the kid swaggered in, from the candy bar that jutted like a chocolate stogie from the corner of his mouth, from the rip-stone-evil scowl on his face, the kid had to be none other than Mars Bar Thompson himself.†p.158.31 more
jut → jutted:to stick out; OR  a part that sticks out
Show general definition to stick out; or a part that sticks out
1 top 10
demonstratedemonstrate → demonstrated:showed
The salesperson demonstrated features of both phones so I could compare them.more
Show sample from book
"It comes right up to the plate, looking all fat and easy to belt, and then, just when you take your swing" — Maniac got into his batter's stance and demonstrated — "it sort of stops — and your bat just whiffs the air."p.130.7
demonstrate → demonstrated:showed (how it happens)
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
1 top 100
accompanyaccompany → accompanies:travels with
The nurse accompanies the old woman everywhere.more
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And so Maniac was invited to accompany the brothers McNab to their home.p.130.9
go with
Show general definition for accompany (as in: accompany on the journey) to travel along with
1 top 500
recollectremember
I think I recollect that she was away at college that year.more
Show sample from book
His only recollection was a feeling of sheer, joyful exuberance, himself in celebration: shouting "A-men!" in the Bethany Church, bashing John McNab's fastballs out of sight, dancing the polka with Grayson.†p.148.1
recollect → recollection:memory
Show general definition to remember -- especially experiences from long ago
Show editor's word notes Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice):

Relative to its synonyms, recollect brings to mind a leisurely piecing together of distant memories. It may be used in a less formal manner than remember and is almost always less formal than recall.
1 top 500
congregationpeople who worship together in the same building
It's a casual congregation where many people wander into services late.more
Show sample from book
Another day, Maniac would head for the townships to the north and west, the farmlands of the county, where dew sparkled on spider webs, and nature was doing such fresh and wonderful things that you could almost hear the long, neat congregations of corn clapping "Amen" and "A-men!"†p.172.3
Show general definition for congregation (as in: the congregation voted) people who worship together in the same building
1 top 500
pungentstrong
It's the pungent odor of oregano.more
Show sample from book
This time the ornaments were nature's brilliant red-and-yellow necklaces of bittersweet, pungent pinecones, wine-red clusters of sumac berries, abandoned bird-bodied boats of milkweed, delicate thumb-size goblets of Queen Anne's lace.p.111.9
strong smelling
Show general definition strong smelling or tasting

or much more rarely: anything sharp, painful, or penetrating -- physically or emotionally
Show editor's word notes In reference to taste or smell, pungent is more often associated with a strong flavor than a particular flavor. Some associate it with a high level of volatile acidity. Some wine connoisseurs interchange the word pungent with earthy.
1 top 500
abundantpresent in great quantity
Farmers in the region enjoy good soil, moderate temperatures, and an abundant supply of water.more
Show sample from book
The raisins here were even more abundant.†p.132.2
Show general definition present in great quantity
1 top 1000
contortcontort → contorted:twisted into an unnatural shape
Her face contorted in fury and frustration.more
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It was made of string, but it had more contortions, ins and outs, twists and turns and dips and doodles than the brain of Albert Einstein himself.†p.69.4
contort → contortions:twist or bend to an unnatural shape
Show general definition twist or bend to an unnatural shape -- something such as the human body, a facial expression, or the truth
1 top 1000
cunningclever and deceitful
She came up with a cunning scheme to cheat him.more
Show sample from book
He would need the touch of a surgeon, the alertness of an owl, the cunning of three foxes, and the foresight of a grand master in chess.†p.73.1
good at achieving goals through cleverness and deception
Show general definition for cunning (as in: a cunning thief) being good at achieving goals through cleverness -- and typically through deception as well (tricking others)
1 top 1000
solemnvery serious
He took a solemn oath.more
Show sample from book
Mrs. Beale nodded solemnly — "No, of course you didn't" — and gave Maniac a huge wink, which made Amanda screech louder, until something crashed in the kitchen.†p.42.2
solemn → solemnly:with seriousness and dignity
Show general definition in a very serious (and often dignified) manner
1 top 1000
commotiondisturbance
I looked up to see what caused the commotion.more
Show sample from book
Later on that first day, there was a commotion in the West End.†p.16.1
noisy disturbance
Show general definition a disturbance -- typically noisy
1 top 1000
protrudestick out
Metal spikes protrude from the dog's collar.more
Show sample from book
Maniac finally yelled, and snatched the two red gun barrels protruding from the slots.†p.156.9
protrude → protruding:sticking out
Show general definition to stick out from
2 top 2000
goadgoad → goaded:provoked (angered or annoyed)
She goaded him into an argument.more
Show sample from book
It hadn't been easy: finding Mars Bar, taking all his lip about cheating on the race, taking some bumps, some shoves, Mars goading him to fight.†p.159.51 more
goad → goading:provoking or prodding
Show general definition to provoke or annoy someone into doing something—often something unwise

or:

to prod an animal to move, or the stick used to do so
2
pandemoniuma state of noisy confusion and disorder
Pandemonium broke out after the announcement.more
Show sample from book
But his protests drowned in the pandemonium.p.147.91 more
state of noisy confusion and disorder
2
pronelying face down
The victim was found prone on the floor.more
Show sample from book
"The guns'll be real," says Russell, still prone and firing, the stock of the toy gun tight against his cheek.p.134.61 more
lying face downward
Show general definition for prone (as in: prone position) lying flat -- especially face downward
1 top 500
monopolycomplete control of a product
The company was accused of trying to create a monopoly by buying out all its competitors.more
Show sample from book
Monopoly and stuff.†p.178.7
complete control over a product, service, or resource
Show general definition complete control over a product, service, or resource -- usually by a single person, company, or group
1 top 500
divergemove apart
The two paths diverge here.more
Show sample from book
When the workingpeople began leaving their houses, the daybreak boys diverged, Mars Bar to the East End, Maniac to wherever.†p.172.3
diverge → diverged:to move apart; OR  be or become different
Show general definition to move apart; or be or become different
1 top 2000
ornerycranky (easily annoyed and quick to complain and argue)
I avoid contact when he's in an ornery mood.more
Show sample from book
But even at their orneriest, consonants were fun.†p.101.6
ornery → orneriest:quick to get annoyed, complain, argue, and be uncooperative
Show general definition for ornery (as in: is ornery when she first wakes up) quick to get annoyed, complain, argue, and be uncooperative