Bridge to Terabithia — Vocabulary
Katherine Paterson
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	8	top 1000
solemnvery serious He took a solemn oath.more Show sample from book Leslie solemnly crossed her heart.†p.75.67 more solemn → solemnly:with seriousness and dignity Show general definition in a very serious (and often dignified) manner
	3	top 100
genuinegenuine → genuinely:sincerely I am genuinely sorry for what I did.more Show sample from book It was not the kind of best that counted either at school or at home, but it was a genuine kind of best.†p.18.12 more real Show general definition real (as when a person is sincere or an object is not a replica or fake)
	2	top 500
anxietynervousness She suffers from more than the usual pre-test anxiety.more Show sample from book She must have seen his anxiety because she winked at him across Bill and Judy just as he sometimes winked at May Belle over Joyce Ann's head.†p.104.91 more nervousness or worry Show general definition nervousness or worry
	2	top 1000
principalmost important The principal idea is that decisions should be made by the people who are most knowledgeable about specific circumstances that impact the decision.more Show sample from book "Blowing in the Wind," and because Mr. Turner, the principal, insisted, "God Bless America."†p.18.91 more most important; or person that is most important Show general definition most important; or person who is most important The exact meaning of principal can depend upon its context. For example: "the principal idea" or "the principal performer" -- the most important "the principal of the school" -- the person in charge "a principal of a company" -- an owner or person with controlling authority "the principal in a transaction" (as contrasted to the agent) -- the person on whose behalf an agent acts
	3	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 In Washington and its fancy suburbs, even in Millsburg, that was OK, but Lark Creek was the backwash of fashion.†p.19.62 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	top 2000
vigorenergy and strength After a good night’s sleep, she woke up full of vigor and ready to tackle the day’s challenges.more Show sample from book "Sure," he repeated himself, nodding vigorously.†p.60.11 more vigor → vigorously:in a strong or energetic manner Show general definition strength, energy, or good health
	2	top 2000
despisedespise → despises:dislikes strongly and looks down upon She despises the people he works for.more Show sample from book When you were the only boy smashed between four sisters, and the older two had despised you ever since you stopped letting them dress you up and wheel you around in their rusty old doll carriage, and the littlest one cried if you looked at her cross-eyed, it was nice to have somebody who worshiped you.†p.2.91 more despise → despised:disliked strongly and looked down upon Show general definition to dislike strongly and to look down upon with disrespect
	1	top 200
comprehendcomprehend → comprehends:fully understands I don't think she comprehends how dangerous this has become.more Show sample from book The guardian of the realm raced about in happy puppy circles, too young as yet to comprehend the danger that surrounded them all.†p.106.4 understand -- especially to understand it completely Show general definition to understand something -- especially to understand it completely
	1	top 500
earnestearnest → in earnest:in a serious manner I began training in earnest the summer before high school.more Show sample from book On Easter Monday the rain began again in earnest.†p.129.1 earnest → in earnest:serious; or in a serious manner Show general definition characterized by sincere belief or: intensely or excessively serious or determined
	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 Jess could tune it out the same way he tuned out school, with his body standing up and sitting down in unison with the rest of the congregation but his mind numb and floating, not really thinking or dreaming but at least free.†p.125.7 Show general definition for congregation (as in: the congregation voted) people who worship together in the same building
	1	top 500
conspicuouseasy to notice She tried not to look conspicuous as she slipped into class after the tardy bell.more Show sample from book The fifth-grade boys, bursting with new importance, ordered the fourth graders this way and that, while the smaller boys tried to include themselves without being conspicuous.†p.35.9 easily noticed Show general definition easily noticed -- typically attracting attention such as by being large, flashy, or unusual
	1	top 500
ceasestop According to the treaty, all offensive military action will cease at midnight.more Show sample from book Would wonders never cease?†p.121.2 stop or discontinue Show general definition to stop or discontinue
	1	top 500
principlebelief I accept as a basic principle that all people are precious and should be treated with equal dignity.more Show sample from book It's the principle of the thing, Jess.p.62.6 basic moral belief (about what is right and wrong) Show general definition a basic rule or belief The exact meaning of principle can depend upon its context. For example: "our guiding principles" -- basic moral beliefs that guide decisions and behavior "electromagnetic principles" -- rules describing how the world works "She lacks principles." -- lacks moral guidelines "We agree in principle." -- about important basic beliefs
	1	top 1000
ominousthreatening I'm beginning to hear ominous rumblings of discontent.more Show sample from book Her Leslie smile shifted suddenly and ominously into a scowl that silenced the storm.†p.52.7 ominous → ominously:threatening (suggestive of, or foreshadowing bad things to come) Show general definition threatening (suggestive of, or foreshadowing bad things to come)
	4	top 2000
chordchord → chords:a combination of three or more notes that blend harmoniously when sounded together In her first day learning the guitar, she has learned how to play G major, C major, and D major chords.more Show sample from book The syllables rolled through his head like a ripple of guitar chords.†p.20.63 more chord → chords:a combination of three or more notes that blend harmoniously when sounded togeth… Show general definition for chord (as in: piano chord) a combination of three or more notes that blend harmoniously when sounded together; or figuratively to express harmonious blending or clashing
	1	top 200
complacentunworried and satisfied She had become complacent after years of success.more Show sample from book Jess was glad to escape to the shed and the complacent company of Miss Bessie.†p.119.8 Show general definition contented (unworried and satisfied) -- often to a fault
	1	top 2000
garishtastelessly showy The clown’s garish outfit, with its bright colors and bold patterns, made the children laugh.more Show sample from book Next they got the old wallpaper off the living-room wall—all five garish layers of it.†p.103.2 Show general definition tastelessly showy; or excessively bright
	1	top 2000
sporadicrecurring irregularly The city experienced sporadic power outages, causing disruptions to daily life and business operations.more Show sample from book The rain continued sporadically, so that by Wednesday the creek had swollen to the trunk of the crab apple and they were running through ankle-deep water to make their flight into Terabithia.†p.135.3
	1	top 2000
vanquishvanquish → vanquished:completely defeated The team vanquished all competition.more Show sample from book In the dim light he could see Leslie's face freeze into its most queenly pose—the kind of expression she usually reserved for vanquished enemies.†p.136.5 Show general definition to defeat completely
	1	top 2000
squabbleargument over unimportant things Their petty squabble is disrupting the team.more Show sample from book Even his sisters' squabbling about when presents were to be opened did not touch him.†p.93.5 squabble → squabbling:arguing -- typically over unimportant things Show general definition an act or instance of arguing -- typically over unimportant things