Frindle — Vocabulary
Andrew Clements
(Auto-generated)

Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
1 top 100
establishestablish → established:created
Which word choice best maintains the tone established in the first paragraph?more
Show sample from book
A permanent trust fund for college scholarships had been established with a donation of one million dollars "from one of your former students."p.103.4
Show general definition for establish (as in: establish a positive tone) create, start, or set in [a] place
1 top 500
essentialnecessary
Water is essential for all forms of life.more
Show sample from book
Good spelling and good grammar and good word skills are essential for every student.†p.11.1
necessary or important or relating to the basic nature of something
Show general definition necessary or important; or a basic and defining part of something
1 top 500
acquireobtain (get)
Children acquire language at an amazing rate.more
Show sample from book
Clear thinking requires a command of the English language, and fifth grade is the ideal time for every girl and boy to acquire an expanded vocabulary.†p.11.2
obtain (come into the possession of something)
Show general definition obtain (come into the possession of something)
1 top 1000
commotiondisturbance
I looked up to see what caused the commotion.more
Show sample from book
He was proud that he had made up a new word, and he enjoyed thinking about all the commotion it had stirred up.†p.93.3
noisy disturbance
Show general definition a disturbance -- typically noisy
1 top 2000
acquaintcause to know better
You should acquaint yourself with the new computer program.more
Show sample from book
THE FIRST DAY of school was always a get-acquainted day.†p.13.1
acquaint → acquainted:familiar with  OR  a friend or associate
Show general definition to cause to know; or to cause to be familiar with
1 top 2000
Shakespeareauthor widely regarded as the greatest in the English language and whose works include Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet
As Shakespeare said, "The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose."more
Show sample from book
He looked over his notes again and again—the first English dictionary, the growth of the English language, William Shakespeare, words from French and German, new words, old words, new inventions, Anglo-Saxon words, Latin and Greek roots, American English—it all became a big jumble in his mind.†p.22.6
Show general definition for Shakespeare (as in: William Shakespeare) English dramatist and poet frequently cited as the greatest writer in the English language and who wrote such works as Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet (1564-1616)
Show editor's word notes Shakespeare is the most quoted person in The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations (5th ed. 1999). Commonly quoted passages include:

This above all: to thine own self be true;
And it must follow, as the night the day;
Thou canst not then be false to any man.

What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.

All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players.
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts...

The quality of mercy is not strain'd,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.

some men are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them.

O, woe is me,
To have seen what I have seen, see what I see!

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.

Good night, good night! parting is such sweet sorrow,
That I shall say good night till it be morrow.

To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep:

Cowards die many times before their deaths;
The valiant never taste of death but once.

The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.
2
oblongan elongated shape
The artist carefully painted an oblong shape on the canvas, using broad strokes to create a sense of movement.more
Show sample from book
There was a flat, oblong case in the white envelope, the kind of case you get when you buy a watch.†p.100.91 more
an elongated shape (having more length than width)
Show general definition an elongated shape (having more length than width) -- typically of a stretched circle that is longer than an oval, but occasionally used to describe a rectangle
1 top 500
controversialtends to arouse strong disagreement
The issue of the death penalty is highly controversial in some states.more
Show sample from book
She could see that Nick and his parents were not going to be pushed into saying anything controversial.†p.76.5
tending to arouse strong disagreement
Show general definition tending to arouse strong disagreement
1 top 500
arbitrarybased on chance or impulse
It was an arbitrary decision.more
Show sample from book
And there between Friml and fringe he read: frindle (frin' dl) n. a device used to write or make marks with ink [arbitrary coinage; originated by Nicholas Allen, American, 1987— (see pen)] Nick went back to the note from Mrs. Granger.†p.97.4
Show general definition based on chance or impulse (rather than upon reasoning, consistent rules, or a proper sense of fairness)
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
In language arts, Mrs. Granger had a monopoly—and a reputation.†p.6.6
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
maniaextremely strong enthusiasm
Election mania is gripping the entire state.more
Show sample from book
Frindle-mania was over.p.84.4
extreme enthusiasm
Show general definition for mania (as in: mania surrounding the big event) extremely strong enthusiasm --  often widely shared for something in particular
15 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
The principal had to stay late to help, and they had to arrange two special late buses to get all the kids home.†p.48.214 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
1 top 500
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
'Although your report was a little long—"she paused to let that sink in—"it was quite a good one.†p.28.8
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."
1 top 500
adoptadopt → adopted:took on as its own
The country adopted the metric system.more
Show sample from book
The kids giggled, and a tall boy with reddish-brown hair and glasses said, "Mrs. Granger has kept Nick after school so much that everyone thinks she wants to adopt him."†p.63.8
take on as one's own
Show general definition to take on as one's own
The exact meaning of adopt depends upon its context. For example:
  • "adopt a child" -- to legally take on parental responsibilities for another person's child
  • "adopt a plan" -- to accept or begin to use something
  • "adopt a pet" -- to take in a pet -- especially one from an animal shelter
  • "Congress adopted the resolution." -- had a formal vote and passed
  • "adopted a confident attitude" -- took on or displayed