When You Reach Me — Vocabulary
Rebecca Stead
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Exemplary sample Uses Broad Use
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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
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We can use the principal's office for a few minutes so that you can brief me about whatever allegations have been made.†p.178.21 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
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obliviousunaware of
She is oblivious to the dangers.more
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I sat next to Alice Evans, who never complained about anything, and Annemarie sat next to Jay Stringer, who was oblivious to the world when he was reading, but Colin sat next to Julia.†p.56.71 more
Show general definition unaware of
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physicsthe science of matter and energy
In physics class, we learned how gravity affects falling objects.more
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This is more like physics.†p.52.41 more
Show general definition the science of matter and energy and their interactions
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essentialnecessary
Water is essential for all forms of life.more
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The Miranda warnings are essential, you know.†p.9.7
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
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hysteriastate of excessive, uncontrolled emotion
We need to get past the hysteria and decide what to do.more
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Somehow we became so completely hysterical that we were still having what Mom calls fits of helpless laughter when we got to school.†p.108.4
hysteria → hysterical:exceedingly funny (resulting in uncontrollable laughter); or exhibiting excessive, uncontrollable emotion
Show general definition a state of excessive, uncontrollable emotion
Show editor's word notes In addition to being the adjective form of hysteria, the form hysterical can also indicate that something is exceedingly funny (leading to uncontrollable laughter)
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conspiracysecret plot
She discovered a conspiracy to overthrow the government.more
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Louisa thought that McDonald's was a giant conspiracy against the health of all Americans.p.166.8
a secret agreement or plot
Show general definition a secret agreement or plot -- especially to do something illegal or harmful
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tormentintense suffering
The torment of waiting for test results kept her awake for three long nights.more
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Torment, yes.†p.158.1
to cause or to experience great mental or physical suffering
Show general definition to cause or to experience great mental or physical suffering
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despisedespise → despises:dislikes strongly and looks down upon
She despises the people he works for.more
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And I despise the smell of pickles.†p.56.9
dislike strongly and look down upon
Show general definition to dislike strongly and to look down upon with disrespect
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allegianceloyalty
At the citizenship ceremony, she pledged allegiance to her new country.more
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Some of the categories are harder to figure out, like "things you recite" (poetry, the Pledge of Allegiance) or "things you squeeze" (a tube of toothpaste, someone's hand).†p.39.6
Show general definition loyalty to a person, group, or cause
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reciterecite → recited:said aloud
She recited a poem.more
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Some of the categories are harder to figure out, like "things you recite" (poetry, the Pledge of Allegiance) or "things you squeeze" (a tube of toothpaste, someone's hand).†p.39.6
to say or read something aloud
Show general definition to say or read something aloud -- especially something previously memorized such as a poem

or:

to say in detail -- especially a list of things
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positivecertain
I'm positive I've seen her before.more
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Remember the morning you waited for him in the lobby until you were absolutely, positively going to be late, and then you rang his doorbell, and it turned out he'd gone to school without you?p.168.8
positive → positively:with certainty
Show general definition for positive (as in: I'm absolutely positive!) certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
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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
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—and then there's Shakespeare.†p.9.9
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.
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repulsivedisgusting or revolting
The smell from the garbage truck was absolutely repulsive.more
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When she finally got there, Mom hugged Belle and told her, "I owe you," like I was some repulsive burden instead of the person who had very helpfully unpacked three boxes of green bananas and scoured the refrigerated section for expired dairy items.†p.9.1
very unpleasant or causing disgust
Show general definition for repulsive (as in: she found him repulsive) very unpleasant or causing disgust
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swaggerswagger → swaggered:walked and behaved in a highly confident manner
The team swaggered onto the court--full of confidence.more
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Jimmy swaggered over to the phone with a huge smile on his face.†p.107.3
swagger → swaggered:walked or behaved 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.
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tempestviolent storm
The ship struggled to navigate through the raging tempest.more
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He invented the name Miranda, you know, for The Tempest.†p.9.9
a violent commotion or disturbance
Show general definition a violent commotion or disturbance -- especially a violent storm or emotional outburst
Show editor's word notes The expression tempest in a teapot describes people as being upset over an unimportant matter.
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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
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So we went into Gold's Stationery and bought Jimmy a greeting card.†p.125.1
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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omena sign of what would happen
The sudden appearance of a black cat was considered an omen of bad luck by the superstitious villagers.more
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Mom wonders if that's a good omen.†p.3.5
sign of something about to happen
Show general definition a sign of something about to happen
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notifynotify → notified:told
On Friday, the governor notified the legislature of her decision.more
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But of course you can't speak with Mr. Heilbroner himself until his parents have been notified.†p.178.3
notify → notified:told someone about something
Show general definition to tell someone about something -- typically in an official manner
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Amsterdamlargest city of the Dutch
Although the constitution of the Netherlands makes Amsterdam the official country capital, the national government meets in the country's third largest city, The Hague.more
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I had left my keys at school and waited two and a half hours at Belle's Market on Amsterdam Avenue for Mom to get home from work.†p.7.410 more
largest city of the Netherlands
Show general definition largest city of the Netherlands; known for its canals, museums, and multiculturalism
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gesturegesture → gestured:signaled with a body movement
She gestured for everyone to be quiet as the announcements began.more
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Annemarie gestured me over.†p.82.13 more
gesture → gestured:a movement or signal of the body used to communicate…
Show general definition for gesture (as in: gestured towards her) a movement or signal of the body used to communicate; or to make such a movement