The Westing Game — Vocabulary
Ellen Raskin
(Edited)

Book sample Uses ACT/SAT
1 top 2000
engageengage → engagement:activity
It was Saturday and she had an important engagement.p.182.89 more
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The school district engaged the services of her architectural firm.more
engage → engaged:hired
Show general definition for engage (as in: engage her services) hire, reserve, book, or occupy
9 top 2000
engagedengaged → engagement:agreement to marry
… the engagement was announced in the newspaper, the wedding gown, the shower …p.86.69 more
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They were engaged for over a year before they married.more
in a relationship where they promised to marry each other
Show general definition for engaged (as in: engaged and then married) promised to marry
4 top 100
assumeassume → assumed:believed
Perhaps he assumed we weren't smart enough to find you out so soon.p.149.65 more
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I assume she was at school today, but I don't remember actually seeing her.more
believe (without knowing for sure)
Show general definition for assume (as in: I assume it's true) to accept something as true without proof
2 top 100
assume#2assume → assumed:took on (an appearance)
I assumed this disguise for that purpose.p.161.75 more
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She assumed the identify of her victim until the body was found.more
assume → assumed:took on (or adopted)
Show general definition for assume (as in: She assumed a false identity) to take on (adopt, wear, strike a pose or appearance of) -- often while pretending or disguising
7 top 1000
immigrateimmigrate → immigrants:people who came to live in a new country
You have made me, the son of poor immigrants, rich, powerful, and respected.p.30.76 more
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About 1 of each 8 people in the United States immigrated from somewhere else.more
immigrate → immigrated:came to live (from another country)
Show general definition come to live in a new country
4 top 10
implyimply → implied:suggested
In his will Sam Westing implied (he did not state, he implied) that (1) he was murdered, (2) the murderer was one of the heirs, (3) he alone knew the name of the murderer, and (4) the name of the murderer was the answer to the game.p.47.83 more
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She wouldn't make a direct statement, but she implied that she supported our position.more
imply → implied:hinted or suggested
Show general definition to suggest or say indirectly -- possibly as a logical consequence
3 top 1000
cunningclever and deceptive
The culprit is far too cunning to be apprehended for this dastardly deed.p.29.92 more
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She came up with a cunning scheme to cheat him.more
clever and deceitful
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)
2 top 200
indignantangered or annoyed at something unjust
"I did not steal your notebook," the indignant Hoo explained.p.66.11 more
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"I am not a fool," she said indignantly.more
indignant → indignantly:with anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong
Show general definition angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
4 top 2000
resumeresume → resumed:began again
Sikes resumed his Westingtown medical practice and the post of county coroner, but Westing disappeared from sight.p.19.83 more
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After a brief break, the meeting will resume at 2 p.m.more
begin again
Show general definition for resume (as in: resume the meeting) begin or take again
Show editor's word notes This sense of resume generally means to begin again or continue after a pause. In usage like, "resumed her seat", it scan also mean to take again.
1 top 100
composecompose → composed:settled or calmed
Chris laughed, then quickly composed his face.p.14.6
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I took a deep breath to compose myself and then began my speech.more
calm
Show general definition for compose (as in: compose myself) to calm someone or settle something
1 top 100
compositionessay
On the reverse side was a handwritten composition: "How I Spent My Summer Vacation" by Turtle Wexler.p.127.5
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Her latest composition blends classical melodies with modern electronic beats.more
original musical creation
Show general definition for composition (as in: an original composition) a creative work, the way the creative work is put together, or the act of creating it
Show editor's word notes Context will sometimes make clear that the creative work is the writing of music or an essay, but it can anything -- such as the way the components of a picture are arranged.
6
obituarynotice of someone's death printed in a newspaper with a short biography
The obituary, probably phoned in to the newspaper by Westing himself, mentioned two interesting facts.p.167.75 more
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Her eldest daughter wrote an obituary that was published in the local paper and online.more
a notice of someone's death with a short biography
Show general definition a published notice of someone's death -- usually printed in a newspaper with a short biography
Show editor's word notes The section of the newspaper that reports deaths is called the "Obituaries".
4 top 2000
forfeitforfeit → forfeited:lost (given up)
The forfeited money upset her more than the murder of her uncle, if he was her uncle.p.40.33 more
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We had to forfeit the deposit.more
lose
Show general definition to lose or surrender something -- often as a penalty
4
cuisinestyle of preparing food
On September second, Shin Hoo's Restaurant, specializing in authentic Chinese cuisine, held its grand opening.p.5.83 more
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Indian cuisine varies from region to region.more
style of prepared food
Show general definition a style of cooking or preparing food
2 top 2000
apprehendapprehend → apprehended:caught
The culprit is far too cunning to be apprehended for this dastardly deed.p.29.91 more
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Police are determined to apprehend the murderer.more
catch and arrest
Show general definition for apprehend (as in: apprehend the criminal) to capture and arrest someone suspected of breaking the law
2
culpritsomeone responsible for a crime
The culprit is far too cunning to be apprehended for this dastardly deed.p.29.91 more
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We will find and punish the culprit.more
person responsible for a wrongdoing
Show general definition someone responsible for a wrongdoing -- especially a criminal; or something that caused a problem
1
aliasan alternative name
...let us bow our heads in silent prayer for our benefactor Sam Westing, alias Sandy the doorman.p.169.9
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She is thought to be living under an alias in Los Angeles.more
alternative name
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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determinedfirm in purpose
Angela stood between her determined mother and her distraught partner, paralyzed by the burden of choice.p.78.61 more
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I'm determined to become a lawyer.more
firmly planning
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determinedetermine → determined:figured out
Fortunately, the coroner determined that Mr. McSouthers died of a heart attack, as did Samuel W Westing.p.170.51 more
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They are working to determine the cause of the accident.more
learn or discover
Show general definition for determine (as in: determined she is guilty) to learn, discover, or decide
2 top 100
appropriatesuitable (fitting)
Sandy was proud of the notebook he bought, with its glossy cover photograph of a bald eagle in flight (sort of appropriate, he explained to the judge; fits in with Uncle Sam and all that).p.100.91 more
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These clothes aren't appropriate for work.more
suitable (fitting) for a particular situation
Show general definition for appropriate (as in: it is appropriate) suitable (fitting) for a particular situation