Woodsong — Vocabulary
Gary Paulsen
(Auto-generated)
| Exemplary sample | Uses | ACT/SAT |
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| 4 | top 1000 | |
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persist
The child persisted in asking questions despite my obvious desire to be left alone.more
Show sample from bookI brushed her head away, fearing infection, but she persisted.†
Show general definitionto continue -- often despite difficulty or to repeat a question |
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| 2 | top 1000 | |
Show sample from bookThere is a happy song they sing when the moon is full on the snow and they are fed and there is a rain song, which is melancholy—they don't like rain very much—and there is a song they sing when you have been with them in the kennel and start to walk away, a come-back-and-don't-go-away sad song.† Show general definitiona sad feeling or manner -- sometimes thoughtfully sad |
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| 3 | top 2000 | |
Show sample from bookHe was large and wolf-like, with a thick gray mane and a tail that curled over his back.† Show general definitionlong coarse hair such as that which grows around a lion's head or on the back of a horse's neck |
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| 1 | top 10 | |
Show sample from bookOne unforgettable incident with the electric' fence illustrates his persistence. Show general definition for illustrate (as in: as illustrated by this example)to help make clear -- typically by example |
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| 1 | top 100 | |
Show sample from bookThey can indeed be mean, but they are wonderfully self-sufficient and fun to have around even if it takes about thirty of their small eggs to make a decent omelet.† Show general definitionadequate (enough -- often without being more than is needed) |
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| 1 | top 100 | |
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primarily
Did the author mention multiple companies primarily to demonstrate diversity of solutions or to show that interest in the industry is widespread?more
Show sample from bookPrimarily the difference between people and animals is that people use fire.†
Show general definitionmainly (most importantly) |
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| 2 | top 2000 | |
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gene
The gene determines hair color.more
Show sample from bookIt is genetic, so old a code or command that it has become part of what sled dogs are; the fiber of their very being.† |
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| 1 | top 200 | |
Show sample from bookThe first time you see a bear in the kennel it is a novelty, but when the same ones are there day after day, you wind up naming some of them (old Notch-Ear, Billy-Jo, etc.) There gets to be a too relaxed attitude.† Show general definition for novel (as in: a novel situation)new and original -- typically something considered good |
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| 1 | top 200 | |
Show sample from bookLooking back on it I don't remember having one coherent thought when it was happening.† Show general definitionsensible and clear; or describing parts as fitting together in a consistent or pleasing manner |
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| 1 | top 200 | |
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indignant
"I am not a fool," she said indignantly.more
Show sample from bookI have not rested well and the hallucinations start about midnight and I have the same man in the trench coat on the sled for a time, talking to me about educational grants, until I tell him to shut up and leave and he becomes indignant.† Show general definitionangered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong |
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| 1 | top 500 | |
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agitate
We are agitating public unrest, so there will be a cry for change.more
Show sample from bookI couldn't tell the number, maybe five or six; they kept moving in agitation and it was hard to pin them down, but they were clearly reluctant to let her go, although they were also clearly afraid of me and being close to me.† Show general definitionto stir up or shake -- emotionally (as when people are angered or upset) or physically (as when a washing machine cleans clothes) |
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| 1 | top 500 | |
Show sample from bookMoose are large, and essentially insane with an almost pathological hatred of the dogs, the sled, the musher, trees, trains, cars, and everything else as near as I can figure.† Show general definitionnecessary or important; or a basic and defining part of something |
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| 1 | top 500 | |
Show sample from bookThe blood, the anxiety I felt, the horror of it meant as little to Storm as the blood from the deer on the snow had meant to the wolves.† Show general definitionnervousness or worry |
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| 1 | top 500 | |
Show sample from bookEvery single grouse egg, along with her own ten eggs, hatched out and she adopted them.† Show general definitionto take on as one's own
The exact meaning of adopt depends upon its context. For example:
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| 2 | ||
Show sample from bookSkunks abound, and foxes and coyotes and wolves and weasels—all predators.† Show general definitionto be abundant or plentiful |
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| 1 | top 1000 | |
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duration
I take zinc tablets to help shorten the duration of a cold.more
Show sample from bookWe hunkered in for the duration.† Show general definitionthe time during which something continues |
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| 1 | top 1000 | |
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diffuse
When the United States focused on terrorism, the movement went further underground and became more diffuse.more
Show sample from bookThe light came from within it, a cold-glowing green light with yellow edges that diffused the shape, making it change and grow as I watched.† Show general definitionto spread; or to soften or calmor: to be spread out (not concentrated) -- sometimes implying a lack of organization |
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| 1 | top 1000 | |
Show sample from bookThe wind abates, the sun comes out, the trail across is flat—frozen seawater—and the dogs are well rested.† Show general definitionto become less in amount or intensity |
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| 1 | top 2000 | |
Show sample from bookTo alleviate the boredom we give the dogs large beef bones to chew and play with.† Show general definitionto lessen something that is bad -- especially to lessen pain |
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| 1 | top 2000 | |
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mandatory
In our state, the mandatory minimum sentence for a gun crime is ten years.more
Show sample from bookAt Rhone River I take my twenty-four hour mandatory layover.† Show general definition for mandatory (as in: it is mandatory)required by rule or law |
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