Captain Underpants (# 1) — Vocabulary
Dav Pilkey
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
13 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
That's Mr. Krupp, the principal.p.17.912 more
the person in charge of the school
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
5 top 2000
hypnotizehypnotize → hypnotized:put into a trance-like state of focused concentration and heightened suggestibility (a state of hypnosis)
I want to be hypnotized and given the suggestion that I don't like to snack on fattening foods.more
Show sample from book
"All we gotta do is hypnotize Mr. Krupp," said George.p.44.44 more
put into a state of wanting to do what told
Show general definition for hypnotize (as in: hypnotized to try to remember) to put someone into a state of hypnosis (a trance-like state of focused concentration and heightened suggestibility)
Show editor's word notes Hypnosis is a special, trance-like state of focused attention. A hypnotized person is often very relaxed and more willing than usual to accept and act on the hypnotist’s suggestions. Despite popular myths, hypnotized people don't lose control and won't do things against their core values.
2 top 2000
hysteriastate of excessive, uncontrolled emotion
We need to get past the hysteria and decide what to do.more
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They dropped their loot and fell to the sidewalk screaming in hysterics.†p.64.91 more
hysteria → hysterics:a state of 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)
1 top 200
novelnew and original
We're looking for novel marketing ideas.more
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After four-to-six weeks of backbreaking slave labor, grueling homework assignments, and humiliating good behavior at school, a package arrived in George's mailbox from the Li'l Wiseguy Novelty Company.†p.45.8
novel → novelty:the quality of being new and original
Show general definition for novel (as in: a novel situation) new and original -- typically something considered good
1 top 200
inevitablecertain to happen
It is as inevitable as death and taxes.more
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So George, Harold, and Captain Underpants frantically looked all over the Laser-Matic 2000, searching for a way to shut it down and stop the inevitable disaster.p.99.9
Show general definition certain to happen (even if one tried to prevent it)
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enhanceimprove
This sauce will enhance the flavor of the meat.more
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As everybody knows, nothing enhances silly action sequences more than really cheesy animation.p.80.1
enhance → enhances:improves
Show general definition increase quantity or improve quality
1 top 1000
sequenceordered set
The sequence of events leading to the accident was carefully reviewed by the investigators.more
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As everybody knows, nothing enhances silly action sequences more than really cheesy animation.†p.80.2
sequence → sequences:a set of things arranged or happening in a specific order
Show general definition a set of things arranged or happening in a specific order -- often chronological order
1 top 1000
nonethelessin spite of that (used to connect contrasting ideas)
Sometimes she gets angry and loses her temper, but I love her nonetheless.more
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Well, OK, maybe they weren't so sweet and lovable, but they were good nonetheless.p.3.9
even though other things were just said that might not seem to go with this truth
Show general definition in spite of that (Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nevertheless, all the same, still,  and however.)
1 top 1000
expelexpel → expulsion:the act of forcing out (in this case, kicking someone out of school)
Her records show expulsion from two schools.more
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I could get you both expelled for this!p.36.5
expel → expelled:kicked out of school
Show general definition force out
especially in 2 primary senses:
  • kicking someone out of an organization -- such as a school or country
  • squeezing something to eliminate a liquid or gas
1 top 1000
humiliatehumiliate → humiliated:extremely embarrassed (feeling decreased dignity)
She felt humiliated by his public insults.more
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After four-to-six weeks of backbreaking slave labor, grueling homework assignments, and humiliating good behavior at school, a package arrived in George's mailbox from the Li'l Wiseguy Novelty Company.p.45.5
humiliate → humiliating:extremely embarrassing
Show general definition extremely embarrass (decrease dignity, self-respect, or pride -- especially in front of others)
7
animateanimate → animated:moving
She won an award for best animated cartoon.more
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As everybody knows, nothing enhances silly action sequences more than really cheesy animation.p.80.36 more
animate → animation:moving cartoons
Show general definition for animate (as in: an animated cartoon) make a moving cartoon (a film technique that uses a set of gradually changing pictures to simulate movement when played in series)
1 top 2000
forfeitlose
We had to forfeit the deposit.more
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The big game had been forfeited, and everyone in the entire school was miserable.p.27.8
forfeit → forfeited:lost due to not being there to play
Show general definition to lose or surrender something -- often as a penalty
1 top 2000
dumfoundeddumfounded → dumbfounded:too surprised to know what to say or do
She was beyond surprised. She was dumbfounded.more
Show sample from book
George and Harold were dumbfounded.p.56.3
dumfounded → dumbfounded:so surprised that they couldn't immediately think of what to say
Show general definition very surprised - often too surprised to know what to say or do
1
mayhemchaotic disorder
A food fight accompanied the general mayhem in the cafeteria.more
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After a hard day of cracking jokes, pulling pranks, and causing mayhem at school, George and Harold liked to rush to the old tree house in George's backyard.p.5.3
confusion and disorder
Show general definition a state of chaotic disorder

or:

in law:  the willful and unlawful crippling or mutilation of a person
1
amokwildly out of control
The untrained dog ran amok at the park, chasing squirrels and disrupting picnics.more
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For four long years you two have been running amok in this school, and I've never been able to prove anything—until now!p.34.6
out of control
Show general definition in a wildly uncontrolled, chaotic, or destructive way
1
fiascocomplete failure
Their battle plan was a fiasco. They were in retreat after five minutes.more
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I think the football team would be very curious to find out just who was responsible for yesterday's fiasco.p.36.8
Show general definition a complete failure or humiliating situation
5
RamaHindu Religion:  avatar of Vishnu whose name is synonymous with God
For many, Rama epitomizes chivalry, courage and obedience to sacred law.more
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And sot for the first time in the history of great literature, we proudly bring you the latest in cheesy animation technology: The art of Flip-O-Rama!†p.80.94 more
Show general definition Hindu Religion:  avatar of Vishnu whose name is synonymous with God
1 top 100
emergeemerge → emerged:became prominent
China emerged as a world power.more
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Suddenly, two robots with one stolen crystal emerged from the smoke and jumped into an old van.p.68.5
emerge → emerged:came out
Show general definition to come out, appear, or become prominent
1 top 200
preciseaccurate
Is it precise enough if I measure to the closest inch?more
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With careful and precise aim, George shot the rubber doo-doo through the air and across the room.p.76.5
exact (accurate)
Show general definition for precise (as in: about noon; 12:03 to be precise) exact (accurate)
Show editor's word notes In the fields of science, engineering, and statistics, precise and accurate are not properly used as synonyms the way they are in general usage.

If you throw darts at a dartboard and keep missing the bullseye, but hit in the same place on the dartboard each time, you would be described as precise, but not accurate.

If you seldom hit the bullseye, but tended to get close each time, you would be described as accurate, but not precise.

Finally, if you hit the bullseye each time, you would be considered both accurate and precise.
1 top 500
constantcontinuous
The history of computers is a history of constant technological advancement.more
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He hated their silly attitudes and their constant giggling.p.19.7
happening all the time
Show general definition unchanging, continuous, or happening repeatedly