Flora & Ulysses — Vocabulary
Kate DiCamillo
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	24	top 1000
cynicalsomeone who expects the worst The experience made her overly cynical.more Show sample from book One of Flora's very favorite bonus comics was entitled TERRIBLE THINGS CAN HAPPEN TO YOU! As a cynic, Flora found it wise to be prepared. Who knew what horrible, unpredictable thing would happen next?p.14.223 more cynical → cynic:someone who expects things to go poorly Show general definition someone who expects the worst -- especially of people (such as expecting them to be selfish and lie)
	11	top 1000
banishbanish → banished:forced to leave He was banished from his own country.more Show sample from book "What happened to you?" asked Flora. "I was banished." ... It was a word that Flora could feel in the pit of her stomach, a small, cold stone of a word.p.158.210 more banish → banished:expelled (forced to leave) Show general definition to expel or get rid of in various senses, including: to force someone to leave a country as punishment to push an idea from the mind
	5	top 2000
accordaccord → accordance:keeping She will get a fair trial in accordance with the law.more Show sample from book According to TERRIBLE THINGS! hope sometimes got in the way of action.p.33.25 more accord → according to:as stated by Show general definition for accord (as in: according to, or in accord with) in keeping with; or in agreement/harmony/unity with This meaning of accord is often seen in the form according to or accordingly where it can take on more specific meanings. For example: "According to Kim, ..." -- as stated by "To each according to her ability." -- based upon "Points are scored according to how well they perform." -- depending upon "The dose is calculated according to body weight." -- in proportion to "We got a flat tire. Accordingly, I pulled to the side of the road." -- because of what was just said; or as a result
	1	top 2000
accord#2accord → own accord:own mind -- voluntarily (without anyone asking) She was not forced. She did it of her own accord.more Show sample from book But she didn't get the chance to knock. The door swung open of its own accord.p.115.15 more Show general definition for accord (as in: done of her own accord) mind Show editor's word notes This sense of accord is typically seen in the form own accord or one accord.
	3	top 10
relevantimportant (related in a meaningful way) Shannon tells an interesting story, but it's not relevant to the decision we have to make.more Show sample from book "Why were you banished?" "I think the more relevant question would be: Who banished me?" "Okay," said Flora. "Who banished you?" "My mother," said William Spiver.p.158.42 more important (relating in a meaningful way to the issue in question) Show general definition relating in a meaningful way to the issue in question
	4	top 1000
forebodingfeeling that something bad would happen All that week I had a steadily escalating sense of foreboding.more Show sample from book CHAPTER FORTY-TWO -- Forebodingp.138.13 more a feeling that something bad is going to happen Show general definition a feeling that something bad is going to happen
	4	top 1000
emitemit → emitted:sent out The ozone layer blocks some harmful rays emitted by the sun.more Show sample from book Something had happened to the bell ... so that instead of emitting a pleasant ding or bong, the doorbell now sent an angry, window-shattering, you-guessed-the-wrong-answer-on-a-game-show kind of buzz through the Buckman house.p.46.23 more emit → emitting:sending out Show general definition to produce and send out -- such as sound or light
	3	top 1000
induceinduce → induced:caused She was suffering from alcohol-induced stupidity.more Show sample from book "I am suffering from a temporary blindness induced by trauma," said William Spiver.p.54.62 more Show general definition for induce (as in: induce symptoms) to cause something to arise or happen
	2	top 500
perpetualcontinuing forever A perpetual flame burns beside the grave of John F. Kennedy.more Show sample from book An old lady stood there smiling, her dentures glowing white in the perpetual green twilight of the hallway.p.115.11 more changeless (continuing forever without change) Show general definition continuing forever without change; or occurring so frequently it seems constant
	4
accordioncharacterized by narrower parallel folds when closed and wider when open An accordion wall can be closed to divide the room.†more Show sample from book Of course it's an accordion.†p.179.23 more Show general definition for accordion (as in: an accordion door) characterized by narrower parallel folds when closed and wider when open -- such as a door or musical instrument with that characteristic Show editor's word notes When unqualified, accordion generally refers to a musical instrument. See the related Google Images to see pictures of the musical instrument, doors, folds, and pleats that have accordion characteristics.
	2	top 1000
inconsequentialunimportant Once I was accepted in college, high school work seemed inconsequential.†more Show sample from book What I meant to say is that when I was a girl in Blundermeecen, I sat on this sofa and spoke with my grandmother about inconsequential things well into the gloom of the evening.p.127.81 more not important
	3
inadvertentinadvertent → inadvertently:accidentally I must have inadvertently insulted her.†more Show sample from book TERRIBLE THINGS CAN HAPPEN TO YOU! detailed what action to take if you inadvertently consumed plastic fruit...p.14.32 more Show general definition done accidentally or without intention
	3	top 2000
notifynotify → notified:told On Friday, the governor notified the legislature of her decision.more Show sample from book "In the event of a true and genuine emergency, an absolute and undeniable crime, the authorities must be notified immediately," said The Criminal Element.†p.187.12 more notify → notified:told someone about something Show general definition to tell someone about something -- typically in an official manner
	3	top 500
treacherousdangerous The road through Afghanistan's Kabul gorge is even more treacherous than the Road of Death in Bolivia.more Show sample from book The world is a treacherous place when you can't see.p.58.44 more Show general definition for treacherous (as in: the road is steep and treacherous) dangerous -- often in a non-obvious way
	2	top 500
treacherous#2betraying trust That was how she uncovered his treacherous plot.more Show sample from book Chapter 44: Her Treacherous Heartp.145.14 more guilty of betrayal or deception Show general definition for treacherous (as in: a scheming, treacherous assistant) guilty of betrayal or deception or likely to betray or deceive
	11	top 2000
vanquishvanquish → vanquished:completely defeated The team vanquished all competition.more Show sample from book We're going to be vanquishing villains left and right.p.47.810 more vanquish → vanquishing:completely defeating Show general definition to defeat completely
	6	top 2000
euphemisma word or phrase that serves as a less harsh way of saying something unpleasant Passed away is a euphemism for died.more Show sample from book But he has passed away. This is a euphemism, of course. ... He is dead...p.118.55 more a word or phrase that serves as a less harsh or less offensive way of saying something unpleasant Show general definition a word or phrase that serves as a less harsh or less offensive way of saying something unpleasant -- such as "passed away" rather than "died"
	6
unassuminghumble -- not arrogant, showy, or self-important She is so unassuming, it was wonderful to see her kick the winning goal.more Show sample from book Words had appeared above his head, however, and Flora's father had read those words to her so many times that she could recite them by heart: HE IS AN UNASSUMING JANITOR.p.38.75 more humble
	2	top 1000
loathreluctant or unwilling She is loath to admit a mistake.more Show sample from book I must tell you that they were dreams so vivid and beautiful that I am loath to wake to reality.p.143.61 more reluctant Show general definition reluctant or unwilling to do something Show editor's word notes Word Confusion: Do not confuse loath with loathe which sounds very similar or the same. Loath is typically used as an adjective while loathe is a verb that means "to dislike greatly".
	2	top 2000
irrevocableincapable of being undone We agreed not to take any irrevocable action until after the meeting.more Show sample from book And after repeatedly taking issue and repeatedly being ignored, one thing led to another and some irrevocable acts occurred. And thus, I was banished.p.159.71 more Show general definition incapable of being undone