Charlotte's Web — Vocabulary
E. B. White
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Show sample from bookThe cocker spaniel heard the commotion and he ran out from the barn to join the chase. Show general definitiona disturbance -- typically noisy |
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phenomenon
It is a growing social phenomenon on high school campuses.more
Show sample from bookThis miracle has never been fully explained, although learned men have visited the Zuckerman pigpen to study and observe the phenomenon. Show general definitionsomething that exists or happened -- especially something of special interest -- sometimes someone or something that is extraordinaryShow editor's word notes"Phenomenons" and "phenomena" are both appropriate plural forms of this noun. "Phenomena" is generally used in scientific or philosophical contexts. |
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Show sample from bookShe ascended slowly and returned to Wilbur's pen. Show general definition for ascend (as in: ascend the mountain)to move or slope upward -- sometimes figuratively as when climbing the corporate ladder |
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detest
She detests politicians who make promises they don't keep.more
Show sample from bookHe could hardly believe what he was seeing, and although he detested flies, he was sorry for this one. Show general definitiondislike intensely |
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Show sample from bookThe tunnel enabled him to get from the barn to his hiding place under the pig trough without coming out into the open. Show general definitionto make possible
in various senses, including:
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approximate
The state has approximately as many Republicans as Democrats.more
Show sample from book"Approximately-oximately thirty days, all told," answered the goose. Show general definitionalmost, but not exact; or similar |
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Show sample from bookHearing this, [that Charlotte was about to die] Wilbur threw himself down in an agony of pain and sorrow. Great sobs racked his body. He heaved and grunted with desolation. Show general definition for desolate (as in: felt desolate)sad or miserable--and often lonely |
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Show sample from bookThe tunnel was an example of his skill and cunning. 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) |
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Show sample from bookShe looked rather swollen and she seemed listless.†
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Show sample from bookThe sheep loathed them.† Show general definitionhate, detest, or intensely dislikeShow editor's word notesWord Confusion: Do not confuse loathe with loath which sounds very similar or the same. Loathe is a verb while loath is an adjective describing "reluctance or unwillingness to do something." Note that loathing and loathsome are forms of the verb loathe even though both word forms lack the "e". Occasionally, you will see loath spelled as loathe even in a published book, but it is rare enough that it is generally considered an error rather than a non-standard spelling. |
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monotonous
We hope to replace people with robots for the most monotonous work.more
Show sample from bookThey sang the song of summer's ending, a sad, monotonous song.† Show general definitionlacking in variety -- typically boring |
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salutation
She began the letter with a formal salutation, addressing the recipient as "Dear Sir."more
Show sample from book"Salutations!" said the voice. Show general definitiona greeting -- such as "Hi", "Dear John:", or "Ladies and Gentlemen"or: the act of greeting |
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languish
The prisoner languished in the dungeon for years.more
Show sample from book"What does 'languishing' mean?"
Show general definitionto suffer in a bad situation for a long time |
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gullible
She looks for gullible tourists who are easily separated from their money.more
Show sample from book"I was just thinking," said the spider, "that people are very gullible."
Show general definitioneasily tricked because of being too trusting |
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scruples
She doesn't share my scruples on the subject.more
Show sample from bookThe rat had no morals, no conscience, no scruples, no consideration, no decency, no milk of rodent kindness, no compunctions, no higher feeling, no friendliness, no anything. |
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Show sample from bookIn a forest looking for beechnuts and truffles and delectable roots, pushing leaves aside with my wonderful strong nose, searching and sniffing along the ground, smelling, smelling, smelling …. Show general definitionextremely pleasing -- especially to the sense of taste or to the eye |
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Show sample from bookMany of you will recall that never-to-be-forgotten day last summer when the writing appeared mysteriously on the spider's web in Mr. Zuckerman's barn, calling the attention of all and sundry to the fact that this pig was completely out of the ordinary.† Show general definitionvarious; or of various kinds |
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however
Most college application deadlines are in January and February. However, early admission deadlines are around November and some scholarships require even earlier deadlines.more
Show sample from book...the web is not easily broken. However, a web gets torn every day by the insects that kick around in it, Show general definition for however (as in: However, complications may...)though (or another expression that connects contrasting ideas)Show editor's word notesBased on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrast and but. |
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therefore
Kim is taller than Ashley. Ashley is taller than Anna. Therefore, Kim is taller than Anna.more
Show sample from bookZuckerman thinks Wilbur is an unusual pig, and therefore he won't want to kill him and eat him.
Show general definitionfor that reason (what follows is so because of what was just said) |
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Show sample from bookShe cannot accompany us home, because of her condition. Show general definition for accompany (as in: accompany on the journey)to travel along with |
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