Where the Crawdads Sing — Vocabulary
Delia Owens
(Edited)

Book sample Uses ACT/SAT
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defendantperson legally accused of a crime
All right, we know from her own drawings that the defendant, Miss Clark, climbed the fire tower with Chase at least once; we know she gave the shell necklace to him.p.319.715 more
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The defendant is confident she will be found innocent.more
a person (or institution) legally accused or sued in court
Show general definition a person (or institution) legally accused or sued in court
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testifyprovide oral evidence in court
I'm here to testify as an expert that there were no footprints under the tower except ours and the boys'.p.305.814 more
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She testified against the robber.more
testify → testified:provided oral evidence in court
Show general definition provide evidence of something -- especially to say something under oath in a court of law
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testimonyoral evidence (in a trial)
The point is: can you listen to the testimony given here and decide whether she's guilty or innocent based on the evidence, not on past experience or feelings?p.261.512 more
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Her emotional testimony moved the jury.more
the statement of a witness at a trial
Show general definition something that serves as evidence -- especially a statement at a trial or hearing
12
bailiffcourt officer responsible for keeping order in the court
Folks had made a stir when they walked in with Tate and sat downstairs in the "white area." But when the bailiff reported this to Judge Sims, still in his chambers, the judge told him to announce that anybody of any color or creed could sit anywhere they wanted in his courtroom, and if somebody didn't like it, they were free to leave.p.293.511 more
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The bailiff escorted them from the courtroom.more
Show general definition court officer responsible for keeping order in the court including custody of the jury, and custody of prisoners while in court
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motivethe reason for doing something
But in this case, there was no murder weapon, no fingerprints or footprints, so Eric intended to begin with motive.p.267.56 more
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She believes the profit motive encourages people to satisfy other people's needs.more
reason (for doing something)
Show general definition for motive (as in: What is her motive?) a reason for doing something
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prejudiceprejudice → prejudiced:having unreasonable and unfair beliefs
His face blazed with shame as he realized that he—like some of the ignorant villagers—had been prejudiced against Kya because she had grown up in the marsh.p.328.58 more
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The group works to eliminate racial prejudice.more
unreasonable and unfair belief or feeling
Show general definition bias that prevents objective consideration -- especially an unreasonable belief that is unfair to members of a race, religion, or other group
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endureendure → endured:suffered through
In sudden clarity Kya saw what Ma had endured and why she left.p.273.73 more
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I endured insult and injury without complaint.more
Show general definition for endure (as in: endured the pain) to suffer through (or put up with something difficult or unpleasant)
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endure#2continued to exist
She knew this was not a dark side to Nature, just inventive ways to endure against all odds.p.184.13 more
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She is gone, but her teachings endure through the ages.more
continue to exist
Show general definition for endure (as in: endure through the ages) to continue to exist
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genegene → genes:segments of DNA which when combined determine biological traits such as hair color or height
In nature—out yonder where the crawdads sing—these ruthless-seeming behaviors actually increase the mother's number of young over her lifetime, and thus her genes for abandoning offspring in times of stress are passed on to the next generation.p.238.15 more
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The gene determines hair color.more
a DNA sequence or unit of heredity that influences biological traits
Show general definition for gene (as in: the gene impacts eye color) a DNA sequence or unit of heredity that influences biological traits
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bondbond → bonded:connected
She was bonded to her planet and its life in a way few people are.p.363.92 more
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They've had a close bond since childhood.more
connection
Show general definition for bond (as in: a close bond) a close connection; or to form such a connection; or something that holds things together (creates a connection)
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nurturenurture → nurtured:helped to develop or grow
Nature had nurtured, tutored, and protected her when no one else would.p.363.6
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We want older employees to help nurture the talents of new employees.more
help to develop
Show general definition help develop or grow
Show editor's word notes A particular sense of nurture is often contrasted with a particular sense of nature.

In the comparison, nurture refers to external influences on a person's development such as being loved, cared for, and taught. Nature in contrast refers to the inherent genetic influences on a person's development.

Studies of identical twins who grew up in different homes are used to better understand the influences of each.
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persistcontinue to exist
Tate's devotion eventually convinced her that human love is more than the bizarre mating competitions of the marsh creatures, but life also taught her that ancient genes for survival still persist in some undesirable forms among the twists and turns of man's genetic code.p.363.8
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The child persisted in asking questions despite my obvious desire to be left alone.more
persist → persisted:continued
Show general definition to continue -- often despite difficulty or to repeat a question
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dwellfocus (let attention stay)
Lately, a few vague thoughts of marriage to Chase had formed in her mind, but she had not dared dwell on them.p.190.17 more
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Don't dwell on the past.more
think or talk about something longer than seems appropriate
Show general definition for dwell (as in: Don't dwell on it.) to think, communicate, or let attention stay on (or return to) something for a prolonged period
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dwell#2dwell → dweller:someone who lives in a place
Never would she have taken a barefoot marsh dweller as a daughter-in-law.p.316.97 more
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The creature dwells in the forest.more
dwell → dwells:lives in
Show general definition for dwell (as in: It dwells in the forest.) make one's home in; or to live in; or to stay (in a place)
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dwellinghome
He turned his outsized pickup onto the track and cruised quietly toward the dwelling, easing to a stop fifty feet from the door.p.175.37 more
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There is a second dwelling unit on the property.more
Show general definition for dwelling (as in: a modest dwelling) a house or shelter in which someone lives
4 top 2000
predatorpredator → predators:animals that hunt and kill them
Crows can't keep secrets any better than mud; once they see something curious in the forest they have to tell everybody. Those who listen are rewarded; either warned of predators or alerted to food.p.86.84 more
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These birds have many different calls to warn each other of predators.more
Show general definition for predator (as in: the lion is a predator) living by hunting and eating other animals
1
predator#2predator → predators:people who victimize others
Ma had told her older sisters to watch out for them; if you look tempting, men turn into predators.p.43.54 more
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She is a predator who uses online platforms to target vulnerable individuals.more
someone who victimizes others
Show general definition for predator (as on: a sexual predator) exploiting or victimizing others
25
estuarya wide part of a river where it nears the sea and fresh & salt water mix
You can't get hurt when you love someone from the other side of an estuary.p.354.624 more
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She likes to fish the estuary because of the great fish that can live there.more
5
deedlegal document indicating ownership of property
In fact, ma'am, the way the law reads, whoever comes along and pays off them back taxes owns the land even if they don't got no deed.p.220.16 more
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After the divorce, she moved out of the house and since her name wasn't on the deed, she mistakenly thought the mortgage no longer concerned her.more
a legal document indicating ownership of property
Show general definition for deed (as in: signed the deed) a legal document indicating ownership of property
Show editor's word notes This is often in reference to a trust deed which transfers legal title of property to a trustee. Frequently, the trustee is a bank and title is entrusted to the bank until a loan is paid off.
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abruptsudden
But this was too abrupt—picnic, then mate the Marsh Girl.p.161.79 more
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The bus came to an abrupt stop.more
sudden and unexpected
Show general definition for abrupt (as in: an abrupt change) sudden and unexpected

or (less commonly): characterized by sudden changes or at a steep angle