The Whipping Boy — Vocabulary
Sid Fleischman
(Edited)

Book sample Uses ACT/SAT
4 top 100
genuinereal
Only my crown will convince Papa that you are the genuine villain.p.32.13 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
I am genuinely sorry for what I did.more
genuine → genuinely:sincerely
Show general definition real (as when a person is sincere or an object is not a replica or fake)
2 top 500
haughtyarrogant (rude and stuck-up, like someone who looks down on others)
This haughty prince didn't have the sense of a gnat.p.21.81 more
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It is a story about a haughty princess who has a great fall.more
arrogant or condescending (acting superior or self-important)
Show general definition arrogant or condescending (acting superior or self-important)
3 top 2000
reinrein → rein in:restrain
"Rein in your beast," he whispered stiffly.p.60.82 more
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The court reined in agency power--describing it as out of control.more
rein → reined in:restrained
Show general definition for rein (as in: to rein in their activities) to restrain or control; or a means of control
The meaning of rein depends upon its context. For example:
  • "keep a tight rein on the new employee," or "rein in a horse" -- to control or restrain
  • "give the new employee free rein," or "give the horse full rein" -- do not restrain
  • "the reins of government" -- means of control
  • "the reins of the horse" -- leather straps used with a bit to control a horse (You might like to think of other senses of rein as being figurative derivations from this sense.)
1 top 10
contrastan unmissable difference when compared side-x-side
Approaching the waterside fairgrounds, he saw prisoners in chains being marched aboard a convict ship. It lay in sharp contrast to the festive stalls and banners of the fair.p.63.4
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The contrast in their leadership styles is striking. Olivia motivated people with fear. Isabella motivated them with praise.more
notable difference
Show general definition for contrast (as in: there is a contrast) a difference -- especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
1 top 100
assumeassume → assumed:took on (the appearance of)
Jemmy assumed a princely air of indifference.p.30.3
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
She assumed the identify of her victim until the body was found.more
assume → assumed:took on (or adopted)
Show general definition for assume (as in: She assumed a false identity) to take on (adopt, wear, strike a pose or appearance of) -- often while pretending or disguising
2 top 2000
plunderstolen goods
Aye, enough plunder to burden us directly to the gallows, eh?p.57.11 more
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The conquerors plundered the town and surrounding countryside.more
plunder → plundered:stole goods
Show general definition to steal -- often after conquering the location with the goods

or:

the goods stolen
1 top 500
indifferentindifferent → indifference:lack of concern
Jemmy assumed a princely air of indifference.p.30.4
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
About a third are in favor of the change, a third are opposed, and a third are indifferent.more
without interest
Show general definition without interest
in various senses, including:
  • unconcerned -- as in "She is indifferent to what is served to eat."
  • unsympathetic -- as in "She is indifferent to his needs."
  • not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context) -- as in "an indifferent performance"
  • impartial -- as in "We need a judge who is indifferent."
1 top 500
boundheading (traveling to a specific location)
It was a convict ship bound for a speck of an island in distant waters.p.89.8
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
There was an accident in the south-bound lanes.more
travelling (in that direction)
Show general definition for bound (as in: south-bound lanes) traveling in a particular direction or to a specific location
1 top 500
contemplatecontemplate → contemplated:considered
Jemmy sat on the bed straw beside the prince and contemplated his breakfast.p.27.2
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
After the meeting, she needed some time alone to contemplate her next move.more
think deeply about
Show general definition consider or ponder
1 top 1000
ponderponder → pondered:thought carefully about
The prince pondered this for a moment. He nodded. "Then I forgive you."p.44.5
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The question the audience is left to ponder is...more
think about
Show general definition to think deeply or carefully about something
1 top 1000
bewilderbewilder → bewildered:confused or disoriented
Hold-Your-Nose Billy's red eyebrows shot up in bewildered surprise.p.25.3
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Some of their customs can bewilder travelers.more
confuse
Show general definition to confuse someone
1 top 1000
tracetrack or follow
He had no doubt that Hold-Your-Nose Billy would trace him and the prince to the fair.p.70.4
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They followed a path that traces along the edges of a dark forest.more
trace → traces:follows or runs
Show general definition for trace (as in: traced a path) to follow
The exact meaning of this sense of trace depends upon its context. For example:
  • "The hunters traced the deer into the woods." -- followed or tracked
  • "With soft kisses, she gently traced the scar running down his cheek." -- followed
  • "The path traces along the edge of the forest." -- follows
  • "A single tear traced its way down her cheek." -- followed a specific path
1 top 1000
obligeoblige → obliged:required (to do something)
Jemmy, who was obliged to be close at hand for the daily lessons, reckoned that freedom was now close at hand.p.6.35 more
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The law obliges doctors to report suspected child abuse.more
oblige → obliges:requires
Show general definition for oblige (as in: I am obliged by law.) require (obligate) to do something
5
obligedgrateful
If you'd be kind enough to point us toward the river, I'd be ever so much obliged.p.14.75 more
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I am much obliged to you for your help.more
grateful or indebted
Show general definition for obliged (as in: I'm much obliged for your kindness) grateful or indebted
3
triflesmall amount
I will not be exchanged for such a trifle.p.25.22 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
We all agree with the goal, but how to achieve it is not a trifling matter.more
trifle → trifling:unimportant
Show general definition for trifle (as in: a trifling matter) something of small importance; or a small quantity
2 top 2000
balkbalk → balked:stopped
Jemmy leaped the mud and was in. But the prince balked. "It's black as night in there!"p.75.81 more
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The horse balked at the jump, skidding to a stop just before the hurdle.more
balk → balked:stopped suddenly or refused to continue
Show general definition to hesitate, refuse, or stop suddenly
2
roguerogue → rogues:people who behave badly or dishonestly
A prince would make a fine catch for these rogues.p.14.11 more
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The website turned out to be run by a rogue company scamming users with fake downloads.more
dishonest or untrustworthy
Show general definition someone or something that behaves in a dishonest, unpredictable, or independent way -- often breaking rules or acting outside the norm
1 top 10
indicateindicate → indicated:pointed to or nodded toward
Then he indicated the two highwaymen.p.61.6
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These maps are drawn with north to the top unless otherwise indicated.more
indicate → indicated:pointed out (shown)
Show general definition to show (point out, demonstrate, express, or suggest)
Show editor's word notes The form, indicator can refer to many different kinds of things including intentional signals (such as a turn indicator), gauges (such as one that indicates pressure), or a measurement (such as an economic or chemical indicator).
1 top 100
distinctclear and unmistakable
In the hollowness of the sewer there came a soft scurring of feet, and then a distinct squeaking sound.p.77.8
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Martinez and his colleagues identified 21 distinct emotions made by the human face.more
different
Show general definition clear, easily noticed, and/or identifiable as different or separate
1 top 1000
abruptsudden
Jemmy made an abrupt turn, pulling the prince deeper into the main sewer.p.83.4
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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