Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear: Chapters 5–8

by Robin Wasley
In this novel, high school student Sid lives in a magical town that's normally safe, but when someone triggers an apocalypse, she has to help halt it while looking for her missing brother.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters 1-4, Chapters 5-8, Chapters 9-13, Chapters 14-17, Chapters 18-21
15 words 17 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. chiffonade
    a preparation of finely shredded vegetables or herbs
    Shandy drizzles olive oil over the toasted bread and layers on tomatoes and garlic and a chiffonade of basil over the top.
  2. frolic
    play boisterously
    “Far be it from me to deny your pillow the chance to frolic through the fields with all the other real pillows,” he says solemnly.
  3. dignify
    give status or attention to, often undeservedly
    “I won’t dignify that with an answer.”
  4. extricate
    release from entanglement or difficulty
    Slowly, so as not to wake him, I extricate my hand from his and stand, my knees creaking a bit.
  5. vice versa
    with the order reversed
    “You have something very important to me. And vice versa. I would like to propose a trade.”
  6. excruciating
    extremely painful
    “Yes, super lucky, just excruciating pain, no big deal,” Morrissey grinds out through clenched teeth.
  7. cleave
    separate or cut with a tool, such as a sharp instrument
    He’s lifting his ax, swinging, and I look away. Impact. A watermelon being cleaved open.
  8. vacant
    not containing anyone or anything; unfilled or unoccupied
    Everyone knows the old, vacant mansion on Highland Point.
  9. premonition
    an early warning about a future event
    “My stepmother had premonitions, but you know that, don’t you?”
  10. anonymous
    not known or lacking marked individuality
    “You think you don’t matter,” he continues, taking another step closer to Parker’s lifeless body. “That you’re an anonymous face in the crowd....”
  11. exhilarating
    thrilling or invigorating
    I’ll say flying is exhilarating, makes you feel truly alive for the first time.
  12. matter-of-fact
    not fanciful or imaginative
    Her gaze doesn’t leave her brother’s face, but the matter-of-fact way she informs them of this causes Morrissey to limp hastily away.
  13. askance
    with a side or oblique glance
    He glances askance at me.
  14. translucent
    allowing light to pass through diffusely
    As he immediately hugs her, she shakes like a leaf, and for a moment I imagine a bubble enveloping them, translucent and shimmering in the light.
  15. avert
    turn away or aside
    Buzzcut still averts his gaze.
Created on Fri Dec 05 06:45:08 EST 2025 (updated Thu Jan 08 16:21:13 EST 2026)

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