Hoot: Chapters 7–9

by Carl Hiaasen
Twelve-year-old Roy Ebehardt takes an unexpected interest in the plight of a group of owls endangered by a local pancake house.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–3, Chapters 4–6, Chapters 7–9, Chapters 10–14, Chapter 15–Epilogue
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. persistent
    stubbornly unyielding
    In Officer Delinko’s experience, kids weren’t usually so persistent, or so daring.
  2. noncommittal
    refusing to bind oneself to a particular course of action
    Roy nodded in a noncommittal way.
  3. incentive
    a positive motivational influence
    One incentive to stay home was the weather. For three straight days it stormed.
  4. amiably
    in a friendly manner
    Kalo waved amiably; then he turned the attack dogs loose.
  5. skulk
    lie in wait or behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
    In a flash they were gone, and Roy sensed a larger presence, skulking.
  6. nonchalantly
    in a composed and unconcerned manner
    His head really hurt but he didn’t want anyone to know. Nonchalantly he picked his comic book off the floor and placed it on his lap.
  7. intervene
    get involved, so as to alter or hinder an action
    For one hopeful moment, Roy thought the driver had seen what was happening and was pulling off the road to intervene.
  8. oblivious
    lacking conscious awareness of
    Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case — the driver was as oblivious to Dana’s bad behavior as ever.
  9. elude
    escape, either physically or mentally
    Even if Roy managed to elude Dana Matherson this afternoon, the drama would start all over again Monday. Dana would resume the stalking, and Roy would have to dream up another escape plan.
  10. remorse
    a feeling of deep regret, usually for some misdeed
    A third alternative was for Roy to try apologizing to Dana again, this time oozing remorse and sincerity.
  11. crony
    a close friend or associate
    Dana and his cronies customarily occupied the back rows and seldom bothered the kids sitting up near the driver.
  12. emphatically
    in a forceful manner; with emphasis
    “No, sir,” Curly said emphatically into the telephone.
  13. mottled
    having spots or patches of color
    There, coiled comfortably on the second step, was a thick mottled specimen that Curly recognized as a cottonmouth water moccasin, common in southern Florida.
  14. pungently
    with a sharp taste or smell
    The janitorial closet smelled pungently of bleach and cleaning solvents.
  15. gird
    prepare oneself for action or a confrontation
    When he heard Dana bellow, Roy closed his eyes and girded himself for the worst.
Created on Thu Sep 22 18:18:00 EDT 2016 (updated Thu Jul 31 11:14:34 EDT 2025)

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