Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe: Part Five

by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Aristotle and Dante are two teenagers with classical names and loner attitudes. When their paths cross, they develop a friendship that will change their lives.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. logic
    a system of reasoning
    Summers had a logic all their own and they always brought something out in me.
  2. approval
    the formal act of giving agreement or permission
    “You know, Ari, if you really wanted to be a bad boy, you’d just do it. The last thing bad boys need is their mother’s approval.”
  3. imaginative
    marked by independence and creativity in thought or action
    “Flipping burgers. That’s reliable. Not very imaginative, but reliable. Come to think of it, it’s the perfect job for me. I’m reliable and unimaginative.”
  4. transition
    a change from one place or state or subject to another
    “You’re in high school, Ari. You’re not looking for a profession. You’re just looking for a way to earn some money. You’re in transition.”
  5. paralyze
    make powerless and unable to function
    Her anger didn’t paralyze her.
  6. terrain
    a piece of ground having specific characteristics
    “It’s the terrain where two different ecosystems meet. In an ecotone, the landscape will contain elements of the two different ecosystems. It’s like a natural borderlands.”
  7. ecosystem
    organisms interacting with their physical environment
    “It’s the terrain where two different ecosystems meet. In an ecotone, the landscape will contain elements of the two different ecosystems. It’s like a natural borderlands.”
  8. coexist
    occur at the same time or place
    “No mom, you don’t. I live in an ecotone. Employment must coexist with goofing off. Responsibility must coexist with irresponsibility.”
  9. irresponsibility
    the trait of lacking trustworthiness or reliability
    “No mom, you don’t. I live in an ecotone. Employment must coexist with goofing off. Responsibility must coexist with irresponsibility.”
  10. verge
    the limit beyond which something happens or changes
    Maybe moms and dads forgot about this one small fact: being on the verge of seventeen could be harsh and painful and confusing.
  11. elegance
    a quality of neatness and ingenious simplicity
    There was such a simple elegance about being a dog that I envied.
  12. capacity
    capability to perform or produce
    He looked so happy and I wondered about that, his capacity for happiness.
  13. smirk
    smile in a mocking or condescending way
    He smirked at Dante. “Work, Dante, there’s a thought.”
  14. persuasive
    intended or having the power to induce action or belief
    “Dante’s very persuasive. Just promise me you’ll be careful.”
  15. bound
    move forward by leaping
    He bounded down the stairs like a kid.
  16. suppress
    control and refrain from showing
    I could tell Mrs. Quintana was trying to suppress the girl that was still living inside her.
  17. profound
    coming from deep within one
    But even without her husband’s smile, what she was holding inside of her seemed far more profound to me.
  18. nostalgia
    a longing for something past
    I had something of value—even if it was just a truck that brought out a sweet nostalgia in people.
  19. demonstrative
    given to or marked by the open expression of emotion
    “Mom and Dad, they’re not at all like your mom and dad. But, my mom adores my dad. I know that. And I think my dad adores my mom too. He’s just not demonstrative.”
  20. nudge
    push against gently
    “You’re making fun. I’ve expanded my vocabulary.” I nudged him. “I’m preparing for college.”
  21. refrain
    resist doing something
    “All you have to do is be loyal to the most brilliant guy you’ve ever met—which is like walking barefoot through the park. I, on the other hand, have to refrain from kissing the greatest guy in the universe—which is like walking barefoot on hot coals.”
  22. easel
    an upright tripod for displaying something
    He was working on a large painting on an easel.
  23. sulk
    be in a huff and display one's displeasure
    I didn't call Dante for a few days.
    He didn’t call me either.
    But somehow I knew he was sulking.
  24. decency
    the quality of being polite and respectable
    He had the decency not to ask me what was wrong.
  25. obsession
    an unhealthy and compulsive preoccupation with something
    And what is this obsession you have with your brother?
  26. downpour
    a heavy rain
    The clearest summer morning could end in a downpour.
  27. touchy
    quick to take offense
    “You’re really touchy about things, you know that, Ari?”
  28. badger
    annoy persistently
    “I don’t really care. You know where he works. Go badger him. Maybe that way, you’ll leave me alone.”
  29. shy
    move suddenly, as from fright
    “Yeah, well, I’m shying away from ancient classical names. And besides, if he has a Mexican name, then maybe he’ll feel more Mexican.”
  30. classical
    characteristic of the ancient Greek and Roman cultures
    “Yeah, well, I’m shying away from ancient classical names. And besides, if he has a Mexican name, then maybe he’ll feel more Mexican.”
  31. groggy
    stunned or confused and slow to react
    I felt a little groggy, like I’d been woken in a middle of a dream.
  32. paranoid
    suffering from delusions of persecution or grandeur
    “You’re making me paranoid.”
  33. inconsolable
    sad beyond comforting
    “She’s so strong, your mother. But, I don’t know, life isn’t logical, Ari. It was like your brother had died. And your mother became a different person. I hardly recognized her. When they sentenced him, she just fell apart. She was inconsolable."
  34. sanity
    normal or sound powers of mind
    My mom knew exactly what to do, and it was almost impossible for me to imagine her residing on the borders of sanity.
  35. generation
    all the people living at the same time or of the same age
    “I don’t mind working. And anyway, what would I do? I don’t like to watch TV. I’m out of touch with my own generation. And I have you and mom to thank for that.”
Created on Mon Sep 18 14:36:07 EDT 2017 (updated Fri Oct 06 16:24:39 EDT 2017)

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