El Deafo: "El Deafo" by Cece Bell, List 1

by Cece Bell
In this graphic memoir, Cece Bell chronicles the struggles and triumphs of growing up deaf. Learn these words from the award-winning book.

This list covers vocabulary from pages 1–73.

Here are links to our lists for the work: List 1, List 2, List 3
15 words 1083 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. context
    the set of facts or circumstances that surround a situation
    CONTEXT CLUES
    Where are you while a person talks to you? What's going on around you during the conversation?
  2. encourage
    spur on
    So Dorn encourages us to practice at home.
  3. drift
    move about aimlessly or without any destination
    Most of the time we are lost, drifting along on our own planets.
  4. phonic
    of or relating to speech sounds
    And underneath that shirt...well hidden, I hope, is my brand-new superpowerful, just-for-school hearing aid: The Phonic Ear.
  5. clarify
    make clear and comprehensible
    The Phonic Ear makes Mrs. Lufton's voice louder, just for me. It even clarifies her voice—really sharpens it!
  6. feedback
    the process in which output of a system is returned to input
    Earpiece, or "earmold," that I stick in my ear. When it's not in my ear, it makes a high-pitched squeal called "feedback."
  7. barrette
    a small clip for holding hair in place
    It's Laura. She wants to pretend to be twins tomorrow. She says to wear your green girl scout T-shirt with your red shorts with the white stripes on the side. Oh, and green barrettes...
  8. hypnotize
    induce a state that resembles sleep in
    An evil smile crosses our hero's face as she hypnotizes Laura, aka Super Bossypants, with the Phonic Ear's Vicious Feedback Squeal!
  9. vicious
    able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
    An evil smile crosses our hero's face as she hypnotizes Laura, aka Super Bossypants, with the Phonic Ear's Vicious Feedback Squeal!
  10. virtue
    the quality of doing what is right
    With the speed of light, our hero hurls the Earmolds of Virtue at Super Bossypants...
  11. intuition
    instinctive knowing, without the use of rational processes
    ...and ties her up with the Cords of Intuition!
  12. shudder
    tremble convulsively, as from fear or excitement
    A dazed Super Bossypants shudders in terror when she realizes her fate!
  13. enable
    provide the means to perform some task
    Luckily, the On/Off Switch of Awesomeness enables our hero to ignore Super Bossypants' pathetic pleas for help!
  14. pathetic
    inspiring mixed contempt and pity
    Luckily, the On/Off Switch of Awesomeness enables our hero to ignore Super Bossypants' pathetic pleas for help!
  15. appropriate
    suitable for a particular person, place, or situation
    Urm...I'm not sure these movies are all that appropriate for you...
Created on Wed Dec 06 08:31:21 EST 2017 (updated Mon Aug 04 11:36:09 EDT 2025)

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