The Witch Boy: "The Witch Boy" by Molly Knox Ostertag

by Molly Knox Ostertag
Aster is forbidden from learning magic because he is a boy, but when a sinister creature threatens his world, performing magic may be the only way he can save his family and friends. Learn these words from the bewitching graphic novel by Molly Knox Ostertag.
40 words 1471 learners

Learn words with Flashcards and other activities

Definition First
Print Flashcards

Other learning activities

Answer a few questions about each word. Use this to prep for your next quiz! Compete with other teams in real time to see who answers the most questions correctly! Test your spelling acumen. Read the definition, listen to the word and try spelling it!

Teaching tools

Create and assign quizzes to your students to test their vocabulary. Assign learning activities including Practice, Vocabulary Jams and Spelling Bees to your students, and monitor their progress in real-time.

Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. despair
    abandon hope; lose heart
    Now, if you are hungry, in the forest, you need not despair.
  2. incantation
    a ritual reciting of words believed to have a magical effect
    Once you know the tree's preferred name, you can speak an incantation to request its fruit.
  3. neglect
    fail to do something; leave something undone
    He spied on her and neglected his lessons.
  4. tame
    overcome the wildness of; make docile and tractable
    People were hurt, the house was damaged, and from then on, he could shapeshift, but only into great ferocious beasts which he could not tame.
  5. strategy
    an elaborate and systematic plan of action
    Why not let someone who can shift handle the strategy?
  6. abide by
    act in accordance with rules, commands, or wishes
    Linden, you will abide by my decisions as your wise leader, and you can do the strategy next round.
  7. fret
    worry unnecessarily or excessively
    It'll come naturally; there's no sense in fretting.
  8. fascination
    the state of being intensely interested
    And then he won't have this silly fascination with witchery.
  9. enlist
    hire for work or assistance
    We may speak with them, enlist their help, and, most powerful of all, take their gifts and assume their forms.
  10. assume
    take on a certain form, attribute, or aspect
    We may speak with them, enlist their help, and, most powerful of all, take their gifts and assume their forms.
  11. equinox
    when the sun crosses the plane of the earth's equator
    Tonight, on the equinox, you will go out into the forest and seek a spirit of your own.
  12. dominance
    the state when one person or group has power over another
    It may test you; pose you riddles or wrestle for dominance.
  13. beneficial
    promoting or enhancing well-being
    Only beneficial spirits may cross the boundaries of our property.
  14. reinforce
    make stronger
    I have to reinforce the boundaries.
  15. prowl
    the act of walking about in a stealthy manner
    Warn the Tarwells and the Wildwood clan that something's on the prowl.
  16. rare
    not common or widely distributed
    You must remember that, though they are rare, there are creatures that want to kill you and worse.
  17. intent
    an anticipated outcome that guides your planned actions
    I overheard Mom saying it's more about intent than specifics...
  18. evade
    escape, either physically or mentally
    Something is taking our boys. Something that sneaks through our boundaries and evades us at every turn.
  19. motivation
    psychological feature arousing action toward a desired goal
    It may be an animal spirit, but what would its motivation be?
  20. clan
    group of people related by blood or marriage
    You all have heard tales, my daughters, of the witches of old, who went into battle against rival clans and evil spirits.
  21. immemorial
    long past
    And so you must learn about our house's weapons, passed down from mother to daughter since time immemorial.
  22. channel
    transmit or serve as the medium for transmission
    They channel and magnify your will, and can perform various tasks depending on what you desire.
  23. magnify
    increase in size, volume or significance
    They channel and magnify your will, and can perform various tasks depending on what you desire.
  24. restrain
    close within bounds, limit, or hold back from movement
    But if you wish to restrain or capture an enemy...
  25. vessel
    an object used as a container, especially for liquids
    They are vessels for your focus.
  26. hilt
    the handle of a sword or dagger
    Now, the dagger hilt —
    Excuse me, Iris?
  27. traitor
    a person who says one thing and does another
    The sword was stolen before you were born, child, by the traitor Mikasi.
  28. unique
    radically distinctive and without equal
    The dagger, though lesser than his sword, has unique properties...
  29. containment
    the act of keeping something from spreading
    The containment rune would work for a while, but with the name of its subject, it will be much more powerful.
  30. rune
    a letter from an ancient Germanic alphabet
    The containment rune would work for a while, but with the name of its subject, it will be much more powerful.
  31. corrupt
    debase morally
    ...All we know is that something corrupted Sedge.
  32. efficacious
    producing or capable of producing an intended result
    The use of his name was efficacious, and...
  33. dabble
    work with in an amateurish manner
    Bad things happen to boys who dabble with witchery.
  34. proposition
    a suggestion offered for acceptance or rejection
    I simply have...a proposition.
  35. hazy
    indistinct in outline
    It's all hazy, like...that time I had the really bad fever.
  36. dud
    someone who is unsuccessful
    I can stay with my family, and everyone will think that I just don't have any magic. That I'm a dud who can't shapeshift.
  37. uneasy
    causing or fraught with or showing anxiety
    There is something strange about you, an uneasiness.
  38. spur
    incite or stimulate
    Our family's rejection spurred him to seek someone who would teach him the kind of magic he so desired.
  39. resentment
    a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
    I still had a bond to him—I could feel his anger and resentment grow as he traveled alone, frustrated in his quest.
  40. frustrate
    hinder or prevent, as an effort, plan, or desire
    I still had a bond to him—I could feel his anger and resentment grow as he traveled alone, frustrated in his quest.
Created on Wed Aug 08 12:29:17 EDT 2018 (updated Wed Aug 15 13:53:35 EDT 2018)

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.