Early Departures: List 1

by Justin A. Reynolds
When a technological miracle allows Jamal's best friend, Q, to be brought back to life for a few weeks, Jamal must decide whether to tell Q the truth about what happened to him.

This list covers Facts–Chapter 80.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: List 1, List 2, List 3, List 4
35 words 575 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. pillage
    steal goods; take as spoils
    Pillage two Pop-Tarts, eat them raw.
  2. materialize
    come into being; become reality
    Dad materializes in the hallway, says if you want he’ll boil water on the stove, pour it over your head, same as a shower, he claims.
  3. cerulean
    bright blue in color, like a clear sky
    This pool’s a mood ring, the cool cerulean water now purpling.
  4. oblivion
    the state of being disregarded or forgotten
    When Whit finishes outlining my current path toward oblivion, I tell her:
    I’m sorry.
  5. complement
    make perfect or supply what is wanting
    I try not to stare, but her canary-yellow two-piece is accentuating all of her accentuations, complementing her dark-brown skin like it was commissioned for her.
  6. tentative
    hesitant or lacking confidence; unsettled in mind or opinion
    Q takes a tentative step forward, his posture wobbly.
  7. fervor
    the state of being emotionally aroused and worked up
    The Jauncy fervor’s dying rapidly behind us.
  8. subdue
    hold within limits and control
    “This is a peaceful harpoon, designed to politely subdue, so we can tag and track water life.”
  9. buttress
    reinforce with a support usually of stone or brick
    At the back of the yard, buttressing the hillside, wind-worn stairs spiral toward the sand.
  10. straggler
    someone who strays or falls behind
    The house clears fast; a few stragglers hug their goodbyes before hiking to their parked cars, but mostly everyone flocks beachward.
  11. dredge up
    bring to mind something unpleasant from the past
    It’s hard: sifting the past without dredging it up.
  12. inexplicable
    incapable of being explained or accounted for
    There are moments so inexplicable we call them fate.
    Label them destiny.
  13. yoke
    become joined or linked together
    Whatever forces yoked Q and me together tonight, they’ve decided how it ends.
  14. incredulous
    not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving
    Q looks incredulous. “Smothering? I was trying to be there!”
  15. vexed
    troubled persistently especially with petty annoyances
    “Wait, so you’re getting vexed by semantics?”
  16. semantics
    the meaning of a word, phrase, sentence, or text
    “Wait, so you’re getting vexed by semantics?”
  17. breach
    make an opening or gap in
    An arm or a leg volcanoing, breaching the water’s surface, then slamming violently back beneath the waves.
  18. sluice
    pour as if from a conduit that carries a rapid flow of water
    Lightning splits the sky into jagged halves, thunder claps, and now rain sluices down my face.
  19. divot
    a piece of turf dug out of a lawn or fairway
    The loose pebbles and jagged divots punish my feet, but I don’t slow, I can’t slow.
  20. shoal
    a sandbank in a stretch of water that is visible at low tide
    And were I smart, I’d make sure the water’s clear, that it’s deep enough.
    Too shallow and I splinter my neck, snap my spine.
    Too rocky and I piñata all over the shoal.
  21. discombobulated
    having self-possession upset; thrown into confusion
    I grit my teeth, keep paddling, but I’m discombobulated and I’m not entirely sure if I’m swimming up or down.
  22. chide
    scold or reprimand severely or angrily
    You were a day or two away from permanently losing your vision, the surgeon chided me.
  23. gurney
    a metal stretcher with wheels
    Then they’re pulling Q out, racing him inside, gurney wheels twitching on concrete, then linoleum.
  24. levity
    a manner lacking seriousness
    “Just a dumb joke Mr. B used to make.” She shrugs. "I don't know what I’m doing, Jamal. Figured we could use some levity, you know?”
  25. afflicted
    grievously affected especially by disease
    And her screams, her wails, are now a periodic burst of s-s-sobs, her face afflicted with a soundless pain, like when the hurt is lodged in the back of your throat, still chambered in your heart.
  26. fathom
    come to understand
    “I can’t fathom how you must feel, Ms. Barrantes.”
  27. embellishment
    a superfluous ornament
    Her only embellishment a silver bracelet that rattled as she shook our hands.
  28. solace
    comfort offered to one who is disappointed or miserable
    Listen to what they have to say. I think...I think you’ll find solace.
  29. taut
    pulled or drawn tight
    Ms. B sits up straight, pulls the skin beneath her red eyes taut.
  30. lament
    regret strongly
    But I think you’re making a mistake you’ll lament for the rest of your life.
  31. concede
    admit or acknowledge, often reluctantly
    "Maybe,” she concedes, already opening the door.
  32. discretion
    knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress
    “It’s not not legal. But of course, discretion is important.”
  33. immaculate
    without error or flaw
    Seconds after Dr. Iverson’s apology-filled exit, this other door opens; a lean, immaculately groomed man in pressed gray pants, a stark white dress shirt, and a gray wool bow tie enters.
  34. liaison
    a means of communication between groups
    I will be your personal reanimation liaison, Ms. Barrantes. Your case is my only assignment. As such, day or night, I am at your call.
  35. fruition
    the attainment or fulfillment of a plan or objective
    Should you require anything, I will do my level best to bring it to fruition. Should you have questions or concerns, I will work to address your inquiries.
Created on Mon Mar 01 09:28:19 EST 2021 (updated Thu Mar 04 10:47:57 EST 2021)

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