The Corruption of Hollis Brown: Weep–Groan

by K. Ancrum
In this novel, Hollis Brown becomes possessed by a ghost from his run-down town's past — but even as he struggles to be free, he finds himself falling in love.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Hollis-Delicate, Flint-Drown, Weep-Groan, Kiss-Rake, Radiant-Wallis Brown
15 words 15 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. escalate
    increase in extent or intensity
    It itched at first but rapidly escalated to something violent and electric.
  2. garish
    tastelessly showy
    She looked a bit garish, but it was kind of interesting that she was trying so hard.
  3. malice
    the desire to see others suffer
    “I don’t...really see that happening,” he said without an ounce of malice.
  4. acrid
    strong and sharp, as a taste or smell
    Hollis winced at the acrid smell of cigarette smoke.
  5. goad
    provoke as by constant criticism
    Things might not be the same, and you might not be able to goad people at school into it anymore.
  6. indolent
    disinclined to work or exertion
    He was tired, expectant. Indolent, amused.
  7. ambivalent
    uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow
    Hollis was kind of ambivalent about where they ate, as long as he could get something for five dollars or less.
  8. splurge
    indulge oneself
    He slapped his credit card down on the counter and splurged on the more comprehensive one.
  9. crackerjack
    extraordinarily good or great
    You’re just you and that’s crackerjack all by itself.
  10. prioritize
    assign a status in order of importance or urgency
    Even Dina prioritized her needs and wants above mine, and it was fine of her to do that.
  11. proclivity
    a natural inclination
    I know myself and my proclivities, and times have changed, but even the angels couldn’t have seen that coming.
  12. delinquent
    a young offender
    He had a scar across his eyebrow from a bottle thrown his way in a bar fight. Another across his knuckles from delinquent behavior, as he put it.
  13. liability
    something that holds you back
    Come on, man. Tell me. What are you so afraid of?
    ...
    Come on, Walt, you told me you were more than a liability.
  14. rile
    disturb, especially by minor irritations
    You roll through emotions so quickly whenever I rile you up that it took a while for me to separate them.
  15. inevitable
    incapable of being avoided or prevented
    Walt watched the fight keenly, tracked James’s strengths and weaknesses. Spoke to Timothy for them when the situation required it. Waved off the membership discount James’s coach offered them, as well as the sad look in James’s eyes, inevitable and kind.
Created on Mon Sep 22 06:59:16 EDT 2025 (updated Fri Nov 14 19:07:36 EST 2025)

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