“Number the Stars” Vocabulary Ch. 1-3

impassive (adjective) Definition: showing no feeling or emotion; inanimate; motionless. Context: The expression on his face was impassive.

obstinate (adjective) Definition: Stubborn Context: The obstinate boy refused to clean his room.

occupation (noun) Definition: The period during which a military force takes control of another country Context: During World War II, Denmark was under German occupation.

sabotage (verb) Definition: To purposely destroy or damage something Context: The angry workers were responsible for sabotaging the machines.

fiancé (noun) Definition: man/ woman engaged to be married Context: My sister’s fiancé bought her engagement ring at a jewelry store in New Orleans.

rationed (verb) Definition: To control the amount of food or supplies that people can use Context: During the war, the government rationed oil and sugar.

haughtily (adverb) Definition: arrogantly; with too much pride Context: The soldiers walked in haughtily and demanded the Jews follow them.

trousseau (noun) Definition: a bride’s collection of clothing and linens Context: The young woman looked at the clothes in her trousseau knowing her wedding was soon.

curfew (noun) Definition: a time by which people must be off the streets Context: The streets were desolate and dark at night due to the early curfew.

swastika (noun) Definition: A symbol used to represent the Nazi party; it looks like a cross with bent arms Context: The flags of Nazi Germany had a black swastika on them.

torment (verb) Definition: To cause pain or suffering Context: The mosquitoes constantly tormented people during the long summer days.

“Number the Stars” Vocabulary Ch. 4-6

rabbi (noun) Definition: A Jewish religious leader Context: The rabbi taught the congregation about God.

synagogue (noun) Definition: A Jewish house of worship (It’s the Jewish equivalent of a church or temple) Context: My Jewish friend goes to the synagogue with her family every week.

imprinted (verb) Definition: To make a mark or impression on something Context: The paper was imprinted with the Great Seal of the United States.

urgently (adverb) Definition: Compelling immediate action or attention; pressing. Context: I urgently needed to contact the resistance fighters.

disdainfully (adjective) Definition: Showing that you dislike something or think it is worthless Context: Laura looked at the sweater disdainfully and then put it back on the rack.

imperious (adjective) Definition: commanding; dominant Context: The bully on the playground made imperious comments to the other children.

tentatively (adjective) Definition: showing hesitancy or uncertainty Context: We tentatively set plans for the weekend.

exasperation (noun) Definition: to be frustrated Context: The student sighed in exasperation when she was told she could no longer use the calculator on her test.

“Number the Stars” Vocabulary Ch. 7-9

deftly (adverb) Definition: Quick and skillful Context: Lois deftly poured a glass of milk.

Star of David (noun) Definition: A symbol of Judaism Context: The flag of Israel has a Star of David on it.

anchored (verb) Definition: Secured; held in place Context: They anchored the ship in the bay.

dismayed (verb) Definition: To be upset Context: Her parents were dismayed that she chose to be a teacher instead of a doctor.

hazy (adjective) Definition: Partly hidden or obscured by light vapor, smoke, or dust Context: We only had a hazy view of the mountain.

relocate (verb) Definition: To move to a new location Context: He relocated to Los Angeles for his new job.

mourning (noun) Definition: A period of time during which a person feels grief or sadness for someone who has died Context: He was still in mourning for his dead wife.

specter (noun) Definition: A haunting or disturbing image Context: After watching the scary movie, Molly had a difficult time getting the specter of the haunted house out of her mind.

hearse (noun) Definition: A funeral vehicle Context: The hearse transported the coffin to the cemetery.

“Number the Stars” Vocabulary Ch. 10-12

gnarled (adjective) Definition: Twisted and knotty Context: Kevin used the gnarled branches of the tree as the arms for his snowman.

pride (noun) Definition: confidence in yourself Context: Students show their pride when they do good work.

Psalm (noun) Definition: A sacred song or poem used in worship (particularly those contained in the Bible) Context: After the sermon, we sang a brief psalm.

staccato (noun) http://www.soundsnap.com/tags/staccato Definition: Short, sudden sounds (click on the link above to hear an example of staccato sounds in music) Context: Her high-heeled shoes made a rapid staccato as she walked across the wooden floor.

surge (noun) Definition: A sudden rush of emotion or feeling Context: Tom felt a surge of anger when he saw another boy mistreating his dog.

typhus (noun) Definition: An infectious disease caused by lice or fleas. It causes high fever, headache, and a dark red rash. Context: By the looks of this rash, I think the patient has typhus.

commotion (noun) Definition: A noisy disturbance Context: I went outside to see what all the commotion was about.

Godspeed (noun) Definition: An expression used to wish success to someone who is going away Context: We wished our dad godspeed when he went on a business trip to Japan.

unfamiliar (adjective) I have no idea where I’m going! This street doesn’t look like the right one! Who is that? Definition: Not well known Context: Since this was his first time in this town he was unfamiliar with the streets.

“Number the Stars” Vocabulary Ch. 13-15

protruding (verb) Definition: Sticking out Context: I saw a shark fin protruding from the water.

contempt (noun) Definition: A feeling that someone or something is worthless or unworthy of respect Context: He showed his contempt for his job by doing it very badly.

implored (verb) Definition: Begged; pleaded Context: He implored his parents to let him keep the stray cat.

sprawling (verb) Definition: To lie, sit, or fall with your arms and legs spread out Context: The ladder tipped over, sending him sprawling across the floor.

tantalize (verb) Definition: to tease Context: You should not tantalize your younger brother with that candy bar if he can not have it.

stricken (adjective) Definition: Overwhelmed with pain or sorrow Context: John’s face was stricken with grief after his dog died.

Vocabulary Ch. 16 and afterword “Number the Stars” Vocabulary Ch. 16 and afterword

concealed (verb) Definition: Hidden Context: The note was carefully concealed in his pocket.

bleak (adjective) Definition: Gloomy and miserable Context: It was a dark and bleak wintry day.

deprivation (noun) Definition: The lack of something that you need Context: Mary suffers from sleep deprivation.

orchestrated (verb) Definition: Organized or planned Context: The man orchestrated the entire circus, including the wardrobe, refreshments, and all of the acts.

permeated (verb) Definition: To spread throughout something Context: The aroma of the soup permeated the air.

raided (verb) Definition: To make a surprise attack Context: The village was suddenly raided by neighboring tribes.