1. “Number the Stars”
Vocabulary Ch. 1-3

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

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

4. 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.

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

6. 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.

7. 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.

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

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

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

13. “Number the Stars”
Vocabulary Ch. 4-6

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

15. 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.

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

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

18. 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.

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

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

21. 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.

22. “Number the Stars”
Vocabulary Ch. 7-9

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

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

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

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

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

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

29. 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.

30. 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.

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

32. “Number the Stars”
Vocabulary Ch

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

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

35. 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.

36. staccato (noun)
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.

37. 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.

38. 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.

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

40. 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.

41. 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.

42. “Number the Stars”
Vocabulary Ch

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

44. 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.

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

46. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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