"Simon's Saga," Vocabulary from Episode 10

Philip Geer's "Simon's Saga" includes 820 SAT-level words and gives students an entertaining glimpse into college life.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5, Episode 6, Episode 7, Episode 8, Episode 9, Episode 10, Episode 11, Episode 12, Episode 13, Episode 14, Episode 15, Episode 16, Episode 17, Episode 18, Episode 19, Episode 20, Episode 21, Episode 22, Episode 23, Episode 24, Episode 25, Episode 26, Episode 27, Episode 28, Episode 29, Episode 30, Episode 31, Episode 32, Episode 33, Episode 34, Episode 35, Episode 36, Episode 37
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. interlocutor
    a person who takes part in a conversation
    Axel rarely looked his interlocutor directly in the eye.
  2. reproachful
    expressing disapproval, blame, or disappointment
    “This is not the time for humor, Axel.” Simon looked at him reproachfully.
  3. extrapolate
    gain knowledge of by generalizing
    You can extrapolate based on data, say, from the past month.
  4. jocularity
    fun characterized by humor
    Axel smiled slightly at Simon’s jocularity.
  5. myriad
    a large indefinite number
    “Myriads,” Axel said.
  6. incalculable
    not capable of being computed or enumerated
    “An incalculably large number. Truly gargantuan.”
  7. musing
    deeply or seriously thoughtful
    And since Simon thought only when it was absolutely necessary, Axel knew he must have been really musing about his friend’s situation.
  8. infinitesimal
    (mathematics) a variable that has zero as its limit
    How about nonexistent? Goose egg. Big round O. Nil. Nada. Zero. Zilch. Zip. Beyond infinitesimal.
  9. ascetic
    someone who practices self denial as a spiritual discipline
    Man, an ascetic is more gregarious than you are.
  10. gregarious
    temperamentally seeking and enjoying the company of others
    Man, an ascetic is more gregarious than you are.
  11. theorem
    a proposition deducible from basic postulates
    And I know a few mathematicians. That doesn’t mean I’m going to solve Fermat’s last theorem or whatever it is anytime soon, does it?
  12. conundrum
    a difficult problem
    Andrew Wiles at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton has published a rigorous proof of that mathematical conundrum.
  13. rally
    return to a former condition
    Simon looked hard at Axel, who fell silent. Simon sat, looking thoughtful. Axel rallied.
  14. deduce
    conclude by reasoning
    So, my friend, I deduce that what you have been trying to intimate is that I need to make the acquaintance of a young female
  15. intimate
    imply as a possibility
    So, my friend, I deduce that what you have been trying to intimate is that I need to make the acquaintance of a young female
  16. compatible
    able to exist and perform in harmonious combination
    perhaps, if we are compatible, and each of us has analyzed the relationship and all of its innumerable and multifarious intricacies from all of the appropriate perspectives
  17. innumerable
    too many to be counted
    perhaps, if we are compatible, and each of us has analyzed the relationship and all of its innumerable and multifarious intricacies from all of the appropriate perspectives
  18. multifarious
    having many aspects
    perhaps, if we are compatible, and each of us has analyzed the relationship and all of its innumerable and multifarious intricacies from all of the appropriate perspectives
  19. advantageous
    appropriate for achieving a particular end
    and it appears likely that it may be mutually advantageous for us to continue the relationship ...
  20. enunciate
    speak, pronounce, or utter in a certain way
    “No dude,” said Simon, enunciating each word.
Created on Mon Aug 18 18:15:58 EDT 2014 (updated Tue Aug 19 14:22:14 EDT 2014)

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