The Fourteenth Goldfish: Chapters 18–29

by Jennifer L. Holm
Ellie is struggling to adjust to middle school. When her scientist grandfather announces he has discovered a secret to reverse aging, she finds herself swept up in a scientific adventure that will help her discover her own place in the world.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–8, Chapters 9–17, Chapters 18–29
35 words 59 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. aback
    by surprise
    “I’m unimpressed,” he finally says. “I find the curriculum rather lacking.”
    Ben looks taken aback. “Really?”
  2. proposition
    a suggestion offered for acceptance or rejection
    People are always outside holding signs for some cause or proposition on the local ballot.
  3. jockey
    compete or struggle for an advantage or a position
    They all jockey for space with the pet-rescue society and the Salvation Army.
  4. grudging
    unwilling or reluctant
    She gives a grudging nod.
  5. epidemic
    a widespread outbreak of an infectious disease
    “Or like with Salk. Kids were dying from the polio epidemic, and everybody was scared. Jonas Salk and this whole crew of scientists believed it must be possible to stop it, and so they worked night and day to find a vaccine. And they did it!”
  6. strew
    spread by scattering
    Gross, rotting, stinky trash has been strewn all across the street by some enthusiastic animal.
  7. grouse
    complain
    “No caramel apples. It’s a sad state of affairs when you can’t get a caramel apple on Halloween,” he grouses.
  8. twinge
    a sudden sharp feeling
    I feel a twinge of unease now that I’m here.
  9. undertow
    a current that flows away from the shore after waves break
    It feels like the undertow of the ocean, and I’m just swept along, everything reduced to senses.
  10. wizened
    lean and wrinkled by shrinkage as from age or illness
    “Happy birthday from Houston!” he calls over the line. "How’s it feel to be the wizened old age of twelve?”
  11. wit
    mental ability
    “When the age is in, the wit is out.”
    “Oh,” I say. “Huh?”
    “It’s from Much Ado About Nothing,” he informs me. “He’s saying that when you get old, you lose your brains.”
  12. intimate
    having or fostering a friendly and informal atmosphere
    The French restaurant where we go to dinner is small and intimate.
  13. gruff
    blunt and unfriendly or stern
    “Well, good,” he says, a little gruffly. “I’m glad you like it.”
  14. defiant
    boldly resisting authority or an opposing force
    That night, I fall asleep dreaming of candles. Hundreds of candles. They burn on and on, bright and defiant.
  15. rake
    a dissolute man in fashionable society
    He’s usually cast as the rake or the hero in a play.
  16. reciprocate
    act, feel, or give mutually or in return
    My grandfather doesn’t reciprocate.
  17. union
    an employee organization that bargains with an employer
    “I’m in the union,” my dad says. “I’ve got a great benefits package.”
  18. lope
    run easily
    “Oops, my mistake,” he says, and lopes away.
  19. bustle
    a rapid active commotion
    But I’m not listening to him; I’m too busy staring at my puzzle on the kitchen table. It’s almost finished now. The bustle of the city. The people rushing down the sidewalk.
  20. scathing
    marked by harshly abusive criticism
    “Typical Friday night,” my grandfather replies in a scathing voice. “Everyone leaves early. This generation has no dedication.”
  21. dedication
    complete and wholehearted fidelity
    “Typical Friday night,” my grandfather replies in a scathing voice. “Everyone leaves early. This generation has no dedication.”
  22. impromptu
    with little or no preparation or forethought
    My grandfather has the cab drop us off at a Chinese restaurant for an impromptu celebration.
  23. refine
    reduce to a pure state
    He wants to get the ball rolling. Rent a space. Set up a real lab. Buy equipment. Refine the compound.
  24. sarcophagus
    a stone coffin, usually bearing sculpture or inscriptions
    The sarcophagus is surrounded by the dead man’s belongings: furniture, food, and a pair of leather slippers.
  25. suede
    leather with a napped surface
    There’s a hole where the nose should be, and the skin looks hard, like suede.
  26. crow
    brag openly or dwell on with satisfaction
    “T. melvinus will have its own chapter in here now!” he crows.
  27. imploringly
    in a pleading manner
    I look at him imploringly. “Is growing up, growing old—life—is it all so terrible?”
  28. hedge
    avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing
    “We had a fight,” I say.
    “About what?”
    “Just stuff,” I hedge.
  29. transfixed
    having your attention fixated as though witchcraft
    His eyes are locked on the stage, transfixed.
  30. ovation
    enthusiastic recognition
    They even get a standing ovation on closing night.
  31. quiche
    a tart filled with rich unsweetened custard
    I flip through my grandmother’s recipe box and settle on quiche.
  32. intrigue
    cause to be interested or curious
    My first reaction is to be grossed out, but my second reaction is to be intrigued.
  33. unfathomable
    impossible to come to understand
    He gives me an unfathomable look and says, “Of course you did. That’s what a scientist would do.”
  34. purse
    contract one's lips into a rounded shape
    She looks like she wants to disagree, but then she purses her lips.
  35. threshold
    the entrance for passing through a room or building
    She steps across the threshold and into his arms, startling him.
Created on Wed Dec 19 14:02:14 EST 2018 (updated Wed Dec 19 15:34:22 EST 2018)

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