How It Went Down: Chapters 10–14

by Kekla Magoon
After a 16-year-old boy dies in a shooting, his community attempts to come to terms with his death.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Incident–Chapter 4, Chapters 5–6, Chapters 7–9, Chapters 10–14, Chapters 15–17
35 words 9 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. firebrand
    a piece of wood that has been burned or is burning
    "Reverend,” she breathes, and it is a word like a firebrand stinging my skin.
  2. smother
    envelop completely
    I hope I'm not about to spoil her with the wrongness that is smothering me.
  3. oversight
    an unintentional omission from failure to notice something
    The bedroom door is open now, and I regret the oversight.
  4. gilded
    made from or covered with gold
    Her fingers play along the gilded edge of the mirror above the bar.
  5. rant
    talk at length in a noisy, excited, or angry manner
    Earlier, Noodle stood in front of a whole bank of cameras and told a story that I know he doesn't believe. He ranted over it all the way home, all lit up and energized.
  6. trademark
    a distinctive characteristic or attribute
    "Thanks for coming in," Chip Castleman says. He flashes me his trademark high-wattage smile.
  7. lapel
    a fold of fabric below the collar of a coat or jacket
    The microphone clipped to my lapel is slipping. My fingers reach to straighten it, but Chip motions with a nod, and other hands take over for me, quick and efficient.
  8. altercation
    a noisy, angry argument or fight between people
    "What was going through your mind when you intervened in a gang altercation?"
  9. swagger
    a proud stiff pompous gait
    Brick rolls down the block with his familiar swagger and a whole posse of 8-5s behind him.
  10. gauntlet
    a severe or trying experience
    It's only ten blocks I have to walk, but right now it feels like a gauntlet.
  11. constrict
    become tight or as if tight
    The pain constricts my chest. Out of nowhere, like it happens.
  12. embody
    represent in physical form
    This Terence Johnson character embodies everything that's wrong with our communities.
  13. slink
    move or walk stealthily
    Maybe she recognized the sound of my voice, but anyway, before I can excuse myself and slink away, the little girl throws her arms around me and buries her face in my middle.
  14. cringe
    draw back, as with fear, pain, or embarrassment
    I cringe inside, wondering if it sounded like I meant the circumstances were more upsetting to people than Tariq's actual death.
  15. cajole
    influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
    I never had to cajole her to get her to put her toys away.
  16. spar
    fight verbally
    It was outside Junior's trial, and me and T was kinda sparring over T being pretty sure Junior didn't do the murder he went down for.
  17. diffuse
    move outward
    The guys smoke...with the windows cracked and the fan on high to diffuse the smell in case we get pulled over.
  18. infamous
    known widely and usually unfavorably
    They lift up their yellow jerseys and hoodies and show that they've all got holstered daggers tied at their waists. The infamous "Stingers."
  19. hallowed
    worthy of religious veneration
    We've come around the corner again, and the cluster of Stingers is gone. Back around the buildings, safe on their own hallowed ground.
  20. dispose
    throw or cast away
    Where's the knife now? they kept asking. You disposed of it after the fact, they insisted.
  21. ironic
    displaying incongruity between what is expected and what is
    It's ironic now, how everyone's talking about him the exact same way: Were you armed, Tariq Johnson? Where's the gun, Tariq Johnson?
  22. wistful
    showing pensive sadness
    Al smiles. "Don't be afraid to speak the truth. It matters," he says, almost wistful.
  23. intern
    someone who works for an expert to learn about a job
    It's late at night. Much too late to be alone in my hotel room with a girl who amounts to little more than an intern.
  24. unprovoked
    occurring without motivation or incitement
    I try to forget she kissed me once, entirely unprovoked.
  25. initiative
    the first of a series of actions
    It's been almost a week, and no one's done it. I guess that means they're all waiting on me. I woulda let it go this time, if someone else had taken the initiative, but it stands to reason.
  26. ravage
    a destructive action
    At my feet are mounds of burned-out candle wax, fistfuls of dying flowers blown by the wind and roughed by the ravages of the street.
  27. remnant
    a small part remaining after the main part no longer exists
    My feet nudge aside the vigil remnants, giving me more room to work.
  28. mannerism
    a behavioral attribute that is distinctive to an individual
    It has become my favorite mannerism.
  29. intently
    with strained or eager attention
    Kimberly bends over the keyboard intently.
  30. graze
    scrape gently
    My fingers graze the arm of the couch, and like a shot, she sets the laptop aside and is there with me.
  31. fawning
    attempting to win favor by flattery
    I glance across the room at Brick and Noodle, holding court on the sofas, with crowds of people fawning around.
  32. julienne
    cut into long thin strips
    In the kitchen, knives are good.
    Chop
    Cut
    Slice
    Dice
    Joo-lee-enn, says the cooking lady on TV.
  33. fatality
    a death resulting from an accident or a disaster
    Fay-tal-i-tee, says the reporter on TV.
  34. statistical
    of or relating to the interpretation of quantitative data
    So I make the chart. I pull statistical analyses from online. I know how to identify reputable sources, but it takes some time.
  35. reputable
    held in high esteem and honor
    So I make the chart. I pull statistical analyses from online. I know how to identify reputable sources, but it takes some time.
Created on Mon Sep 16 19:15:42 EDT 2019 (updated Thu Oct 10 09:37:06 EDT 2019)

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