Elsewhere: List 4

by Gabrielle Zevin
After her death, fifteen-year-old Liz ends up in a strange place called Elsewhere, where she will have to live her life in reverse until she becomes a baby again.

This list covers Part II: "A Piece of String"–"Restoration."

Here are links to our lists for the novel: List 1, List 2, List 3, List 4, List 5
40 words 5 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. acrid
    strong and sharp, as a taste or smell
    Various smells: the sweet cookie smell of Mom, the acrid, stingy, soapy smell of Dad, the yeasty breadlike smell of Alvy
  2. covet
    wish, long, or crave for
    The watch had been her father’s before it was hers, and for years she had coveted it.
  3. exorbitant
    greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation
    After four years of exorbitant long-distance bills, they were married at twenty-two.
  4. bout
    a period of indeterminate length marked by some condition
    In a bout of traditionalism that surprised everyone concerned, Emily even took Owen’s last name.
  5. elude
    escape, either physically or mentally
    Owen located the first three cats easily, but the fourth, a young white tom called Koshka, eluded him.
  6. amends
    something done or paid to make up for a wrong
    In his opinion, she legitimately wanted to move on and he had hindered her in that process. Owen felt the need to make amends.
  7. eschew
    avoid and stay away from deliberately
    He typically eschews holidays like Thanksgiving, holidays spent among other people’s loved ones.
  8. maudlin
    very sentimental or emotional
    She had also invited Curtis Jest, but he declined on the grounds that he was an Englishman and found the holiday “rather maudlin” anyway.
  9. tumbler
    a glass with a flat bottom but no handle or stem
    Betty pours large tumblers of white wine for everyone.
  10. lilt
    a jaunty rhythm in music or speech
    His voice has a mischievous lilt.
  11. requisite
    necessary for relief or supply
    After they fill out all the requisite paperwork, Liz walks Owen and Jen to Owen’s Jeep.
  12. notwithstanding
    despite anything to the contrary
    Jen’s opinion notwithstanding, Owen is not a bad cook. (Who ever said a dog knew much about cooking anyway?)
  13. ineptitude
    unskillfulness resulting from a lack of training
    That night, Liz contemplates the reason for her ineptitude and decides to call Thandi.
  14. incidentally
    by the way (used to introduce a new topic)
    “Incidentally, what do you think was blocking you?”
  15. indignant
    angered at something unjust or wrong
    “If you aren’t going to be serious, I’m leaving!” She is indignant.
  16. mirth
    great merriment
    “My, aren’t we touchy! What’s a little mirth between friends, Lizzie?”
  17. dejected
    affected or marked by low spirits
    All that takes an hour, and then Owen collapses dejectedly on the couch.
  18. exasperation
    a feeling of annoyance
    “Owen, you should really learn to speak Canine, because I could tell you a thing or two,” Jen barks in exasperation.
  19. sheepishly
    in a manner showing embarrassment or shame
    Owen smiles sheepishly at Liz. “It was Jen’s idea, coming here. I don’t want to bother you guys, or anything.”
  20. protege
    a person who receives support from an influential patron
    “Be patient. You are my driving protégée, and I can’t, in good conscience, release you into the world until we’ve done this last thing.”
  21. deadpan
    speak in a deliberately impassive or serious manner
    “Yes,” Liz deadpans...
  22. troubadour
    a singer of folk songs
    That night in bed, Owen says to Emily, “Is it wrong that I love the flu? Is it wrong that I want to sing songs in praise of the flu?”
    “I’m glad my death brings out the troubadour in you. But I am dead here, you know. A little gravity is in order.”
  23. pragmatist
    a person who takes a practical approach to problems
    Even though Jen’s loyalties are with Liz, Jen is also a pragmatist. She knows it is important to make a good first impression with Emily.
  24. psychosomatic
    used of illness or symptoms resulting from neurosis
    “I probably just think I’m allergic because I was before. Maybe it’s psychosomatic?” Emily sneezes.
    “What’s ‘psychosomatic’?” Jen asks worriedly.
    “It means, it’s all in my head. So eventually, I’ll stop being allergic to you, I’m sure.”
  25. punctuate
    interrupt periodically
    Their conversation is punctuated by Emily’s sneezes, even though the dogs had been banished to Liz’s room for the occasion.
  26. sullen
    showing a brooding ill humor
    On account of Emily’s allergies and Liz’s sullenness, the evening ends quickly.
  27. oblivious
    lacking conscious awareness of
    Luckily, Aldous is the type of man who is oblivious to most people’s black moods, as he is almost always in a good mood himself.
  28. faze
    disturb the composure of
    “My, that is a bump,” says Aldous, momentarily fazed by Liz’s revelation.
  29. swaddle
    wrap very tightly in cloth, as a baby
    It will be strange, Liz thinks, to be among so many babies. Furthermore, Liz will have to be wrapped in swaddling clothes, which would be totally humiliating if anyone saw her.
  30. apathetic
    showing little or no emotion or animation
    He always seems amused by other people’s lives, but decidedly detached and apathetic.
  31. gurney
    a metal stretcher with wheels
    Naked but for the gown, Liz lies down on a table with wheels like a hospital gurney.
  32. streamline
    contour economically or efficiently
    “Why do you have to bind the arms?” Liz asks.
    “Oh, it helps the current pull you to Earth if you’re more streamlined, and it also keeps the babies warm,” Dolly answers.
  33. saturate
    infuse or fill completely
    Dolly rolls Liz over to the edge of the beach. She lowers her into the water. Liz feels the cool water saturate her bandages.
  34. lament
    regret strongly
    For the first time in ages, he laments losing his rock star status.
  35. confidant
    someone to whom private matters are told
    “I am Curtis Sinclair Jest, formerly of the band Machine. I am a trusted confidant of Elizabeth’s, which is why I come to you at this hour. I must tell you something very urgent about Lizzie.”
  36. jaundiced
    affected by yellowing of the skin
    The three look up at the jaundiced sky, which grows brighter with every second.
  37. reflexive
    without volition or conscious control
    Liz cannot speak, because her larynx reflexively closed when she began to drown.
  38. convalescence
    gradual healing through rest after sickness or injury
    Liz recuperates for two weeks at a healing center. Although she feels better after a few days, she enjoys her period of convalescence. It is nice to be tended to by one’s friends and loved ones (especially when one’s recovery is assured).
  39. smitten
    marked by foolish or unreasoning fondness
    “Curtis, are you saying you like Betty?” Liz whispers.
    “I am a bit smitten with her. Yes, yes, you could say that.”
  40. trite
    repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
    The lyrics are (it must be said) rather trite, mainly about the transformative powers of love.
Created on Mon Sep 27 14:52:02 EDT 2021 (updated Tue Oct 05 09:12:18 EDT 2021)

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