The Giver: Chapters 5 - 8 Vocabulary

Reluctant

Together they agreed that it probably resulted from her feelings when she had reluctantly dealt punishment to the citizen who had broken the major rules a second time.

• not eager

• a relief from harm or discomfort

• joyously unrestrained

• willingly obedient out of a sense of respect

Infraction

Jonas said the standard phrase automatically, and tried to pay better attention while his mother told of a dream fragment, a disquieting scene where she had been chastised for a rule infraction she didn’t understand.

• a violation of a law or rule

• not eager

• go or travel along with

• be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait

Interdependence

Fours, Fives, and Sixes all wore jackets that fastened down the back so that they would have to help each other dress and would learn interdependence.

• a relation between entities that rely on each other

• a visible symbol representing an abstract idea

• a relief from harm or discomfort

• lacking the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task

Inadequate

Normally such a newchild would be labeled Inadequate and released from the community.

• lacking the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task

• release, as from one's grip

• go or travel along with

• joyously unrestrained

Accompany

But many came to the stage accompanied by another child beaming with pride to receive a little brother or sister, the way Jonas had when he was about to be a Five.

• go or travel along with

• joyously unrestrained

• serious and gloomy in character

• willingly obedient out of a sense of respect

Exuberant

The audience applause, which was enthusiastic at each Naming, rose in an exuberant swell when one parental pair, glowing with pride, took a male newchild and heard him named Caleb.

• joyously unrestrained

• serious and gloomy in character

• release, as from one's grip

• be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait

Dutiful

Jonas could see them applauding dutifully as the Nines, one by one, wheeled their new bicycles, each with its gleaming name tag attached to the back, from the stage.

• willingly obedient out of a sense of respect

• serious and gloomy in character

• go against, as of rules and laws

• be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait

Distinguish

Jonas never found the Ceremony of Ten particularly interesting—only time-consuming, as each child’s hair was snipped neatly into its distinguishing cut: females lost their braids at Ten, and males, too, relinquished their long childish hair and took on the more manly short style which exposed their ears.

• be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait

• not habituated to; unfamiliar with

• marked by extreme care in treatment of details

• be compatible, similar, or consistent

Unaccustomed

He saw the Tens stroking their new shortened hair, the females shaking their heads to feel the unaccustomed lightness without the heavy braids they had worn so long.

• not habituated to; unfamiliar with

• be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait

• joyously unrestrained

• release, as from one's grip

Meticulous

The community was so meticulously ordered, the choices so carefully made.

• marked by extreme care in treatment of details

• be compatible, similar, or consistent

• greatly annoyed; out of patience

• willingly obedient out of a sense of respect