We Were Liars

1. gaunt (adjective):

lean to the point of boniness, often with the implication of suffering or sickness

“[My father] wore tweed jackets. He was gaunt.” (Chapter 2, Page 4)

2. moorings (plural noun):

the places where something (typically a boat) is anchored or tethered, or the cables, lines, etc. used to secure something in place

“I spun violently into the sky, raging and banging stars from their moorings, swirling and vomiting.” (Chapter 7, Page 16)

3. agitating (verb):

stirring or shaking up, literally or (as in emotion, political sentiment, etc.) figuratively

“I should live for today and not be agitating all the time.” (Chapter 7, Page 19)

4. illicit (adjective):

forbidden, not approved of

“So many stars, it seemed like a celebration, a grand, illicit party the galaxy was holding after the humans had been put to bed.” (Chapter 8, Page 21)

5. oblivious (adjective):

completely unaware of

“Every time Gat said these things, so casual and truthful, so oblivious—my veins opened.” (Chapter 11, Page 29)

6. covertly (adverb):

done or conducted in a way that is not open; secretly, stealthily

“He touched me whenever he could [...] [c]overtly, hilariously, behind Granddad’s back while he drove the motorboat.” (Chapter 11, Page 31)

7. tyrant (noun):

a ruler (usually one with unchecked power) who governs in a way that is harsh, oppressive, or unjust

“She is to be queen, but she is also stuck tending to a crazy old tyrant for the rest of her days.” (Chapter 16, Page 45)

8. patronizes (verb):

routinely shops at or visits as a customer

“Thick rugs cover every floor, and paintings from several local artists she patronizes line our walls.” (Chapter 17, Page 46)

9. portly (adjective):

stout, heavyset, slightly overweight (often with the implication of dignity or status)

“They’re our family dogs, portly and well-behaved.” (Chapter 17, Page 48)

10. coherent (adjective):

logical, hanging together as part of a unified whole

“She will be unable to piece together a coherent story of the trauma.” (Chapter 18, Page 48)

11. spindly (adjective):

long, thin, and consequently weak

“His legs are spindly old-man legs.” (Chapter 19, Page 52)

12. semaphore (noun):

an alphabetic code involving flags held in varying positions and used to communicate at a distance

“He’s doing pretend semaphore, waving his arms in ornate patterns as if I’m supposed to understand some kind of secret code.” (Chapter 23, Page 65)

13. jovially (adverb):

cheerfully, good-naturedly

“‘Hello there, Mirren,’ he says jovially. ‘Grand to see you.’” (Chapter 24, Page 66)

14. batik (noun; in the story, used as adjective):

an Indonesian method of dying that uses wax to create patterns on fabric

“Gat sits with me on a batik blanket.” (Chapter 26, Page 71)

15. spartan (adjective):

extremely sparing with regards to ornamentation, pleasure, and comfort; austere

“It feels clean and open, but it isn’t spartan, because everything is opulent.” (Chapter 33, Page 89)

16. petulant (adjective):

sulky or complaining, especially in a childish way

“‘You told me you weren’t a drug addict, but you have pills on your dresser.’ Taft is petulant.” (Chapter 34, Page 92)

17. crone (noun):

an old woman, especially one who is witchlike or ugly in appearance

“These days she is a gnarled crone, touching the raw flesh of my brain with her cruel fingernails.” (Chapter 46, Pages 123-124)

18. penance (noun):

an act or acts performed to make up for or atone for something 

“A million flowering peonies surround my drowned body as people sob in penance and misery.” (Chapter 54, Page 143)

19. irrevocably (adverb):

unchangeably, irreversibly 

“I know, irrevocably and certainly, that we set it.” (Chapter 59, Page 153)

20. conferred (past tense verb):

granted or bestowed (an honor, gift, right, etc.)

“We were caught up easily, Mirren, Johnny, and I—feeling the power he conferred in picturing us at Harvard, the specialness of asking our opinions and laughing at our jokes.” (Chapter 61, Page 158)

21. erudite (adjective):

learned, scholarly, knowledgeable as a result of study

“It doesn’t matter how civilized and erudite the husband is.” (Chapter 65, Page 168)

22. repugnance (noun):

extreme or visceral disgust

“The father sees a jungle animal, and his repugnance will never leave him.” (Chapter 65, Page 168)

23. frivolous (adjective):

inappropriately lacking in seriousness or purpose

“Mirren was the business-minded one, the heir to all Granddad stood for. Johnny and Cady were too frivolous.” (Chapter 67, Page 172)

24. cloying (adjective):

sickeningly sweet (literally or figuratively)

“She strokes my hair. So cloying.” (Chapter 73, Page 185)