Hoot by Carl Hiaasen, Vocabulary List Chapters 7-9

friendly and pleasant

Kalo waved amiably; then he turned the attack dogs loose.

very eager

Curly and his wife were avid movie fans.

very unusual or strange

He couldn't stop thinking about the bizarre incidents at the Mother Paula's property.

very harsh and critical

"Oh," Beatrice said caustically, "the one you went chasing when you shoulda been minding your own business."

usually done in a particular situation or at a particular place or time

Throwing a cast net was the customary method of capture.

a complete failure or disaster

It was because of him that the spray-painting fiasco had made the newspaper and gotten Curly into hot water with the Mother Paula's company.

to show in an improper or selfish way that you are happy with your own success or another person's failure

"Now, aren't you thorry you methed with me?" Dana gloated.

the act of killing another person

His father had been a robbery detective in Cleveland, Ohio, and his older brother was a homicide detective in Fort Lauderdale-and a detective is what David Delinko fervidly wanted to be, someday.

something that makes a person try or work hard or harder

One incentive to stay home was the weather. For three straight days it stormed.

to interrupt what someone else is saying with (a comment, remark, etc.)

"Oh, that's ridiculous," his mother interjected.

full of happiness and joy : happy and cheerful

Chuck Muckle wasn't a very jolly fellow, though, especially after seeing the newspaper article about the police car being spray-painted on Mother Paula's property.

a reason for doing something

"What's his motive for the funny stuff?" the captain wondered aloud.

showing or having a relaxed manner free from concern or excitement

Nonchalantly he picked his comic book off the floor and placed it on his lap.

not conscious or aware of someone or something

Unfortunately, that wasn't the case- the driver was as oblivious to Dana's bad behavior as ever.

very bad or wrong in a way that causes anger : too bad to be accepted or allowed

"Honestly, I didn't know what to think after reading that outrageous story in the paper. The one about that policeman who had his windows painted black!"

continuing to do something or to try to do something even though it is difficult or other people want you to stop

In Officer Delinko's experience, kids weren't usually so persistent, or daring.

to annoy or bother (someone) in a repeated way

He suspected she had another motive for pestering the vice-principal-she was eager to resume her early-morning yoga sessions at the community college, which she couldn't attend as long as she was driving Roy to Trace Middle.

slow or awkward because of weight and size

The steps in the gravel sounded heavy and ponderous, like those of a large man.

to play (a character) in a film, play, or television show

The highlight was going to be a special appearance by the woman who portrayed Mother Paula in the advertisements and TV spots.

having an unpleasantly nervous or doubtful feeling

It was Roy's impression that Officer Delinko suddenly looked queasy.

to have a very strong and unpleasant smell

He glared out from between Dana's pudgy fingers, which reeked of cigarettes.

deep regret for doing or saying something wrong

A third alternative was for Roy to try apologizing to Dana again, this time oozing remorse and sincerity.

a person who tells someone in authority (such as the police or a teacher) about something wrong that someone has done : someone who snitches

The police was asking him to be an informant: a snitch on his own classmates.

so large or great that it amazes you

After leaving algebra class, Roy heard a stupendous phony farting noise behind him in the hallway-Garret.