Chapter 20 — Vocabulary

Vocabulary Words from Chapter 20

Elsewhere (noun)

The unknown world beyond the community's boundaries; used by the community as a euphemism for death but here meaning the actual outside world Jonas will escape to.

Ceremony of Loss (noun)

A community ritual performed when a citizen is believed to have died, in which the person's name is chanted more and more softly until it fades to silence.

devastated (adjective)

Overwhelmed with shock, grief, or distress; emotionally destroyed.

devised (verb)

Planned or invented through careful thought; created a strategy.

accumulated (verb)

Gathered or collected gradually over a period of time.

overwhelmed (adjective)

Completely overcome in mind or feeling; unable to cope with the magnitude of something.

chaos (noun)

Complete disorder and confusion; a state of unpredictability.

ostensibly (adverb)

Apparently or on the surface; used to describe a stated reason that conceals the true purpose.

resolve (noun)

Firm determination to do something; a strong decision or commitment.

ruse (noun)

A trick or stratagem intended to deceive someone.

release (noun)

In the community, a euphemism for death by lethal injection. Citizens are told that those who are released go to Elsewhere.

implications (noun)

The possible effects or consequences of an action or decision.

burden (noun)

A heavy load, either physical or emotional; a duty or responsibility that causes hardship.

Sameness (noun)

The community's governing philosophy that eliminates all differences, strong emotions, and personal choices in favor of uniformity, safety, and predictability.