aghast
Shocked; horrified
amoeba
A microscopic water organism. Used hyperbolically in the novel to make things and people sound small and insignificant.
antagonistic
Hostile; showing opposition
anteroom
A small waiting room that leads into an office or a house
celluloid
The plastic material used to make film strips. Before video, all movies were shown using film strips and projectors. The fact that Mr. Ross shows a celluloid filmstrip suggests that The Wave takes place in the 1960s or the 1970s.
emaciated
Visibly starved
facetious
Playful; joking
farm system
A term used to refer to the minor leagues or 'training team,' especially in baseball. Often major-league sports teams recruit athletes but make them participate in the 'farm system' to practice before joining the official team.
fumble
To drop the ball when playing football
glib
Well-spoken but unintelligent
Heisman Trophy
A prestigious award given to talented college football players
incessant
Without stopping
indoctrinate
To teach people beliefs and encourage them to accept these beliefs without questioning them
john
Slang for the bathroom
lackadaisical
Lazy and careless
mimeograph
A machine, now obsolete, that copies written or typed documents
pocketbook
A purse
tizzy
A frenzy
Untouchable
David refers to Robert as “Gordon High’s very own Untouchable” (17). This is a reference to the Indian caste system. Historically, people in India were born into rigid social levels, or 'castes,' which they had to stay in their whole life. The lowest caste was the Untouchables, who were forced to take undesirable jobs like cleaning garbage.
utopian
Actions that are done with the intention of creating a perfect world
