Vocabulary in Freak the Mighty

Never defeated or overcome; here used to mean a truth that cannot be suppressed or beaten down, no matter how hard someone tries to ignore it.

In this text, the basement apartment where Max lives with his grandparents, referred to as being literally below ground level.

Stubbornly difficult, mean-tempered, or hard to deal with; used to describe a person who is contrary and unpleasant by habit.

Harsh, bleak, and without comfort or cheer; used to describe living conditions or situations that are depressing and severe.

A dismissive slang term for someone whose body moves in an uncontrolled or awkward way, used here as a cruel nickname for a child with a physical disability.

A rigid metal or plastic support device strapped to a limb or the body to help a person with a physical impairment stand or walk.

A brand name for a classic model train set, used in the text as a treasured childhood toy that carries emotional significance.

In the medieval chivalric sense used throughout this book, beautiful and noble; a term of admiration borrowed from Arthurian legend.

A young woman, especially one in need of rescue; drawn from medieval romance and Arthurian legend, used here both literally and playfully.

In the phrase 'damsel in distress,' a state of danger or trouble from which someone needs to be saved; a term from chivalric tradition.

A place on earth that feels like heaven — perfect and ideal; borrowed from medieval literature to describe a place of happiness and safety.

A hidden current beneath the surface of water that pulls things downward; used figuratively here for an overwhelming force that drags someone under emotionally.

Subject to death; in this text also used to mean extreme or deadly serious, as in a threat or danger that could actually kill.

A long, difficult search or journey undertaken for a specific goal; used in the Arthurian sense of a noble mission or adventure.

The legendary table of King Arthur at which all knights sat as equals; used in this text as a symbol of fairness, brotherhood, and heroic ideals.

The medieval code of honor followed by knights, emphasizing bravery, courtesy, and the protection of the weak; invoked throughout as an ideal the boys try to live by.

Shameful, dishonorable, or beneath the standards of decent behavior; the opposite of the noble conduct associated with knighthood.

To give a formal spoken statement, especially in a legal setting; in this text, to tell the truth about what one has witnessed, often at great personal risk.

The conditional early release of a prisoner who must follow certain rules; in this text it means a dangerous man has been let out of prison before his full sentence is served.

To kill or injure someone by squeezing their throat to cut off breathing; used literally in the text to describe a violent act of murder.

A rare genetic disorder that prevents normal bone growth, causing severe skeletal abnormalities; the medical condition that limits Freak's body while leaving his mind brilliant.

Having body parts replaced or enhanced by mechanical or electronic devices; Freak uses this word to describe his dream of getting an artificial body to replace his failing one.

A flying machine designed to stay airborne by flapping its wings like a bird; one of the inventions Freak builds and talks about as part of his love of science and fantasy.

An artificial mechanical being; in this text Freak imagines his future self housed in a robotic body that will free him from his diseased physical form.

Having a condition that makes standard academic learning significantly harder than usual; used in the text as a label placed on Max by the school system, which he resents.