Chapter 11 - Vocabulary

apoplectic (adj.): Apoplexy is a condition of sudden paralysis; a stroke. To be apoplectic, in this case, is to behave as if on the verge of having a stroke.
arbor (n): an outdoor area shaded by trees or, in this case, scuppernong vines on a lattice. See a picture of an arbor from an outdoor café in Greece.
bedecked (adj.): adorned; covered (with decorations)
calomel (n.): a laxative; often used as a cure for intestinal worms
camellia (n.): a shrub with glossy evergreen leaves and waxy, rose-like flowers. Find out more about camellias and see a picture of a camellia.
camisole (n.) a woman's sleeveless undergarment, usually worn under a sheer blouse
commence (vb.): begin
decreed (vb): A decree is an official order. As her older brother, Jem decreed what he and Scout would do.
degradation (n.): a state of low honor or moral character
dog-trot hall (adj.): a covered passageway between two parts of a building
escapade (n.): reckless prank
essence (n.): fundamental nature; most important quality
infuriated (vb.): angered greatly
interdict (n.): prohibition; restraint
livid (adj.): pale; lead-colored. Livid can also mean red, as in the color someone's face gets when that person becomes angry.
oppressive (adj.): overbearing; hard to put up with
palliation (n.): to palliate is to lessen the pain, or, in this case, fear and anxiety, of something without actually making the fear and anxiety go away. Calpurnia is not a great source of palliation; that is, she doesn't make the children feel any less anxious or fearful.
passé (adj.): old-fashioned
philippic (n.): a bitter verbal attack
plate (n.): dentures; dental plate
propensities (n.): inclinations or tendencies
reconnaissance (n.): examination
rectitude (n.): uprightness of character
relic (n): something of historic interest that has survived from the past. In this case, Scout is referring to a gun that would have been used in the Civil War.
skulked (vb.): to move or slink about in a sinister manner. The children are skulking in the kitchen because they are fearful of Atticus's reaction when he returns home.
syringe (n.): a device with a rubber bulb on one end and a narrow tube on the other: used to inject or extract fluids from body cavities. See a picture of a syringe.
tirade (n.): a long angry speech
tranquil (adj.): calm
umbrage (n.): offense
undulate (vb.): to move in waves or in a wavy manner
viscous (adj.): sticky



Chapter 12 - Vocabulary

alien (adj.): not natural; strange
appalling (adj.): shocking; horrifying
asafoetida (n.): a strong-smelling (like garlic) substance made from a parsley-like plant; often used in folk medicine to repel illness
austere (adj.): stern and severe
boded (vb.): continued
church (vb.): To church someone is ban that person (usually temporarily) from church for any variety of misdeeds.
clad (vb.): dressed
contemptuously (adv.): To behave or speak contemptuously toward someone is to treat that person as if he or she is unworthy or beneath one's dignity.
contentious (adj.) always ready to argue
denunciation (n.): To denounce is to strongly disapprove of or condemn something. The denunciation of sin in the reverend's sermon indicates his strong disapproval of sin.
diligently (adv.): industriously; in a hard-working manner
dispelled (vb.): driven away
ecclesiastical impedimenta (adj. + n.) items used during a church service
frivolous (adj.): silly; not serious
garish (adj.) showy, very bright or gaudy
habiliments (n.): outfits; clothing
inconsistent (adj.): not in agreement; incompatible
indignantly (adv.): angrily
lilac talcum (adj. + n.): Lilacs are a very fragrant flower (See a picture of lilacs). Talcum, often called talcum powder, is a fine talc, or powder, used for the body or face. Lilac talcum is lilac-scented talcum powder.
rotogravure print (n.): Rotogravure is a process of printing pictures; often photographs of pictures. Since rotogravure prints often appeared in newspapers, it is possible that the print in the church had been taken from a newspaper.
snuff (n.): a preparation of powdered tobacco, usually sniffed through the nose
tapeworm (n.): a parasite that can live in a person's intestines. Find out more about tapeworms and see some pictures of tapeworms.
voile (adj.): a thin, cotton-like fabric


Chapter 13 - Vocabulary

caste system (adj. + n.): class distinctions based on birth, wealth, etc.
curtness (n.): To be curt is to be brief and short to the point of being rude.
devoid (adj.): completely without
flighty (adj.): foolish; irresponsible
incestuous (adj.): Incest is sexual intercourse between persons too closely related to marry legally. Atticus's comment as to the possibility that the Finches might have an Incestuous streak refers to the fact that so many Finches have married their cousins.
irritable (adj.): easily annoyed
mandrake roots (n.): The roots of the mandrake plant were often thought to have magical powers because it was thought that their shape resembled the human body. The mandrake root appears in many poems, including this "Song" by John Donne.
myopic (adj): Myopia is an abnormal eye condition, often called nearsightedness. Someone who is myopic cannot see objects clearly.
obliquely (adv.): indirectly
prerogative (n.) exclusive right or privilege
shinny (n.) a slang term for liquor; usually whiskey or bourbon. Bourbon is a main ingredient in the recipe for a Lane cake.
sluggish (adj.): lacking energy; lazy
soberly (adv.): seriously
spun (v.): To spin a tale is to tell a story in a creative, fanciful way.
tactful (adj.): To be tactful is to be able to say the right thing to a person without being offensive. Scout realizes that her question about her aunt and uncle was not tactful and may have been offensive or, at least, embarrassing.
tight (adj.): drunk


Chapter 14 - Vocabulary

antagonize (vb.): oppose; make angry
bushel (n.): a unit of dry measure equal to 32 quarts
erosion (n.): a gradual wearing away.
infallible (adj.): never wrong
manacles (n.): handcuffs
neat (adj.): unmixed with anything, such as water or soda; straight
taut (adj.): tightly stretched


Chapter 15 - Vocabulary

acquiescence (n.): agreement without protest
affliction (n.): in this case, a condition
aggregation (n.): group; gathering
begrudge (vb.): To begrudge someone something is to feel resentment or disapproval about the fact that they have something. Atticus says that he doesn't think anyone in the town would resent the fact that he has a client.
ecclesiastical (adj.): church-like
façade (n.): the front of a building; the part facing the street (pronounced: "fah - sawed")
futility (n.): feeling of being ineffective; uselessness, hopelessness
impassive (adj.): showing no emotion
linotype (n.): a typesetting machine used in publishing. Find out more about Linotype machines.
ominous (adj.): threatening; sinister
shinnied up (adj.): drunk
stifle (vb.): hold back; suppress
succinct (adj.): clear and brief
uncouth (adj.): crude, unmannerly
venerable (adj.): impressive on account of age or historic associations
venue (n.): the place where a jury is selected and a case is tried


Chapter 16 - Vocabulary

affirmed (vb.): firmly declared or stated
akimbo (adj.): hands on hips and elbows bent outward. See a picture of a man with his arms akimbo.
circuit solicitor (n.): a lawyer who travels to different locations to prosecute in trials
dispel (vb.): drive away
eccentricities (n.): oddities; unconventionalities
elucidate (vb.): explain
fey (adj.): strange; eccentric
formidable (adj.): impressive
inhabitants (n.): residents
khaki (adj.): a strong, twilled cloth of a dull yellowish-brown color
Mennonites (n.): members of an Anabaptist Christian sect. Mennonites favor plain dress and plain living. Find out more about the Mennonite Church.
profane (adj.): not connected with religion or religious matters
ruddy (adj.): reddish
Scripture (n.): The Bible
subpoena (n.): a written legal order directing a person to appear in court to give testimony
subtle (adj.): not openly obvious; quiet
sundry (adj.): various