Vocabulary

Freshmen English I – To Kill A Mockingbird – 100 Great Vocabulary Words

Word                                                   Definition – Synonyms

1. aberration  (noun)                           abnormality, deviation, departure from the “norm”

2. amble (verb)                                     to walk slowly or casually; to stroll or saunter

3 apothecary (noun)                            pharmacist; person who dispenses medicines

4. assuage (verb)                                  to relieve pain or discomfort; alleviate

5. attire (noun)                                      articles of clothing, apparel, habiliments

6. brethren (noun)                                brothers, siblings, members of a close-knit community

7. chattels (noun)                                 moveable personal property

8. dictum (noun)                                   wise saying

9. domicile (noun)                                home or dwelling place; place of residence

10. eaves (noun)                                   roof edges

11. erratic (adj)                                      following no fixed course; haphazard, directionless

12. expound (verb)                               to explain or elaborate

13. foray (noun)                                    excursion into unknown or enemy territory – usually to spy or plunder

14. fractious (adj)                                 mean, cross, surly, ill-tempered, moody, irascible

15. fraught (adj)                                   full, full of; laden, brimming

 16. gape (verb)                                     to stare at with mouth wide open

17. gastric (adj)                                    pertaining to the stomach

18. impotent (adj)                                weak, helpless, powerless, ineffective

19. imprudent (adj)                             showing bad judgment

20. impudent (adj)                              brazenly rude and disrespectful

21. indigenous (adj)                            native to a particular location

22. invective (noun)                            verbally abusive speech  (full of disparaging remarks)

23. legislature (noun)                         law-making branch of government

24. malevolent (adj)                            intending harm or evil; having bad motives

25. malignant (adj)                              causing harm or evil

26. mortify (verb)                                to shame, humiliate or embarrass

27. nocturnal (adj)                               happening at night or pertaining to the nighttime

28. piety (noun)                                   outward religious devotion

29. predilection (noun)                      preference for or tendency toward something

30. prowess (noun)                             superior skill or ability

31. quell (verb)                                     to quiet, pacify or subdue

32. repertoire (noun)                           a collection of something – usually musical pieces or artistic works

33. smilax (noun)                                 vine used for decoration

34. sojourn (noun)                               a brief journey

35. strictures (noun)                            strict rules or restrictions

36. tyrannical (adj)                               abusing one’s power; acting in a dictatorial, arrogant, supercilious manner

37. unsullied (adj)                                clean, pure, unsoiled

38. vapid (adj)                                       empty, shallow, devoid of content

39. veranda (noun)                               terrace, porch – roofed open gallery or portico attached to the exterior of a building

40. vexation (noun)                              state of annoyance or irritation

41. wallow (verb)                                  to indulge in to excess

42. wane (verb)                                      to fade or grow weaker

43. flivver (noun)                                  old, junky car

44. scuppernong (noun)                      green table grapes

45. aggregation (noun )                        a large group, crowd or collection  of similar elements

46. bewilderment  (noun)                   state of confusion  or disorientation

47. caricature     (noun)                        an exaggerated image or effigy that makes fun of someone

48. façade             (noun)                      the face or front of something – usually of a building

49. iota               (noun)                          a very small amount; a speck, a jot, a miniscule portion;

50. lavations      (noun)                            rituals of washing or bathing

51. lineaments   (noun                         physical features or characteristics;  external attributes

52. manacles       (noun)                       shackles, handcuffs, restraints (usually metal)

53. prerogatives  (noun)                      special rights and privileges; perks, advantages

54. rectitude      (noun)                         proper moral conduct or a sense of right and wrong ; conscience

55. rudiments   (noun)                         the basic elements  or fundamentals

56. temerity   (noun)                            foolish, rash bravery or brazen conduct, high-risk behavior

57. torso      (noun)                               the “trunk” of the body – without legs, arms or head

58. venue    (noun)                               location where something is held – typically a court case  or other public event

59. acquiesce   (verb)                           to give into or go along with

60. edify     (verb)                                 to teach or enlighten

61. evade    (verb)                                 to avoid or seek to move away from

62. heave    (verb)                                 to  lift upward with great exertion

63.  impair   (verb)                               to weaken or damage

64. omit    (verb)                                   to leave out or exclude

65. stifle    (verb)                                  to hold back or suppress

66. tarry      (verb)                                 to delay or linger or take “one’s sweet time” about getting somewhere

67. undulate  (verb)                             to make wave-like motions

68. adjacent  (adj)                                 next to, adjoining, juxtaposed with

69. asinine     (adj)                                ridiculous or stupid to the point of absurdity

70. apoplectic  (adj)                              furious or enraged to the point of paralysis      

71. austere      (adj)                               harsh, severe, unadorned, no frills

72. benign      (adj)                               good, beneficial, salutary, producing good

73. cordial     (adj)                                friendly with good manners mixed in

74. diligent    (adj)                               hard-working, industrious, committed to a chore

75. ecclesiastical  (adj)                        pertaining to the church as an institution

76.  fey     (adj)                                      slightly odd, strange or mildly eccentric

77.  frivolous    (adj)                            silly, foolish, shallow, superficial, insipid

78. garish    (adj)                                  overly dressed or decorated,  excessively bright, glaring, showy

79. ingenuous   (adj)                            simple and innocent; guileless

80. myopic       (adj)                             short-sighted; having a narrow range of visio

81. passe’  (adj)                                      out of date; obsolete,  no longer trendy, so “last year”

82. unfathomable   (adj)                      impossible to figure out; unthinkable, inscrutable

83. venerable    (adj)                             old, well-established,  stately, dignified,  worthy of respect

84. viscous   (adj)                                  thick, sticky and wet; syrupy

85. akimbo  (adj)                                   hands on hips, elbows jutting outward

86. trousseau  (adj)                               a bride’s wardrobe

87.  cynic/cynical  (noun/adj)            suspicious or distrustful of other peolple and their motives; believing that other people are  basically selfish and greedy

88.  pauper (noun)                                a person without money or resources

89.  feral (adj)                                        wild, savage, bestial, out of control, untamed

90.  ruefully (adv)                                full of regrets and misgivings

91.  vehement (adj)                              forceful and energetic; zealous, passionate

92.  bovine  (adj)                                  cow-like or cattle-like

93.  brevity (noun)                              the noun form of “brief” – fleeting,  of short duration

94.  squalid / squalor (adj/noun)     filthy living conditions

95.  veneer (noun)                               the outer surface of something concealing what is underneath

96.  remorse (noun)                            feeling sorrow or guilt for having done something wrong

97.  reclusive /recluse (adj/noun)     someone who stays inside or keeps away from other people

98.  spurious (adv)                             not-genuine; inauthentic; seeming to be but not actually being

99.  notoriety (noun)                          fame, popularity, renown

100. nondescript (adj)                        having no special qualities or characteristics; average, mediocre; non “attention-grabbing”

                       


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Freshmen English I – To Kill a Mockingbird – Second Vocabulary List

Nouns              Definition                                                                                               

1. aggregation       a large group, crowd or collection of similar elements

2. bewilderment   state of confusion

3. caricature        an exaggerated image or effigy that makes fun of someone

4. façade              the front or front of something – usually of a building

5. iota                   a very small amount; a speck, a jot, a miniscule portion;

6. lavations         rituals of washing or bathing

7. lineaments      physical features or characteristics

8. manacles         shackles, handcuffs

9. prerogatives    special rights and privilege

10. rectitude         proper moral conduct or a sense of right and wrong

11. rudiments       the basic elements or skills

12. temerity          foolish, rash bravery or brazen conduct, high-risk behavior

13. torso                the “trunk” of the body – without legs, arms or head

14. venue             location where something is held – typically a court case or other public event

Verbs                     Definitions                                                                                                                            

15. acquiesce        to give into or go along with

16. edify                to teach or enlighten

17. evade              to avoid or seek to move away from

18. heave              to  lift upward with great exertion

19.  impair             to weaken or damage

20. omit                 to leave out or exclude

21. stifle                to hold back or suppress

22. tarry               to delay or linger or take “one’s sweet time” about getting somewhere

23. undulate         to make wave-like motions

Adjectives                    Definition                                                                                  

24. adjacent                  next to, adjoining, juxtaposed with

25. asinine                    ridiculous or stupid to the point of absurdity

26. apoplectic               furious or enraged to the point of paralysis      

27. austere                     harsh, severe, unadorned, no frills

28. benign                     good, beneficial, salutary, producing good

29. cordial                     friendly with good manners mixed in

30. diligent                   hard-working, industrious, committed to a chore

31. ecclesiastical         pertaining to the church as an institution

32.  fey                           slightly odd, strange or mildly eccentric

33.  frivolous                silly, foolish, shallow, superficial

34. garish                     overly dressed or decorated,  excessively bright, glaring, showy

35. ingenuous             simple and innocent; guileless

36. myopic                  short-sighted; having a narrow range of vision

37. passe’                    out of date; obsolete,  no longer trendy, so “last year”

38. unfathomable      impossible to figure out; unthinkable, inscrutable

39. venerable             old, well-established,  and worthy of respect

40. viscous                  thick, sticky and wet; syrupy

Bonus Words

41. akimbo                        hands on hip

42. trousseau                    a bride’s wardrobe


Freshmen English I – To Kill A Mockingbird – First Vocabulary List

Word                                              Definition – Synonyms                                                                       

1. aberration  (noun)                           abnormality, deviation, departure from the “norm”

2. amble (verb)                                     to walk slowly or casually; to stroll or saunter

3 apothecary (noun)                            pharmacist; person who dispenses medicines

4. assuage (verb)                                  to relieve pain or discomfort; alleviate

5. attire (noun)                                      articles of clothing, apparel, habiliments

6. brethren (noun)                                brothers, siblings, members of a close-knit community

7. chattels (noun)                                 moveable personal property

8. dictum (noun)                                   wise saying

9. domicile (noun)                                home or dwelling place; place of residence

10. eaves (noun)                                   roof edges

11. erratic (adj)                                      following no fixed course; haphazard, directionless

12. expound (verb)                               to explain or elaborate

13. foray (noun)                                   excursion into unknown or enemy territory – usually to spy or plunder

14. fractious (adj)                                mean, cross, surly, ill-tempered, moody, irascible

15. fraught (adj)                                  full, full of; laden, brimming

16. gape (verb)                                     to stare at with mouth wide open

17. gastric (adj)                                    pertaining to the stomach

18. impotent (adj)                                weak, helpless, powerless, ineffective

19. imprudent (adj)                             showing bad judgment

20. impudent (adj)                              brazenly rude and disrespectful

21. indigenous (adj)                           native to a particular location

22. invective (noun)                           verbally abusive speech  (full of disparaging remarks)

23. legislature (noun)                        law-making branch of government

24. malevolent (adj)                           intending harm or evil; having bad motives

25. malignant (adj)                             causing harm or evil

26. mortify (verb)                                to shame, humiliate or embarrass

27. nocturnal (adj)                              happening at night or pertaining to the nighttime

28. piety (noun)                                  outward religious devotion

29. predilection (noun)                    preference for or tendency toward something

30. prowess (noun)                           superior skill or ability

31. quell (verb)                                 to quiet, pacify or subdue

32. repertoire (noun)                       a collection of something – usually musical pieces or artistic works

33. smilax (noun)                            vine used for decoration

34. sojourn (noun)                          a brief journey

35. strictures (noun)                       rules and restrictions

36. tyrannical (adj)                         abusing one’s power; acting in a dictatorial, arrogant, supercilious manner

37. unsullied (adj)                           clean, pure, unsoiled

38. vapid (adj)                                 empty, shallow, devoid of content

39. veranda (noun)                         balcony

40. vexation (noun)                        annoyance or irritation

41. wallow (verb)                            to indulge in to excess

42. wane (verb)                                to fade or grow weaker

 

Bonus Words

flivver (noun)                                   old, junky car

scuppernong (noun)                      green table grapes

 

Short Story Vocabulary –List #2

1. leisure (noun) – time free from work or duties; time spent on rest and relaxation; “down time” 

2. reticent (adj) – non-talkative,  using only a few words at a time to communicate; taciturn, laconic

3. tatters/tattered (noun/adj) – ripped to shreds; torn, ragged, shredded, shorn

4. tentative/ly (adj/adv) – hesitant to make a full decision; not fully committed to; unconfirmed

5. sultry (adj) – hot and humid, muggy, sweltering, tropical

6. emphatic /ally (adj)/adv) –  said or done with emphasis; forceful, vehement,

7. petulant (adj) – fretful, moody, peevish, easily upset,  edgy, quarrelsome, querulous

8.  pinafore (noun) – a sleeveless dress or apron (an older article of clothing than is typically seen today).

9.  dissent/er (noun) – going against the majority opinion or someone who goes against the majority;

10. pestilence (noun) – a contagious disease, epidemic or plague; something that spreads rapidly

11.avatar (noun) – the visible sign or embodiment of an invisible or larger force

12. hale (adj) –  healthy, hearty, robust, vital, intact

13. courtiers (noun) – “hangers-on” at court; typically people who serve, advise or flatter the King and Queen and who thereby look for favors from people in power

14. brazen (adj) – rude, insolent, impudent, audacious, taking liberties with the rules of law and decorum

15. habiliments (noun) – articles of clothing, customary garments, parts of a uniform or costume

16. decorum (noun) – proper behavior in public or rules of behavior; propriety

17. revelers (noun) – party-goers, celebrants, merry-makers

18  prostrate (adj) – prone, sprawled out flat on the ground

19. impede (verb) – to hinder, obstruct or “get in the way of”

20. throng (noun) – a crowd, large group or aggregation of people

21. untenanted (adj) – uninhabited, empty, vacuous, unoccupied

22. frivolous (adj) – silly, foolish, fatuous, insipid, non-serious

23. zeal/ous (noun/adj) – extreme devotion to the point of fanaticism; passion for a person or cause

24. ethereal (adj) – delicate, refined, light and airy, angelic, other-worldly

25. cleave (verb) – to cling to, to adhere

26. vigilance (noun) – watchfulness, attentiveness, concern, solicitude

27. hindrances (noun) – obstacles, impediments, barriers, blockages

28. periphery (noun) – edge, boundary, border, perimeter or circumference

29. sagacity/sagacious (noun/adj) – wisdom, good judgment, prudence, common sense

30. disapprobation (noun) – disapproval, condemnation, censure

The Monkey’s Paw(List #1)

perils –  placidly –  amiably – bog  –  rubicund – visage – proffered  –  plagues  – grimace – talisman   – marred  –  prosaic – credulity –  furtively –  liability –  apathy  – bibulous  – stealth – fusillade  – reverberate  – avert – avarice/avaricious  – dubious   – malign/ed – apparel

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Beginning of Grief

leisure  –  periphery – sheen – tint  – reticent – maneuver – sanctimonious – reverence – tattered – splayed –  tentative/ly

“The Storyteller”

sultryemphatically – fatuous – rarity –  resolute – petulant – deplorable      unenterprising – punctuality – pinaforedissenting/dissenter  – assail

“The Masque of the Red Death”                                                                       

pestilence – avatar  – scarlet – dauntless –  sagacious  – hale – egress  – courtiers          countenance – brazen  –  habiliments – scrutiny – cessation  – ebony                       disapprobation – decorum  –  revelers –  mummer – unimpeded – prostrate                   cerements – dominion – giddy – sedate – impedethrong  –  untenanted

“The Bet”

a priori  – frivolous  – pampered – zealous – theology – emaciated – ethereal  – crimson – cleave/cleaving

“Harrison Bergeron” 

vigilance/vigilant – impedimentshindrances