Animal Farm
8th Grade - Vocabulary 4
- faction - a dissenting clique
The animals formed themselves into twofactionsunder the slogans, “Vote for Snowball and the three-day week” and “Vote for Napoleon and the full manger.”
- advocate - push for something
When the animals had assembled in the big barn, Snowball stood up and, though occasionally interrupted by bleating from the sheep, set forth his reasons foradvocatingthe building of the windmill.
- expulsion - the act of forcing out someone or something
In spite of the shock that Snowball’sexpulsionhad given them, the animals were dismayed by this announcement.
- cryptic - having a secret or hidden meaning
Only old Benjamin refused to grow enthusiastic about the windmill, though, as usual, he would utter nothing beyond thecrypticremark that donkeys live a long time.
- intermediary - a negotiator who acts as a link between parties
A Mr. Whymper, a solicitor living in Willingdon, had agreed to act asintermediarybetween Animal Farm and the outside world, and would visit the farm every Monday morning to receive his instructions.
- cog - tooth on the rim of gear wheel
Gradually the plans grew into a complicated mass of cranks andcog-wheels, covering more than half the floor, which the other animals found completely unintelligible but very impressive.
- aloof - remote in manner
Only Napoleon heldaloof. He had declared himself against the windmill from the start.
- reconciled - made compatible or consistent
Nevertheless, the sight of Napoleon, on all fours, delivering orders to Whymper, who stood on two legs, roused their pride and partlyreconciledthem to the new arrangement.
- decree - issue an authoritative order
He ordered the hens’ rations to be stopped, anddecreedthat any animal giving so much as a grain of corn to a hen should be punished by death.
- stupefied - as if struck dumb with astonishment and surprise
The animals werestupefied. This was a wickedness far outdoing Snowball’s destruction of the windmill.
- machination - a crafty and involved plot to achieve your ends
In the late summer yet another of Snowball’smachinationswas laid bare.
- lamentation - a cry of sorrow and grief
A cry oflamentationwent up. Straw was laid down outside the doors of the farmhouse, and the animals walked on tiptoe.
- skulk - lie in wait or behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
Snowball was known to be stillskulkingon Pinchfield Farm.
- conciliatory - intended to placate
In addition, four pigeons were sent to Foxwood with aconciliatorymessage, which it was hoped might re-establish good relations with Pilkington.
- superannuated - too old to be useful
Now that the small field beyond the orchard had been set aside for barley, it was rumoured that a corner of the large pasture was to be fenced off and turned into a grazing-ground forsuperannuatedanimals.