List #6 Vocabulary: Of Mice and MenDefinitions & Stems

  1. “George sat up. ‘Awright,’ he said brusquely. ‘Gi’me that mouse!’ But Lennie made an elaborate pantomime of innocence. ‘What mouse, George? I ain’t got no mouse’” (Steinbeck 8).

pan: all Definition: Communicating by gestures without speech

  1. “George’s hand remained outstretched imperiously. Slowly, like a terrier who doesn’t want to bring a ball back to its master, Lennie approached, drew back, approached again. George snapped his finger sharply, and at the sound Lennie laid the mouse in his hand” (Steinbeck 9).

im- notper- throughous- full of

Definition: Domineering, overbearing, authoritative

  1. “‘Damn right he don’t,’ said George, slightly mollified, ‘not if he wants to stay workin’ long’” (Steinbeck 24). (second stem = fy)

moll- softfy- make Definition: Calm, soothe, appease

  1. “He glanced coldly at George and then at Lennie. His arms gradually bent at the elbows and his hands closed into fists. He stiffened and went into a slight crouch. His glance was at once calculating and pugnacious. Lennie squirmed under the look and shifted his feet nervously” (Steinbeck 25).

ous- full ofDefinition: Aggressive, confrontational

  1. “She was breathless with indignation” (Steinbeck 78).

in- in, nottion- act or state dign - worth

Definition: strong displeasure at something considered unjust, offensive, insulting

  1. “Lennie’s face wrinkled with apprehension (hend). ‘I don’ know. Say, what you doin anyways?’ he cried” (Steinbeck 79).

hend- grasp

Definition: anticipation of adversity or misfortune; suspicion or fearof future trouble or evil

  1. “She consoled him. ‘Don’t you worry none’” (Steinbeck 95).

con- together sol- alone, sun

Definition: to alleviate or lessen the grief, sorrow, or disappointment of; give solace or comfort

  1. “And because she had confided in him, she moved closer to Lennie and sat beside him” (Steinbeck 97).

con- togetherfid- faith

Definition: to impart secrets trustfully; discuss private matters or problems

  1. “’Some people got kind of course hair,’ she said complacently. ‘Take Curley, his hair is just like wire. But mine is soft and fine’” (Steinbeck 99).

com- together

Definition: pleased, especially with oneself or one's merits, advantages, situation

  1. “Lennie was in a panic. His face was contorted” (Steinbeck 99).

con- together tort- twist Definition: to twist, bend, or draw out of shape