To Kill a Mockingbird: Vocabulary with Definitions
To Kill a Mockingbird: Vocabulary with Definitions
Chapters 1-3
1. Apothecary (n) (also from Romeo and J) —one who prepares and sells medicines
2. assuaged (v)—made less severe or burdensome
3. indigenous (adj)—occurring or living naturally in an area
4. malevolent (adj)—having or exhibiting hatred
5. mortification (n)—a feeling of shame or humiliation
6. piety (n)—religious devotion and reverence to God
7. sojourn (n)—a brief, temporary stay
8. unsullied (adj)—spotlessly clean and fresh
9. vexations (n)—irritations or annoyances
10. wallowing (v)—heavily indulging in; rolling in
Chapters 4-7
1. aloof (adj)—distant; unfeeling
2. benevolence (n)—inclination to perform charitable acts
3. benign (adj)—compassionate; incapable of causing harm
4. bewilderment (n)—condition of being confused
5. accosted (v)—criticized in a harsh manner
6. ensuing (v)—following immediately afterward
7. morbid (adj)—gruesome, gloomy, or dark
8. obliged (v)—under force of necessity; obligated
9. feeble (adj) —physically weak from age or sickness; frail
10. unfathomable (adj)—difficult or impossible to understand
Chapters 8-11
1. analogous(adj)—possessing connections, similarities
They saw the relationship between the ruler and his subjects as ______to
that of a father and his children.
2. antagonized(v)—created an enemy or an antagonist
Boo Radley ______the children from inside his home, not for what he
did, but because of the mystery he embodied.
3. articulate(v)—to speak clearly and in distinct syllables
Atticus must ______in the courthouse so all witnesses can comprehend him.
4. contemporaries(n)—those who exist/live at the same time
Rosa Parks was a ______of Martin Luther King, Jr.
5. evasion(n)—an act of escaping or avoiding
Scout’s ______of questions often leads Atticus to suspect she is up to no
good.
6. inconspicuous(adj)—not noticeable or prominent
The children tried to be ______when attempting to peek in Boo
Radley’s window, but the noise they made gave them away.
7. ingenious(adj)—characterized by cleverness or originality
Dill’s ______invention of the strip poker game allowed enough time for
Jem to continue the excuse for his missing pants.
8. nauseating(v)—causing nausea or upset stomach
Scout might believe Boo Radley’s appearance to be ______.
9. mausoleum(n)—a magnificent, decorated tomb
When my grandmother passed away, we laid her cremated remains in a ____.
10. provocation(n)—causing aggravation or annoyance
In a debate, ______often stems from one side disagreeing with the other in
regard to a specific issue..
VOCAB: PART TWO
Chapters 12-16
1. acquired(v)—obtained possession of something
Scout and Jem ______several gifts from the Radley oak tree.
2. altercation(n)—an angry dispute; quarrel
Scout and Walter got into an ______when Scout believed he embarrassed her in
front of the entire class.
3. formidable(adj)—hard to overcome or deal with
Boo Radley is a ______beast of a man in this novel.
4. inconsistent(adj)—not consistent; not in agreement
Atticus is rarely ______with how he treats and disciplines his children.
5. permanence(n)—being permanent; lasting
Heat’s ______seems to be a trend in Southern California weather throughout the year.
6. prerogative(n) —a right or privilege
Owning an automobile was a ______of the wealthy.
7. perish(v)—to be destroyed; die
In the winter, trees and flowers often ______.
8. placid(adj)—pleasantly calm or peaceful; quiet
The morning was ______; few birds chirped and the air was crisp and still.
9. corroborating(v)—making more certain; double-checking; conspiring
The witness was ______the boy’s account of the attack.
10. countenance(n)—appearance; face
Atticus’ serene ______made him an excellent lawyer.
Chapters 17-21
1. expunge(v)—strike out; erase
Firefighters generally try to ______the flames to a fire.
2. predicament(n)—an unpleasant situation
Jem was in quite a ______when trying to free his pants from Radley’s fence.
3. proceedings(n)—a particular course of action
The court ______will resume after lunch.
4. wrathfully(adj)—with great anger, hatred, or ill-will
Bob Ewell ______slammed his hand against the desk.
5. acquit(v)—declare someone innocent
The judge ______the man when the jury decided he was not guilty.
6. contraband(n)—goods that are illegally imported or exported
The students passed the halloween candy beneath the desks as if it was ______; the
teacher didn’t allow food in the classroom.
7. corrupting(v)—causing to be immoral or dishonest
Her ______viewpoints on the recent election made him question his own morals.
8. detachment(n)—lack of interest or involvement
Jem looked at his sister with a sense of ______; he didn’t really want to play the game.
9. discreet(adj)—careful; good at keeping secrets
Some people can be very ______when it comes to secrets; others let their mouths open to
spread rumors like wildfire.
10. vengeance(n)—punishment in return for a wrong
Scout sought ______after she and her family were insulted by her cousin.
Chapters 22-26
1. aggravate (v)—to annoy or anger someone
2. appeal (n)—an earnest or urgent request
3. cynical (adj)—distrustful of human nature
4. diction (n)—clarity when speaking; choice of words
5. heathen (n)—someone who deliberately insults religion, God, or a way of life
6. resentments (n)—feelings of ill-will toward someone
7. vehement (adj)—with conviction or force
Her voice was low but ______when she told the child to give her the toy.
8. apprehension (n)—hesitation
9. devout (adj)—devoted to divine worship or service
10. hypocrite (n)—someone who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs,etc. that he or she does not possess
Chapters 29-31
1. acquiescence (n)—agreement or consent by silence
In silent ______, she rose to her feet to leave the room.
2. connived (v)—cooperated in secret; conspired
3. contradict (v)—to assert the contrary or opposite of
4. craw (n)—the stomach of an animal
5. eluded (v)—avoided or escaped by cleverness or speed
6. garishly (adj)—with excessive ornateness or brightness
7. recluse (n)—a person shut off or apart from the world; someone living in seclusion
8. reprimand (n)—a severe reproof or rebuke
9. sedative (n)—tending to calm or soothe; a calming drug or agent
10. turmoil (n)—a state of great commotion or unrest