Vocab Words
Repertoire
A prepared group of plays or pieces that the performer knows well.
“But by the end of August our repertoire was vapid from countless reproductions, and it was then that Dill gave us the idea of making Boo Radley come out” (8).
Aloof
Not friendly; cool and distant.
“But I kept aloof from their more foolhardy schemes for a while, and on pain of being called a girl, I spent most of the remaining twilights that summer sitting with Miss Maudie Atkinson on her front porch” (42).
Lineaments
A distinctive feature
“A flip of the coin revealed uncompromising lineaments of Aunt Alexandra and Francis” (79).
Alt
high for altitude.
circular for cyclone
Malevolent
Having or showing a wish to do evil to others.
“Inside the house lived a malevolent phantom” (9).
Inquisitive
Being curious and talkative
“If he wanted to stay inside his own house he had the right to stay inside free from the attentions of inquisitive children, which was a mild term for the likes of us” (50).
Incestuous
Intimate relationship between two blood related family members
“Would you say the Finches have an Incestuous Streak?” (131).
Anti
old for antique.
Deca
ten for decade
Stealthy
Behaving in a cautious manner, so as not to be seen or heard.
“Any stealthy small crimes committed in Maycomb were his work” (9).
Magisterial
Showing great authority
“She was a widow, a chameleon lady who worked in her flower beds in an old straw hat and men’s coveralls, but after her five o’ clock bath she would appear on the porch and reign over the street in magisterial beauty” (43).
Prerogative
A privilege for a particular class
“She was never bored and given the slightest chance she would exercise her royal prerogative: she would arrange, advise, caution, and warn” (130).
Bio
life for biology
Dent
tooth for denture
Predilection
Preference or special liking for someone or something.
“The Radleys, welcome anywhere in town, kept to themselves, a predilection unforgivable in Maycomb” (9).
Inordinately
To an unusually large degree
“He wore a General Hood type beard of which he was inordinately vain” (78).
Acquit
Free someone from a criminal charge by a verdict of not guilty.
“‘You think you’ll acquit him that fast?’ asked Jem” (236).
Carn
flesh for carnivorous
Dorm
sleep for dormant.
Benevolence
Quality of being nice or kind
“Miss Maudie's benevolence extended to Jem and Dill, whenever they paused in their pursuits: we reaped the benefits of a talent Miss Maudie had hitherto kept hidden from us” (43).
Uncompromising
Harsh or relentless
“A flip of the coin revealed uncompromising lineaments of Aunt Alexandra and Francis” (79).
Subdued
Quiet or rather reflective or depressed.
“Francis looked at me carefully, concluded that I had been sufficiently subdued” (96).
color for chromosphere
Fract
break for fracture