"The Outsiders" Vocabulary
plantation
Large estate farmed by many workers
vast
VERY LARGE
detriment
a damage or loss
grimace
a facial expression of fear, disapproval, or pain
ember
a hot glowing or smouldering fragment of wood or coal left from a fire
racket
a loud and disturbing noise
savage
a member of an uncivilized people
billfold
a pocket-size case for holding papers and paper money
drawl
a slow speech pattern with prolonged vowels
hymn
a song of praise (to God or to a saint or to a nation)
stammer
a speech disorder involving hesitations and involuntary repetitions of certain sounds
agony
a state of acute pain
triumph
a successful ending of a struggle or contest
appealing
able to attract interest or draw favorable attention
resigned
accepting one's fate; unresisting; patiently submissive
genuine
actually being what it is claimed or seems to be; true; real; authentic
squaw
an American Indian woman
sermon
an address of a religious nature (usually delivered during a church service)
banter
be silly or tease one another
infer
conclude by reasoning
reformatory
correctional institution for the detention and discipline and training of young or first offenders
acquitted
declared not guilty of a specific offense or crime
underpriveleged
deprived of a decent standard of living ; indigent
cunning
drafty artfulness (especially in deception)
amplifier
electronic equipment that increases strength of signals passing through it
vacant
empty; unoccupied; tenantless; not being used
elude
escape, either physically or mentally
bewildering
extremely confusing
spite
feeling a need to see others suffer
indignant
filled with resentment or anger over something unjust, unworthy, or mean
premonition
forewarning or foreboding of a future event
interfere
get involved, so as to alter or hinder an action, or through force or threat of force
vital
having life, living; necessary to life, essential; key, crucial
clench
hold in a tight grasp
unfathomable
impossible to come to understand
sullenly
in a gloomy, silent, surly way
apprehensive
in fear or dread of possible evil or harm
scarce
in short supply
concussion
injury to the brain resulting from an impact with an object
liable
legally obligated; likely (w/ reference to an unfavorable outcome)
distinguish
mark as different
enterprising
marked by imagination, initiative, and readiness to undertake new projects
ornery
mean-spirited and contrary in attitude
unceasingly
not ceasing or stopping; continuous
bleakly
not cheerful, gloomy, dreary
vague
not clearly understood or expressed
incredulous
not disposed or willing to believe
mere
nothing more than; only
hermit
one who lives in solitude
prying
opening with a crowbar or other tool
congested
overcrowded, filled or occupied to excess
gallantly
politely; in the manner of a gentleman
bountiful
producing in abundance
ruefully
regretfully; sorrowfully
antics
ridiculous and unpredictable behavior or actions
radiate
send out real or metaphoric rays
smoldering
showing scarcely suppressed anger, burning
winced
shrunk back (as from pain); flinched
menace
something that is a source of danger
doggedly
stubbornly determined
escort
the act of accompanying someone or something in order to protect them
falter
the act of pausing uncertainly
quivering
the act of vibrating
siege
the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack
taut
tightly stretched
resemblence
to be like or similar to
imploringly
to beg urgently
mock
to laugh at, make fun of, or imitate in a teasing way
idolize
to worship as an idol, make an idol of; to love very much
divert
turn aside
durable
very long lasting
savvy
well-informed; sharp; experienced
hysterics
wild laughter or an expression of extreme fear, excitement or anger that makes somebody lose control of their emotions and cry, laugh, etc.
gingerly
with extreme care or delicacy
nonchalantly
without interest or concern; indifferently
contemptuously
without respect; in a disdainful manner
evaluate
Examine and judge carefully.
avowed
(adj., part.) declared openly and without shame, acknowledged
roguishly
(adv.) Dishonest; mischevious.
veer
(v.) to change direction or course suddenly, turn aside, shift, swerve