Animal Farm Vocabulary

Benevolent

marked by kindness or generosity : disposed to doing good

Bon mot

a clever remark

Canvassing

going to in order to solicit orders or political support or to determine opinions or sentiments

Categorically

without qualification or reservation : absolutely

Censure

to find fault with and criticize as blameworthy

Comrades

an intimate friend or associate : companion

Complicity

association or participation in or as if in a wrongful act

Conciliatory

intended to gain goodwill or favor or to reduce hostility

Countenance

look, expression

Counteract

to make ineffective or restrain or neutralize the usually ill effects of by means of an opposite force, action, or influence

Cynical

having a sneering disbelief in sincerity or integrity

Deputation

the act of appointing a group of people to represent others

Disinter

to take out of a grave or tomb; to bring back into awareness, prominence, or light

Ecstasy

a state of overwhelming emotion, especially very great joy

Ensconced

to establish or place comfortably or snugly

Flanked

to be situated at the side of

Flourished

to grow luxuriantly : thrive

Fortnight

a period of 14 days : two weeks

Ignominious

humiliating or degrading; characterized by disgrace or shame

Impromptu

made, done, or formed on or as if on the spur of the moment : improvised

Incumbent

imposed as a duty : obligatory

Indefatigable

capable of working a long time without tiring : tireless

Indignation

anger aroused by something unjust, unworthy, or mean

Innovations

a new idea, method, or device

Intermediary

a go-between or mediator

Lamentation

an expression of sorrow, mourning, or regret

Machinations

a scheming or crafty action or artful design intended to accomplish some usually evil end

Maxim

a general truth, fundamental principle, or rule of conduct

Morose

having a sullen and gloomy disposition

Obstinate

stubbornly holding to an opinion, purpose, or course in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion

Oration

an elaborate discourse delivered in a formal and dignified manner

Parasitical

of, relating to, or characteristic of a parasite (an organism living in or on another and taking resources from it)

Pervading

spreading through every part of

Posthumously

after the death of the person in question

Preliminary

something that precedes or is introductory or preparatory

Pretext

a purpose or motive alleged or an appearance assumed in order to cloak the real intention or state of affairs

Procured

to get possession of : obtain by particular care and effort

Proprietors

one who has the legal right or exclusive title to something : owner

Repose

a state of resting after exertion or strain

Retribution

punishment inflicted on someone as vengeance for a wrong or criminal act

Scored

to gain, achieve, or record (such as points or a victory)

Skulking

moving in a stealthy or furtive manner

Sordid

marked by baseness or grossness : vile, wretched

Stratagem

a trick or scheme for deceiving an enemy

Taciturn

temperamentally disinclined to talk

Treachery

violation of allegiance or of faith and confidence : treason

Tyranny

oppressive power; especially oppressive power exerted by government

Vices

a moral fault or failing

Vivacious

lively in temper, conduct, or spirit : sprightly

Watchword

a word or phrase used as a sign of recognition; a guiding principle