Lord of the Flies - Chapter 1

to contour

outline of a figure

scar

a gash in the jungle (caused by the cabin of the airplane)

to clamber

to climb up

creeper

a plant that grows along the ground

offhand

not showing much interest

grubby

dirty

tummy

stomach

jetty

pier

efflorescence

a state or time of flowering

breaker

a large wave with white bubbles

to swathe

to wrap (cover)

effulgent

shining brightly

abubble

full of excitement

decorous

polite in a particular social situation

fulcrum

the point on which a lever turns or is supported

to purse

to form your lips into a small round shape

diaphragm

zwerchfell

fluking

changing by chance

strident

harsh and loud

stupendous

very large or impressive

to gorge

to eat much until you are too full to eat any more

incredulous

unbelieving, skeptical

fumble

to move clumsily

hambone frill

a collar frill, resembling that put on baked ham

to heave

to drag

matins

morning prayer

precentor

a person who leads a congregation in its singing or prayers

Gib., Addis.

short form for Gibraltar and Addis Ababa

shop

conversation about one's work or business

pallid

pale

chorister

a singer in a choir

head boy

title for person who has made the best all-round contribution to student life

mortification

shame, humiliation

suffuse

to spread all over or through something

pallor

paleness

shuffle

a short sliding step or movement, or a walk characterized by such steps

to strew

to scatter or cover

scramble

to move or climb hurriedly, especially on the hands and knees

askew

slanting, crooked

pliant

flexible

immured

walled, enclosed, confined

wacco

excellent (British slang)

wizard

(Brit slang) excellent

smashing

outstandingly good

defile

a narrow way through mountains

canopy

a rooflike covering, the highest level of branches in a forest

to peter out

to gradually become smaller

gash

a long deep cut in the surface

to flail

to move vigorously

plonk

to put something down noisily

hiatus

a pause in activity