Of Mice and Men Vocab 2

contorted

• adj

• twisted or bent out of a normal shape

• he was contorted while doing yoga or playing Twister

hoosegow

• noun

• prison or jail

• the bank robber spent ten years in the hoosegow

vial

• noun

• a small glass container

• the magic potion was kept in a vial

fawning

• adj

• displaying exaggerated affection or flattery

• the servant was very fawning toward the king

archly

• adv

• in a teasing way; playfully

• he archly said “that’s quite a hairstyle you are sporting” when he noticed how messy her hair was.

imperious

• adj

• assuming power of authority without justification; in a lordly or arrogant manner

• the kind was imperious toward his subjects

complacent

• Adj

• showing smug or uncritical satification with oneself; self satisfied

• the student became very complacent when he decided that the grade of 77 was fine, and he didn’t think he needed to study at all.

wry

• adj

• using or expressing dry, especially mocking humor

• With a grin he said to his son “time fo rme to get a new son.”

ominous

• adj

• having the impression something bad or unpleasent with hapeen; threatening

• there were ominous black clouds in the sky

avert

• verb

• to avoid and turn away; to prevent or ward off

• she averted her eyes during the bloody scenes in the movie

writhe

• verb

• to twist or squirm in pain

• my dad, who is a bit dramatic, writhed on the floor after stubbing his toe

juncture

• noun

• a place where things join together

• Handy’s is at the juncture of Maine Street and West Elm

derision

• noun

• Ridicule or mocking; scorn

• he treated her with derision when she didn’t know what 2+2 was

muse

• verb

• to think deeply about; to be absorbed in thought

• she mused about the meaning of life

monotonous

• adj

• dull and repetitive; lacking variety

• many audience members left early because the documentary was too monotonous to keep their attention