To Kill a Mockingbird: Vocabulary with Definitions

Comprehensive chapter-by-chapter vocabulary terms and definitions for To Kill a Mockingbird.

apothecary

one who prepares and sells medicines

assuaged

made less severe or burdensome

indigenous

occurring or living naturally in an area

malevolent

having or exhibiting hatred

mortification

a feeling of shame or humiliation

piety

religious devotion and reverence to God

sojourn

a brief, temporary stay

unsullied

spotlessly clean and fresh

vexations

irritations or annoyances

wallowing

heavily indulging in; rolling in

abominable

detestable; unpleasant

amiable

pleasant; good-natured

auspicious

presenting favorable circumstances

contentious

tending to fight; quarrelsome

dispensation

a special allowance; privilege

expansively

with a willingness to talk, share

fractious

inclined to make trouble; unruly

persevere

to persist in a purpose, idea, or task

tranquility

state of calm, peacefulness, serenity

tyranny

a government in which a single person assumes absolute control

aloof

distant; unfeeling

benevolence

inclination to perform charitable acts

benign

compassionate; incapable of causing harm

bewilderment

condition of being confused

cherub

a winged, chubby angel

ensuing

following immediately afterward

morbid

gruesome, gloomy, or dark

obliged

under force of necessity; obligated

prowess

superior skill or ability

tacit

unspoken; understood without being expressed

aberrations

deviations from the proper course

accosted

approached angrily; assaulted

ascertaining

discovering with certainty

cleaved

adhered to closely; clung to

embalming

preserving to prevent decay

feeble

physically weak from age or sickness; frail

meditative

given to contemplation or deep thought

unfathomable

difficult or impossible to understand

vigil

Staying awake in reverence of someone, usually after one’s death

whittle

to carve or shape

analogous

possessing connections, similarities

antagonized

created an enemy

articulate

to speak clearly in distinct syllables

contemporaries

those who exist/live at the same time

evasion

an act of escaping or avoiding

inconspicuous

not noticeable or prominent

ingenious

characterized by cleverness

nauseating

causing nausea or upset stomach

mausoleum

a magnificent, decorated tomb

provocation

causing aggravation or annoyance

acquired

obtained possession of something

altercation

an angry dispute; quarrel

compensation

something given to make up for something else

contemptuously

showing contempt; scornfully

ecclesiastical

having to do with the church

formidable

hard to overcome or deal with

inconsistent

not consistent; not in agreement

permanence

being permanent; lasting

prerogative

a right or privilege

qualms

disturbing feelings of uneasiness

edification

intellectual or moral improvement

inaudible

not audible; cannot be heard

indulged

gave in to one’s pleasures

obscure

hard to understand

peculiarities

strange or unusual qualities

penitentiary

a prison for criminals

perish

to be destroyed; die

placid

pleasantly calm or peaceful; quiet

quarrel

an angry dispute or disagreement

resignation

the act of resigning, withdrawing

acrimonious

bitter or stinging in nature or speech

corroborating

making more certain; double- checking; conspiring

countenance

appearance; face

frank

direct and unreserved in speech

grudge

a feeling of resentment or ill-will

gullet

the esophagus; throat

lurched

staggered; stumbled

profane

hold contempt for, usually towards God or sacred principles

scrutiny

a thorough searching; a close examination or inquiry

subpoena

a summons for witnesses or evidence before a court

acquainted

familiar; having personal knowledge of

brash

tactless; bold

browbeating

intimidating; bullying

expunge

strike out; erase

lavations

washings; the process of bathing

pilgrimage

a journey or long quest for knowledge or religious reasons

predicament

an unpleasant situation

proceedings

a particular course of action

volition

the act of making a conscious decision

wrathfully

with great anger, hatred, or ill-will

acquit

declare someone innocent

contraband

goods that are illegally imported or exported

corrupting

causing to be immoral or dishonest

detachment

lack of interest or involvement

discreet

careful; good at keeping secrets

indicted

formally charged with a crime

perpetuated

made something last, go on

temerity

reckless, offensive boldness

vengeance

punishment in return for a wrong

verdict

a decision made by a jury