Wuthering Heights - Chap 1

an abode

A home or place where someone lives. Ex: The witch's abode was a tiny house in the deep forest.

an alm

Money or food given to help poor people. Ex: The kind villagers gave alms to the hungry traveler.

a brood

A group of young animals, usually birds, born at the same time. Ex: The mother hen watched over her brood carefully.

a cur

Mean or bad-tempered dog (an insult). Ex: The farmer yelled at the curs chasing his chickens.

a fir

A type of tall evergreen tree. Ex: They got lost among the tall firs in the forest.

a gaiter

Cloth or leather covering worn over the lower leg. Ex: The hikers wore gaiters to keep mud out of their boots.

a hearth

The floor or area in front of a fireplace. Ex: They sat by the hearth to keep warm.

a pewter

A gray metal used to make cups and dishes. Ex: The old pewter cup was passed down for generations.

a signet

A small seal used to stamp a symbol on wax as a signature. Ex: The king pressed his signet into the wax to seal the letter.

a swine

A pig (sometimes used as an insult). Ex: The farmer fed the swine every morning.

a tankard

Large drinking cup with handles. Ex: The knights clanged their tankards together in celebration.

a threshold

The entrance or doorway to a building. Ex: She stopped at the threshold before stepping inside.

to actuate

To cause something to start working or to make someone act. Ex: Curiosity actuated him to open the old chest.

to bestow

To give something as an honor or gift. Ex: The teacher bestowed a medal on the winning team.

to conjecture

To guess something without having all the facts. Ex: She conjectured that the noise came from the attic.

to parry off

To block or avoid an attack. Ex: The knight parried off the dragon's swipe.

to soliloquise

To speak thoughts out loud when alone. Ex: The actor soliloquised on stage during the play.

to utter

To speak or made a sound. Ex: He uttered a small cry when he stubbed his toe.

to wince

To make a face because of pain or something unpleasant. Ex: She was wincing as the doctor cleaned her cut.

amiss

not right; something feels wrong. Ex: She knew something was amiss when the house was too quiet.

gaudily

In a showy, overly bright way. Ex: The clown was dressed gaudily in bright rainbow colors.

hale

Healthy and strong. Ex: The hale old man walked five miles every day.

jutting

Sticking out. Ex: A rock was jutting from the cliff edge.

peevish

Easily annoyed or grumpy. Ex: The peevish child complained about everything.

ruffiantly

In a rough, violent, or bully-like way. Ex: The bandits behaved ruffiantly as they rode into town.

sinewy

Lean, strong, and tough. Ex: The sinewy athlete could climb the rope easily.

slant

At an angle. Ex: The roof had a slant shape so rain could run off.

slovenly

Messy or untidy. Ex: His room was so slovenly that clothes covered the floor.

stalwart

Strong, loyal, and dependable. Ex: The stalwart guard protected the castle day and night.

vexatious

Annoying or causing trouble. Ex: The flies were vexatious during the picnic.

nay

An old-fashioned word meaning "no." Ex: "Nay," said the knight, "I will not leave my post."

notwithstanding

In spite of; even though. Ex: They played soccer notwithstanding the cold weather.