To Kill a Mockingbird Vocabulary

Martin Test

Piety

quality of being religious or reverent

Auspicious

conductive to success, favorable

Dictum

a formal pronouncement from an authoritative source

Tacit

understood or implied without being stated

Unsullied

not spoiled or made impure

Inquisitive

curious or inquiring

Impudent

not showing care for the consequences of an action

Peculiar

strange or odd; unusual

Satisfactory

fulfilling expectations or needs; acceptable, though not outstanding or perfect

Asinine

extremely stupid or foolish

Solitary

done or existing alone

Bewilderment

a feeling of being perplexed or confused

Tyrannical

exercising power in a cruel or arbitrary way

Revelation

a surprising and previously unknown fact, especially one that is made known in a dramatic way

Reassured

say or do something to remove the doubts or fear of (someone)

Eccentric

(of a person or their behavior) unconventional or slightly strange

Grim

forbidden or uninviting

Vapid

offering nothing that is stimulating or challenging

Malevolent

having or showing a wish to do evil to others

Conceded

admit that something is true or valid after first denying or resisting it

Employed

(of a person) having a paid job

Perpetual

never ending or changing

Yielded

provide or produce (a natural, agricultural, or industrial product)

Tarnished

lose or cause to lose luster, especially as a result of exposure to air or moisture

Ascertaining

find (something) out for certain; make sure of

Concession

a thing that is granted, especially in response to demands; thing conceded

Foray

a sudden attack or incursion into enemy territory especially to obtain something

Unfathomable

incapable of being fully explored or understood

Condescend

show feeling of superiority, be patronizing

Aberrations

a departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically one that is unwelcome

Apprehensive

anxious or fearful that something bad or unpleasant will happen

Illicitly

in a way that is contrary to or forbidden by law, rules, or custom

Quelled

to put an end to (a rebellion or other disorder), typically by the use of force

Compelled

force or oblige (someone) to do something

Dreary

dull, bleak, and lifeless; depressing

Sojourn

a temporary stay

Erratic

not even or regular in pattern or movement; unpredictable

Contradict

deny the truth of (a statement) by asserting the opposite

Amicable

having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner

Analogous

comparable in certain respects, typically in a way which makes clearer the nature of the compared things

Modest

unassuming or moderate in the estimation of one's abilities or achievements

Fanatical

filled with excessive and single-minded zeal

Tactful

showing or having adroitness and sensitivity in dealing with others or with difficult issues

Obstreperous

noisy and difficult to control

Gallantly

in a brave or heroic manner

Dispelled

make (a doubt, feeling, belief) disappear

Acquainted

having personal knowledge or experience of something

Carnal

relating to physical, especially sexual, needs and activities

Pondered

think about (something) carefully, especially before making a decision or reaching a conclusion

Inconspicuous

not clearly visible or attracting attention

Mausoleum

a building, especially a large and stately one, housing a tomb or tombs

Edification

the instruction or improvement of a person, morally or intellectually

Vehemently

in a forceful, passionate, or intense manner; with great feeling

Invoke

cite or appeal (someone or something) as an authority for an action or in support of an argument

Apoplectic

overcome with anger; extremely indignant

Ominous

giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen; inauspicious

Philippic

a bitter attack or denunciation, especially a verbal one

Venerable

accorded a great deal of respect, especially from age, wisdom, or character

Succinct

(especially of Something written of spoken) briefly and clearly expressed

Acquiescence

the acceptance of something without protest

Overture

a tentative proposal, offer, of friendly attempt to initiate contact or elicit a reaction

Accustomed

customary, usual

Rectitude

morally correct behavior or thinking

Tirade

a long, angry speech of criticism or accusation

Propensities

an inclination or natural tendency to behave in a particular way

Cantankerous

bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative

Garish

obtrusively bright and showy; lurid

Aggregation

the formation of a number of things into a cluster

Uncouth

(of a person or their appearance or behavior) lacking good manners, refinement or grace

Qualms

an uneasy feeling of doubt, worry, or fear, especially about one's own conduct

Affection

the feeling of fondness or liking

Lingered

Stay in a place longer than necessary because of reluctance to leave

Formidable

inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, intense, or capable

Austere

severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance

Elucidate

make (something) clear; explain

Affluent

(especially of a group or area) having a great deal of money; wealthy

Timidly

In a manner that shows a lack of courage or confidence

Reminiscent

tending to remind one of something

Convened

come or bring together for meeting or activity; assemble

Temerity

excessive confidence or boldness; audacity

Cynical

believing that people are motivated purely by self interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity

Scrutiny

critical observation or examination

Turbulent

characterized by conflict, disorder, or confusion

Corroborate

confirm or give support to (a statement, theory, or finding)

Caliber

the quality of someone's character or the level of their ability

Acrimonious

(typically of a speech or debate) angry and bitter

Idealist

a person who is guided more by ideals than practical considerations

Devoid

entirely lacking or free from

Genially

in a pleasantly cheerful, warm, and friendly way

Remorse

deep regret or guilt for a wrong committed

Contorted

twisted or bent out of the normal shape

Recollect

remember (something); call to mind

Wallow

(of a person) indulge in an unrestrained way in (something that creates a pleasurable sensation)

Smothered

kill (someone) by covering their nose and mouth so that they suffocate

Heathen

a person who does not belong to a widely held religion (especially one who is not a Christian, Jew, or Muslim) as regarded by those who do

Articulate

(of a person or a person's words) having or showing the ability to speak fluently and coherently

Exodus

a mass departure of people especially emigrants

Credibility

the quality of being trusted and believed

Volition

the faculty or power of using one's own will

Expunge

erase or remove completely (something wanted or unpleasant)