To Kill a Mockingbird Vocab

What does 'imprudent' mean?

Not showing care for the consequences of an action; rash.

Define 'taciturn'.

Silent; not talkative.

What does 'auspicious' mean?

Favorable; fortunate.

What is the meaning of 'vapid'?

Dull, uninteresting, tiresome; lacking in sharpness, flavor, liveliness, or force.

What is an 'acrimonious' debate characterized by?

Angry and bitter.

What does 'prowess' refer to?

Superior skill or ability.

What is an 'evasion'?

An act of escaping or avoiding.

Define 'benevolence'.

Kindness, generosity, charity.

What does 'benign' mean?

Harmless.

What is 'edification'?

The instruction or improvement of a person morally or intellectually.

What does 'aberration' mean?

Something that differs from the norm.

What does 'ensue' mean?

To follow as a result.

Define 'inconspicuous'.

Not easily seen; subtle; not noticeable.

What does 'ingenuous' mean?

Innocent and naive.

What is the meaning of 'malignant'?

Deadly, extremely harmful, evil; spiteful, malicious.

Define 'perplexity'.

Confusion; inability to deal with or understand something complicated.

What does 'austere' refer to?

Severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance.

What is meant by 'umbrage'?

Offense; resentment; annoyance.

What does 'venerable' mean?

Respected because of age.

Define 'diminutive'.

Small; smaller than most others of the same type.

What does 'obstreperous' describe?

Noisy and difficult to control.

What is 'mediocre'?

Average, ordinary, undistinguished.

What does 'contentious' mean?

Quarrelsome, inclined to argue.

Define 'altercation'.

An angry argument.

What does 'affectation' refer to?

A phony or insincere attitude; often done to attract attention.

What is the meaning of 'pensive'?

Thoughtful; melancholy.

What does 'antagonize' mean?

To annoy or provoke to anger.

Define 'unmitigated'.

Downright, utter, total.

What is 'temerity'?

Excessive confidence or boldness; audacity.

What does 'impertinence' refer to?

Lack of respect; rudeness.

What is 'acquiescence'?

Agreement without protest.

Define 'corroborate'.

To support with evidence.

What does it mean to 'concede'?

To admit that something is true after first denying it.

What is the meaning of 'terse'?

Brief and to the point.

Define 'furtive'.

Secretive, sneaky.

What does 'predicament' refer to?

A difficult situation.

What does it mean to 'acquit'?

To find not guilty of a fault or crime.

What does 'impassive' mean?

Not feeling or showing emotion.

Define 'exhilarated'.

Filled with excitement and enthusiasm; thrilled.

What does 'sullen' describe?

Bad-tempered and sulky; gloomy.

What does 'rueful' mean?

Feeling sorrow or regret.

What is 'avarice'?

Greed; desire for wealth.

What does 'volition' refer to?

A conscious choice or decision.

Define 'cynical'.

Believing the worst of human nature and motives.

What does 'hypocrisy' mean?

The practice of pretending to be something one is not; insincerity.

What does it mean to 'reprimand'?

To scold; find fault with.

What is 'demise'?

Death; downfall; a ceasing to exist.

What does 'candid' mean?

Completely honest, straightforward.

Define 'spurious'.

Not genuine, not true, not valid.

What is a 'recluse'?

A person who leads a life shut up or withdrawn from the world.

What does 'evidently' mean?

Obviously, clearly.

Define 'irascible'.

Easily angered, irritable.

What does 'pinion' mean?

To tie or hold the arms or legs of someone.

What does 'livid' describe?

Extremely angry.

Define 'eccentric'.

Unconventional and slightly strange.

What does 'subtle' mean?

Delicate, elusive, not obvious.

What is the meaning of 'timid'?

Shy; easily frightened; lacking self-confidence.