of mice and men vocab 1-4

junctures

a place where things join

mottled

marked with spots or smears with color

recumbent

lying down or leaning back so you are almost lying down

skittering

(of a small animal, bird, or insect) to move very quickly and lightly

sculptured

shaped in such a way as to resemble sculpture, especially in having strong, smooth curves

stilted

(of behavior, speech, or writing) too formal and not smooth or natural

sloping

(of a surface) lying down at an angle to the horizontal so that some points on it are higher than others

scummy

something is unpleasant, dirty, or in bad condition

dabbled

to put a part of your body, such as your hand or foot, into the water of a pool or stream, etc. and move it around

imitated

to behave in a similar way to someone or something else, or to copy the speech or behavior, etc. of someone or something

morosely

having a sullen and gloomy disposition

despair

the feeling there is no hope and that you can do nothing to improve a difficult or worrying situation

resignedly

in a way that shows that you accept something will happen although you do not like it

droned

to make a monotonous low dull sound

triumphantly

in a way that suggests you have achieved a victory or feel happy because of achieving a victory

flamed

burn (more) brightly

lumbered

to move slowly and awkwardly

brusquely

in a way that is quick and slightly rude

elaborate

containing a lot of careful detail or many detailed parts

pantomime

the art or act of expressing thoughts and emotions with movement rather than speech; mime

contemplated

to spend time considering a possible future action, or consider one particular thing for a long time in a serious and quiet way

reluctantly

in a way that shows that you are not willing to do something and are therefore slow to do it

imperiously

in an unpleasantly proud way and expecting to be obeyed

quivered

to shake slightly, often because of strong emotion

dejectedly

in a way that shows that you are unhappy, disappointed, or without hope

whisked

to take something or someone somewhere else suddenly and quickly

anguished

having or showing extreme physical or mental suffering

pugnacious

wanting to start an argument or fight, or expressing an argument or opinion very forcefully

craftily

in a way that is clever and sometimes also slightly dishonest

dimmed

make or become less bright or distinct

scattered

covering a wide area

accumulated

to collect a large number of things over a long period of time

tattered

(especially of cloth/paper) badly torn

aloof

not friendly or not willing to take part in things

intensity

the quality of being felt strongly or having a very strong effect

champing

to chomp

fawning

displaying exaggerated flattery or affection

scornful

showing or feeling scorn (a feeling or belief that someone/thing is worthless or despicable; contempt) for something or someone

irritably

in a way that shows that you become annoyed very easily

sullenness

behavior in which you are angry and unwilling to smile or be pleasant to people