Vocabulary: Lord of the Flies

Jetty

A structure, such as a pier, that projects into a body of water

Efflorescence

A state or time of flowering, a gradual process of unfolding or developing

Specious

Deceptively or misleadingly attractive

Swathing

To extend in physical length and width

Mirage

Something illusory

Effulgence

A brilliant radiance

Enmity

Deep-seated, often mutual hatred

Fulcrum

The point or support on which a level pivots

Pallid

Having an abnormally pale complexion

Suffusion

A flood of light or liquid

Crag

A steeply projecting mass of rock forming part of a rugged cliff

Scree

Loose rock debris covering a slope

Hiatus

A gap or an interruption in space or time

Decorous

Characterized by or exhibiting proper behavior

Bastion

A well fortified position

Clamor

A loud outcry

Dubiety

Uncertainty

Errant

Straying from the proper course

Ebullience

Zestful enthusiasm

Officious

marked by excessive eagerness in offering unwanted services

Coign

A stone used to form an angle on a wall

Recrimination

The act of countering one accusation with another

Tumult

A disorderly commotion or disturbance

Festoon

A string or garland suspended in a loop between two points

Bole

The trunk of a tree

Pall

A covering that darkens or obscures

Tendril

Something that is long, slender, curly

Node

A knob, knot, protuberance, and swelling

Abyss

An immeasurably profound depth or void

Pallor

Extreme or unnatural paleness

Inscrutable

Difficult to inderstand

Castanet

A rhythm instrument consisting of two concave shells of ivory or hardwood

Vicissitudes

Sudden or unexpected changes or shifts encountered in one’s life activities

Incredulous

Skeptical

Opaque

Impenetrable by light

Declivity

A downward slope

Tacit

Not spoken

Founder

To sink beneath the surface of the water

Furtive

Expressive of hidden motives or purposes

Susurration

A soft whispering or rustling sound

Whelm

To submerge or overwhelm

Blatant

Unpleasantly loud and noisy

Belligerence

A hostile or warlike attitude

Chastise

To punish

Impalpable

Not perceptible to the touch

Detritus

Loose fragments or grains that have been worn away from the rock

Incursion

A raid or invasion in foreign territory

Myriad

A vast number

Swarthy

Having a dark complexion or color

Mere

A small lake or pond

Gout

A large blob

Hilt

The handle of a weapon or tool

Malvolent

Wishing harm to others

Obscure

Indistinctly heard

Taboo

A ban resulting from social custom or emotion aversion

Sinewy

Lean and muscular

Lamentable

Inspiring or deserving regret

Apex

The highest point

Derisive

Mocking

Incantation

Ritual recitation of charms or spells to produce magic

Inarticulate

Incomprehensible speech

Gibber

Unintelligible or foolish talk

Jeer

To abuse verbally

Ineffectual

Weak

Ludicrous

Laughable or hilarious because of obvious absurdity

Slacken

To make or become less tenseCo

Contour

To outline of a figure

Tremulous

Fearful

Emphatic

Forceful

Embroiled

Involved in agrument

Diffident

Shy and timid

Impenetrable

Impossible to penetrate

Stupendous

Of astounding force

Leviathon

Something unusually large for its kind

Plinth

A continuous course of stones supporting a wall

Guano

A substance composed chiefly of the dung of sea bird or bats

Mutinous

Unruly

Covert

A covered place or shelter

Dun

An almost neutral brownish gray

Decorum

The conventions of polite behavior

Obtuse

Lacing quickness of perception

Floundering

Moving or acting clumsily

Luxuriant

Marked by rich or profuse growthC

Crest-fallen

Dispirited and depressed

Impervious

Impossible to affect

Charred

Burned

Tremors

Shaking or vibrating movement

Prefect

A student monitor or officer in private school

Glower

To look or stare angrily

Rebuke

To criticize

Sanctity

The quality or condition of being considered sacred

Sodden

Thoroughly soaked

Demure

Modest

Fervor

Great warmth and intensity of emotion

Flank

the side of an animal

Cynicism

Cynical character, attitude, or quality

Cynical

Contemptuously distrustful of human nature

Brood

To hover entirely

Intersperse

Distribute among other things at intervals

Corpulent

Excessively fat