Huck Finn Vocab

30 words for Mr. Head's class

ornery

(adj) ugly and unpleasant in temper or disposition; mean-spirited

ambuscade

(noun) an ambush

highfalutin

(adj) pompous or pretentious

stanchion

(noun) an upright pole or post

nabob

(noun) a person of wealth and prominence; a provincial governor of the Mughal empire in India

fantods

(noun) a state of nervous irritability

reticule

(noun) a drawstring handbag or purse

careen

(verb) to cause a boat to lean over on one side; to swerve while in motion

rapscallion

(noun) a rascal

towhead

(noun) a sandbar in a river

infernal

(adj) of or relating to hell

decanter

(noun) a decorative bottle for serving wine or alcohol

pommel

(noun) the upper front part of a saddle

cavort

(verb) to romp or prance

scow

(noun) a large, flat-bottomed boat used for transporting freight

temperance

(noun) abstinence from alcohol

phrenology

(noun) the study of the skull to reveal character and mental capacity

dauphin

(noun) the eldest son of the king of France who is heir to the throne

dissipate

(verb) to separate into parts and disappear

histrionic 

(adj) excessively dramatic

benefactor

(noun) one who gives aid, especially financial aid

imperative

(adj) requiring attention or action; necessary

sanctify

(verb) to make holy or sacred

doxology

(noun) an expression of praise to God

passel

(noun) a large quantity

obsequy

(noun) a funeral rite or ceremony

harrow

(noun) a farm implement used to even off plowed ground

sluice

(noun) an opening through which anything flows

audacious

(adj) unrestrained by convention or propriety

scutcheon

(noun) a shield bearing a coat of arms