To kill a mockingbird chps 20-28 vocab

acquit

declare someone innocent

contraband

goods that are illegally imported or exported

corrupting

causing to be immoral or dishonest

detachement

lack of interest or involvement

discreet

careful; good at keeping secrets

indicted

formally charged with a crime

Perpetuated

made something last, go on

temerity

reckless, offensive boldness

vengeance

punishment in return for a wrong

verdict

a decision made by a jury

aggravate

to annoy or anger someone

appeal

an earnest or urgent request

cynical

distrustful of human nature

diction

clarity when speaking; choice of words

fatalistic

resigning to fate; allowing what happens to happen

fret

to worry

heathen

someone who deliberately insults religion, God, or a way of life

resentments

feelings of ill-will toward someone

statute

a law enacted by legislature

vehement

with conviction or force

adjourned

suspended until a later time

apprehension

hesitation

bellows

a device for blowing air on a flame in order for it to grow

devout

devoted to divine worship or service

duress

constant threat; coercion

hypocrite

someone who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, etc. that he or she does not possess

navigate

to find one's way

squalid

foul and repulsive; neglected

varmint

an undesirable animal, usually a scavenger

veneer

a thin surface layer

carcass

the body of a human or animal

contraption

a mechanical gadget or device

crooning

a soft singing or humming

eccentricities

oddities or peculiarities in conduct

furtive

secret or shifty; sneaky

gait

a manner of walking or trotting

notoriety

the state of being known for some unfavorable act or quality

recluse

a person shut off or apart from the world; someone living in seclusion

staccato

disconnected, shortened, detached sound

subordinates

those who are lower in rank or of secondary importance