Lord of the Flies Vocab Ch 3-4

festoon - a chain or garland of flowers, leaves, or ribbons, hung in a curve as a decoration

gaudy - extravagantly bright or showy, typically so as to be tasteless

vicissitudes - a change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant

declivities - a downward slope

tacit - understood or implied without being stated

inscutibly - not readily investigated, interpreted, or understood

susurration - whispering, murmuring, or rustling

mirage - something that appears real or possible but is not in fact so

opalescence - the quality of reflecting light and changing color like an opal

belligerence - aggressive or warlike behavior

impalpable - not easily comprehended

incursion - an invasion or attack, especially a sudden or brief one

detritus - waste or debris of any kind

disinclination - a reluctance or lack of enthusiasm

gyration - a rapid movement in a circle or spiral; a whirling motion

apex - the top or highest part of something, especially one forming a poin

vivid - producing powerful feelings or strong, clear images in the mind

derisive - expressing contempt or ridicule

tacitly - in a way that is understood or implied without being directly stated

effigy - a sculpture or model of a person

sough - (of the wind in trees, the sea, etc.) make a moaning, whistling, or rushing sound

tempestuously - of, relating to, or resembling a tempest

discursive - digressing from subject to subject

incantation - a series of words said as a magic spell or charm