Vocabulary #5

Assuage –v. to ease, to mitigate, to make less painful or burdensome, to calm

Therefore, if Jem's fears about being able to play football were assuaged, it 

means that he no longer feared that he wouldn't be able to play the sport.

Condescended –v.- Do something in a haughty way, as though it is below one's dignity or 

level of importance.

Jem condescends to take Scout to school, even though, as a fifth-grader, he feels superior to his first-grade sister.

Dictum-n.-  an authoritative statement, order, decree

A dictum is a note-worthy statement.

Domicile-n- home or residence, abode

Students must establish a domicile in the state to be eligible for reduced tuition.

Elucidate –v.- to make clear, to explain

When asked for details, he declined to elucidate further.

Foray –n.- When you make a foray, you go somewhere or do something that is unusual or 

not normal for you. 

It was certainly not Jem's usual behavior to go near the Radley house; thus, doing so was a foray for him.

Impotent –adj.- powerless. 

Simon's fury and anger regarding the Civil War would certainly have been 

impotent because there would have been nothing he could have done about it.

Impudent –adj.- to be shamelessly bold and disregard others, rude, disrespectful

Since the Haverfords did something illegal in front of witnesses, Lee rightfully 

describes them as impudent.

Predilection –n.- a preference, or a preferred way of doing something. 

The Radleys had a predilection for spending a Sunday afternoon inside with the 

doors closed; they would rather not receive visitors. 

Taciturn –adj.- almost always silent. 

Apparently, Aunt Alexandra's husband was a taciturn man; he almost never 

initiated conversation.