To Kill a Mockingbird Vocabulary Chapters Ms DeFeo English I

Acquired My mother always told me that yogurt was an acquired taste; someday I may like it.

Acquired Acquired (transitive v.) – to get as one’s own. To come to have as a new or added characteristic, trait, or ability.

Altercation She got into several altercations with her coach this season.

Altercation Altercation (n.) – a noisy, heated, angry dispute.

Compensation After she had broken her expensive hand bag that she allowed her friend to borrow, she expected some sort of financial compensation in return.

Compensation Compensation (n.) – the act of compensating; to be equivalent to; to make up for

Contemptuously After Mitt Romney was done talking during the Presidential debate, he would look at President Obama very contemptuously; his eyes were like piercing daggers.

Contemptuous Contemptuous (adj.) – manifesting, feeling, or expressing deep hatred or disapproval

Ecclesiastical When I went to church during Christmas, it was decorated with the normal ecclesiastical attire; poinsettia flowers, a Christmas tree, and all of the holy statues were decorated with holiday garments.

Ecclesiastical Ecclesiastical (adj.) – of or relating to a church, especially as an established institution.

Edification This is done to bring edification and comfort to the church.

Edification Edification (n.) – to instruct and improve especially in moral and religious knowledge

Formidable One of Ms. DeFeo’s favorite bands is The Joy Formidable.

Formidable Formidable (adj.) – causing fear, dread, or apprehension

Inaudible When the teacher called on the student, his answer was inaudible, so she asked him to repeat the answer in a louder voice.

Inaudible Inaudible (adj.) – not audible (meaning cannot hear)

Inconsistent It is easy to tell if people are lying if their stories are inconsistent; this is how many criminals get caught.

Inconsistent Inconsistent (adj.) – lacking consistency; not compatible with another fact or claim

Indulged I should not have indulged in that second piece of chocolate cake, I feel like I could explode!

Indulged Indulged (v.) – to give free reign to; to take unrestrained pleasure in

Obscure Her description of the assignment was so obscure that I decided to stay after school to gain a better understanding.

Obscure Obscure (adj.) – (of meaning) not clear or plain; ambiguous, vague, or uncertain

Peculiarities When Jem grew up, he had so many peculiarities that Scout could not understand how they had ever been best friends before.

Peculiarities Peculiarity (n.) – a trait, manner, characteristic, or habit that is odd or unusual

Penitentiary During the Halloween season, I enjoy traveling to the Eastern State Penitentiary; they say it is haunted.

Penitentiary Penitentiary (n.) – a place for imprisonment, reformatory discipline, or punishment, especially a prison maintained in the U.S. by a state or a federal government for serious offenders

Perish When I was a little girl, my bunny rabbit was left to perish in the hot summer sun by my older brother.

Perish Perish (v.) – to die or be destroyed through violence, privation, etc.

Permanence The permanence of a tattoo can be taken away with several visits to a laser surgeon, and a lot of money.

Permanence Permanence (n.) – the condition or quality of being permanent; perpetual or continued existance

Placid Sometimes when I get to the beach early in the morning, the ocean is placid and there is no one else there but me to enjoy it.

Placid Placid (adj.) – Pleasantly calm or peaceful; unruffled; tranquil; serenely quiet or undisturbed

Prerogative It is my prerogative to stay after school until 7pm and get my grading done; no one can tell me not to.

Prerogative Prerogative (n.) – an exclusive right, privilege, etc. exercised by virtue of rank, office, or the like

Qualms He has no qualms about lying right to the teacher’s face.

Qualm Qualm (n.) – an uneasy feeling or pang of conscious as to conduct

Quarrel Why do you find it necessary to begin a quarrel with your teacher?

Quarrel Quarrel (n.) – an angry dispute or altercation; a disagreement marked by a temporary or permanent break in friendly relations

Resignation President Bill Clinton was impeached, therefore meaning he was asked to hand in his resignation.

Resignation Resignation (n.) – the act of resigning; a formal statement, document, etc. stating that one gives up an office, position, etc.

Vocabulary Chapters 16-19