In-context Vocabulary Chapters 3 and 4 To Kill a Mockingbird In-context Vocabulary Chapters 3 and 4

expound Atticus was expounding upon farm problems when Walter interrupted to ask if there was any molasses in the house.

expound To set forth, explain, put out Think ex (“out”) + ponere (“to put”)

fractious She had always been too hard on me, she had at last seen the error of her fractious ways, she was sorry and too stubborn to say so.

fractious Unruly, readily angered Think “could break into a fraction”

amiable Atticus sat down in the swing and crossed his legs. His fingers wandered to his watchpocket; he said that was the only way he could think. He waited in amiable silence…

amiable Showing a pleasant personality Think amable in Spanish

auspicious The remainder of my schooldays were not more auspicious than the first.

auspicious Promising success

mortifying I swear, Scout, sometimes you act so much like a girl it’s mortifyin’.

mortifying To cause humiliation, embarrassment, or shame Think morir (“to die”) in Spanish It was so mortifying, that I just wanted to die!