The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver Vocabulary Word Lists and Definitions

The Bean Trees - Vocabulary List #1 Quiz #1 – November 15th/16th revere – regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration apparent – clear or obvious reticent – reluctant inclined – a tendency; or an attitude that favors something transient – lasting a short time; one who stays for only a short time resilient – able to withstand or quickly recover from strain refugee – someone who has fled his or her country because of fear of harm presumption – something thought of as true without proof gravity – seriousness; a manner or feeling that is serious and solemn persist – to continue (often despite difficulty) condone – to allow specific (controversial) behavior without taking a stand against it perturb – to disturb in mind or make uneasy bewilder – to confuse someone conjecture – a conclusion or opinion based on inconclusive evidence temperate – lacking extremes (especially of weather, climate, or behavior) coerce – force to do meander – to move slowly without a definite direction congregate – come together (usually for a specific purpose) convention – something regarded as normal or typical abundant – present in great quantity

Vocabulary List #2 Quiz #2 – November 30th/December 3rd fanatic – a person motivated by extreme enthusiasm, (sometimes to a fault) dilapidated – in bad condition, especially from age and neglect acquire – obtain; come into possession of something solemn – serious, dignified, and sincere in manner premises – land and buildings together; OR things assumed (as in reasons in an argument) dormant – not active or growing, but capable of doing so in the future repentance – to feel regret for having done something and to resolve to be a better person in the future wield – to have and use (as in wielding a hammer, sword, or power) perversion – the conversion of something to a wrong use sufficient – adequate or enough (typically without being more than is needed) captivate – to enamor or attract and hold the attention of someone celibate – abstaining from (that is, never having) sexual intercourse lattice – an object or pattern made from crisscrossing two sets of lines, usually in diagonals propaganda – information (typically biased) that is purposely spread to influence opinions (often misleading information of a political nature) resumption – beginning again ornery – cranky; easily annoyed and quick to complain and argue recollect – to remember, especially experiences from long ago ascendant – moving upward; position or state of being dominant or in control gist – the main point of a more detailed or complex matter intimidate – make fearful of inadequacy; (sometimes) threaten

Vocabulary List #3 Quiz #3 – December 18th/19th indelible – cannot be removed, washed away, or erased emanate – to come from or send out aptitude – natural ability compulsion – a strong (possibly uncontrollable) urge to do something inkling – a slight indication, suggestion, or understanding catatonic – a tendency to remain in a fixed, stuporous state for long periods prospective – concerned with or relating to the future pandemonium – a state of noisy confusion and disorder picayune – small and of little importance hypochondria – chronic and abnormal anxiety about imaginary symptoms and ailments omen – a sign of something about to happen Statute of Limitations – a legal time limit after which lawsuits cannot be filed for civil or criminal prosecution enrapture – to fill with rapture (overwhelming bliss), or to completely fascinate abrasion – area where the skin is torn or worn off berate – criticize severely or angrily