Vocabulary from Fever 1793

Rouse Rouse – verb Definition: to stir up or excite; to cause to awake from sleep. “I woke to the sound of a mosquito whining in my left ear and my mother screeching in the right. ‘Rouse yourself this instant!’” Pg. 1

Drone Drone – verb Definition: To talk persistently in a dull and monotonous voice. “Her voice droned on and on as she clattered down the stairs.” Pg. 2

Hearth – noun Definition: the brick, stone or concrete floor area of the fireplace. “She dished up a bowl of oatmeal from a pot that hung by the side of the hearth…” Pg. 9

Disreputable Disreputable – adjective Definition: not respected or trusted by most people, not having a good reputation. “I tied a disreputable straw hat atop the cap, one I could never wear in the street…before I ran outside. Pg. 11

Miasma Miasma – noun Definition: a heavy cloud of unhealthy or unpleasant air. “It’s the source of a deadly miasma, a foul stench, indeed.” Pg. 19

Pleurisy Pleurisy – noun Definition: a serious and painful disease of the lungs. “It could have been a sudden pleurisy or a weak heart.” Pg. 26

Impudence Impudence – noun Definition: rudeness, boldness “He snatched an apple from my basket and took a bite. The impudence.”

Condolence Condolence – noun Definition – a expression of sympathy or sadness, especially when someone is suffering after the death of a loved one. “He expressed his condolences on the death of my friend…” Pg. 35

Quarantine Quarantine – verb Definition: to keep a person or animal away from others in order to prevent the spread of disease. “The mayor should quarantine them on Hog Island for a few weeks and the fever would pass.” Pg. 38

Idle Idle – verb Definition: to spend time doing nothing or doing nothing useful. Matilda’s mother hates it when Matilda idles around the house. “idleness” – noun – state of being idle. Pg. 42 Also an adjective – meaning – not working.

Vulgar Vulgar – adjective Definition: offensive, rude, or indecent. “Try this on and don’t be vulgar,” Mother said.” Pg. 44

Din Din – noun Definition: a loud sound, a combination of discordant sounds. “…The church bells of Philadelphia tolled without cease. Guns were fired on the street corners…The din was maddening.” Pg. 54

Vehemently Vehemently – adverb Definition: loudly, insistently and angrily. “Grandfather sped up. ‘Sir, I protest most vehemently!’” Pg. 61

Cajole Cajole – verb Definition: to persuade or coax, often with flattery and promises. “No amount of cajoling would change her mind.” Pg. 74

Odiferous Odiferous – adjective Definition: smelly, having a strong odor. “And now I am going to get some sleep before our coachman delivers us unto the joys of the Ludington family barnyard and their odiferous pigs.” Pg. 80

Harried Harried – adjective Definition: beset by problems; stressed by many problems. “’Thank you,’ I told the harried woman.” Pg. 185

Scurrilous Scurrilous – adjective Definition: vulgar and evil, containing vulgar language or obscenities, immoral “’He’s a scurrilous dog, that man,’ she muttered.” Pg. 194

Ominous Ominous – adjective Definition: suggesting or hinting that something bad will happen in the future. “On the fourth day…an ominous silence pressed in on the room as the fever penetrated deeper.” Pg. 204

Frail Frail – adjective Definition: very weak, easily damaged or destroyed. “The boys turned frail, their skin ashen and cheeks sinking, as their bodies burned up under the infection.” Pg. 204

Fetid Fetid – adjective Definition: having a strong, offensive smell. “The fetid stench that had hung over the city for weeks was gone, replaced with brittle, pure air.” Pg. 210