1. A Christmas Carol -Charles Dickens
Vocabulary Staves 1-5

2. Stave 1
unhallowed- not hallowed or consecrated; not regarded as holy or sacred
inquire- to seek information by questioning; ask
obscuring- to conceal or conceal by confusing;to make dark, dim, indistinct, etc
derive- to receive or obtain from a source or origin
homage- respect or reverence paid or rendered
destitute- without means of subsistence; lacking food, clothing, and shelter

3. Stave 1
7. carol- a song, especially of joy
8. oblige- to place under a debt of gratitude for some benefit, favor, or service
9. dread- to fear greatly; be in extreme apprehension of
10. caustic - capable of burning, corroding, or destroying living tissue; severely critical or sarcastic:
11. agitate- to disturb or excite emotionally; arouse; perturb
12. appalling- causing dismay or horror
13. justified- to defend or uphold as warranted or well-grounded
14. amends- reparation or compensation for a loss, damage, or injury of any kind; recompense

4. Stave 1
15. penance- a punishment undergone in token of penitence for sin 16. countenance- appearance, especially the look or expression of the face 17. apparition- a supernatural appearance of a person or thing, especially a ghost; a specter or phantom

5. Stave 2
preposterous- completely contrary to nature, reason, or common sense; absurd; senseless; utterly foolish
resolution- a formal expression of opinion or intention made, usually after voting, by a formal organization, a legislature, a club, or other group
recede- to go or move away; retreat; go to or toward a more distant point; withdraw
vestige-a mark, trace, or visible evidence of something that is no longer present or in existence
despondent- feeling or showing profound hopelessness, dejection, discouragement, or gloom

6. Stave 2
6. condescension-voluntary assumption of equality with a person regarded as inferior 7. strife- vigorous or bitter conflict, discord, or antagonism 8. substantial- of ample or considerable amount, quantity, size, etc 9. corroborate- to make more certain; confirm 10. toil- hard and continuous work; exhausting labor or effort 11. avarice- insatiable greed for riches; inordinate, miserly desire to gain and hoard wealth 12. aspirations- a goal or objective that is strongly desired 13. adversary- a person, group, or force that opposes or attacks; opponent; enemy; foe

7. Stave 3
prodigiously- extraordinary in size, amount, extent, degree, force, etc
consolation- the act of consoling; comfort; solace
hearth-the floor of a fireplace, usually of stone, brick, etc., often extending a short distance into a room
artifice- a clever trick or stratagem; a cunning, crafty device or expedient; wile
intricate- complex; complicated; hard to understand, work, or make

8. Stave 3
6. wanton-deliberate and without motive or provocation; uncalled-for; headstrong; willful 7. deprive- to remove or withhold something from the enjoyment or possession of (a person or persons 8. bigotry- stubborn and complete intolerance of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one's own 9. attired- to dress, array, or adorn, especially for special occasions, ceremonials 10. zeal- fervor for a person, cause, or object; eager desire or endeavor; enthusiastic diligence; ardor 11. prematurely- occurring, coming, or done too soon 12. ubiquitous- existing or being everywhere, especially at the same time; omnipresent

9. Stave 3 14. livid-enraged; furiously angry 15. proposed- to suggest
13. vigor- healthy physical or mental energy or power; vitality
14. livid-enraged; furiously angry
15. proposed- to suggest
16. penitence-regret for one's wrongdoing or sinning; contrition; repentance.
17. odious- highly offensive; repugnant; disgusting
18. plaintive- expressing sorrow or melancholy; mournful
19. tarry- to delay or be tardy in acting, starting, coming, etc
20.dismal- causing gloom or dejection; gloomy; dreary; cheerless; melancholy

10. Stave 3
21. contortions- something contorted or twisted, as in position or meaning 22. whims- an odd or capricious notion or desire; a sudden or freakish fancy 23. reveled-to make merry; indulge in boisterous festivities. 24. merriment- cheerful or joyful gaiety; mirth; hilarity; laughter 25. affront- an offense to one's dignity or self-respect 26. elicit- to draw or bring out or forth; educe; evoke: 27. sentiment- an attitude toward something; regard; opinion 28. precepts- a commandment or direction given as a rule of action or conduct. 29. prostrate-to cast (oneself) face down on the ground in humility, submission, or adoration 30.perversion-a change to what is unnatural or abnormal

11. Stave 4 solemn-serious or earnest
shroud-a cloth or sheet in which a corpse is wrapped for burial
trifled- a matter, affair, or circumstance of trivial importance or significance
province- a country, territory, district, or region
render- to furnish; provide
rouse-to bring out of a state of sleep, unconsciousness, inactivity, fancied security, apathy, depression, etc
infamous- having an extremely bad reputation
laden-burdened; loaded down
flaunt- to parade or display oneself conspicuously, defiantly, or boldly
sin- transgression of divine law:

12. Stave 4
11. loiter- to linger aimlessly or as if aimless in or about a place 12. detestation- abhorrence; hatred 13. bereft- deprived 14. dominion- the power or right of governing and controlling; sovereign authority 15. hoarding- a supply or accumulation that is hidden or carefully guarded for preservation, future use, etc 16. successor- a person or thing that succeeds or follows 17. threshold- the entrance to a house or building 18. hob-a rounded peg or pin used as a target in quoits and similar games 19. reconcile- to bring into agreement or harmony; make compatible or consistent 20. recollect- to recall to mind; recover knowledge of by memory; remember

13. Stave 4
21. intercede- to act or interpose in behalf of someone in difficulty or trouble, as by pleading or petition 22. strive- to exert oneself vigorously; try hard: 23. dispel- to drive off in various directions; disperse; dissipate 24. illustrious- highly distinguished; renowned; famous 25. peals- a loud, prolonged ringing of bells 26. recompensed- to repay; remunerate; reward, as for service, aid, etc 27. blithe- without thought or regard; carefree; heedless; joyous 28. sidled- a sidling movement 29. unanimity- a consensus or undivided opinion: 30. endeavor- to exert oneself to do or effect something; make an effort; strive