| A | B |
|---|
| viscous | sticky |
| apoplectic | Apoplexy is a condition of sudden paralysis; a stroke. To be apoplectic, in this case, is to behave as if on the verge of having a stroke. |
| arbor | an outdoor area shaded by trees or, in this case, scuppernong vines on a lattice. See a picture of an arbor from an outdoor café in Greece. |
| bedecked | adorned; covered (with decorations) |
| calomel | a laxative; often used as a cure for intestinal worms |
| camellia | a shrub with glossy evergreen leaves and waxy, rose-like flowers. Find out more about camellias and see a picture of a camellia. |
| camisole | a woman's sleeveless undergarment, usually worn under a sheer blouse |
| commence | begin |
| decreed | A decree is an official order. As her older brother, Jem decreed what he and Scout would do. |
| degradation | a state of low honor or moral character |
| dog-trot hall | a covered passageway between two parts of a building |
| escapade | reckless prank |
| essence | fundamental nature; most important quality |
| infuriated | angered greatly |
| interdict | prohibition; restraint |
| livid | pale; lead-colored. Livid can also mean red, as in the color someone's face gets when that person becomes angry |
| oppressive | overbearing; hard to put up with |
| palliation | to palliate is to lessen the pain, or, in this case, fear and anxiety, of something without actually making the fear and anxiety go away. Calpurnia is not a great source of palliation; that is, she doesn't make the children feel any less anxious or fearful. |
| passé | old-fashioned |
| philippic | a bitter verbal attack |
| plate | dentures; dental plate |
| propensities | inclinations or tendencies |
| reconnaissance | examination |
| rectitude | uprightness of character |
| relic | something of historic interest that has survived from the past. In this case, Scout is referring to a gun that would have been used in the Civil War |
| skulked | to move or slink about in a sinister manner. The children are skulking in the kitchen because they are fearful of Atticus's reaction when he returns home. |
| syringe | a device with a rubber bulb on one end and a narrow tube on the other: used to inject or extract fluids from body cavities |
| tirade | a long angry speech |
| tranquil | calm |
| umbrage | offense |
| undulate | to move in waves or in a wavy manner |
