Chapter 8 Flashcards
executions
The carrying out of a plan, order, or course of action.
e.g
A few days later, when the terror caused by the executions had died down, some of the animals remembered–or thought they remembered–that the Sixth Commandment decreed “No animal shall kill any other animal.”
meddle
Interfere in something that is not one’s concern.
e.g
Clover asked Benjamin to read her the Sixth Commandment, and when Benjamin, as usual, said that he refused to meddle in such matters, she fetched Muriel.
leagued
A collection of people, countries, or groups that combine for mutual protection or cooperation.
e.g
But they saw now that the Commandment had not been violated; for clearly there was good reason for killing the traitors who had leagued themselves with Snowball.
retinue
A group of advisers, assistants, or others accompanying an important person.
e.g
When he did appear, he was attended not only by his retinue of dogs but by a black cockerel who marched in front of him and acted as a kind of trumpeter, letting out a loud “cock-a-doodle-doo” before Napoleon spoke.
plotting
Secretly make plans to carry out (an illegal or harmful action).
e.g
At the same time there were renewed rumours that Frederick and his men were plotting to attack Animal Farm and to destroy the windmill, the building of which had aroused furious jealousy in him.
skulking
Keep out of sight, typically with a sinister or cowardly motive.
e.g
Snowball was known to be still skulking on Pinchfield Farm.
treacherous
Guilty of or involving betrayal or deception.
e.g
As the summer wore on, and the windmill neared completion, the Rumours of an impending treacherous attack grew stronger and stronger.
magistrates
A civil officer who administers the law, especially one who conducts a court that deals with minor offences and holds preliminary hearings for more serious ones.
spurs
A device with a small spike or a spiked wheel that is worn on a rider’s heel and used for urging a horse forward.
e.g
He had flogged an old horse to death, he starved his cows, he had killed a dog by throwing it into the furnace, he amused himself in the evenings by making cocks fight with splinters of razor-blade tied to their spurs.
clamoured
(of a group of people) shout loudly and insistently.
e.g
The animals’ blood boiled with rage when they heard of these things being done to their comrades, and sometimes they clamoured to be allowed to go out in a body and attack Pinchfield Farm, drive out the humans, and set the animals free. But Squealer counselled them to avoid rash actions and trust in Comrade Napoleon’s strategy.
contemplated
Look thoughtfully for a long time at.
e.g
One Sunday morning Napoleon appeared in the barn and explained that he had never at any time contemplated selling the pile of timber to Frederick; he considered it beneath his dignity, he said, to have dealings with scoundrels of that description.
machinations
A plot or scheme.
e.g
The pigeons who were still sent out to spread tidings of the Rebellion were forbidden to set foot anywhere on Foxwood, and were also ordered to drop their former slogan of “Death to Humanity” in favor of “Death to Frederick.” In the late summer yet another of Snowball’s machinations was laid bare.
nocturnal
Done, occurring, or active at night.
e.g
The wheat crop was full of weeds, and it was discovered that on one of his nocturnal visits Snowball had mixed weed seeds with the seed corn.
privy
Sharing in the knowledge of (something secret or private).
e.g
The wheat crop was full of weeds, and it was discovered that on one of his nocturnal visits Snowball had mixed weed seeds with the seed corn.
gander
A male goose.
e.g
A gander who had been privy to the plot had confessed his guilt to Squealer and immediately committed suicide by swallowing deadly nightshade berries.
