Huck Finn Glossary

Question 0

To find an accused person innocent in a court of law

Answer 0

Acquit

Question 1

Person who worked to end slavery in the United States

Answer 1

Abolitionist

Question 2

Actions of a person who thinks he or she is superior to others

Answer 2

Airs

Question 3

Bullied; scared someone by using force

Answer 3

Bullyragged

Question 4

Plan

Answer 4

Campaign

Question 5

Traveling bag or suitcase made of carpet. These bags were widely used in the United States during the 1800s.

Answer 5

Carpet-bags

Question 6

Figured out

Answer 6

Ciphered

Question 7

Salty mineral water from the Congress springs in Saratoga Springs, New York

Answer 7

Congress-water

Question 8

Necktie; slang for hangman’s noose

Answer 8

Cravat

Question 9

Dared not, as in dared not to try it

Answer 9

Dasn’t

Question 10

Title of the eldest son of the King of France. The term was used between 1349 and the 1830s.

Answer 10

Dauphin

Question 11

Nervous and mental disorder caused by alcoholism. Insomnia, restlessness, and hallucinations often accompany it.

Answer 11

Delirium tremens

Question 12

Cheap saloon

Answer 12

Doggery

Question 13

Huck’s misuse of the word “doxology,” which is a hymn or prayer.

Answer 13

Doxolojer

Question 14

Audience demands or requests for a repeat performance.

Answer 14

Encores

Question 15

State of having the fidgets; being nervous about something.

Answer 15

(The) fantods

Question 16

Moss or fungus that appears to glow. It usually grows on rotting wood.

Answer 16

Fox-fire

Question 17

Suspenders

Answer 17

Galluses

Question 18

Slang word for a big, strong man who is thought to be foolish or stupid.

Answer 18

Galoot

Question 19

People who don’t believe in the God of the Bible.

Answer 19

Heathens

Question 20

Hide or store in hiding

Answer 20

Hive

Question 21

Someone who deceives or misleads.

Answer 21

Humbug

Question 22

Jour is French for “day” and came to mean “journeyman,” a person trained in a trade or craft. Journeymen printers usually worked by the day or by the job.

Answer 22

Jour printer

Question 23

Form of Christian faith-healing in which a believer lays hands on the sick person’s head and prays for God’s help.

Answer 23

Layin’ on o’ hands

Question 24

Huck’s misspelling “medieval,” which refers to the Middle Ages (A.D. 400 to 1400).

Answer 24

Meedyevil

Question 25

Small organ, invented in the United States

Answer 25

Melodeum

Question 26

Hypnosis

Answer 26

Mesmerism

Question 27

Simple or ignorant person

Answer 27

Muggins

Question 28

Studying the shape of a person’s head for clues or signs of intelligence and abilities.

Answer 28

Phrenology

Question 29

A term that Huck made up. It is a combination of “foreordination” and “predestination.” Both are religious teachings by Calvinists. The teachings express the belief that God has already decided who will go to Heaven and who will be damned.

Answer 29

Preforeordestination

Question 30

Divine guidance or care

Answer 30

Providence

Question 31

Mercury

Answer 31

Quicksilver

Question 32

Make trouble

Answer 32

Raise Cain

Question 33

Rascal

Answer 33

Rapscallion

Question 34

Drunkards

Answer 34

Rummies

Question 35

A character’s speech that reveals inner thoughts and ideas. It is spoken while the character is alone on stage. Hamlet’s is the famous “To Be or Not To Be” speech.

Answer 35

Soliloquy

Question 36

Religious meetings that stress the evils of alcohol.

Answer 36

Temperance revival

Question 37

Actor

Answer 37

Tragedian

Question 38

Huck’s misspelling and mispronunciation of valet (pronounced, val lay). A valet is a servant who waits on another person.

Answer 38

Valley

Question 39

Gold coins

Answer 39

Yaller-boys and yaller-jackets