Lord of the Flies vocab Flashcards
,k
specious
“There was a long, deep pool in the beach with a high ledge of pink granite at the further end. Ralph had been deceived before now by the specious appearance of depth in a beach pool and he approached this one preparing to be disappointed”
Something that seems like a good and plausible thing but is actually deceptive and bad.
Adjective
effulgence
”’We may stay here till we die.’ With that word the heat seemed to increase till it became a threatening weight and the lagoon attacked them with a blinding effulgence” (12).
A big radiance or shining brightly
Noun
enmity
A feeling of hostility
Noun
decorous
Characterized by proper behavior
Adjective
indignation
Annoyance provoked by unfair treatment
noun
hiatus
A pause in a process
Noun
ebullience
Being of cheerful quality
Noun
recrimination
An accusation in response to one from someone else
Noun
tumult
“He paused in the tumult, standing, looking beyond them and down the unfriendly side of the mountain to the great patch where they had found dead wood” (43).
A loud, confused noise
Noun
furtive
Attempting to avoid temptation because of guilt or avoidance of trouble
adjective
inscrutable
“Jack lifted his head and stared at the inscrutable masses of creeper that lay across the trail” (49).
Impossible to understand
adjective
incredulous
Unwilling or unable to believe
adjective
belligerence
Aggressive and warlike behavior
Noun
chastisement
A severe criticism or punishment
Noun
incursion
A brief or sudden attack
Noun
disinclination
A reluctance or lack of enthusiasm
Noun
derisive
“The derisive laughter that rose had fear in it and condemnation. Simon opened his mouth to speak but Ralph had the conch, so he backed to his seat” (86).
Expressing worthlessness
Adjective
discursive
“The assembly shredded away and became a discursive and random scatter from the palms to the water and away along the beach, beyond night-sight” (92).
Moving temporarily from subject to subject
adjective
incantation
Words said as a magical chant
Noun
interminable
Endless
Adjective
tremulously
In a shaking way
Adverb
leviathan
A large, aquatic monster
Noun
decorum
Proper behavior, speech, and dress in a social setting
Noun
apprehension
Fear that something bad will happen or understanding of a concept
Noun
sagely
In a wise way
Adverb
antagonism
Active hostility between peoples beliefs, ideas, or groups
Noun
impervious
“So they sat, the rocking, tapping, impervious Roger and Ralph, fuming; round them the close sky was loaded with stars, save where the mountain punched up a hole of blackness” (121).
To be unaffected or unpenetrated by something
Adjective
bravado
“Ralph surprised himself, not so much by the quality of his voice, which was even, but by the bravado of its intention” (122).
Bold confidence to mask insecurity
Noun
contemptuous
“‘Go up and see,’ said Jack contemptuously, ‘and good riddance’” (124).
Expresing disrespect
Adjective
cynicism
“The half-shut eyes were dim with the infinite cynicism of adult life. They assured Simon that everything was a bad business” (137).
An attitude of distrust or skepticism, specifically about people’s motives
Noun
indignity
Treatment or circumstances causing one to feel shame
Noun
iridescent
Showing luminescent or changing colors
Adjective
corpulent
Overweight and large body
Adjective
parody
A humorous imitation of a piece of media
Noun
succulent
“The boys with the spit gave Ralph and Piggy each a succulent chunk. They took the gift, dribbling” (149).
Full of life
Adjective
gesticulating
Making or using dramatic gestures to emphasize words rather than speaking
Verb
stricken
Deeply affected by something overwhelming
Adjective
convulsively
In a way that involves sudden, violent, and uncontrollable movements
Adverb
torrid
Hot and dry
Adjective
luminous
Emitting or reflecting light
Adjective
myopia
Nearsightedness, a lack of imagination or foresight
Noun
propitiatingly
“‘I hadn’t,’ said Ralph loudly. ‘I knew it all the time. I hadn’t forgotten.’ Piggy nodded propitiatingly. ‘You’re chief, Ralph. You remember everything’” (173).
In a way that seeks to appease or subdue the anger of someone
Adverb
truculent
“Truculently they squared up to each other but kept just out of fighting distance” (177).
Eager or quick to fight or flight
Adjective
inimical
Unfriendly and hostile, aiming to harm
Adjective
ululation
A high pitched cry or noise to express emotion
Noun
crepitation
A crackling or rattling sound
Noun
