Short Stories Vocabulary

Question 1

profusely

Answer 1

adverb, exhibiting great abundance; bountiful

Question 2

boisterous

Answer 2

adjective, noisy, energetic, and cheerful; rowdy

Question 3

reprimand

Answer 3

noun, a rebuke, especially an official one

Question 4

civic

Answer 4

adjective, relating to a city or town, especially its administration; municipal

Question 5

jovial

Answer 5

adjective, cheerful and friendly

Question 6

paraphernalia

Answer 6

noun, miscellaneous articles, especially the equipment needed for a particular activity

Question 7

perfunctory

Answer 7

adjective, carried out with a minimum of effort or reflection

Question 8

interminably

Answer 8

adverb, endlessly

Question 9

surly

Answer 9

adjective, bad-tempered and unfriendly

Question 10

ferocious

Answer 10

adjective, savagely fierce, cruel, or violent

Question 11

notion

Answer 11

noun, a conception of or belief about something

Question 12

recitation

Answer 12

noun, the action of repeating something aloud from memory

Question 13

treachery

Answer 13

noun, betrayal of trust; deceptive action or nature

Question 14

furtive

Answer 14

adjective, attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble; secretive

Question 15

cowering

Answer 15

verb, crouching down in fear

Question 16

doctrines

Answer 16

noun, a belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a Church, political party, or other group

Question 17

clabber

Answer 17

noun, milk that has naturally clotted on souring: “She jumped up from the table and went over in the corner where the churn stood, the milk in it clabber by now.”

Question 18

dasher

Answer 18

noun, a plunger for agitating cream in a churn “

Question 19

heritage

Answer 19

noun, property that is or may be inherited; an inheritance

Question 20

trifles

Answer 20

noun, a thing of little value or importance

Question 21

disdainful

Answer 21

adjective, showing contempt or lack of respect

Question 22

Acquiescence

Answer 22

noun, the reluctant acceptance of something without protest “Of course it’s no more than their duty,” said the sheriff’s wife, in her manner of timid acquiescence.”

Question 23

detain

Answer 23

verb, keep (someone) in official custody, typically for questioning about a crime or in politically sensitive situations

Question 24

shabby

Answer 24

adjective, in poor condition through long or hard use or lack of care

Question 25

indecisive

Answer 25

adjective, not having or showing the ability to make decisions quickly and effectively

Question 26

scrutinize

Answer 26

verb, examine or inspect closely and thoroughly

Question 27

apprehensive

Answer 27

adjective, anxious or fearful that something bad or unpleasant will happen

Question 28

incisive

Answer 28

adjective, accurate and sharply focused

Question 29

evasion

Answer 29

noun, the action of evading something

Question 30

facetiously

Answer 30

adverb, treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant “Well, Henry,” said the county attorney facetiously, “at least we found out that she was not going to quilt it. She was going to–what is it you call it, ladies?

Question 31

pungent

Answer 31

adjective, having a sharply strong taste or smell

Question 32

solemnity

Answer 32

noun, the state or quality of being serious and dignified

Question 33

pawn

Answer 33

noun, a chess piece of the smallest size and value

Question 34

benevolent

Answer 34

adjective, well meaning and kindly

Question 35

retort

Answer 35

noun, a sharp, angry, or wittily incisive reply to a remark

Question 36

prodigy

Answer 36

noun, a person, especially a young one, endowed with exceptional qualities or abilities

Question 37

malodorous

Answer 37

adjective, smelling very unpleasant

Question 38

concessions

Answer 38

noun, a thing that is granted, especially in response to demands; a thing conceded