TKAM Ch. 15 Vocabulary Flashcards
Placid
(especially of a place or stretch of water) calm and peaceful, with little movement or activity.
Ex. Atticus was in his; Jem and I were on the floor reading. It had been a placid week.
Oblivious
Not aware of or not concerned about what is happening around oneself.
Ex. He was sitting in one of his office chairs, and he was reading, oblivious of the night bugs dancing over his head.
Postponement
The action of delaying something; deferral.
Ex. “Heck, we’ve gotten one postponement of this case just to make sure there’s nothing to be uneasy about. This is Saturday,” Atticus said. “Trial’ll probably be Monday. You can keep him one night, can’t you?
Begrudge
Envy (someone) the possession or enjoyment of (something.
Ex. “I don’t think anybody in Maycomb’ll begrudge me a client, with times this hard”
Venue
The county or district within which a criminal or civil case must be heard.
Ex. “Nobody around here’s up to anything, it’s that Old Sarum bunch I’m worried about… can’t you get a—what is it, Heck?” “Change of venue,” said Mr. Tate. “Not much point in that, now is it?”
Shinnied
Climb quickly up or down by gripping with one’s arms and legs.
Ex. Atticus was saying, “you’re not scared of that crowd, are you?” “…know how they do when they get shinnied up.”
Ominous
Giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen; threatening; inauspicious.
Ex. There was a murmur among the group of men, made more ominous when Atticus moved back to the bottom front step and the men drew nearer to him.
Vivid
(of a color) intensely deep or bright.
Ex. When Atticus switched on the overhead light in the livingroom he found Jem at the window, pale except for the vivid mark of the screen on his nose
Stifle
Restrain (a reaction) or stop oneself acting on (an emotion).
Ex. Atticus tried to stifle a smile but didn’t make it. “No, we don’t have mobs and that nonsense in Maycomb. I’ve never heard of a gang in Maycomb.”
Bristled
Be covered with or abundant in.
Ex. The south side of the square was deserted. Giant monkey-puzzle bushes bristled on each corner, and between them an iron hitching rail glistened under the street li
Congregation
A gathering or collection of people; group of people regularly attending a particular place of worship.
Ex. In the interval between Sunday School and Church when the congregation stretched its legs, I saw Atticus standing in the yard with another knot of men.
Fultility
Pointlessness or uselessness.
Ex. “Don’t you remember me, Mr. Cunningham? I’m Jean Louise Finch. You brought us some hickory nuts one time, remember?” I began to sense the futility one feels when unacknowledged by a chance acquaintance.
