The House of the Scorpion: Chapters 23–30

by Nancy Farmer
This award-winning dystopian novel tells the story of Matt Alacrán, clone and captive of a powerful feudal lord. Follow Matt as he tries to escape the sinister forces at work in the country of Opium.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–5, Chapters 6–14, Chapters 15–22, Chapters 23–30, Chapters 31–38
15 words 803 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. anemia
    a deficiency of red blood cells
    “It has mild anemia,” said one of the doctors. “Its liver functions are a little off.”
  2. preen
    clean with one's bill
    The cinnamon teal waddled onto the bank and preened its feathers.
  3. dupe
    fool or hoax
    “Won’t they be able to tell?” Matt imagined the Aztlános’ rage when they realized they’d been duped.
  4. sheath
    a protective covering, as for a knife or sword
    He also found a wicked-looking machete in a leather sheath.
  5. incessant
    uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
    Nearby he heard the hoot of a great horned owl and the incessant chirp of crickets.
  6. grotto
    a small cave, usually with attractive features
    The rainy season in the Ajo Mountains was brief, and Matt had a very clear idea of how soon the little frog ponds and hidden grottoes would dry out.
  7. agility
    the gracefulness of a quick and nimble person or animal
    His only chance was to reach the border, and he bounded with an agility that would have impressed a bighorn sheep.
  8. exult
    express great joy
    “He didn’t even make us recite the Five Principles of Good Citizenship and the Four Attitudes Leading to Right-Mindfulness,” exulted a boy.
  9. purgatory
    a temporary state of the dead in Roman Catholic theology
    “I was in purgatory. Now I’m in hell,” he groaned.
  10. morosely
    in a sullen, moody manner
    The room was full of bubbling tanks tended by boys who morosely fished the water with nets and who paid no attention to the newcomers.
  11. brine
    water containing salts
    After we harvest the plankton, the brine is evaporated and the salt is processed for sale.
  12. loaf
    be lazy or idle
    “So if we work steadily and don’t loaf,” said Jorge, “our work doesn’t have time to get dirty. But our minds can fill up with dust and germs too. Can anyone tell me how to keep our minds clean?”
  13. crestfallen
    brought low in spirit
    “That’s serious. No breakfast for you,” he said. The boy looked crestfallen.
  14. imperious
    having or showing arrogant superiority
    Inside he was quaking with fear, but outside he gave the Keeper as cold and imperious a look as El Patrón had ever mustered to terrify an underling.
  15. lackey
    a servile or submissive follower
    “I see we have social contamination of the worst order here. The aristocrat has turned this boy into his lackey. And thus, it is the lackey who should be punished.”
Created on Wed Jun 28 08:31:17 EDT 2017 (updated Mon Aug 04 10:33:55 EDT 2025)

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