Slaughterhouse-Five, Chapter 5

Mr. Brian (United States of America)
Important vocabulary for ESL readers of Kurt Vonnegut's masterpiece.
105 words 3 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. rarefied
    having low density
  2. millipede
    an arthropod with a segmented body and many legs
  3. microfilm
    a medium for photographing and storing data at greatly reduced size
  4. telegram
    message sent by a device that communicates over a wire
  5. quake
    shake with fast, unsteady movements
  6. blowout
    a sudden malfunction of a part or apparatus
  7. rapt
    feeling great delight and interest
  8. peewee
    disparaging terms for small people
  9. impresario
    a sponsor who books and stages public entertainments
  10. organ-grinder
    a street musician who plays a hand organ or hurdy-gurdy
  11. pivot
    the person in a rank around whom others maneuver
  12. lively
    full of life and energy
  13. ledger
    a record in which commercial accounts are recorded
  14. altercation
    a noisy, angry argument or fight between people
  15. astonished
    filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise
  16. dog tag
    metal plate on a dog collar bearing its registration number
  17. perforated
    having a number or series of holes
  18. vengeance
    harming someone in retaliation for something they have done
  19. bellyache
    an ache localized in the stomach or abdominal region
  20. constellation
    a configuration of stars as seen from the earth
  21. ruddy
    inclined to a healthy reddish color
  22. feign
    give a false appearance of
  23. clerical
    of or relating to clerks
  24. cunning
    showing inventiveness and skill
  25. aromatic
    having a strong pleasant odor
  26. rodomontade
    vain and empty boasting
  27. lethargic
    deficient in alertness or activity
    In the novel, "lethargical."
  28. opalescent
    having a play of lustrous rainbow colors
  29. render
    melt (fat or lard) in order to separate out impurities
  30. fairy
    a small, mythological creature with wings and magical powers
    Disparaging term for a homosexual man.
  31. azure
    bright blue in color, like a clear sky
  32. frowsy
    messy or unkempt, especially in dress and person
  33. exploratory
    serving in or intended for exploration or discovery
  34. swoon
    pass out from weakness or physical or emotional distress
  35. lament
    express grief verbally
  36. shriek
    utter a shrill cry
  37. munch
    chew noisily
  38. preposterous
    inviting ridicule
  39. frumpish
    primly out of date
  40. permeate
    penetrate mutually or be interlocked
  41. ardently
    in an ardent manner
  42. ardent
    characterized by intense emotion
  43. consolation
    the act of giving relief in affliction
  44. hollow
    devoid of significance or point
  45. satisfactory
    meeting requirements
  46. lugubrious
    excessively mournful
  47. pageantry
    a rich and spectacular ceremony
  48. shelling
    the heavy fire of artillery to saturate an area rather than hit a specific target
  49. crisscross
    crossing one another in opposite directions
  50. rhinestone
    an imitation jewel made from crystal, glass, or paste
  51. booty
    goods or money obtained illegally
  52. gospel
    the written body of teachings accepted by a religious group
  53. slipshod
    marked by great carelessness
  54. crucifixion
    the act of executing by a method widespread in the ancient world; the victim's hands and feet are bound or nailed to a cross
  55. lynch
    kill without legal sanction
  56. repercussion
    a remote or indirect consequence of some action
  57. bum
    a disreputable vagrant
  58. prose
    ordinary writing as distinguished from verse
  59. whereabouts
    the general location of someone or something
  60. geodesic
    relating to or determined by the study of the earth's shape
  61. cyanide
    an extremely poisonous salt of hydrocyanic acid
  62. phonograph
    a machine that plays records
  63. specimen
    an example regarded as typical of its class
  64. bombshell
    a shocking surprise
  65. gibberish
    unintelligible talking
  66. lattice
    framework consisting of an ornamental wood or metal design
  67. flatcar
    freight car without permanent sides or roof
  68. peculiar
    markedly different from the usual
  69. straightaway
    a straight segment of a roadway or racecourse
  70. ferocity
    the property of being aggressive or forceful
  71. slaughter
    the savage and excessive killing of many people
  72. countryman
    a man from your own country
  73. soaring
    ascending to a level markedly higher than the usual
  74. baffled
    perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements
  75. straighten out
    make free from confusion or ambiguity; make clear
  76. prosperous
    very lively and profitable
  77. bittersweet
    tinged with sadness
  78. dragger
    a fishing boat that drags a net to catch fish
  79. bearable
    capable of being endured
  80. sweetheart
    a person loved by another person
  81. glamor
    alluring beauty or charm (often with sex-appeal)
  82. epitaph
    an inscription in memory of a buried person
  83. cavity
    a natural hollow or sinus within the body
  84. doped
    under the influence of narcotics
  85. glassy
    (used of eyes) lacking liveliness
  86. grief
    intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one
  87. latrine
    a public toilet in a military area
  88. tar paper
    a heavy paper impregnated with tar and used as part of a roof for waterproofing
  89. excrete
    eliminate from the body
  90. catatonic
    characterized by unresponsiveness or lack of movement
  91. splay
    widen or spread apart
  92. porter
    a person employed to carry luggage and supplies
  93. polka dot
    design consisting of a pattern of regularly spaced circular spots
  94. sniveling
    whining in a tearful manner
  95. apologetic
    offering or expressing regret
  96. monograph
    a detailed and documented treatise on a particular subject
  97. estimable
    deserving of respect or high regard
  98. sterilized
    made infertile
  99. avuncular
    resembling an uncle in kindness or indulgence
  100. theatricality
    an artificial and mannered quality
  101. concerted
    involving the joint activity of two or more
  102. reproach
    express criticism towards
  103. mate
    the partner of an animal (especially a sexual partner)
  104. sedation
    state of reduced excitement induced by administering a drug
  105. groggy
    stunned or confused and slow to react
Created on Thu May 09 14:46:40 EDT 2013

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