Rebecca: Chapters 21–27
The young and naive narrator of this novel marries a wealthy widower and moves to his stately mansion, where she uncovers dark secrets about his first wife.
Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–5, Chapters 6–10, Chapters 11–15, Chapters 16–20, Chapters 21–27
15 words
264 learners
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Full list of words from this list:
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perjure
make oneself guilty of telling untruths in a court of lawI would lie and perjure and swear, I would blaspheme and pray.
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presuppose
take for granted or as a given“I think the mistake was very natural under the circumstances,” said Frank quickly. “The authorities wrote to Maxim, asking him to go up to Edgecoombe, presupposing before he arrived there that the body was hers. And Maxim was not well at the time. I wanted to go with him, but he insisted on going alone. He was not in a fit state to undertake anything of the sort.”
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inquest
an investigation into the cause of an unexpected death“I wish you could be spared the formality and the publicity of an inquest,” said Colonel Julyan, “but I’m afraid that’s quite impossible.”
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coroner
an official who investigates death not due to natural causes“Of course you do, but don’t forget old Horridge is the coroner. He’s a sticky sort of chap, goes into details that are quite irrelevant, just to show the jury how thorough he is at his job. You must not let him rattle you.”
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irrelevant
having no bearing on or connection with the subject at issue“Of course you do, but don’t forget old Horridge is the coroner. He’s a sticky sort of chap, goes into details that are quite irrelevant, just to show the jury how thorough he is at his job. You must not let him rattle you.”
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pince-nez
spectacles clipped to the nose by a springThe coroner was a thin, elderly man in pince-nez.
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doddering
mentally or physically infirm with age“Suicide....God Almighty, that doddering old fool of a coroner got the jury to say suicide. You and I know it wasn't suicide, don’t we?”
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florid
inclined to a healthy reddish colorI noticed how his neck bulged over the back of his collar, and how low his ears were set on his head. Those florid good looks would not last him very long. Already he was out of condition, puffy.
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discordant
lacking in harmonyThe telephone began ringing in the little room. It struck a shrill, discordant note.
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clandestine
conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methodsYou say you were Mrs. de Winter's prospective husband, and that you held clandestine meetings with her in that cottage on the beach.
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wizened
lean and wrinkled by shrinkage as from age or illnessPerhaps it was because I had generally seen her alone, and beside me she had seemed tall and gaunt, but she looked shrunken now in size, more wizened, and I noticed she had to look up to Favell and to Frank and Maxim.
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veracity
unwillingness to tell liesI'm not disputing the truth or veracity of that note of yours. It’s plain for us to see.
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incongruous
lacking in harmony or compatibility or appropriatenessWe walked up the drive to the front door, a strange incongruous little party.
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unorthodox
breaking with tradition or typical norms"You must think this a very unorthodox invasion, Doctor Baker,” said Colonel Julyan, “and I apologise very humbly for disturbing you like this..."
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pallor
an unnatural lack of color in the skinHis eyes looked large and they were ringed with shadows. They seemed very dark against the pallor of his face.
Created on Sun Mar 24 16:20:59 EDT 2019
(updated Mon Aug 04 11:30:56 EDT 2025)
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