Chapter 10 - Vocabulary

alist (adj.): tilted to one side

articulate (adj.): able to speak and express oneself

attributes (n.): characteristics; qualities of a person or thing

bout (n.): fight

corncribs (n.): A corncrib is a small structure used to store corn. See a picture of a corncrib.

crook (of his arm) (n.): The crook of your arm is the inside part of your arm where it bends at the elbow.

erratically (adv.): strangely; differently than normal

feeble (adj.): weak; frail

gingerly (adv.): carefully; cautiously

inconspicuous (adj.) To be conspicuous is to attract attention. To be inconspicuous is to do the opposite; to not attract attention. Scout wishes that Atticus would be more inconspicuous; that is, he would attract less attention to himself.

Jew's Harp (n): a small musical instrument that is played by plucking a piece of metal while holding the instrument to one's mouth. See a picture of some Jew's harps.

mad dog (adj. + n.): a dog infected with a disease, such as rabies, which makes it act in a crazy, dangerous manner

mausoleum (n.): Literally, a mausoleum is a large, imposing tomb (a tomb is a place where dead bodies -- those that aren't buried -- are housed). However, Miss Maudie uses the term in its humorous form. She refers to her old house as a mausoleum because, to her, it was too large and too somber. See a picture of a real mausoleum

peril (n.): danger

Providence (n.): the care of God

rudiments (n.): principles; elements; subjects to be learned

tartly (adv.): sharply

torso (n.): the trunk of a body; that is, the part of the body that does not include the head, legs, or arms

vaguely (adv.): to be vague is to be unclear or not precise