Chapter 12 - Vocabulary
alien (adj.): not natural; strange
appalling (adj.): shocking; horrifying
asafoetida (n.): a strong-smelling (like garlic) substance made from a parsley-like plant; often used in folk medicine to repel illness
austere (adj.): stern and severe
church (vb.): To church someone is ban that person (usually temporarily) from church for any variety of misdeeds.
contemptuously (adv.): To behave or speak contemptuously toward someone is to treat that person as if he or she is unworthy or beneath one's dignity.
contentious (adj.) always ready to argue
denunciation (n.): To denounce is to strongly disapprove of or condemn something. The denunciation of sin in the reverend's sermon indicates his strong disapproval of sin.
diligently (adv.): industriously; in a hard-working manner
ecclesiastical impedimenta (adj. + n.) items used during a church service
frivolous (adj.): silly; not serious
garish (adj.) showy, very bright or gaudy
habiliments (n.): outfits; clothing
inconsistent (adj.): not in agreement; incompatible
lilac talcum (adj. + n.): Lilacs are a very fragrant flower (See a picture of lilacs). Talcum, often called talcum powder, is a fine talc, or powder, used for the body or face. Lilac talcum is lilac-scented talcum powder.
rotogravure print (n.): Rotogravure is a process of printing pictures; often photographs of pictures. Since rotogravure prints often appeared in newspapers, it is possible that the print in the church had been taken from a newspaper.
snuff (n.): a preparation of powdered tobacco, usually sniffed through the nose
tapeworm (n.): a parasite that can live in a person's intestines. Find out more about tapeworms and see some pictures of tapeworms.
voile (adj.): a thin, cotton-like fabric
Chapter 13 - Vocabulary
caste system (adj. + n.): class distinctions based on birth, wealth, etc.
curtness (n.): To be curt is to be brief and short to the point of being rude.
devoid (adj.): completely without
flighty (adj.): foolish; irresponsible
incestuous (adj.): Incest is sexual intercourse between persons too closely related to marry legally. Atticus's comment as to the possibility that the Finches might have an Incestuous streak refers to the fact that so many Finches have married their cousins.
irritable (adj.): easily annoyed
mandrake roots (n.): The roots of the mandrake plant were often thought to have magical powers because it was thought that their shape resembled the human body. The mandrake root appears in many poems, including this "Song" by John Donne.
myopic (adj): Myopia is an abnormal eye condition, often called nearsightedness. Someone who is myopic cannot see objects clearly.
prerogative (n.) exclusive right or privilege
shinny (n.) a slang term for liquor; usually whiskey or bourbon. Bourbon is a main ingredient in the recipe for a Lane cake.
sluggish (adj.): lacking energy; lazy
spun (v.): To spin a tale is to tell a story in a creative, fanciful way.
tactful (adj.): To be tactful is to be able to say the right thing to a person without being offensive. Scout realizes that her question about her aunt and uncle was not tactful and may have been offensive or, at least, embarrassing.