English/Schwartz

Lord of the Flies Vocabulary List

Chapter 1:

1.       proffer = (verb) to present for acceptance, to offer

2.       clamber = (verb) to climb awkwardly (as by scrambling) <clambered over the rocks>

3.       decorous = (adj) marked by propriety and good taste; correct

4.       strident = (adj) sounding harsh, grating, shrill, discordant

5.       pallor = (noun) lack of color especially of the face

Chapter 2:

1.       festooned = (verb/adj) decoratively hung between two points

2.       capering = (verb/noun) leaping about playfully or wildly

3.       officious = (adj) offering one’s services where they are neither asked for or needed; meddlesome

4.       tumult  = (noun) violent and disorderly commotion or disturbance

5.       compel = (verb) to drive or urge forcefully or irresistibly

Chapter 3:

1.       Tendril = (noun) a leaf or stem that spirally coils (often to attach a plant to its support), or something (such as a ringlet of hair) that looks like a tendril

2.       Inscrutable = (adj) not readily understood (enigmatic)

3.       Flaunt = (verb) to show off something/oneself 

4.       Furtive = (adj) done by stealth; sly, secret

5.       Tacit = (adj) expressed but without words; unstated

Chapter 4:

1.       Opalescence = (noun) the state of having a play of colors like an opal (creamy iridescence)

2.       Swarthiness = (noun) a dark complexion

3.       Irrelevance = (noun) the state of not having to do with the matter at hand

4.       Blatant = (adj) completely obvious or conspicuous especially in an offensive way; noisy especially in a vulgar or offensive way

5.       Chastisement = (noun) punishment, the act of censuring severely

Chapter 5:

1.       Incantation = (noun) a spell spoken or sung

2.       Tempestuously = (adverb) stormily (often used figuratively)

3.       Obscure = (adj) lacking light, not easily seen/understood, not well-known; (verb) to make dark or to hide

4.       Opaque = (adj) not transparent, literally and figuratively

5.       Inarticulate = (adj) not understandable, not able to express in speech or to speak

Chapter 6:

1.       Interminable = (adj) endless, especially connoting being wearisomely dragged out

2.       Tremulously = (adv) in a manner of trembling, affected by timidity, excessively sensitive

3.       Chasm = (noun) a deep cleft in the earth, or a deep division (figuratively)

4.       Diffidently = (adv) in the manner of lacking confidence; reserved

5.       Relentless = (adj) mercilessly hard or harsh

Chapter 7:

1.       Brandishing = (verb) to shake, wave, or display threateningly

2.       Glowered = (verb) to stare angrily

3.       Covert = (adj) not displayed or public (secret); (noun) a hiding place, a thicket giving cover for hunting

4.       Sagely = (adv) wisely

5.       Daunting = (adj/verb) lessening courage

Chapter 8:

1.       Heed = (verb) to pay attention to

2.       Fervor = (noun) intense heat, or warm steady intensity of feeling or expression

3.       Demure = (adj) quietly modest --- (to demur means to object or hesitate)

4.       Smut = (verb/noun) to stain/darken with matter that soils/blackens

5.       Parody = (noun) art (literature, music, etc) in which the style of an artist (author, etc) or artwork is closely imitated for comic effect or to ridicule; a feeble or ridiculous imitation

Chapter 9: 

1.       Steadfast = (adj) firmly fixed in place, not subject to change, loyal

2.       Sauntered = (verb) to walk along in an idle or leisurely manner, to stroll (often in a showing-off way)

3.       Derision = (noun) scornful or contemptuous ridicule

4.       Interspersed = (adj/verb) placed here and there among others

5.       Toiled = (verb) to work hard and long  (also a noun for a trap)

Chapter 10:

1.       Befoul = (verb) to make dirty, to soil

2.       Gesticulate = (verb) to make gestures, especially when speaking

3.       Phosphorescence = (noun) something, such as phosphorus or living organisms like bacteria and fungi, that glows, or the light thus given 

4.       Purged = (verb/adj) to clear of sin or guilt, to cleanse or purify, to remove disloyal persons

5.       Composite = (adj/noun) made up of various distinct parts or elements

Chapter 11:

1.       Myopia = (noun) nearsightedness (can’t see clearly things that are too far away)

2.       Snivel = (verb) to run at the nose, to cry or whine with snuffling, to speak or act in a whining or weakly emotional way

3.       Luminous = (adj) emitting light, shining, or bathed in steady light

4.       Talisman = (noun) a ring or stone carved with symbols and believed to have magical powers, a charm

5.       Pinnacles = (noun) an upright structure ending in a spire, a lofty peak, or the point of highest achievement or development

Chapter 12:

1.       Ululation = (noun) a howl or wail  (think playing “Indians” or Xena!)

2.       Cower = (verb) to shrink away or cringe (like with fear)

3.       Ensconce = (verb) to place or hide securely, or to establish comfortably, snuggly

4.       Cordon  = (noun/verb) a line of persons or things around a person or place  (also, a decorative or costume cord)

5.       Distended = (adj/verb) stretched or bulged out in all directions (swelled/swollen