Chapter Vocabulary To Kill a Mockingbird Ms DeFeo English I

Acquit It was hopeful that the jury would acquit Tom Robinson, then he would be free to return to normal life. It was hopeful that the jury would acquit Tom Robinson, then he would be free to return to normal life.

Acquit (v.) - Free (someone) from a criminal charge by a verdict of not guilty (v.) - Free (someone) from a criminal charge by a verdict of not guilty

Aggravate Why do you feel the need to aggravate your parents by being disrespectful when they’re already upset because you broke curfew? Why do you feel the need to aggravate your parents by being disrespectful when they’re already upset because you broke curfew?

Aggravate (v.) - Make (a problem, injury, or offense) worse or more serious (v.) - Make (a problem, injury, or offense) worse or more serious

Appeal It is possible for a jury’s verdict to be overturned on appeal. It is possible for a jury’s verdict to be overturned on appeal.

Appeal (v.) - Make a serious or urgent request, typically to the public (v.) - Make a serious or urgent request, typically to the public

Contraband The men were arrested for having tried to smuggle illegal contraband into the United States. The men were arrested for having tried to smuggle illegal contraband into the United States.

Contraband (n.) - Goods that have been imported or exported illegally (n.) - Goods that have been imported or exported illegally

Cynical I was very cynical in thinking that my friend brought the extra sandwich for me, he probably had really packed himself two. I was very cynical in thinking that my friend brought the extra sandwich for me, he probably had really packed himself two.

Cynical (adj.) - Believing that people are motivated by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity (adj.) - Believing that people are motivated by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity

Detachment Atticus treated his children with courteous detachment. Atticus treated his children with courteous detachment.

Detachment (n.) - The state of being objective or aloof (n.) - The state of being objective or aloof

Diction Everyone in the novel speaks with a southern diction. Everyone in the novel speaks with a southern diction.

Diction (n.) - The choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing (n.) - The choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing

Discreet You must be discreet when you are voting in a ballot box, you’re not supposed to shout out loud who you’re voting for! You must be discreet when you are voting in a ballot box, you’re not supposed to shout out loud who you’re voting for!

Discreet (adj.) - Careful and circumspect in one's speech or actions, esp. to avoid causing offense or to gain an advantage (adj.) - Careful and circumspect in one's speech or actions, esp. to avoid causing offense or to gain an advantage

Fatalism It's time to shake off the lazy fatalism that the poor will always be with us. It's time to shake off the lazy fatalism that the poor will always be with us.

Fatalism (n.) - The belief that all events are predetermined and therefore inevitable (n.) - The belief that all events are predetermined and therefore inevitable

Fret Don’t fret over not having been asked to the prom yet, you can have a fantastic time with your friends, or going by yourself, too! Don’t fret over not having been asked to the prom yet, you can have a fantastic time with your friends, or going by yourself, too!

Fret (v.) - Be constantly or visibly anxious (v.) - Be constantly or visibly anxious

Heathen He could be considered a heathen, he does not go to church, pray, or do anything related to religion. He could be considered a heathen, he does not go to church, pray, or do anything related to religion.

Heathen (n.) - A person who does not belong to a widely held religion (esp. one who is not a Christian, Jew, or Muslim) (n.) - A person who does not belong to a widely held religion (esp. one who is not a Christian, Jew, or Muslim)

Indicted Tom Robinson was indicted on the rape of Mayella Ewell. Tom Robinson was indicted on the rape of Mayella Ewell.

Indicted (v.) - Formally accuse or charge (someone) with a serious crime (v.) - Formally accuse or charge (someone) with a serious crime

Perpetuated Scout said about Mr. Raymond, “ I had never encountered a being who deliberately perpetuated fraud against himself” (Lee,201). Scout said about Mr. Raymond, “ I had never encountered a being who deliberately perpetuated fraud against himself” (Lee,201).

Perpetuated (v.) - Make (something, typically an undesirable situation or an unfounded belief) continue indefinitely (v.) - Make (something, typically an undesirable situation or an unfounded belief) continue indefinitely

Resentments She had hoped that her girlfriends didn’t hold any resentments towards her for having been voted prom queen. She had hoped that her girlfriends didn’t hold any resentments towards her for having been voted prom queen.

Resentments (n.) - Bitter indignation at having been treated unfairly (n.) - Bitter indignation at having been treated unfairly

Statute After the homosexual student committed suicide at a Pennsylvania college, his peers were charged with having broken the hate crimes statute. After the homosexual student committed suicide at a Pennsylvania college, his peers were charged with having broken the hate crimes statute.

Statute (n.) - A written law passed by a legislative body: "violation of the hate crimes statute" (n.) - A written law passed by a legislative body: "violation of the hate crimes statute"

Temerity No one had the temerity to question his statement, they were intimidated by his presence. No one had the temerity to question his statement, they were intimidated by his presence.

Temerity (n.) - Excessive confidence or boldness; audacity (n.) - Excessive confidence or boldness; audacity

Vehement Atticus was vehement in his repeated questioning as to if Mayella had gone to the doctor after she was ‘raped’. Atticus was vehement in his repeated questioning as to if Mayella had gone to the doctor after she was ‘raped’.

Vehement (adj.) - Showing strong feeling; forceful, passionate, or intense (adj.) - Showing strong feeling; forceful, passionate, or intense

Vengeance She had vowed vengeance, and now she had her chance. She had vowed vengeance, and now she had her chance.

Vengeance (n.) - Punishment inflicted or retribution exacted for an injury or wrong (n.) - Punishment inflicted or retribution exacted for an injury or wrong

Verdict I wonder what the verdict will be in the Tom Robinson case? I wonder what the verdict will be in the Tom Robinson case?

Verdict (n.) - A decision on a disputed issue in a civil or criminal case or an inquest (n.) - A decision on a disputed issue in a civil or criminal case or an inquest

Homework You know what to do! Right? You know what to do! Right?