Native American Myths
Endures – keeps on; continues
Inhabited – lived in
Revive – return to life
Determined – decided; concluded
A Narrative of the Captivity
Tedious – tiring; dreary
Lamentable – regrettable; distressing
Entreated – asked sincerely; begged
Afflictions – pains; hardships
Plunder – goods seized, especially during wartime
Melancholy – sad; sorrowful
Repentance – sorrow for doing wrong; regret
The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano
Copious – more than enough
Avarice – greed; desire for wealth
Render – cause to become; make
Procured – brought about; caused
Nominal – existing in name only
Upon the Burning of Our House July 10, 1666
Piteous – deserving pity or compassion
Consume – burn away; destroy
Vanity – something valueless
Glory – great beauty; splendor
Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God
Incensed – infuriated
Prudence – carefulness
Inconceivable – unimaginable
Loathsome – arousing hatred
Mitigation – moderation; softening
Speech to the Virginia Convention
Solace – comfort
Insidious – sly; sneaky
Supplication – plea; prayer
Avert – prevent; turn away
Spurned – rejected
Inviolate – uncorrupted
Adversary – opponent
Vigilant – those who are watchful
The Crisis, No. 1
Tyranny – cruel use of power
Impious – irreverent
Ravage – violent destruction
Relinquished – given up
Pretense – false claim
Dominion – rule; the right to govern
Eloquence – expressive or graceful manner of speech
The Autobiography: The Declaration of Independence
Despotism – rule by a tyrant or king with unlimited power
Assent – agreement
Tenure – length of time that an office is held
Perfidy – betrayal of trust
Opprobrium – shameful conduct
Redress – correction for a wrong done
The Autobiography/Poor Richard’s Almanack
Arduous – difficult
Rectitude – correctness
Facilitate – make easier
Subsequent – following
Eradicate - eliminate
Thanatopsis
Blight – anything that takes away hope or causes ruin
Clod – lump of dirt or soil
Plod – walk slowly or with difficulty
Mirth – happiness
The Cross of Snow
Halo -- circular band of light
Martyrdom -- painful death of a martyr
Ravines -- long, narrow valleys with steep sides
The Chambered Nautilus
Venturous -- bold; daring
Unfurl -- spread out or unfold
Crypt -- underground burial chamber
Lustrous -- shining; glossy
Forlorn -- deserted; miserable; hopeless
Nature
Transparent – able to be seen through
Admonishing – gently warning
Integrate – form into a whole
Blithe – happy; carefree
Egotism – thinking excessively of oneself
Self-Reliance
Conviction – firm belief
Manifest – apparent; clear
Predominating – having great influence or power
Transcendent – excelling; surpassing
Aversion – strong or fixed dislike
Integrity – sound moral principals; honesty
Walden, or Life in the Woods
Superficial – on the surface; shallow
Incessantly – without stopping
Derision – ridicule or contempt
Tumultuous – very noisy, disorderly, or violent
Ethereal – not of the earth; spiritual
The Devil and Tom Walker
Prevalent – widely existing; frequent
Stagnant – not flowing or moving
Precarious – uncertain; insecure; risky
Obliterate – erase or destroy
Avarice – greed
Resolute – determined; unwavering
Superfluous – more than is needed or wanted; useless
The Minister’s Black Veil
Inanimate – lifeless
Obscurity – darkness
Iniquity – wickedness
Ostentatious – deliberately attracting notice
Pensively – thoughtfully or seriously
Antipathy – strong dislike
Plausibility – believability
The Fall of the House of Usher
Pervaded – spread throughout
Sojourn – short stay
Inordinate – excessive
Palpable – obvious; perceivable
Emaciated – unusually thin
Morbid – diseased; unhealthy
Obstinate – stubborn
The Pit and the Pendulum
Lucid – clearheaded; not confused
Tumultuous – violent; greatly agitated or disturbed
Prostrate – lying flat
Lethargy – abnormal drowsiness
Averted – turned away
Moby Dick
Luster – brightness; shine
Inarticulate – not uttered in distinct syllables or words; mumbled
Inscrutable – mysterious
Wreak – inflict
Volition – will
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
Epoch – noteworthy period of time
Comply – obey; agree to a request or command
Subjected – made to experience some action or treatment
Interpose – put forth in order to interfere
Gratification – satisfaction; delight
From Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl
Malice – ill will; desire to harm
Fervently – with intense feeling
Provocation – something that stirs up action or feeling
Cunning – sly or crafty
Compelled – driven; forced
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
Ardently – in a way that is intensely passionate and eager
Perilous – dangerous and risky
Poignant – deeply piercing, either emotionally or physically
Pivotal – central; acting as a point around which other things turn
Malign – harmful; evil
A Mystery of Heroism
Onslaught – brutal, fierce attack
Obliterated – completely destroyed
Carnage – extensive bloodshed
Eloquence – powerful expression
Ominous – threatening danger; menacing
Sullenly – in a resentfully silent manner; sulkily
Provisional – conditional; dependent on something else being done
I Hear America Singing
Blithe – happy and cheerful
Beam – large, long piece of timber for use in construction
Mason – worker who lays stone or brick
Robust – vigorous and healthy
Melodious – sweet sounding; musical
From Song of Myself
Harbor – have and keep in the mind
Disposition – one’s natural way of acting toward others or thinking about things
Transpire – develop or breathe out
Resuscitate – return to life
Loitering -- the state of hanging about and wasting time
Bequeath -- give or leave by means of a will when one dies
Because I could not stop for Death
Immortality – unending existence
Civility – courteous or polite behavior
Surmised – guessed or inferred with little supporting evidence
Much Madness is divinest Sense
Discerning – sharp or shrewd in understanding
Assent – agree or express approval
Demur – object or express disagreement
The Outcast of Poker Flats
Impropriety - improper conduct
Malevolence - the wish that evil may happen to others
Bellicose - fond of fighting; warlike
Guileless - honest; sincere
Amiability - friendliness; pleasantness
Jocular - joking; full of fun
Extemporized - prepared offhand; made for the occasion
The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County
Garrulous - talking too much; especially about unimportant things
Conjectured - guessed
Infamous - having a bad reputation
Dilapidated - partially ruined or decayed through neglect
Interminable - endless; seeming to last forever
The Lowest Animal
Dispositions – natural ways of acting or thinking
Verified – proved something to be true
Caliber – quality or ability
Wantonly – carelessly, often with ill will
Transition – passage from one condition, form, or stage to another
Avaricious – greedy
Atrocious – very evil, savage, or brutal
A Wagner Matinee
Legacy - money or other property left to a person by the will of someone who has died
Grotesque - strange; absurd
Reverential - deeply respectful
Pious - devoted to one’s religion
Inert - inactive; sluggish
Trepidation - anxious uncertainty
Deluge - rush; flood
The Story of an Hour
Abandonment – a yielding to natural impulses; freedom from self-control or restraint
Tumultuously – violently
Vacant – empty of thought
Illumination – intellectual or spiritual enlightenment
Feverish – excited; restless
To Build a Fire
Intangible – not capable of being touched
Protruding – thrusting forth; sticking out
Apprehension – expectation of misfortune; fear
Imperative – not to be avoided; urgent
Extremities – limbs of the body, especially the hands and feet
Richard Cory/Miniver Cheevy
Imperially – grandly; majestically
Arrayed – dressed
Assailed – set upon vigorously with hostile words
Renown – fame
Incessantly – continuously; without stop
Soldier’s Home
Hysteria – uncontrolled excitement
Atrocity – a horrible or brutal act
Apocryphal – of questionable authority; false
Alliances – close associations entered into for mutual benefit
Intrigue – scheming; plotting
Winter Dreams
Malicious – intentionally hurt
Reserve – self-restraint
Petulance – irritability; impatience
Mirth – joyfulness
Turbulence – wild disorder
Ludicrous – laughable; absurd
Plaintive – expressing sadness
A Rose for Emily
Archaic – old-fashioned
Vindicated – proved correct
Pauper – extremely poor person
Circumvent – avoid cleverness or deceit
Virulent – full of hate
Tranquil – calm; quiet
Perverse – odd; contrary
Acrid – bitter, irritating
The Grapes of Wrath
Migrant – migrating
Perplexed – confused; puzzled
Transcend – surpass; go above
Ostracism – banishment; act of being shut out or excluded
A Worn Path
Persistent – continuing
Illumined – lit up
Intent – purposeful
Appointed – assigned
Solemn – serious
The Jilting of Granny Weatherall
Tactful – skilled in saying and doing the right thing
Rummaging – searching thoroughly by moving things about
Clammy – cold and damp
Vanity – excessive pride
Jilted – rejected as a lover
Disputed – disagreed with
Dwindled – diminished
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Rakishly – in a casual, stylish manner
Distraught – highly troubled
Haggard – wasted or worn in appearance
Insolent – boldly disrespectful
Bickering – quarreling over something unimportant; squabbling
Pandemonium – wild confusion
Inscrutable – mysterious
The Life You Save May Be Your Own
Desolate – deserted
Gaunt – very thin and bony
Ominous – of bad omen; threatening
Morose – gloomy
Engulf – swallow up
Guffawing – loudly and coarsely laughing
from Dust Tracks on a Road
Hail – greet
Brazenness – boldness
Caper – foolish prank
Realm – kingdom
Avarice – greed
Profoundly – deeply
Endures – keeps on; continues
Inhabited – lived in
Revive – return to life
Determined – decided; concluded
A Narrative of the Captivity
Tedious – tiring; dreary
Lamentable – regrettable; distressing
Entreated – asked sincerely; begged
Afflictions – pains; hardships
Plunder – goods seized, especially during wartime
Melancholy – sad; sorrowful
Repentance – sorrow for doing wrong; regret
The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano
Copious – more than enough
Avarice – greed; desire for wealth
Render – cause to become; make
Procured – brought about; caused
Nominal – existing in name only
Upon the Burning of Our House July 10, 1666
Piteous – deserving pity or compassion
Consume – burn away; destroy
Vanity – something valueless
Glory – great beauty; splendor
Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God
Incensed – infuriated
Prudence – carefulness
Inconceivable – unimaginable
Loathsome – arousing hatred
Mitigation – moderation; softening
Speech to the Virginia Convention
Solace – comfort
Insidious – sly; sneaky
Supplication – plea; prayer
Avert – prevent; turn away
Spurned – rejected
Inviolate – uncorrupted
Adversary – opponent
Vigilant – those who are watchful
The Crisis, No. 1
Tyranny – cruel use of power
Impious – irreverent
Ravage – violent destruction
Relinquished – given up
Pretense – false claim
Dominion – rule; the right to govern
Eloquence – expressive or graceful manner of speech
The Autobiography: The Declaration of Independence
Despotism – rule by a tyrant or king with unlimited power
Assent – agreement
Tenure – length of time that an office is held
Perfidy – betrayal of trust
Opprobrium – shameful conduct
Redress – correction for a wrong done
The Autobiography/Poor Richard’s Almanack
Arduous – difficult
Rectitude – correctness
Facilitate – make easier
Subsequent – following
Eradicate - eliminate
Thanatopsis
Blight – anything that takes away hope or causes ruin
Clod – lump of dirt or soil
Plod – walk slowly or with difficulty
Mirth – happiness
The Cross of Snow
Halo -- circular band of light
Martyrdom -- painful death of a martyr
Ravines -- long, narrow valleys with steep sides
The Chambered Nautilus
Venturous -- bold; daring
Unfurl -- spread out or unfold
Crypt -- underground burial chamber
Lustrous -- shining; glossy
Forlorn -- deserted; miserable; hopeless
Nature
Transparent – able to be seen through
Admonishing – gently warning
Integrate – form into a whole
Blithe – happy; carefree
Egotism – thinking excessively of oneself
Self-Reliance
Conviction – firm belief
Manifest – apparent; clear
Predominating – having great influence or power
Transcendent – excelling; surpassing
Aversion – strong or fixed dislike
Integrity – sound moral principals; honesty
Walden, or Life in the Woods
Superficial – on the surface; shallow
Incessantly – without stopping
Derision – ridicule or contempt
Tumultuous – very noisy, disorderly, or violent
Ethereal – not of the earth; spiritual
The Devil and Tom Walker
Prevalent – widely existing; frequent
Stagnant – not flowing or moving
Precarious – uncertain; insecure; risky
Obliterate – erase or destroy
Avarice – greed
Resolute – determined; unwavering
Superfluous – more than is needed or wanted; useless
The Minister’s Black Veil
Inanimate – lifeless
Obscurity – darkness
Iniquity – wickedness
Ostentatious – deliberately attracting notice
Pensively – thoughtfully or seriously
Antipathy – strong dislike
Plausibility – believability
The Fall of the House of Usher
Pervaded – spread throughout
Sojourn – short stay
Inordinate – excessive
Palpable – obvious; perceivable
Emaciated – unusually thin
Morbid – diseased; unhealthy
Obstinate – stubborn
The Pit and the Pendulum
Lucid – clearheaded; not confused
Tumultuous – violent; greatly agitated or disturbed
Prostrate – lying flat
Lethargy – abnormal drowsiness
Averted – turned away
Moby Dick
Luster – brightness; shine
Inarticulate – not uttered in distinct syllables or words; mumbled
Inscrutable – mysterious
Wreak – inflict
Volition – will
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
Epoch – noteworthy period of time
Comply – obey; agree to a request or command
Subjected – made to experience some action or treatment
Interpose – put forth in order to interfere
Gratification – satisfaction; delight
From Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl
Malice – ill will; desire to harm
Fervently – with intense feeling
Provocation – something that stirs up action or feeling
Cunning – sly or crafty
Compelled – driven; forced
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
Ardently – in a way that is intensely passionate and eager
Perilous – dangerous and risky
Poignant – deeply piercing, either emotionally or physically
Pivotal – central; acting as a point around which other things turn
Malign – harmful; evil
A Mystery of Heroism
Onslaught – brutal, fierce attack
Obliterated – completely destroyed
Carnage – extensive bloodshed
Eloquence – powerful expression
Ominous – threatening danger; menacing
Sullenly – in a resentfully silent manner; sulkily
Provisional – conditional; dependent on something else being done
I Hear America Singing
Blithe – happy and cheerful
Beam – large, long piece of timber for use in construction
Mason – worker who lays stone or brick
Robust – vigorous and healthy
Melodious – sweet sounding; musical
From Song of Myself
Harbor – have and keep in the mind
Disposition – one’s natural way of acting toward others or thinking about things
Transpire – develop or breathe out
Resuscitate – return to life
Loitering -- the state of hanging about and wasting time
Bequeath -- give or leave by means of a will when one dies
Because I could not stop for Death
Immortality – unending existence
Civility – courteous or polite behavior
Surmised – guessed or inferred with little supporting evidence
Much Madness is divinest Sense
Discerning – sharp or shrewd in understanding
Assent – agree or express approval
Demur – object or express disagreement
The Outcast of Poker Flats
Impropriety - improper conduct
Malevolence - the wish that evil may happen to others
Bellicose - fond of fighting; warlike
Guileless - honest; sincere
Amiability - friendliness; pleasantness
Jocular - joking; full of fun
Extemporized - prepared offhand; made for the occasion
The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County
Garrulous - talking too much; especially about unimportant things
Conjectured - guessed
Infamous - having a bad reputation
Dilapidated - partially ruined or decayed through neglect
Interminable - endless; seeming to last forever
The Lowest Animal
Dispositions – natural ways of acting or thinking
Verified – proved something to be true
Caliber – quality or ability
Wantonly – carelessly, often with ill will
Transition – passage from one condition, form, or stage to another
Avaricious – greedy
Atrocious – very evil, savage, or brutal
A Wagner Matinee
Legacy - money or other property left to a person by the will of someone who has died
Grotesque - strange; absurd
Reverential - deeply respectful
Pious - devoted to one’s religion
Inert - inactive; sluggish
Trepidation - anxious uncertainty
Deluge - rush; flood
The Story of an Hour
Abandonment – a yielding to natural impulses; freedom from self-control or restraint
Tumultuously – violently
Vacant – empty of thought
Illumination – intellectual or spiritual enlightenment
Feverish – excited; restless
To Build a Fire
Intangible – not capable of being touched
Protruding – thrusting forth; sticking out
Apprehension – expectation of misfortune; fear
Imperative – not to be avoided; urgent
Extremities – limbs of the body, especially the hands and feet
Richard Cory/Miniver Cheevy
Imperially – grandly; majestically
Arrayed – dressed
Assailed – set upon vigorously with hostile words
Renown – fame
Incessantly – continuously; without stop
Soldier’s Home
Hysteria – uncontrolled excitement
Atrocity – a horrible or brutal act
Apocryphal – of questionable authority; false
Alliances – close associations entered into for mutual benefit
Intrigue – scheming; plotting
Winter Dreams
Malicious – intentionally hurt
Reserve – self-restraint
Petulance – irritability; impatience
Mirth – joyfulness
Turbulence – wild disorder
Ludicrous – laughable; absurd
Plaintive – expressing sadness
A Rose for Emily
Archaic – old-fashioned
Vindicated – proved correct
Pauper – extremely poor person
Circumvent – avoid cleverness or deceit
Virulent – full of hate
Tranquil – calm; quiet
Perverse – odd; contrary
Acrid – bitter, irritating
The Grapes of Wrath
Migrant – migrating
Perplexed – confused; puzzled
Transcend – surpass; go above
Ostracism – banishment; act of being shut out or excluded
A Worn Path
Persistent – continuing
Illumined – lit up
Intent – purposeful
Appointed – assigned
Solemn – serious
The Jilting of Granny Weatherall
Tactful – skilled in saying and doing the right thing
Rummaging – searching thoroughly by moving things about
Clammy – cold and damp
Vanity – excessive pride
Jilted – rejected as a lover
Disputed – disagreed with
Dwindled – diminished
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Rakishly – in a casual, stylish manner
Distraught – highly troubled
Haggard – wasted or worn in appearance
Insolent – boldly disrespectful
Bickering – quarreling over something unimportant; squabbling
Pandemonium – wild confusion
Inscrutable – mysterious
The Life You Save May Be Your Own
Desolate – deserted
Gaunt – very thin and bony
Ominous – of bad omen; threatening
Morose – gloomy
Engulf – swallow up
Guffawing – loudly and coarsely laughing
from Dust Tracks on a Road
Hail – greet
Brazenness – boldness
Caper – foolish prank
Realm – kingdom
Avarice – greed
Profoundly – deeply