[转载]跟小徐老师一起学《杀死一只知更鸟》英语小说（俚语 生词 章节讲述 全包括）
2014-08-07 19:42阅读：
美国，文学教育中，教得次数最多的4部小说：
Romeo and Juliet,
Macbeth,
新浪博客
美国，文学教育中，教得次数最多的4部小说：
Romeo and Juliet,
Macbeth,
Huckleberry Finn,
To Kill a Mockingbird.
《杀死一只知更鸟》英语小说 每一章节 生词表（含英语解释）
Chapter 1 - Vocabulary
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ambled: (vb.): to walk at a slow, leisurely pace.
apothecary (n.): an early form of a pharmacist, apothecaries could also prescribe drugs.
assuaged (vb.): to assuage is to lessen or to calm. Therefore, if Jem's fears about being able to play football were assuaged, it means that he no longer feared that he wouldn't be able to play the sport.
beadle (n.): a minor city official, lower in rank than either a sheriff or a policeman, whose main duties revolve around preserving order at various civil functions such as trials and town hall meetings.
brethren (n.): in this case, members of a particular church or sect
corsets (n): a corset is a ladies undergarment designed to produce a particular effect on the figure. That effect usually results in a slim (or slimmer) waist and larger busts and hips, like the woman in this picture.
dictum (n.): in this case, a formal statement of principle
domiciled (vb.): A domicile is a house or a place where a person lives. If you are domiciled somewhere, that is where you live. The Finch family lived in the northern part of the county.
eaves (n.): the lower edges of a roof which usually project beyond the side of a building
foray (n.): When you make a foray, you go somewhere or do something that is unusual or not normal for you. It was certainly not Jem's usual behavior to go near the Radley house; thus, doing so was a foray for him.
human chattels (n.): slaves
impotent (adj.): powerless. Simon's fury and anger regarding the Civil Warwould certainly have been impotent because there would have been nothing he could have done about it.
impudent (adj.): To be impudent is to be shamelessly bold, as if you don't care what anyone thinks about you. Since the Haverfords did something illegal in front of witnesses, Lee rightfully describes them as impudent.
malevolent (adj.): evil
Methodists (n): members of a branch of a Protestant Christian denomination. Find out more about the United Methodist Church.
picket (n): a pointed or sharpened pole or stake. Many pickets held together can make a picket fence.
piety (n): devotion to religious duties and practices
predilection (n.): a predilection is a preference, or a preferred way of doing something. Thus, the Radley's preferred way of spending a Sunday afternoon was to keep the doors closed and not receive visitors
ramrod (adj.): rigid, severe, straight
repertoire was vapid: (n. + adj.): a repertoire is all the special skills a person has; vapid, in this case, means boring or uninteresting. So, when Scout says that their repertoire was vapid, she means that the games they had invented to pass the time had become old and had lost their interest.
scold (n.): A scold is a person who scolds; that is, someone who often finds fault with people or things (and usually lets you know about it under no uncertain terms)
spittoon (n.): a jarlike container to spit into; usually used to spit tobacco juice into. See a picture of a spittoon.
strictures (n.): conditions or rules
taciturn (adj.): almost always silent. Apparently, Aunt Alexandra's husband was a very quiet man.
unsullied (adj.): something that is unsullied has been basically untouched or unused. The fact that Atticus's edition of the Code of Alabama is unsullied would, in this case, indicate that he seldom consults this book.
veranda (n): a portico or porch with a roof
![[转载]跟小徐老师一起学《杀死一只知更鸟》英语小说（俚语 <wbr>生词 <wbr>章节讲述 <wbr>全包括）](http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/Belmont_HS/tkm/smhome.gif "[转载]跟小徐老师一起学《杀死一只知更鸟》英语小说（俚语 <wbr>生词 <wbr>章节讲述 <wbr>全包括）")
Chapter 2 - Vocabulary
auburn (adj.): reddish-brown
catawba worms (n.): catawba worms are actually caterpillars that are highly prized by fishermen in the Southern United States.
condescended (vb.): To condescend is to agree to do something that you believe to be beneath your dignity. Jem condescends to take Scout to school, even though, as a fifth-grader, he feels superior to his first-grade sister.
covey (n.): a group
crimson (adj.): blood-red
cunning (adj.): In this case, cunning means attractive or cute -- almost too cute
entailment (n.): a legal situation regarding the use of inherited property.
hookworms (n.): a type of parasite. Hookworms usually enter the body through bare feet and move through the body to the small intestines where they attach themselves with a series of hooks around their mouths. See apicture of a hookworm.
immune (adj.): In this case, to be immune to something means that it has no effect on you. The story Miss Caroline reads to the class has no effect on them; they don't get it.
indigenous (adj.): belonging to a particular region or country
scrip stamps (n.): paper money of small denominations (less than $1.00) issued for temporary emergency use. During the Great Depression, many local and state government gave out scrip stamps, or sometimes tokens, to needy people.
seceded (vb.): To secede is to break away. During the Civil War, Alabama was one of the states that broke away, or seceded from the Union.
smilax (n.): a bright green twinning vine, often used for holiday decorations. See a picture of smilax.
sojourn (n.): a brief visit
subsequent mortification (adj. + n.): Something that is subsequent will follow closely after something else. Mortification is a feeling of shame or the loss of self respect. If Scout had been able to explain things to Miss Caroline, she could have prevented her teacher from losing self respect of feeling shameful later on.
vexations (n.): To vex is to annoy, so a vexation is something that causes annoyance or problems.
wallowing illicitly (vb. + adv.): In this case, to wallow is to indulge in something (usually an activity) with great enjoyment. Illicit, used like this, means unauthorized or improper. After listening to Miss Caroline, Scout feels that, by reading, she has been happily indulging in something which she should not have been doing.
Chapter 3 - Vocabulary
amiable (adj.): friendly
compromise (n.): an agreement where each person agrees to give up something
contemptuous (adj.): To be contemptuous is to have the feeling that someone or something is beneath you; that it or they are worthless. The Ewell boy obviously feels this way about his teacher, Miss Caroline.
contentious (adj.): always ready to argue or fight
cootie (n.): a slang term for a head louse. A louse (plural: lice) is a bloodsucking parasite. See a picture of a head louse.
cracklin bread (n.): a type of cornbread mixed with cracklins (bits of fried pork skin). Want to make some? Here's a recipe for cracklin' bread.
diminutive (adj.): smaller than ordinary
disapprobation (n.): disapproval
discernible (adj.): understandable
dispensation (n.): a release from an obligation or promise. In this case, by offering friendship to Walter and promising that Scout won't fight with him, Jem dispenses her threat to fight with him more.
dose (of) magnesia (n. + n.): A dose is an exact amount of medicine. Magnesia is a medicine used as a laxative and antacid.
eddy (n.): a current of water that moves against the main current; a whirlpool
erratic (adj.): irregular. Calpurnia usually uses good grammar, but when she is angry, her grammar is irregular.
flinty (adj.): Flint is a very hard rock. Something that is flinty is extremely hard and firm.
fractious (adj.): mean or cross
gravely (adv.): seriously
haint (n.): a ghost or spook; someone or something very scary
irked (v.): to be irked is to be annoyed. Scout is annoyed when Jem tells Walter that she won't fight with him (Walter) anymore.
kerosene (n.): a thin oil. Kerosene is sometimes used as a solvent or cleaning agent, although its more common use is for fuel or lighting.
lye soap (n.): Lye is a very strong alkaline substance used for cleaning. Lye soap is very strong, harsh soap that contains lye.
monosyllabic (adj.): Mono means 'one.' A syllable is word or a part of a word which can be pronounced with a single, uninterrupted sound. The name 'Atticus,' for example, is made up of three syllables: at + ti + cus. Thus, monosyllabic literally means 'one sound.' Scout's monosyllabic replies to Atticus's questions about her first day at school might have been made up of one-sound words like 'yes' and 'no.'
mutual concessions (adj. + n.): A concession is an agreement; something that is mutual is done by two or more people. Thus, a mutual concession occurs when two or more people agree on something.
onslaught (n.): a violent attack
persevere (v.): to carry on in spite of difficulties
tranquility (n.): peacefulness; serenity
Chapter 4 - Vocabulary
auspicious (adj.): favorable
melancholy (adj.): sad and gloomy
quelling (of) nausea: (v. + n.): To quell something is to quiet or pacify it. Nausea is the feeling you get when your stomach is upset and you feel as if you're about to vomit. Scout is trying to quell her nausea, or make her stomach settle down.
scuppernongs (n.): a sweet table grape, grown chiefly in the Southern United States. See a picture of scuppernongs.
Chapter 5 - Vocabulary
asinine (adj.): stupid; silly
benevolence (n.): in this case, a generous or thoughtful gift
benign (adj.): kind and gentle
bridgework (n.): Unlike dentures, which replace the upper or lower sets of teeth, bridgework is made up of sections of replacement teeth that can be inserted and removed from one's mouth.
chameleon (adj.) In nature, chameleons are tree-dwelling lizards that have the unusual ability to change the color of their skin in order to blend into their surroundings. By calling Miss Maudie a chameleon lady, Scout points out the fact that her neighbor's appearance was as changeable as one of the lizards. Learn more about chameleons, and see some pictures of chameleons.
cordiality (n.): sincere affection and kindness
edification (n.): education; instruction
gaped (vb.): To gape at someone is to stare at that person with your mouth open. See a rather extreme example of gaping.
inquisitive (adj.): questioning; prying
mimosa (n): Also called a silk tree, a mimosa can be either a tree or a shrub. Look at a picture of a mimosa flower.
morbid (adj.): gruesome; horrible
placidly (adv.): calmly; quietly
Protestant (adj.): Protestant is the name applied to any number of Christian churches, such as Baptist, Methodist, and Lutheran.
pulpit Gospel (adj. + n.): A pulpit is the raised platform or lectern from which a preacher speaks in church. The Gospel refers to the teachings of Jesus Christ, specifically the first four books of the New Testament. Scout says that her faith in what she's heard about the teachings of Christ from the pulpit (preacher) in her own church has been shaken a bit.
quibbling (vb.): a type of arguing where you avoid the main point by bringing up petty details
tacit (adj.) An agreement, or, in this case, a 'treaty' that is tacit is one that has been silently agreed upon. Thus, the children know that they can play on Miss Maudie's front lawn even though she never directly told them that it was all right to do so.
Chapter 6 - Vocabulary
collards (n.): a type of cabbage with very coarse leaves. It would be difficult to walk quietly through a patch of collards. See a picture of a collard patch.
dismemberment (n.): To dismember someone is to tear or cut that person's limbs (arms and legs) off. Although it is unlikely that anyone would have actually pulled off Dill's arms and legs, Lee uses the word to point out how outraged Miss Rachel must have been to discover that the children had been playing strip poker.
eerily (adv.): weirdly; mysteriously
ensuing (adj.): Something that ensues is something that comes immediately after something else.
Franklin stove (n.): a cast iron heating stove, invented by Benjamin Franklin. See a picture of a Franklin stove.
kudzu (n.): a quick-growing vine with large leaves, often found in the Southern United States. See a picture of kudzu.
lattice-work (adj.): A lattice is an openwork structure of crossed strips or bars, as in a screen. (See a picture of a lattice screen.) Light that passes through any kind of a lattice -work would produce lattice-work shadows.
malignant (adj.): dangerous; evil
prowess (n.): superior ability or skill
ramshackle (adj.): loose or rickety; about to fall apart
respiration (n.): breathing
rigid (adj.): stiff
waning (adj.): becoming less bright, intense, or strong. The moonlight is waning because it's getting closer to morning, and the moon is changing its position in the sky.
Chapter 7 - Vocabulary
cleaved (vb.): stuck
gnats (n.): small, two-winged insects that can bite or sting. [Pronounced: NAT] See a picture of a gnat.
meditative (adj.): To meditate is to reflect upon something, or think about it. When Jem give the patch on the tree a meditative pat, he does so in a thoughtful manner.
palate (n.): the roof of one's mouth
perpetual embalming (adj. + n.): Something that is perpetual lasts forever. Embalming is the process of preserving a dead body. Think of Egyptian mummies, or unwrap a virtual mummy. As Atticus later says, Jem would do well to get rid of the adjective (perpetual) . The Egyptians invented a type of paper (not toilet paper), as well as embalming (which, by its very nature, is perpetual) .
rendered (her) speechless: (vb. + n.): made her unable to speak
vigil (n.): a watch. Jem is waiting and watching for Mr. Nathan to appear.
whittles (vb.): To whittle is to use a knife to cut away thin shavings of wood. Sometimes, a whittler may actually end up carving a recognizable object.
Chapter 8 - Vocabulary
aberrations (n.): an aberration is a deviation, or a moving away from, something that is normal. The fact that winter comes so quickly in Maycomb is abnormal, thus, an aberration.
azaleas (n.): a colorful and decorative kind of flower. See some pictures of azaleas.
cannas (n.): a beautiful tropical flower. See a pictures of cannas.
caricatures (n.): a representation of a person where certain features of that person are exaggerated or distorted. See a caricature of Elvis Presley
cordial (adj.): warm and friendly
flue (n.): a channel in a chimney that allows smoke and flames to pass to the outside
meteorological (adj.): anything to do with meteorology or weather. Find out about the meteorological conditions in your community.
morphodite (n.): Scout has misheard Miss Maudie, who would actually have said the word hermaphrodite. Technically, a hermaphrodite is an animal or plant that has both female and male reproductive organs. Of course, the children's snowman is not really a hermaphrodite, but it does have both male and female characteristics.
near libel (adj. + n.): When you commit libel, you harm someone's reputation. Atticus tells the children that they have committed a near libel; that is, their snowman is almost libelous because it so closely represents one of their neighbors and could harm that neighbor's reputation.
perpetrated (vb.): carried out; committed
plaited (vb.): braided
procured (vb): got
prophets (n.): A prophet is someone able to predict the future.
quelled (vb.): To quell is to overwhelm something until it is powerless. The tin roof of Miss Maudie's house quelled the flames because tin cannot burn so the fire was eventually stopped.
roomers (n.): persons who rent and live in rooms in a house.
switches (n.): slender twigs or branches
taffeta (n.): a lustrous, stiff fabric, often used for women's dresses, especially formal wear
touchous (adj.) touchy; sensitive
treble (adj.): high
unfathomable (adj.): Something that is unfathomable is something that can not be understood.
Chapter 9 - Vocabulary
ambrosia (n): a desert made up of a mixture of fruits, nuts, and coconut. Get a recipe for ambrosia.
analogous (adj.): similar; comparable
attire (n.): clothing
bawled (vb.) cried out noisily
bluff (n.): the broad, flat front of a cliff
catwalk (n.): a narrow, elevated walkway
changelings (n.): a child secretly put in the place of another
compensation (n.): To compensate means to pay for something or to make up for something. Aunt Alexandra's good cooking skills, in some ways, make up for the fact that, for Scout, spending the holidays with her and Francis is not a lot of fun.
constituted (vb.): made up
crooned (vb.): To croon is to sing in a low, gentle tone.
deportment (n.): behavior
dim (adj.): unclear; not strong
donned (vb): put on
doused (vb.): to douse someone is to pour liquid, in this case water, all over that person.
evasion (n.): To evade is to avoid doing or answering something directly. Uncle Jack's evasion occurs when he doesn't directly answer Scout's question.
fanatical (adj.): A fanatic is a person whose extreme enthusiasm, interest, zeal, etc. goes beyond what is reasonable. Aunt Alexandra is fanatical about Scout's clothes because, according to Scout, her aunt's interest in this subject goes beyond what is reasonable.
gallantly (adv.): politely; in the manner of a gentleman
gastric (adj.): of, in, or near the stomach. A stomach ache would be a gastric complaint.
gravitated (vb.): Gravity is, of course, the force that pulls you to earth and keeps you from floating into outer space. When you gravitate toward something or someone, you find yourself being pulled in the direction of that object or person.
guilelessness (n.): Guile is craftiness and cunning in dealing with other. To be guileless is to have none of that craftiness. Here, Lee is being ironic since its obvious that Simon Finch didn't trust his daughters at all, and planned his house accordingly.
harbored (vb.): to hold in the mind
hookah (n): An oriental tobacco pipe with a flexible tube that draws smoke through a bowl of water. See a picture of a hookah.
impaired (adj.): damaged; weakened
indecision (n.): When you're indecisive, you can't decide what to do. Scout's indecision revolves around whether she should obey Uncle Jack or run away from him.
indicative (adj.): Something that is indicative of something shows or displays something. The manner in which Simon Finch arranged his house showed something about him.
ingenuous (adj.): simple; innocent
innate (adj.): Something that is innate is a natural part of something else. To Scout, cuss words have a natural sort of attraction to them; an innate attractiveness. They have value all on their own for her.
inordinately (adv.): Inordinate means too great or too many. Cousin Ike Finch is too vain about his beard; inordinately vain.
invective (n.): Invectives are abusive terms, curses, insults, and/or cuss words
isolate (vb.): set apart from others
jar (vb.): shake up; disturb
jetty (n): a type of wall built out into water to protect a coastline or restrain currents
mishaps (n.): unlucky or unfortunate accidents
mortify (vb.) humiliate; embarrass
nocturnal (adj.): nightly
obsess (vb.): greatly preoccupy
obstreperous (adj.): noisy and unruly
pantry (n.): a small room or closet off the kitchen where foodstuffs and cooking ingredients are stored
porter (n.): a person who carries luggage, etc., in this case, at a railroad station. Read about the history of the Pullman porter.
provocation (n.): To provoke is to excite some sort of feeling; often anger or irritation. Uncle Jack tells Scout that, as far as cuss words are concerned, he doesn't see the use for them unless they are used when one is very angry or provoked to use them.
ringworm (n.): a contagious skin disease caused by a fungus. See what ringworm looks like.
siblings (n.): brothers and/or sisters
still (n.): an apparatus for making alcoholic liquors. The sort of still to which Scout refers would be an illegal one.
subdued (vb.): Someone who has been subdued has been soothed or softened and made less intense.
tarried (vb.): delayed; waited
tentatively (adv.): To be tentative is to be hesitant or unsure. Francis asks Scout his question tentatively because he is unsure as to her reaction and more than a little afraid to face her.
tongs (n.): a device used to grab or lift objects. Tongs generally have two long arms that are hinged together. See a picture of medical tongs.
trousseau (n.): all the new clothes a bride brings to her marriage
uncompromising lineaments (adj. + n.): Lineaments are distinctive features or characteristics. Uncompromising, in this instance, means unchanging; firm; set. Alexandra's and Francis's uncompromising lineaments are their characteristics that are set and will never change.
wary (adj.): To be wary means to be cautious on your guard against something. In this instance, the children were never afraid of or cautious about their uncle's appearance.
widow's walk (n.): a platform with a rail around it, built onto the roof of a house. See a picture of a house with a widow's walk.
Yankees (n.): Northerners; natives of Northern states. During the Civil War, the Yankees were the enemies of the South.
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
Chapter 11 - Vocabulary
apoplectic (adj.): Apoplexy is a condition of sudden paralysis; a stroke. To be apoplectic, in this case, is to behave as if on the verge of having a stroke.
arbor (n): an outdoor area shaded by trees or, in this case, scuppernong vines on a lattice. See a picture of an arbor from an outdoor café in Greece.
bedecked (adj.): adorned; covered (with decorations)
calomel (n.): a laxative; often used as a cure for intestinal worms
camellia (n.): a shrub with glossy evergreen leaves and waxy, rose-like flowers. Find out more about camellias and see a picture of a camellia.
camisole (n.) a woman's sleeveless undergarment, usually worn under a sheer blouse
commence (vb.): begin
decreed (vb): A decree is an official order. As her older brother, Jem decreed what he and Scout would do.
degradation (n.): a state of low honor or moral character
dog-trot hall (adj.): a covered passageway between two parts of a building
escapade (n.): reckless prank
essence (n.): fundamental nature; most important quality
infuriated (vb.): angered greatly
interdict (n.): prohibition; restraint
livid (adj.): pale; lead-colored. Livid can also mean red, as in the color someone's face gets when that person becomes angry.
oppressive (adj.): overbearing; hard to put up with
palliation (n.): to palliate is to lessen the pain, or, in this case, fear and anxiety, of something without actually making the fear and anxiety go away. Calpurnia is not a great source of palliation; that is, she doesn't make the children feel any less anxious or fearful.
passé (adj.): old-fashioned
philippic (n.): a bitter verbal attack
plate (n.): dentures; dental plate
propensities (n.): inclinations or tendencies
reconnaissance (n.): examination
rectitude (n.): uprightness of character
relic (n): something of historic interest that has survived from the past. In this case, Scout is referring to a gun that would have been used in the Civil War.
skulked (vb.): to move or slink about in a sinister manner. The children are skulking in the kitchen because they are fearful of Atticus's reaction when he returns home.
syringe (n.): a device with a rubber bulb on one end and a narrow tube on the other: used to inject or extract fluids from body cavities. See a picture of a syringe.
tirade (n.): a long angry speech
tranquil (adj.): calm
umbrage (n.): offense
undulate (vb.): to move in waves or in a wavy manner
viscous (adj.): sticky
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
boded (vb.): continued
church (vb.): To church someone is ban that person (usually temporarily) from church for any variety of misdeeds.
clad (vb.): dressed
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
dispelled (vb.): driven away
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
indignantly (adv.): angrily
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.
obliquely (adv.): indirectly
prerogative (n.) exclusive right or privilege
shinny (n.) a slang term for liquor; usually whiskey or bourbon. Bourbon is a main ingredient in therecipe for a Lane cake.
sluggish (adj.): lacking energy; lazy
soberly (adv.): seriously
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.
tight (adj.): drunk
Chapter 14 - Vocabulary
antagonize (vb.): oppose; make
angry
bushel (n.): a unit of dry measure equal to 32 quarts
erosion (n.): a gradual wearing away.
infallible (adj.): never wrong
manacles (n.): handcuffs
neat (adj.): unmixed with anything, such as water or soda; straight
taut (adj.): tightly stretched
Chapter 15 - Vocabulary
acquiescence (n.): agreement
without protest
affliction (n.): in this case, a condition
aggregation (n.): group; gathering
begrudge (vb.): To begrudge someone something is to feel resentment or disapproval about the fact that they have something. Atticus says that he doesn't think anyone in the town would resent the fact that he has a client.
ecclesiastical (adj.): church-like
façade (n.): the front of a building; the part facing the street (pronounced: 'fah - sawed')
futility (n.): feeling of being ineffective; uselessness, hopelessness
impassive (adj.): showing no emotion
linotype (n.): a typesetting machine used in publishing. Find out more about Linotype machines.
ominous (adj.): threatening; sinister
shinnied up (adj.): drunk
stifle (vb.): hold back; suppress
succinct (adj.): clear and brief
uncouth (adj.): crude, unmannerly
venerable (adj.): impressive on account of age or historic associations
venue (n.): the place where a jury is selected and a case is tried
Chapter 16 - Vocabulary
affirmed (vb.): firmly declared or
stated
akimbo (adj.): hands on hips and elbows bent outward. See a picture of a man with his arms akimbo.
circuit solicitor (n.): a lawyer who travels to different locations to prosecute in trials
dispel (vb.): drive away
eccentricities (n.): oddities; unconventionalities
elucidate (vb.): explain
fey (adj.): strange; eccentric
formidable (adj.): impressive
inhabitants (n.): residents
khaki (adj.): a strong, twilled cloth of a dull yellowish-brown color
Mennonites (n.): members of an Anabaptist Christian sect. Mennonites favor plain dress and plain living. Find out more about the Mennonite Church.
profane (adj.): not connected with religion or religious matters
ruddy (adj.): reddish
Scripture (n.): The Bible
subpoena (n.): a written legal order directing a person to appear in court to give testimony
subtle (adj.): not openly obvious; quiet
sundry (adj.): various
Chapter 17 - Vocabulary
acrimonious (adj.): sarcastic;
bitter; nasty
affirmative nod (adj. + n.): Affirmative means positive. To give an affirmative nod would be to nod or shake one's head up and down to indicate 'yes.'
amber (adj.): dark orange yellow
ambidextrous (adj.): able to use both hands with equal ease
amiably (adv.): good-naturedly
audibly (adv.): Anything that is audible is capable of being heard. The judge warns the spectators against making any more comments that can be heard.
bantam cock (n.): a small, aggressive rooster. See a picture of a bantam cock.
benignly (adv.): kindly; gently
boiling (n.): angry or unruly group
capacity (n.): ability
cast (n.): To have a cast in one's eye means that a particular eye tends to veer or turn off into another direction.
complacently (adv.): in a self-satisfied way
congenital (adj.): a congenital condition is one that is in existence at birth. For example, if a child is born with a weak heart, that weakness in congenital; as opposed to someone who may acquire the condition later in life.
contempt charges (adj. + n.) Contempt, in this case, is open disrespect of a court or judge. A person who acts in such a manner may face a contempt charge from a judge.
corroborating evidence (adj. + n.): In legal terms; corroborating evidence is evidence which helps to strengthen a position. For example; eyewitness testimony in regards to a crime would be corroborating evidence that such a crime had been committed.
corrugated (adj.): formed by a series of alternating ridges and grooves
counsel (n.): lawyers
crepey (adj.): Crepe is a thin, crinkled cloth. Mr. Ewell's crepey neck obviously resembles this fabric; that is, the skin is thin and crinkled.
dictum (n.): official pronouncement
dogged (adj.): stubborn determination
economic fluctuations (adj. + n.): Economics, in this case, has to do with the economy; the financial state of the country and its people. To fluctuate means to change. As far as the Ewells are concerned, no matter how the economy of the country might change, their situation was always the same. They were always poor.
edge (n.): sharpness
gardenia (n.): a large, fragrant flower. See a picture of gardenias.
genially (adv.): in a friendly manner
geraniums (n.): flowering plants. See a picture of geraniums.
gullet (n.): throat; neck
heaved (vb.): lifted
import (n.): importance
infinite (adj.): endless
irrelevant'n'immaterial (adj.): 'irrelevant and immaterial' Irrelevant means not relative; not related (to something). Immaterial means unimportant. The judge is saying that whether or not Mr. Ewell can read and write is not related and unimportant to the case.
load o'kindlin' (n.): 'load of kindling.' Kindling is generally made up of dry twigs, branches, etc.; materials useful for starting a fire
namesake (n.): the person one is named after. In this case, Mr. Ewell's namesake is the leader of the Confederate Army, Robert E. Lee.
prosperity (n.): good fortune; wealth
quelling (vb.): quieting; calming
refuse (n.): garbage
ruttin' on (vb.): In this instance, the term is used to indicate that, according to Mr. Ewell, Tom Robinson was having sexual intercourse with his daughter. It should be noted that this term is almost exclusively reserved for use in describing the mating habits of animals, not people.
skewed (adj.): turned
slop jars (n.): large pails usually used to receive waste water from a wash basin or the contents of a chamber pot
smugness (n.): To be smug is to be highly self-satisfied; to think a lot of oneself. Mr. Ewell's smugness, or appearance of self-satisfaction, shows on his face.
speculations (n.): To speculate is to think about or reflect on a subject. Speculations are thoughts or reflections.
sulky (adj.): moody and quiet
sullen (adj.): in this case, gloomy and threatening
supplemented (vb.): added to
tenet (n.) a principle or belief generally held to be true
title dispute (n.): a legal fight over the ownership of a particular piece of property
turbulent (adj.): stormy; unruly
varmints (n.): in this case, flies and other flying insects that would be found in and around a garbage dump
warranted (vb.): gave a reason for; indicated the need for
Chapter 18 - Vocabulary
arid (adj.): dry; without
expression
chiffarobe (n.): a large cabinet with drawers and a place for hanging clothes. See a picture of a chiffarobe.
constructionalist (n.): a person who interprets aspects of the law in a specified way
dusk (n.): the time just before nightfall
ground-itch (n.): Ground-itch is caused by hookworms. The parasites usually enter the body through bare feet, causing an itchy, allergic reaction.
grudging (adj.): hostile
lavations (n.): washings
mollified (adj.): soothed; calmed
neutrality (n.): the condition of being neutral; not taking part in either side of a controversy.
perpetual (adj.): everlasting; continuous
pilgrimage (n.): in this instance, a long walk
riled (adj.): angry
strenuous (adj.): work or labor that is strenuous requires a lot of energy and stamina.
tedious (adj.): boring; tiresome
tollable (adj.): Mayella's way of pronouncing the word 'tolerable.' Someone who is tolerable is a person who is fairly good or passable; someone who can be tolerated or endured.
wrathfully (adv.): angrily
Chapter 19 - Vocabulary
candid (adj.): open and
honest
ex cathdra remarks (adj. + n.): remarks made with the authority that comes from one's official position
express (adj.): clear; explicit; not just implied
expunge (vb.): remove completely
grimly (adv.): sternly; without humor
impudent (adj.): disrespectful; bold; sassy
subtlety (n.): delicacy
thin-hided (adj.): thin-skinned; sensitive
unimpaired (adj.): unhurt; undamaged
volition (n.): will. Scout is saying that someone like Tom would never go into somebody's yard on his own or unless he had been invited to do so, and would never do so of his own will or volition.
Chapter 20 - Vocabulary
aridity (n.): dryness
attentive (adj.): paying attention; observant
caliber (n.): quality
capital charge (adj. + n.): a charge for a crime that is punishable by death
corroborative evidence (adj. + n.): To corroborate is to strengthen and support. Corroborative evidence, in a trial, is evidence that makes a case stronger. Atticus is telling the jury that there is no evidence to strengthen the case against Tom.
corrupting (vb.): To corrupt someone is to bring that person down to a lower moral level. Since it at first appears that Mr. Raymond has given Dill liquor to drink, it would seem that he is corrupting him.
cynical confidence (adj.): To be cynical, in this case, means to believe that people are only motivated in what they do out of selfishness; that no one truly behaves or does something out of sincerity. Atticus's mention of the witnesses's cynical confidence refers to the fact that they are selfish and self-centered enough to think that everyone will believe their story.
detachment (n.): the state of being disinterested or unemotional
discreet (adj.): carefully phrased; cautious
fraud (n.): a lie; a deception
indicted (vb.): formally accused; charged
iota (n.): a very small amount
minute (adj.): exact; precise (pronounced: my - NEWT)
pauper (n.): an extremely poor person
perpetrated (vb.): committed
temerity (n.): foolish or rash boldness
unmitigated (adj.): out-and-out absolute
Chapter 21 - Vocabulary
acquit (vb.): clear of a charge;
find not guilty
charged the jury (vb. + n.): When Judge Taylor charges the jury, he gives them instructions in law before they go off to deliberate or decide the case
exhilarated (adj.): cheerful, merry
indignant (adj.): angry
Chapter 22 - Vocabulary
cynical (adj.): a cynic is
someone who often belittles or makes fun of someone else. Aunt
Alexandra tells Dill that his remarks about his own Aunt's drinking
habits are cynical, especially since, as a child, Dill
should have more respect for his elders.
fatalistic (adj.): To be fatalistic about something is to accept the event as though it were inevitable; that is, that nothing could be done to change or alter it.
feral (adj.): wild; savage
heathen (adj.): unenlightened; without religion or morals
ruefully (adv.): regretfully
Chapter 23 - Vocabulary
commutes (vb.): changes; makes less
severe
dry (adj.): clever but subtle
furtive (adj.): sneaky
infantile (adj.): childish
statute (n.): law
vehement (adj.): full of emotion and strong feeling
wary (adj.): cautious
wryly (adv.): humorously; slightly sarcastic
Chapter 24 - Vocabulary
apprehension (n.): In this case,
fear
bellows (n.): a machine that allows air to be pumped through a system; in this case, an organ
bovine (adj.): cow-like
brevity (n.): shortness
charlotte (n.): a desert made with fruit in a mold that is lined with pieces of bread or cake. Read a recipe for charlotte.
devout (adj.): devoted to religion
earworms (n.): See a picture of an earworm.
hypocrites (n.): people who pretend to be something they are not
impertinence (n.): disrespect
largo (adj.): Largo is a direction used in music which means 'at a very slow tempo.' Mrs. Merriweather is apparently speaking to Scout very slowly.
squalid (adj.): miserable; wretched
squalor (n): filth
sulky (adj.): moody
vague (adj.): not clearly felt; somewhat subconscious
yaws (n.): an infectious contagious tropical disease. Find out more about yaws.
Chapter 25 - Vocabulary
roly-poly (n.): a small bug that
can roll itself into a ball. Also known as a pillbug, sowbug or
wood louse. See a picture of a roly-poly.
scowling (vb.): A scowl is a facial expression caused by scrunching up one's forehead and brow; a look of displeasure. See a young man scowling.
veneer (n.): attractive outer surface
Chapter 26 - Vocabulary
remorse (n.): a feeling of regret
and guilt
recluse (n.): someone who stays away from society and the company of others
spurious (adj.): Something that is spurious outwardly resembles something but does not have the genuine qualities of that thing. Miss Gates thinks that The Grit Paper is spurious because, although it resembles a newspaper, to her mind, it is far inferior to a publication like The Mobile Register or other newspapers.
Chapter 27 - Vocabulary
industry (n.): work, especially on
a steady basis
notoriety (n.): fame
florid (adj.): very flowery in style; elegant
nondescript (adj.): dull; with no special or interesting qualities
carcass (n.): body
eccentricities (n.): odd behavior
maiden ladies (adj. + n.): women who have never married
Chapter 28 - Vocabulary
boil-prone (adj.): A boil is
an inflamed, pus-filled swelling on the skin, like a pimple only
usually bigger. To be prone to something is to be inclined
to it. If the children had been boil-prone, they would have
been inclined to have a lot of boils. Find out more about boils and see a picture of one.
climbers (n.): social climbers; people trying to move into a different social class
crap games (n.): a gambling game played with two dice
divinity (n.): a white fudge made from whipped egg whites, sugar, and nuts. Read a recipe for divinity.
forest primeval (n. + adj.): in this instance, a forest that had been primarily untouched or unchanged by man
furtive (adj.): secret
gait (n.): pace, walk
hock (n.): the joint bending backward in the hind leg of an animal like a pig. Scout is dressed as a ham, and a ham is the upper part of a hog's hind leg, Scout's hock would be the part of her costume that resembles the joint of a pig's leg. Take a look at a bunch of hams hanging by their hocks.
irascible (adj.): angry
mocker (n.): mockingbird
pinioned (adj.): confined; held down
repertoire (n.): accomplishments; skills. The repertoire of the mockingbird is all the songs it can sing and sounds it can make.
rout (vb.): defeat
smockin' (n.): Smocking, decorative stitching used to gather cloth. See a picture of a dress with smocking.
staccato (adj.): distinct; sharp and crisp
Chapter 29 - Vocabulary
reprimand (vb.): scold
Chapter 30 - Vocabulary
blandly (adv.): smoothly; without
excitement
connived (vb.): secretly cooperated or agreed to
wisteria (n.): twinning woody vines with large clusters of flowers. See a picture of wisteria.
Chapter 31
railing (adj.):
painful
《杀死一只知更鸟》英语小说 俚语
Chapter 5 - Idioms
![[转载]跟小徐老师一起学《杀死一只知更鸟》英语小说（俚语 <wbr>生词 <wbr>章节讲述 <wbr>全包括）](http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/Belmont_HS/tkm/bars/blue-pasb.gif "[转载]跟小徐老师一起学《杀死一只知更鸟》英语小说（俚语 <wbr>生词 <wbr>章节讲述 <wbr>全包括）")
acid tongue in her head: Acid is very bitter in taste. Someone with an acid tongue is someone who tends to speak bitterly or sharply.
get Miss Maudie's goat: To get one's goat is to make a person disgusted or angry.
Chapter 7 - Idioms
walked on eggs: To walk on eggs is to walk very carefully.
Chapter 9 - Idioms
as sure as eggs: Something that is as sure as eggs is a sure thing; it's bound to happen; just as chickens are sure to lay eggs.
bowed to the inevitable: An event or occurrence that is inevitable is one that cannot be stopped from occurring. To bow to the inevitable is to realize this fact and resist fighting it. Atticus realizes that, sooner or later, Scout and Jem would be given guns and be taught how to shoot, so he doesn't try to fight it.
drew a bead on him: To draw a bead on someone is to aim at or focus on that person.
on tenterhooks: To be on tenterhooks is to be filed with suspense or anxiety.
set my teeth permanently on edge: To set one's teeth on edge is to annoy someone or make them feel nervous the way in which Aunt Alexandra tends to annoy Scout
Chapter 10 - Idioms
break camp: pack up; move on. In Scout's case, Atticus is telling her to put her gun away and quit her game.
tooth and nail: To fight someone tooth and nail is to fight that person as fiercely as possible (literally with teeth and fingernails if necessary).
tribal curse: a family curse or, more aptly, an affliction shared by members of a family. Apparently, many members of the Finch family have had problems with their left eyes.
Chapter 11 - Idioms
'druthers: a contraction of the phrase 'I'd rather.' Your 'druthers is your choice or preference; it's what you'd rather do or have.
slow fuse: A person with a slow fuse is someone who is not easily upset or angered.
stood as much guff: Guff is foolish or brash talk. Jem has had enough of all the foolish, rude talk about Atticus.
when the chips are down: at the most important time. [In gambling games, a person puts chips or money down in front of him to show that he is willing to risk an amount in a bet.]
Chapter 12 - Idioms
to scrape a few barnacles off the ship of state: Barnacles are a form of shellfish that attach themselves to stationery items such as ships that have been standing still in the water for a long time(see a picture of barnacles). In order to maintain a boat or a ship, the barnacles must be scraped off. The ship of state, in this case, refers to the state government. The governor is saying that it is necessary to maintain and update (scrape a few barnacles off) the workings of the government (the ship of state).
Chapter 13 - Idioms
traveled in state: To travel in state is to do so in the position of a person of great wealth and rank.
Chapter 15 - Idioms
he had seen the light: In this case to have seen the light means to have become religious.
Chapter 16 - Idioms
blind spots: a prejudice or area of ignorance that someone has but is unaware of. Mr. Cunningham's blind spot is his prejudice against Tom Robinson.
Chapter 17 - Idioms
counting his chickens: Scout is referring to the first half of the proverb: 'Don't count your chickens before they're hatched, ' which means 'don't be too sure that something will happen before it does.' Although Jem seems to be certain that Atticus has won his case, Scout thinks he is counting his chickens, that is, he is too sure of something that may not happen.
guests of the county: on public assistance or welfare
Chapter 18 - Idioms
took advantage of me: In this instance, the phrase to take advantage of means to have sexual intercourse with.
Chapter 19 - Idioms
looked daggers: A dagger is a type of knife. To look daggers at someone is to look sharply at that person.
Chapter 22 - Idioms
give the lie: To give the lie to something is to prove that thing to be false or untrue. Scout is saying that the way in which Miss Stephanie and Miss Rachel are acting proves that Dill's statements about them are not untrue.
runner: chicken leg
Chapter 24 - Idioms
blue in the face: angry and upset; excited and emotional
fighting the good fight: In the case of the ladies of the missionary circle, the good fight would be their work to aid missionaries around the world in their cause of converting people to Christianity.
their time came: Although this could be a reference to childbirth, it is more likely a reference to a woman's menstrual cycle.
wool: Mrs. Merriweather is referring to her maid's head or, more specifically, her hair. 'It's never entered that wool of hers' is Mrs. Merriweather's way of saying, 'It's never entered that head of hers.'
Chapter 30 - Idioms
into the limelight: In the theater, the limelight is an intense light thrown on stage in order to highlight an actor, etc. To be in the limelight is to be put in a prominent position before the public.
《杀死一只知更鸟》英语小说 引经据典
Chapter 1 - Allusions![[转载]跟小徐老师一起学《杀死一只知更鸟》英语小说（俚语 <wbr>生词 <wbr>章节讲述 <wbr>全包括）](http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/Belmont_HS/tkm/bars/pink-pasb.gif "[转载]跟小徐老师一起学《杀死一只知更鸟》英语小说（俚语 <wbr>生词 <wbr>章节讲述 <wbr>全包括）")
Andrew Jackson: 7th President of the United States (1829-1837). Find out more about Andrew Jackson.
Battle of Hastings: a decisive battle in the Norman Conquests of England in 1066. Find out more about the Battle of Hastings.
Cornwall: a country at the southwest tip of England. Find Cornwall on a map of the United Kingdom.
disturbance between the North and the South: The Civil War (1861-1865) Find out more about the Civil War.
Dracula: the 1931 film version of the famous vampire story. See a storyboard from the film.
flivver: another name for a Model-T Ford.
Jamaica: an island country in the West Indies, south of Cuba. See a map of Jamaica.
John Wesley: (1702-1791) Founder of the Methodist Church. See a picture of John Wesley.
Meridian, Mississippi: Meridian is a city in east Mississippi. Find it on a map of Mississippi.
Merlin: King Arthur's adviser, prophet and magician. See a picture of Merlin and a picture of Merlin with the baby Arthur.
Mobile: a city in southwest Alabama. Find Mobile on a map of Alabama.
no money to buy it with: an allusion to the Great Depression. Find out about the stock market crash that led to the Depression, and see a timeline for the Great Depression.
nothing to fear but fear itself: an allusion to President Franklin D. Roosevelt's first Inaugural Address. Read the speech.
Pensacola: a city in northwest Florida. Find Pensacola on a map of Florida.
Philadelphia: a city in southeast Pennsylvania. Find Philadelphia on a map of Pennsylvania.
stumphole whiskey: illegally made and sold whiskey that would be hidden in the holes of tree stumps.
Tuscaloosa: a city in central Alabama. Find Tuscaloosa on a map of Alabama.
Chapter 2 - Allusions
Bullfinch: an allusion to Bulfinch's Mythology, a famous collection of Greek myths. Jem is kidding, of course, but his reference to Bullfinch's Mythology is another indication of how much of a reader Scout has always been. Discover Bulfinch's Mythology online.
Dewey Decimal System: A system for organizing books in libraries devised by Melvil Dewey. Contrary to what Jem tells Scout, this Dewey has nothing to do with John Dewey, a theorist of progressive education.
diaries of Lorenzo Dow: Lorenzo Dow (1777 - 1834) was a Methodist preacher who travelled throughout the country, including the state of Alabama. Find out more about Lorenzo Dow.
Here's a quarter: If a quarter doesn't seem like enough, remember that, during this portion of the Great Depression, a nickel bought a loaf of bread, a movie was a dime, and gasoline could be had for sixteen cents a gallon. Take a look at more prices during the Great Depression.
the crash: the Stock Market Crash of 1929 which led to the Great Depression. Learn more about the Great Depression.
union suit: a one-piece garment of underwear with a buttoned flap in the back. See a picture of a union suit.
Union: one side in the Civil War (the North)
Chapter 3 - Allusions
man who sat on a flagpole: Flagpole sitting was one of the stranger fads of the 1930s. See a picture of a flagpole sitter.
Chapter 4 - Allusions
Indian-heads: Before the Lincoln penny, there were Indian-head pennies. See a picture of an Indian-head penny.
One Man's Family: a radio serial (like a soap opera) which began in 1932 and proved to be enormously popular for almost thirty years. By acting out their version of the Radley story, the children are playing in their own version of the drama. Find out more about One Man's Family.
Chapter 5 - Allusions
Old Testament pestilence: Pestilence refers to a condition or disease that causes massive damage or death. One example of pestilence in the Old Testament of the Bible is a plague of locusts, such as the one described in Exodus 10. See a drawing of a locust plague.
Second Battle of the Marne: a battle in World War I. Read and see more about the Second Battle of the Marne.
Chapter 7 - Allusions
Egyptians walked that way: Jem's assumptions as to how Egyptians would have walked is probably based on pictures of Egyptian art.
Chapter 8 - Allusions
Appomattox: a former village in central Virginia. On April 9, 1865, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at the Appomattox Court House, ending the Civil War.
Bellingraths: Miss Maudie is referring to Walter and Bessie Bellingrath who, in 1932, opened their large, beautiful gardens to the public.The Bellingrath Gardens are located in Mobile, Alabama.
Lane cake: a rich white cake. Read a recipe for a Lane cake.
Rosetta Stone: Discovered in Egypt in 1799, the Rosetta Stone is a large block of basalt inscribed with a report of a decree passed in 196 BC. Written in three languages, the stone gave historians many clues as to the meaning of Egyptian Hieroglyphs. See a picture of the Rosetta Stone.
Chapter 9 - Allusions
Confederate veteran: a veteran of the Civil War who fought for the South.
General Hood: Lieutenant-General John B. Hood, a Confederate officer. See a picture of General Hood.
House of Commons: the lower branch of the legislature in Great Britain
Let the cup pass from you: On the night before his crucifixion, Jesus prayed to the Lord: 'Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done [Luke 22:42].' By asking the Lord to 'take this cup from me' he was praying that he might avoid his fate (in Greek, one of the figurative meanings for 'cup' is 'fate'). Uncle Jack's comment to Atticus calls upon this reference because he understands that his brother was not looking forward to his fate: having to defend Tom Robinson.
Lord Melbourne: (1779-1848) Queen Victoria's first Prime Minister, Melbourne also had the reputation for being something of a ladies' man. See a picture of Lord Melbourne and Queen Victoria.
Missouri Compromise : The Missouri Compromise (1820) allowed Missouri to be admitted to the Union as a slave state but stipulated no more slave states would be allowed above the southern border of Missouri. See a map of free and slave states from the time of the Missouri Compromise.
Mount Everest: The highest known mountain in the world (29,028 feet), Everest is part of the Himalayas, on the border of Nepal and Tibet. See a picture of Mount Everest.
Ol' Blue Light: a reference to Stonewall Jackson.
Prime Minister: the head of a parliamentary government, such as Great Britain's.
Stonewall Jackson: a Confederate lieutenant-general. Find out more about Stonewall Jackson on the Stonewall Jackson Homepage.
Chapter 10 - Allusions
mockingbird: a North American bird known for its vocal imitations. See a picture and find out more about mockingbirds.
Chapter 11 - Allusions
Confederate
Army: the Southern army in the
Civil War.
CSA: Confederate States of America - the Southern side of the Civil War.
Dixie Howell: Millard 'Dixie' Howell was a popular University of Alabama football player during the 1930s.
Ivanhoe: a novel written in 1819 by Sir Walter Scott set in the Middle Ages during the time of the Crusades. Got some free time? Read the novel online!
Sir Walter Scott: author of Ivanhoe . Find out more about Sir Walter Scott.
Chapter 12 - Allusions
Blackstone's
Commentaries : One of the most
important books ever written on British law. See the title page of this book.
Bootleggers: people who make and/or sell illegal liquor.
bread lines: During the Great Depression, thousands of people relied on charitable organizations for meals and would line up for simple meals often of bread and soup. See a picture of a bread line.
Brown's Mule: a brand of chewing tobacco. See an original advertising display of Brown's Mule.
castile: a type of soap, originally made in Spain
Garden of Gethsemane: the place where Jesus went to pray on the night before his crucifixion. See a painting of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Hoyt's Cologne: a strong, lasting cologne, originally made in Germany and popular during the first part of the 20th century. See an advertisement for Hoyt's Cologne.
Hunt's The Light of the World : a well-known painting of Jesus Christ. See The Light of the World .
Octagon soap: a very harsh, strong soap. See an advertisement for Octagon soap.
Shadrach: One of the three men whom King Nebuchadnezzar threw into a blazing furnace, as told in Daniel 3 of the Bible. Because of their faith in God, all three men escaped unharmed.
sit-down strikes: During the Great Depression, sit-down strikes became a real force in labor relations in the United States. Unlike 'regular' strikes, workers in a sit-down strike would literally 'sit down on the job;' that is, they would refuse to leave the building until their demands were met. One of the most famous sit-down strikes of this era was the Flint sit-down strike at the General Motors plant in Flint, Michigan. See a picture from that strike.
Chapter 13 - Allusions
Lydia E.
Pinkham: a maker and manufacturer of
patent medicines in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Most of
Pinkham's medical concoctions were aimed at women, and the majority
of them contained liberal amounts of alcohol. See a picture of Lydia E. Pinkham from the cover
of one of her pamphlets.
Reconstruction: the period of time, roughly between 1867-1877, when the Southern states were reorganized and reestablished after the Civil War.
Rice Christians: Christian converts from third-world nations, especially those in parts of Asia.
War Between the States: the Civil War.
Chapter 15 - Allusions
battlement: a low wall with open
spaces built on top of a castle wall or fort. See a picture of a battlement on Dinefwr Castle
in Wales.
flying buttressess: a buttress (support) connected to a building by an arch. See the flying buttressess of Chartres Cathedral in France.
Gothic: a style of architecture developed in Western Europe between the 12th and 16th century. An excellent example of the Gothic style is Notre Dame Cathedral in France.
Jitney Jungle: a supermarket chain. Supermarkets were still relatively new to America in the 1930s. Most shoppers did business at smaller grocery stores. See apicture of a grocery store in Alabama in the late 1930s. Also, see a 1930s advertisement for a Jitney Jungle
snipe hunt: a practical joke. The 'victim' is taken on a hunt deep into a forest at night and told to look for and capture 'snipes,' small, flightless birds that, in actuality, don't exist. While the hunter searches, the rest of the party leaves.
Chapter 16 - Allusions
Braxton
Bragg: The commander of the Western
Confederate Army during the Civil War, Bragg led a
less-than-distinguished career in the military, and his army unit
was eventually defeated. Find out more about Braxton Bragg.
Ethiopia: During the time of the Old Testament, Ethiopia was a kingdom in Northeast Africa. Today, Ethiopia is a country in Eastern Africa. See a map of modern Ethiopia.
Greek revival columns: a form of architectural columns. See a picture of Greek revival columns.
straight Prohibition ticket: Prohibition was a period in U.S. history (1920-1933) when the manufacture, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages was against the law. By voting the straight Prohibition ticket, Mr. Jones always votes for those political candidates who support Prohibition and were likely members of the Prohibition Party.
William Jennings Bryan: (1860-1925) Bryan was a lawyer, a politician (he ran for the Presidency three times), and a famous orator. His speeches were major events, especially in the South and along the Bible Belt, and would draw huge crowds. See a picture of and read more about William Jennings Bryan.
Chapter 17 - Allusions
fountain
pen: a pen with a special nib at the end
that allowed the pen to be refilled with ink from a bottle. See a
1930s advertisement for fountain
pens.
icebox: Before refrigerators, people used iceboxes, large wood cabinets kept cold on the inside by blocks of ice that would be delivered to the home. See a picture of an icebox.
Model-T Ford (on blocks): The Model-T (also known as a 'tin Lizzie' or a 'flivver') was Henry Ford's first popular success. Originally produced in 1909, it was affordable and relatively reliable. See a picture of a 1926 Model-T coupe and find out more about the history of the Model-T Ford. A car is put up on blocks for two main reasons: either it no longer has any tires, or the owner can't afford to drive it and putting it on blocks saves the tires from the damage caused by having to carry the weight of the car.
shotgun hall: A hallway that leads directly from the front door to the back door.
Chapter 18 - Allusions
cotton
gin: a machine used to separate seed and
other debris from cotton. See a picture of a cotton gin.
Mr. Jingle: A character in Charles Dicken's novel The Pickwick Papers, Mr. Jingle usually expresses himself in sentence fragments. Got some extra time? Read The Pickwick Papers online!
Chapter 20 - Allusions
all men are created
equal: A phrase from The Declaration
of Independence. Read the text and see a picture of the original
document.
distaff side of the Executive branch: a reference to Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of President Franklin D. Roosevelt (the Executive branch is the President, and distaff, in this case, means wife). Eleanor Roosevelt often came in for much criticism, especially in the South, for her views on civil rights.
Einstein: Albert Einstein (1979-1955), German-born physicist. See a picture of Albert Einstein.
Rockefeller: John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937), one of the richest men in America at the time. Find out more about John D. Rockefeller.
Thomas Jefferson: 3rd President of the United States (1801-1809) and author of The Declaration of Independence. Find out more about Thomas Jefferson.
Chapter 24 - Allusions
Birmingham: a city in Central
Alabama.
Mrs. Roosevelt: First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962), wife of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
People up there set 'em free: in other words: the Northerners are responsible for the fact that the slaves were freed
tryin' to sit with 'em: in 1939, Eleanor Roosevelt attended a meeting for the Southern Conference for Human Welfare in Birmingham, Alabama where she defied state authorities by sitting in the center aisle, between whites and blacks, after police told her she was violating segregation laws by sitting with black people.
Chapter 25 - Allusions
English
Channel: The English Channel is
the waterway that separates Great Britain from France. It is also
the avenue by which much trade is carried on between Great Britain
and the European continent. According to Scout, Miss Stephanie is
the avenue of gossip for much of Maycomb. Find the English Channel
on a map of Great Britain.
Chapter 26 - Allusions
Adolf Hitler has
been after all the Jews: a reference to
the Nazi anti-Jewish policy. Read more about it in a timeline of the Holocaust.
Adolf Hitler: (1889-1945) Nazi dictator of Germany from 1933 to 1945. See a picture of Adolf Hitler.
Elmer Davis: a journalist and CBS radio commentator who went on to head the Office of War Information. Find out more about Elmer Davis.
holy-roller: a member of a small religious sect that expresses devotion by shouting and moving around during worship services.
Uncle Natchell Story: Uncle Natchell (along with his sidekick, Sonny Boy) was the cartoon mascot for a fertilizer product called Natural Chilean Nitrate of Soda. Many of the advertisements for this product were in comic strip or story form. Little Chuck Little has mistaken one of these advertising 'stories' for an actual current event. See an Uncle Natchell advertisement.
Chapter 27 - Allusions
Bob
Taylor: Robert Love Taylor, late 19th
Century orator and politician. Seea picture of and read
more about Robert Taylor.
Ad Astra Per Aspera:Latin for 'To the stars through difficulties'
Cotton Tom Heflin: J. Thomas 'Cotton Tom' Heflin was an orator and Republican politician. Heflin was Secretary of State in Alabama at the beginning of the century and served in the U.S. Congress (1905-1920) and the Senate (1921-1931). Heflin's political support was drawn chiefly from rural voters and members of the Ku Klux Klan.
dog Victrolas: a reference to the advertising symbol of RCA/Victor; a dog, known as 'Nipper,' looking into the horn of a gramophone or Victrola. Find out more about Nipper.
Ladies' Law: From the Criminal Code of Alabama, Vol. III, 1907: 'Any person who enters into, or goes sufficiently near to the dwelling house of another, and, in the presence or hearing of the family of the occupant thereof, or any member of his family, or any person who, in the presence or hearing of any girl or woman, uses abusive, insulting or obscene language must, on conviction, be fined not more than two hundred dollars, and may also be imprisoned in the county jail, or sentenced to hard labour for the county for not more than six months.'
National Recovery Act: better known as the National Recovery Administration or the NRA. The NRA was a series of programs set up to help the nation, especially the nation's businesses, recover from the effects of the Great Depression. It was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1935. See an NRA Poster.
nine old men: the members of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court declared the NRA unconstitutional in 1935.
NRA-WE DO OUR PART: the motto of the National Recovery Administration (NRA).
Syrians: People from Syria, a country at the northwest part of the Mediterranean region, south of Turkey. See a map of Syria.
WPA: During the Great Depression, when millions of Americans were out of work, the government instituted the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and employed over eight million people.
Chapter 28 - Allusions
three-corner hats,
confederate caps, Spanish-American War hats, and World War
helmets: all references to the headgear
of various soldiers from different wars. See a picture of
men in three-cornered hats, apicture of a confederate soldier, a
photograph of a group of soldiers from the
Spanish-American War, and a photo of World War I
soldier.
To Kill a Mockingbird.
《杀死一只知更鸟》英语小说 每一章节 生词表（含英语解释）
Chapter 1 - Vocabulary
ambled: (vb.): to walk at a slow, leisurely pace.
apothecary (n.): an early form of a pharmacist, apothecaries could also prescribe drugs.
assuaged (vb.): to assuage is to lessen or to calm. Therefore, if Jem's fears about being able to play football were assuaged, it means that he no longer feared that he wouldn't be able to play the sport.
beadle (n.): a minor city official, lower in rank than either a sheriff or a policeman, whose main duties revolve around preserving order at various civil functions such as trials and town hall meetings.
brethren (n.): in this case, members of a particular church or sect
corsets (n): a corset is a ladies undergarment designed to produce a particular effect on the figure. That effect usually results in a slim (or slimmer) waist and larger busts and hips, like the woman in this picture.
dictum (n.): in this case, a formal statement of principle
domiciled (vb.): A domicile is a house or a place where a person lives. If you are domiciled somewhere, that is where you live. The Finch family lived in the northern part of the county.
eaves (n.): the lower edges of a roof which usually project beyond the side of a building
foray (n.): When you make a foray, you go somewhere or do something that is unusual or not normal for you. It was certainly not Jem's usual behavior to go near the Radley house; thus, doing so was a foray for him.
human chattels (n.): slaves
impotent (adj.): powerless. Simon's fury and anger regarding the Civil Warwould certainly have been impotent because there would have been nothing he could have done about it.
impudent (adj.): To be impudent is to be shamelessly bold, as if you don't care what anyone thinks about you. Since the Haverfords did something illegal in front of witnesses, Lee rightfully describes them as impudent.
malevolent (adj.): evil
Methodists (n): members of a branch of a Protestant Christian denomination. Find out more about the United Methodist Church.
picket (n): a pointed or sharpened pole or stake. Many pickets held together can make a picket fence.
piety (n): devotion to religious duties and practices
predilection (n.): a predilection is a preference, or a preferred way of doing something. Thus, the Radley's preferred way of spending a Sunday afternoon was to keep the doors closed and not receive visitors
ramrod (adj.): rigid, severe, straight
repertoire was vapid: (n. + adj.): a repertoire is all the special skills a person has; vapid, in this case, means boring or uninteresting. So, when Scout says that their repertoire was vapid, she means that the games they had invented to pass the time had become old and had lost their interest.
scold (n.): A scold is a person who scolds; that is, someone who often finds fault with people or things (and usually lets you know about it under no uncertain terms)
spittoon (n.): a jarlike container to spit into; usually used to spit tobacco juice into. See a picture of a spittoon.
strictures (n.): conditions or rules
taciturn (adj.): almost always silent. Apparently, Aunt Alexandra's husband was a very quiet man.
unsullied (adj.): something that is unsullied has been basically untouched or unused. The fact that Atticus's edition of the Code of Alabama is unsullied would, in this case, indicate that he seldom consults this book.
veranda (n): a portico or porch with a roof
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Chapter 2 - Vocabulary
auburn (adj.): reddish-brown
catawba worms (n.): catawba worms are actually caterpillars that are highly prized by fishermen in the Southern United States.
condescended (vb.): To condescend is to agree to do something that you believe to be beneath your dignity. Jem condescends to take Scout to school, even though, as a fifth-grader, he feels superior to his first-grade sister.
covey (n.): a group
crimson (adj.): blood-red
cunning (adj.): In this case, cunning means attractive or cute -- almost too cute
entailment (n.): a legal situation regarding the use of inherited property.
hookworms (n.): a type of parasite. Hookworms usually enter the body through bare feet and move through the body to the small intestines where they attach themselves with a series of hooks around their mouths. See apicture of a hookworm.
immune (adj.): In this case, to be immune to something means that it has no effect on you. The story Miss Caroline reads to the class has no effect on them; they don't get it.
indigenous (adj.): belonging to a particular region or country
scrip stamps (n.): paper money of small denominations (less than $1.00) issued for temporary emergency use. During the Great Depression, many local and state government gave out scrip stamps, or sometimes tokens, to needy people.
seceded (vb.): To secede is to break away. During the Civil War, Alabama was one of the states that broke away, or seceded from the Union.
smilax (n.): a bright green twinning vine, often used for holiday decorations. See a picture of smilax.
sojourn (n.): a brief visit
subsequent mortification (adj. + n.): Something that is subsequent will follow closely after something else. Mortification is a feeling of shame or the loss of self respect. If Scout had been able to explain things to Miss Caroline, she could have prevented her teacher from losing self respect of feeling shameful later on.
vexations (n.): To vex is to annoy, so a vexation is something that causes annoyance or problems.
wallowing illicitly (vb. + adv.): In this case, to wallow is to indulge in something (usually an activity) with great enjoyment. Illicit, used like this, means unauthorized or improper. After listening to Miss Caroline, Scout feels that, by reading, she has been happily indulging in something which she should not have been doing.
Chapter 3 - Vocabulary
amiable (adj.): friendly
compromise (n.): an agreement where each person agrees to give up something
contemptuous (adj.): To be contemptuous is to have the feeling that someone or something is beneath you; that it or they are worthless. The Ewell boy obviously feels this way about his teacher, Miss Caroline.
contentious (adj.): always ready to argue or fight
cootie (n.): a slang term for a head louse. A louse (plural: lice) is a bloodsucking parasite. See a picture of a head louse.
cracklin bread (n.): a type of cornbread mixed with cracklins (bits of fried pork skin). Want to make some? Here's a recipe for cracklin' bread.
diminutive (adj.): smaller than ordinary
disapprobation (n.): disapproval
discernible (adj.): understandable
dispensation (n.): a release from an obligation or promise. In this case, by offering friendship to Walter and promising that Scout won't fight with him, Jem dispenses her threat to fight with him more.
dose (of) magnesia (n. + n.): A dose is an exact amount of medicine. Magnesia is a medicine used as a laxative and antacid.
eddy (n.): a current of water that moves against the main current; a whirlpool
erratic (adj.): irregular. Calpurnia usually uses good grammar, but when she is angry, her grammar is irregular.
flinty (adj.): Flint is a very hard rock. Something that is flinty is extremely hard and firm.
fractious (adj.): mean or cross
gravely (adv.): seriously
haint (n.): a ghost or spook; someone or something very scary
irked (v.): to be irked is to be annoyed. Scout is annoyed when Jem tells Walter that she won't fight with him (Walter) anymore.
kerosene (n.): a thin oil. Kerosene is sometimes used as a solvent or cleaning agent, although its more common use is for fuel or lighting.
lye soap (n.): Lye is a very strong alkaline substance used for cleaning. Lye soap is very strong, harsh soap that contains lye.
monosyllabic (adj.): Mono means 'one.' A syllable is word or a part of a word which can be pronounced with a single, uninterrupted sound. The name 'Atticus,' for example, is made up of three syllables: at + ti + cus. Thus, monosyllabic literally means 'one sound.' Scout's monosyllabic replies to Atticus's questions about her first day at school might have been made up of one-sound words like 'yes' and 'no.'
mutual concessions (adj. + n.): A concession is an agreement; something that is mutual is done by two or more people. Thus, a mutual concession occurs when two or more people agree on something.
onslaught (n.): a violent attack
persevere (v.): to carry on in spite of difficulties
tranquility (n.): peacefulness; serenity
Chapter 4 - Vocabulary
auspicious (adj.): favorable
melancholy (adj.): sad and gloomy
quelling (of) nausea: (v. + n.): To quell something is to quiet or pacify it. Nausea is the feeling you get when your stomach is upset and you feel as if you're about to vomit. Scout is trying to quell her nausea, or make her stomach settle down.
scuppernongs (n.): a sweet table grape, grown chiefly in the Southern United States. See a picture of scuppernongs.
Chapter 5 - Vocabulary
asinine (adj.): stupid; silly
benevolence (n.): in this case, a generous or thoughtful gift
benign (adj.): kind and gentle
bridgework (n.): Unlike dentures, which replace the upper or lower sets of teeth, bridgework is made up of sections of replacement teeth that can be inserted and removed from one's mouth.
chameleon (adj.) In nature, chameleons are tree-dwelling lizards that have the unusual ability to change the color of their skin in order to blend into their surroundings. By calling Miss Maudie a chameleon lady, Scout points out the fact that her neighbor's appearance was as changeable as one of the lizards. Learn more about chameleons, and see some pictures of chameleons.
cordiality (n.): sincere affection and kindness
edification (n.): education; instruction
gaped (vb.): To gape at someone is to stare at that person with your mouth open. See a rather extreme example of gaping.
inquisitive (adj.): questioning; prying
mimosa (n): Also called a silk tree, a mimosa can be either a tree or a shrub. Look at a picture of a mimosa flower.
morbid (adj.): gruesome; horrible
placidly (adv.): calmly; quietly
Protestant (adj.): Protestant is the name applied to any number of Christian churches, such as Baptist, Methodist, and Lutheran.
pulpit Gospel (adj. + n.): A pulpit is the raised platform or lectern from which a preacher speaks in church. The Gospel refers to the teachings of Jesus Christ, specifically the first four books of the New Testament. Scout says that her faith in what she's heard about the teachings of Christ from the pulpit (preacher) in her own church has been shaken a bit.
quibbling (vb.): a type of arguing where you avoid the main point by bringing up petty details
tacit (adj.) An agreement, or, in this case, a 'treaty' that is tacit is one that has been silently agreed upon. Thus, the children know that they can play on Miss Maudie's front lawn even though she never directly told them that it was all right to do so.
Chapter 6 - Vocabulary
collards (n.): a type of cabbage with very coarse leaves. It would be difficult to walk quietly through a patch of collards. See a picture of a collard patch.
dismemberment (n.): To dismember someone is to tear or cut that person's limbs (arms and legs) off. Although it is unlikely that anyone would have actually pulled off Dill's arms and legs, Lee uses the word to point out how outraged Miss Rachel must have been to discover that the children had been playing strip poker.
eerily (adv.): weirdly; mysteriously
ensuing (adj.): Something that ensues is something that comes immediately after something else.
Franklin stove (n.): a cast iron heating stove, invented by Benjamin Franklin. See a picture of a Franklin stove.
kudzu (n.): a quick-growing vine with large leaves, often found in the Southern United States. See a picture of kudzu.
lattice-work (adj.): A lattice is an openwork structure of crossed strips or bars, as in a screen. (See a picture of a lattice screen.) Light that passes through any kind of a lattice -work would produce lattice-work shadows.
malignant (adj.): dangerous; evil
prowess (n.): superior ability or skill
ramshackle (adj.): loose or rickety; about to fall apart
respiration (n.): breathing
rigid (adj.): stiff
waning (adj.): becoming less bright, intense, or strong. The moonlight is waning because it's getting closer to morning, and the moon is changing its position in the sky.
Chapter 7 - Vocabulary
cleaved (vb.): stuck
gnats (n.): small, two-winged insects that can bite or sting. [Pronounced: NAT] See a picture of a gnat.
meditative (adj.): To meditate is to reflect upon something, or think about it. When Jem give the patch on the tree a meditative pat, he does so in a thoughtful manner.
palate (n.): the roof of one's mouth
perpetual embalming (adj. + n.): Something that is perpetual lasts forever. Embalming is the process of preserving a dead body. Think of Egyptian mummies, or unwrap a virtual mummy. As Atticus later says, Jem would do well to get rid of the adjective (perpetual) . The Egyptians invented a type of paper (not toilet paper), as well as embalming (which, by its very nature, is perpetual) .
rendered (her) speechless: (vb. + n.): made her unable to speak
vigil (n.): a watch. Jem is waiting and watching for Mr. Nathan to appear.
whittles (vb.): To whittle is to use a knife to cut away thin shavings of wood. Sometimes, a whittler may actually end up carving a recognizable object.
Chapter 8 - Vocabulary
aberrations (n.): an aberration is a deviation, or a moving away from, something that is normal. The fact that winter comes so quickly in Maycomb is abnormal, thus, an aberration.
azaleas (n.): a colorful and decorative kind of flower. See some pictures of azaleas.
cannas (n.): a beautiful tropical flower. See a pictures of cannas.
caricatures (n.): a representation of a person where certain features of that person are exaggerated or distorted. See a caricature of Elvis Presley
cordial (adj.): warm and friendly
flue (n.): a channel in a chimney that allows smoke and flames to pass to the outside
meteorological (adj.): anything to do with meteorology or weather. Find out about the meteorological conditions in your community.
morphodite (n.): Scout has misheard Miss Maudie, who would actually have said the word hermaphrodite. Technically, a hermaphrodite is an animal or plant that has both female and male reproductive organs. Of course, the children's snowman is not really a hermaphrodite, but it does have both male and female characteristics.
near libel (adj. + n.): When you commit libel, you harm someone's reputation. Atticus tells the children that they have committed a near libel; that is, their snowman is almost libelous because it so closely represents one of their neighbors and could harm that neighbor's reputation.
perpetrated (vb.): carried out; committed
plaited (vb.): braided
procured (vb): got
prophets (n.): A prophet is someone able to predict the future.
quelled (vb.): To quell is to overwhelm something until it is powerless. The tin roof of Miss Maudie's house quelled the flames because tin cannot burn so the fire was eventually stopped.
roomers (n.): persons who rent and live in rooms in a house.
switches (n.): slender twigs or branches
taffeta (n.): a lustrous, stiff fabric, often used for women's dresses, especially formal wear
touchous (adj.) touchy; sensitive
treble (adj.): high
unfathomable (adj.): Something that is unfathomable is something that can not be understood.
Chapter 9 - Vocabulary
ambrosia (n): a desert made up of a mixture of fruits, nuts, and coconut. Get a recipe for ambrosia.
analogous (adj.): similar; comparable
attire (n.): clothing
bawled (vb.) cried out noisily
bluff (n.): the broad, flat front of a cliff
catwalk (n.): a narrow, elevated walkway
changelings (n.): a child secretly put in the place of another
compensation (n.): To compensate means to pay for something or to make up for something. Aunt Alexandra's good cooking skills, in some ways, make up for the fact that, for Scout, spending the holidays with her and Francis is not a lot of fun.
constituted (vb.): made up
crooned (vb.): To croon is to sing in a low, gentle tone.
deportment (n.): behavior
dim (adj.): unclear; not strong
donned (vb): put on
doused (vb.): to douse someone is to pour liquid, in this case water, all over that person.
evasion (n.): To evade is to avoid doing or answering something directly. Uncle Jack's evasion occurs when he doesn't directly answer Scout's question.
fanatical (adj.): A fanatic is a person whose extreme enthusiasm, interest, zeal, etc. goes beyond what is reasonable. Aunt Alexandra is fanatical about Scout's clothes because, according to Scout, her aunt's interest in this subject goes beyond what is reasonable.
gallantly (adv.): politely; in the manner of a gentleman
gastric (adj.): of, in, or near the stomach. A stomach ache would be a gastric complaint.
gravitated (vb.): Gravity is, of course, the force that pulls you to earth and keeps you from floating into outer space. When you gravitate toward something or someone, you find yourself being pulled in the direction of that object or person.
guilelessness (n.): Guile is craftiness and cunning in dealing with other. To be guileless is to have none of that craftiness. Here, Lee is being ironic since its obvious that Simon Finch didn't trust his daughters at all, and planned his house accordingly.
harbored (vb.): to hold in the mind
hookah (n): An oriental tobacco pipe with a flexible tube that draws smoke through a bowl of water. See a picture of a hookah.
impaired (adj.): damaged; weakened
indecision (n.): When you're indecisive, you can't decide what to do. Scout's indecision revolves around whether she should obey Uncle Jack or run away from him.
indicative (adj.): Something that is indicative of something shows or displays something. The manner in which Simon Finch arranged his house showed something about him.
ingenuous (adj.): simple; innocent
innate (adj.): Something that is innate is a natural part of something else. To Scout, cuss words have a natural sort of attraction to them; an innate attractiveness. They have value all on their own for her.
inordinately (adv.): Inordinate means too great or too many. Cousin Ike Finch is too vain about his beard; inordinately vain.
invective (n.): Invectives are abusive terms, curses, insults, and/or cuss words
isolate (vb.): set apart from others
jar (vb.): shake up; disturb
jetty (n): a type of wall built out into water to protect a coastline or restrain currents
mishaps (n.): unlucky or unfortunate accidents
mortify (vb.) humiliate; embarrass
nocturnal (adj.): nightly
obsess (vb.): greatly preoccupy
obstreperous (adj.): noisy and unruly
pantry (n.): a small room or closet off the kitchen where foodstuffs and cooking ingredients are stored
porter (n.): a person who carries luggage, etc., in this case, at a railroad station. Read about the history of the Pullman porter.
provocation (n.): To provoke is to excite some sort of feeling; often anger or irritation. Uncle Jack tells Scout that, as far as cuss words are concerned, he doesn't see the use for them unless they are used when one is very angry or provoked to use them.
ringworm (n.): a contagious skin disease caused by a fungus. See what ringworm looks like.
siblings (n.): brothers and/or sisters
still (n.): an apparatus for making alcoholic liquors. The sort of still to which Scout refers would be an illegal one.
subdued (vb.): Someone who has been subdued has been soothed or softened and made less intense.
tarried (vb.): delayed; waited
tentatively (adv.): To be tentative is to be hesitant or unsure. Francis asks Scout his question tentatively because he is unsure as to her reaction and more than a little afraid to face her.
tongs (n.): a device used to grab or lift objects. Tongs generally have two long arms that are hinged together. See a picture of medical tongs.
trousseau (n.): all the new clothes a bride brings to her marriage
uncompromising lineaments (adj. + n.): Lineaments are distinctive features or characteristics. Uncompromising, in this instance, means unchanging; firm; set. Alexandra's and Francis's uncompromising lineaments are their characteristics that are set and will never change.
wary (adj.): To be wary means to be cautious on your guard against something. In this instance, the children were never afraid of or cautious about their uncle's appearance.
widow's walk (n.): a platform with a rail around it, built onto the roof of a house. See a picture of a house with a widow's walk.
Yankees (n.): Northerners; natives of Northern states. During the Civil War, the Yankees were the enemies of the South.
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
Chapter 11 - Vocabulary
apoplectic (adj.): Apoplexy is a condition of sudden paralysis; a stroke. To be apoplectic, in this case, is to behave as if on the verge of having a stroke.
arbor (n): an outdoor area shaded by trees or, in this case, scuppernong vines on a lattice. See a picture of an arbor from an outdoor café in Greece.
bedecked (adj.): adorned; covered (with decorations)
calomel (n.): a laxative; often used as a cure for intestinal worms
camellia (n.): a shrub with glossy evergreen leaves and waxy, rose-like flowers. Find out more about camellias and see a picture of a camellia.
camisole (n.) a woman's sleeveless undergarment, usually worn under a sheer blouse
commence (vb.): begin
decreed (vb): A decree is an official order. As her older brother, Jem decreed what he and Scout would do.
degradation (n.): a state of low honor or moral character
dog-trot hall (adj.): a covered passageway between two parts of a building
escapade (n.): reckless prank
essence (n.): fundamental nature; most important quality
infuriated (vb.): angered greatly
interdict (n.): prohibition; restraint
livid (adj.): pale; lead-colored. Livid can also mean red, as in the color someone's face gets when that person becomes angry.
oppressive (adj.): overbearing; hard to put up with
palliation (n.): to palliate is to lessen the pain, or, in this case, fear and anxiety, of something without actually making the fear and anxiety go away. Calpurnia is not a great source of palliation; that is, she doesn't make the children feel any less anxious or fearful.
passé (adj.): old-fashioned
philippic (n.): a bitter verbal attack
plate (n.): dentures; dental plate
propensities (n.): inclinations or tendencies
reconnaissance (n.): examination
rectitude (n.): uprightness of character
relic (n): something of historic interest that has survived from the past. In this case, Scout is referring to a gun that would have been used in the Civil War.
skulked (vb.): to move or slink about in a sinister manner. The children are skulking in the kitchen because they are fearful of Atticus's reaction when he returns home.
syringe (n.): a device with a rubber bulb on one end and a narrow tube on the other: used to inject or extract fluids from body cavities. See a picture of a syringe.
tirade (n.): a long angry speech
tranquil (adj.): calm
umbrage (n.): offense
undulate (vb.): to move in waves or in a wavy manner
viscous (adj.): sticky
Chapter 12 - Vocabulary
alien (adj.): not natural;
strangeappalling (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
boded (vb.): continued
church (vb.): To church someone is ban that person (usually temporarily) from church for any variety of misdeeds.
clad (vb.): dressed
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
dispelled (vb.): driven away
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
indignantly (adv.): angrily
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.
obliquely (adv.): indirectly
prerogative (n.) exclusive right or privilege
shinny (n.) a slang term for liquor; usually whiskey or bourbon. Bourbon is a main ingredient in therecipe for a Lane cake.
sluggish (adj.): lacking energy; lazy
soberly (adv.): seriously
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.
tight (adj.): drunk
Chapter 14 - Vocabulary
antagonize (vb.): oppose; make
angrybushel (n.): a unit of dry measure equal to 32 quarts
erosion (n.): a gradual wearing away.
infallible (adj.): never wrong
manacles (n.): handcuffs
neat (adj.): unmixed with anything, such as water or soda; straight
taut (adj.): tightly stretched
Chapter 15 - Vocabulary
acquiescence (n.): agreement
without protestaffliction (n.): in this case, a condition
aggregation (n.): group; gathering
begrudge (vb.): To begrudge someone something is to feel resentment or disapproval about the fact that they have something. Atticus says that he doesn't think anyone in the town would resent the fact that he has a client.
ecclesiastical (adj.): church-like
façade (n.): the front of a building; the part facing the street (pronounced: 'fah - sawed')
futility (n.): feeling of being ineffective; uselessness, hopelessness
impassive (adj.): showing no emotion
linotype (n.): a typesetting machine used in publishing. Find out more about Linotype machines.
ominous (adj.): threatening; sinister
shinnied up (adj.): drunk
stifle (vb.): hold back; suppress
succinct (adj.): clear and brief
uncouth (adj.): crude, unmannerly
venerable (adj.): impressive on account of age or historic associations
venue (n.): the place where a jury is selected and a case is tried
Chapter 16 - Vocabulary
affirmed (vb.): firmly declared or
statedakimbo (adj.): hands on hips and elbows bent outward. See a picture of a man with his arms akimbo.
circuit solicitor (n.): a lawyer who travels to different locations to prosecute in trials
dispel (vb.): drive away
eccentricities (n.): oddities; unconventionalities
elucidate (vb.): explain
fey (adj.): strange; eccentric
formidable (adj.): impressive
inhabitants (n.): residents
khaki (adj.): a strong, twilled cloth of a dull yellowish-brown color
Mennonites (n.): members of an Anabaptist Christian sect. Mennonites favor plain dress and plain living. Find out more about the Mennonite Church.
profane (adj.): not connected with religion or religious matters
ruddy (adj.): reddish
Scripture (n.): The Bible
subpoena (n.): a written legal order directing a person to appear in court to give testimony
subtle (adj.): not openly obvious; quiet
sundry (adj.): various
Chapter 17 - Vocabulary
acrimonious (adj.): sarcastic;
bitter; nastyaffirmative nod (adj. + n.): Affirmative means positive. To give an affirmative nod would be to nod or shake one's head up and down to indicate 'yes.'
amber (adj.): dark orange yellow
ambidextrous (adj.): able to use both hands with equal ease
amiably (adv.): good-naturedly
audibly (adv.): Anything that is audible is capable of being heard. The judge warns the spectators against making any more comments that can be heard.
bantam cock (n.): a small, aggressive rooster. See a picture of a bantam cock.
benignly (adv.): kindly; gently
boiling (n.): angry or unruly group
capacity (n.): ability
cast (n.): To have a cast in one's eye means that a particular eye tends to veer or turn off into another direction.
complacently (adv.): in a self-satisfied way
congenital (adj.): a congenital condition is one that is in existence at birth. For example, if a child is born with a weak heart, that weakness in congenital; as opposed to someone who may acquire the condition later in life.
contempt charges (adj. + n.) Contempt, in this case, is open disrespect of a court or judge. A person who acts in such a manner may face a contempt charge from a judge.
corroborating evidence (adj. + n.): In legal terms; corroborating evidence is evidence which helps to strengthen a position. For example; eyewitness testimony in regards to a crime would be corroborating evidence that such a crime had been committed.
corrugated (adj.): formed by a series of alternating ridges and grooves
counsel (n.): lawyers
crepey (adj.): Crepe is a thin, crinkled cloth. Mr. Ewell's crepey neck obviously resembles this fabric; that is, the skin is thin and crinkled.
dictum (n.): official pronouncement
dogged (adj.): stubborn determination
economic fluctuations (adj. + n.): Economics, in this case, has to do with the economy; the financial state of the country and its people. To fluctuate means to change. As far as the Ewells are concerned, no matter how the economy of the country might change, their situation was always the same. They were always poor.
edge (n.): sharpness
gardenia (n.): a large, fragrant flower. See a picture of gardenias.
genially (adv.): in a friendly manner
geraniums (n.): flowering plants. See a picture of geraniums.
gullet (n.): throat; neck
heaved (vb.): lifted
import (n.): importance
infinite (adj.): endless
irrelevant'n'immaterial (adj.): 'irrelevant and immaterial' Irrelevant means not relative; not related (to something). Immaterial means unimportant. The judge is saying that whether or not Mr. Ewell can read and write is not related and unimportant to the case.
load o'kindlin' (n.): 'load of kindling.' Kindling is generally made up of dry twigs, branches, etc.; materials useful for starting a fire
namesake (n.): the person one is named after. In this case, Mr. Ewell's namesake is the leader of the Confederate Army, Robert E. Lee.
prosperity (n.): good fortune; wealth
quelling (vb.): quieting; calming
refuse (n.): garbage
ruttin' on (vb.): In this instance, the term is used to indicate that, according to Mr. Ewell, Tom Robinson was having sexual intercourse with his daughter. It should be noted that this term is almost exclusively reserved for use in describing the mating habits of animals, not people.
skewed (adj.): turned
slop jars (n.): large pails usually used to receive waste water from a wash basin or the contents of a chamber pot
smugness (n.): To be smug is to be highly self-satisfied; to think a lot of oneself. Mr. Ewell's smugness, or appearance of self-satisfaction, shows on his face.
speculations (n.): To speculate is to think about or reflect on a subject. Speculations are thoughts or reflections.
sulky (adj.): moody and quiet
sullen (adj.): in this case, gloomy and threatening
supplemented (vb.): added to
tenet (n.) a principle or belief generally held to be true
title dispute (n.): a legal fight over the ownership of a particular piece of property
turbulent (adj.): stormy; unruly
varmints (n.): in this case, flies and other flying insects that would be found in and around a garbage dump
warranted (vb.): gave a reason for; indicated the need for
Chapter 18 - Vocabulary
arid (adj.): dry; without
expressionchiffarobe (n.): a large cabinet with drawers and a place for hanging clothes. See a picture of a chiffarobe.
constructionalist (n.): a person who interprets aspects of the law in a specified way
dusk (n.): the time just before nightfall
ground-itch (n.): Ground-itch is caused by hookworms. The parasites usually enter the body through bare feet, causing an itchy, allergic reaction.
grudging (adj.): hostile
lavations (n.): washings
mollified (adj.): soothed; calmed
neutrality (n.): the condition of being neutral; not taking part in either side of a controversy.
perpetual (adj.): everlasting; continuous
pilgrimage (n.): in this instance, a long walk
riled (adj.): angry
strenuous (adj.): work or labor that is strenuous requires a lot of energy and stamina.
tedious (adj.): boring; tiresome
tollable (adj.): Mayella's way of pronouncing the word 'tolerable.' Someone who is tolerable is a person who is fairly good or passable; someone who can be tolerated or endured.
wrathfully (adv.): angrily
Chapter 19 - Vocabulary
candid (adj.): open and
honestex cathdra remarks (adj. + n.): remarks made with the authority that comes from one's official position
express (adj.): clear; explicit; not just implied
expunge (vb.): remove completely
grimly (adv.): sternly; without humor
impudent (adj.): disrespectful; bold; sassy
subtlety (n.): delicacy
thin-hided (adj.): thin-skinned; sensitive
unimpaired (adj.): unhurt; undamaged
volition (n.): will. Scout is saying that someone like Tom would never go into somebody's yard on his own or unless he had been invited to do so, and would never do so of his own will or volition.
Chapter 20 - Vocabulary
aridity (n.): drynessattentive (adj.): paying attention; observant
caliber (n.): quality
capital charge (adj. + n.): a charge for a crime that is punishable by death
corroborative evidence (adj. + n.): To corroborate is to strengthen and support. Corroborative evidence, in a trial, is evidence that makes a case stronger. Atticus is telling the jury that there is no evidence to strengthen the case against Tom.
corrupting (vb.): To corrupt someone is to bring that person down to a lower moral level. Since it at first appears that Mr. Raymond has given Dill liquor to drink, it would seem that he is corrupting him.
cynical confidence (adj.): To be cynical, in this case, means to believe that people are only motivated in what they do out of selfishness; that no one truly behaves or does something out of sincerity. Atticus's mention of the witnesses's cynical confidence refers to the fact that they are selfish and self-centered enough to think that everyone will believe their story.
detachment (n.): the state of being disinterested or unemotional
discreet (adj.): carefully phrased; cautious
fraud (n.): a lie; a deception
indicted (vb.): formally accused; charged
iota (n.): a very small amount
minute (adj.): exact; precise (pronounced: my - NEWT)
pauper (n.): an extremely poor person
perpetrated (vb.): committed
temerity (n.): foolish or rash boldness
unmitigated (adj.): out-and-out absolute
Chapter 21 - Vocabulary
acquit (vb.): clear of a charge;
find not guiltycharged the jury (vb. + n.): When Judge Taylor charges the jury, he gives them instructions in law before they go off to deliberate or decide the case
exhilarated (adj.): cheerful, merry
indignant (adj.): angry
Chapter 22 - Vocabulary
cynical (adj.): a cynic is
someone who often belittles or makes fun of someone else. Aunt
Alexandra tells Dill that his remarks about his own Aunt's drinking
habits are cynical, especially since, as a child, Dill
should have more respect for his elders.fatalistic (adj.): To be fatalistic about something is to accept the event as though it were inevitable; that is, that nothing could be done to change or alter it.
feral (adj.): wild; savage
heathen (adj.): unenlightened; without religion or morals
ruefully (adv.): regretfully
Chapter 23 - Vocabulary
commutes (vb.): changes; makes less
severedry (adj.): clever but subtle
furtive (adj.): sneaky
infantile (adj.): childish
statute (n.): law
vehement (adj.): full of emotion and strong feeling
wary (adj.): cautious
wryly (adv.): humorously; slightly sarcastic
Chapter 24 - Vocabulary
apprehension (n.): In this case,
fearbellows (n.): a machine that allows air to be pumped through a system; in this case, an organ
bovine (adj.): cow-like
brevity (n.): shortness
charlotte (n.): a desert made with fruit in a mold that is lined with pieces of bread or cake. Read a recipe for charlotte.
devout (adj.): devoted to religion
earworms (n.): See a picture of an earworm.
hypocrites (n.): people who pretend to be something they are not
impertinence (n.): disrespect
largo (adj.): Largo is a direction used in music which means 'at a very slow tempo.' Mrs. Merriweather is apparently speaking to Scout very slowly.
squalid (adj.): miserable; wretched
squalor (n): filth
sulky (adj.): moody
vague (adj.): not clearly felt; somewhat subconscious
yaws (n.): an infectious contagious tropical disease. Find out more about yaws.
Chapter 25 - Vocabulary
roly-poly (n.): a small bug that
can roll itself into a ball. Also known as a pillbug, sowbug or
wood louse. See a picture of a roly-poly.scowling (vb.): A scowl is a facial expression caused by scrunching up one's forehead and brow; a look of displeasure. See a young man scowling.
veneer (n.): attractive outer surface
Chapter 26 - Vocabulary
remorse (n.): a feeling of regret
and guiltrecluse (n.): someone who stays away from society and the company of others
spurious (adj.): Something that is spurious outwardly resembles something but does not have the genuine qualities of that thing. Miss Gates thinks that The Grit Paper is spurious because, although it resembles a newspaper, to her mind, it is far inferior to a publication like The Mobile Register or other newspapers.
Chapter 27 - Vocabulary
industry (n.): work, especially on
a steady basisnotoriety (n.): fame
florid (adj.): very flowery in style; elegant
nondescript (adj.): dull; with no special or interesting qualities
carcass (n.): body
eccentricities (n.): odd behavior
maiden ladies (adj. + n.): women who have never married
Chapter 28 - Vocabulary
boil-prone (adj.): A boil is
an inflamed, pus-filled swelling on the skin, like a pimple only
usually bigger. To be prone to something is to be inclined
to it. If the children had been boil-prone, they would have
been inclined to have a lot of boils. Find out more about boils and see a picture of one.climbers (n.): social climbers; people trying to move into a different social class
crap games (n.): a gambling game played with two dice
divinity (n.): a white fudge made from whipped egg whites, sugar, and nuts. Read a recipe for divinity.
forest primeval (n. + adj.): in this instance, a forest that had been primarily untouched or unchanged by man
furtive (adj.): secret
gait (n.): pace, walk
hock (n.): the joint bending backward in the hind leg of an animal like a pig. Scout is dressed as a ham, and a ham is the upper part of a hog's hind leg, Scout's hock would be the part of her costume that resembles the joint of a pig's leg. Take a look at a bunch of hams hanging by their hocks.
irascible (adj.): angry
mocker (n.): mockingbird
pinioned (adj.): confined; held down
repertoire (n.): accomplishments; skills. The repertoire of the mockingbird is all the songs it can sing and sounds it can make.
rout (vb.): defeat
smockin' (n.): Smocking, decorative stitching used to gather cloth. See a picture of a dress with smocking.
staccato (adj.): distinct; sharp and crisp
Chapter 29 - Vocabulary
reprimand (vb.): scold
Chapter 30 - Vocabulary
blandly (adv.): smoothly; without
excitementconnived (vb.): secretly cooperated or agreed to
wisteria (n.): twinning woody vines with large clusters of flowers. See a picture of wisteria.
Chapter 31
railing (adj.):
painful《杀死一只知更鸟》英语小说 俚语
Chapter 5 - Idioms
acid tongue in her head: Acid is very bitter in taste. Someone with an acid tongue is someone who tends to speak bitterly or sharply.
get Miss Maudie's goat: To get one's goat is to make a person disgusted or angry.
Chapter 7 - Idioms
walked on eggs: To walk on eggs is to walk very carefully.
Chapter 9 - Idioms
as sure as eggs: Something that is as sure as eggs is a sure thing; it's bound to happen; just as chickens are sure to lay eggs.
bowed to the inevitable: An event or occurrence that is inevitable is one that cannot be stopped from occurring. To bow to the inevitable is to realize this fact and resist fighting it. Atticus realizes that, sooner or later, Scout and Jem would be given guns and be taught how to shoot, so he doesn't try to fight it.
drew a bead on him: To draw a bead on someone is to aim at or focus on that person.
on tenterhooks: To be on tenterhooks is to be filed with suspense or anxiety.
set my teeth permanently on edge: To set one's teeth on edge is to annoy someone or make them feel nervous the way in which Aunt Alexandra tends to annoy Scout
Chapter 10 - Idioms
break camp: pack up; move on. In Scout's case, Atticus is telling her to put her gun away and quit her game.
tooth and nail: To fight someone tooth and nail is to fight that person as fiercely as possible (literally with teeth and fingernails if necessary).
tribal curse: a family curse or, more aptly, an affliction shared by members of a family. Apparently, many members of the Finch family have had problems with their left eyes.
Chapter 11 - Idioms
'druthers: a contraction of the phrase 'I'd rather.' Your 'druthers is your choice or preference; it's what you'd rather do or have.
slow fuse: A person with a slow fuse is someone who is not easily upset or angered.
stood as much guff: Guff is foolish or brash talk. Jem has had enough of all the foolish, rude talk about Atticus.
when the chips are down: at the most important time. [In gambling games, a person puts chips or money down in front of him to show that he is willing to risk an amount in a bet.]
Chapter 12 - Idioms
to scrape a few barnacles off the ship of state: Barnacles are a form of shellfish that attach themselves to stationery items such as ships that have been standing still in the water for a long time(see a picture of barnacles). In order to maintain a boat or a ship, the barnacles must be scraped off. The ship of state, in this case, refers to the state government. The governor is saying that it is necessary to maintain and update (scrape a few barnacles off) the workings of the government (the ship of state).
Chapter 13 - Idioms
traveled in state: To travel in state is to do so in the position of a person of great wealth and rank.
Chapter 15 - Idioms
he had seen the light: In this case to have seen the light means to have become religious.
Chapter 16 - Idioms
blind spots: a prejudice or area of ignorance that someone has but is unaware of. Mr. Cunningham's blind spot is his prejudice against Tom Robinson.
Chapter 17 - Idioms
counting his chickens: Scout is referring to the first half of the proverb: 'Don't count your chickens before they're hatched, ' which means 'don't be too sure that something will happen before it does.' Although Jem seems to be certain that Atticus has won his case, Scout thinks he is counting his chickens, that is, he is too sure of something that may not happen.
guests of the county: on public assistance or welfare
Chapter 18 - Idioms
took advantage of me: In this instance, the phrase to take advantage of means to have sexual intercourse with.
Chapter 19 - Idioms
looked daggers: A dagger is a type of knife. To look daggers at someone is to look sharply at that person.
Chapter 22 - Idioms
give the lie: To give the lie to something is to prove that thing to be false or untrue. Scout is saying that the way in which Miss Stephanie and Miss Rachel are acting proves that Dill's statements about them are not untrue.
runner: chicken leg
Chapter 24 - Idioms
blue in the face: angry and upset; excited and emotional
fighting the good fight: In the case of the ladies of the missionary circle, the good fight would be their work to aid missionaries around the world in their cause of converting people to Christianity.
their time came: Although this could be a reference to childbirth, it is more likely a reference to a woman's menstrual cycle.
wool: Mrs. Merriweather is referring to her maid's head or, more specifically, her hair. 'It's never entered that wool of hers' is Mrs. Merriweather's way of saying, 'It's never entered that head of hers.'
Chapter 30 - Idioms
into the limelight: In the theater, the limelight is an intense light thrown on stage in order to highlight an actor, etc. To be in the limelight is to be put in a prominent position before the public.
《杀死一只知更鸟》英语小说 引经据典
Chapter 1 - Allusions
Andrew Jackson: 7th President of the United States (1829-1837). Find out more about Andrew Jackson.
Battle of Hastings: a decisive battle in the Norman Conquests of England in 1066. Find out more about the Battle of Hastings.
Cornwall: a country at the southwest tip of England. Find Cornwall on a map of the United Kingdom.
disturbance between the North and the South: The Civil War (1861-1865) Find out more about the Civil War.
Dracula: the 1931 film version of the famous vampire story. See a storyboard from the film.
flivver: another name for a Model-T Ford.
Jamaica: an island country in the West Indies, south of Cuba. See a map of Jamaica.
John Wesley: (1702-1791) Founder of the Methodist Church. See a picture of John Wesley.
Meridian, Mississippi: Meridian is a city in east Mississippi. Find it on a map of Mississippi.
Merlin: King Arthur's adviser, prophet and magician. See a picture of Merlin and a picture of Merlin with the baby Arthur.
Mobile: a city in southwest Alabama. Find Mobile on a map of Alabama.
no money to buy it with: an allusion to the Great Depression. Find out about the stock market crash that led to the Depression, and see a timeline for the Great Depression.
nothing to fear but fear itself: an allusion to President Franklin D. Roosevelt's first Inaugural Address. Read the speech.
Pensacola: a city in northwest Florida. Find Pensacola on a map of Florida.
Philadelphia: a city in southeast Pennsylvania. Find Philadelphia on a map of Pennsylvania.
stumphole whiskey: illegally made and sold whiskey that would be hidden in the holes of tree stumps.
Tuscaloosa: a city in central Alabama. Find Tuscaloosa on a map of Alabama.
Chapter 2 - Allusions
Bullfinch: an allusion to Bulfinch's Mythology, a famous collection of Greek myths. Jem is kidding, of course, but his reference to Bullfinch's Mythology is another indication of how much of a reader Scout has always been. Discover Bulfinch's Mythology online.
Dewey Decimal System: A system for organizing books in libraries devised by Melvil Dewey. Contrary to what Jem tells Scout, this Dewey has nothing to do with John Dewey, a theorist of progressive education.
diaries of Lorenzo Dow: Lorenzo Dow (1777 - 1834) was a Methodist preacher who travelled throughout the country, including the state of Alabama. Find out more about Lorenzo Dow.
Here's a quarter: If a quarter doesn't seem like enough, remember that, during this portion of the Great Depression, a nickel bought a loaf of bread, a movie was a dime, and gasoline could be had for sixteen cents a gallon. Take a look at more prices during the Great Depression.
the crash: the Stock Market Crash of 1929 which led to the Great Depression. Learn more about the Great Depression.
union suit: a one-piece garment of underwear with a buttoned flap in the back. See a picture of a union suit.
Union: one side in the Civil War (the North)
Chapter 3 - Allusions
man who sat on a flagpole: Flagpole sitting was one of the stranger fads of the 1930s. See a picture of a flagpole sitter.
Chapter 4 - Allusions
Indian-heads: Before the Lincoln penny, there were Indian-head pennies. See a picture of an Indian-head penny.
One Man's Family: a radio serial (like a soap opera) which began in 1932 and proved to be enormously popular for almost thirty years. By acting out their version of the Radley story, the children are playing in their own version of the drama. Find out more about One Man's Family.
Chapter 5 - Allusions
Old Testament pestilence: Pestilence refers to a condition or disease that causes massive damage or death. One example of pestilence in the Old Testament of the Bible is a plague of locusts, such as the one described in Exodus 10. See a drawing of a locust plague.
Second Battle of the Marne: a battle in World War I. Read and see more about the Second Battle of the Marne.
Chapter 7 - Allusions
Egyptians walked that way: Jem's assumptions as to how Egyptians would have walked is probably based on pictures of Egyptian art.
Chapter 8 - Allusions
Appomattox: a former village in central Virginia. On April 9, 1865, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at the Appomattox Court House, ending the Civil War.
Bellingraths: Miss Maudie is referring to Walter and Bessie Bellingrath who, in 1932, opened their large, beautiful gardens to the public.The Bellingrath Gardens are located in Mobile, Alabama.
Lane cake: a rich white cake. Read a recipe for a Lane cake.
Rosetta Stone: Discovered in Egypt in 1799, the Rosetta Stone is a large block of basalt inscribed with a report of a decree passed in 196 BC. Written in three languages, the stone gave historians many clues as to the meaning of Egyptian Hieroglyphs. See a picture of the Rosetta Stone.
Chapter 9 - Allusions
Confederate veteran: a veteran of the Civil War who fought for the South.
General Hood: Lieutenant-General John B. Hood, a Confederate officer. See a picture of General Hood.
House of Commons: the lower branch of the legislature in Great Britain
Let the cup pass from you: On the night before his crucifixion, Jesus prayed to the Lord: 'Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done [Luke 22:42].' By asking the Lord to 'take this cup from me' he was praying that he might avoid his fate (in Greek, one of the figurative meanings for 'cup' is 'fate'). Uncle Jack's comment to Atticus calls upon this reference because he understands that his brother was not looking forward to his fate: having to defend Tom Robinson.
Lord Melbourne: (1779-1848) Queen Victoria's first Prime Minister, Melbourne also had the reputation for being something of a ladies' man. See a picture of Lord Melbourne and Queen Victoria.
Missouri Compromise : The Missouri Compromise (1820) allowed Missouri to be admitted to the Union as a slave state but stipulated no more slave states would be allowed above the southern border of Missouri. See a map of free and slave states from the time of the Missouri Compromise.
Mount Everest: The highest known mountain in the world (29,028 feet), Everest is part of the Himalayas, on the border of Nepal and Tibet. See a picture of Mount Everest.
Ol' Blue Light: a reference to Stonewall Jackson.
Prime Minister: the head of a parliamentary government, such as Great Britain's.
Stonewall Jackson: a Confederate lieutenant-general. Find out more about Stonewall Jackson on the Stonewall Jackson Homepage.
Chapter 10 - Allusions
mockingbird: a North American bird known for its vocal imitations. See a picture and find out more about mockingbirds.
Chapter 11 - Allusions
Confederate
Army: the Southern army in the
Civil War.CSA: Confederate States of America - the Southern side of the Civil War.
Dixie Howell: Millard 'Dixie' Howell was a popular University of Alabama football player during the 1930s.
Ivanhoe: a novel written in 1819 by Sir Walter Scott set in the Middle Ages during the time of the Crusades. Got some free time? Read the novel online!
Sir Walter Scott: author of Ivanhoe . Find out more about Sir Walter Scott.
Chapter 12 - Allusions
Blackstone's
Commentaries : One of the most
important books ever written on British law. See the title page of this book.Bootleggers: people who make and/or sell illegal liquor.
bread lines: During the Great Depression, thousands of people relied on charitable organizations for meals and would line up for simple meals often of bread and soup. See a picture of a bread line.
Brown's Mule: a brand of chewing tobacco. See an original advertising display of Brown's Mule.
castile: a type of soap, originally made in Spain
Garden of Gethsemane: the place where Jesus went to pray on the night before his crucifixion. See a painting of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Hoyt's Cologne: a strong, lasting cologne, originally made in Germany and popular during the first part of the 20th century. See an advertisement for Hoyt's Cologne.
Hunt's The Light of the World : a well-known painting of Jesus Christ. See The Light of the World .
Octagon soap: a very harsh, strong soap. See an advertisement for Octagon soap.
Shadrach: One of the three men whom King Nebuchadnezzar threw into a blazing furnace, as told in Daniel 3 of the Bible. Because of their faith in God, all three men escaped unharmed.
sit-down strikes: During the Great Depression, sit-down strikes became a real force in labor relations in the United States. Unlike 'regular' strikes, workers in a sit-down strike would literally 'sit down on the job;' that is, they would refuse to leave the building until their demands were met. One of the most famous sit-down strikes of this era was the Flint sit-down strike at the General Motors plant in Flint, Michigan. See a picture from that strike.
Chapter 13 - Allusions
Lydia E.
Pinkham: a maker and manufacturer of
patent medicines in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Most of
Pinkham's medical concoctions were aimed at women, and the majority
of them contained liberal amounts of alcohol. See a picture of Lydia E. Pinkham from the cover
of one of her pamphlets.Reconstruction: the period of time, roughly between 1867-1877, when the Southern states were reorganized and reestablished after the Civil War.
Rice Christians: Christian converts from third-world nations, especially those in parts of Asia.
War Between the States: the Civil War.
Chapter 15 - Allusions
battlement: a low wall with open
spaces built on top of a castle wall or fort. See a picture of a battlement on Dinefwr Castle
in Wales.flying buttressess: a buttress (support) connected to a building by an arch. See the flying buttressess of Chartres Cathedral in France.
Gothic: a style of architecture developed in Western Europe between the 12th and 16th century. An excellent example of the Gothic style is Notre Dame Cathedral in France.
Jitney Jungle: a supermarket chain. Supermarkets were still relatively new to America in the 1930s. Most shoppers did business at smaller grocery stores. See apicture of a grocery store in Alabama in the late 1930s. Also, see a 1930s advertisement for a Jitney Jungle
snipe hunt: a practical joke. The 'victim' is taken on a hunt deep into a forest at night and told to look for and capture 'snipes,' small, flightless birds that, in actuality, don't exist. While the hunter searches, the rest of the party leaves.
Chapter 16 - Allusions
Braxton
Bragg: The commander of the Western
Confederate Army during the Civil War, Bragg led a
less-than-distinguished career in the military, and his army unit
was eventually defeated. Find out more about Braxton Bragg.Ethiopia: During the time of the Old Testament, Ethiopia was a kingdom in Northeast Africa. Today, Ethiopia is a country in Eastern Africa. See a map of modern Ethiopia.
Greek revival columns: a form of architectural columns. See a picture of Greek revival columns.
straight Prohibition ticket: Prohibition was a period in U.S. history (1920-1933) when the manufacture, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages was against the law. By voting the straight Prohibition ticket, Mr. Jones always votes for those political candidates who support Prohibition and were likely members of the Prohibition Party.
William Jennings Bryan: (1860-1925) Bryan was a lawyer, a politician (he ran for the Presidency three times), and a famous orator. His speeches were major events, especially in the South and along the Bible Belt, and would draw huge crowds. See a picture of and read more about William Jennings Bryan.
Chapter 17 - Allusions
fountain
pen: a pen with a special nib at the end
that allowed the pen to be refilled with ink from a bottle. See a
1930s advertisement for fountain
pens.icebox: Before refrigerators, people used iceboxes, large wood cabinets kept cold on the inside by blocks of ice that would be delivered to the home. See a picture of an icebox.
Model-T Ford (on blocks): The Model-T (also known as a 'tin Lizzie' or a 'flivver') was Henry Ford's first popular success. Originally produced in 1909, it was affordable and relatively reliable. See a picture of a 1926 Model-T coupe and find out more about the history of the Model-T Ford. A car is put up on blocks for two main reasons: either it no longer has any tires, or the owner can't afford to drive it and putting it on blocks saves the tires from the damage caused by having to carry the weight of the car.
shotgun hall: A hallway that leads directly from the front door to the back door.
Chapter 18 - Allusions
cotton
gin: a machine used to separate seed and
other debris from cotton. See a picture of a cotton gin.Mr. Jingle: A character in Charles Dicken's novel The Pickwick Papers, Mr. Jingle usually expresses himself in sentence fragments. Got some extra time? Read The Pickwick Papers online!
Chapter 20 - Allusions
all men are created
equal: A phrase from The Declaration
of Independence. Read the text and see a picture of the original
document.distaff side of the Executive branch: a reference to Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of President Franklin D. Roosevelt (the Executive branch is the President, and distaff, in this case, means wife). Eleanor Roosevelt often came in for much criticism, especially in the South, for her views on civil rights.
Einstein: Albert Einstein (1979-1955), German-born physicist. See a picture of Albert Einstein.
Rockefeller: John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937), one of the richest men in America at the time. Find out more about John D. Rockefeller.
Thomas Jefferson: 3rd President of the United States (1801-1809) and author of The Declaration of Independence. Find out more about Thomas Jefferson.
Chapter 24 - Allusions
Birmingham: a city in Central
Alabama.Mrs. Roosevelt: First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962), wife of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
People up there set 'em free: in other words: the Northerners are responsible for the fact that the slaves were freed
tryin' to sit with 'em: in 1939, Eleanor Roosevelt attended a meeting for the Southern Conference for Human Welfare in Birmingham, Alabama where she defied state authorities by sitting in the center aisle, between whites and blacks, after police told her she was violating segregation laws by sitting with black people.
Chapter 25 - Allusions
English
Channel: The English Channel is
the waterway that separates Great Britain from France. It is also
the avenue by which much trade is carried on between Great Britain
and the European continent. According to Scout, Miss Stephanie is
the avenue of gossip for much of Maycomb. Find the English Channel
on a map of Great Britain.
Chapter 26 - Allusions
Adolf Hitler has
been after all the Jews: a reference to
the Nazi anti-Jewish policy. Read more about it in a timeline of the Holocaust.Adolf Hitler: (1889-1945) Nazi dictator of Germany from 1933 to 1945. See a picture of Adolf Hitler.
Elmer Davis: a journalist and CBS radio commentator who went on to head the Office of War Information. Find out more about Elmer Davis.
holy-roller: a member of a small religious sect that expresses devotion by shouting and moving around during worship services.
Uncle Natchell Story: Uncle Natchell (along with his sidekick, Sonny Boy) was the cartoon mascot for a fertilizer product called Natural Chilean Nitrate of Soda. Many of the advertisements for this product were in comic strip or story form. Little Chuck Little has mistaken one of these advertising 'stories' for an actual current event. See an Uncle Natchell advertisement.
Chapter 27 - Allusions
Bob
Taylor: Robert Love Taylor, late 19th
Century orator and politician. Seea picture of and read
more about Robert Taylor.Ad Astra Per Aspera:Latin for 'To the stars through difficulties'
Cotton Tom Heflin: J. Thomas 'Cotton Tom' Heflin was an orator and Republican politician. Heflin was Secretary of State in Alabama at the beginning of the century and served in the U.S. Congress (1905-1920) and the Senate (1921-1931). Heflin's political support was drawn chiefly from rural voters and members of the Ku Klux Klan.
dog Victrolas: a reference to the advertising symbol of RCA/Victor; a dog, known as 'Nipper,' looking into the horn of a gramophone or Victrola. Find out more about Nipper.
Ladies' Law: From the Criminal Code of Alabama, Vol. III, 1907: 'Any person who enters into, or goes sufficiently near to the dwelling house of another, and, in the presence or hearing of the family of the occupant thereof, or any member of his family, or any person who, in the presence or hearing of any girl or woman, uses abusive, insulting or obscene language must, on conviction, be fined not more than two hundred dollars, and may also be imprisoned in the county jail, or sentenced to hard labour for the county for not more than six months.'
National Recovery Act: better known as the National Recovery Administration or the NRA. The NRA was a series of programs set up to help the nation, especially the nation's businesses, recover from the effects of the Great Depression. It was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1935. See an NRA Poster.
nine old men: the members of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court declared the NRA unconstitutional in 1935.
NRA-WE DO OUR PART: the motto of the National Recovery Administration (NRA).
Syrians: People from Syria, a country at the northwest part of the Mediterranean region, south of Turkey. See a map of Syria.
WPA: During the Great Depression, when millions of Americans were out of work, the government instituted the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and employed over eight million people.
Chapter 28 - Allusions
three-corner hats,
confederate caps, Spanish-American War hats, and World War
helmets: all references to the headgear
of various soldiers from different wars. See a picture of
men in three-cornered hats, apicture of a confederate soldier, a
photograph of a group of soldiers from the
Spanish-American War, and a photo of World War I
soldier.