Post on 18-May-2015
A Christmas CarolCharles Dickens
Stave OneVocabulary
benevolence
(noun) - a goodness towards others
Sandra’s weekly volunteer hours at the soup-kitchen and her donations to the Humane Society earned her a reputation for benevolence.
covetous
(adjective) - jealously eager to possess something
Gollum is covetous of the Ring that Frodo carries.
“The poor man wants many things; the covetous man, all.”
-- Herman Melville
destitute
(adjective) – poor - without food clothing and shelter; without
After the earthquake, many Haitians were left not only poor, but destitute.
facetious
(adjective) - playful, joking, lighthearted
Even though Pedro’s remark was meant to be facetious, Isabella’s feelings were hurt.
fettered
(adjective) - chained, shackled
The dog longed for freedom after a lifetime of being fettered in the yard.
forbearance
(noun) - self-control; patient endurance
Alice had to practice forbearance when babysitting the six unruly children.
gruel
(noun) - a thin cereal-like oatmeal
The children stared in disbelief at the gruel that awaited them at the dinner-table.
hob
(noun) - a shelf beside a fire to keep the kettle hot
Put the pot of soup on the hob, Bella. We are not quite ready for dinner.
homage
(noun) - a public show of respect
In his speech she paid homage to Martin Luther King, Jr., Mother Teresa, and Ghandi.
incredulous
(adjective) - not willing to believe, skeptical
Ernest looked incredulous as his daughter approached with a shaved head, a nose ring and new, permanent tattoo across her forehead.
irresolution
(noun) - an action lacking firmness of purpose; hesitation
The king’s hesitation was obvious; his announcement of his son’s banishment was marked with irresolution.
misanthropic
(adjective) - disliking people or mankind in general
The misanthropic old man growled at each person that passed by, then went home to dine by himself.
portly
(adjective) - overweight, stout
The prince was quite portly and found that he had trouble running stadiums in Pfit.
ruddy
(adjective) - a healthy reddish color, particularly from outdoor life
After a summer working on his grandfather’s beet farm, Aidan had strong muscles and a ruddy complexion.
susceptible
(adjective) - impressionable; yielding readily to
Babies and elderly people are the most susceptible to common illnesses.
tremulous
(adjective) - quavering; trembling
Her voice was tremulous when she told the sorrowful tale.
unhallowed
(adjective) - not consecrated or holy
The townspeople accused the women of witchcraft. They were said to have been practicing their unhallowed rituals in the stone cottage by the woods.
veneration
(noun) - feeling of awe or reverence
A memorial was erected in veneration of the unknown soldiers from the Vietnam War.
waggish
(adjective) - humorous
Limerick writers often use waggish humor.