Vocabulary+Tracker



“The basic tool for the manipulation of reality is the manipulation of words. If you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use the words.”

This page is designed to track any unfamiliar words that our group encountered while reading through A Connecticut Yankee... Words are listed with their definition, original context, and an example sentence.

*Page numbers are taken from the 2004 Signet Classics edition.*
 * Chapters I-XII **

**Tumultuous**: adjective - full of tumult or riotousness; marked by disturbance and uproar

Original Passage: "There was about an average of two dogs to one man; and these sat in expectant attitudes till a spent bone was flung to them, and then they went for it by brigades and divisions, with a rush, and there ensued a fight which filled the prospect with a tumultuous chaos of plunging heads and bodies and flashing tails, and the storm of howlings and barkings deafened all speech for the time" (20)

Example: The riots in South Africa during Mandela’s time were full of __tumultuous__ violence because of the unfair treatment of the blacks.

**Rudiments**: noun -a mere beginning, first slight appearance, or undeveloped or imperfect form of something

Original Passage: "He don't amount to shucks, as a magician; knows some of the old common tricks, but has never got beyond the rudiments, and never will." (34)

Example: My __rudiments__ of Hector were plagued by his Salvadorian heritage.

**Calamity:** noun - a great misfortune or disaster Original Passage: "That made an immense effect; up went appealing hands everywhere, and the king was assailed with a storm of supplications that I might be bought off at any price, and the calamity stayed." (41)

Example: Hurricane Katrina was a huge __calamity__ that devastated the population of Louisiana in 2005.

**Adulation:** noun - excessive devotion to someone; servile flattery

Original Passage: "The truth was, the nation as a body was in the world for one object, and one only: to grovel before king and Church and noble; to slave for them, sweat blood for them, starve that they might be fed, work that they might play, drink misery to the dregs that they might be happy, go naked that they might wear silks and jewels, pay taxes that they might be spared from paying them, be familiar all their lives with the degrading language and postures of adulation that they might walk in pride and think themselves the gods of this world...:" (Page #) <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Example: The common people showed great __adulation__ to their King by bowing prostrate before him.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**Thwart:** verb - to oppose successfully; prevent from accomplishing a purpose

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Original Passage: "Ah, please you sir, it hath no direction from here; by reason that the road lieth not straight, but turneth evermore; wherefore the direction of its place abideth not, but is some time under the one sky and anon under another, whereso if ye be minded that it is in the east, and wend thitherward, ye shall observe that the way of the road doth yet again turn upon itself by the space of half a circle, and this marvel happing again and yet again and still again, it will grieve you that you had thought by vanities of the mind to thwart and bring to naught the will of Him that giveth not a castle a direction from a place except it pleaseth Him, and if it please Him not, will the rather that even all castles and all directions thereunto vanish out of the earth, leaving the places wherein they tarried desolate and vacant, so warning His creatures that where He will He will, and where He will not He—" (22). <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Example: Martin Luther King’s nonviolent protest was successful in __thwarting__ black discrimination in America.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Chapters XIII-XXII **

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**Ostensible**: adjective - outwardly appearing as such, professed, pretended

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Original passage: "These poor ostensible freemen who were sharing their breakfast and their talk with me, were as full of humble reverence for their king and Church and nobility as their worst enemy could desire" (87).

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Example: It was quite apparent that John's __ostensible__ cheerfulness was intended to conceal the depression he had suffered since his wife's death.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**Indefeasible**: adjective - not capable of being annulled or terminated

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Original passage: I was from Connecticut, whose constitution declares "that all political power is inherent from the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority and instituted for their benefit, and that they have a right at all times an undeniable and indefeasible right to alter their form of government in such a manner as they may think expedient" (88).

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Example: Their liens were deemed to be valid, perfected, and __indefeasible__ in the bankruptcy case.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**Anon**: adverb - in a short time, soon

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Original passage: "Of a truth the phrase hath a fair and winsome grace, and is prettily worded withal. I will repeat it anon and anon in mine idlesse, whereby I may peradventure learn it" (94).

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Example: Beware, my friends, for this feud will __anon__ grow into a bloody and destructive clash of steel and men, and all will end up suffering.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**Peradventure**: adverb - chance, doubt, uncertainty; also maybe, possibly

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Original passage: "'I will say you, said Sir Gawaine, it beseemeth evil a good knight to despise all ladies and gentlewomen, and peradventure though he hate you he hath some cause, and peradventure he loveth in some other places ladies and gentlewomen, and to be loved again, and he such a man of prowess as ye speak of - '" (96).

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Example: __Peradventure__ at this instant, there are beings gazing up to this very world as their future heaven.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**Tabard**: noun - a loose outer garment, sleeveless or with short sleeves, especially one worn by a knight over his armor and usually emblazoned with his arms

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Original passage: "As we approached each other, I saw that he wore a plumed helmet, and seemed to be otherwise clothed in steel, but bore a curious addition also - a stiff square garment like a herald's tabard. However, I had to smile at my own forgetfulness when I got nearer and read this sign on his tabard: Persimmon's Soap - All the Prime-Donne use it" (102)

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Example: The knight's __tabard__ was made of fine linen and rich silks, clearly indicating that this was meant for ceremonial use only and not to be worn into battle.


 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Chapters XXII-XXIX **

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**Dirk**: noun - a small, thin dagger

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Original Passage: “Toward evening on the second day what does he do but blandly fetch a dirk from inside his robe!” (205)

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Example: The assassin drew a __dirk__ from the folds of his robe and attacked with that slender weapon.

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**Scrofulous**: adjective - sick or ceremonially unclean

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Original passage: “All abroad the spacious floor, and dear down to the doors, in a thick jumble, lay or sat the scrofulous, under a strong light” (193).

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Example: The s__crofulous__ leper was shunned by the respectable people of the community.

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**Tableau**: noun - a picture, as of a scene

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Original Passage: “It was as good as a tableau; in fact it had all the look of being gotten up for that, though it wasn’t” (193).

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Example: The __tableau__ in the dining room was shocking as the children ran amuck.

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**Mummery**: noun - an absurd or false performance or ceremony

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Original Passage: “Any mummery will cure if the patient’s faith is strong in it!” (195)

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Example: The magician’s ridiculous __mummery__ somehow managed to fool the expectant crowd.

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**Infernal**: adjective - hellish, fiendish, diabolical

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Original Passage: “…awful outbursts of infernal fire and smoke and thunder” (197).

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Example: The __infernal__ flames scorched the beautiful white marble of the city’s walls.


 * <span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Chapters XXX-XXXVIII **

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**Trepidation**: noun - tremulous fear, alarm, or agitation

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Original Passage: “The step was coming towards us - straight toward the hut. It must be a beast, then, and we might as well have saved our trepidation.”(222)

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Example: The __trepidation__ the peasant had towards the evil wizards was clearly seen by the way he quivered.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**Countenance**: noun - appearance, especially the look or expression of the face

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Original Passage: “Toward the shaven monk who trudged along with his cowl tilted back and the sweat washing down his fat jowls, the coal burner was deeply reverent; to the gentleman he was abject; with the small farmer and the free mechanic he was cordial and gossipy; and when a slave passed by with a countenance respectfully lowered, this chap’s nose was in the air---he couldn’t even see him.”(232)

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Example: After being ashamed and embarrassed by his mom, the boy ran into the school bathroom with his __countenance__ hanging low.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**Magistrate**: noun - a civil officer charged with the administration of the law

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Original Passage: “Ye may say, in general terms, it is the magistrate that fixes the wages.” (253)

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Example: The __magistrate__ was well respected in the village because he didn’t abuse his power.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**Parlous**: adjective - perilous, dangerous

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Original Passage: “They reason that we were advantaged by no parlous start of them, and being on foot are as yet no mighty way from where we took the water.”(262)

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Example: The __parlous__ journey was only taken up by the most fearless soldiers, but even so no one had ever returned.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**Eloquence**: noun - the practice or art of using language with fluency and aptness

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Original Passage: “She sought him everywhere, she moved the hardest hearts with the supplications of her tears, the broken eloquence of her despair.”(274)

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Example: The English teacher, with her vast vocabulary knowledge, was able to use her __eloquence__ to her advantage and always got her way.


 * <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Chapters XXXIX-XLIV **

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**Lariat**: noun - a long, noosed rope used to catch horses, cattle, or other livestock

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Original Passage: “I coiled my lariat and hung it on my saddle horn, and sat there drunk with glory.” (297)

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Example: Eric is an expert at tying up horses and cattle with his __lariat__.

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**Bugle**: noun - a brass wind instrument resembling a cornet

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Original Passage:“The bugle made proclamation, and we turned apart and rode to our stations.”(299)

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Example: __Bugles__ were commonly used during the Civil War to wake up soldiers in the morning.

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**Yonder:** adjective - Being in that place or over there; being that or those over there

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Original Passage: Here was a riderless horse plunging by, and yonder lay Sir Sagramor, stone dead.” (Page 299)

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Example: __Yonder__ lay Sir Nick trying to get back up before his opponent came back to finish him off.

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**Melancholy**: noun - a gloomy state of mind, especially when habitual or prolonged; depression.

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Original Passage: “I found Clarence, alone in his quarters, drowned in melancholy ;”( Page 315)

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Example: __Melancholy__ tends to cover those who have just experienced a tragic event that will forever change their lives.

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**Knave**: noun - an unprincipled, untrustworthy, or dishonest person.

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Original Passage:“Dismember me this animal, and return him in a basket to the baseborn knave who sent him; other answer have I none!” (Page 334)

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Example: Filthy __knave__, you will die for your betrayal to the kingdom!