“The Adventure
of the
Speckled Band”
Vocabulary
1. DEDUCTION
deduction
noun
 the inference of particular instances by
reference to a general law or principle; a
conclusion that has been deduced
 suspicion, reasoning
 The detective must uncover the murderer by
deduction from facts.

2. ARISTOCRATIC
aristocratic
adjective
 distinguished in manners or bearing;
grand; stylish
 noble, elite, posh
 The gentleman was a descendant of a stately,
aristocratic family.

3. HEREDITARY
hereditary
adjective
 based on inheritance; determined by
genetic factors and therefore able to be
passed on from parents to their
descendants
 bequeathed, ancestral, genetic
 Members of the royal aristocracy had the
hereditary right to elect the king.

4. SUBTLE
subtle
adjective
 so delicate or precise as to be difficult to
analyze or describe; making use of clever
and indirect methods to achieve
something
 understated, acute, perceptive, cunning
 The pick pocket thief utilized a subtle
approach to hoodwink his victims.

5. WRITHE
writhe
verb
 make continual twisting, squirming
movements or contortions of the body;
respond with great emotional or physical
discomfort
 contort, wriggle, worm
 She bit her lip, writhing in suppressed fury.

6. NOTORIOUS
notorious
adjective
 famous or well known, typically for some
bad quality or deed
 infamous, scandalous, legendary
 He was notorious for his temper, and
neighbors feared his erratic tantrums.

7. SINISTER
sinister
adjective
 giving the impression that something
harmful or evil is happening or will
happen
 wicked, threatening, villainous
 The sinister plan involved the murder of two
innocent young women.

8. BLANDLY
blandly
adverb
 showing no strong emotion; lacking strong
features or characteristics
 flatly, unemotionally
 The detective blandly dismissed the suspect’s
alibi and presented incriminating evidence.

9. AMIABLE
amiable
adjective
 having or displaying a friendly and pleasant
manner
 warmhearted, agreeable, charming
 The young lad smiled and nodded his head in
amiable agreement.

10. GABLE
gable
noun
 the part of a wall that encloses the end of
a pitched roof

11. CUNNING
cunning
adjective
 having or showing skill in achieving a goal
by deceit; ingenious
 The cunning fox is known for its sly and
clever nature.

noun
 skill in being subtle and crafty
 It took cunning to pull that crime!

12. HOMELY
homely
adjective
 British: (of a place) simple but cozy and
comfortable
 unsophisticated, homey, plain
 The local bed-and-breakfast provided a
homely atmosphere.

13. TANGIBLE
tangible
adjective
 having physical existence; capable of being
grasped by the mind
 clear, definite, real
 Tangible evidence indicated the suspect,
including a weapon and clothing.

noun
 a thing that is perceptible by touch

14. RUTHLESS
ruthless
adjective
 having or showing no pity or compassion
for others
 cruel, heartless, vicious
 He was a ruthless and merciless man who
acquired many enemies.
