Fever 1793 Vocabulary List #2
Scholastic, November 2001
1. accommodate (verb): to adapt
ex. “We must accommodate our lives to the fever for a few weeks…”(26).
2. solemnly (adverb) : gravely or seriously
ex. “Mr. Epler nodded his head solemnly” (28).
3. tolled (verb): rang
(toll = to ring)
ex. “The bell at Christ Church tolled heavily” (32).
4. absentminded (adjective): preoccupied in thought
“Grandfather patted his pockets absentmindedly ”(34).
5. condolences (noun) : expression of sympathy
ex. “He expressed his condolences on the death of Polly Logan” (35).
6. droll (adjective): amusing in an odd way
ex: “The clotheshorse collapsed under the weight of the stupid beast…Very droll, I said”
(37).
7. overwhelming (adjective) : overcome in mind or feeling
ex. “Your confidence [in me] is overwhelming ”(44).
8. tedious (adjective): long and tiresome
ex. “So tell me, Lucille, what have you been doing for company this tedious
August?”(50).
9. rile (verb): to irritate or vex
ex. “For once, my [Mattie]short -tempered answer did not rile her [Mother]”(43).
10. din (noun): a loud, continued noise
ex: ‘...church bells of Philadelphia tolled without cease...The din was maddening” (54).
11. gumption (noun): courage
ex: “ Grandfather says this trouble will soon be over. He says people don’t have
gumption anymore (56).
12. pondered (verb): considered something deeply and thoroughly
ex. “The room quieted as we all pondered the number” (59).
13. peril (noun): grave risk; danger
ex.”With God’s mercy she will survive this peril” (73).
14. recuperate (verb): to recover health or strength
ex. “We’ve just come through a battle and you need time to recuperate” (126).
15. relent (verb): to give in; to cease resistance
ex. “The tall one would not relent. He pushed ahead, continuing to brandish his sword”
(142).
16. queasy (adjective): suffering from nausea
ex. “I felt faint and queasy” (155).
17. thrive (verb): to prosper; to grow or develop vigorously
ex. “The rats thrive” (158).
18. weary (adjective): physically or mentally exhausted by hard work
ex. “She [Eliza] was too weary to speak” (181).
19. ominous (adjective): threatening or menacing
ex: “...an ominous silence pressed in on the room as the fever penetrated deeper” (204).
20. frail (adjective): physically weak; having delicate health
ex. “The boys turned frail, their skin ashen and their cheeks sinking…” (204).