Vocabulary Words
#2 Lord of the Flies Chapter 7-12
1. brine (pg. 110) ( n) definition(s): salt water
sample sentence: Dolphins and whales cannot help taking in gulps of brine when they swallow fish.
2. glower (pg. 118) (v) definition(s): to look with anger or disapproval; to take on a gloomy or forbidding look
synonyms: glare, gloom, scowl, frown
antonyms: beam, grin, smile, brighten, perk (up)
sample sentence: The baseball fans glowered at their TVs as they watched their favorite team lose.
3. sage (pg. 118) (n, adj) definition(s): (n.) a person of deep wisdom or learning; (adj.) having or showing
deep understanding and intelligent application of knowledge
synonyms: (n.) pundit, savant, scholar; (adj.) wise, insightful
antonyms: (adj.) unperceptive, unwise
sample sentence: (n.) The young prince made a pilgrimage to the sage, hoping to learn the meaning
of life. (adj.) It was a sage suggestion that she think long and hard before
deciding to marry at such a young age.
4. daunting (pg. 119) part of speech: adjective
definition(s): tending to overwhelm or intimidate
synonyms: intimidating, overwhelming, apprehensive, disconcerting, disheartening
sample sentence: The vocabulary essay was a daunting task because the words were so unusual
and hard to use in sentences.
5. prefect (pg. 126) part of speech: noun
definition(s): a person appointed to any of various positions of command, authority, or superintendence
sample sentence: In J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, Percy Weasley was a prefect of Gryffindor
and so got to order everyone around.
6. demure (pg. 133) part of speech: adjective
definition(s): reserved and modest
synonyms: reserved, modest, shy, diffident, bashful
antonyms: extroverted, outgoing, immodest, social, gregarious
sample sentence: She wore a very demure outfit to the job interview at the church.
7. flank (pg. 134) part of speech: noun, verb
definition(s): (n.) the side of a person’s or animal’s body between the ribs and hip; the side of
something large such as a mountain or body of people; (v.) to be situated on the side of
something; to guard or strengthen
synonyms: (n.) side, haunch, quarter; wing; (v.) edge, bound, border
sample sentence: (n.) The trainer leaned against the horse’s flank so the horse could not see him
very easily. (v.) The fireplace is flanked by built-in bookshelves on both sides.
8. corpulent (pg. 146) part of speech: adjective
definition(s): having an excess of body fat
synonyms: blubbery, chubby, fleshy, plump, overweight
antonyms: lean, skinny, slender, slim, thin
sample sentence: A corpulent, elegantly dressed opera singer came out and sang, and we knew it
was over just like in the cliché that “it isn’t over until the fat lady sings.”
9. abominable (pg. 152) part of speech: adjective
definition(s): causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment
synonyms: abhorrent, appalling, awful, dreadful, loathsome
antonyms: innocuous, inoffensive, agreeable, appealing
sample sentence: The uprising was suppressed with abominable cruelty, so many people were
slaughtered.
10. phosphorescence (pg. 153) part of speech: noun
definition(s): an enduring light or luminescence without heat
synonyms: luminescence, florescence
sample sentence: The stones overhead gleamed with phosphorescence and gave us enough
light to see in the cave.
11. ungainly (g. 153) part of speech: adjective
definition(s): difficult to use or operate especially because of size, weight, or design; having or
showing an inability to move in a graceful manner
synonyms: awkward, clumsy, unwieldy, graceless, uncoordinated
antonyms: handy, coordinated, graceful
sample sentence: Getting the ungainly couch up the stairs was a real chore.
12. torrid (pg. 159) part of speech: adjective
definition(s): having a notably high temperature; having or expressing great depth of feeling
synonyms: ardent, boiling, fervent, fiery, intense
antonyms: arctic, bone-chilling, cold, frigid, icy
sample sentence: Southern Arizona is known for its dry, torrid summers which seem to be able to
bake anything left out in the open.
13. myopia (pg. 169) part of speech: noun
definition(s): the condition of being nearsighted; a lack of foresight
synonyms: nearsightedness
sample sentence: She wears eyeglasses to correct her myopia, so she can drive and be able to
read the street signs. Brutus’s ideas were plainly myopic, because he didn’t
realize what Antony could do when he spoke right after Brutus.
14. pinnacle (pg. 174) part of speech: noun
definition(s): the highest part or point
synonyms: acme, apex, climax, crescendo, culmination
antonyms: bottom, abyss, base, nadir, minimum
sample sentence: With his recent Academy Award win, the actor has certainly reached the pinnacle
of his success.
15. truculent (pg. 177) part of speech: adjective
definition(s): eager or quick to argue or fight; aggressively defiant
synonyms: aggressive, defiant, antagonistic, belligerent, confrontational
antonyms: nonaggressive, nonbelligerent, pacific, peaceable, calm
sample sentence: The die-hard fans became truculent and violent after their team’s loss.
16. ferocity (pg. 179) part of speech: noun
definition(s): a very fierce or violent quality
synonyms: savagery, brutality, violence, ruthlessness, cruelty
sample sentence: We were stunned by the ferocity of the tornado and shocked by how much
damage it caused.
17. talisman (pg. 180) part of speech: noun
definition(s): something worn or kept to bring good luck
synonyms: amulet, mascot, mojo, token, emblem
sample sentence: A pendant of white nephrite jade is often worn by Indians as a talisman to ward
off heart disease.
18. covert (pg. 183) part of speech: adjective, noun
definition(s): (adj.) not openly acknowledged or displayed; (n.) a place where a person goes to hide
or to avoid others; a thick patch of shrubbery or underbrush
synonyms: (adj.) hidden, isolated, secret; (n.) den, hideaway
antonyms: (adj.) obvious, visible, exposed
sample sentence: (adj.) It was a covert little hideaway that provided a lot of privacy.
(n.) He set up a covert from which to watch wildlife without being detected.
19. ululation (pg. 189) part of speech: noun
definition(s): a howl or wail as an expression of strong emotion
sample sentence: The wife’s ululations could be heard as her husband was being buried.
20. ensconce (pg. 191) part of speech: verb
definition(s): to establish or settle in a comfortable, safe, or secret place
synonyms: settle, install, plant, nestle, hide away
antonyms: display, exhibit
sample sentence: The kids had contentedly ensconced themselves on the couch before the TV for
the evening.