Chapters 1 and 2
Call of the Wild
Vocabulary
Primitive (adj)
primitivo
• Definition = early, not
sophisticated, raw, uncivilized
(rudimentario; inculto)
• Early humans were only capable of
creating primitive tools like spears and
clubs, unlike the modern tools used
today.
primitive
• Sport appeals to our most primitive
urges because it's all about winning.
Obscure (adj)
(oscuro)
• Definition = not clear or plain;
ambiguous, vague, or uncertain
(de difícil comprensiónoun )
• “They came and went, resided in the
populous kennels, or lived obscurely
in the recesses of the house.”
(Call of the Wild)
obscure
• The view of the mountains was
obscured by dense fog.
Imperiously (adverb)
(imperiosamente)
• Definition = domineering in a
haughty manner; king-like;
overbearing:
• “Among the terriers he stalked
imperiously…for he was king.”
(Call of the Wild)
imperiously
• The woman’s
imperious
nature made
her unpopular
among her
co-workers.
menacingly (adverb)
(amenazadoramente)
• Definition = something that
threatens to cause evil, harm, injury
• Before the big game, the opposing
team captains glared at each other
menacingly.
menacingly
• “But when the
ends of the rope
were placed in
the stranger’s
hands, he
growled
menacingly.”
(Call of the Wild)
Deft (adj)
(hábil; diestro)
• Definition = skillful; quick; nimble
• “In a quick rage, he sprang at the man,
who met him halfway, grappled him
close by the throat, and with a deft
twist, threw him over on his back.”
(Call of the Wild)
deft
• With a deft
hand, he rolls
the dough
into a circle
before
tossing it
into the air.
Futilely (adverb)
(fútil)
• Definition = having no effective result;
pointlessly, unsuccessfully, ineffectively
• His futile attempt to disrupt the
assembly ended with a trip to the
principal’s office.
futilely
• After a mile
or so, they
realized
their
attempt to
outrun the
police car
was futile.
morose (adj)
(taciturno)
• Definition = ill-tempered or gloomy;
sullen
• “He was a gloomy, morose fellow, and
he showed Curly plainly that all he
desired was to be left alone.”
(Call of the Wild)
morose
• The morose expression on my cat’s
face made it clear that things had
not gone well at the groomer’s.
Cunning (adj)
(astuto)
• Definition = clever; sly
• The thief was no match for the cunning
skills of the detective.
cunning
• The cat
continued to
cunningly do
his part to
reduce the
overpopulation
of rabbits on
the farm.