A Christmas CarolCharles Dickens

Stave OneVocabulary

benevolence

(noun) - a goodness towards others

Sandra’s weekly volunteer hours at the soup-kitchen and her donations to the Humane Society earned her a reputation for benevolence.

covetous

(adjective) - jealously eager to possess something

Gollum is covetous of the Ring that Frodo carries.

“The poor man wants many things; the covetous man, all.”

-- Herman Melville

destitute

(adjective) – poor - without food clothing and shelter; without

After the earthquake, many Haitians were left not only poor, but destitute.

facetious

(adjective) - playful, joking, lighthearted

Even though Pedro’s remark was meant to be facetious, Isabella’s feelings were hurt.

fettered

(adjective) - chained, shackled

The dog longed for freedom after a lifetime of being fettered in the yard.

forbearance

(noun) - self-control; patient endurance

Alice had to practice forbearance when babysitting the six unruly children.

gruel

(noun) - a thin cereal-like oatmeal

The children stared in disbelief at the gruel that awaited them at the dinner-table.

hob

(noun) - a shelf beside a fire to keep the kettle hot

Put the pot of soup on the hob, Bella. We are not quite ready for dinner.

homage

(noun) - a public show of respect

In his speech she paid homage to Martin Luther King, Jr., Mother Teresa, and Ghandi.

incredulous

(adjective) - not willing to believe, skeptical

Ernest looked incredulous as his daughter approached with a shaved head, a nose ring and new, permanent tattoo across her forehead.

irresolution

(noun) - an action lacking firmness of purpose; hesitation

The king’s hesitation was obvious; his announcement of his son’s banishment was marked with irresolution.

misanthropic

(adjective) - disliking people or mankind in general

The misanthropic old man growled at each person that passed by, then went home to dine by himself.

portly

(adjective) - overweight, stout

The prince was quite portly and found that he had trouble running stadiums in Pfit.

ruddy

(adjective) - a healthy reddish color, particularly from outdoor life

After a summer working on his grandfather’s beet farm, Aidan had strong muscles and a ruddy complexion.

susceptible

(adjective) - impressionable; yielding readily to

Babies and elderly people are the most susceptible to common illnesses.

tremulous

(adjective) - quavering; trembling

Her voice was tremulous when she told the sorrowful tale.

unhallowed

(adjective) - not consecrated or holy

The townspeople accused the women of witchcraft. They were said to have been practicing their unhallowed rituals in the stone cottage by the woods.

veneration

(noun) - feeling of awe or reverence

A memorial was erected in veneration of the unknown soldiers from the Vietnam War.

waggish

(adjective) - humorous

Limerick writers often use waggish humor.