CHAPTER 20 — Vocabulary

Vocabulary Words from CHAPTER 20

metropolis (noun)

The chief or capital city of a country or region; a large, important city.

equipage (noun)

A horse-drawn carriage together with its horses, driver, and attendants; by extension, an elaborate outfit or conveyance.

hammercloth (noun)

A cloth covering the driver's seat (box) of a horse-drawn coach, originally used to cover the tools stored beneath it.

portmanteau (noun)

A large traveling bag or suitcase, typically made of stiff leather, that opens into two hinged compartments.

perusal (noun)

The action of reading or examining something carefully and thoroughly.

scabbard (noun)

A sheath or case for holding a sword, dagger, or bayonet.

cliental (adjective)

Of or relating to a client; used here as a descriptive adjective for the chair designated for visitors or clients.

supplicant (noun)

A person who humbly begs or entreats someone in authority, often in a desperate or submissive manner.

irate (adjective)

Feeling or characterized by intense anger; furious.

farden (noun)

A dialectal or colloquial pronunciation of "farthing," the smallest unit of British currency, worth one quarter of a penny.

velveteen (noun)

A cotton fabric with a pile resembling velvet, cheaper than real velvet and typically associated with working-class clothing.

treasonable (adjective)

Involving or constituting treason; here used hyperbolically to mean socially unacceptable or unpatriotic.

culprit (noun)

A person who is guilty of a crime or offense; one awaiting trial or punishment.

coronet (noun)

A small or relatively simple crown; here refers to decorative crown-shaped ornaments on the exterior of the coach.

confectioner (noun)

A person who makes or sells sweets, pastries, and other confections; here used to describe the disguise of a perjured witness.