CHAPTER 12 — Vocabulary

Vocabulary Words from CHAPTER 12

tow-head (noun)

A sand-bar in a river that has trees or bushes growing on it.

snug (adjective)

Warm, comfortable, and well-protected from the weather or cold.

solemn (adjective)

Serious and dignified; inspiring feelings of awe or gravity.

mournful (adjective)

Feeling, expressing, or suggesting sadness or grief.

distinct (adjective)

Clearly seen or heard; easily perceived or noticed.

treacherous (adjective)

Guilty of or involving betrayal of trust; deceitful and untrustworthy.

earnest (adjective)

Serious in intention, purpose, or effort; showing sincere conviction.

halter (noun)

A rope with a noose, used for hanging a person; here meaning the hangman's noose as a consequence of murder.

derrick (noun)

A type of crane or hoisting device, here referring to equipment on the steamboat used for loading and unloading.

texas (noun)

The large deckhouse or cabin on the upper deck of a steamboat, typically housing officers' staterooms.

labboard (noun)

Dialect form of "larboard," meaning the left side of a ship (port side).

skylight (noun)

A window or opening in a roof or upper deck to let in light from above.

crawfished (verb)

Moved backward quickly; retreated (from the way a crayfish moves).

chimbly-guy (noun)

Dialect for "chimney-guy," the wire or rope stays used to support a steamboat's smokestack.

truck (noun)

Goods, belongings, or stolen loot; miscellaneous items.

considerable (adjective)

Notably large or great in amount, extent, or degree.