CHAPTER 23 — Vocabulary

Vocabulary Words from CHAPTER 23

tragedy (noun)

A serious dramatic work, especially one with an unhappy ending; here used ironically, as the duke falsely bills the Royal Nonesuch as a great tragedy.

capering (verb (present participle))

Leaping or dancing about in a lively or playful way.

sold (adjective (slang))

Cheated or swindled; 19th-century slang for being tricked into a bad deal.

tragedians (noun)

Actors who perform in tragedies; here used sarcastically, since the duke and king are frauds rather than real actors.

rapscallions (noun)

Dishonest or mischievous people; rascals or scoundrels.

heptarchies (noun)

The seven Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of early medieval England; Huck uses the word incorrectly as if it means individual rulers rather than kingdoms.

indifferent (adjective)

Without concern or interest; casually and without caring.

greenhorns (noun)

Inexperienced or naive people who are easily deceived.

flatheads (noun)

Stupid or foolish people (slang, derogatory).

provisions (noun)

Supplies of food and other necessities; here used sarcastically by the duke to mean the rotten items the audience brought.

ornery (adjective)

Bad-tempered, disagreeable, or difficult to deal with.

obliged (adjective)

Grateful or indebted; the duke uses the dialect form "obleeged" to express thanks.

sk'yarlet-fever (noun)

Scarlet fever, a contagious disease that can cause high fever, sore throat, and rash; in Jim's dialect rendering, it left his daughter deaf.

suspicions (noun)

Feelings of doubt or mistrust about someone; Huck incorrectly claims Henry VIII had "suspicions" of the Duke of Wellington.

gaudy (adjective)

Showy and in poor taste; by extension, something extravagant or wild.