CHAPTER 31 — Vocabulary

Vocabulary Words from CHAPTER 31

temperance (noun)

The practice of abstaining from or moderating the consumption of alcohol; also used for moral self-restraint.

yellocution (noun)

Huck's humorous dialect spelling of 'elocution,' meaning the art of public speaking with clear pronunciation and expressive delivery.

mesmerizering (verb)

Huck's dialect form of 'mesmerizing,' referring to the practice of hypnotism, named after Franz Mesmer. In this era, mesmerists performed public demonstrations as entertainment.

deviltry (noun)

Wicked or mischievous behavior; devilish conduct or reckless action.

doggery (noun)

A low, disreputable tavern or drinking establishment, common in frontier American towns.

bullyragging (verb)

Bullying, harassing, or intimidating someone, especially through verbal abuse and taunting.

rascality (noun)

Dishonest or mischievous behavior; the quality of being a rascal or scoundrel.

ornery (adjective)

Bad-tempered, stubborn, or difficult to deal with; also meaning low-down or contemptible.

Providence (noun)

The protective care and guidance of God or nature; divine intervention or fate.

everlasting fire (noun phrase)

A biblical reference to hell and eternal damnation, describing the punishment believed to await sinners after death.

counterfeit (adjective)

Made as an imitation of something valuable with the intent to deceive or defraud, especially regarding currency.

speculation (noun)

A risky financial venture or investment made in the hope of profit; here used colloquially to mean a business deal.

handbill (noun)

A small printed advertisement or notice distributed by hand; in this context, a wanted poster describing a runaway slave.

betwixt (preposition)

An archaic or dialectal form of 'between,' meaning in the space or interval separating two things.

store clothes (noun phrase)

Ready-made clothing purchased from a store, as opposed to homemade garments; wearing them indicated a deliberate effort to appear respectable.