Chapter XVII. Foo-foo the First. — Vocabulary

Vocabulary Words from Chapter XVII. Foo-foo the First.

perplexed

Completely puzzled or baffled; unable to understand or decide what to do.

ruffian

A violent, lawless person; a thug or bully.

truculent

Eager or quick to argue or fight; aggressively defiant.

mendicants

People who live by begging; beggars.

pedlar

A person who travels from place to place selling small goods (also spelled 'peddler').

slatternly

Slovenly and untidy in appearance or habits; characteristic of a person who is careless about neatness.

beldame

An old woman, especially an ugly or malicious one; a hag.

orgy

In this context, a wild, unrestrained revelry or celebration involving excessive drinking and noise.

derisive

Expressing contempt or ridicule; mocking.

condescension

An attitude of patronizing superiority; in older usage, the gracious act of a superior lowering themselves to interact with inferiors.

manikin

A very small person; a dwarf or little man. Used here as a belittling term.

sullenly

In a bad-tempered, sulky, or gloomy manner; showing silent resentment.

motley

Varied in appearance or character; incongruously mixed. Originally referred to the multicolored costume of a court jester.

tarry

To stay longer than intended; to delay or linger.

diligently

In a way that shows careful and persistent effort; with steady application.