The Toll-House Vocabulary

Vocabulary Words from The Toll-House

wainscot (noun)

Wood paneling that lines the lower part of the walls of a room.

blandly (adverb)

In a calm, mild manner that shows little emotion or concern; smoothly polite.

sovereign (noun)

A British gold coin worth one pound sterling, used as currency until 1914.

spectres (noun)

Ghosts or phantoms; visible spirits of the dead.

hobgoblins (noun)

Mischievous or frightening supernatural creatures; goblins.

indulgently (adverb)

In a tolerant, lenient manner; showing a willingness to overlook faults or grant wishes.

derision (noun)

Contemptuous ridicule or mockery.

balusters (noun)

The vertical posts or pillars that support a staircase handrail.

sepulchre (noun)

A stone burial chamber or tomb, especially one cut into rock or built of stone.

rank (adjective)

Growing too thickly and coarsely; luxuriant in an unhealthy or unpleasant way.

loomed (verb)

Appeared as a large, indistinct, and often threatening shape.

plied (verb)

Used or wielded vigorously and repeatedly.

volleyed (verb)

Sounded out in a rapid, echoing succession, like a volley of gunfire.

void (noun)

A completely empty space; an open, dark gap or abyss.

unwholesome (adjective)

Not conducive to health or moral well-being; unhealthy or morbid.

tallow (noun)

Hard animal fat rendered from beef or mutton, used to make candles and soap.

delude (verb)

To mislead or deceive, especially by creating a false impression.

grimacing (verb)

Making a twisted facial expression, typically showing disgust, pain, or unease.

strident (adjective)

Loud, harsh, and grating; unpleasantly forceful.

hearthstone (noun)

A flat stone forming the floor of a fireplace.

grotesque (adjective)

Comically or repulsively ugly or distorted; bizarre and unnatural in appearance.

overwrought (adjective)

In a state of excessive nervous excitement or anxiety.

aghast (adjective)

Filled with horror or shock; struck with overwhelming dismay.

inaudible (adjective)

Unable to be heard; too quiet or faint to perceive.

exaggerated carelessness (noun phrase)

A deliberately overdone display of calm indifference, intended to mask fear or anxiety.