Vocabulary from Fever 1793 Rouse verb Definition to

Vocabulary from Fever 1793

Rouse – verb Definition: to stir up or excite; to cause to awake from sleep. “I woke to the sound of a mosquito whining in my left ear and my mother screeching in the right. ‘Rouse yourself this instant!’” Pg. 1 Rouse

Drone – verb Definition: To talk persistently in a dull and monotonous voice. “Her voice droned on and on as she clattered down the stairs. ” Pg. 2 Drone

Hearth – noun Definition: the brick, stone or concrete floor area of the fireplace. “She dished up a bowl of oatmeal from a pot that hung by the side of the hearth…” Pg. 9

Disreputable – adjective Definition: not respected or trusted by most people, not having a good reputation. “I tied a disreputable straw hat atop the cap, one I could never wear in the street…before I ran outside. Pg. 11 Disreputable

Miasma – noun Definition: a heavy cloud of unhealthy or unpleasant air. “It’s the source of a deadly miasma, a foul stench, indeed. ” Pg. 19 Miasma

Pleurisy – noun Definition: a serious and painful disease of the lungs. “It could have been a sudden pleurisy or a weak heart. ” Pg. 26 Pleurisy

Impudence – noun Definition: rudeness, boldness “He snatched an apple from my basket and took a bite. The impudence. ” Impudence

Condolence – noun Definition – a expression of sympathy or sadness, especially when someone is suffering after the death of a loved one. “He expressed his condolences on the death of my friend…” Pg. 35 Condolence

Quarantine – verb Definition: to keep a person or animal away from others in order to prevent the spread of disease. “The mayor should quarantine them on Hog Island for a few weeks and the fever would pass. ” Pg. 38 Quarantine

Idle – verb Definition: to spend time doing nothing or doing nothing useful. Matilda’s mother hates it when Matilda idles around the house. “idleness” – noun – state of being idle. Pg. 42 Also an adjective – meaning – not working. Idle

Vulgar – adjective Definition: offensive, rude, or indecent. “Try this on and don’t be vulgar, ” Mother said. ” Pg. 44 Vulgar

Din – noun Definition: a loud sound, a combination of discordant sounds. “…The church bells of Philadelphia tolled without cease. Guns were fired on the street corners…The din was maddening. ” Pg. 54 Din

Vehemently – adverb Definition: loudly, insistently and angrily. “Grandfather sped up. ‘Sir, I protest most vehemently!’” Pg. 61 Vehemently

Cajole – verb Definition: to persuade or coax, often with flattery and promises. “No amount of cajoling would change her mind. ” Pg. 74 Cajole

Odiferous – adjective Definition: smelly, having a strong odor. “And now I am going to get some sleep before our coachman delivers us unto the joys of the Ludington family barnyard and their odiferous pigs. ” Pg. 80 Odiferous

Harried – adjective Definition: beset by problems; stressed by many problems. “’Thank you, ’ I told the harried woman. ” Pg. 185 Harried

Scurrilous – adjective Definition: vulgar and evil, containing vulgar language or obscenities, immoral “’He’s a scurrilous dog, that man, ’ she muttered. ” Pg. 194 Scurrilous

Ominous – adjective Definition: suggesting or hinting that something bad will happen in the future. “On the fourth day…an ominous silence pressed in on the room as the fever penetrated deeper. ” Pg. 204 Ominous

Frail – adjective Definition: very weak, easily damaged or destroyed. “The boys turned frail, their skin ashen and cheeks sinking, as their bodies burned up under the infection. ” Pg. 204 Frail

Fetid – adjective Definition: having a strong, offensive smell. “The fetid stench that had hung over the city for weeks was gone, replaced with brittle, pure air. ” Pg. 210 Fetid