The Maltese Falcon: Chapters 1–4

by Dashiell Hammett
In this classic of noir fiction, detective Sam Spade is hired to protect a client in her search for a priceless artifact, but as she refuses to tell him the whole truth, the job becomes more and more dangerous.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters 1-4, Chapters 5-9, Chapters 10-13, Chapters 14-17, Chapters 18-20
15 words 78 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. tentative
    hesitant or lacking confidence; unsettled in mind or opinion
    She advanced slowly, with tentative steps, looking at Spade with cobalt-blue eyes that were both shy and probing.
  2. ingratiating
    calculated to please or gain favor
    The embarrassment that had gradually been driven away by Spade’s ingratiating smiles and nods and assurances was pinkening her face again.
  3. blustery
    tending to talk or act in a domineering and boastful way
    “He talks in a rather loud, blustery way and has a nervous, irritable manner.”
  4. complacently
    in a self-satisfied manner
    When he returned to his desk Archer nodded at the hundred-dollar bills there, growled complacently, “They’re right enough,” picked one up, folded it, and tucked it into a vest-pocket.
  5. placid
    calm and free from disturbance
    His face was placid and uncurious.
  6. derisive
    expressing contempt or ridicule
    "Everybody's foot slips sometime," he replied with derisive mildness.
  7. surreptitious
    marked by quiet and caution and secrecy
    He grimaced again and bent his head for a surreptitious look at the watch on his wrist.
  8. inert
    unable to move or resist motion
    Then she leaned over and took the tobacco-sack and the papers from his inert fingers.
  9. wryly
    in a humorously sarcastic or mocking manner
    She smiled a bit wryly.
  10. dandy
    a man who is much concerned with his dress and appearance
    Spade went through the St. Mark’s long purplish lobby to the desk and asked a red-haired dandy whether Miss Wonderly was in.
  11. haggard
    showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
    Her face had become haggard around desperate eyes.
  12. tremulous
    quivering as from weakness or fear
    “I want you to save me from—from it all,” she replied in a thin tremulous voice.
  13. wan
    pale, as of a person's complexion
    Her face was wan, taut, and fearful over tight-clasped hands.
  14. implacable
    incapable of being appeased or pacified
    His yellow-grey eyes were hard and implacable.
  15. mincing
    affectedly dainty or refined
    He held a black derby hat in a chamois-gloved hand and came towards Spade with short, mincing, bobbing steps.
Created on Thu Jan 08 08:53:04 EST 2026 (updated Fri Jan 09 11:02:01 EST 2026)

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