The Murder at the Vicarage: Chapters 7–12

by Agatha Christie
In this classic mystery novel, the peaceful English village of St. Mary Mead is upset by the murder of a local magistrate.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters 1–6, Chapters 7–12, Chapters 13–18, Chapters 19–24, Chapters 25–32
15 words 17 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. juncture
    a particular point in a process or activity
    “You can take it from me that it was something quite different, but I can't say more at the present juncture.”
  2. congeal
    solidify, thicken, or come together
    “If Redding says he killed Protheroe at a quarter to seven, then Redding lies. Hang it all, I tell you I'm a doctor, and I know. The blood had begun to congeal.”
  3. gist
    the choicest or most vital part of some idea or experience
    “Look here, Redding,” he said, “I understand you made a statement to Inspector Slack here. You state you went to the Vicarage at approximately a quarter to seven, found Protheroe there, quarrelled with him, shot him, and came away. I'm not reading it over to you, but that's the gist of it.”
  4. egress
    the act or means of going out
    There were no windows and the door was the only means of entrance or egress.
  5. archness
    inappropriate and deliberate playfulness or sauciness
    Miss Cram seemed momentarily discomfited, but recovered herself with her usual archness.
  6. under the weather
    somewhat ill or prone to illness
    “A bit under the weather this morning,” she explained.
  7. corroborate
    give evidence for
    He corroborates that all right—I've seen him.
  8. ethereal
    characterized by unusual lightness and delicacy
    “And then there was poor Elwell's daughter—such a pretty ethereal girl— tried to stifle her little brother.”
  9. vexing
    extremely annoying or displeasing
    And I thought nothing about it—nothing at all. Most vexing.
  10. cordiality
    a politely warm and friendly disposition or attitude
    Colonel Melchett greeted him with something approaching cordiality.
  11. tentative
    hesitant or lacking confidence; unsettled in mind or opinion
    He, on his part, made a tentative step towards her.
  12. alacrity
    liveliness and eagerness
    Inspector Slack moved with alacrity towards the door.
  13. odious
    extremely repulsive or unpleasant
    A successful Slack would, I thought, be even more odious than a baffled one.
  14. laconically
    in a brief, concise, and dry manner
    “Gardener's,” said Inspector Slack laconically.
  15. facetiously
    not seriously
    “You're not arresting Uncle Len, are you?” inquired Dermis facetiously.
Created on Tue Mar 03 08:39:25 EST 2026 (updated Fri Mar 06 12:09:35 EST 2026)

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