The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate: Chapters 23–28

by Jacqueline Kelly
The year is 1899, and 11-year-old Callie enjoys studying Darwin and exploring the natural world with her grandfather — but her traditional mother wants Callie to spend her time engaged in "ladylike" pursuits like cooking and sewing. As a new century dawns, Callie must struggle to balance her desires and interests with the expectations of society.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–2, Chapters 3–6, Chapters 7–8, Chapters 9–15, Chapters 16–22, Chapters 23–28
35 words 19 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. yearling
    an animal in its second year
    Travis had briefly considered entering a calf in the yearling division, but fortunately Harry had had the presence of mind to point out to him what inevitably happened to the winning specimens in the cattle divisions.
  2. motley
    consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds
    We parked among a motley collection of farm wagons and gigs and dogcarts pulled up higgledy-piggledy on the grassy field adjoining the many tents.
  3. marquee
    large and often sumptuous tent
    I went by the cakewalk in a marquee festooned with many curls of flypaper.
  4. festoon
    decorate or adorn
    I went by the cakewalk in a marquee festooned with many curls of flypaper.
  5. rusticate
    lend a rural character to
    I guess this was the rusticated equivalent of coming out.
  6. flounce
    walk in an emphatic or exaggerated way
    “How would you know?” said Dovie, flouncing by.
  7. mired
    entangled or hindered
    I walked that way, my hand on the ribbon, mired in my ambivalence, to the refreshment tent.
  8. ambivalence
    mixed feelings or emotions
    I walked that way, my hand on the ribbon, mired in my ambivalence, to the refreshment tent.
  9. bunting
    a loosely woven fabric used for flags, etc.
    I turned my back on Mr. Grassel and pretended to study the red-and-white advertising bunting overhead.
  10. grouse
    complain
    I left him grousing about the state of his finances and headed off to the machinery tent.
  11. din
    a loud, harsh, or strident noise
    The crowd evidently liked this from the buzzing cheer it sent up, increasing the din to an unbelievable level.
  12. repose
    freedom from activity
    These heroines were always willowy and managed to land in graceful postures of repose, and were revived with the merest passing of a decorated flagon of smelling salts under their noses.
  13. flagon
    a large metal or pottery vessel with a handle and spout
    These heroines were always willowy and managed to land in graceful postures of repose, and were revived with the merest passing of a decorated flagon of smelling salts under their noses.
  14. undulate
    move in a wavy pattern or with a rising and falling motion
    I located his face, which for some odd reason was undulating, and croaked, “Sure I can, Harry.”
  15. insipid
    lacking interest or significance or impact
    Her complexion was a faint pink, and her eyes were a light blue, and although she gave an overall impression of paleness and delicacy, her alert expression and mobile features saved her from looking insipid.
  16. trappings
    ornaments; embellishments to or characteristic signs of
    I admired the graceful gold-and-pink rose pattern on the translucent bone china and figured that some of the trappings of civilization weren’t so bad after all.
  17. caper
    jump about playfully
    That and the fact that I ran out and met them all on the front porch looking as cheerful and lively as I could, wearing my prize ribbon, practically capering with girlish good health.
  18. irresolute
    uncertain how to act or proceed
    My courage, watery and irresolute to begin with, ebbed away.
  19. ebb
    fall away or decline
    My courage, watery and irresolute to begin with, ebbed away.
  20. nonpareil
    colored beads of sugar used as a topping
    Viola was bent over an elaborate cake, holding her breath and applying the final decorations of nonpareils, those tiny edible metallic nuggets that crunched thrillingly between the teeth.
  21. paltry
    contemptibly small in amount or size
    As Christmas loomed on the horizon, our paltry time together shrank even further.
  22. coup
    a brilliant and notable success
    Mother scored the coup of having the Reverend come to our house for supper following the Christmas Eve services.
  23. protractor
    drafting instrument used to draw or measure angles
    Lamar got a leather case containing a steel protractor, a ruler, and a compass.
  24. fervent
    characterized by intense emotion
    Much was made over this later handiwork, which, while not too embarrassing, did not warrant the fervent praise it received.
  25. baleful
    threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
    Polly flared his crest and stared at me with a baleful jaundiced eye as I puffed up.
  26. tenuous
    lacking substance or significance
    I blew my nose and with a great effort got a tenuous grip on myself.
  27. quaver
    give off unsteady sounds
    “I think,” I quavered, “that we should go through the front door today. Don’t you?”
  28. gratuity
    a small, extra gift of money for services rendered
    “No, no, Captain Tate. I’ll take no gratuity from you, sir. My pleasure, sir.”
  29. taxonomy
    a classification of organisms based on similarities
    May we suggest to you that the plant be known as Vicia tateii? Such would be in keeping with the regular customs of taxonomy.
  30. perspicacious
    acutely insightful and wise
    The Institution congratulates you on your perspicacious find.
  31. limpid
    clear and bright
    We heard the piano start up in the parlor, a limpid, haunting melody; Harry had been pressed into playing for our visitors.
  32. wistful
    showing pensive sadness
    His face was wistful, contemplative, sad.
  33. surreptitious
    marked by quiet and caution and secrecy
    Generalized rustling and surreptitious glances from my brothers indicated that they knew something was afoot.
  34. gangly
    tall, thin, and awkward
    This was impossible, as he toted the gangly cat with him everywhere, tucked into the bib of his overalls.
  35. cacophony
    a loud harsh or strident noise
    Finally, finally, the clock struck midnight, and as the chimes died out, we heard a cacophony of pots and pans being beaten in the streets all over town.
Created on Wed Aug 22 10:55:53 EDT 2018 (updated Wed Aug 22 11:43:33 EDT 2018)

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