Vocabulary
Here is a list of words that you might need to know from the novel:
Abolish: formally put an end to.
Apathy: lack of interest or enthusiasm.
Benevolent: well meaning and kindly.
Bewilderment: to be perplex or confuse.
Blithely: cheerfully or thoughtlessly indifferent.
Breaches: make gaps or holes in; breaks through.
Brood: The young of certain animals, especially a group of young birds or fowl hatched at one time and cared for by the same mother.
Colleague: a person with whom one works.
Confer: 1) grant (a title, degree, benefit, or right). 2) have discussions.
Contemplate: look at thoughtfully.
Contemptible: deserving the feeling that a person or a thing is worthless or beneath consideration.
Contemptuous: showing the feeling that a person or a thing is worthless or beneath consideration.
Cryptic: mysterious or obscure in meaning.
Daintily: (from Dainty which means) 1) delicately small and pretty. 2) fastidious and fussy when eating.
Decree: an official order that has the force of law.
Degrade: cause (someone) to suffer a loss of dignity or self-respect.
Devotee: 1) a person who is very enthusiastic about someone or something. 2) a follower of a particular religion or god.
Din: a prolonged loud and unpleasant noise.
Disinter: dig up (something buried).
Dissident: a person who opposes official policy.
Dole: noun - (often in phrase on the dole) Brit. informal benefit paid by the state to the unemployed.
verb - (dole out) distribute.
Ecstasy: an overwhelming feeling of great happiness or joyful excitement.
Efficiency: the state or quality of being efficient.
Ensconce: establish in a comfortable, safe, or secret place.
Expulsion: the action of being forced or driven out.
Falter: 1) lose strength or momentum. 2) move or speak hesitantly.
Famine: extreme scarcity of food.
Fidget: make small movements through nervousness or impatience.
Forelock: a lock of hair growing just above the forehead.
Fortnight: a period of two weeks.
Gambol: run or jump about playfully.
Generation: all of the people born and living at about the same time, regarded collectively.
Hideous: extremely ugly.
Hoist: haul or lift up.
Ignominious: deserving or causing public disgrace or shame.
Impending: To be about to occur
Imperishable: will not decay, spoil.
Implement: a tool, utensil, or other piece of equipment, used for a particular purpose.
Inscribe:1) write or carve (words or symbols) on a surface. 2) write a dedication to someone in (a book).
Inscriptions: words or symbols inscribed on a monument, in a book, etc.
Knoll: a small hill or mound.
League: 1) a collection of people, countries, or groups that combine for mutual protection or cooperation. 2) a former measure of distance by land, usually about three miles.
Leisure: time spent in or free for relaxation or enjoyment.
Machination: The act of plotting.
Malignant: harmful
Maneuver: a carefully planned scheme or action.
Maxim: a short statement expressing a general truth or rule of conduct.
Nimble: quick and agile in movement, action, or thought.
Poultice: a soft moist mass of flour, plant material, etc., applied to the skin to relieve inflammation.
Pretext: an ostensible or false reason used to justify an action.
Procure: 1) obtain. 2) Law persuade or cause to do something.
Prosperity/ Prosperous: successful or flourishing, especially financially.
Pursue: 1) follow in order to catch or attack. 2) continue to investigate or discuss
Quarry: an open excavation in the earth's surface from which stone or other materials are extracted
Rafter: a beam forming part of the internal framework of a roof.
Rally: a mass meeting held as a protest or in support of a cause.
Scathe:To criticize or denounce severely.
Unscathed: without suffering any injury, damage, or harm.
Scheme: a secret or underhand plan; a plot.
Scullery: A small room adjoining a kitchen, in which dishwashing and other kitchen chores are done.
seclusion: The act of secluding.
shirk: To avoid work or duty.
shrewd: Disposed to artful and cunning practices.
solicitor: One that solicits, especially one that seeks trade or contributions.
snuffle: To sniff.
suppress: To put an end to forcibly.
toil: To labor continuously; work strenuously.
tractable: Easily managed or controlled.
trample: To beat down with the feet so as to crush, bruise, or destroy.
treachery: Willful betrayal of fidelity, confidence, or trust.
treacherous: Marked by betrayal of fidelity, confidence, or trust; perfidious.
trickle: To flow or fall in drops or in a thin stream.
trotter: A horse that trots, especially one trained for harness racing.
unanimous: Sharing the same opinions or views; being in complete harmony or accord.
unison: In complete agreement; harmonizing exactly.
vicious: Having the nature of vice; evil, immoral, or depraved.
wean: To gradually withdraw from something.
whelp: A young offspring of a mammal, such as a dog or wolf.
windfall: A sudden, unexpected piece of good fortune or personal gain.