26 terms
To Build a Fire Vocabulary
Vocabulary words from the Jack London short story "To Build a Fire"
Pall
A dark covering, usually a cloth draped over a coffin. It can also refer to the gloomy or dark atmosphere
Undulations
Waves
Dyea
A former village in southeast Alaska. Became the supply center and starting point in 1896 for many miners as they traveled to the mining towns just north of there
Cheechako
A newcomer/tenderfoot in Alaska
Conjectural
Based on surmise or guesswork
Unwonted
unusual or unfamiliar
Amber
A reddish- or brownish-yellow vegetable resin used in making beads
Spirit thermometer
An alcohol thermometer used particularly in severe cold
Crypts
Chambers or vaults wholly or partly underground, used for burial. Can also mean something deep or unknown
Smote
Past tense of the verb smite, which means to strike suddenly and with great force
Conflagration
A large, disastrous fire
Flotsam
The floating wreckage of a ship or its cargo
Excruciating
Causing great pain
Brimstone
Sulfur
Spasmodically
Suddenly and violently
Apathetically
Without interest or emotion
Sidled
Moved sideways in a cautious manner
Mincingly
With short steps in a dainty, affected manner
Peremptorily
In a commanding manner
Throttle
Choke or strangle
Poignant
Painfully affecting the feelings; piercing
Mercury
A god of Roman mythology that is depicted as having winged feet
Appeasingly
Trying to make peace
Anesthetic
A drug or gas that causes loss of physical sensation or pain
Chidden
Scolded
Bristle
Become agitated, take on an aggressive appearance